by ashley | Jul 30, 2013 | About Mormons
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church—believe in following their prophet. President Thomas S. Monson, the prophet on the earth today, is the mouthpiece of the Lord. And when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ—make a solemn declaration to the world, this is a powerful directive from God. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is one of those messages. It leaves no room for interpretation or question on the position of the Church and its leaders regarding the family and marriage. While the philosophies of the world are fickle and subject to change at a moment’s notice, the Lord and His prophets have remained steadfast and immovable throughout the ages. Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy (Seventies, as in biblical times, are called to proclaim the gospel and build up the Church), said:
Surely one of the crowning blessings of membership in this Church is the blessing of being led by living prophets of God. The Lord declared, “There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7). The prophet and President of the Church today, Thomas S. Monson, receives God’s word for the entire membership of the Church and for the world. In addition, we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators the counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. … (more…)
by ashley | Jul 30, 2013 | About Mormons
Why do Mormon missionaries go and give 1 ½-2 years of their young adult life in service, and at their own expense? These young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) have testimonies of Jesus Christ, and they want to follow His admonition to “feed [His] sheep” (John 21:16). They also have the witness that the great commission, given by the Savior Himself, is still in effect and is more pertinent today than ever before.
What is the Great Commission?
The great commission was the invitation or commandment given by the resurrected Lord to his disciples, instructing them to spread the gospel to all nations:
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (more…)
by ashley | Jun 17, 2013 | About Mormons
What can you say about a man of God that would capture his personality in the purest way? President Boyd K. Packer, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church,”) is a man who is dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ in every aspect of his life. Anyone can see his virtue and light by looking up his name on the Internet, or occasionally by watching him on T.V., because of his role in The Church of Jesus Christ; but what is he like behind the scenes?
Boyd K. Packer’s Personal Endeavors
Like all great men and women who have made a positive mark on the world, President Packer has an outlet for personal growth and development. For some this may be fishing, others exercising, but for President Boyd K. Packer it has been carving and painting—with a particular emphasis on carving and painting birds. “‘Carving was restful to me. Sometimes when I got a little stressed or cranky, my wife would say, ‘Well, you had better start another carving,'” says President Packer. “Bird carving kept my hands busy and my mind free to think, ponder, and pray’” (see LDS Living).
Not only is President Packer a masterful (and very humble) artist, he is a teacher above reproach. He decided to become a teacher on a military assignment in Japan. He said:
I was on Ie Shima, a tiny speck of an island off the northwest coast of Okinawa. A few days earlier the island had been destroyed by a typhoon of such ferocious power that large ships went down and planes were blown off the island. The storm was passed, and the war was over, and I had a future. (more…)
by ashley | May 24, 2013 | About Mormons
Memorial Day is a sacred day. It is a day set apart from the others. What is Memorial Day? It is a day to honor and remember those men and women who have died in the Armed Forces. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) have a great desire to remember and honor ancestors—it is one of our fundamental beliefs. And so Memorial Day is indeed a day which members of The Church of Jesus Christ (nicknamed “Mormons”) respect, honor, and celebrate.
What do Mormons Do to Remember and Honor Ancestors?
Individually- Our leaders teach us to not only find out the names and dates of our ancestors, but to find out their stories. Which is why Memorial Day is such a wonderful day because we can remember our ancestors (and their stories) who served in the Armed Forces. For instance I have ancestors on both my paternal and maternal sides who have served and died in the Armed Forces. I will forever be grateful for their efforts in fighting for good and noble causes.
Collectively- Mormons have over 4,689 family search centers all around the world! All of which are funded by tithing from members of The Church of Jesus Christ. Needless to say, we believe in remembering and honoring our ancestors! (more…)
by ashley | Nov 8, 2012 | About Mormons
Does a culture determine what kind of food you eat? Of course it does! For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”) there is a certain way of cooking, a certain culture.
When Mormons gather together for parties, celebrations, funerals, etc. there is usually food. At these functions, people sign up to bring various dishes, sometimes with prescribed recipes, and other times “pot luck.” Typically the way it is organized is that when somebody signs up for an assignment they bring a lot of what ever they signed up for, be it a salad, main dish, dessert, or whatever (this idea makes my family dinners a lot less stressful on my parents when they host for their kids and grandkids)! Because Mormons tend to have large families, many recipes are family-oriented, things the kids will like, and easy on the budget. Many Mormons use whole grains and other healthy ingredients, and food they have stored for emergencies. (more…)
