by brady | Nov 21, 2011 | Famous Mormons
David Archuleta, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”), is a young well known young pop singer-songwriter. He has been singing since the age of six but had to stop for awhile because of a vocal paralisis. He says that he’s almost recovered from that now. Eventually made it into the 2007-2008 American Idol competition, and went on to gain the runner up position.
In this video David Archuleta talks about his favorite Church hymn, his favorite primary song, his favorite songs to sing, as well as reflections on the opportunity he had to sing in a Christmas concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He also talks about some of his favorite songs to listen to, and about what it has been like since he has become more well known. (more…)
by brady | Nov 18, 2011 | Do Mormons Celebrate Holidays?
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as a the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.
Thanksgiving Daily in Our Hearts
Traditionally, every fourth Thursday in November is celebrated as Thanksgiving Day. However, Edward Sanford Martin, a graduate of Harvard University and a founder of the Harvard Lampoon, and also the first literary editor of Life Magazine, had a totally different perspective about Thanksgiving Day. He said, “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”
For a majority of people, Thanksgiving Day is a joyous time when family and friends from both near and far gather together for a day of feasting and celebration. As they enter the home of their hosts they are greeted with the savory aroma of the delectable victuals that have been prepared for the banquet that will soon be set before them. In addition to the bounteous meal, there will be Thanksgiving Day parades and football games to watch, and of course, a time for catching up on all of the latest family gossip. But amidst all of the joy and excitement, do families remember to take the time to bow their heads and give thanks for the many blessings, both small and great, that the Lord has bestowed upon them? Or, is this just another family gathering and an opportunity to partake of a delicious meal and sit back and watch football games? In other words, is Thanksgiving Day truly a day of Thanks Giving? (more…)
by brady | Nov 18, 2011 | Do Mormons Celebrate Holidays?
Ardeth Greene Kapp is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She recently returned from the Canada Vancouver Mission, where her husband, Heber, presided from 1992 to 1995. Before their mission, Sister Kapp served as general president of the Young Women organization of the Church. A popular author and speaker, she has written several books, including My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend; The Joy of the Journey; and What Stripling Warriors Learned from Their Mothers.
A Christmas Story: Christmas with Mormon Missionaries
In 1992, after many years of Christmas in Utah, Heber and I returned to Canada, where we would be for the next three years. This time we were not in Alberta but in British Columbia, and we were not with our family but with over four hundred fifty wonderful missionaries over the course of three years, who indeed became our family.
Through that experience we became awakened to a new and wonderful dimension of the idea of being home for Christmas. A mission would bring the first Christmas away from home for most missionaries, maybe all of them. It would be quite a different experience from the traditions of family gatherings they were accustomed to. I wondered: Can a branch of a pine tree, tied inartistically with a bit of red ribbon, and a candle on a table in a humble missionary apartment make a Christmas? Would they hang their stockings, and if they did would they fill their own or each other’s? What about the lights on the tree they were used to? What about all the good food? Could they experience a real Christmas away from all the family traditions that seem to make it real? (more…)
by brady | Nov 18, 2011 | About Mormons
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”) are most importantly, devoted followers of Jesus Christ. As a people we believe in “in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men” (Articles of Faith 1:13). We believe in following the Savior Jesus Christ’s example in word and in deed.
Mormon beliefs include a belief in continuing modern revelation through living prophets and apostles of God just as there was in Biblical days. Living prophets and apostles speak the Lord’s will and His gospel to us. The Church of Jesus Christ, as it was when Christ was on the earth, has been restored to the earth through a living prophet, Joseph Smith, whom God called by revelation. By the power of God, Joseph Smith brought forth an ancient record of scripture titled, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, that gives an account of God’s dealings with people who lived in the America’s anciently.
In this talk given by a prophet of God, who has since passed away, President Gordon B. Hinckley addresses some of the questions that many people have about Mormon beliefs. He gives clarifications, explanations, and helps clear up misperconceptions about the Church. (more…)
by brady | Nov 18, 2011 | Do Mormons Celebrate Holidays?, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values
Ardeth Greene Kapp is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She recently returned from the Canada Vancouver Mission, where her husband, Heber, presided from 1992 to 1995. Before their mission, Sister Kapp served as general president of the Young Women organization of the Church. A popular author and speaker, she has written several books, including My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend; The Joy of the Journey; and What Stripling Warriors Learned from Their Mothers.
A Christmas Story: Christmas Traditions
Since I grew up in Alberta, Canada, I never had to dream of a white Christmas. There was always plenty of snow and cold at Christmas time. At least that’s how I remember it.
I also remember, besides the cold temperatures, the feeling of warmth, that happy feeling of being together as our parents, four aunts, uncles, and many cousins of all ages gathered at our grandparents’ big three-story house, where we remained from Christmas Eve clear through New Year’s Day.
This tradition must have seemed strange to the folks in our small town of Glenwood, since all of our aunts and uncles and cousins lived within walking distance of each other all year long, only a few blocks away from each other. It was not inconvenient for our dads and brothers to return home night and morning to milk the cows, do the chores, and be back in time for our large and happy family breakfast and evening supper. During the morning we played games and listened to favorite stories told and retold by our grandmother as we gathered around the large grate in the floor that let the heat pour out from the furnace below. In the afternoon we practiced for the evening’s talent show while our mothers made pies and cakes. I don’t remember what our dads did during the day, but they joined us as we all gathered for supper; and after the evening meal we presented a talent show to a very responsive audience, who all sang together. We had a family orchestra and it was agreed, especially by our grandpa, that we were a very musical family. (more…)
