Mormon Bloggers

Many years ago (April, 1981), I attended a stake conference where I had a chance to get better acquainted with  Dean H. Lee, a son of S. Perry Lee, who was the older brother of Harold B. Lee. We had a delightful visit. He was visiting our stake in his assignment as the region’s Church Welfare Agent. Elder Thomas S. Monson When his father Perry died, then-Elder Thomas S. Monson was a speaker at his funeral on August 17, 1978. In his remarks Elder Monson made reference to a book Perry had given him, one of only ten copies that had been published. The contents, he explained, were a compilation of the teachings of Harold B. Lee to Seminary and Institute instructors on the campus of BYU during the summer of 1954. While my father, L. Brent Goates, was writing the definitive biography about President Harold B. Lee, he discovered several references in President Lee’s diary in that year about the lecture series. It was obvious from his entries that this experience was a... Read the rest of this entry »

On this 4th of July, 2011, a message of liberation and freedom from sin on this wise: The atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite and eternal and more powerful than any of us has surmised. In recent weeks, events in the lives of two younger brothers have done much to advise my beliefs and buttress my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of personal revelation. First, brother Hal suffered a massive coronary and the emergency installation of three stents in occluded arteries saved his life. The doctors who attended him estimated he was within minutes of death. Lesley Drew Goates Second, while we were all focused on Hal and praying for his recovery, brother Drew died in his sleep, ending a truncated life filled with challenges beyond the normal scope of most mortals. I have always believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. I cannot remember a time when I did not have a testimony. I find as I have grown older the foundation of my testimony remains strong and is deepening and ripening.... Read the rest of this entry »

Dixie State College in St. George, Utah had a special guest on May 6th, 2011 — the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thomas S. Monson, who was accompanied by his daughter, Sister Ann Monson Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, showed up to help the school commemorate its 100th anniversary by delivering the commencement address. President Monson also received an honorary doctorate in humanities. KSL news video below: Video Courtesy of KSL.com The Deseret News published a lengthier story, and Dixie State published their own report. President Monson’s presence was particularly appropriate since Dixie State was founded by the LDS Church 100 years ago. In his address, President Monson spoke of three bridges that would help the 1,500 Dixie graduates in attendance safely navigate the chasms of life; the bridge of attitude, the bridge of integrity, and the bridge of service. In summary, President Monson noted that attitude can make... Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

Mormons, which is a nickname for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that God has called prophets in our day, just as there were prophets in the old and new testaments. The living prophet today, who holds the same role and call as Peter in the bible, is President Thomas S. Monson. There are also twelve apostles living today in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their call is to teach the gospel all over the world.   Every six months, in April and October, the prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the church gather to discuss and broadcast a conference where the teachings of Jesus Christ are taught.   Members of the church are encouraged to hear their words and live by their teachings, just as the children of Israel were encouraged to listen to and follow the counsel given by Moses.   I know that President Monson is a true prophet, called by God to declare His word. I know that the twelve apostles are given the same charge, and... 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 »

I was once talking to a friend about an issue she had with something the living prophet had said in conference that she didn’t fully agree with. “But he is the prophet,” I said, “his counsel is coming from the Lord.” “But what ever happened to seeking out direction for yourself from the Holy Ghost?” She said, “We have to ask for ourselves if we should follow the counsel or not.” Her response troubled me. I realized that she didn’t recognize that God is not going to “inspire” us to do anything that is contrary to what the prophet says. That’s not because the prophet is greater than God. It is because the instruction we receive personally from our Father in Heaven will never supersede the instruction given to the prophet from God. His discernment of revelation is flawless, but ours is not. We can be deceived. The prophet will not be deceived. It was as if the girl I spoke to had a testimony of God and His Spirit, but it then stopped there. Indeed, we... 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 »

A great story was related on September 30, 1859 at an address given to theWisconsin State Agricultural Society in Milwaukee.  One may wonder what importance such an address could be.  The question is undoubtedly answered by the fact that the address was given by Abraham Lincoln.  The story was not originated by Mr. Lincoln; it is the product of numerous Near Eastern folklore traditions.  Mr. Lincoln shared it in this way. “It is said an Eastern Monarch once charged his wise men to invent a sentance, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations.  They presented him with the words, “And this, too, shall pass away.”  How much it expresses!  How chastening in the hour of pride!  How consoling in the depth of affliction!”  This was brought to my mind just this morning because honestly, it was really hard to get bed this morning.  That just happens sometimes.  But... Read the rest of this entry »

I wanted to digress more into this when writing the science/religion post, so I decided to do a post on it,  a short one. Because it doesn’t really require that much room to say, that I don’t see that Orthodoxy is such a big deal for Mormons at all. For some, but certainly when I [...]  Read More →

President Monson and his wife The influence of President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to reverberate worldwide. For the second year in a row, President Monson was selected by Slate magazine for their “80 Over 80″ list, representing those who Slate believes are the most influential people 80 years old and older in the United States. And for the second year in a row, President Monson ranks number one on the list. You can view the entire list in pictorial form HERE; mouse over each picture for the particulars. Slate notes three critical facts about President Monson. He’s regarded by 13 million Mormons worldwide as a prophet of God, he was at the center of controversy over the LDS Church’s support of California Proposition 8, and has dedicated 10 new temples and announced plans for 16 more during his tenure. President Monson also was number one on Slate’s 2009 list, which you can view HERE. Surprisingly,... Read the rest of this entry »

Socrates taught, “Know Thyself.”   (469-399 BC) “You are a child of God.  He is the Father of your Spirit.  Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven.   Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it.  However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line.  You are a child of God!”                                              -Boyd K. Packer                                             ... Read the rest of this entry »