Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or “Mormons”) in the greater Chattanooga area will hold a conference on Saturday, March 10, 2018 on being “converted unto the Lord” (3 Nephi 28:23). In the spirit of serving as the Savior would serve, they will also make and donate cancer treatment bags. All women, no matter religious affiliation, are invited to attend. The conference will be held at 3067 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, Ooltewah.
“This year, we plan to distribute cancer treatment bags to several different cancer centers, hospitals and patients in the Chattanooga area,” Mrs.
Celeste Ward said. Mrs. Ward heads up the women’s organization for the Chattanooga Stake (area) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Bags will include unscented lotion, puzzle books, warm socks, chap stick, hard candies, fleece or flannel lap size blankets and plastic silver ware.”
“We will also focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world,” Mrs. Ward continued. “As our theme, we are using a scripture from the Book of Mormon.” The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ, a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, a companion not a replacement to the Holy Bible. According to lds.org, “in its more than 6,000 verses, the Book of Mormon refers to Jesus Christ almost 4,000 times and by 100 different names: ‘Jehovah,’ ‘Immanuel,’ ‘Holy Messiah,’ ‘Lamb of God,’ ‘Redeemer of Israel,’ and so on.”
In 3 Nephi 28:23, we read:
And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people…and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus.
Being converted unto the Lord means following Him, keeping His commandments, serving others. “The scriptures are filled with many stories of conversion which can uplift us as we face today’s challenges, which are many,” Mrs. Ward emphasized. “We live in difficult times that threaten our safety – spiritually, physically and economically. And so, we will have featured speakers who will discuss practical applications of conversion and discipleship, including what it means to give The Lord equal time, how to manage anxiety and stress, how to live safely and happily within a budget, how to govern our spending by our earnings and not our yearnings, how to set personal boundaries, what it means to be a covenant-keeping woman, intentional parenting, building confidence and self-worth, the joy of the fast, the blessing of spiritual gifts, and understanding and living the doctrine of Christ. We will also talk about the angels that are all around us as we strive to do and be good.”
Guest speakers include Mr. Judd Rambo, Seminary and Institute Coordinator for the LDS Church Educational System (CES) in East Tennessee; Dr. Julia Ann Krogel, clinical psychologist with a private practice in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Ryan and Liz Adams from Decatur, Tennessee; Amiee Silvenis, CPA, of McDonald, Tennessee; Dr. Jim Barrott, Executive Vice President at Chattanooga State and Counselor in the Presidency of the Chattanooga Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sue; Nori Batman, LDS convert from Hungary; Aprile Nielsen, Primary (children) president for the LDS Chattanooga Stake; Josselyn Nielsen, former U.S. Navy service member now of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Dr. Mark Mendenhall, UTC professor and business consultant; Mama Rine Clark of East Ridge, Tennessee; and Phil Smartt, BYU Education Week Lecturer.
Officials said, "We invite all women in the greater Chattanooga area to join us on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch will be served. The event is free."