We may never know how many lives we touch for good. Some evidence of our humble efforts may be manifested immediately, some may not be recognized until years later, and we may not live to see how some lives were touched by something we might have said or by an act of kindness that we rendered.

I believe that statement could be made of all of us, but I want to focus on that statement as it applies to mothers, in particular, my own dear mother.

Love For Her Family – “I never cared for pie”

My mother and I were blessed to spend 38 and a half years together on this earth before she lost her battle with breast cancer at 59 years of age. During those precious years we laughed together, we played together, we shared our hopes and dreams for better tomorrows, and there were even times when we cried together. I can honestly say that she was not only my mother but a true and faithful confidant and an endearing friend.

She played many significant roles in my life. She was my doctor and nurse when I was ill. She was my lawyer when I found myself in difficult situations, always defending me to the end. She was my counselor, always offering words of advice and comfort. She was also my first Sunday school teacher. At an early age she taught me to have a deep and sincere love, appreciation, and respect for the Word of God. And so, she was the first to teach me of the love that my Savior has for me and that I should show my love for Him by being obedient to His commandments.

She was a very humble person. She never owned a lot of worldly possessions. She did not own or drive an expensive car, have a large bank account, or even own an expensive wardrobe or expensive jewelry.

Our family never lived in a big fancy house, but what made the houses that we lived in so special is that my mother knew how to make a house a home. She spent many hours in the home taking care of her family and no sacrifice seemed too great to her as far as the family that she loved was concerned. There were many nights that she would be the last to lay down and rest, only after she was sure that her family were all in, at rest, and the home was secure.

Many were the times growing up, when I saw her go without some of the things that she wanted or needed to make sure that her family was provided for, or she would take a smaller portion of food to make sure that her four children had enough to eat. My mother was that mother who Tenneva Jordan, a mother and author was describing when she said, “A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” The writer of Proverbs adequately paints a picture of her with his words, “She [looked] well to the ways of her household, and [ate] not the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27).

I can honestly say that my mother set the tone and atmosphere in our home. Everyone who entered our home was a welcomed guest, whether they were a family member, a long-time friend, or a complete stranger. Without fail she would always make sure that every guest was comfortable, and would always offer them something to drink or a bite of food to satisfy their hunger.

Even after her four children had left home and were on their own, she maintained constant contact with each one, and at times offered wise counsel and direction when and where needed. However, she always allowed each of us to have our free agency, all the while praying that we would always make the right decisions. And even when we messed up and made some bad decisions in our life, “She [opened] her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [was] the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26). It is indeed true as someone has said, “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” Someone else has wisely said, “If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.”

Not only did my mother offer her counsel, but she always made sure that her children would always have a home to come home to, and she delighted in each visit.

Love and Compassion for Others – A Walk around the Neighborhood

One of the last acts of love and compassion by my dear mother was when she decided one evening to take a walk around the neighborhood where our family lived at the time. By this time she was dependent upon oxygen 24 hours a day. So, with my younger sister, and her little portable oxygen bottle in tow, she walked around the entire neighborhood stopping to greet friends and neighbors and spending a little time with each one of them, thanking them personally for their kindness and their friendship through the years. I believe that she knew within her heart that her remaining days upon this earth were few and she wanted to make sure that everyone knew how much she appreciated having them in her life. That small act of love and compassion put the period in place on my mother’s life. She had spent her entire life, though brief as it was, doing whatever she could to make someone’s day just a little brighter.

She had a giving heart, and many were the times that I saw her give her last to someone in need without expecting anything in return. As a boy I would often ask her why she would give away what she had, when it was clear at least to me that she needed those things herself. She would always smile and say, “Don’t worry about me. I will be alright.” She exemplified through her righteous examples that it is more blessed to give then to receive, as time and time again she was blessed and had all of her own needs met.

Whether it was a kind word, a friendly smile, the giving of money to help someone in need, or sharing food from her table to feed a hungry soul, she gave of what she had – willingly and gladly.

When I think of my mother, I think of the words to the song that we sing “Because I Have Been Given Much” (Hymn # 219). The words adequately describe how my mother strove to live her life:

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee
With ev’ry brother that I see,
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another’s lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,
My roof’s safe shelter over head,
That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need;
I’ll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

*The lyrics of the hymn “Because I Have Been Given Much” were written by Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969) © 1936, 1964 Harper San Francisco. The tune was written by Phillip Landgrave © 1975 Broadman Press.

A Song in Her Heart – “I’ll fly away”

I loved to hear my mother sing. She always seemed to have a song in her heart. She would often sing as she was working around the house. She would sing when she was happy, and especially when she was feeling down. Music brought joy to her soul, and whether she ever realized it or not, it brought joy to my soul just to listen to her.

Sometimes she would sing a Capella, but often she would put one of her favorite albums on the record player and sing along, or especially on Sunday mornings, she would turn on the radio to her favorite gospel station and sing along.

As a side note, for all the young people who are reading this, in my day, we did not have CD players, an IPod, or an MP3 player to listen to our music, not to mention that there were no computers, so we also had no concept of ITunes, Rhapsody, or the like.

My mother also sang in one of the church choirs in the old Baptist church where we attended. One of her favorite songs was “I’ll fly away.” The lyrics to the first stanza of that hymn are as follows:

Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away
To a land on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone, I’ll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly, I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

At the sunset of her life, the words to the third stanza became ever more meaningful:

Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away
To a land where joy will never end, I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Although she loved her family and longed to stay just a little while longer with them, the battle that she was fighting against breast cancer began to take its toll, and she wanted to go home and be with the Savior whom she loved. On the morning of 12 June 1997, just before the noon day hour, at the young age of 59 years, she did “fly away” and bid farewell to the family she loved for a season. And, at the close of her funeral services, the choir sang “I’ll fly away.”

