Mormon Bloggers

I continue to get questions from people I know well about the end of the world. It seems the political upheavals we are witnessing continue to trouble even the most grounded saints. These concerns arise as a natural consequence of the bad news we hear every day. The budget and deficit spending in America is out of control. The prophets of doom and gloom continue to spread fear and uncertainty all around. Conspiracy theories abound. Few are escaping the effects of the 2008 financial market meltdown. Widespread doubts about the future are escalating. Inflation is eroding purchasing power. Gas prices are averaging $4 per gallon in five states, and continue rising in more. The price of basic food is rising at the grocery store. It is a troubling time for most. In the aftermath of General Conference two weeks ago, I’ve had a chance to review the content, topics and themes we heard expressed by the living prophets. Patsy and I were asked to speak about the prophets in a recent sacrament... Read the rest of this entry »

President Thomas S. Monson Today, as the 181st General Conference convenes, I renew my gratitude for living prophets who live among us. They are gentle giants of love, service, testimony and example. None symbolizes the teachings, life and ministry of Jesus Christ and His example better than President Thomas S. Monson. President Spencer W. Kimball The paradox is their power derives from their humility. However, many in the world misunderstand or question their greatness as misplaced idol worship. I always remember President Spencer W. Kimball and other General Authorities long since dead at Conference time. I believe he, like so many, never knew how great he really was. The great ones never do. If you want to understand what sets them apart, look to their words as they describe themselves. I was remembering an address in the 1978 General Conference this morning when I heard President Eyring mention what a pure example President Monson is of one like the Savior who “went... Read the rest of this entry »

Last Saturday, Peggy Fletcher Stack did what she always does in the run up to General Conference. She writes a story for the Salt Lake Tribune that is provocative to get members of the Church all stirred up and buzzing among themselves over some quasi-doctrinal topic of her choosing. Her writing genius is that she manages to make it critical and embarrassing enough to satisfy her readership in the “alternative” newspaper in Salt Lake City. She seems to delight in coming up with good fodder for conversation and controversy. Let’s be honest – controversy sells well in the public marketplace these days. President Thomas S. Monson I had three people send me e-mails asking for my comments about the article. See? It works. We’re talking about it. That’s good marketing strategy, and it’s bound to sell newspapers. However, (deep breath now), I don’t remember ever consulting the Deseret Morning News or the Salt Lake Tribune as my source of truth even once... Read the rest of this entry »

I heard an earnest and sincere appeal in a sacrament meeting invocation for “peace on earth” yesterday.  This time of year we hear it more often than any other because we are reminded of “glad tidings of great joy” and “peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Joseph Smith It seems I can never pass a Christmas Day, however, without being reminded and thinking deeply on the content of what I call “The Christmas Day Revelation” of December 25, 1832.  (See Section 87, The Doctrine and Covenants).  Ironically, on the day we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace (even though it was really April 6th), it is designated as a ”revelation and prophecy on war,” given through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is only eight short verses, but they are packed with implications stretching down through the hallways of time since that day into our lives today. Benjamin Franklin The... Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means today to be considered a “Separatist” or a “revolutionary.” Who are the revolutionaries today?  Who are those who seek freedom and are willing to die for it?  Who will live their religion at all costs, counting all things but dross for the excellency of the knowledge of the Lord?  I’m wondering if America in its latest attempt to redefine itself in this bi-annual renewal of national elections granted to us by our founders isn’t just a way of hearkening back to our origins a little bit. If the pushback we’ve been observing in the recent election results is any indication, maybe it’s a sign we’re reaching back to our roots for a bit of the revolutionary spirit left within us. In America we apply the term “Pilgrim” to those who first settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the 9th day of November 1620.  The Pilgrims... Read the rest of this entry »

I couldn’t help noticing the results of yet another poll the other day.  The polling, one would think, would end with the end of campaigning for this election cycle, but not so. . . the sampling of human opinion seems perpetual and neverending.  President Boyd K. Packer In the ongoing ”great debate of 2010,” this poll asked Utahns how many believed gay and lesbian people could change their sexual orientation.  President Boyd K. Packer, consistent with “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” issued in 1995 by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, asserts: “Fifteen years ago, with the world in turmoil, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World,’ the fifth proclamation in the history of the Church. It is a guide that members of the Church would do well to read and to follow. “It states in part: ‘We, the First... Read the rest of this entry »

