Year: 2018

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Hill Country Stake Musicians Play to a “Full House”

Members of the Hill Country Stake String Ensemble warm up before the concert.

Over 100 musicians from many of the local congregations as well as a group from the Hope Fellowship Christian Church came together to perform in an hour-long Christmas concert. This annual concert, held on the 16th of December, is sponsored by the Hill Country Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Emily and Katherine Windham sing A Holy Child is Born.

Suzanne Butler, Stake Music Director, was responsible for putting this event together.  “This concert has long been an important part of the Christmas season for me and my family, and this year I had the tremendous opportunity to help with the planning of this wonderful event.”

The Hope Fellowship Christian Church delighted the audience with their renditions of The Night that Christ was Born and Holy Night.

Clearly the highlight of the evening were the songs performed by the members of the Hope Fellowship Christian Church.  Sister Butler said, “They were the highlight of the evening for many of us. There is no feeling quite like seeing a chapel filled to capacity with brothers and sisters of all faiths coming together to share their testimony of Jesus Christ through the powerful medium of music.”

Brian Guillory, former member of the US Army Band conducts the Smithson Valley Ward Orchestra.

Stake President, Gary Long, agreed.  “Music is a wonderful way to express our deepest, spiritual feelings.  This is such an important time of year to remember the gift of our Savior.  We need to step away from the stresses of life and take time to feel the peace His gospel brings.  This concert was another way for us to testify that Jesus is the Christ.”


by Ken Jarvis, Hill Country Stake Media Relations Representative

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Light the World – A Worldwide Day of Service

“Ready to make the most of this Christmas season? That’s the great question asked in the “Light the World” media campaign by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The question is followed with this suggestion: “Try giving as Jesus gave, one person at a time.” In San Antonio the light from one person was multiplied hundreds of times over as volunteers responded to the Church’s “Worldwide Day of Service.”

There were several service opportunities across the city on December 1st. Working with local charities and other faiths, members of the Church and friends in the community showed up in large numbers to serve and to give freely as Christ did.

Bishop Bruce Baillio of the San Antonio North Stake, and Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities get boxes in place.

Many of today’s service events were listed on JustServe.org, a platform that matches service opportunities with willing volunteers. Bunk beds were built and delivered to children who needed beds, a Christmas party was set up and hosted for children suffering from Spina Bifida, food boxes were handed out to the hungry in a beautiful inter-faith effort. Continue reading “Light the World – A Worldwide Day of Service”

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Sleep in Heavenly Peace Surpasses 160 Bunks Donated in Six Months

By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist

Over 120 volunteers gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Jones-Maltsberger Road Saturday morning  to assembly-line build 15 bunk beds that will be donated to low-income families in the area. These 15 bunks bring the total number built by the San Antonio Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to over 160 since their inception in April 2018. “That’s over kids who don’t have to sleep on the floor any longer thanks to the efforts of our sponsors and volunteers” said Shane Arnold, vice-president of the San Antonio chapter.

Nichole Rivera, a junior at Antonian College Preparatory High School found out about the event from her Cross-fit group where she attends with Eddie Arnold, the chapter coordinator and president. When asked what she thought about the event she said “I think it’s really important to build beds for people who don’t have them because it’s something most of us don’t even think about at night. Lots of people, especially kids, don’t have a bed to sleep in and we have an opportunity to change that.”

Continue reading “Sleep in Heavenly Peace Surpasses 160 Bunks Donated in Six Months”

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A Living Prophet in San Antonio!

For many attending the San Antonio Devotional with President Russell M. Nelson, it was their first time to see a prophet in person. It was also a wonderful shared experience being together with so many other members of the Church, and basking in each other’s strength. There was a unity felt in that huge Alamodome, especially as we sat and watched fun tweets and posts on the big screens from others excited for the evening and ready to learn.

How are you different as a result of what you heard and felt that evening? What message was meant just for you? Catalina Garcia of the North Stake said: “I’m not sure if it is a direct consequence of the devotional, but our home has been filled with the Holy Ghost in a stronger and more perceivable way since that day.”   

Continue reading “A Living Prophet in San Antonio!”

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“Something Truly Remarkable”

By Ken Jarvis, Choir Member, Public Affairs – Hill Country Stake

Beginning Sunday, October 21, a group of over 80 singers, selected from the San Antonio Area Stakes, began to rehearse music for the President Russell M. Nelson Devotional.  At 8 a.m. on the day of the Devotional the Choir began their rehearsal and sound checks in the Alamodome.  After a few hours off to attend Sacrament meeting and gather their families they returned for a final rehearsal at 3:30 p.m.

Just before the Devotional began the Choir stood and sang their prelude number.  About two hours later the Devotional was concluded and all who attended knew they had experienced something very special.  The same was true for members of the Choir.

