Photo Credit: Trent Nelson - Photojournalist Salt Lake Tribune
I am absolutely astonished at how things work in this country. I’d like to see CPS abolished. More bad happens in CPS than in the so called “abusive” families. Also, to all citizens, politicians, etc. in Texas I’d like to tell you that you’ve impacted your own economy with this. I’d like to see a “Texas Size” (got it Freedom Lovers???) boycott of the state. I’ve decided I will NEVER EVER set foot in your state again. I’ll never give to your economy, or support anything in your state. You think you’re the biggest bullies. Don’t mess with Texas is your slogan. Woo Hoo, you’re such toughies, you can make women in prairie dresses (that ironically not too many years ago all women in Texas wore) cry. You can intimidate them. I guess your jollies wore off after the torching of the Branch Davidian Complex. I bet you’re just so saddened by the fact that these people didn’t put up a fight and cared enough about their children to protect them from people with guns and tanks.
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Congrats Texas I hope you pay for time and all eternity!
I pray to our Heavenly Father above that he correct this injustice, and to watch over all involved in this tragedy.
Wow,
I’m just about speechless. What a wonderful conference. It was such a special experience to sustain such a humble man of God in President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. This was the first Solemn Assembly that I’d witnessed given that I’d joined The Church a couple months before President Hinckley became Prophet. I was preparing to get married during the last one.
I’d have to say that thing that stood out the most in my mind though was President Uchtdorf. Wow, what an awe inspiring man. His English skills as the Solemn Assembly was taking place, and as he called other General Authorities and Auxilaries of The Church. He just rolled those names off his tongue without much difficulty. I really love to hear him speak.
The other talks were great too, and I was so glad to hear Elder Scott tackle an issue that definitely needs to be discussed.
What things stood out to you?
My daughter Jessica will be turning twelve in the fall, and I’m looking forward to the opportunities it will give her. The thing that I’m concerned the most about is that she has a disability. She has seizures, and because of oxygen deprivation when she was younger after one she has suffered brain damage. She also has learning disabilities, and communication problems. She’s an absolutely lovely child though. She’s kind, caring, and about as compassionate as they come. If any of her siblings are hurting, or just need someone although she can’t really hold up her end of the conversation she’s an astute listener. She’s also very affection (she loves to give hugs). My concern is that the other girls aren’t going to be accepting of her because of her disabilities. What advice would you give to a very nervous Mommy, as her daughter is about to enter Young Women for the first time?
The General Young Women Meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008. If you’re unfamiliar with the Young Women’s Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, follow the link at the end of this post.
Speakers include the Young Women general presidency and a member of the First Presidency.
This meeting will be held on March 29, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Center.
Visit LDS.org for further information on this event, and watch it with your friends. Make it extra fun by inviting a non-member, what a wonderful missionary opportunity that would be.
Resources on the Young Women’s Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Text Credit: LDS.org
Event Description
The 178th Annual General Conference of the Church will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, 2008. The Saturday general sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Sunday sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. (which includes Music and the Spoken Word) and 2:00 p.m. The general priesthood meeting will be held in the Conference Center on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Click Here for more information.
Please leave your comments on The 178th Annual General Conference here!
Text Credit: LDS.org
Photo Credit: DesignTeam.
From the LDS Newsroom.
Latter-day Saints identify with that. Mormon congregations are kept small enough to maintain a close and intimate relationship between members and their congregational leaders. At the same time, they are large enough — usually a few hundred members — to pool talents and resources for the entire group’s benefit.According to Terryl Givens, professor of literature and religion at Virginia’s Richmond University, the practice of providing universal volunteer service opportunities to youth and adults in any given congregation leads to personal and social benefits.
“The value of the system is that it prevents religion from ever becoming a spectator sport. One doesn’t go to church to be ministered to, but to minister,” he said.
“And since we tend to love those people and institutions we invest in,” he adds, “lay service forges powerful bonds of interdependency and unity.”
In order to understand what makes Mormon congregations “unusually cohesive faith groups,” as Givens calls them, a closer look is necessary.
According to former Mormon bishop Chris Rutter, lay service “gives members a chance to learn new skills and knowledge, strengthening their faith and enhancing their religious experience.”
Rutter says that young people, new members and all others who are capable of contributing are given a church duty, such as leading the music, teaching a class or organizing the scout troop.
“Frequently, when a new assignment is accepted there’s a steep learning curve, initially, in order to do it well,” he said. “But people learn quickly and enjoy serving each other.”
Mormon bishops say the system of backup help from dozens or even hundreds of members is essential. “Bishops have demands on their time,” Rutter said. “With full-time jobs and family responsibilities, it’s not always easy to find the time needed each week to lead a flock.”
Mormons say children in the faith grow up seeing religion as something you do, not something you just believe. As children grow into teens, they learn that religion can be practical and helpful to them and to those around them.
From a pastoral perspective, communal member-to-member ministering also leads to more positive outcomes within the faith community and beyond.
“When you have 300 or so members in a congregation all contributing,” Rutter says, “the accumulated service is often substantial.”
Bishop Richard C. Edgley of the Church’s Presiding Bishopric spoke recently of the close-knit support that Mormon congregations offer.
“No one knows better how to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort,” he said in the Church’s October 2007 general conference. “I choose to call it ‘enduring together.’ What happens to one happens to all. We endure together.”
Photo Credit: BBC