Mormon Bloggers

In order to amplify the ability of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to deliver the message of the restored Gospel worldwide, the Church decided to augment the efforts of the full-time missionary force by getting individual members more involved. Fifty years ago as he closed the April 1959 general conference, then-President David O. McKay twice pronounced the phrase “every member a missionary.” That simple, four-word statement immediately thrust missionary work into the consciousness of the general Church membership and has since thrived over the past half-century as an oft-repeated reminder. Yet there are those who criticize us for it. Not only ex-Mormons and anti-Mormons, but also a number of more progressive Mormons have expressed concern that we look upon people we have just met as investigators first, and friends second (if at all). They decry our occasional tendency to lose interest in a person if they rebuff our efforts to evangelize them. Thus many members... Read the rest of this entry »

While I was on my mission (back when we rode dinosaurs to appointments), my last companion somehow got invited to present a paper at a local university in Saarbrücken during a symposium on religion. There were other papers to be presented on a variety of topics, but his was entitled “Alle Wege Führen Nicht Nach Rom” (Not All Roads Lead to Rome).   His point, as one might imagine an LDS missionary’s point would be, was that there was only one way back to Heavenly Father, namely through the authorized ordinances of the restored priesthood. He did a credible job presenting; his non-native German was wonderful, and he was well received by the small crowd at the lecture. (We were actually working in a different city; he’d been transferred after he’d committed to present, so he got permission to go back.)   As I’ve grown older, I’ve had some different thoughts on the matter. While I agree with my companion that the saving ordinances of the restored priesthood are required... Read the rest of this entry »

“Everyone get down.” A rock crashed through the front window of the bus. We didn’t have to be told twice. Some passengers ducked in their seats. We got on the floor. My heart raced. The bus sped up. I looked at my companion. It was hard to see him in the dark. He seemed terrified. We held on to the seat legs for support. “Dios mío,” said one of the women. Children cried. Rocks crashed through the side windows. Glass sprayed all around us. The bus driver laid on the horn. A man shouted something in Spanish out the window. A rock hit him in the side of the face. Blood spattered the seat next to us. Several women screamed. Chickens flew in the aisle. More rocks smashed windows in quick succession. The bus hopped over obstacles in the road. Men, women and children bounced up and down. A shot rang out, then another. They came from behind us. One last rock hit the back window. The bus veered to the right in a sudden turn. The crashing rocks ceased. “Are you alright?” I asked my... Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday we had the blessing of witnessing the baptism of yet another grandchild. Recently, it was Molly and Spencer. These choice young spirits who have been sent to our family in the third generation continue to amaze and humble me. Present by invitation at yesterday’s baptism was Alex’s best friend, not a member of the Church. At age eight he is already a missionary. Even before that he gifted his kindergarten teacher with a Book of Mormon. There is little doubt in my mind these spirits who are coming to earth in these last days are uniquely prepared for the days that lie ahead. Alex carries his scriptures with him in a special carrying case with the image of a basketball imprinted on it. Our grandchildren are all exceptional (you may discount these words if you choose, because it’s a grandfather talking about his grandchildren) but I fear no contradiction for those who know them well. Alex In a note to Alex I observed the new layer of snow on the ground (I know,... Read the rest of this entry »

LDS Temple in Medford, OR My husband and I go through cycles when it comes to LDS Temple attendance. We’ll faithfully go every month and then something happens and we fall off the cart. This time it is temple clothes that need replacement and repair. Just haven’t gotten around to it and we have not been to the temple in almost four months now. This morning I read section 138 in the Doctrine & Covenants that really got to me. Joseph F. Smith had a vision in October 1918 that he shares vividly. He even describes how the vision came on, what it feels like. And I felt a bit like I was there watching it with him and my yearning for temple work came back. These verses especially: 30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached... Read the rest of this entry »

