Mormon Life - Disaster tag

100 years after Titanic sinks, LDS connections still remembered

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Alexa Justesen - LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, LDS Living takes a look back at the connections between the event and members of the LDS community, including a mother, a defender of LDS rights, and six missionaries who miraculously survived.

On the cold evening of April 14, 1912, the Titanic, a brand-new ocean liner carrying 2,223 people, struck an iceberg, creating a large gash on the ship’s side. Hours later, on the early morning of April 15, the massive ship sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Millions around the world mourned the loss of 1,517 people the night the “near unsinkable” Titanic sank on its maiden voyage from England to the United States.

One hundred years later, LDS Living looks back at those with ties to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their part of the story.

A Mother Who Sacrificed to Save Others

Irene Colvin Corbett, a 30 year-old mother from Provo, Utah, and cousin to President Joseph F. Smith, had taken passage on the Titanic after a six-month trip to England to study midwifery. Like twelve other women in second class, she did not survive. Though her death may have occurred because of the lifeboat shortage (one of the great controversies of the Titanic's fate), many believe that Irene did not survive because she had put her medical training to practice and helped as many as she could before the ship went down, thus making it too late for her to get on a lifeboat. Her ability to serve and look beyond her own safety most likely led her to help save many lives, even if it meant giving up her own.

As a second-class passenger, Corbett likely would have spent much of her time at the lending libraries, playing on the Squash court, or outside socializing on the open deck. While each of the class’s quarters were separate, it was common for first- and second-class passengers to mingle.

The Missionaries Who Almost Didn’t Make It

Alma Sonne and his companion, Fred, were heading home along with four other elders after they completed their mission in England. But when the time came to meet in Southampton, Fred became delayed. Elder Sonne, who had convinced Fred to serve a mission in the first place and had booked their passage on the Titanic, decided they should not leave anyone behind. Instead, he canceled the reservations so they could depart the next day, when Fred would arrive.

While a few of the elders were disappointed they would not be able to travel home on the Titanic, they thanked God after they discovered what their outcome would have been. “You saved my life,” Elder Sonne told Fred. “No,” Fred replied. “By getting me on this mission, you saved my life.”

Alma Sonne later served as a stake president and an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A more in-depth look at Sonne, along with perspectives of his descendants, can be read at the Church's website here.

The Advocate for Religious Freedom

William Stead was another Titanic passenger worth commemorating. As the editor of the Pall Mall Gazette, a London-based newspaper, William used his words to fight the intolerance and bigotry that swarmed around England about the LDS Church.

Although Stead was not a member, he wrote articles in his paper sharing his belief that members of the Church should not be persecuted, and he debunked many of the negative rumors circulating about the Church. William, a first-class passenger, was on his way to America to attend a peace congress at Carnegie Hall, at the request of U.S. President William Howard Taft. Rudger Clawson, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said of William, “Surely every Latter-day Saint whose eyes rest upon the writings of Mr. Stead . . . will ever hold [him] in honorable remembrance.”

Stead, a first-class passenger on the Titanic, would have been able to use the ship’s heated swimming pool, gymnasium, and Turkish bath. Stead would have likely eaten at the Parisian café, where most of the food was cooked by professional French chefs. First class state rooms included a private bedroom, a receiving room, and private restroom facilities. Standard first-class rooms still boasted some of the amenities of the state rooms, but on a smaller scale. All passengers could use the telephone to make phone calls to friends and family on land, and many telegrams (while expensive) were sent and received during the few days the Titanic was on the ocean.

Unfortunately, one of the luxuries not provided was enough lifeboats for all the passengers. Corbett and Stead both passed that night 100 years ago, but their legacies live on in the many memorials taking place this week.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform The Titanic Requiem on April 10 in London, and a hologram show depicting the ship and the iceberg will be included. The cruise ship Balmoral will also follow the original route of Titanic and - on April 15 - will briefly stop over the area where the Titanic rests.

And if you want to read more about Irene Corbett’s story, you can check out Anita Stansfield’s Passage on the Titanic, a historical fiction account of Corbett’s journey.

Water Storage Options

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by Emergency Essentials
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: In most emergency situations, fresh drinking water is the most important item you can store. Learn your options for portable and stationary water storage.

It is recommended to have both portable and stationary emergency water storage. Portable water containers should be light enough to carry during an emergency. Be sure to take into consideration that water weighs 8 lbs per gallon. Preparedness authorities recommend storing at least 14 gallons of water per person. This would mean a family of 4 would want to store approximately 56 gallons of water (remember to store both stationary and portable). There are many types of containers and options available for storing water for long term.

