Mormon Bloggers

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 »

Questa sera ho scoperto con piacere che la Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni (Chiesa Mormone) ha finalmente creato un canale ufficiale su Youtube tutto in italiano. Era ora! I primi video che sono stati caricati nel canale sono alcuni video della recente Conferenza Generale della Chiesa Mormone. Dato che ormai Youtube è diventato così importante e sempre più persone lo usano, caricare video è una ottima maniera di far conoscere la Chiesa a quelli che ne possono essere interessati. Come sono cambiate le cose in 25 anni, da quando mi sono battezzato. Domani ci sarà la cerimonia del primo colpo di piccone per il Tempio Mormone di Roma, e sono sicuro che rapidamente troveremo sull’ internet commenti e informazioni su quella riunione, mentre 25 anni fa le informazioni si muovevano lentamente. Il Signore sta muovendo il Suo lavoro sempre più rapidamente, è meglio prepararsi!  Read More →

It seems a worthy topic for a Labor Day weekend, when the national unemployment numbers took another upward tick last week.  In our voluntary assignment at the Employment Resource Center, we see again and again the principles of pure religion playing out in welfare service in 2010.  The earliest foundations of the Welfare Plan of the Church were laid in 1935 in the midst of the Great Depression.  Harold B. Lee, a young stake president (age 32 when he was called) in the Pioneer Stake, is often credited with the earliest experiments to help his unemployed adult male population.  But there was never any doubt in his mind where the inspiration came from to create the Welfare Plan. In his journal, under date of April 20, 1935, Harold B. Lee records:  “I was called into the office of the First Presidency, where with President Heber J. Grant and President David O. McKay (President Clark then being in the East, but they had had some communications... Read the rest of this entry »

Once every four years (sometimes more often when we talk about Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, see D&C 121, 122, 123), the story of Job is bashed about in Gospel Doctrine class.  For us it happened again today. I’m not sure why it is, perhaps it’s just a Mormon thing, but whenever Job’s name comes up the great debate begins again — was Job a real guy?  Did God and Satan really have a conversation about him?  Or was the book of Job a metaphor?  I’m not certain it matters to anyone, but I believe we’ll see Job again in the spirit world someday.  There, I just settled it. The book is a real problem for a lot of people on many different levels.  Books have been written, symposia have been held, articles have been authored, and each attempts to resolve this “great and holy mystery” without success.  The debate was enjoined and renewed again today. There are a host of “problems” associated... Read the rest of this entry »

In the LDS Church men from the ages of 14 on up are assigned as home-teachers. Home teachers are assigned in pairs and are assigned families in the congregation to help both spiritually and with their temporal needs as well. Home teachers are encouraged to share at least once a month a spiritual message with the family. Last month, I read the message by the LDS church President, Thomas S. Monson called Canaries with Gray on their Wings. The message of the story is basically not to judge a book by it’s cover and treat everyone with respect and dignity, including yourself. Since there were children at two of the families I home teach, I decided to have an object lesson illustrating not to judge things by their appearance. I made some cookies and dumped tons of salt in them and baked them. Before I baked them, I made sure (actually it was my wife) that the cookies would turn out large and nice-looking. I then made a batch of normal cookies but baked them to look unattractive and small. You’ve... Read the rest of this entry »