MORMON SOPRANO

Mormons Mobilizing

‘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. 

"Helping Hands"

 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

Infant born at Haitian LDS Chapel Jan 19 '10

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.

LDS volunteer plays with Haitian children Jan 19,'10

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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Read Updated Stories & Become a Fan! Facebook Page – LDS Humanitarian Services

By now nearly all the world is aware of the devastating 7.0 earthquake hitting Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday. It’s been heart-wrenching to see the images and stories of destruction and desperation through media report . It’s hard to resist the intense desire to just rush to the airport, and book the next flight to HELP somehow!! Ironically, this generous spirit of charity has actually caused problems. As Haiti Aid Begins to Arrive, it is proving too much, and too fast for the poor Haitian airport and ground support to handle. What an agonizing Catch 22! It is nice to have trusted sources providing simple ways to get involved, such as LDS Philanthropies, or the Red Cross  (including - Texting “Haiti” to 90999). 

Rescued

Amid all of this chaos and heartbreak, thankfully there have been stories of survival and hope, adding a positive perspective. I was particularly touched to hear that large groups are gathering and singing songs of praise together! What a beautiful testament to the faith and heart of the people of Haiti. We were also relieved to learn that All LDS Missionaries In Haiti Are Safe - and that LDS Church Humanitarian Aid mobilized and shipped within 12 hours - with aid continuing to progress. This gives balm to the troubled heart. I know from past experience with large-scale tragedy, there will be many more miraculous and heartwarming stories to hear in the future. But, during these beginning stages of disaster, the negative usually far outweighs positive. Being able to see the whole picture is filtered through a slow motion lens. 

Pres. Uchtdorf

I have reflected on the most recent lead article in the January issue of the LDS Liahona Magazine. This publication is the church’s globally distributed magazine – a sister publication to the North American ‘Ensign Magazine’. The First Presidency Message for the month of January 2010 is interstingly enough entitled Hold On A Little Longer written by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. 

His message of hope seems especially appropriate, and even prophetic. I would like to direct his words specifically to all suffering due to the Haiti tragedy: 

“…hold on a little longer—even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who “endure in faith to the end” (D&C 20:25). 

You are continually in my thoughts and my prayers. May you each find peace amid the chaos. May you hold tight to your faith, and feel strength in singing praise and hymns together. May you feel the Savior’s love for you individually, and experience tender mercies. May those who are desperately and tirelessly working to send aid reach you as quickly as possible! And may God work His mighty miracles in this hour of great need. 

This is my prayer – Your sister, MoSop 

video courtesy Libera.uk.org

Statistically speaking, the days that follow Christmas and other year-end holiday celebrations show a higher spike in depression and suicide. Today’s post is is a new 9 minute video from MormonMessages which offers some insight and solace.  Produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the message comes from a talk by LDS apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, originally given at a CES Fireside at Brigham Young Univeristy on Sept. 7, 2008 - entitled “Lessons From Liberty Jail“, combined with beautiful photography, and touching movie clips.  It stands as a powerful reminder that we are never really alone, and there is always hope. I encourage you to watch!

Look To The Light: A Message of Hope

On the 25th Day of December…MoSop wishes you a Merry Christmas! as we pause to celebrate, rejoice, and remember.

The night of Jesus’ birth, shepherds near Bethlehem were tending their sheep. Suddenly the skies became bright:

 “And the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid… Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

As the angel spoke, a large Chorus of Angels appeared, praising God:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. – Luke 2:14

I love to think about those shepherds. The most miraculous and significant event yet to happen on earth would receive an official heavenly announcement! Who would God choose to hear theIS marvelous and important proclamation? Surely, there were so many to consider: The countless religious scholars who had studied the prophesies since youth. The faithful rabbi’s who taught their followers of the coming of the Messiah. And, the devout followers themselves, who had heard the prophesies and had been strictly keeping the Law of Moses.

However, our Father in Heaven looked down, and chose to send his Angel Messanger to the most unlikely recipients. A few humble men and women, who lived simple lives, and cared for sheep. These were people most often overlooked [and generally avoided] by society. However, social status has never been a requirement for revelation. God knew these shepherds. He knew their hearts, and must have known that he was choosing individuals willing to drop everything they were doing when they heard the clarion call. They would go ”with haste“ to Bethlehem to see “this great thing“. These shepherds would become sincere, life-long witnesses of Christ. They would eagerly proclaim what they had heard, and seen, and felt that night. In fact, they would do so with such simplicity, and power, and conviction, that “all that heard them would wonder at those things that were told them“.

The apostle Luke gives us a glimpse into the attitude of those chosen:

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them”.

The shepherd’s experience and testimony is still as relevant today as over 2000 years ago. It is now our opportunity to hear the shepherds story, and follow. We can hear the message of Jesus Christ proclaimed by the angel, and invitation to ”come and see“. Like them, we are urged to take action, and hasten to be near the Lord. We have the opportunity to rejoice in the birth,  life, and sacrifice of our Savior. And, like the shepherds, we can choose to recognize the blessings which we have recieved because of it, and “noise it all abroad“!