Her Parting Counsel to Family and Friends

The words recorded in my mother’s favorite scripture verses found in Psalm 37:1-9 are fitting as her last counsel especially to her family, as well as, to all those whom she was blessed to meet in life:

1 FRET not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

To the Men – Words of Counsel

It has been said that behind every good man there is a good woman. As men, let us never become so macho and chaotic in our way of thinking to ever accept the world’s idea that men are superior to women. I testify to you, that simply is not true.

It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, widowed, or divorced, I am certain that each of us can look back on our lives and find that there has been some special woman who has played a significant role in our life. The fact of the matter is that we owe a great debt of gratitude to at least one woman in our life, that person being the very one who gave us life – our mother. If it were not for her giving us life, we would not be here.

May I also add, to all of you who are husbands and will one day be husbands and have families of your own. The greatest gift that you will ever give to your children is to show them that you love their mother.

There is an Irish proverb which states, “A man loves his sweetheart the most, and his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” And so I say to each of us, regardless of our current status, regarding your wife if you are married, and especially regarding our mothers – Honor her, Cherish her, Respect her, and most of all, LOVE her.

To the Youth – Words of Counsel

Young people, do not take your mothers for granted. Your mother is a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father and as such, she deserves all the love, honor, and respect that is due her. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed to be seen with her. When asked by anyone who she is, she is your mother, the very one who gave life to you. Do not use your mother as the subject of your cruel and unkind jokes or remarks. Do not allow your friends or associates to speak disparagingly about her either. If you have friends that come to your home that refuse to give your mother the respect that is due her, then perhaps it is time for you to consider choosing better friends. Never allow a friendship to take the place of your mother’s love.

Always remember that mothers are an eternal blessing from our Heavenly Father. Don’t ever forget that important truth. I can boldly testify to you that there is not one single person in the entire world exactly like a dear mother. Therefore, I say to you as well, Honor her, Cherish her, Respect her, and most of all, LOVE her.

To the Mothers and Mothers Yet to Be

I close my remarks with just a few words addressed solely to all the mothers and all who will someday be mothers.

Please know and understand that you are special daughters of our Heavenly Father. He loves you and cares for you with an immense love. Never let anyone tell you that you are anything less than the beautiful daughters of God that you are. And never let anyone treat you like you are anything less than who you truly are.

It is my sincere humble prayer that every day of your lives will be a day to celebrate the joys of motherhood, as well as, the sacredness and blessedness of womanhood. And may your husband and children, now and forever, arise to praise you and call you blessed. This is my humble prayer. In the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Martin Luther, Protestant Reformation and Transformation

The Protestant Reformation was officially begun on Saturday, 31 October 1517, when Martin Luther, a German monk, Catholic priest, and professor of theology, nailed his 95 Theses (on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences) on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He prefaced his treatise with an open invitation to those wishing to debate his propositions to do so orally or in writing:

Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter.

In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Even in the wake of pending excommunication from the church, Martin Luther continued to defend his grievances against the church. Because of his unwillingness to recant, he was branded as a heretic, and was excommunicated from the church on Thursday, 3 January 1521, by Pope Leo X.

One of the biggest changes to Christianity which was brought about by the reformation occurred in 1522 when the Bible was translated from Latin to German, thus allowing the people, for the first time, to own a copy of the sacred writ for themselves. Along with this advancement came the idea that people could read scripture themselves and determine through prayer what scripture meant.  This was a revolutionary idea, because up until that time, laymen and women were required to depend on the professional clergy for everything in the realm of religion.  The Bible was translated into English in 1526, thus furthering the cause of the reformation and bringing about the establishment of more churches throughout the world, including the Church of England which was established in the 1530’s.

Reformation was sweeping the German nation regardless, as well as the Swiss, the English, and other European countries; even starting war. Both Germany’s Peasants’ War (1524-1526) and Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) were both a direct and indirect effect of the changing attitudes and social changes the Reformation brought about.

Another change that was brought about as a result of the reformation had to do with the “sacraments.” In Reformed church services, the bread and the wine used for the “sacraments” were understood as being symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and not His literal body and blood as taught by the Catholic Church.

The issue of marriage was also re-examined, as Men of the Cloth were not permitted to marry within the Catholic Church. Luther changed that when he married Katharina von Bora (he was 41, she was 26). Together they had six children, and were devoted to each other and to God. What Martin Luther did to reform the church may seem but an insignificant thing to some, but it literally transformed the world.

The Protestant Reformation and Mormonism

LDS perspective regards the Protestant Reformation as a preparation for the more complete Restoration of the gospel that commenced with Joseph Smith. Thus, the Protestant Reformation initiated a return to pure Christianity, a work that could not be completed without divine revelation and restoration. The leaders of the Reformation are honored as inspired men who made important progress, but without direct revelation they could not recover the true gospel or the priesthood authority to act in God’s name. That was the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith took place within the context of this post-Reformation world. Yet Joseph Smith is not considered a successor to the reformers in the sense of building on their teachings. He claimed to receive his knowledge and priesthood authority directly by revelation, not by the study of other writers, thus initiating a new dispensation of the gospel rather than a continuation of the Reformation.

Perhaps one of the most noticeable results of the Reformation was the increased attention to the freedom of individuals. The termination of the single “universal” church and the establishment of numerous other sects caused great stir in the political arena, particularly concerning the independence of the United States of America. There were many factors which were a vital part of the establishment of the United States, and among those factors were the political and religious heritage of the Protestant Reformers.

