In the news

Here's the link to the article that was printed in the leaf chronicle this morning.

http://m.theleafchronicle.com/news/article?a=2011110924001&f=550

Faith, family, fidelity. These words are at the core of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of how they approach outreach to others and of their sacred commitment to family.
Generally known as Mormons, members of the church live out their commitment daily to their biological and church family members.
Clarksville has three Latter-day Saints churches, or wards. There also is a congregation at Fort Campbell. All operate independently and are self-sustaining.
Christie Wall and Llewanne Bass are members of the Ward 3 congregation on U.S. Highway 41A South. They explained how Latter-day Saints took active roles in helping individuals, families and businesses in Clarksville and Middle Tennessee after the May 2010 floods. This same type of effort was demonstrated when large areas of southern and central Kentucky sustained heavy damage from freezing and power outages.
"We have emergency relief plans and procedures that can be activated immediately when disaster strikes," Bass said.
The Mormon philosophy of "let's provide help now" reduces the time spent identifying needs and increases the delivery of assistance. These emergency plans have been put into practice on local, regional, national and international levels.
Local Latter-day Saints participate with Hands On Clarksville in addressing the needs of others. Through their Annual Day of Service program, a specific need is identified with local government officials and community leaders. A team is created, a plan is designed and the need gets addressed. This is done in a spirit of cooperation with others, regardless of faith traditions, race, ethnicity, political affiliations or socioeconomic status.
This past spring, members of the Ward 3 congregation led an effort to help clean up and restore Mount Olive Cemetery. Similar partnerships have been forged with Sango United Methodist Church to provide shoes for children and adults, and with New Springs Thrift Stores to provide stuffed animals for children in Africa.
This same Christian compassion that extends outwardly is strengthened by a commitment to each other within each congregation and individual family.
A particular weekly event that reinforces the importance of family to Latter-day Saints is Family Home Evening. This family get-together traces its roots to 1915, but became designated in 1970 as a weekly event to be maintained by Mormon families. Each Monday evening, the family gathers for song, prayer, a Scripture lesson, a special activity associated with the focus of that evening and the Scripture lesson, and a treat for the kids.
For Eric and Rozanne Bass (no relation to Llewanne Bass), this time with their children reinforces their responsibility as parents and gives the entire family the opportunity to share the light of Christ with one another.
"To me, it is about family unity," said Alex, 15.
There are more practical benefits, too, as the children explained. "It's a time when we calm down from the day," said Jesikah, 13.
"It sets you away from your troubles," said Tess, 10.
Even Jarem, age 5, saw benefits: "I like the singing. I like the treat too."
For the over 2,000 Latter-day Saints living in the Clarksville area, the fabric that binds them to each other and to the community is woven into their Christian faith, their emphasis on family, and their ongoing fidelity of remaining true to Jesus and one
another. It is lived, not just practiced.
Tim Parrish
Freelance writer