Christmas Traditions
I spent Christmas of 1976 in the nation of Japan. Most of the people I met were Shinto and Buddhist. They celebrated Shinto weddings and Buddhist funerals. They mostly ignored Christmas. Many people would eat cake on Christmas (Kurisumasu keki). Kentucky Fried Chicken advertised and encouraged people to celebrate Christmas by eating fried chicken. However, there was very little focus on Jesus Christ, the Creator, and Savior of the world.
I was in the city of Niigata on the West Coast of Japan where cold Siberian winds cooled the winter weather. There were 12 missionaries in Niigata and two nearby towns. But Tokyo and our mission leadership were many hours away by train. So, we felt very separated from the other missionaries. This was the year that I discovered that Christmas was not in the decorations or the lights of the season but in our focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
How to Prepare For 2025
Financial Resolutions You Can Start Now
Start Early with These Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Financial Plan for the New Year
As 2025 approaches, now is an ideal time to review your finances and set goals that align with your long-term vision. Taking proactive steps early on can help you establish habits that make it easier to reach your objectives. This article will outline practical financial resolutions for 2025 to start implementing today, giving you a head start on building a solid financial foundation for the coming year.
Self-Reliance
The purpose of becoming spiritually and temporally self-reliant is to better serve the Lord and care for others. The Savior invites us all to act, to stand independent, and to become as He is. He will help us. He has promised: “It is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way.” His way includes learning and living the principles of self-reliance—“the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family.”
Every Stake Member Can
Gathering Israel on both sides of the veil.
“The greatest, challenge, the greatest cause and the greatest work on the Earth today!”
Every stake member can:
Practical Courses with Spiritual Benefits
The Lord has said, “It is my purpose to provide for my saints . . . but it must needs be done in mine own way” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:15, 16). This is a promise that Heavenly Father will help take care of His children as they follow Him. Self-reliance does not mean that we can accomplish or obtain anything we want. If we are self-reliant we believe that through the power of Christ, and through our own effort, we can work for the spiritual and practical needs of life. Many people can become more self-reliant. With Self Reliance Groups much of the work takes place in small groups that combine spiritual principles with practical skills.
The next Self-Reliance Groups are scheduled to begin on January 26, 2025. Groups will be organized based on individual interests.
Help for Job Seekers
If you or someone you minister to needs employment or improved employment, try the following steps. >>Click Here for More<<
Brigham City South Stake Welfare / Self Reliance Committee Members
| Name | Specialty |
| Randell Capener | Stake Presidency |
| David Bay | Chairman of Committee, High Councilor |
| Jim Buchanan | High Councilor, Emergency Preparedness |
| Rod Cook | High Councilor, Education |
| Randy Petersen | Mental / Emotional Support |
| Shanda Petersen | Mental / Emotional Support |
| Richie Orton | Employment Specialist |
| Scott Nelson | Finance Specialist |
| Susan Williams | Education Specialist |
| Tracy Cummins | Education Specialist |
| Shane Richards | Gardening -/ Production Specialist |
| Bonnie Campbell | Child Disability Specialist |
| Kim Brewer | Family Preparedness Specialist |
Self-Reliance 