The religious environment of the early-nineteenth century which was predominantly Protestant caused great confusion and tumult among the different denominations. There were a great number of religious revivals at that time in which ministers of the different sects emphasized the Bible and Bible reading, just as sixteenth century humanists and reformists had promoted, yet none seemed to be able to agree on the message of the same passage of scripture.

The Bible which Joseph Smith and others used at that time was the 1611 English King James Version. In fact, it was his own thirst for knowledge and truth which led Joseph to search the Bible for answers. Having read the verses in James 1:5-6, the young boy Joseph, sought answers to his questions through earnest prayer and had his first personal encounter with the Living God. The verses that he read were:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

The Reformation also opened the doors for the beginning of congregational religion in which congregations were given the right to organize themselves, conduct their own worship services, and govern their own affairs. Emphasis was placed on the concept of religion being a personal, one-on-one relationship between God and the individual worshiper.

Not as many specific doctrines are shared with mainline Protestants, but Latter-day Saints do have in common a devoted faith in Jesus Christ as Redeemer of the world and as personal Savior. This faith was the moving force in the actions of Martin Luther and other early reformers, and was central to the life and work of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It remains today a central tenet of the Church.

What Latter-day Saints Believe

Two years before he was martyred in the jail in Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith, the first prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote a letter to an editor by the name of John Wentworth in response to his request for information about the Church.

At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, Editor and Proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he wishes to furnish Mr. [George] Barstow, a friend of his, who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Barstow has taken the proper steps to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands, is, that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepresentation. [History of the Church, 4:535–36; from a letter from Joseph Smith written at the request of John Wentworth and George Barstow, Nauvoo, Illinois, published in Times and Seasons, Mar. 1, 1842, p. 706. Mr. Barstow’s last name is incorrectly spelled “Bastow” in History of the Church and Times and Seasons.] [1]

At the conclusion of that letter, Joseph Smith outlined 13 essential points of belief that serve as a guide to direct Latter-day Saints in the basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those 13 points became known as the Articles of Faith. The third, fourth, and fifth Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ clearly define the doctrinal teachings concerning the significance and value of ordinances.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Types of Ordinances

Several ordinances, such as baptism, confirmation, and sacrament (Eucharist, Passover or the Lord’s Supper) which are practiced by Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as Mormons), are also practiced by other Christian denominations.

There are some ordinances such as baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and marriage sealings, which are essential to a person’s salvation and exaltation. These ordinances are referred to as the saving ordinances. With each of the saving ordinances, faithful Latter-day Saints enter into solemn covenants with the Lord. Some ordinances that are unique to Mormonism, such as the endowment and sealings, are performed only in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ.

Under the authority of the Priesthood, ordinances such as naming and blessing children, consecrating oil, administering to the sick and the afflicted, patriarchal blessings, and priesthood blessings (including father’s blessing) are also performed. These types of ordinances are known as non-saving ordinances, as they are not essential for obtaining salvation and exaltation. They do, however, provide comfort, guidance, and encouragement.

Mormonism further teaches that because of the importance and necessity of ordinances to a person’s salvation, even those who have passed on without receiving the saving ordinances (albeit through no fault of their own) cannot dwell in the presence of God unless they first accept the ordinances that are performed vicariously on their behalf by worthy Latter-day Saints in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Priesthood Authority, Ordinances, and Covenants

Henry B. Eyring, the First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his address given during the 178^th Annual General Conference of the Church titled The True and Living Church, perhaps summed up this subject best with his remarks. He stated,

This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter. Those keys were restored to Joseph Smith, who then was authorized to confer them upon the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

We have seen today a demonstration that this is the true and living Church. The keys of the priesthood are held by mortals, but the way has been prepared by the Lord for the keys to remain functioning on the earth so long as the people exercise faith both that the keys are on the earth and that they have been passed on by the will of God to His chosen servants.

Additionally, it is through the Church and the ordinances which are in it that the blessings of the sealing power reach into the spirit world. This is a true and living Church, reaching even to those who are no longer living. As you have the faith to find the names of your ancestors, as you go to the house of the Lord to offer them vicarious ordinances, you sustain this great work, whose purpose is to offer salvation to all of Heavenly Father’s children who come into this world.

Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are. They remind us of our duty to God. The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life. When we honor them, He strengthens us spiritually. [2]

There are many promised lands. From the beginning, the Lord has reserved choice lands for righteous followers. They include the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:9), a “land of promise” for Enos (Moses 6:17), and Zion for Enoch and his people (Moses 7:19).

Promised lands are those lands which the Lord promises as an inheritance to his faithful followers, and often also to their descendants. When speaking of the “Promised Land” a majority of Christendom refers to the land of Israel, or to those lands that were promised to Abraham and his posterity.

Promised Lands Given to Abraham and His Posterity

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, for example, we read “And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him” (Genesis 12:7). Careful note should be taken that Abram did not just say thank you and walk away without giving the conversation that he had just had with the Lord any further thought, but rather, he took the time to build and altar, and to worship, and to call on the name of the Lord. The next verse tells us:

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:8).

As a brief side note, the name Beth-el is actually comprised of two Hebrew words – “Beth” has the literal meaning of “house”, and “el” is the root word for God. Therefore, Beth-el is literally translated “the house of God.”

Another reference to Promised Land being given to Abraham is found in Genesis 17:8, “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

The Lord Leads the Righteous into Promised Lands

Often in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, the Promised Land spoken of is the Americas or Zion (the New Jerusalem). The 10^th Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states:

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi spoke of a particular Promised Land as, “a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed” (2 Nephi 1:5).

