This is a story about how one unlikely girl fulfilled her dream of becoming a cheerleader. It’s really a story about hope, and love, and what’s still right with the world. The idea of “cheering someone on” is not a modern concept. Most people think of it in connection to sporting events. However, there are actually many ways and means to be a cheerleader. In biblical times, the Apostle Paul demonstrated his expertise as a spiritual cheerleader. When he couldn’t visit congregations in person, he wrote powerful letters [epistles] to cheer, inspire and teach the Christian followers. In one of those letters, he taught a young disciple named Timothy how to be the best kind of cheerleader:
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. – 1 Tim 4:12
A group of High School cheerleaders in Syracuse, Utah and a girl named Brittany Crockett have taken Paul’s instruction to heart. These young ladies defy every negative bias you might have about teenagers. Their story cheers, inspires and teaches exactly how to ”Be an Example“, no matter your age, or your circumstances!
Read the full story of Brittany Crockett and the Syracuse Cheer Squad HERE
Latter-day Saint student and film maker Seth Adam Smith has been creating and sharing poignant YouTube videos since the mid 2000’s. Many of these have been featured at Mormon Soprano. This week, Seth released The Testimony of Joseph Smith, which he says took over two years to make, and is as much a statement of his own spiritual witness, as that of the prophet.
Seth Adam Smith
In 2004, while attending the BYU Semester at Nauvoo, I spent a lot of time researching and pondering the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I would often sit at the bench next to his grave and think about the things I had both heard and felt. In the quiet of those nights, I gained a firm conviction of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith’s testimony which I cannot deny.
MoSop adds her personal witness to that of Seth’s. I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet, chosen by God. He was an eye witness of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Through Joseph, God restored to the world what had been lost, and revealed more marvelous truths. Because of Joseph’s humble obedience, and unwavering devotion, he was despised and suffered every indignity, persecution and false accusation imaginable. Yet, Joseph would never forsake or deny his witness, and ultimately sealed it with his innocent blood. Murderous villians were able to take Joseph’s life, but they could not silence his voice, nor thwart God’s mighty work upon this earth, because truth never dies.
I invite you to watch, listen, and feel the spirit of this truth. - MoSop
♥
1. Read more about the Prophet Joseph at JosephSmith.net
2. Learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Mormon.org
3. Watch more videos by Seth Adam Smith at YouTube.com/Sethadamsmith
Cardinal George greeted by LDS Authorities
There’s an old saying: “What a difference a day makes“. In the grand scheme of things, a “day” might be 24 hours, or perhaps a week, a month, a decade, a generation, or even an eon. Biblically speaking, who is to say how long a “day” needs to last for God’s six creative steps, recorded in the first chapter of Genesis? Time is an elusive illusion. A mortal encumbrance. However, once in a while the whole creative process aligns in such a way that we are allowed to glimpse a significant change, and appreciate Gods handiwork.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Cardinal George at BYU
On Tuesday Feb. 23, 2010 at 10:00 in the morning Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah hosted a historic guest speaker. His Eminence Cardinal Francis E. George, archbishop of the Chicago Roman Catholic Diocese, and president of the American Conference of Catholic Bishops addressed a congregation of over 20 thousand students and guests [the majority Latter-day Saints] along with countless more through live radio and television broadcast. Cardinal George shared a message of gratitude, unity, and urgency entitled: “Catholics and Latter-day Saints: Partners in Defense of Religious Freedom“. Here is just some brief excerpts of his address:
I come before you today as a religious leader who shares with you a love for our country and also, for many, a growing concern about its moral health as a good society.
. . In recent years, Catholics and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stood more frequently side by side in the public square to defend human life and dignity.
. . I’m personally grateful that after 180 years of living mostly apart from one another, Catholics and Latter-day Saints have begun to see each other as trustworthy partners in defense of shared moral principles.
. . .If we do not fight [for religious freedom] together. . . the difference is between winning and losing. . . If we try to fight separately, we will lose. The enemy is too strong, and our adversaries are too powerful. Despite [persecution], if we stay together and go forward, … if we simply continue to talk together, [it] will in the end bear much fruit. . .