It is my prayer on this Christmas day that we will have cause to rejoice and glorify our God just like the shepherds of old! In celebration of this day, I have created a new MoSop Movie which illustrates a beautiful song by Jaroslav Vajda and Carl Schalk. (Close Captioning may be turned on or off)

“Where Shepherds Lately Knelt”

This video is available on MormonSoprano YouTube

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt Lyrics

1.
Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel’s word,
I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred;
But there is room and welcome there for me,
But there is room and welcome there for me.

2.
In that unlikely place I find him as they said:
Sweet newborn Babe, how frail! And in a manger bed,
A still small voice to cry one day for me,
A still small voice to cry one day for me.

3.
How should I not have known Isaiah would be there,
His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare:
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me,
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me.

4.
Can I, will I, forget how Love was born, and burned
It’s way into my heart unasked, unforced, unearned?
To die, to live, and not alone for me,
To die, to live, and not alone for me.

On the 15th Day of Christmas as a new dawn gleams  … It’s time to reflect on What Christmas truly Means!

Today America commemorates Veterans Day. This is a day to formally honor those who have served our country, in all branches of our Armed Forces. It is a day to remember those who are currently serving, those who are veterans, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. When I left for work this morning, I got a lump in my throat driving down our street. It was lined with large American flags. The Boy Scouts had been up early, to carefully place them in each front lawn of the neighborhood. Becuase I was running late, I decided to take the freeway. I noticed that a senior citizen was following me awfully close. When I changed lanes, he changed too, and stuck right behind. It was starting to annoy me. As soon as I exited, he followed, and started honking and flagging me to pull over. I rolled down my window wondering what in the world the crazy old guy was shouting. I was startled to find out that my rear tire was in trouble, and he warned “she’s about to BLOW”! I waved appreciatively, and drove off ashamed of myself for being so hasty to judge my kind samaritan. 

I was blesed to be nearby a service station, and was able to get help before “she blew”. While I sat in the small lobby waiting for my tire to be brought back to life, I noticed a program being shown on the television set. It was honoring ”The Greatest Generation” – our World War II veterans. I watched with interest, and gratitude.

Commander Dallis Joseph Christensen

Last year, I wrote a post honoring my own personal hero and grandfather, Commander Dallis J. Christensen. Grandpa Dallis served as a Navy pilot throughout WWII. He’s 94 years old now. He and grandma June had to move into an assisted living center a little over a year ago. It broke his heart. These days, his body shakes from Parkinson’s disease, and there’s a little shuffle in his step which causes him to get off-balance, but his mind is as sharp and his humor as witty as a 20-year-old. It’s been over 60 years since the Great Conflict ended. It was reported that our WWII heros are dying on average 900 – 2000 per day. Within five years, most will be physically unable to leave home, and within 10 years, they will only remain in our hearts and our memory.

One organization is racing against time to give these veterans one final standing ovation. They offer a free escourted trip to our nation’s capitol to see the newly dedicated, and long overdue, World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. This organization is called Honor Flight.

I share my  inadequte, yet heart-felt THANK YOU to all of our veterans. May each of you feel appreciated, loved and honored, today, and every day.

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Please take a few minutes to watch this touching video documenting a recent Honor Flight.

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

As we prepare to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001 – one of America’s saddest days, there is opportunity for reflection, healing and peace. In this powerful video, survivor Victor Guzman describes his personal journey from the tragedy and trauma of 9/11, to hope, healing, and renewal.

Created by Mormon Messages

A Mormon Message for everyone running the race of life.

Today is a special day. On July 24, 2009 the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley after years of persecution and an arduous trek of over 1300 miles - blazing what became known as the Mormon Trail. I have blogged before about Honoring The Mormon Pioneers, and my own pioneer heritage. It is something I treasure. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for their courage and determination to build a life free to worship how they choose, and raise their families in security. This video shares clips of movies reenacting that experience. It is set to one of the most beloved hymns of The Latter-day Saints – a song written during the trek that became an anthem of the pioneer legacy, and a song of faith and hope for all generations. “Come, Come, Ye Saints“.

My family and I will be making our own trek this morning. Since today is a State holiday, all of the Utah LDS Temples are closed. This posed a problem. We have been striving to attend a temple each weekend as a family. Instead of allowing our goal to be thwarted, we decided to take a family road trip to Idaho where we will get to attend TWO temples; The REXBURG IDAHO TEMPLE and the IDAHO FALLS TEMPLE . As we embark this morning, I can’t help think of the contrasts between this experience and that of our ancestors! We will be driving in the luxury of our air-conditioned SUV, while listening to music on a radio. We will drive over 200 miles which will take us less than 4 hours. If we get hungry for a snack, or have to go to the bathroom, we will just stop at a gas station or Rest Area for a few minutes. When we arrive at our destination, we will attend not one, but two beautiful Temples of our God, and tonight we will be sleeping in a hotel with a swimming pool, showers with hot running water, and fluffy mattresses. How does one express enough gratitude for this? I can’t. I don’t know. It makes me feel so many mixed components of guilt and joy. I suppose the best way is just to go forward in faith and joy. I really can’t help thinking there is no better way for us to honor Pioneer Day. But, before I get into that fluffy hotel bed tonight, you can be sure I will be kneeling beside it with my family, and we will thank our Heavenly Father for the pioneers.