It is the Lord who “leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes” (1 Nephi 17:38). The Psalmist declared, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, one of the conditions set for those who inherit a Promised Land is that they must covenant to “serve the God of the land.”

Promised Lands are Given Predicated upon Covenants that are made

The Lord promises to give lands to those who are righteous, but it is with those righteous people, not the promised lands, that He makes everlasting and eternal covenants. The promised lands are given to the people predicated upon their fulfilment of the conditions of the covenants which they have made. Modern day revelation as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 teaches, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”

The Book of Mormon peoples, including the family of Lehi and the jaredites, for example, were given a Promised Land in the hemisphere now called the Americas based on the condition of keeping God’s commandments. In 1 Nephi 2:20 we read that the Lord made the following promise to Nephi:

 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

An Ancient Prophet’s Warning

The prophet Moroni gave this warning to the future inhabitants of this land: (Ether 2:9-12)

9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.

10 For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.

12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

This admonition applies to all the lands that the Lord has promised at any time, to any of His people.

As a 30-year honorably retired United States Navy veteran (that is over half of my life dedicated to the service of our country of which I have no regrets), I can boldly testify that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that America is a truly blessed and choice land. Having been blessed to work and serve in, as well as visit many different countries throughout the world, I can emphatically state that we as Americans have absolutely nothing to whine, cry, gripe, or complain about when we stop to realize what we have in comparison to so many others in different parts of the world. What deeply saddens me is that so many Americans take the blessing that God has bestowed upon this great land for granted.

A similar admonition as given by the prophet Moroni is found in the Old Testament in 2 Chronicles 7:14 . As we approach another 4^th of July celebration, and in light of a recent Supreme Court decision regarding the sanctity of marriage, I believe that this scripture is both timely and appropriate. The scripture reads as follows:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God has designated land inheritances to all those who love Him and keep His commandments. It is my humble prayer that we, His people, will ever be found faithful and obedient to Him, so that we too may obtain a land of promise, a land which is choice above all others. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

A compass is an instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it. A traveler who may be lost and is desperately seeking the direction that he should go in order to reach his desired destination finds a simple instrument such as a compass to be indispensable. However, the instrument which he holds in his hands will only serve its purpose of directing him if he is willing to adhere to the direction that its needle points for him to go. If he chooses not to trust the guidance of the instrument, then the instrument will be rendered useless, and he is left to his own means of finding his way.

Our life is a journey, and in order to find our way to our desired destination, which is back home to our loving Heavenly Father who awaits us, we need guidance and direction. Within each of us is a moral compass that is designed to guide our decisions based on morals and virtues. It is our morals or behaviors that determine the magnetic north of our compass. Choosing wrong or bad behaviors will cause our compass to be off by even the slightest of degrees, and we will find ourselves traveling down paths that often lead to destruction, misery, and woe. However, if we choose right or good behaviors, our moral compass will guide us along the paths that we should follow, and if we endure the journey to the end, we will reach our desired destination.

Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others), in his address titled Examples of Righteousness delivered during the Priesthood Session of the April 2008 General Conference, made the following remarks concerning having a clear conscience, following our moral compass, and always doing what we know to be right:

You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness — and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so.

Charting Our Path with a Clear and Consistent Moral Compass

Following counsel such as that given by President Monson is may not always seem easy especially when we live in a world where our societies are too often plagued with violence, hatred, and immorality. Things that were once considered taboo by society are rapidly becoming accepted as the norm in many circles, and those things which have always been accepted by society as the norm, are slowly being downgraded to a matter of individual choice or suitability.

According to a new Gallop Values and Beliefs poll which is conducted each May, “Some 72 percent of Americans said moral values in America are “getting worse,” compared with 20 percent who said they are “getting better” and 6 percent who said they are “the same,” [1] The results of the poll further revealed,

But the discontent is palpable — only 19 percent say U.S. moral values are “excellent or good,” while 44 percent say they are “poor” and 36 percent say “only fair.”

“The net result of these two trends is that seven in 10 Americans have a negative view of moral values” in the nation, said Alyssa Brown, author of the Gallup report, issued Wednesday. [1]

A separate Gallup Poll report, issued on Monday, 20 May 2013, indicates an increase in the social acceptability regarding the issues of same-sex relationships, use of birth control, getting divorced, sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman, having a baby outside of marriage, and using human embryos for medical stem-cell research. Interesting enough, according to the poll, Americans rated adultery as being highly taboo.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to young Timothy must have looked forward to our day when he recorded the words found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once stated,

We cannot cope with the confusions and the challenges of this world unless we use a clear and consistent moral compass that will unerringly take us through our own personal trials and the tugs and pulls of our own temptations—a compass that will chart our way to peace of mind, self-worth, and joy. [2]

Four Eternal and Absolute Truths

In his address given during the Saturday morning session of the 167^th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ titled Four Absolute Truths Provide an Unfailing Moral Compass, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated that our moral compass is built around four absolute truths:

The first absolute truth is that there is a loving Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is our personal Savior—a more certain truth than any worldly fact. This concept is expressed with unmatched eloquence in 1 John: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16.) Nothing could provide a truer “north” for every person’s own moral compass.

. The second absolute truth is that there is an adversary, Satan, the tempter, who would lead us away from God and His infinite peace. Note that the Hebrew translation for devil is the “spoiler.” Satan is the spoiler because he would confound our moral compass and spoil our journey back to a loving Father in Heaven.

