December -2017 - Holiday Newsletter

What to do at Christmas time of the year in Arizona!

There is nothing more beautiful than one of our Temples at Christmas.  I have had the opportunity to help decorate the lighting displays at both Los Angeles and Mesa, Arizona.  I am not sure how many others do this as well, but the Arizona has now added some Station displays showing the different events leading up to the birth of Christ.  You can view these in person - Truly spectacular events!

http://www.mesachristmaslights.com/

Los Angeles Temple Lights

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/event-items/zoolights/

The Phoenix Zoo even gets into the Spirit of the Year with their fantastic lighting of the Phoenix Zoo.



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"...For that four minutes, it wasn't about shopping or commercialism, it was about community coming together!"

FLASH MOB AT FASHION SQUARE MALL   Usually Dec 22 or 23 at noon - Some smart people caught thousands of us in 2009, 2010 and 2014  on youtube - here are some great pictures of us all
hoping they are going to continue this every year - it simply brought the magic of community into the air in the mall.  For that four minutes, it wasn't about shopping and commercialism, it was about a community coming together!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fashion+square+hallelujah

Discontinued Family History Manuals

Your question about the current curriculum and manuals for family history was forwarded to me. I serve as the Area Manager and support Brother and Sister Tippets who are the local Area Temple and Family History Consultants.

There was no official notice that went out from the Church regarding the old materials. What they did do was remove the materials from LDS.org so they could no longer be accessed. In addition, they were removed from LDS Distribution so they could no longer be ordered.

Since the older materials did not contain Find-Take-Teach and the current helper process it was decided to discontinue the manuals. The Church is also moving to the online and APP based distribution of information.  There are still items that may be ordered or printed, but most of it is in demand and can be easily updated.

They were replaced with the following: https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history?lang=eng

At RootsTech 2017 there was a class taught regarding a Workshop that could be held during the Sunday School time under the approval and direction of the Bishop.  T.  Early next year there will be an announcement of some new materials. Most likely this will occur at RootsTech 2018.

Thanks for your question, and sorry for the confusion. We appreciate your service in helping others find family names to be able to take to the temple.

Warm Regards,

Merrill White

Area Manager, North America West and Northwest

Family History Department

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