by Keith L. Brown | Nov 6, 2013 | Famous Mormons
Devin Graham, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others), was born on 29 July 1983. He currently lives in Provo, Utah, and is well known for his “exotic and extreme YouTube videos.” [1] According to a Deseret News article dated 3 April 2013, Graham has filmed “almost every extreme sport Utah has to offer, from human slingshots to water jet packs. Each video has action, friends and what looks to be a massive party. What viewers hardly ever see is Graham.” [1]
Living His Dream
Graham’s Facebook bio simply states that he is a filmmaker, but that doesn’t even begin to tell the story of his tremendous success in the viral video world. The question that is most often asked of him in the myriad of emails that he receives concerns what he does for a living. To answer that question he recently made a video in which he describes a day in his life. (more…)
by Keith L. Brown | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
There are many people worldwide who have a keen passion for tracing their lineage and spend countless hours researching the stories of their forebears. This exploration into generational history is known as genealogical research, or more commonly known as family history research.
Our English word “genealogy” derives from the Greek word γενεαλογία, which is actually comprised of two words: γενεά, genea, “generation”; and λόγος, logos, “knowledge”. Therefore, genealogy or family history research, is the literal gaining of knowledge of a generation or past generations. That knowledge is obtained through tracing family lineages and histories with such helps as “oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members. The results are often displayed in charts or written as narratives.” [1] (more…)
by Keith L. Brown | Jun 14, 2013 | About Mormons
Edward Dube was born on 12 May 1962 in Chirumanzu, Zimbabwe to Clement Dube and his wife, Rosemary.
He has been a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 9inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) since April 2013. He is the first Zimbabwean and the second Black African to serve as a General Authority.
The Influential Power of the Book of Mormon
Elder Dube was a young man working as a servant in the home of Leaster Heath when he was given a copy of the Book of Mormon. Two years passed before he gained an interest in reading the Book of Mormon, but once he did, it made a tremendous impact on his life.
I remember sitting in a railway station and reading the book. I read it for a very long time that day. To me, what was touching was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s testimony, when he related his experience with Moroni’s visitation to him. I would be reading in the middle of the book and go back to the introduction and just read that part. [1] (more…)
by Keith L. Brown | Jun 12, 2013 | About Mormons
For a period of time in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others), male members of African descent were denied the privilege of bearing the priesthood. There has never been given any direct reasons as to why the restriction occurred, or how, or when, it became a policy of The Church of Jesus Christ. What some empirical research has shown, however, is that the lineage of an individual was more of a significant criteria for denying a person the priesthood, than his race, or the color of his skin.
Of monumental interest is that during the time of the priesthood restriction, by faith, and believing that one day every worthy male would be able to hold the priesthood, Blacks continued to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ. Male members of African descent served in various callings and magnified those callings, however, they could not administer priesthood blessings, or participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple.
The Church of Jesus Christ Does Not Condone Racism
The fact that a priesthood restriction existed at one time in The Church of Jesus Christ that excluded male members of African descent, may cause some people to infer that the Church is racist, however, nothing could be further from the truth. The Church of Jesus Christ has always opened its doors and has always been accepting of any person, regardless of race, who is willing to embrace the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and who is willing to strive to live his life in accordance to the doctrines and principles found therein. (more…)
by Keith L. Brown | Jun 10, 2013 | About Mormons
Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the Mormon Church by the media and others), once commented concerning missionary work, “When you’re on the Lord’s errand, you’re entitled to the Lord’s blessings.” Many missionary age young people of The Church of Jesus Christ have taken those words to heart, as many have made a decision to answer the call to serve after the announcement made at the beginning of the 182nd Semiannual 
General Conference by President Monson concerning the change in age requirements for serving a mission. Eligible and worthy young men may now serve a mission starting at 18 years of age, and young women may serve starting at 19 years of age.
The Church of Jesus Christ Witnesses Increase in Missionary Service
In an interview with the Deseret News on Wednesday, 29 May 2013, Church spokeswoman, Ruth Todd, stated, “We estimate more than 85,000 full-time missionaries serving by fall 2013.” [1]
At the time of President Monson’s monumental announcement in October 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ had 58,000 missionaries. Prior to the announcement, the number of missionaries serving full-time missions was increasing by an annual rate of 6%. In the wake of the announcement, The Church of Jesus Christ estimates that the number of missionaries serving throughout the world will have increased by an astounding 47% in the period of a year. (more…)