The third absolute truth is that all of us choose our own course, endowed by agency. This truth is clearly expressed in the Book of Mormon: “Wherefore, men are free … free to choose liberty and eternal life, … or to choose captivity and death, … for [the devil] seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27.) Yes, who we are is the sum of all the choices we make. We should always remember that our choices do not begin with the act, but in the mind with the idea. As a poet stated, “Sow a thought, and you reap an act; sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”

The fourth absolute truth is that the temptations of the devil can always be overcome by renewed faith in God and by repentance. Yes, when we stray from that narrow and straight way, marked by our moral compass, our footing can be restored on the road that surely leads to salvation and eternal life. When Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane, clearly knowing of His impending Crucifixion, He prayed to His Father for His Apostles as well as for each of us. In that prayer, He commands us to avoid evil, but in His infinite compassion He also asks the Father to “keep [us] from the evil” (John 17:15.)

Elder Wirthlin further remarked, “Yes, we can experience wisdom, peace of mind, self-worth, and joy not only in the life to follow but in the life each of us lives today by walking in the Savior’s footsteps, guided by an unfailing compass calibrated on these four eternal and absolute truths.” [2]

Let us take heart and be encouraged from these words of the Apostle Paul:

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:6-9.)

Mormons who joined The Church of Jesus Christ in their adulthood certainly have different experiences of coming to learn the gospel from those members who grew up in Mormon families. We, as adults, can learn many wonderful principles of the gospel by observing how Mormon children learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mormon Children Learn Basic Doctrines

I am a child of God,I am a child of God,
and He has sent me here,
has given me an earthly home
with parents kind and dear.

and so my needs are great;
help me to understand His words
before it grows too late.

I am a child of God,
rich blessings are in store;
if I but learn to do His will,
I’ll live with Him once more.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
to live with Him someday.

Those are the words to an oft-sung children’s hymn “I Am a Child of God.” This song is a perfect example of how Mormon children learn core doctrine in a simple way. The Church of Jesus Christ has an entire hymnal devoted to children’s songs. Mormon children learn these songs at home and during church on Sundays. The children’s Sunday school segment is called Primary, and part of Primary each Sunday is dedicated to singing songs and learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.

Primary songs teach children about many principles of the gospel: the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, Joseph Smith, stories in the Book of Mormon, service, kindness, prayer, Christ’s Second Coming, the creation of the earth, and eternal families. Primary songs are a great example of how children learn the gospel of Jesus Christ—they learn essential doctrine in simple ways. Just because a child is young and lacks worldly understanding does not exclude them from being able to reach important spiritual understanding.

Mormon Children Learn by the Holy Ghost

Mormon children aren’t so different from you or me. They learn the gospel perhaps through different, more juvenile methods, but they learn by the same power: the power of the Holy Ghost. Parents and teachers may present the gospel tenets to them through object lessons, games, and songs, but children ultimately come to an understanding of those doctrines and principles through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the ultimate teacher.

Mormon children are capable of developing their own testimonies, or witnesses, of gospel truth, and those testimonies are a direct result of their interactions with the Holy Ghost. Children are more open to spiritual experiences than adults often are, and they are also less susceptible to temptation and sin. Learning the gospel is easier for children because they are inherently more in tune with the Spirit (a term interchangeable with the Holy Ghost). We learn the gospel of Jesus Christ by the same power that children do. Our witnesses can be just as pure and just as clear as they are for children.

We Can Learn Much about Gospel Learning through Mormon Children

Jesus Christ taught His people that “except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4). Why do we need to become like children?

Children see first with spiritual eyes rather than worldly ones. Children have a much purer sense of right and wrong than adults do; they believe in goodness. Likewise we must return to a state wherein we can believe in good and stand up for right. We must seek Jesus Christ in our learning and go to Him with our questions. When we humble ourselves before Him, we allow ourselves to be taught more effectively by Him.

Mormon children also aren’t so different from children of other faiths, they just have greater access to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All children are more spiritually in tune with the Holy Ghost than adults are, and Mormon children simply have parents who open up spiritual communication further and actively teach them the doctrine of Christ. As we move forward, we need to seek the humility and spiritual confidence inherent in children’s nature. We can learn so much from them about truth and living a Christ-centered life.

As a person prayerfully listens to the messages that are delivered, as well as the beautiful music that is sung, he may begin to reflect on his own personal life, and how a particular message, or messages, may apply directly to his station in life at that particular moment in time. Such was the case as I listened to the discourses that were delivered during the 183^rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that was held in April 2013.

Having Faith for the Journey

There is no doubt that this life is a test. It is a test of our obedience and our faithfulness to endure to the end. On our life’s journey we will travel down some roads that are as smooth as glass, but there will also be other roads that are filled with potholes and other obstructions which we must, by faith, learn to maneuver around in order to continue to press forward. But, what is faith?

In Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews we learn, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1.) And, in the Book of Mormon, which Latter-day Saints testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ, recorded in Ether 12:6 are these words, “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” [Emphasis added]

Therefore, we must never allow the obstacles that we face to deter us from reaching the finishing line – enduring to the end. Said J.R.R. Tolkein, an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the highly acclaimed classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”

Life Consists of Mountain Top and Valley Experiences

When I think of faith, and how having faith has strengthened my own life, I often reflect on the blessings of the mountain top experiences that I have had in my young life, as well as, what I call, the down in the valley experiences that I have endured. Life consists of both. I believe that it is quite natural to want to spend our lives atop the high and lofty mountains, but when the winds of adversity begin to blow, and we find ourselves in the depths of the valley, we oftentimes find ourselves crying out in desperation, “Why is this happening to me?” As Dr. Seuss, the famous author of such classic children’s book as Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat once said concerning life, “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

If I encounter a person who has been blessed to only experience thus far the mountain top experiences, I would say to him, just keep living. None of us were ever promised a ride through life on a bed of roses. Those roses come from bushes that have thorns, and those thorns tend to prick us from time to time.

