From Deseret News archives:
Lindon mayor to step down in June
He will serve as mission president for LDS Church
The saying is telltale of the family's attitude toward serving the community. Come this summer, though, Jeff Acerson, mayor of Lindon, and his wife, Karen, president of the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, will be serving in a different way.
Acerson has been called to be president of a mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife will report to their new home at least for the next three years in July.
"We are excited," Jeff Acerson said. "It's going to be the journey of a lifetime. The (blessings) that come from serving others can't compare with (anything else)."
Jeff Acerson will step down as Lindon's mayor in June and trade the City Council agendas for a copy of "Preach My Gospel," the teaching manual used by men and women who serve LDS Church missions.
The church's missionary department has asked the Acersons not to broadcast their destination. Details could still change among all the newly called mission presidents.
"Whatever they're giving up, it won't compare to what they'll gain," Karen Acerson said about her children's future experiences.
She said the kids were excited at first. After a few minutes, though, the reality of spending three years away from friends and school set in and there were a few tears.
Ten-year-old Stephanie says she's sad to leave behind her bunnies Pepper and Snowball, as well as two cats and two horses that will be watched over by friends and family.
"But that is what sacrifice is," Karen said, "(and) we have been called to do something we know is very possible."
Jeff Acerson said he'll miss the association with good people in Lindon and throughout Utah County, especially the men and women with whom he serves on the Lindon City Council.
"I'll miss (them), but I'll have yet another group of people to work with," Jeff Acerson said. "And I'll be trying to help people make their lives better that's the same thing you do as a mayor."
Lindon City Councilman Bruce Carpenter said he will miss Acerson's great skill of keeping City Council conversations positive and carefully listening to residents' con- cerns.
"He is sincerely interested in what people's ... needs are," Carpenter said. "He and his wife are two of the finest examples of community service. They simply look for opportunities to contri- bute."
Karen Acerson won't leave the storytelling festival without a leader, however.
Festival founder Karen Ashton, whose husband, Alan, was one of the founders of WordPerfect, will have returned from an LDS mission in Toronto she is serving with her husband. She will resume her work with the festival.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
Comments
- Utah GOP opposes ethics initiative 5:45 p.m.
- Alternative to climate change? 5:40 p.m.
- Utah sells most 'New Moon' tickets 5:39 p.m.
- The origins of Thanksgiving Day 5:07 p.m.
- Test your Thanksgiving Day IQ 5:07 p.m.
- Fun facts about Thanksgiving 5:06 p.m.
- Words of thanks 5:06 p.m.
- Animal lovers blast grandma 5:06 p.m.
- Save glass coffee carafe 5:06 p.m.
- No easy answers on mammograms 5:06 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
192 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
115 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Are you a small business owner who can't afford a holiday party this year?
You kidding texas 78, deron had so many clean blocks and that guy that were...
@Mikey | 5:27 p.m. Nov. 23, 2009 I'm defining it based on the article....
today everyone. Let's do it again tomorrow, and the next day. And good...
I think this is a sad story for EVERYONE. The only people I don't feel sorry...
I fail to see the difference between the direspect for former Gov. Sarah...
Yeah, that comparison isn't quite the condemnation of American media,...
I was in 7th grade at the time. I was walking home for lunch when a young kid...
had 6 points in 5 minutes against DET. However that was at home and most of...
Have any of you seen the location? I have.
It's true -- no current DUI law is too strict. But they all punish and...



You can be the first to comment on this story.