Let US Make America Great Again

     BUILDING up rather than tearing down is what it takes. Our new President Donald Trump's theme and goal is to build up America and make it Great.

This means ~ NO MORE ~ Destroying ~ Murdering ~ Riots ~ Protests Against America as that DOES NOT Work! It DOES NOT make America Great.

But working together productively is what builds up America. Let US all get behind the man, Mr. President, and help to Make America Great Again!

 U S A
Take Pride in Yourself and in America
Make it Your Country by Postive Action!

First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Congratulate U.S. President-Elect

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Wednesday:

We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his election as president of the United States.

We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to join us in praying for the president-elect, for his new administration and for elected leaders across the nation and the world. Praying for those in public office is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints. The men and women who lead our nations and communities need our prayers as they govern in these difficult and turbulent times.

We also commend Secretary Hillary Clinton and all those who engaged in the election process at a national or local level. Their participation in our democratic process, by its nature, demands much of those who offer themselves for public service. May our local and national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

November 9, 2016

22 DECEMBER 2016 - SALT LAKE CITY

Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Sing at US Presidential Inauguration

Will be seventh appearance at inaugural events

At the request of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Committee, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has accepted an invitation to sing at the swearing-in ceremony during the presidential inauguration at the Capitol next month in Washington, D.C. The inauguration ceremony for President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect Michael R. Pence is scheduled for January 20, 2017. Trump will take the oath of office as the 45th president of the United States.

“The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has a great tradition of performing at the inaugurals of U.S. presidents," said Ron Jarrett, president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. "Singing the music of America is one of the things we do best. We are honored to be able to serve our country by providing music for the inauguration of our next president."

Members of the 360-member volunteer choir will travel to the nation’s capital for the historic event.

This performance will mark the seventh time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has sung at inaugural events. The prior six events included the official swearing-in ceremonies for Richard M. Nixon (1969) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1965); inaugural parades for George W. Bush (2001), George H. W. Bush (1989), and Ronald W. Reagan (1981); and a devotional service as part of the inaugural for Richard M. Nixon (1973).

When the choir sang its signature song “Battle Hymn of the Republic” during the inaugural parade for President Reagan in 1981, he dubbed the choir “America’s Choir.” President George H. W. Bush called the choir “a national treasure” during his swearing-in ceremony in front of the Capitol in 1989.

Over the years, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has performed on other occasions for five additional U.S. presidents. The choir sang in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for Jimmy Carter in 1978 and John F. Kennedy in 1963. Gerald Ford heard the choir sing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 1974. White House performances included a 1958 appearance for Dwight D. Eisenhower and an occasion for William Howard Taft in 1911.

13 JANUARY 2017 - SALT LAKE CITY

Two Mormon Apostles to Attend 2017 US Presidential Inauguration^

Inauguration a time to reaffirm enduring principles that have sustained the US, Elder Christofferson says

The First Presidency has assigned Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the U.S. presidential inauguration January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Their presence continues a tradition, going back more than a century, of Mormon leadership supporting and celebrating the process that makes possible the peaceful transfer of power.

“A presidential inauguration is a civic ceremony that transcends the person being inaugurated,” Elder Christofferson says. “It is an act of state, not of politics. Its primary purpose is for the president-elect to take the constitutionally required oath of office, and for the people by witnessing it to bind him to that oath. It is a time to reaffirm collectively the enduring principles that have sustained this country for over 200 years, including the peaceful transfer of power, which remains a remarkable event even in this modern world.”

Over the years, the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have met with presidents belonging to both political parties. Members of the First Presidency typically attend or send representatives to the inaugurations of U.S. presidents. Church representatives will be participating with leaders of other faiths, former Presidents and First Ladies, and with people of every political opinion or persuasion.

As part of the Inauguration events, Elder Christofferson will also attend the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral on January 21. Elder Stevenson will be traveling to a Church assignment in South America that day.

In 2009, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency and Elder M. Russell Ballard attended President Barack Obama’s first inauguration. In 2013, the late Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Quentin L. Cook attended President Obama’s second inauguration.

^ Mormon Leaders at Presidential Inaugurations

Over the years, the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have met with presidents belonging to both political parties. Members of the First Presidency typically attend or send representatives to the inaugurations of U.S. presidents.

Here is a list of known dates and names of Latter-day Saint leaders who have attended inaugurations of U.S. presidents:

1873—Inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant Church representative: George Q. Cannon (Apostle)

1877—Inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes Church representative: George Q. Cannon (Counselor, First Presidency)

1905—Inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1909—Inauguration of William Howard Taft Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1913—Inauguration of Woodrow Wilson Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1917—Inauguration of Woodrow Wilson Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1921—Inauguration of Warren G. Harding Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1925—Inauguration of Calvin Coolidge Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1929—Inauguration of Herbert Hoover Church representative: Reed Smoot (Apostle and U.S. Senator from Utah)

1953—Inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower Church representatives: David O. McKay (Church President) and Ezra Taft Benson (Apostle)

1965—Inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson Church representatives: Hugh B. Brown* (Counselor, First Presidency)

1969—Inauguration of Richard Nixon Church representatives: Ezra Taft Benson (Apostle) and Richard L. Evans (Apostle)

