by Terrie Lynn Bittner | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that Utah is still the place to go if you’re looking for Mormons. Just under 40 percent of the Mormons in the United States live there. If you can’t make it to Utah, almost anywhere in the west will do. Three-fourths of America’s Mormons live in the western United States.
Worldwide, there are more Mormons outside the United States than there are inside it. There are about 14.7 million Mormons in the world and approximately 6.3 million of them live in the United States. Membership in other countries is rising steadily—but then again, so is membership in the United States. The population is moving into other portions of the country as members move or are converted. (more…)
by megan | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a St. George, Utah, native and apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was honored in Washington County this Pioneer Day as a recipient of the Manhood Award. Dale Ure, the man in charge of presenting the award, told The Spectrum in St. George, “We noticed kind of a decline in the definition of what manhood is. We have been giving that award out to men in the community who have exemplified what true manhood is” [1].
One idea behind the award is that young men today need examples of men who stand for and promote good values, as well as service to their communities. The award committee honors such good examples of manhood, and hopes that their example has a positive influence on teens in the community.
The award was first presented to former Pine View High School wrestling coach Vance Casperson after Ure and the awards committee noticed the positive influence Casperson was having on the teens he coached, emphasizing hard work and the importance of family. Ure also told The Spectrum that before the award was presented to adults, it was given by local leaders in Richfield to graduating high school seniors. Ure commented that giving the award raised the standards of the young people to be more oriented to community service and honesty [2]. (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 Charlotte Wilson | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon church) has a history that spans the entire world. The Church of Jesus Christ was restored in America by Joseph Smith in 1830. After the restoration, The Church of Jesus Christ sent missionaries all over the world. One of the first places Mormon missionaries travelled was to the British Isles. The United Kingdom is coming up on the 175th anniversary of Mormonism’s presence, and the Saints in the country are planning a grand celebration. [1]
Pageants Are a Big Part of Mormon Culture
In the United States, Mormons produce pageants all throughout the summer months commemorating scriptural accounts and church history events. Several pageants are produced in Utah, with several others taking place in Palmyra, New York; Nauvoo, Illinois; and Mesa, Arizona. In America, pageants are a big part of Mormon culture.
The Chorley Pageant
The Saints in the United Kingdom thought that producing their own pageant would be a fitting way to commemorate the 175 years of the presence of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the British Isles. The focus of the UK pageant will be the church’s history in their own country. This presentation will include telling the stories of the first Mormon missionaries to proselytize in England, who arrived in 1837. The storytelling will take place through both acting and musical performances. The event will also hold pre-show activities for everyone, like period dancing with costumes and games. (more…)
by Charlotte Wilson | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
Chances are you’ve seen missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a faith often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon church) canvassing streets proselytizing. They’re most often men in their early 20s wearing dark suits, ties, and name tags. Sometimes they’re young women dressed in conservative skirts and dresses. Recently The Church of Jesus Christ updated the dress code for their missionaries, making them not only more current with the professional trends but also more relatable and approachable. [1]
Sister Missionary Dress Code
A few years before this newest addendum, the dress standards for sister missionaries were updated to include knee-length skirts, trendy blazers, and brighter colors. This move made sister missionaries able to wear trendy clothing that was still appropriate for their callings as missionaries. They can wear cardigans, belts, and dresses, as well as clothing with bright and vibrant patterns. Wearing makeup is permissible as long as it looks natural and conservative. The Church of Jesus Christ encourages sister missionaries to wear clothing that fits well and looks professional. The Mormon sister missionaries used to look a little frumpy, but since the update to the dress code, now look more professional and put together. (more…)
by Charlotte Wilson | Aug 1, 2013 | About Mormons
American Mothers, Inc. named Stephanie Williams McKnight the 2013 California Mother of the Year. At 25, Stephanie is the youngest mother to ever win the award. Stephanie’s age isn’t the only thing that makes her unique, however; she’s also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a faith often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon church). Stephanie wasn’t always a Mormon, though. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ when she was 21 and had to dive in head first. [1]
Stephanie McKnight Was Already Preparing for a Family
Even before her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ, Stephanie was preparing her life for a family. She pushed through college at California State University-San Bernardino, working and taking more than the recommended credit hours, to graduate with her master’s in education degree at age 22. While she was completing her formal education, she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ when she was 21. “[School] was a very busy time,” she says. “Looking back, I see that it was a total prompting from the Spirit to get me in the right place at the right time.” (more…)