Continue reading ““Something Truly Remarkable””

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Choir Prepares For San Antonio Devotional

When the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson steps onto the stage at 6 p.m. on the 18th of November for the San Antonio Area Devotional it will be accompanied by music. That music is in the hands of Sister Kim Long of the Encino Park Ward, Hill Country Stake who is conducting. The choir is made up of 80 voices from the seven San Antonio Stakes.

By: Ken Jarvis, Public Affairs, Hill Country Stake

“I was counseled by Area Seventy, Elder Carlos Villarreal to use the San Antonio Stakes so as to not put an undue travel burden on stakes outside San Antonio,” said Sister Long.  She was also given some very specific parameters for selecting the music appropriate for this devotional.  The pieces need to be hymns or arrangements of hymns and have organ accompaniment.

By the time the choir sings for us at the Fireside they will have practiced together for four two-hour rehearsals.  In addition to that they will be at the Alamo Dome at 8 a.m. Sunday morning to rehearse in the building with the organ and get used to the acoustics.

Sister Long underscored the need for humility in addition to the hard work of practice.  “When Elder Villarreal asked me to do this, I didn’t sleep very well that night.  I was feeling extremely inadequate because I could think of a dozen people who could take my place, who would be much more experienced and capable.  Yet I was the one who was asked to do it.”

Sister Long went on to share that 48 hours before the first rehearsal she got a request direct from the office of the First Presidency via our Area Authority. They wanted a third song. One she had never seen the music for.

“They requested the Mack Wilberg arrangement of It is Well With my Soul.  Can you have the Choir sing this piece?  I had no idea how difficult it was since I had only heard it at General Conference.  That was my only exposure to this piece of music.  But when the Prophet asks if you can you do something you say ‘Yes’.  So, I said, ‘Yes’.”

Sister Long scrambled for the next 24 hours to find a vendor that had the new arrangement.  She found the one and fortunately they were able to overnight 90 pieces of the music. “We got it and gave it to the organist with only 48 hours to look it over before our first rehearsal.”

After that first rehearsal, Sister Long expressed her gratitude for the type of musicians she has in the choir.  “I asked for people who loved to sing and would benefit from this particular experience.  I was hoping that we would get people who would not normally get that experience ever in their lives.”  She said,  “I got a wonderful diversity in ability and experience and I do believe that our humility and desire to do our best and to stretch makes all of us rely on the Lord a lot more.  Then we become His choir.  It’s our voices that are singing for Him and He is helping right along.”

Sister Laurie Ann Judd Atanasio, an alto in the San Pedro Ward, North Stake.

The Choir members seemed to agree.  When asked how she was preparing to sing at the Devotional, Sister Laurie Ann Judd Atanasio, an alto in the San Pedro Ward, North Stake, said that she and her family are simply preparing to get the most from the Devotional.  “We’re working hard to try to take things from the last several conferences particularly Pres. Nelson’s counsel in the April Conference to write down the impressions we have when we pray.”  She added, “We’re already doing the preparation but it’s an added bonus to be in the Choir.”

Brother Dean Palmer, a bass from the Leon Springs Ward, La Cantera Stake.

Brother Dean Palmer, a bass from the Leon Springs Ward, La Cantera Stake, felt the need to spend more time in prayer.  “I’m asking for Angels to support my voice.  I do  my typical scripture study as well as personal and family prayer and I’m not changing that.  But in addition I’ll be fasting that day.”

Each of us can make what preparations we can,  along with the choir, for the Prophet’s Devotional.  Sister Long summed it up well with her testimony.  “The thought came into my mind of the account of the Savior feeding the multitude. The few loaves of bread and fishes brought to Him were completely inadequate to feed 5,000 people.  Yet that’s what they had.  He blessed it.  He gave it to the multitude with baskets left over.” She concluded, “Then I knew, you bring what you have, and it will be enough.” We too have to bring 100% of our faith, put forth the effort, and  be strengthened by the Spirit.  Isn’t that what it’s all about?

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How Are You Preparing to Listen to a Prophet’s Voice?

In Church, someone asked, “Why is President Nelson coming to San Antonio?” What a great question to ponder. What words will the Lord’s prophet speak that will  have meaning in your life? As God’s mouthpiece, what will he say that will be a “one by one” ministering moment for you?

Brynn Walker, San Antonio North Stake

For James and Debbie Walker’s family their preparation is building upon their daily routine.  Their two eight year-old girls, Tess and Brynn decided that they would try and read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, as President Nelson recently challenged the sisters to do in General Conference. In addition to their daily family reading of the Book of Mormon, each girl is working their way through the Book of Mormon on their own. These girls are serious about it too – one of them is already at the end of 2nd Nephi!