One of our daughters who served a full-time mission several years ago was recently asked to put on a fireside for the youth in their stake about how to prepare to serve missions. It’s good information to share with those who are preparing so they may understand the value of lessons learned from the experiences of others.  Please feel free to “draft” off these ideas and add more of your own at the bottom in the Comments section. Enjoy! Some Lessons Learned as a Missionary Melanie Goates Sharp One of the benefits of having 12 siblings is that you have a big pool of people to ask for ideas when you get a talk assignment. In preparation for a fireside with the youth about serving missions, I asked my family members and a few friends to share three things they’d learned as missionaries. In no particular order, here’s what they had to say: I learned that I will never be strong enough on my own. I am totally dependant upon Christ to help me to... Read the rest of this entry »

Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now dot the globe spreading the word of God everywhere. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over fifty thousand full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010. Commonly referred to as “Mormon missionaries,” most LDS Church missionaries are single young men and women in their late teens and early twenties and are assigned to a mission which is usually far from the missionary’s home. LDS missionaries serve voluntarily. They do not receive a salary for the work they undertake, and most are financially supported by themselves or their families.  Throughout the history of the Church, over one million missionaries have been sent on missions. They learn many lessons to prepare them for their future lives as husbands, wives and eventually fathers and... Read the rest of this entry »

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland held a press conference yesterday representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, communicating the deep concern for the people of Japan who have been affected by the terrible series of tragedies — earthquake, tsunami, nuclear radiation concerns. The Church has committed financial resources to help Japan and will continue to stay in touch with local leaders, relief institutions, and governmental agencies in the country to figure out where and how disaster relief support can be most helpful. (For those interested in contributing in the funds that help the Church provide such financial support, visit the LDS Humanitarian Relief via LDS Philanthropies. (Or you can go directly to the Humanitarian Aid Fund donation page.) 100% of contributions go to helping those in need.) Elder Holland also updated the press and listeners about the status of LDS missionaries in the country (they are all accounted for and some two hundred (plus) missionaries are being... Read the rest of this entry »

When you love golf, missionary work and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as I do (and even if you don’t), anyone can draw some inspiration from this clip: Free Counter  Read More →

You have probably seen them — most common are the young men in dark suits and black nametags. Young women, older couples and some older single women also serve. Mormon missionaries voluntarily give 18-24 months of their lives to share more about our beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What motivates Mormon missionaries to want to serve? Read accounts from several Mormon women about why they decided to serve missions. http://www.mormonmissionprep.com/2010/11/30/sister-missionaries-what-made-you-decide-to-serve/ A Mormon woman who calls herself “Paradox” shares experiences that helped her toward her dream of serving a mission. Read more from Mormon women who have served missions in our “Mormon Women on a Mission” posts.  Read More →

Shaun Gogarty is one of the founders of Pedal With A Purpose, a site dedicated to providing Mormon missionaries with better bikes so they can focus on the real purpose of missionary work. Pedal With A Purpose does this through education on the Pedal With A Purpose Blog, and by outfitting missionaries with the right types of mission bicycles (i.e. bikes better for the urban environment most missionaries work in). Marathons and Missions A marathon is a 26.2 mile endurance race and similarly a mission is an endurance event. Read any guide on preparing for a marathon and you will find within the top ten suggestions: do not use anything new on race day! Many would be marathoners have failed because of a new shirt chafing or new shoes causing blisters with each step. Similarly many new missionaries are spiritually well prepared, but physically miserable because they are using new equipment, their mission bike, in a very physical event. Accomplishing your mission of inviting others to come unto... Read the rest of this entry »

Mesa Temple ….for missionary work! There is no better time to share the gospel than during the Christmas season. People are more receptive because the Spirit is strong, everyone is kind and cheerful, and there is a lot of focus on Christ. Invite friends and family to: walk the temple grounds, especially if it has a visitors’ center, is decorated with lights and a nativity, or hosts mini concerts. watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional the first Sunday in December. watch Joy to the World, the Church’s short DVD on the Savior’s birth. watch any Christmas video by the Church. read or reenact the story of Christ’s birth. go to a religious Christmas pageant. participate in service. attend your ward’s Christmas party. go caroling, singing Christmas hymns. write letters or send care packages to missionaries. join you for Family Home Evening. come to church. read the Book of Mormon. Challenge: Invite friends or family to do one of the above... Read the rest of this entry »