On the other hand, when I encounter a person that feels that his life is full of down in the valley experiences, I would say to him, never give up hope. Never give up trusting and believing in God. I testify that God will never let us down, but rather it is we who so often let Him down. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, none of us are ever truly alone on our journey through life.

I believe that God, our Heavenly Father, gives us certain mountain top experiences in our lives in response to our faithfulness and obedience. However, it is those experiences that should keep us ever reaching for what the Apostle Paul described as “the prize of the high calling.” Although we may reach the pinnacle of a mountain, Our Heavenly Father gently reminds us that we need not become boastful nor proud of our accomplishment. Instead we should humbly thank Him in awe and reverence for allowing us to have such experiences, realizing that He may need us to go even higher. Therefore, reaching the top of a mountain in our life is not the time to relax and put our faith on hold, for it may only be a beginning, but not necessarily an end. There may be even more mountains in life yet to conquer.

Likewise, I believe that God, our Heavenly Father, gives us down in the valley experiences, not to punish us per se, but to teach us humility. It is often when a man is at his lowest point or lying flat on his back that he tends to look up the most. Knowing this, our Heavenly Father often places us in situations that help us to return our focus upon the One from whence truly comes our help – He whom the Psalmist declares is a “very present help in time of trouble.” As we look up from the depths of the valley we may be able to gain a magnificent glimpse of the splendor of the mountains above, and perhaps just a small glimpse of what being on top of those mountains would be like. Therefore, being in the bowels of the valley is not necessarily an end to all things, but rather a beginning of new things that are yet to come.

The Lord never promised any of us that we would journey through this life riding upon a bed of comfort. However, He did promise us that if we will be faithful and endure until the end of the journey, it will be worth it all.

Regardless of the size of the mountains we must conquer in this life, or the depths of the valleys that we may sometimes find ourselves having to endure, it is our measure of faith that will allow us to overcome every obstacle that we face. For we are told that if we have faith, even as the grain of a mustard seed, we will be able to say unto the mountain before us, “Be thou removed and cast into the sea” and it shall be moved.

Until After the Trial of Your Faith

I know that the things that I have shared thus far are true from personal experiences that I have had. I will share just one example to help emphasize what has been said to this point.

My mother passed away at the young age of 59 years after a battle with breast cancer in June 1997. In July 2004, my father remarried. I will only say that things did not go well from the start. As his son, I was left to continually pray and have faith that things would work out for him. I must also admit that there were times when my heart was filled with fear for him, and sometimes I would find myself even doubting my own faith and thinking about what his end would be if things did not take a turn for the better. On 20 November 2006, those fears became a reality when I received a telephone call at work from the older of my two sisters informing me that our father had not come home the night before, and that a missing person’s report had been filed. I earnestly prayed, and wanted more than anything for this to just be a bad dream, but by 6:00 PM that evening, I had received another telephone call and now found myself talking with a detective who informed me that my father had been found dead in a landfill area. My father was only 71 years of age.

In the days following my father’s death, I would say for almost a year afterwards, I literally became consumed with wanting to have some answers to what might have happened. I desperately tried to have faith to know that whatever happened God knew all about it, but I admit that there were times when just having faith seemed to not be enough. I spent many nights trying to sleep, and wetting my pillow with tears just wanting answers that never came. As a result of worrying so much over the matter, I began to have constant headaches, feel sick, and even had a few anxiety attacks.

Now, I ask that you, the reader, not be too critical or judgmental of me. I humbly submit that it is extremely easy to give counsel to someone who is going through a difficult time in their life and to say things like, “Hang in there!”, “Stay Strong”, or “Keep the faith.” I submit that it is easy to do that when we are not the ones walking in their shoes at that time, or the ones feeling the hurt, the pain, the grief, the sorrow, and even often times, the anguish that gets mixed in with all of that. It is real easy to make rash judgments about a person when we are the ones on the outside looking in.

May I offer a word of counsel to each of us? Instead of ever being critical or judgmental of a person who is going through a tough time, let us learn to be more patient, more loving, kinder, and more understanding, just as our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself would be. I also humbly submit that during those difficult moments that a person is experiencing, he does not necessarily need to hear one more sermon. What he does need is for someone to be his friend. What he does not necessarily need is someone who knows how to use their voice, but rather what he does need is someone who has ears that will listen, and a heart that is full of compassion.

For approximately a year I found myself on a real emotional rollercoaster ride. At times I kept myself purposefully busy in order to be able to focus on other things. It was not until one night alone in my apartment as I cried out to my Father in Heaven once again for peace that I received the answer that the reason that I had not been at peace the entire time was because of my own worry and my own anxiety that got in the way of receiving the peace that had already been given. It was not until then, there alone in my apartment, in the lowest depths of the valley that I finally came to terms with the matter. It was then that I decided to put it all in the hands of the Lord and leave it there. I did have faith all along, but it was my refusal to “let go” that was standing in the way of my faith. I was doing exactly what Moroni warned us not to do. I was disputing the entire matter simply because I did not have anything tangible that I could hold on to that would reasonably explain my father’s death. It was only when I finally decided to let go; only after the trial of my faith, did the witness of true and lasting peace return to my life.

I boldly testify that although there may be seemingly insurmountable mountains that we must climb, or down in the valley experiences that we must endure in this life, the Lord also understands that there must be a period of rest from our journeying. It is during those times that He safely leads us beside the still waters and causes us to lay down in green pastures as He restores our souls, thus giving us the necessary strength to press forward and endure to the end of our journey.