Tess Walker, San Antonio North Stake

In addition to reading the Book of Mormon, Debbie said they have been praying that  “…we will be prepared to receive and act upon the counsel that he will give us.” She quickly added, “Well, that’s what I’m praying for, the girls are still thanking Heavenly Father that the Prophet gets to come!”

Debbie has started telling stories from Elder Bednar, President Nelson and Elder Ochoa’s talks from previous General Conference messages each morning at breakfast. She hopes this will increase their excitement and further prepare her family.

What ways are you preparing to listen to a Prophet’s voice? We would love for you to share with us through social media. We will then combine several to repost and share.

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heartoftexaslatterdaysaints.org/ is the newsroom website for the San Antonio area. Here members can follow us and read about service and news happening in our area. To share stories about Preparing to Hear a Prophet’s Voice you can use the contact us form to leave your story.

Twitter users can tag us @HeartofTexasLDS
We suggest members follow us first so that the address pops up easily whenever you want to share updates about your preparation.

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Instagram lovers who share everything in picture form can tag us @heartoftexaslatterdaysaints
A picture is a 1,000 words as is well known and we’d love to see your preparation in action!

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On Facebook, members can share their thoughts in the comments of this post, “How Are You Preparing to Listen to a Prophet’s Voice?” Find it on our page at https://www.facebook.com/SALDSCommunityNews/
Posting an update on your wall? Copy a link to your Facebook update/post (right click on the date of the post, open in a new window, then copy the link) and paste it in the comments.

Whichever social media you use make sure to add the hashtag #followtheprophet so that others can be inspired by your preparation… And on the big day we’ll be looking for your family sharing their thoughts and feelings about the prophet’s words!

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City Explores Bishop’s Storehouse for Ministering Opportunities

“We are happiest when we are thinking about someone other than ourselves,” said President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Safeco Field in Seattle last month. He explained, “This is also why the Church actively engages in humanitarian service around the globe…, our efforts are designed to help all mankind. No shipments are labeled ‘For Latter-day Saints only.’” 

President Nelson continued, “As a Church we need to be doing what the Savior wishes us to do. And as a people we need to be looking and acting like true followers of Jesus Christ.” In keeping with his vision, local leaders have invited city officials to learn more about what we can do as Latter-day Saints in the area to help and to serve.

Rev. Ann Helmke, who is the city’s “Faith Liaison” and heads up the City’s Faith Based Initiative toured the San Antonio Bishop’s Storehouse. Her office was created and funded to to connect the city with faith and secular organizations that serve the needy. She hopes to “fill the gaps” in caring, as connections are made throughout the city.  

Continue reading “City Explores Bishop’s Storehouse for Ministering Opportunities”

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Mobile Relief!

There’s a lot of wisdom behind the old adage, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and soon the cleanliness will be going mobile. The vision behind going mobile is not just about being clean, it’s about feeling good about yourself according to Antonio Fernandez, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The 18-foot long trailer, which will be equipped with two shower and bathroom stalls, and two washer and dryer combinations, is getting closer to being a reality in the Alamo city. 

In a meeting with local authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Antonio Fernandez shared his two-year hope of bringing the mobile showers to the homeless in San Antonio. Knowing of the Church’s deep commitment to helping the plight of the homeless, the local authorities put a proposal together for Church leadership to consider. A resounding yes, and a check for the full cost to purchase the trailer and a truck was forthcoming.  Area Seventy, Elder Carlos Villarreal, presented the check to Antonio and Catholic Charities on Tuesday afternoon.

Continue reading “Mobile Relief!”

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“A Volunteer Machine”

Referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “a volunteer machine”, District 6 City Councilman Greg Brockhouse encouraged his fellow Council members to reach out to the Church. Every City Councilman gets the opportunity to invite a guest to give the invocation at the opening of City Council meetings. Thursday, September 6th was Councilman Greg Brockhouse’s opportunity to invite someone to pray, and he knew where to turn – ask someone from the “volunteer machine.”

Councilman Brockhouse has been hearing a lot about the Church over the last 18 months and has noted the good that has been going on. Through JustServe projects happening all over the city, and several large donations to help the homeless in the area, many in City Hall have begun to notice. Bishop Bruce Baillio, from the San Pedro Ward, who has been very instrumental in JustServe and helping to facilitate several donations, was asked to give the invocation. 

Noting that the Church is known for it’s emphasis on the family, Councilman Brockhouse asked Bishop Baillio to pray specifically for the family members of those on the city council. Another member of the Church will give an invocation next month. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught: “In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance.” The “volunteer machine” is grateful for the recognition received and is ready to continue serving in our community.