Water Storage Containers

Heavy-duty, thick, polyethylene barrels, made of food grade materials, are great for water storage. These barrels are normally blue (color is important, blue means water is being stored, red would mean fuel or flammable liquid is being stored, and colors other than blue may not be food grade plastic) and normally come in sizes that range from 15 to 55 gallons. It is recommended to store these barrels in a dark and cool area, such as a basement or food storage room. Storing your barrel outside could have an effect on the life of the barrel. It is not recommended to store any water container in direct or indirect sunlight. Also, it is best to store water barrels with a non-pourous insulation barrier (such as wood) between the cement and the barrel.

It is not recommended to store a barrel outside, but if you have to, it is recommended to take certain necessary precautions. Cover it as much as possible to prevent exposure to light, ensure cleanliness and for insulation purposes. During the winter you have to take into account the freezing factor. When water freezes it expands. If there is not enough room at the top of your barrel, it can cause your barrel to become disfigured or may even crack. It is recommended to only fill the barrel 9/10 the way full if you plan on storing it in a place where there is a potential of freezing.

One of the best water storage options is the metalized plastic bag in a boxed water kit. The metalized bag is filled with water and then placed in a cardboard box. The water is kept from light, limiting any bacteria or algae growth. These kits are great because they offer an easy to use and versatile portable water system. The boxes can double as a sanitation kit (emergency toilet) and a carrying case for transporting water.

A smaller version of the metalized water bag system is the water pouch or box of purified drinking water. Each pouch contains approximately four ounces of water that can be stored for more than five years. This would be an alternative to heavier containers as a minimum ration for small children. These small pouches may not be as convenient for large amounts of water.

Two-liter pop or juice bottles are also a good option for inexpensive water storage. Be sure to clean them well and store in a cool and dark area. Light and warmth will promote algae and bacteria growth. Over time these water containers can breakdown and leak. It is recommended to not store them next to food or other items that can be damaged by water. Heavy containers should always be stored close to ground level and secured to prevent breakage or possible injury in the event of any earthquake or natural disaster. Be sure to store these water containers away from any harmful chemicals. Rotate the water once a year. It is not recommended to use milk jugs. These jugs are biodegradable and can break down within a short period of time.

Tips and Suggestions

-Water can be found during an emergency from several different places around the house including the water heater, ice cubes in freezer, and as a last resort, the reservoir tank in your toilet (not the bowl).

-Treat water with bleach before you use your water during an emergency. It is recommended to use 4 drops of bleach per quart of water.

Rotate your water once a year for freshness. Choose a month that is convenient for you.

Water containers can be stored in many different places such as closets, underneath beds, etc.

-Glass containers are not recommended for water store because they can easily break during an emergency.

-Available water filters and purifiers treat from 26 to as much as 39,000 gallons of water. These items are a must to have in addition to your portable and stationary water storage to ensure enough water for your family.

-If space and money is a concern, start small and gradually build your water storage as you build your food storage.

-If:

A) the water is free of microorganisms,

B) the container is made of food grade materials,

C) the container is clean and tightly closed,

D) the container is kept from sunlight,

then it will remain safe indefinitely.

Preparing for a Tornado

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by Emergency Essentials
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Tornadoes can be unpredictable and scary, but an emergency plan will go a long way toward bringing you peace of mind.

The following information on preparing for and responding to tornadoes is taken from the FEMA web side at ready.gov/tornadoes.

Before a Tornado: How to Plan

Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.

Designate an area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat.

Discuss with family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado warning." Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on tornadoes.

Have disaster supplies on hand:

Flashlight and extra batteries

Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries

First aid kit and manual

Emergency food and water

Non-electric can opener

Essential medicines

Cash and credit cards

Sturdy shoes

Develop an emergency communication plan

In case family members are separated from one another during a tornado (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person

Tornado Watches and Warnings

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. This is time to remind family members where the safest places within your home are located, and listen to the radio or television for further developments.

A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

Mobile Homes

Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation. If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance from the unit.

Tornado Danger Signs

Learn these tornado danger signs:

-An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.

-Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.

-Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

What to Do During a Tornado

If at home:

-If you have a tornado safe room or engineered shelter, go there immediately.

-Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.

-If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

-Get away from the windows.

-Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

-Use arms to protect head and neck.

-If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If at work or school:

-Go to the area designated in your tornado plan.

-Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

-Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

-Use arms to protect head and neck.

If outdoors:

-If possible, get inside a building.

-If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

-Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a car:

-Never try to out-drive a tornado in a car or truck.

-Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.

-If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

After a Tornado

-Help injured or trapped persons.

-Give first aid when appropriate.

-Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

-Call for help

-If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances or switches. This includes using phones, flashlights or a cell phone.

-Turn on the radio or television to get the latest emergency information.

-Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

-Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

-Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.

-Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.

Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

Emergency Sanitation Provisions

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by Emergency Essentials
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: At the very least, many of us have some food and water stored in case of emergency. But what about items relative to sanitation? Find out how to make a sanitation supply that suits you.

Many of us are diligent in storing food and water for possible emergency use, but tend to forget to store items relative to sanitation. There are many items we use daily and would continue to need and be grateful to have during an emergency.

Walk through a typical day in your imagination, and make two lists. First, list the items you definitely will use. Second, list the ones you may also need to help keep your surroundings clean. Begin with the first list and start to add those items to your home storage as soon as you can. Then, progress to the second list. Plan to rotate your supplies so that they stay fresh and do not lose their usefulness.

YOU decide which list the following items belong on. Consider them and add a few more of your own:

- Toilet paper - figure how many rolls your family typically uses in a week, and multiply that by the number of weeks in your plan

- Bath soap

- Shampoo

- Deodorant

- Liquid dish soap

- Laundry soap

- Toilet cleaner

- Liquid bleach

- Toothpaste and extra toothbrushes - consider the emergency toothbrushes that come with their own toothpaste, sealed in a disposable bag

- Feminine sanitary supplies

- Plastic bags, garbage-sized and smaller

- Paper towels

- Powdered cleanser such as Comet or Ajax

- Baking soda

- Glass cleaner

- Ammonia

- Rubbing alcohol

- Glycerin

- Hand lotion

- Razors, blades and shaving cream

- Hand sanitizer

- Baby products - diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.

- SPF lotion or wipes - consider Emergency Essentials' SunX SPF 30+ Towelettes (individual packs or packs of 16)

- Cleansing facial and body wipes - consider Ready Bath Basics Antibacterial Formula Total Body Cleansing System

- Emergency shower equipment - consider Zodi Extreme Portable Hot Shower, which Heats to over 100 degrees F in about 5 minutes

For a great emergency (or camping) kit that supplies the basics for three to four people for several days, consider the Family Sanitation Kit from Emergency Essentials, which includes one six-gallon bucket, one tote-able toilet seat and lid, four rolls of toilet paper, six Double Doodie™ Waste Bags, one Epi-Cleanz® Plus Hand Antiseptic, four Fresh and Go™ toothbrushes and three ReadyBath® packets.

If you're interested in preparing your own cleaning products, there are many recipes available (see Cookin' with Home Storage by Peggy Layton). You may want to consider storing ingredients that can be used to make cleaning products at home including, canned lye, powdered borax, glycerin, grease, ammonia, coal oil, kerosene, vinegar, turpentine, and aromatic oils such as rose or lavender.

Not only will emergency sanitation supplies make your experience during an emergency more comfortable, they will also keep you healthy and your surroundings clean!

Finding Hope: 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:29:00 -0600

source: youtube.com/MormonMessages

Mormon Life says: We posted a video of Victor Guzman earlier, but this is different: this describes Guzman's actual experiences on September 11, 2001, as he went to work, experienced the tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks, and the aftermath. Wow.

Victor Guzman - 9/11 Survivor, Father, Mormon

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:05:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Thoughts on how life changed for one LDS survivor of 9/11.

Remembering 9/11

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Jamie Lawson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: As we approach the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, LDS Living takes a look back at that day and the events that followed through the eyes of LDS Church members who lost loved ones, narrowly escaped death, and helped with relief efforts.

_Thinkstock.

By all accounts, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was a beautiful, clear day.

In Boston, Mary Alice Wahlstrom and her daughter, Carolyn Bueg, boarded American Airlines Flight 11 at Logan International Airport. They were on their way to their respective homes in Utah and California, having dropped off Bueg’s 18-year-old twin daughters at the Rhode Island School of Design. But the unthinkable happened when five terrorists hijacked the Boeing 767 and intentionally crashed it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. Wahlstrom and Bueg perished instantly in a fiery explosion, along with 79 fellow passengers, 11 crew members, and hundreds who were on or near the 93rd floor.

