It’s the worst nightmare any parent of a young Mormon missionary would have to face; learning your child who has dedicated two years of their lives away from home for church service will never return. Last night, not just one, but two families received this devastating news. Today, our world-wide community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are grieving for the tragic loss of two exemplary young men struck down in their prime on a rural road in Texas. Continue reading
Category Archives: mormon
Conference Highlights – October 2011
It is impossible to give true justice to a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a mere summary. However, for the sake of my many readers who may not have had the opportunity to watch or hear the conference yet, or for those who would like my perspective – here are a few of my personal observations and highlights from the recent October 2011 Conference weekend: Continue reading
For Times of Trouble, Remember The Pioneers
This weekend Utah commemorates the first pioneer arrival to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. On July 24, 1847 a weary and ill Brigham Young raised up on his elbow from the back of a wagon, looked out over a vast desert valley, and confirmed “This is the right place!” Soon, that same desert would “blossom as a rose” and Mormons throughout the world answered the call to leave their native land and “come to Zion”. Thus began a gathering of epic proportions which shaped America in powerful ways. The Mormon Pioneer exodus Continue reading
Picture A Christmas Told By Kids
In this sweet video, the youth of the Meadowood Latter-day Saint Ward ages 3-18 share the true story of Christmas through scripture, images, song and faith.
Related Articles
- Picture A Christmas – Children’s Song (LDS.org)
The Road Less Traveled Song
One of my very favorite poems is “The Road Less Traveled” by Robert Frost. I was pleased to see that Mormon musician David Osmond has chosen this as the title for his newest album which released August 10, 2010. In his short life, David has already lived through some pretty intense experiences, Continue reading
Smith’s Testimony Shines in Video
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. Continue reading
Everywhere I Go: A Song Of Courage
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“
Payson Temple Surprise!
Yesterday I stopped off at my salon to get a broken nail fixed. As usual, a small TV in the back of the room was on. It happened to be queuing up the 6:00 news. Suddenly, I was hearing Utah would be getting another Latter-day Saint [Mormon] Temple! This is our state’s 15th LDS temple, and the 3rd for Utah County.
The new temple will be located in Payson City, Utah - a growing rural community with population 17,500 located approx. 20 miles south of Provo City (home to Brigham Young University, and the Missionary Training Center). Payson is about a 1 hour drive south of Salt Lake City. This will bring the total number of LDS temples worldwide, already in operation or in the planning and construction phases, to 152.
It is reported that Brigham Young, 2nd president of the LDS church, prophesied that a temple would one day be built in Payson. President Young often stayed at the John B. Fairbanks house on Main Street on his way to St. George.
Amidst my joy at this news, I have to say, I was truly surprised. Usually, new LDS temples are announced during a session of the semi-annual General Conference of the church. It’s a moment of anticipation. The prophet comes to the pulpit, he smiles and talks just a little slower to savor the moment, and we all lean in closer to hear the ‘big reveal’. However, Payson wasn’t on the list last October. Not that I’m complaining – I think it’s fabulous! Way to go, Payson! Way to go President Monson for not waiting until April!
From the official announcement we read:
Artists’ renderings, the size of the temple, groundbreaking dates and other information will be released as they become available.
In other words, there’s still some mystery and anticipation remaining! At the press conference, President Thomas S. Monson stated:
”Temples answer those soul-searching questions of the purpose of life, of why we are here and where we are going. They are sanctuaries from the storms of life and bless the lives of members of the Church who worship within their sacred walls.”
Video: Why Mormons Build Temples
Haiti and Media Meltdowns
Since the devestating 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti Jan 12, media networks have exponentially inundated us with tragic tales & images combined with stories of survival, heroism, sacrifice, service and love. Not a day goes by without “Haiti” being present somehow in our conscious or subconscious life. If you are anything like me, then over the past two weeks you’ve probably done two or more of the following:
- Made at least one monetary contribution - such as texting “Haiti” to 90999 or logging online to websites such as American Red Cross, The LDS Humanitarian services, or HealingHandsForHaiti.org , etc.
