Mormon Times briefly

Christmas at Church History Museum

Christmas crèches, performances, activities and other seasonal events are at the Church History Museum in downtown Salt Lake City. The children's "Following the Light" activities Dec. 12 to 19 includes storytelling, creating luminarias, chime caroling, making pioneer toys and touring the crèche. The Joseph Smith birthday celebration is Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 and includes a printing activity using 1830 printing methods, self-guided tours and "Restoration" film screenings. Singing groups will perform during the month Tuesdays through Fridays at 7 p.m.

During EVE Salt Lake City events Dec. 29 and 30, costumed characters will mingle with visitors in the museum from 4 until 9 p.m.

The museum is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, call the Church History Museum at 801-240-4615 or go to www.ChurchHistoryMuseum.org.

Tribute to sports director of 30 years

Ron Gerber had served for 30 years as an area sports director for the LDS Church, until his release in October as Utah area sports director.

The December newsletter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Utah Salt Lake Area sports committee contains a tribute to Gerber. It includes his answer to the question: What has been the most gratifying thing about your service in area sports? "The constant flow of testimonies reflecting how lives have been positively influenced through participation in the program. We have found that it's easier to invite friends and less-active members into the cultural hall than directly into the chapel. Once we get people in our buildings and they feel the Spirit there, many become more accepting of the gospel teachings."

The new Utah Area sports director is Harold Turley.

The area sports newsletter is posted online on MormonTimes.com, near the bottom of the home page, in the "Special features" section.

Nativity at BYU's life science museum

PROVO — The Nativity at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University includes an elephant, a white rhino and many other animals.

"This Nativity is a 300-square-foot presentation that features about 30 different animal species," said Patty Jones, administrative assistant at the museum. "We started this tradition 25 years ago to simply remind our patrons that all things testify of the Creator."