Mormon Bloggers

The September issue of the New Era is now available online in text and PDF formats and subscribers should be receiving their copies any day. This special issue of the New Era focuses on the Personal Progress and Duty to God programs. The issue is a reversible magazine divided in halves with two covers. Starting from one side, young women will learn about the blessings of Personal Progress. By flipping the magazine and starting from the other side, young men will learn about the blessings of Duty to God. A special middle section features responses from young men and women sharing what they find appealing about those who keep Church standards. A notice was sent to leaders on August 15 to encourage them to make this issue available to all young women and young men. Beginning August 31, leaders and individuals may order additional copies of this special issue at store.lds.org. Note: Online, you can access the next month’s magazine by the 20th of the preceeding month. Since we’re... Read the rest of this entry »

I taught my son’s Sunday School class this week. It was The Dreaded Fourteen And Fifteen Year-Old Class. And I survived. In fact, it was pretty cool. I was bishop to many of these kids when they were baptized; maybe that’s why they went easy on me. Of course we use the same manual and same scripture blocks in the youth classes as in Gospel Doctrine. I prepared but didn’t quite know what to expect. I probably over-prepared. (Ok, I certainly over prepared, but I was glad I did.) When I teach a youth class, I like to have lots of arrows in the quiver just in case I need them. The lesson this week was on Paul’s second missionary journey. We looked at the maps of his journeys, and we had the kids draw a world map on the board so we could talk about to what “world” the apostles were carrying the gospel. We reminded them of the story of Saul / Paul (and they loved playing dumb about it…). We then talked specifically about how Paul had to listen to the spirit to know... Read the rest of this entry »

Youth from six different religions share why it is that they choose to remain sexually pure before marriage in this video, “I Choose to be Pure.” In a culture where sexual abstinence is often criticized as outdated or even harmful, see why young people are standing up for this standard.  Read More →

In the Mormon Message video “I Choose to Be Pure” shown below, 6 youth from various faiths speak candidly on why they have chosen to be sexually pure.     Can you think of a friend who could benefit from this message? If so, please pass it along.   Share on Facebook  Read More →

Another interesting video from Mormon Messages for Youth. Daniel Askari, a young man from Prague, Czech Republic, tells how he gained truth and knowledge through faith and prayer. Anne Bradshaw Author, True Miracles with Genealogy: Help from Beyond the Veil at http://truemiracleswithgenealogy.com Epic Genealogy Giveaway Starting Soon!  Read More →

One of the greatest challenges youth face is staying sexually pure. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created a fun and unique video that teaches principles about chastity. Latter-day Saint teens are counseled to stay sexually pure, but what exactly are the limits? Using teachings of modern prophets, this presentation shows why that’s the wrong question to ask, as well as how we can find happiness and peace through staying chaste. Share on Facebook  Read More →

Not long ago, I mentioned that the LDS Institute website has been upgraded. I’ve also referenced several promotional videos the Church has created about Institute, such as “I’ve Gotta Get to Institute,” “What is Institute?,” and “Institute Changes You.” There are now many videos about LDS Institute created by individuals that I think you’ll enjoy. Two are highlighted below: “Safe” and “Princess Bride Institute Ad.” Share on Facebook  Read More →

In this video, President Thomas S. Monson speaks to young people about missionary service—a duty for young men and a rewarding option for young women. Share on Facebook  Read More →

I attended a very diverse LDS stake where I was called to work with the youth. Our stake was diverse in age, racially, culturally, economically, socially, you name it. Many blessings come from being surrounded by people who are different from you, yet all having common ground as brothas and sistas in the Gospel. Minus the out-of-whack hormones, I enjoy working with the youth. However, there is one youth activity that can get a little crazy when working with a diverse group…a stake dance. Somehow I always find myself on music duty, which means sitting next to the DJ, keeping the girls from flirting with him and maintaining the requests list. If you think that sounds easy, you don’t know how wrong you are. First issue, age, there could be a ninety year old sister serving punch and cookies and the youngest teens at an LDS dance are usually fourteen. What happens is: dear sweet Sister 1920′s shuffles over to let me know that she finds the music too loud. Then Brother So-and-so... Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that the Perpetual Education Fund has a page on Facebook in English, with corresponding pages in Spanish for Mexico and Peru, in addition to their website at pef.lds.org? March 31, 2011 marked the 10th anniversary of this great program designed to provide worthy young adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the support and resources necessary to improve their lives through education and better employment to better serve their family, the Church, and their community. Learn more in the article “Perpetual Education Fund Fulfills Prophetic Promises” in the Church News and Events on LDS.org. Several years ago, I served a Church service mission with the Perpetual Education Fund. It was my pleasure to spend one night a week calling students throughout Latin America to check up on their progress in schooling and make sure they were following through on their goals. I could see first-hand how this program provided them opportunities to improve their... Read the rest of this entry »

His basketball dreams almost didn’t come true, but then Tyler Haws learned where hard work and dedication can lead. Watch this Mormon Messages for Youth video. If you like it, please rate it and share it with your friends. Share on Facebook  Read More →

The Mormon Messages video “Dayton’s Legs” is a moving story of a 13-year-old deacon in Arizona who pushed himself to the limit so that his friend, who has cerebral palsy, could participate with him in a triathlon. This video reminds me of other videos I’ve seen on the Team  Hoyt website, but it’s closer to home, because part of what motivated this young man was his sense of duty as the Deacon’s quorum president.   Share on Facebook  Read More →