Victor Guzman, an attorney who was working on the 85th floor, caught himself as the plane’s impact rocked the building forward. “There was a lot of smoke, and there was debris falling from the ceiling,” he recalls. “We didn’t know what was happening.”

Guzman and another attorney jumped into action, evacuating everyone from their floor and down the stairwells in a single-file line. “I remember saying a silent prayer,” Guzman recalls. “The first few levels were pretty dark. There was smoke and a strange smell, which I later realized was fuel.” Seventeen minutes after the North Tower was struck, United Airlines Flight 175 collided with the South Tower.

According to Guzman, it took nearly an hour to descend the stairs and evacuate the building. “When we reached the mezzanine, emergency workers told us not to look outside, which automatically made us want to look. It was a horrible sight—plane parts, body parts, flames, debris everywhere, papers on fire falling from the sky,” he recalls. “In between the Twin Towers there were a lot of broken pipes with cold water gushing out, but it was the only way to exit. Soaking wet, I turned around and saw the gaping hole where I was just working. Emergency workers were rushing into the building while others yelled at us to get away.”

Guzman and other evacuees began walking toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Minutes later, at 9:59 a.m., he heard the sickening sound of crunching glass and twisting steel. The South Tower was collapsing.

Photo by Matt H. Wade/Wikipedia.

“I looked back and saw this thick plume of dust. As we were running, the plume got closer and closer—it felt like we were running in place,” he recalls. “Three or four blocks later, it overcame us.”

Already drenched from the leaking pipes, Guzman was now caked with a thick layer of dust. He made his way to nearby Pace University, where he was able to find refuge and wash his face and hands. “While I was sitting there, I heard the North Tower come down. I slumped in my chair—all the emotion just drained out of me as I realized that was the building I had just come out of.” It was 10:28 a.m.

Accounting for Members

Shortly after 9 a.m., Brent Belnap, who was serving as president of the New York New York Stake, ascended the stairs from a subway station near Wall Street on his way to work. He looked up and noticed sheets of paper fluttering in the air like confetti. Then he saw thick, black smoke billowing from the Twin Towers.

Belnap says his natural inclination would have been to stay and watch with the crowd of people that was gathering out of curiosity. “But at that moment, I felt on my right shoulder the most unmistakable feeling of a hand pushing me to go,” he says. “It pushed me so hard that I was running by the time I got to the end of the street.”

He rushed to his office, where he learned of the terrorist attacks. Soon after, the South
Tower fell, and he watched from a 15th floor window as a giant dust cloud suddenly swept down the street. “It just rumbled and roiled. It was like a bomb or a mushroom cloud or a volcano. All the people in the crowd outside scattered like rats. Suddenly, it got pitch black outside.”

After calling his wife, Belnap immediately began calling and e-mailing the bishops in his stake and asking them to account for their members. He then called Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy and president of the North America Northeast Area to update him on the situation. Belnap’s second counselor, Jim Green, opened the stake center (where the Manhattan Temple now stands) as a shelter for anyone who needed it.

“I was in the tiny little portion of Manhattan that had power, internet, and phone service,” Belnap recalls. “I had communication to the outside world. I stayed for about three hours.” Then, at the urging of security personnel, Belnap covered his face with some wet paper towels and began walking north, the air still thick with dust from the collapse of both towers.

Eventually all stake members were accounted for. “There were many tender mercies, many lives spared that day,” Belnap says. “There were several members who should have been at the World Trade Center that day but weren’t.”

The Pentagon

At 9:37 a.m., shortly after both of the Twin Towers were struck, another hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, tore through the western side of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., killing 59 passengers and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the building, including Church members Rhonda Rasmussen and Brady Howell. They were both members of the Mount Vernon Virginia Stake.

Floyd Rasmussen, Rhonda’s husband, also worked at the Pentagon, just one floor above and one corridor over from her. After feeling the impact, he was able to evacuate immediately. “I tried to locate Rhonda,” he recalled. “I walked around calling her name, but I couldn’t find her.”

As the hours passed, Floyd tried to call the hospitals, but the lines were tied up. “I started watching the news, and they showed where the building had been hit. I knew the plane had struck just opposite of Rhonda’s office space.” Her remains were lost in the ensuing fire.

“I started thinking about my testimony,” he recalls. “I remembered that I was sealed to Rhonda for time and eternity—she just made it into eternity ahead of me.”

In Utah, Brady Howell’s sister, Camille Mortensen, first learned of the attacks while watching the news and making breakfast for her children. “We knelt with the kids to pray for Brady,” she recalls. “The part of the building was miniscule, so I wasn’t too nervous.” But the day wore on without any word from him, and as night came, Mortensen realized she wouldn’t be hearing from him again.