When government fails to protect the consciences of its citizens, it falls to religious bodies, especially those formed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, to become the defenders of human freedoms.”
The Christus statue on LDS Temple Square in Salt Lake City
For Latter-day Saints that last is particularly gratifying, and duly noted. Cardinal George, as a key papal representative, offers public acknowledgement that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be counted among the body of believers ”formed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ“. The significance is not lost. Cardinal George’s message solidifies the proferred bond of unity through acceptance of Mormons as fellow Christians. His speach expounds upon the “common ground” of Catholics and Latter-day Saints, in such diverse areas as humanitarian aid, civil and community service, family values, faith, love and patriotism – emphasizing the need for mutual support in all areas, with emphasis on securing and defending religious liberty.
There were several touching moments during this event which underscored the theme of unity and brotherly kindness. I would like to highlight just three:
1. The Prayer
A long-time professor at BYU who is also a catholic, Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates was invited to give the invocation in keeping with the catholic tradition. Dr. Boerio-Goates approached the podium and gave a gracious explanation to the largely non-catholic audience, stating that:
Dr. J. Boerio-Goates
Catholics have a tradition of praying together, reciting in unison a common prayer. This tradition reflects our theology that while we are known and loved individually, we are saved in community. And that, by praying in communion we raise a single united voice of prayer to our Father in Heaven.
Boerio-Goates then invited the audience to join in that tradition, by standing and reciting The Lords Prayer. In the video feed, cameras pull back and span the vast throng of students, and community members as they stand together and unite their voices. As the image circles back towards Prof. Boerio-Goates leading the prayer, one can see Cardinal George in the background, wiping his eyes. It’s a very sweet moment.
2. A Hymn of Praise
St. Francis of Assisi
The video feed does not include the musical number which proceeded the BYU introduction, prayer and speech. However, courtesy reporter Joel Campbell at Mormon Times we learn that the opening musical number chosen for this historic gathering was “All Creatures of Our God and King“, a beloved Christian hymn, with words by the great Catholic, Saint Francis of Assisi.
3. Forging Bonds with Special Memories
As reported in The Catholic News Service, Cardinal George developed a personal appreciation for Mormons at a young age when his mother, an organist, took him to Salt Lake City to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform. 
Many years later, he had a chance to interact with that musical organization in a unique way. In 2007 the Choir visited the Chicago area, and performed at the Ravinia Music Festival. As shared in an official tour article “On The Road in 2007: Chicago“, Cardinal George was invited as Archbishop of the Chicago Diocese to take the stand and conduct the choir in their encore number “This Land is Your Land“.
Yesterday, Cardinal George recounted his experience with the choir, delighting the crowd with his good sense of humor:
Cardinal George at Ravinia
Never had I been asked to do something like that. It was a tremendous feeling of awe and power and great satisfaction…I thought to myself, ‘I’m doing better with the Mormons than I am with the Catholics! I’ve had a lot harder time getting [the Catholics] to sing together.
BYU freshman Katie Bates shared her sentiment with the Salt Lake Tribune that she felt “kind of like the Catholic Church was hugging the Mormon Church.”
Cardinal George and Pope Benedict XVI
A brief online search shows that Cardinal Francis George is a champion of love and unity of all religions, and he shares hugs [both literal and figurative] freely. It is reported that in Sept. 1999 George urged Catholics, Muslims, and Jews to work together to create a more civil world, stating that
“If we cannot talk civilly among ourselves with deep respect, then the world will remain the bloody place it has been in the century that has just passed.”
Indeed, perhaps what the world really needs is a few more Cardinal Georges! Yesterday, we got a glimpse of the true power of unity. Thousands of individuals combining their voices together in prayer, their minds together in purpose, and their hearts together in love and respect.
What a difference a day like that can make! - MoSop
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Watch the entire address of Cardinal George online at http://byu.tv – [click the "Conferences and Addresses" tab, and then choose 2/23/2010 Forum His Eminence Cardinal Francis E. George].
