Mormon Times Briefly

'Swashbucklers' awarded best PSA

A Washington-based advertising and marketing firm has recognized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a public-service announcement produced on the importance of fatherhood.

Noral Group International's media survey says "Swashbucklers" was recognized for its relevance, high production quality and exceptional combination of excitement, humor and warmth. "It was incredibly well-produced and the concept was so different than many of the other PSAs the station receives. I really enjoyed sharing that message with our viewers," said Jana Gordon of WAVY-TV in Portsmith, Va.

The LDS Church has produced the award-winning Homefront PSA series for three decades. For a link to the 1-minute, 4-second "Swashbucklers," go to newsroom.lds.org/blog.

R.S., priesthood manuals for 2010

The Gospel Principles manual will be the textbook for Relief Society and priesthood meeting lessons in 2010 and 2011.

The Mormon manual contains information on 47 core principles of the gospel for personal study and teaching. For the next two years, this manual will be used in Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society classes, as well as the Sunday School Gospel Principles class for investigators and new members. The manual is available online in multiple media formats and languages on www.lds.org.

Mormon Times wants service stories

Halloween has come and gone and Thanksgiving and Christmas are quickly approaching. Amid the festivities of the seasons, many families and individuals find time for service, from volunteering in shelters and soup kitchens to teaching dance lessons for free for those families who otherwise couldn't afford it. Mormon Times would like to highlight those who quietly serve in their communities.

If you have an example of such an individual or family, e-mail his or her name and contact information, if possible, and a short explanation to mormontimes@desnews.com.

Church sports' new structure, leader

LDS Church sports programs in Utah will be under the direction of stake presidents' regional coordinating councils, instead of supervised by an area director reporting to the Presidency of the Seventy. Also, Ron Gerber, who has served for decades as an area sports director, has been released. The new Utah area sports director is Harold Turley, who will be an adviser to region sports directors.

More details on the change are available in the November newsletter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Utah Salt Lake Area sports committee, which is available online at MormonTimes.com; see the "special features" section on the Web site's home page.