Life is full of tests and trials with many obstacles which we will face along the way. But, let us take heart that at no time on our journey are we ever alone. He is always right there beside us. Our part is to remain faithful and obedient to His will, and endure to the end. I testify that I do not know about tomorrow, but I do KNOW the One who holds all of my tomorrows in the palms of His hands, and I am determined to continue to press forward by faith.

I leave you that witness and testimony in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

According to the associated press, the reason for the resignation, after only 8 years, cited by Pope Benedict XVI, is that he feels that he is “simply too infirm to carry on.” He emphasized that carrying out the duties of being pope — the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide — requires “both strength of mind and body.” He made the following statement:

After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” he told the cardinals. “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only by words and deeds but no less with prayer and suffering.

However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary — strengths which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

He becomes the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years, although popes are allowed to resign as church law specifies only that the resignation be “freely made and properly manifested.” His decision to resign, however, sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope by mid-March, since the traditional mourning time that would follow the death of a pope doesn’t have to be observed.

All cardinals under age 80 are allowed to vote in the conclave, the secret meeting held in the Sistine Chapel where cardinals cast ballots to elect a new pope. As per tradition, the ballots are burned after each voting round; black smoke that snakes out of the chimney means no pope has been chosen, while white smoke means a pope has been elected.

“If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the duties of his office, then he has a right, and under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign,” Benedict said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly referred as the Mormon Church) also has an ecclesiastical leader whom members revere as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. The idea of a prophet being on the earth today, and especially during these desolate and turbulernt times in which we live, should not be a new concept to anyone. Scriptures clearly teach us that God, our Heavenly Father, is immovable and unchangeable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

God has always had prophets on the earth. Throughout history, He has had chosen prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others, to teach and preach the gospel, and to direct His Church. In the Holy Bible, in the Old Testament book of Amos, who was also a prophet of God, are recorded the words, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7.) If God called prophets in ancient times, would it not then make sense that He would call a man of God to be His prophet – His mouthpiece upon the earth – at this hour?

Joseph Smith (1805–1844) was the first prophet of our time. The current Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is 85-year-old Thomas Spencer Monson. He is the same age as Pope Benedict XVI. He has been the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ for the past 5 years, since 3 February 2008, after the passing of former Prophet and President, Gordon B. Hinckley. He is assisted by two counselors—Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Together, they make up the First Presidency of the Church. Just as God led the children of Israel out of slavery and bondage to a better land through His prophet Moses, today He leads His children into more happier, and more peaceful lives when they choose to follow His living prophet.

The Church News published an online message from President Thomas S. Monson on 1 February 2013 in which he personally reflects on five years of service as Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his message he also emphasized the need for members to go to the “rescue” of others. The following is an excerpt from his message:

This year will mark 50 years since I was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I was 36 years old when that call came. Last August I celebrated my 85th birthday. Some of the senior members of the Quorum of the Twelve have a few years even on me. Age eventually takes its toll on all of us. However, we join our voices with King Benjamin, who said, as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Mosiah, “I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen … and consecrated by my father, … and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me” (Mosiah 2:11). Despite any health challenges that may come to us, despite any weakness in body or mind, we serve to the best of our ability. I assure you that the Church is in good hands. The system set up for the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve assures that it will always be in good hands and that, come what may, there is no need to worry or to fear. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we follow, whom we worship, and whom we serve, is ever at the helm.

The Head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who has called Thomas S. Monson to be His prophet at this time. It is a calling from which he will not be released until the time of his death, the same as those who served as God’s prophets before him. Realizing the mantle that has been bestowed upon him by the Lord Himself, President Monson continues to look to Him as a source of constant strength to be able to do those things which he has been called to do. The idea of resigning from his calling is not something that he would ever consider, regardless of life’s circumstances. He is on the Lord’s errand and is determined to do the will of the Master.

The special presentation “Mormon in America” was divided into several segments. The first segment was titled “Mormon Inc.” and discussed reasons why Mormons are so successful in business noting that from Dell to Marriott to Jet Blue, all of these businesses have been led by Mormon businessman. One of the things that was pointed out during this segment of the program is the impact that serving a two year voluntary mission for the Church of Jesus Christ seems to have on young men in preparing them to enter the business world. During their time in the mission field, these young missionaries learn how to deal with rejection and how to persevere in spite of that rejection. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they also understand what it means to “put their shoulder to the whell and push along.” They also understand and believe that they are their brother’s keeper and in many cases, Mormons who manage to climb up the corporate ladder often reach down to help other of their fellow Mormons. Jeff Benedict, who is a Mormon, wrote a book titled “The Mormon Way Of Doing Business: Leadership And Success Through Faith and Family” that describes what makes Mormons so successful in the business world. Benedict asserts that the most powerful influence in the lives of successful Mormon businessman is their mothers who groomed them at an early age. Hard work, discipline, perseverance, and thrift all seem to make up the DNA of Mormons.