Resources for this post:
- Deseret News “LDS, Catholics Must Defend Religious Freedom, Cardinal Says at BYU“
- Salt Lake Tribune “Cardinal Tells BYU: We must work together for Religious Liberty
- CNS “Cardinal: Catholics, Mormons Must Defend Religious Freedom Together“
- Mormon Times – “Cardinal Speech Set Tone for LDS, Catholics“
- Intermountain Catholic “Cardinal George Speaks About Religious
- MTC – Bonita Cross “On The Road in 2007: Chicago“
- LDS Church NewsRoom Choir Enjoying Successful Tour, 2007
2010 Youth Theme
Each year the Young Men and Young Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ages 12-18) receive a scriptural theme which will be a focal point for lessons, activities, youth camps, and firesides. The Theme for 2010 is
“Be Strong and of A Good Courage“
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
President Thomas S. Monson
Happy ”Valentine’s Eve”! I would like to share the following story about love shared by President Thomas S. Monson,of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
“My father’s father came from Sweden, and his wife from England. They met on the ship coming over. He waited for her to grow up, and then he proposed marriage.
circa 1898
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple, and he wrote in his journal, “Today is the happiest day of my life. My sweetheart and I were married for time and eternity in the holy temple.”
Three days later, on April 23, 1898, he wrote, “Took the train at the Rio Grande Western Depot enroute eventually to Scandinavia, where I have been called as a missionary.” Off he went to Sweden, leaving his bride of three days.
circa 1900
His journal, written in pencil, came to me from an uncle who somehow chose me to receive his father’s journal. The most frequent entry in the journal was, “My feet are wet.” But the most beautiful entry said: “Today we went to the Jansson home. We met Sister Jansson. She had a lovely dinner for us. She is a good cook.” And then he said, “The children all sang or played a harmonica or did a little dance, and then she paid her tithing. Five krona for the Lord and one for my companion, Elder Ipson, and one for me.” And then there were listed the names of the children.
When I read that in the journal, there was my wife’s father’s name as one who was in that household, one who probably sang a song, one who became the father of only one daughter, the girl whom I married!
Frances, 1964
The first day I saw Frances, I knew I’d found the right one. The Lord brought us together later, and I asked her to go out with me. I went to her home to call on her. She introduced me, and her father said,
“‘Monson’—that’s a Swedish name, isn’t it?”
I said, “Yes.”
He said, “Good.”
circa 1900 Mormon Missionaries
Then he went into another room and brought out a picture of two missionaries with their top hats and their copies of the Book of Mormon.
“Are you related to this Monson,” he said, “Elias Monson?”
I said, “Yes, he’s my grandfather’s brother. He too was a missionary in Sweden.”
Her father wept. He wept easily. He said, “He and his companion were the missionaries who taught the gospel to my mother and my father and all of my brothers and sisters and to me.” He kissed me on the cheek. And then her mother cried, and she kissed me on the other cheek. And then I looked around for Frances.
She said, “I’ll go get my coat.”
The Monsons, 2007
My sweet Frances had a terrible fall a few years ago. She went to the hospital. She lay in a coma for about 18 days. I sat by her side. She never moved a muscle. The children cried, the grandchildren cried, and I wept. Not a movement.
And then one day, she opened her eyes. I set a speed record in getting to her side. I gave her a kiss and a hug, and I said, “You’re back. I love you.” And she said, “I love you, too, Tom, but we’re in serious trouble.” I thought, What do you know about trouble, Frances? She said, “I forgot to mail in our fourth-quarter income tax payment.”
I said to her, “Frances, if you had said that before you extended a kiss to me and told me you love me, I might have left you here!”
Brethren, let’s treat our wives with dignity and with respect. They’re our eternal companions. Sisters, honor your husbands. They need to hear a good word. They need a friendly smile. They need a warm expression of true love…My dear brothers and sisters, I love you, and I pray for you.”
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Excerpted from a talk entitled “Abundantly Blessed“, given May 2008.
