by Keith L. Brown | Aug 22, 2012 | Mormon Reflections
In a world that has been struggling with the debate over equality for women for thousands of years, but much more focused on fighting for equal rights over the past several decades, I feel a great sense of security and joy in my understanding of what it means to be a Mormon woman. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often misnamed the Mormon Church) has clear doctrine about the worth of women. Though many women do not fully understand what this doctrine means to them, and thus feel deemed of lesser value than men, I have a strong relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and I know of their love for me. I read the scriptures and I serve in the capacities I am asked to in my local congregation, and I feel that I am worth just as much as anyone else in that congregation, regardless of gender.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receives a great deal of criticism, as many other denominations have, about not giving equal rights to the women of their congregations. Women do not hold the priesthood in the “Mormon Church,” thus the assumption by many is that they are viewed as not being worth as much or not being as capable as men. I have never felt this way. (more…)
by brady | Jan 27, 2012 | Mormon Reflections
Connie is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon” woman).
Mormon Women and the Relief Society
The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (which church is often mistakenly referred to as the “Mormon Church”) is the women’s organization of the church. It was organized in 1842, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The mission and purpose of the Relief Society is to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.
Being a member of the Relief Society as a Mormon woman has been a great blessing in my life. We meet together every Sunday to discuss the principles of the gospel of Christ. We meet at other times, usually once a month, to help and encourage each other in strengthening ourselves, our families, and the other members of our ward (the people in our local congregation). We provide service in our neighborhoods and communities; we also serve each other. The Relief Society has a visiting teaching program where the women visit with one another on a very individual basis to build friendships and encourage each other to live the gospel. Relief Society is a great boon to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or “Mormons”). Those of other faiths who wish to belong to this sisterhood of service are welcome and invited to attend. (more…)
by brady | Nov 14, 2011 | About Mormons, Mormon Reflections
Tiffany Sowby is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon” woman) mother of five. She tries to find humor, joy and contentment in the little things life has to offer.
From as young as I can remember, I wanted nothing more than to grow up and become a mother. I was the youngest child until I was eight years old and finally after years of 
‘playing house’ with baby dolls I was able to put them down and play with a real baby, a baby brother. A couple of years later another baby brother was added. I loved ‘playing house’ with real, live babies! It made my dream of becoming a mother even more real and more personal. I couldn’t wait to one day have a sick child want only me to hold them, or to be cooking in the kitchen and have a baby or toddler cry at my legs to be held, like my brothers did to my mother.
Now five children and thirty or so years later, I have had my fair share of sick children wanting to be held by only me. And I have certainly had more than my fair share of crying toddlers and children crying underfoot while I have attempted to fix a meal. These experiences are far from the dreamy way I envisioned them as a young girl. I can admit I have days I wonder why exactly I chose this path for my life. I can’t help but wonder sometimes how much easier a different career-choice may have been. (more…)
by Karen | Aug 8, 2011 | About Mormons, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values, Mormon Reflections
By Scott A. Robinson, Scott Robinson grew up on a farm in Idaho and now resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and three children.
I live in a place where the land is dotted with white steeples, where there are morning traffic jams six days per week, and where family matters most.
Here, the shared values of Christianity are still relevant to public policy. Sunday is generally a day set apart. Church members are very strong, struggling members are given extraordinary opportunities to learn and grow, and they do!
Where I live, my family, fellow congregants, and I have served together with our brothers and sisters of other Christian denominations, at activities organized by the other denominations in the true spirit of Christ.
I have open discussions about religion within the large corporate office where I work. (more…)
by Karen | Jul 27, 2011 | About Mormons, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values, Mormon Reflections
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Clearly Christians: They espouse and follow Christ’s pure and restored gospel teachings.
It is an unfortunate reality that the death or departure of a great leader is almost immediately followed by a fracturing of his followers. Though followers may continue to adore the departed, be it Lincoln, Kennedy or Ghandi, there almost always arises a division in how the adoration and the legacy of the leader should be continued after he or she is gone. Most often, division occurs and the once-united people walk their separate ways.
Early Christians were, tragically, no exception to this general rule. Following the death of Jesus Christ, many groups sprang up with many different viewpoints. Judaizers declared that new converts to Christ’s gospel should be required to accept Judaism as well as Christianity. Other groups, scholars have found, insisted on restricting Gentiles, keeping particular Jewish traditions, integrating Greek philosophy or changing the official doctrine on resurrection, baptism, or the Law of Moses. Paul lives out his converted life refuting false beliefs and attempting to protect the truth and the one authorized Church of Jesus Christ.
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by Keith L. Brown | Jul 20, 2011 | About Mormons, Black Mormon, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values, Mormon Reflections
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and currently serves as a Ward Missionary in the Annapolis Maryland Ward.
My name is Keith Brown. My heritage is predominantly Methodist, but I was born and raised as a Baptist. I am 52 years old, a 30-year retired United States Navy veteran, an Office Administrator by trade, an amateur writer, a brother, an uncle, a friend, and I am a Mormon. To be more specific, I am a Black Mormon. I was baptized on Tuesday evening, 10 March 1998, in Reykjavik Iceland while serving on active duty.
The fact that I am Black and a Mormon should not be a major issue; however, there have been a few instances when some family members and friends have asked why I decided to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (errantly called by the media, the Mormon Church). They do not understand why a Black person such as me would want to be associated with a Church that some people view as being prejudice and racist.
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