The second segment of the program dealt with the early history of the LDS Church. One of the things that was discussed during this segment of the program was the Word of Wisdom, a code of health ethics whic Mormons live by and which they say makes them healthier and also helps to prolong life. As devout members, following the Word of Wisdom means that they do not drink coffe or tea, use tobacco products, use drugs, or drink alcohol. Mormons also abstain from pre-marital sex. Other topics that were discussed were Mormon temples and the fact that only those members who are deemed worthy are allowed to enter; tithing and that Mormons are expected to tithe ten percent of their annual income to the LDS Church; the Book of Mormon which Mormons testify is comparable to the Holy Bible and is the Word of God; genealogy and the work that Mormons do for their kindred dead; and the issue of “racism” which has plagued the LDS Church for centuries, as for a time, until a revelation was received by then President of the LDS Church, Spencer W. Kimball, members of the Black race were not allowed to hold the priesthood. This issue of “racism” is one that many faithful Black people struggle with today, preventing them from becoming members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The third segment of the program spoke to life in modern Mormon families. Some of the issues brought about by Mormon feminists such as women serving in leadership roles in the LDS Church were discussed. The fact is that Mormon women do hold leadership positions in the Church. Women in general are revered as special daughters of God, and are taught that the role that they play is as important as the role that their male counterparts play in being members of the priesthood. Women are in no way considered to be inferior to men in the LDS Church. Each member, whether male of female, has a work to do for the Lord. Another issue that was discussed was gay Mormons. Mormons are taught that Heavenly Father loves gay people, but it is the homosexual acts that he deplores. A gay Mormon can be an active member of the LDS Church and serve in leadership positions so long as he remains celibate.

The fourth segment of the special report talked about how Mormons believe in taking care of their own. An inside look was taken of a Bishops’ Storehouse, a virtual warehouse of supplies for those in need. Mormons realize that at any given time, any member could be found in need of assistance, and the LDS Church is there to help its members meet their needs. One of the blessings of the Bishops’ Storehouse is that there is no money exchanged for goods, and members are encouraged to volunteer their time and services in helping to maintain the warehouse. However, members are not just handed supplies everytime they have a need. The Church of Jesus Christ also teaches and helps each of its members to be self-sustaining and self-reliant.

By Keith Brown

There are some who have a basic understanding of what a Mormon, or Latter-day Saint (the proper name used for a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is, but even with that limited understanding there exists many myths that seem to overshadow the realities. Unfortunately, it is often the myths that people use, especially the news media, to formulate their opinions about this “peculiar” people known as Mormons. A prime example of this is the amount of errors that are found in media sources about the Church of Jesus Christ, its members, and what they believe, as the news media takes a keen interest in Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for President of the United States, who also just happens to be a Mormon.

With the fact that Romney could very well become the first Mormon President of the United States, it seems that it would prove more fruitful for the press to seek after the truth about Mormons and Mormonism to help dispel the myths, and to give the populace a better understanding of what the LDS Church actually believes and teaches. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is by going directly to the source, that is, talking to actual Latter-day Saints and getting the facts first hand.

Basic Mormon Beliefs

Perhaps beginning with a reason as to why Latter-day Saints are commonly referred to as Mormons will help clarify a few of the myths that exist. The name “Mormon” is derived from the fact that in addition to the Holy Bible, which Latter-day saints revere as sacred scripture, they also use another volume of scripture known as The Book of Mormon which they believe and testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Mormons further testify that the book was translated from an ancient record. That translation was performed by Joseph Smith, who was chosen to be the instrument in the Lord’s hands to bring about the fulness of the everlasting gospel in these the latter days. Of Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints testify that he was indeed a prophet of God. At the young age of 14 years, after reading the verse in the Bible found in James 1:5, he decided to seek an answer to all of the religious confusion of the day. As he knelt in a grove of trees not far from his home, he was visited by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He was instructed to join none of the churches, and was also given other instructions. This is known as Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Concerning the Book of Mormon, Mormons believe that the book does not in any way attempt to detract from the Bible, but rather it enhances those teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that are taught in the Bible and enlightens their understanding of gospel truths. Mormons testify that both the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible are the Word of God, and that both volumes of sacred writ testify of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the tremendous love that He has for all of His children. As part of their religious studies, Mormons also use two other volumes of scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants (which contains revelations given from the Lord to Joseph Smith concerning various matters in helping him to govern the Church of Jesus Christ), and the Pearl of Great Price.

One of the main reasons that many people feel that Latter-day Saints are not Christian is because of the use of these other scriptures, and in particular, the Book of Mormon, which most are familiar with. Many believe and feel that because Mormons do not use the Bible solely as their source of Christ’s teachings, then they do not teach and preach the same Christ as mainstream christianity. However, if a person takes careful note, he will see that even the very name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, bears the name of the Savior and is a testimony to the world of whom Latter-day Saints honor, revere, adore, and worship.

Another issue of Mormon doctrine that mainstream christianity disagrees with is that Mormons do not believe in or teach the trinitarian concept of the Godhead. Mormons do, however, believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. They believe that these three members of the Godhead are separate and distinct personages who are one, but one in purpose and mission. Mormons further believe that the Father and the Son have glorified bodies of flesh and bone, but the Holy Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bone.

Mormons also believe that God has living prophets on the earth today who are the mouthpiece of God to lead, instruct, and direct His people in the way that they should go, just as prophets of old were called to do. The present prophet is Thomas S. Monson, the President of The LDS Church. In addition, Mormons believe that the heavens are still open, and that God still speaks to His people today, just as He always has.

Latter-day Saints strive to live their lives according to the doctrines and precepts of the gospel with an “eye single to the glory of God.” They are not perfect, but they are striving to become perfect, even as the Father in Heaven is perfect. They know that as they are faithful and obedient, and endure to the end, that one day they will return to the loving arms of the loving Father who awaits to welcome them home, and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

The Mormon Lifestyle

Who are the Mormons? They are really no different than any other people who live in any given  neighborhood. They raise their families based on gospel principles, and so their standards of living are a little higher than some others. They don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or indulge in drugs. They strive to live chaste, pure lives, abstaining from things such as premarital sexual relationships. In fact, they do not date until the age of 16. They work in vocations similar to other people, and are influential in the communities in whicch they live. They attend schools and universities the same as other students, and attend worship services on Sunday.

If a person would take the time to get to know who Mormons really are, and what they truly believe, he or she may discover that they are not so “peculiar” after all.