The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Antonio

By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist

Recently, much ado was made over a meeting that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah between the national leadership of the NAACP and the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The meeting was unprecedented for the two groups, but both discovered that they actually have much common ground and many shared values. Most importantly, the meeting in Salt Lake City was not an end to itself but the beginning of what both hope to be a long, fruitful and productive relationship of cooperation.

The first fruits of the new relationship were on full display in the opening session of the NAACP National Convention Sunday evening in San Antonio, Texas. First, Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Quorum of the Seventy addressed the session as one of several introductory speakers. He quoted statements from LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson and NAACP President Derrick Johnson made during their joint press conference following the May meeting. Continue reading “NAACP Kicks Tires on New Partnership with LDS Church at National Convention”

By:  Leisa Parsons, Media Relations Representative

Edifying, inspiring and fun are apt descriptions as you listen to The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir perform. In town at the invitation of the NAACP to perform at their national convention, The Choir also put on two free community concerts this evening at an LDS meetinghouse. “The walls of this LDS Chapel have never seen anything quite like what it saw tonight! Most of us spent the night on our feet clapping and singing along…. Great fun!” said Lynette Williams who attended their later concert. Continue reading “A Message of Love”

By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist

He really called it “Liquid Gold”. Eric Cooper, the President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank was gathered with a small group of local representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a back corner of his 210,000 square foot warehouse west of Downtown San Antonio. Bishop Bruce Baillio, who presides over the San Pedro Ward in the San Antonio North Stake of the Church, knew that the donation was significant, after all, 24 pallets of peanut butter filled up an entire tractor-trailer, what he perhaps didn’t realize was how valuable the donation was in reality.

“Peanut butter spreads a long way” Cooper continued (cheesy puns seemed to come naturally for the young-ish CEO), “it is actually our number one needed product and one of the most expensive items in our inventory.” He went on to explain the unique value of peanut butter as a shelf-stable, high protein product that is easy to store and distribute. Children are the primary consumer of peanut butter and it is an ideal staple for preparing a quick, easy, non-cooked meal without a parent’s involvement. During the hot summer months, when many kids are home alone, an older brother or sister can easily slap together a few sandwiches for their younger siblings to hold them over until dinner. Continue reading “LDS Church Donates 19,000 jars of Peanut Butter to San Antonio Food Bank”

Standing before a crowd of city officials, religious leaders, and citizens, Elder Carlos Villarreal of the Quorum of the Seventy highlighted several fundamental beliefs of the LDS Church while participating in San Antonio’s “Day of Reflection,” an interfaith event commemorating the city’s founding by Spanish missionaries 300 years earlier. “We proclaim to the world that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children,” declared Elder Villarreal, and emphasized the Church’s belief in the divine mission of Jesus Christ. “His way is the only path that leads to real and lasting happiness in this life . . . and to eternal life in the world to come.” His short address concluded with a “blessing upon all of you, that we may continue in faith to go forth and bless all of our Father in Heaven’s children.” Continue reading “Mormons in San Antonio’s Day of Reflection”