Howell’s parents were whisked to Washington, D.C., by private jet, and Mortensen followed so she could be with them as they waited for word. The family would wait days before Howell’s body was identified.

“There was a base set up in a hotel where families were waiting for news,” she recalls. “They kept emphasizing the fact that it was a recovery effort—no one had been pulled out alive. People were wailing and dropping to the floor. It was horrible. My greatest treasure was the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know I’ll see him again.”

Search and Rescue Efforts

Scott Baxter, who had previously worked as a volunteer firefighter and was experienced in search and rescue efforts, immediately contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer his assistance. He was deployed to the site of the World Trade Center, or Ground Zero, where he began working the night of Wednesday, September 12.

“I was right in the heart of the matter as part of the bucket brigade—a line of workers sifting through debris by hand and loading it into buckets, which were passed up the line and dumped elsewhere,” Baxter explains. “It was obviously a very traumatic event. There was an enormous amount of death and destruction.”

A firefighter stands in the rubble at Ground Zero.

Shaun Parry also searched the rubble at Ground Zero. He gets emotional as he tries to describe the devastation. But at the same time, he says, “I’ve never felt that kind of camaraderie. There was an amazing energy of love and brotherhood. On the rare occasion when someone yelled, ‘We found one!’ everyone cheered. During the time I was there, we found nine people.”

While Parry had no training in search and rescue, the Broadway performer utilized his dance talents in a way he could never have imagined. “In one area, there was a bunch of rebar sticking out of the concrete in such a way that you couldn’t really get through it. But because I was much more limber than the firefighters, I was able to slip through, where I found this huge cavern underneath the surface.”

Earning the nickname “Spider-Man,” Parry searched the caverns deep below the surface with a fiber optic scope. At one point, as he was calling out for anyone who might be trapped, he heard three distinct taps. But as Parry searched for the person or people who made the sound, everyone was forced to evacuate because a nearby building had started to collapse. An hour and a half later, when rescue workers were allowed to return to the scene, he rushed back to the area he had been searching. “We never found them,” he says, his voice breaking. “We knew there were people down there, but we weren’t able to get to them in time. That’s the hardest part for me.”

An Outpouring of Love

In the days that followed the horrific events of September 11, David Buckner, who was serving as bishop of the Manhattan 8th Ward and is currently stake president of the New York New York Stake, describes the outpouring of love as “palpable.” “I saw the change in people. Strangers looked each other in the eye. They asked each other if they were okay.” He continues, “I remember riding the bus to work. There was an elderly woman who sat down next to me and asked, ‘How is your family?’ Now, in New York, no one talks on buses. I told her we were fine. After telling me her family was also safe, she got emotional and said, ‘Things will never be the same.’ I responded, ‘I hope not.’”

Strangers from across the globe also reached out, anxious to help, anxious to send their love. Susan Robinson, then–stake Relief Society president, recalls the flood of letters and donations from people around the world, including many LDS wards and branches. “Our stake was on the receiving end of a lot of kindness,” she says. “You could tell people wanted to do something.”

Robinson says the stake was overwhelmed with donations of quilts, teddy bears, bottled water, and other gestures of good will. She worked with the local police departments and fire departments to distribute things where they would do the most good.

“The terrorist attacks were horrible, terrible acts, but in the aftermath I saw the best of people,” Robinson says. “We weren’t caring about all the silly things that seem to divide us. Those were swept away in an instant.”

Never the Same

“For me, priorities changed almost overnight,” Victor Guzman says. “I took the job at the World Trade Center for more money, but I was commuting nearly four hours a day. Now my family is my priority. Money is tight, and I have a wife and five children at home, but the sacrifices have been worth it.”

Guzman also goes out of his way to pay compliments to people rather than complain. “People deserve to feel better about their day,” he says. “When you make someone feel good, then you feel good.”

“I think about 9/11 often,” says Parry. “It’s had a huge impact on my life. It’s inspired me to be a different person, to view life in a deeper, more profound way.”

One way Parry has chosen to reach out to others is through a program he created called Promethean Spark. His mission is to teach life skills to impoverished youth worldwide through training in the performing arts. (Visit prometheanspark.org for more information.)

“I hope that people recognize that life is sacred, that we live in a very delicate world in a very tumultuous time that has been prophesied of—and that’s okay,” says David Buckner. “We don’t need to be afraid. Be committed. Be confident. Be ready.”

