The Garden Tomb Image via Wikipedia
I recently discovered a series of incredibly beautiful and insightful religion lectures entitled The Eternal Christ, filmed on location in the Holy Land featuring the beloved author, lecturer, teacher and latter-day religious scholar Truman G. Madsen (1926 – 2009). Continue reading
You’ve probably heard at least one of these catch phrases
. . . right? Continue reading
What are the fundamentals of a prophet? How and Why do we follow? One of the most powerful lessons ever taught on this subject was by President Ezra Taft Benson. Please watch this video, and share. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
Each year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in conjunction with Brigham Young University, offers a week-long summer program for teens ages 14-18 called “Especially For Youth” (“EFY” for short). The first EFY program was held in 1976 in Provo, Utah. Continue reading
The attached video is based upon a true story, and I feel is worthy of sharing with my readers. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia’s Ministry of Education & Science created this thought provoking clip. It was used as part of a social advertising campaign aimed at promoting religious education. The Headline for this commercial reads:
”Religion is knowledge, too.”
The concept is clear. The lack of light brings darkness. One of the great Latter-day Saint (Mormon) prophets of this century spoke on evil just one month following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Here were his words regarding evil:
” [As] wonderful as this time is, it is fraught with peril. Evil is all about us. It is attractive and tempting and in so many cases successful. Paul declared:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…Having a form of godliness; but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:1–5).
We see today all of these evils, more commonly and generally, than they have ever been seen before, as we have so recently been reminded by what has occurred in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania…. We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. All of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil.
And so, my brothers and sisters, we are met together…to help and lift one another, to give encouragement and build faith, to reflect on the wonderful things the Lord has made available to us, and to strengthen our resolve to oppose evil in whatever form it may take… Our strength is our faith in the Almighty. No cause under the heavens can stop the work of God. Adversity may raise its ugly head. The world may be troubled with wars and rumors of wars, but His cause will go forward.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct. General Conference, 2001
This video gives a simplified introduction to Mormon Temples. Learn the history, purpose and what takes place inside - all in just 3 minutes!
Find out more about Mormon temple worship at LDS.org/Temples
Read fun facts and see beautiful photos of Mormon temples around the world at LDSChurchTemples.com
Watch an indepth documentary about Mormon Temples
Learn more about Mormon belief at http://mormon.org/
This past Saturday the moment of truth finally arrived for our family. It was time to bid goodbye to our oldest child as she begins College. In my earlier post entitled “Don’t Turn Around“, I spoke about the bitter-sweet experience it is to watch a child grow up, and accept the circle of life.
I didn’t know exactly what to expect on Saturday. Would I bawl like a baby? (as many predicted) Would I go home, crawl into a fetal position on her bed and refuse to come out? Or, would I actually cheer? (as one jovial brother-in-law suggested).
College Or Bust
In the end, I certainly didn’t cheer. But, I didn’t cry, either… (misty-eyed doesn’t really count, right?). The day was long and eventful. It involved packing the car to it’s extreme capacity, an extended road trip, an unfortunate encounter with a friendly but stern Highway Patrol officer, and several hours at our final destination. We helped our new Freshman get her Post Office Box, move into her dorm room, buy books and supplies, make several trips to the local Walmart, and eventually have our “last supper” together. Our daughter’s joy and excitement was infectious. She chattered non-stop about all of the upcoming events planned on campus that weekend. The day her mother had secretly dreaded was the same day that she had been dreaming about for years. (Funny how that usually works between parents and their children).
After driving back to her apartment building one last time, we stood on the sidewalk exchanging hugs and kisses and giving last-minute parental warnings and advice. It didn’t take long for Daughter #1 to extract herself from this familial frenzy, and make her way up the steps to her new ‘home’. She turned, waved, and yelled: “Just remember, Mom! It’s not like I’m DYING!”
We all smiled and chuckled. We waved one more time. She went into the building and closed the door. Her father, sister, and I got into our car and drove away. Clean and simple. No problem.
It was true, after all, I thought. It’s not like she’s dying. It’s not like she’s even out of reach. I don’t have to wait even two minutes to hear her voice I if want, let alone months, thanks to T-Mobile. I don’t have to wait for a message to arrive by mail, I can just shoot off a quick text. We could even talk to each other face-to-face if I figure out how to use Skype. So, there really shouldn’t be any emotional drama sending a child to college in the 21st Century at all. It’s almost like they’re still right there!
Almost.
But not.
I suppose the bottom line is that although our child is not dying, the way things have always been up until that moment we drove away without her has – for all intents and purposes – “died”. Or, in more pleasant terms, “passed on”. My experienced co-workers and friends who have forged this path before offered their matter-of-fact words of wisdom:
“Nothing’s ever really the same once they move out”.
“They seem more like visitors when coming home”.
“They always forget to tell you where they’re going and when they’ll be back.”
According to these bastians of wisdom, the college child also frequently forgets to call home, and avoids telling details about parties or other late night activities. This is all aparently part of their right of passage to grow up, gain new confidence, form new friendships and ideas, and solidify their independence. As parents, we hope that the wisdom we have shared and lessons we have taught will be retained. As devout Latter-day Saints, we hope the core values of faith, scripture study, church attendance and prayer are planted deep in her soul. We hope she will turn to God daily. We cannot be with her now to guide and protect – but we know He can. We hope she will treasure the spiritual things which we know can bring peace and strength. For over eighteen years her father and I have been exerting all our effort preparing her for this moment. I guess we forgot it would really come. But it did. She has officially received her wings to fly, and must chart her own course.
