LDS Scene

Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Council of the Twelve presided during the March 17 groundbreaking in Haninge, Sweden, for the first temple in Scandinavia. He was accompanied by Elder Robert D. Hales of the First Quorum of the Seventy, Executive Administrator for the Europe Area. Approximately four hundred people attended, including stake and mission presidents from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway; members from the Stockholm area (Haninge is a suburb); and government officials. Elder Monson, who is of Swedish ancestry himself, turned the first shovelful of earth. In remarks during the ceremonies, he noted that having a temple for Nordic members will help to demonstrate that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a “universal Church.”

J. Willard Marriott, Jr., president of the Washington D.C. Stake, and president of the Marriott Corporation, was honored March 28 with the 12th Charles E. Wilson Award for devotion to religion, distinction in his career, and dedication to humanity. The award, given by an organization called Religion in American Life, is awarded to top business and civic leaders of various faiths.

Laura Baxter, seventeen, a member of the Danville First Ward, Walnut Creek California Stake, is Miss Teenage America for 1984. Scholarship, personality, poise, community service, school activities, and special talents are all criteria in the selection process. Laura, an honor student and musician, is active in the Young Women’s program and in Church dance and drama activities.