Elder Harold B. Lee, 1941 The following is a statement written inside the back cover of President Harold B. Lee’s personal copy of Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his own handwriting.  The date of the entry places the statement in time to within six months after his call to serve as an Apostle.  (He was called April 6, 1941).  At the time of his call, he was twenty years younger than the next oldest member of the Twelve. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1941 9/21/41 Zion is to be prepared as a bride for the coming of the bridegroom and that preparation is in rapid progress. The days of trial and greater tribulation are rapidly approaching, and the time to test the fidelity of the Latter-day Saints has come as foretold by our leaders. Of this I am sure that any man or woman who cannot follow the leadership and abide the counsel of those who are set by the Lord to preside, though they counsel in the matters of business, politics, private... Read the rest of this entry »

President Thomas S. Monson 1.  What other church on earth lets you participate via television and the Internet four days a year in your jammies? 2.  The subjects for talks are never assigned, but are reviewed in advance by peers so the inspiration can flow freely at each spring and autumn equinox. 3.  The soaring transcendency of the Tabernacle Choir’s music is enhanced as never before because of the arranging genius of Mack Wilberg. 4.  Living prophets are speaking about timely current topics, quoting dead prophets to illustrate how their prophetic utterances have come to pass. 5.  The focus is always on the basic doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ without the accompanying specious speculation and debate of the typical high priest group meeting. 6.  There is always a sense of being anchored in Christ despite the depravity of worldliness permeating everything else as new temples dotting the globe are... Read the rest of this entry »

I was fascinated this morning with a story that first appeared in the Deseret News in April 2010, highlighting the work of the translators and interpreters at General Conference. I was amazed to learn that Conference is now being translated into 92 languages.  In 1961, Conference was first translated into four languages — Spanish, French, German and Tongan.  It was a very small group of dedicated volunteers who were situated in cramped quarters under the Tabernacle back then. Now, conference is interpreted live in up to 92 languages — 52 in the conference center, 28 via the remote Tieline system and another dozen on-site in countries across the world. In the Conference Center, 43 of the languages, from Spanish to Turkish, are broadcast live, and another nine, including Malagasay, Swahili and Twi, are recorded to be distributed via DVD later. Teams outside the Conference Center, usually in their native country, interpret the conference proceedings in 28 more languages,... Read the rest of this entry »

This is something we could all benefit from:  Read More →

Joseph Smith (1805 – 1844) A few years ago in recognition of the 200th anniversary of his birth in 1805 on December 23rd, our stake held a youth fireside at the end of the year honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I was asked to be the keynote speaker. I assembled many notes for that talk, most of which I never used.  This morning I discovered them in a deeply buried archive file on the computer, and share them here with the readers of this page.  Joseph Smith was a remarkably candid and forthright speaker and writer.  He pulled no punches, it appears to me, particularly in his own self-appraisals.  Most of what I have gathered below comes from his History of the Church compilation (hereafter HC), some 3,200 pages in total.  (Many of these statements have also been compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.)  Today legislation in Washington can be cobbled together approaching that many pages with ease and... Read the rest of this entry »

A few years ago I spoke in one of the wards in our stake as the regular third Sunday high council speaker.  With ample time to develop a topic (a rarity) I felt impressed to revisit the 5th Chapter of Alma.  As the president of the church and also the head of government as chief judge, Alma decided to appoint another chief judge and go out among his people to “. . . pull down by the word of God all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.”  (Alma 4:19). Later in the day on that Sunday afternoon, I received a call from an older, venerable and kind brother in that ward who declared, “That was the greatest talk I have ever heard in my whole life.”  All I did was ask Alma’s 42 questions.  It might be a worthwhile Sunday activity today for you and your family to consider your answers. ALMA... Read the rest of this entry »