I’ve been reading this blog for quite some time now, and I’m just thoroughly impressed with his stuff. I make sure and check it once a day at least to see if he has new stuff up. He’s been especially SPOT ON when it comes to the whole FLDS travesty. I’d say my only complaint about the site is that he doesn’t have enough “stuff” to keep my insatiable appetite full. Patience Ann, Patience!
The Newly Called LDS YW Presidency
The newest member of the Presidency is President Thomas S. Monson’s Daughter Ann M. Dibb
Photo Credit: LDS.org
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?
Here are some quotes from the talk:
To abusers: “You likely have deceived yourself in the false, temporary security that you have successfully hidden your transgression from the civil or church authorities. But know that the Lord Jesus Christ is completely aware of your sins. Know that sometime, some way, your abusive actions will be made public.”
He urged those who have abused others to “recognize that you need help with your addiction or it will destroy you. You will not overcome it by yourself. You likely need specialized professional help. I plead with you to be rescued now,” he said, with a recognition that forgiveness is possible with complete repentance through Christ’s atonement.
Apostle Richard G. Scott tackled the day’s most sensitive topic: sexual abuse.
Though this “vicious, abominable sin” is pervasive in the world, Scott said, “faith in Jesus Christ and in his power to heal provides the abused with the means to overcome the terrible consequences of another’s unrighteous acts.”
Healing may begin with a “thoughtful bishop or stake president or a wise professional counselor,” Scott said. “You should leave punishment for diabolic acts of abuse to civil and church authorities.”
He had harsh words for perpetrators, saying that they could conceal their actions from some people but not from God, who sees all.
Read More at the Following Source:
Mormon Times
I was looking for a talk on comfort this evening, and there was something about this talk that really drew me in so I opened it. I can definitely say that I am better for doing so. What a powerful talk, and reading it made me miss President Hinckley that much more. What a dear man he was, and goodly man. In the end it gave me the comfort that I so needed, we are so fortunate as Latter-day Saints to have Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. How blessed we are.
Get ready to be inspired, because this one is going to do it. I especially liked the beginning of the talk as he discussed a conversation he had with a young man in South America.
Personal Peace and Freedom
I recall a very troubling conversation I had years ago with a young man in a South American airport, where we were both delayed by late planes.
His hair was long and his face bearded, his glasses large and round. Sandals were on his feet, and his clothing such as to give the appearance of total indifference to any standard of style.
He was earnest and evidently sincere. He was educated and thoughtful, a graduate of a great North American university. Without employment and sustained by his father, he was traveling through South America.
What was he after in life? I asked. “Peace—and freedom” was his immediate response. Did he use drugs? Yes, they were one of his means to obtain the peace and freedom he sought. Discussion of drugs led to discussion of morals. He talked matter-of-factly about the new morality that gave so much more freedom than any previous generation had ever known.
He had learned in our opening introductions that I was a churchman; and he let me know, in something of a condescending way, that the morality of my generation was a joke. Then with earnestness he asked how I could honestly defend personal virtue and moral chastity. I shocked him a little when I declared that his freedom was a delusion, that his peace was a fraud, and that I would tell him why. …
Can there be peace in the heart of any person, can there be freedom in the life of one who has been left only misery as the bitter fruit of indulgence?
Can anything be more false or dishonest than gratification of passion without acceptance of responsibility? …
No family can have peace, no life can be free from the storms of adversity unless that family and that home are built on foundations of morality, fidelity, and mutual respect. There cannot be peace where there is not trust; there cannot be freedom where there is not loyalty. The warm sunlight of love will not rise out of a swamp of immorality. …
Is there a valid case for virtue in our world? It is the only way to freedom from regret. The peace of conscience which flows therefrom is the only personal peace that is not counterfeit. 1
Peace and WarWe are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10). …
We must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all … who look to Him. He has declared, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God. …
Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us. 2
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only element that will destroy the hatred that exists among people. If they will bring this gospel into their lives and recognize the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man and the effects of the Atonement of Christ, there will be a far greater measure of peace in the world. We will not have peace until that happens more generally. That is why you and I are here, brothers and sisters. That is the objective of our work—to teach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and touch the hearts of people so that they can look upon one another as brothers and sisters, as children of our Father in Heaven. 3
Peace and DeathThe pain of death is swallowed up in the peace of eternal life. …
Whenever the cold hand of death strikes, there shines through the gloom and the darkness of that hour the triumphant figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, He, the Son of God, who by His matchless and eternal power overcame death. He is the Redeemer of the world. He gave His life for each of us. He took it up again and became the firstfruits of them that slept. He, as King of kings, stands triumphant above all other kings. He, as the Omnipotent One, stands above all rulers. He is our comfort, our only true comfort, when the dark shroud of earthly night closes about us as the spirit departs the human form.
Towering above all mankind stands Jesus the Christ, the King of glory, the unblemished Messiah, the Lord Emmanuel. In the hour of deepest sorrow we draw hope and peace and certitude from the words of the angel that Easter morning, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matt. 28:6). We draw strength from the words of Paul, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ … all [are] made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). … 4
Peace and the TempleTake advantage of the blessings of the house of the Lord. What a privilege. Every man or woman who goes to the temple comes out of that building a better man or woman than he or she was when entering into it. That’s something that’s remarkable that happens with all of us. Is life filled with cares for you? Do you have problems and concerns and worries? Do you want for peace in your heart and an opportunity to commune with the Lord and meditate upon His way? Go to the house of the Lord and there feel of His Spirit and commune with Him and you will know a peace that you will find nowhere else. Take advantage of it. What a great and wonderful blessing it is. 5
Peace and the Holy SpiritWhile there may be thorns and disappointments, while there may be heartache, even heartbreak, there can be peace and comfort and strength from the Lord for those who follow Him. For it is the Lord Himself who has said:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29).
