by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Aug 20, 2012 | Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values
Two years after the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake City, an amazing event occurred. The people held a celebration of the United States of America. They held a parade at which flags, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution were carried. A giant flagpole was created for a huge flag. Speakers at the celebration that followed encouraged parents to teach their children to be patriotic and to honor the Constitution.
What made this event so remarkable? The Mormons had been victims of a constitution that lacked what would become the fourteenth amendment. Until that time, the Federal government could not force states to obey the Constitution. Even the Bill of Rights was optional, and so states did not have to honor freedom of religion. Knowing this, Mormons had been forced from their homes, shot, arrested without cause, and even been the victims of an extermination order in Missouri. They had fled to Utah, which was then Mexico, in desperation. During the journey, the same federal government that had failed to protect them asked their men to join the military and fight for the United States—and they did. (more…)
by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Aug 16, 2012 | About Mormons
Michael Otterson, head of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says that if you want to understand what makes members of his church tick, you have to go to church with them. Often called Mormons, members of his church are assigned to congregations known as wards. Assignment is based on a member’s home address.
Otterson says that journalists want to call and ask questions, but they really need to leave their desk and go to church on Sunday. They won’t be asked for money and won’t need to kneel or do anything at all but watch, really. (They might need to pass the sacrament (communion) trays to the person next to them, but that’s all.)
For Mormons, the ward is an important part of their church membership. Although Mormonism is a 24/7 religion and members pray, study, and keep the commandments at home and in their daily lives, there is something special in their connection to their ward, which becomes a second family. No matter where they move to or travel to, they can be certain of a warm welcome on Sunday morning in a church building. The same is true of people who are not Mormon. (more…)
by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Aug 13, 2012 | About Mormons
An associate professor of mechanical engineering at Brigham Young University has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Christopher A. Mattson is the second professor from the university, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to win this award. Members of this church are sometimes called Mormons. He received the award for his work in using engineering to alleviate poverty and help developing nations, and for his work in providing meaningful learning experiences for engineering students. He focuses on projects that allow people to lift themselves out of poverty.
A recent human-powered drill received considerable attention. He and his students created the drill to allow people in Tanzania to drill for water inexpensively and easily, while being able to easily move the drill to new areas. (more…)
by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Jul 24, 2012 | About Mormons
Vernal, Utah has a new library. The books are only moving next door, but still, there are a lot of books to move. This being Utah and a town made up largely of Mormons who are used to doing service projects, they naturally called on that force to make the move. Community members, were asked to form a human chain to move the books. They formed lines between the libraries and books were taken right off one shelf, handed from person to person, until it was placed on the new shelf. More than 300 volunteers, mostly Mormons, turned out to participate, some dancing to the music being played as they worked.
Read about the human book chain in Utah
Mormons are noted for the amazing number of hours they volunteer, both inside and outside the church. Many areas organize days of service each year to serve their local communities. When there is a weather disaster, Mormons organize to help everyone—regardless of religion—clean up. They volunteer in large numbers in the Boy Scouts, in their children’s schools, and in local charities. Of course, they also volunteer in their church, but often that church work takes them out into the community, as with the Helping Hands program that handles emergencies and local days of service. (more…)
by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Jul 23, 2012 | Mormons in the News
Near the small town of Palymra in upstate New York, there is an unusual gathering of Mormons each summer. Palmyra is the modern birthplace of the faith, whose actual name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon is merely a nickname some people use to describe the people who belong to it.
Every summer, hundreds of Mormons decide to spend their family vacation participating in a unique pageant celebrating the Book of Mormon and the modern origins of the religion. 750 are in the cast and many more work behind the scenes. They participate as families, so many children are in the program as well. The challenge of organizing a group this large, even children, into a well-run pageant in just one week would baffle most Broadway producers, but the Mormons do it every year. Of course, many of the participants have done this before, but many more are new. Casting assignments are made the first day and rehearsals are quickly underway. The music and voices are already recorded, so the actors do not need to be able to sing. (more…)
