Teens graduate from Mormon Youth program
While most high school students don’t get enough sleep, many teenagers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints get even less rest than the majority of their peers.
Every weekday beginning as early as 5:45 a.m., these students voluntarily start their day by attending a 50-minute seminary scripture study class before they head to high school.
This may seem like a huge sacrifice for teenagers who have to spread their time between homework, sports, jobs and having a social life, but for these Mormon youths, the benefits outweigh the sacrifice.
“You get a good feeling inside after going to seminary everyday, refreshed with the gospel of Jesus Christ in your mind, so it’s harder for the adversary to tempt you,” said Mike Coons, a sophomore from Edmond Santa Fe High School. “It gives you the feeling that you aren’t alone because you have friends who can relate to the things you are going through.”
Recently 30 seniors from the Oklahoma City area received their four-year diplomas for completion of the Church’s seminary program and 152 underclassman earned one-year completion certificates.
Beginning as freshmen, students in the Mormon Youth program spend almost an hour each day studying the King James Bible and other scriptures. After completing the program, students come away with a more thorough understanding of the scriptures and a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ.
“I go to seminary because for me, it’s a safe place. With the messed-up environment that high school is, I need that spiritual start to my day to face all the adversity and hopefully carry a bright spirit I can pass on to others,” said Abbey Pratt, who gets up at 5 a.m. to be on time.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide Christian religion with more than 14 million members.
There are 45,008 Mormons and 84 Mormon congregations in Oklahoma.
Church to hold gospel singing
The Del City Gospel Singing will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Del City Nazarene Church, 4701 SE 26.
The Williamsons and Harmony Quartet will be guest singers. Admission is free. A love offering will be received.
For more information call 405-677-2330.
Buddhist monastery plans event
A Medicine Buddha Ceremony will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Buddha Mind Monastery, 5800 S Anderson Road.
A free vegetarian lunch will be offered afterward.
For more information, call 869-0501, or email buddhamindokc@gmail.com.
Public lecture is planned
A free Christian Science public lecture is set for 2 p.m. June 11 at Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist-Oklahoma City, 10305 N May.
International speaker Kari Mashos, of Cape Neddick, Maine, will give a talk entitled “To be your own physician: the healing power of Christian Science.” Mashos is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing.
For more information, go to www. fifthchurchcsokc.org.
Church to host Father’s Day event
Journey Church will celebrate Father’s Day by bringing its staff, guests, members, and community together to honor and celebrate all of the father figures in their lives.
The church will host a car and auto show, bacon bar, IBC root beer in the morning and a chili cook-off and outdoor games in the evening, with worship experiences throughout the day on June 18 at 3801 Journey Parkway. The car show and bacon and root beer bar will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the chili cook-off and outdoor games will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Worship experiences will be at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Individuals may register their cars for the auto show for free at www. journeychurch.tv/carshow. Chili cookoff contestants may register at mat@ journeychurch.tv.
Salvation Army opens new store
The Salvation Army recently opened a new Family Store at 2217 W Edmond Road. The store’s grand opening was held May 13. The Salvation Army of Cleveland County also recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest facility. The nonprofit’s leaders gathered at 318 E Hayes in Norman to break ground on the Judy McKown Children’s Activity Center.
FROM STAFF REPORTS