Two Letters and a Review

Here’s a letter that I wrote yesterday to the Interpreter Foundation’s donors and volunteers:

1 September 2017

Dear friends of the Interpreter Foundation:

I want to alert you to the premiere public showing of Robert Cundick: A Sacred Service of Music, which will occur at 3:00 PM (MDT; Utah time) on Sunday, 3 September 2017, on BYUtv.

(Please note that BYUtv is a cable and satellite channel that is distinct from KBYU-TV, which is Brigham Young University’s related but separate Utah-oriented television broadcast division.)

The film, which runs roughly half an hour in length, represents the Interpreter Foundation’s first moviemaking effort.  We intend that it not be our last.

This premiere screening will be followed by additional showings, but we don’t yet know when those will occur.

Please alert any others who, in your judgment, might be interested in this event.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Peterson

***

Here’s a letter sent out by the First Presidency of the  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The still-unfolding disaster caused by the torrential rains of Hurricane Harvey has caught the attention of people throughout the United States. Our hearts go out to the thousands who have borne the brunt of this storm, and we are deeply grateful for the acts of unselfish service and the heroic efforts of first responders that have been reported. All who find themselves amid these grave difficulties are in our prayers.

Many are expressing interest in helping the thousands of people in the stricken communities in Texas and Louisiana. We are grateful for all who wish to assist in this effort. If you want to help, please consider the following:

1. Donate toward the relief effort. Anyone wishing to provide support for the Church’s effort to aid those in need is encouraged to donate to the Church’s Humanitarian Fund here.
2. Volunteer. Within the next few days or weeks, volunteers to assist in the massive cleanup effort will be needed, but with rescue efforts still underway, that time has not yet arrived. If you wish to participate, please do not call local Church leaders in Texas and Louisiana or travel to the affected areas right now. To learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities and receive information about needed assistance and its timing, we invite you to visit https://justserve.org/Houston.

We encourage your continued prayers in behalf of all who are affected by this natural disaster.

The First Presidency

***

An important new book of Mormon historical essays has appeared and, already, Stephen Smoot (perhaps simply in a bid to keep his fingers moving and warm during a frigid Canadian August) has written a review of it:

“Book Review: The Council of Fifty: What the Records Reveal about Mormon History”