- Prayed for Haiti
- Replayed images of suffering Haitians and desperate rescue workers over-and-over in your mind.
- Remembered Haiti as you blithely jumped into the car to run a quick errand, took a drink of water, ate a meal, hugged your spouse/child/friend, or … found yourself leisurely strolling through an aisle in a cavernous grocery/discount/home improvement/retail store surveying products stacked to the rafters that you knew millions of suffering people desperately needed RIGHT NOW TO SURVIVE, but could not receive.
- Found yourself magnetically drawn to reading every special feature, breaking news report, and dramatic human interest story involving Haiti, [especially lingering on the positive ones] and then feeling driven to keep re-telling these stories to any family/friend/co-worker/perfect stranger within earshot.
Yesterday, I arrived home a little earlier than the rest of my family, so I opened up the local newspaper thinking I would do a quick “catch up” before lunch. For the next hour, or more, I sat transfixed as I read one unforgettable, heart-wrenching & heart-warming story after another in my Deseret News.
- A survivor found after being buried 11 days - Amazing!
- The bitter-sweet rescue and evacuation of Haitian Orphans - Beyond Words!
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The miraculous story of Jeremy and Hollie Wardell bringing daughter Gabby Home - Incredible!
- Nurse Liz Howell, a 9-11 widow, binding hearts in Haiti - Inspiring!
- Nurse Howell’s tender account of helping an injured 4-year-old boy in Haiti. Priceless!
Reading these stories swamped my heart with alternating waves of sorrow and joy. I found myself having to stop often due to my inability to focus or breathe. These symptoms were, of course, directly tied to my uncontrollable sobbing. Although my mind was a million miles away, I distinctly heard a teenaged daughter loudly whisper:
“Dad! Stay out of the kitchen! Mom’s having another one of her media meltdowns!”
True enough.
Moments later, the same daughter tiptoed into the kitchen just long enough to deposit an extra large box of Kleenex on my lap, before retreating quickly to the other side of the house. Later that night, just after I had heroically composed myself and we all sat down to our nice dinner, and just before the knot returned to my throat and my eyes welled up again, I was offered another piece of sage 16-year-old advice:
“Next time Mom, don’t even THINK about the news until you go get the Kleenex first!”
Helping Haiti One By One
‘Mormons’ and ‘Service’ are synonymous. When tragedy strikes, no matter when or where, you can bet a group of Mormons will be on the next plane bringing truckloads of blankets, sanitation kits, food, clothing, medical supplies and volunteers. Local Mormon leaders, missionaries and congregations will be coordinating the efforts, and the local Mormon churches will immediately become a designated shelter.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hailed as having one of the best organized Humanitarian Aid Services in the world. But Latter-day Saints don’t wish to trump their own horn. They desire to serve quickly, quietly and efficiently. They strive to follow the example of Jesus, taking care of His children “one by one“.
“and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.” 3 Nephi 17:21
When Haiti was struck with a catastrophic earthquake last week, Mormons mobilized! Thousands of volunteers immediately stepped up - whether through donations of money, products, and services, tying quilts, packing up supplies, or putting their lives on hold to physically go to Haiti.
The devestation in Haiti is so vast, and the needs are so great, it is hard not to become overwhelmed with the news reports, and the mounting task ahead. However it is heartwarming to see people of all faiths and nationalities coming together, rolling up their sleeves, and digging in (often, literally) to help the Haitian people.
There is hope for a brighter day in knowing that help is coming to Haiti one person and one day at a time.
The following two video clips, courtesy Deseret News , gives a glimpse at the work Utah “Doctors without Borders” and “Mormon Helping Hands” are doing right now.
“go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21
A Team of Utah Doctors Helping in Haiti
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” Mosiah 2:17
LDS Relief Efforts in Haiti
To Make A Donation, Go To LDS Humanitarian Services
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