1973—Inauguration of Richard Nixon Church representative: Boyd K. Packer** (Apostle)

1977—Inauguration of Jimmy Carter Church representative: N. Eldon Tanner (Counselor, First Presidency)

1981—Inauguration of Ronald Reagan Church representatives: Ezra Taft Benson (Apostle) and Joseph B. Wirthlin (General Authority Seventy)

1989—Inauguration of George H. W. Bush Church representatives: Ezra Taft Benson (Church President) and Thomas S. Monson (Counselor, First Presidency)

1993—Inauguration of Bill Clinton Church representative: James E. Faust (Apostle)

1997—Inauguration of Bill Clinton Church representative: Henry B. Eyring (Apostle)

2001—Inauguration of George W. Bush Church representative: J. Willard Marriott (Area Seventy)

2009—Inauguration of Barack Obama Church representatives: Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Counselor, First Presidency) and M. Russell Ballard (Apostle)

2013—Inauguration of Barack Obama Church representatives: L. Tom Perry (Apostle) and Quentin L. Cook (Apostle)

2017—Inauguration of Donald Trump Church representatives: D. Todd Christofferson (Apostle) and Gary E. Stevenson (Apostle)

*Church President David O. McKay was to attend, but didn't because of his wife's poor health. ** Church President Harold B. Lee was to attend, but didn't because of illness.

Elder Christofferson Prays at National Prayer Service:

21 JANUARY 2017 - POSTED BY Brooke Buys

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered a prayer at the interfaith National Prayer Service this morning, held at the Washington National Cathedral. Twenty-five leaders from various faiths around the United States also prayed at the event.

Elder Christofferson offered a prayer at the National Prayer Service. He’s pictured with his wife, Katherine; Elder Gordon H. Smith and his wife, Sharon; and Ralph Hardy (far right). Elder Smith is currently an area seventy and a former U.S. senator from Oregon. Hardy is a former area seventy.

“There was a wide variety of faiths represented, and it was an honor for us to be included," said Elder Christofferson. "I felt the Church was recognized and honored and that the prayers for the nation were heartfelt — that our leaders would be wise and Spirit-guided. It was a wonderful unity of spirit, unity in behalf of our leadership and for the good of the country," he said.

The traditional prayer service was first held after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inauguration in 1933. It’s an opportunity for the new president and vice president to meet with religious leaders to celebrate the inauguration through prayer, readings and musical performances.

Latter-day Saint leaders have attended the prayer service before. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attended during the first inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings at US Presidential Inauguration:

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed during the 58th Presidential Inauguration in the nation’s capital Friday. The choir was accompanied by “The President’s Own®” United States Marine Band® as they sang during the swearing-in ceremony of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Michael R. Pence.

“We are incredibly happy to have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir back again at the inauguration. It is a part of America's history, and the music is incredibly beautiful,” said Jason Goodman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee.

Music director Mack Wilberg conducted the choir in the outdoor performance of his arrangement of “America the Beautiful” just before noon on the West Terrace of the Capitol.

“The lyrics were written by Katharine Bates in 1893, during a visit to Pike's Peak in Colorado,” said Wilberg. “It's one of our great songs because it talks about our great heritage and our continued potential as a great nation.”

Choir members were dressed in crème-colored coats with matching turtleneck sweaters and red plaid scarves as they sang outdoors under cloudy skies. In all, 215 singers of the 360-member choir, goodwill ambassadors of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traveled from Salt Lake City to the nation’s capital for the historic event after accepting an invitation from the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Committee.

Not all choir members could attend the inauguration due to space limitations on the platform at the Capitol. Attendees were randomly chosen from the choir members who volunteered to perform.

“The opportunity for us to be in Washington, D.C., is an opportunity to serve this great country of the United States, an opportunity for us to share the healing and powerful message of music with the entire world,” said Ron Jarrett, president of choir.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also attended the inauguration. Their participation continues a long-standing tradition of Church leaders who have supported and celebrated freedom, civility and the process that makes possible the peaceful transfer of power provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

The swearing-in ceremony of the 45th president is the choir’s seventh inaugural performance.

“Singing in inaugurations is a family tradition,” said choir member Richard Bigler. “My parents sang in the choir for over 20 years, my brothers also. They sang for the inaugurations of George H. W. Bush and also Ronald Reagan, and I'm excited to be a part of this family tradition.”

“I worked for both the Clinton and Bush administrations, and this is my fourth inauguration to attend,” said choir member Caroline Marriott. “I am honored to be a part of this organization as a goodwill ambassador.”

In 2001, the choir performed in the inauguration parade for President George W. Bush. The choir sang at the U.S. Capitol before the swearing-in ceremony and in the parade for President George H. W. Bush in 1989. In 1981, the choir was in the inaugural parade for President Ronald W. Reagan. Thirty members of the choir sang in President Richard M. Nixon’s inaugural devotional in the East Room of the White House in 1973. In 1969, they performed in the swearing-in ceremony for President Nixon and at the inaugural concert. The choir participated in the swearing-in ceremony for President Lyndon B. Johnson at the Capitol in 1965.