Mormon Bloggers

I teach a class at our local Mormon church called Gospel Principles.  It is a course designed for people who are not familiar with the Mormon faith who are wanting to learn more, or for those who need a “refresher” course.  This week’s lesson is on the Priesthood. According to the lesson manual, the definition of priesthood is: the eternal power and authority of God.  The lesson continues by sharing that God has a certain order and delegates this power and authority for people to act in his name.  It also goes on to share the in God’s church only those who have been ordained to the priesthood by the laying on of hands can lead God’s church. As I read through the lesson, I became distracted by a certain phrase that kept popping up in various ways.  I’ll highlight some of them: Our Heavenly Father delegates His priesthood power to worthy male members of the Church. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will... Read the rest of this entry »

The following video from Mormon Messages illustrates the painful consequences of failing to live up to one’s privilege. It shows an individual who had scrimped and saved to take a pleasure cruise. Thinking he would save money, he brought his own food along, and although he did disembark at the various ports of call, he stayed in his cabin the rest of the time, not partaking in any of the ship’s other amenities. Imagine his sorrow when he found out that the price of his ticket INCLUDED the FULL privileges of the ship. And this effectively symbolizes the message that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf strived to communicate in his address entitled “Your Potential, Your Privilege”, delivered during the Saturday Evening Priesthood Session of the April 2011 General Conference: The question this parable raises is, Are we as priesthood holders living below our privileges when it comes to the sacred power, gifts, and blessings that are our opportunity and right as bearers of... Read the rest of this entry »

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will engage in new curriculum for Sunday School and Priesthood/Relief Society. For the Sunday school curriculum (14 to Adults), our study will focus on Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. Members should receive – or already possess – the following copies: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class … Continue reading »  Read More →

When we set our foot on the path of righteousness, when we set our eyes on the Savior and redeemer – Jesus the Christ – and when we comply in fulfilling our priesthood duties, we inevitably strive to become a righteous man. Not a man that meets the standards of the world today, but a … Continue reading »  Read More →

I actually address the heart of the issue of Mormonism, Blacks and the Priesthood in this article here: http://timothyrberman.newsvine.com/_news/2012/08/27/13512376-mormonism-and-the-priesthood-ban; as well as here: http://www.examiner.com/article/mormonism-blacks-and-the-melchizedek-priesthood?cid=db_articles Much of the problem with understanding the Priesthood Ban is to actually understand what was the … Continue reading →  Read More →

    In the NBC Rock Center program of Mormon in America, a statement was made that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treated blacks as second class citizens. In her segment that focused on a typical Mormon Family, Kate … Continue reading →  Read More →

As part of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, priesthood authority that Jesus Christ gave to His apostles in His ancient church was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. Saving ordinances, such as baptism and confirmation, are performed through this priesthood authority. There are also priesthood blessings that can be given with this authority that are not saving ordinances, but can provide great comfort, guidance, and power in an individual’s life. This recent article by Elder Dallin H. Oaks explains what priesthood blessings are, how and where and by whom they are administered, and how they play an important role in the lives of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those who are not members of the Church can also ask for priesthood blessings from Mormon men who hold the Melchizedek priesthood. Elder Oaks also explains other ways priesthood can be used to bless people’s lives and help in God’s work on the earth.  Read More →

Editor’s note: Two weeks ago, I wrote about my son’s LDS Young Men / Boy Scout leaders, and the impact they are having on my son. At their week-long campout, daily devotionals focused on how men can and should be a combination of “velvet and steel.” It was the first thing my son mentioned when he was debriefing me on his campout…obviously something that stuck with him and had an impact on him. It’s also something that showed in his demeanor and behavior. I’m so grateful for good men who are willing to give of their time and talents and testimonies to have an influence on my son. One of his leaders kindly consented to share the “Velvet and Steel” devotionals. My son was asked to share some of these thoughts on how the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was the perfect example of the perfect balance of “velvet and steel.” More posts will be shared this week.  Today, the focus is on Jesus Christ and some of His characteristics and... Read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s note: Two weeks ago, I wrote about my son’s LDS Young Men / Boy Scout leaders, and the impact they are having on my son. At their week-long campout, daily devotionals focused on how men can and should be a combination of “velvet and steel.” It was the first thing my son mentioned when he was debriefing me on his campout…obviously something that stuck with him and had an impact on him. It’s also something that showed in his demeanor and behavior. I’m so grateful for good men who are willing to give of their time and talents and testimonies to have an influence on my son. One of his leaders kindly consented to share the “Velvet and Steel” devotionals. My son was asked to share some of these thoughts on how the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was the perfect example of the perfect balance of “velvet and steel.” More posts will be shared this week. Today, the focus is on Jesus Christ and some of His characteristics and behavior... Read the rest of this entry »

(Photo is a stock photo from images.lds.org) ~by Michelle My son was at a Young Men’s camp this week (where we live, the Church’s Young Men’s program is merged with the Boy Scout program). It may sound simplistic, but I felt like he came home a better young man. Of course there were all the elements of camping — smelly latrines, campfires, silly antics (this time it was mini flame-throwers in boys-will-be-boys style). There are probably things he hasn’t told his mother about other such antics, and maybe that’s for the better. But I could tell that something more went on at the camp. They held twice-daily devotionals, one focusing on Duty to God principles (Duty to God is the program for young men in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and the other focusing on different people from history who exhibited “velvet and steel.” I still have yet to hear more about this, but like my son said, “You can sort of figure out what... Read the rest of this entry »

lds.org Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-44 says,“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;“That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.” Most people interpret betimes as sometimes, but that is incorrect. The Institute manual explains, “Many people assume the word betimes means “occasionally” or “sometimes,” but this is not its primary meaning. To reprove betimes means to do so “at an early time, . . . in good time, in due time; while there is yet time, before... Read the rest of this entry »

Two boys who are most likely deacons in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who were collecting fast offerings from local ward members were robbed of the proceeds on Sunday May 6th, 2012, but the robbers were quickly tracked down and jailed. The boys, ages 13 and 14, were going door to door collecting fast offerings in a neighborhood near 300 East and 500 South in American Fork, Utah when a car driven by Hannah Huckabee pulled up next to them. Brent King exited the passenger side and demanded that the boys hand over the envelope containing the offerings. The boys refused; after a short tug-of-war, King took the envelope, got back in the car, and the two sped away. KSL news video embedded below: King and Huckabee were arrested later Sunday in Alpine when officers noticed a vehicle matching the description of the car used in the robberies. King and Huckabee, both of American Fork, were booked into the Utah County Jail. The two had dumped the envelope in a nearby stream when... Read the rest of this entry »