6 What in the world

An invitation to greater faithfulness

The following letter from the First Presidency (Presidents Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf) was addressed to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was to be read in sacrament meetings:

"As we approach the close of another year, we express gratitude for the good being done by Church members throughout the world. We are aware, however, of the continued suffering of so many. We urge members of the Church to greater faithfulness in keeping their sacred covenants, honoring the Sabbath day, fasting with a prayerful heart, and paying a full tithe and a generous fast offering.

"Church members will soon have the privilege of meeting with their bishops for tithing settlement and a review of their fast-offering donations. We invite you to avail yourselves of this opportunity to be faithful in the payment of tithes and generous in your fast offerings. These sacred contributions are used to build up God's kingdom on earth and to assist those in need. Faithful observance of these principles will bring blessings to the saints and relief to the distressed."

Christmas devotional

The First Presidency invites Church members and their friends to participate in this year's Christmas devotional on Sunday evening, December 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m. mountain standard time. The one-hour program will feature Christmas messages from Presidents Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as well as music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.

Those wishing to watch the broadcast from their homes may access it live on various broadcast, cable, satellite, and Internet television stations and broadcast, satellite, and Internet radio stations throughout the world, including Mormon Channel HD Radio. The devotional will also be available online at mormonchannel.org (audio only) and LDS.org (audio and video).

Audio and video archives in multiple languages will be available on LDS.org shortly after the broadcast.

Anniversary of Welfare Program

The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Welfare Program. Aside from noting the program’s historic anniversary, the resolution congratulated, “the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the significant contribution that its Welfare Program has had on United States citizens and many people throughout the world; and commend[ed] the many efforts made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members, through its Welfare Program, to serve others regardless of religious affiliation.”