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During orientation week as a bright-eyed freshman at USC who didn’t grow up in a big city before, I made sure to seek out the USC institute building/chapel just off campus. Although the congregation was smaller than I anticipated, it was tight-knit and highly influential to my spiritual development. Bishop Rudd (now President Rudd) and Bishop Moreton made that ward a special place for the four years I was a student and my time there remains one of my most cherished memories. As I’ve remained in the LA Stake since then in 3 different wards, I’m continually amazed by the strong and interesting people that make up our community.

Conner Plant
Westwood Ward

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I remember the first time I walked into the Westwood Ward Chapel (22 years ago this fall) after transferring to UCLA to study art history. The delightful breeze-blocks, warmth of the wood and the off-centered pulpit made me instantly fall in love with this building. I've continued to love it and use it weekly over these 2 decades and always feel the spirit when I enter.

In President Harold B. Lee's dedicatory prayer for the building 70 years ago this month, he prayed:

"...May this edifice be the place of instruction by men of faith, that this pulpit may never be graced by one except he have a testimony and bear it fervently. Bless the teachers who teach in the classrooms, that they might be minded to teach only the little ones, that their little feet might be planted on the firm, rock bottom testimony of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. That as they grow up flowers of sobriety, virtue, honor, and integrity may blossom out because of that prime testimony which is in their little souls. We pray Father that thou wilt cause that if there be laughter and dancing it may be unto thee that all such events may be opened with prayer and closed with prayer. And when the shadows of life come and those who have passed away from this life shall be brought here as a memorial, may those who come be comforted and strengthened in their faith and not grow weary or fall by the wayside because of the stern realities and the tests of life...That those who come here might be taught the truth and those of thy other children who are not now members of thy church, as they come to us Father, let them feel as they enter the portals of this building a spirit which cannot be felt except in places that have been dedicated as holy places of worship..."

Erin Sorensen
Westwood Ward

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Wedding Reception Rex and Andrea Stailey

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Wedding Reception Rex and Andrea Stailey

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Andrea and I were married and sealed in the Newport Beach Temple because the Los Angeles Temple was closed for cleaning. Andrea was born and raised in Los Angeles and grew up in the Wilshire Ward. She wanted our reception in the courtyard of the Stake Center. Luckily Andrea’s parents Cathy and Ewald Leverkus were still living and serving in the Stake so scheduling the building was easy. We flew in from Philadelphia. The first time I saw the Stake Center I was amazed at how beautiful it was with high ceiling and stained glass windows. Truly a treasure of the City of Los Angeles. It was an amazing setting for a reception and that night will always be one of my best memories.

Rex Stailey
Westwood Ward

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Los Angeles is calling “Education is my Future.”

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Los Angeles is calling “Education is my Future.”

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In the spring of 1956, I found myself in the huge city of Los Angeles at the University of my choice, knowing classmates only.  Feeling a bit lonely and homesick, I searched and discovered the nearest church building to the dorm was on Manhattan Place.  After two bus transfers and a few blocks walking one Sunday morning, I caught my first glimpse of the beautiful Wilshire Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Walking inside I found the peaceful, joyous spirit I was looking for in this big city, my second home for the next several years.

Many, many years have rolled into a lifetime of family, friends and grandchildren.  Years of service in the Los Angeles California Stake along my Covenant Path to the blessings of Los Angeles Temple.

Loui Keeney - Westwood Ward, Stake Historian