Dallin H. Oaks Speaks at Harvard Law School
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, spoke at Harvard Law School on 26 February 2010. This speech was part of the annual Mormonism 101 series. In the talk, Elder Oaks addressed a number of basic principles of Mormonism, explaining that a survey showed few people really knew anything at all about Mormons, and what they did know was wrong or misunderstood. “My object is to illuminate several premises and ways of thinking that are at the root of some misunderstandings about our doctrine and practice. We Mormons know that our doctrines and values are not widely understood by those not of our faith. This was demonstrated by Gary Lawrence’s nationwide study published in his recent book, How Americans View Mormonism. Three-quarters of those surveyed associated our Church with high moral standards, but about half thought we were secretive and mysterious and had “weird beliefs.”[1] When asked to select various words they thought described Mormons... Read the rest of this entry »
Relief Society Offers Leadership Experience for Mormon Women
March 17th is the anniversary of the Relief Society, one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the United States. From its beginnings as an organization to assist women in serving others, it has also allowed women to gain a wide range of skills, including leadership skills. The Relief Society today is headed by Julie B. Beck, born in Utah. She spent much of her childhood, until age nine, in Brazil, where her father served as a mission president. She has a degree from Brigham Young University. Today, she leads the Relief Society for the entire international church, serves on the Church Board of Education and the Boards of Trustees of Church schools and universities; and is on the executive and general councils for Welfare and the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church. Sister Beck is assisted by two counselors. Her first counselor is Silvia H. Allred, who was born and raised in El Salvador. Sister Allred attended the University of Arizona, Brigham Young University, and the... Read the rest of this entry »
LDS Church Assists Haitians After Earthquake
On January 22, 2010, the leadership of the Mormons appealed to their members around the world to assist in the humanitarian work in Haiti. The church has been an active participant in the work being done there, but they expect to be working there for at least a year, and more funding will be needed. “Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.” (First Presidency Statement on Haiti) Funds for humanitarian work come from a separate department of the Church of... Read the rest of this entry »
Program for Mormon Teen Girls Gets a Makeover
Mormon girls ages twelve to eighteen have a special program called Personal Progress. Similar to a Scouting program, it teaches girls to prepare for life in whatever form their society requires without taking from them their femininity and their place as a daughter of God. They learn they can get a good education and prepare for a career, but still plan to become traditional wives and mothers, whose educations will either prepare them to support a family if they must, or allow them to share their knowledge with their children. They can live in a world that celebrates immorality, but hold on to virtue as a guiding principle, supported by other girls and women who share their values. Mormon girls aren’t tucked away in a sheltered community, but are part of their world, but on their own terms. This year, the program for the Young Women has been given a modern make-over. The new book that guides them is pink, to remind them to celebrate their femininity and to help them hold onto their sacred... Read the rest of this entry »
40,000 People Learn Job Skills Through Perpetual Education Fund
In December, 2009, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes called Mormons, announced that 40,000 people had so far been helped by a unique program known as the Perpetual Education Fund. The program began in 2001, the brainchild of former Mormon president Gordon B. Hinckley. 3323 President Hinckley noticed that young people from developing nations grew tremendously during their missions. Young men who are at least nineteen and young women who are at least twenty-one can choose to serve missions for the church. Men serve for two years, and women serve for eighteen months. They are sent to a place far from home that the church selects. These young people often learn a new language. They are given training in a variety of skills that can translate into job skills, including leadership and motivational skills. They learn proper grooming and learn to look and act professionally. However, when they returned home to their villages, they were unable to put those... Read the rest of this entry »
New Gospel Principles Manual Teaches About Mormons
The Mormons—a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—have released a new edition of Gospel Principles. This lesson manual is designed for both classroom and personal study. Adults who are visiting a Mormon Church in order to learn more about Mormons and those who are new members use this as a Sunday School textbook to learn the basics of Mormon beliefs before moving into the regular, more advanced Sunday School class. It can be read online at no cost and without registration, making it an inexpensive and organized way to learn the essential teachings of the Mormons as taught to their own members. Read Gospel Principles. The book takes you systematically through the teachings of the Mormons and through life as seen by God. Readers begin by learning about God in the first lesson. They learn who He is and what our relationship to Him is. In the second lesson, they learn where they were before they were born and what amazing experiences happened there. In the third... Read the rest of this entry »
The Mormon Ethic of Civility
Joining with other religious voices in recent weeks, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are informally called Mormons, issued a statement on civility. Titled “The Mormon Ethic of Civility,” it called for an 100 increase in moderation, respect, and reason in our lives, particularly in the political arena. The political world is astir. Economies are faltering. Public trust is waning. Individuals feel vulnerable. And social cohesion wears thin. Meanwhile, stories of rage and agitation fill our airwaves, streets and town halls. Where are the voices of balance and moderation in these extreme times? The Church called on members and others to return civility to all aspects of their lives, working together in a spirit of cooperation to resolve the challenges the world is facing. They remind each person that Jesus taught us to treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated and that we are commanded to love one another and to act in love. Mormon leaders acknowledge... Read the rest of this entry »
Finding Hope
God never promised life would be easy. In fact, trials are one reason we were sent here to live on earth. Through our trials, we learn to trust God and to 3524 turn to Him for comfort and hope. A new website by the Mormons offers counsel and inspiration for those seeking to hold on to hope in the most difficult of circumstances. Finding Hope offers this promise to visitors: Finding hope in Jesus Christ sustains us through times of difficulty and despair, teaching us there is reason to rejoice even when darkness seems to surround us. The website opens with a video of a talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, an apostle of the Lord and a counselor to the Mormon prophet, called The Infinite Power of Hope. He teaches that we learn to have faith and hope gradually, a step at a time. We can learn to trust that our prayers will be answered. He reminds us that the atonement of Jesus Christ offers hope to even the bleakest moments, and can bring us joy. President Uchtdorf understands the power of hope.... Read the rest of this entry »
New LDS Edition of Spanish Bible
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are informally known as Mormons, has released a new edition of the Bible in Spanish. This edition is based on the public domain edition of the one hundred year old Reina-Valera translation of the Bible. Minor edits were made to update grammar and to make more clear words that have taken on new meanings in the past century and alterations were made for words that have developed offensive meanings. This edition contains footnotes and headings pertaining to LDS doctrine and includes cross-references to LDS scriptures and resources. This improves its usefulness as a study tool for Mormons, and also aids non-Mormons who wish to study the Bible as the Mormons see it. It also allows church classes to function more effectively since previously each member had a different translation, making Sunday School classes on the Bible very complicated. The entire process took about five years, due to the sacred nature of the work and the need... Read the rest of this entry »
ExMormon – Members who leave the Mormon Church
In the strictest sense, the word exmormon simply refers to someone who chose to end his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the Church are sometimes referred to informally as Mormons, and so an ex-mormon is a former Mormon. However, the term is more commonly used to refer not to people who simply left and moved on, but to those who then devote themselves to attacking the church. 3223 There are many reasons a person might do this. While most people who leave a religion—any religion—simply join a new one or abandon organized religion and go about their new lives quietly, a few feel a need to attack and to demonstrate hatred for the life they left behind. Some who do this had a disagreement with another member or with a leader. Some objected to counsel given to them by a leader. These people find themselves unable or unwilling to forgive or to resolve the matter in an amicable and Christ-like manner and as a result, organize their new life around... Read the rest of this entry »