Every family must experience this. It’s our turn now.
Ready or not, here we come.
That’s “National Blog Posting Month“, of course! (hat tip WordPress)
Yep, there is even an official NaBloPoMo Blog WebSite dedicated to encouraging you to write something every day and share it with the world.
For those of you with your own blogs – you may JOIN NOW. It’s open to anyone with a blog, anywhere in the world.
And, for those of you who don’t have a blog yet, but are itching to delve into the world of online self-expression, you may post your thoughts directly on the NaBloPoMo home page, just check out the FAQ for directions. In light of this week’s American holiday, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate freedom!
Two words: Blogger Nirvana.
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And, while we are in such a celebratory mood my Bloglings – Have a very Happy First Zepplin Flight Day, too!
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But wait, there’s more! Thank you readers for helping Mormon Soprano surpass 100K visitors this morning! Wow – it’s a great day all around!
In conjunction with my last post memorializing the passing of Mormon Scholar Truman Madsen, I want to share a link to the Mormon Times which is offering a fabulous video tribute that should not be missed!
Truman G. Madsen
On Thursday May 28, 2009 it was announced that one of the great philosophers and historians of Mormonism, Truman G. Madsen passed on to the next life, succombing to cancer. Members of the church, and LDS Bloggers worldwide are bidding him a fond farewell. This post pays my tribute to a great man, and a great mind, who leaves a lasting legacy.
“‘To be or not to be?’ That is not the question. What is the question? The question is not one of being, but of becoming. ‘To become more or not to become more. This is the question faced by each intelligence in our universe.” – Madsen, Eternal Man
Madsen was a beloved and honored contributor to Mormon scholarship and education. He taught for 37 years at Brigham Young University,
Religious Studies Center
While at BYU, he held the title of Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding, promoting study of not only LDS doctrine but all world religions. During his life he also served as a director of the BYU Jerusalem Center. Among Madsen’s amazing legacy of recordings, lectures and writings are unparalleled essays on Joseph Smith, a definitive biography of Joseph Smith, studies of the prophets of The LDS Church, Temple Worship , and hundreds of lectures on finding truth.
“A little boy, I’m told, wrote a letter to God (this is published in a collection of children’s letters). It said, “Dear God, How do you feel about people who don’t believe in you? A friend of mine wants to know.” Recently I was invited to sit in on a graduate class elsewhere–a group most critical and equipped with jaw-breaking terminology and bone-breaking arguments against religion.
Jesus Christ
At one point I said, “So I’ll know where you’re coming from, would each person here consider: If you had only one question to address to Jesus Christ, what would you ask him?” Well, most of those in the room had a grievance and said that they would ask a kind of “pick-a-fight” question. But one lad, in the corner, didn’t respond, and, having been urged, finally said with a thoughtful smile, “Well, if I had only one question, I would ask, ‘How am I doing?”’ – Madsen, On How We Know
Jerusalem Center
His in-depth study of the Life of Christ, lectures recorded and filmed on location in the Holy Land, were of great fascination and education to me personally. These lectures greatly enhanced my experience and deepened my personal witness of Jesus the Christ, as I participated in a BYU Study Abroad program to Jerusalem in 1986 – 87. Additional links to Madsen’s work, and videos can be found at the official Truman Madsen Website. Other links and a bio can be found at the Truman G. Madsen Wiki Page.
I was hopeful to find a video version of Madsen’s lecture on Gethsemane, entitled The Olive Press, which had a tremendous impact on me. Madsen truly had a grasp of The Atonement on a higher level than the rank and file:
“The greatest tragedy of life is that, having paid that awful price of suffering “according to the flesh that his bowels might be filled with compassion,” and being now prepared to reach down and help us, he is forbidden because we won’t let him. We look down instead of up.” – Madsen, The Highest In Us,
Sadly, there is not much offered by and about Truman Madsen on YouTube (yet). He possessed such a unique persona and voice, that it is a delight to see him speaking, as well as hear and read his words. The video I have attached (getting a lot of play time in the past 24 hours) offers a great sample of Madsen’s riveting storytelling and talent as a master teacher. Here, he details the beginning of the practice of polygyny instituted by the prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo (filmed on location in Nauvoo).
God bless your next adventure in the great beyond, Brother Madsen! No doubt, you are already instructing and teaching the angels in their heavenly duties. - MoSop
Brother Madsen
“My testimony to you is that you have come literally “trailing clouds of glory”. If you only knew who you are and what you did and how you earned the privileges of mortality and not just of mortality but of this time, this place, this dispensation, and the associates that have been meant to cross and intertwine with your lives…what in my bitter moments I call this spook alley of mortality…if you knew the latent infinite power that is locked up and hidden for your own good now – you would never again yield to any of the putdowns that are a dime a dozen in our culture today.” – Madsen, The Highest In Us
A compelling documentary has been created entitled “Pornography: Confronting the Addiction“.
Director Brandon Kowallis
This 35-minute film began as the Masters thesis project of up-and-coming director Brandon Kowallis, a graduate of both National University, and BYU. Awhile back, I had the opportunity to attend a screening at my local library, and came away inspired. Director Kowallis was on hand to introduce the film, and moderated a question and answer session following the screening along with Continue reading