It is the Lord who has said that if we keep the commandments “the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion” (D&C 121:46) to buoy us up, to teach us, lead us, comfort us, and sustain us. To obtain this companionship, we need to ask for it, to live for it, to be loyal to the Lord.
I think Mormon knew very well from his own experience the truth of his words that the “Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God” (Moro. 8:26). Though we may sometimes be alone while among those of the world, we need not be lonely, for the Lord has given us the Holy Ghost to be our companion to walk with us. …
Though discipleship with the Lord requires times of standing humbly and courageously apart, the Lord will not forsake us. He also gives us the association of others who can edify and strengthen us as we go about our work of blessing others in the world. And if we are prayerful and loyal to Him and His commandments, the Lord’s promise can be applicable to us: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).
This is a promise from the Lord. I believe it. I bear testimony to you of its truth. May the Lord bless all who step out of the darkness of the world into the light of the everlasting gospel. May He bless us all to walk humbly and courageously and to know in our hearts that peace which comes from squaring one’s life with principles.
Notes
1. From Ensign, Aug. 1989, 2, 5–6.
2. From Ensign, Nov. 2001, 72, 74.
3. From Ensign, Apr. 1996, 73.
4. From Ensign, May 1996, 67.
5. From Ensign, Apr. 1996, 72.
6. From Ensign, Sept. 2001, 5.
Text Credit: LDS.org
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
SALT LAKE CITY 12 March 2008 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today named Richard E. Turley Jr. as the new assistant Church historian and recorder, signaling another step forward in its commitment to collect, preserve and publish Church historical records.
Click Here to read more at LDS.org
Photo and Text Credit: LDS.org
Given the fact that General Conference will be here before we know it, I figured I’d link to several articles about, or written by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf the newly called 2nd Counselor in The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have really enjoyed getting to know President Uchtdorf, what a life he’s lead thusfar, and what a life he has to come.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: On to New Horizons
Special Witness: Getting to Know Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
See the End from the Beginning
Visiting Teaching Message: Become an Instrument in the Hands of God by Practicing Holiness
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task. … The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives—as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter, in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually increase our capacity to ‘act in all holiness before [Him]’ (D&C 43:9)” (“Christlike Attributes—the Wind beneath Our Wings,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 102).
Friend to Friend - Side Note, not that they aren’t all good. But, this one is really special from The Friend Magazine
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real; it brings immortality to all and opens the door to eternal life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is again on the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and living” (“The Opportunity to Testify,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 76).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Presidency of the Seventy: I have no ancestors among the 19th-century pioneers. However, since the first days of my Church membership, I have felt a close kinship to those early pioneers who crossed the plains. They are my spiritual ancestry, as they are for each and every member of the Church, regardless of nationality, language, or culture. They have established not only a safe place in the West but also a spiritual foundation for the building of the kingdom of God in all the nations of the world.
They Spoke to Us: Making Conference Part of Our Lives - See the End from the Beginning
Called to Serve - From The Friend Magazine
Book Reviews - From The Friend Magazine
Sister Eternal, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, illustrated by Ben Sowards. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares a story from his childhood. As his family embarks on a journey through war-torn Germany, they encounter danger and fear. But with the help of one elderly woman, they come to find peace and truth.
Sharing Time: The Light of Christ
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of Presidency of the Seventy said that when he was growing up, his “chapel had a stained-glass window of Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. Whenever the sun shone on it, I felt that the story it illustrated and what I had learned in Primary about the First Vision were true” (Liahona, Apr. 1999, F3).
Thanks to lds9999 for sharing this with all of us. I literally wept when I heard it, it’s just so touching, and it reminded me of my own conversion story. If you’re feeling down or sad, or even if you’re having the greatest day I so recommend that you watch this.
I don’t know exactly how I happened upon This Site, but it’s pretty dang awesome. It looks to be produced by the folks at Deseret Morning News. It’s definitely going to go into my rotation of sites that I visit daily. Finding it was certainly a highlight of my day.
I’d like to share with you one of my most favorite Hymns from that inspirational green book known as our hymnbook this Sabbath morning. Click play and enjoy.
Words:
The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.
The Lord is my light.
He is my joy, and my song
By day, and by night
He leads, he leads me
along.
The Lord is my light
tho clouds may arise,
Faith stronger than sight,
looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain.
The Lord is my light,
He is my joy and my song.
By day, and by night
He leads, he leads me
Along
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r.
And walking by faith, I am blest every ev’ry hour.
The Lord is my light
He is my joy and my song
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me
along.
The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
The is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.
The Lord is my light
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night
He leads, he leads me
along.
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.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the new portrait of the newly named First Presidency.
I can’t wait to get a copy myself. I never changed out the picture on my wall of The First Presidency with President Hinckley, President Monson, and President Faust. I’ll just be twisting the frame around.
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
How forward thinking the church is, this article was written in 2005 to teach members how to increase their missionary opportunities online with acquaintances, friends, and non-member family members. There are several suggestions included in the article on just how to achieve this, and I’m including one of them below. Please make sure to read the entire article though, because this is just one of the suggestions. There are several others listed.
Suggestions for Sharing the Gospel Online
When preparing to share the gospel with a friend online, familiarize yourself with www.mormon.org. (For a recent news story about m