Tribute in Light Memorial, one of the first memorials for the attacks, set up for the anniversary in 2004.

Honoring Lost Loved Ones

There will be many memorial services to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, but for the most part, LDS families who lost loved ones are choosing to instead honor their loved ones privately.

“I don’t think our feelings are very different than the feelings of other people who have lost a loved one,” says Carson Howell, Brady Howell’s younger brother. “Over the years, those times of mourning are slowly replaced by remembering the good times. There has definitely been a peace that has come as we have relied on the Lord and our faith.”

A special memorial is planned in Washington, D.C., but Carson says most of his family will not attend. “It’s a sad day anyway, so we usually watch Star Wars, which was Brady’s favorite movie. We feel like we can mourn personally and spend that day with our family.”

Brady’s sister, Camille Mortensen, adds, “Brady loved everyone so much. He was able to convey that so genuinely to people. I talk to my kids all the time and tell them, ‘Try to be like Brady. Be everybody’s friend.’”

Margaret Wahlstrom, who lost her mother-in-law and sister-in-law on Flight 11, says her family feels similarly about the memorial services. “My husband and I aren’t planning on going,” she says. “I guess we don’t need that.”

She continues, “Since those events, we have felt obligated to share the gospel with others so they can have that peace in their lives. That’s our way of honoring their memories.”

---

In Memoriam
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, we honor these Church members—and all victims—who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Mary Alice Wahlstrom, age 78. Died aboard American Airlines Flight 11 with her daughter, Carolyn Bueg, when the plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Wahlstrom was a volunteer usher at Temple Square and lived in Kaysville, Utah.

Carolyn Bueg, age 48. Died aboard American Airlines Flight 11 while traveling with her mother, Mary Alice Wahlstrom. She lived in Santa Monica, California, and was an acclaimed filmmaker and video producer.

Ivhan Luis Caprio Bautista, age 24. Died inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He was working at Windows on the World, a complex of restaurants on the 106th and 107th floors. He had moved to New York City from Peru two years earlier and had been accepted to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He was a recently baptized member of the Richmond Hill New York District. (Not pictured.)

Brady Howell, age 26. One of the 188 victims who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, where he was working as an intern. He and his wife, Liz, were in their fourth year of marriage. He was a returned missionary and had earned a master’s degree in public administration. He lived in Arlington, Virginia.

Rhonda Sue Ridge Rasmussen, age 44. Died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, where she was working as a civilian employee for the U.S. Army. Her husband, Floyd Rasmussen, worked on the floor above her. He survived the attack. They lived in Woodbridge, Virginia, and were planning to move to California.

Where were you on 9/11?

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:17:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Five years ago, I stood at Ground Zero in New York City. While attending the Memorial Museum, the magnitude of the calamity enveloped me. There are walls of postcards with thousands of written accounts from people all over the world. My personal story seems trite compared to others. Nonetheless, I believe that each individual’s experience on Sept. 11, 2001 serves as an eye-witness against the evil targeted at America.

My morning began as usual, watching the news while getting ready for work. The breaking bulletin of airplanes crashing into New York City’s Twin Towers was mind-boggling. I had to force myself to get ready for teaching preschool. I remember looking deeply into the mirror while applying my make-up. The black eyeliner upon my eyes suddenly seemed symbolic of the darkness our nation was facing.

Irene: Preparedness pays off for New York stake

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:36:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Apparently they were told to prepare for a hurricane last October. There hadn't been a disastrous hurricane in over 70 years.

In October 2010 the New York New York Stake was counseled to prepare for a hurricane. It had been more than 70 years since a hurricane had impacted the area but the stake president, David L. Buckner, followed counsel and members of the area went into action.

In June a Sunday meeting was focused on hurricane preparedness and in August, when the tropical storm hit, the members in the Manhattan area were ready.

"We were ready and incredibly prepared for others who needed our help and assistance," said President Buckner.

Irene cancels LDS, Catholic, Baptist services

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:42:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

n the face of dangerous conditions associated with Hurricane Irene's fierce winds and driving rain, many churches in the eastern United States had to close their doors and urge members of their respective congregations to stay home.

LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said worship services were canceled by a number of congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — known as wards and branches — in the area yesterday.

"Opportunities to serve others, power outages, unsafe travel conditions and requests from local emergency managers for residents to stay put were all factors considered by local leaders in making the decision to cancel Sunday meetings," Trotter said.