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. Read the rest of this entry » Read More →
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
At the World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Aug. 12, 2009, Russell M. Nelson spoke to the delegates about the importance of the traditional family. Elder Nelson is an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes informally referred to as Mormons. He said, “Dear friends, future happiness and even the future of nations is linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society. We simply must value children more than we do! Without a new generation to replace the old, there is no wealth; without families, there is no future.” The traditional family is a fundamental principle of Mormonism. Mormon beliefs center around Jesus Christ as the head of the church, and the family as the fundamental building block of society. Children learn their first values from their parents, and parents should always be the primary teachers of values. Churches and other organizations can only support... Read the rest of this entry »
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as Mormons, are transcribing and putting online a large number of Swedish records, constituting the largest indexing project they have undertaken. The final project will put 200 years of parish records online to assist genealogists in their research. This is a critical project because almost 905 every Swedish person since 1608 has had a church record. When the record is complete, genealogists will be able to search some 400 million names at no cost. The original records will be available through a private firm, which may charge, but the transcribed records will be available through the Mormons free. The work will be done by Swedish-speaking volunteers, both Mormon and non-Mormon who care about genealogy. In 2008, the Church launched its online indexing program, in which volunteers spend a half hour or more each week as they’re able indexing various genealogical records, including census records and vital records. Volunteers... Read the rest of this entry »
The Pew Forum, which is not affiliated with the Church in any way, did a study of Mormons in the United States. One aspect of Mormons in their personal lives involved their feelings about and relationships with God. The study found that every Mormon surveyed believed in God, which was higher than any other religion previously 334 surveyed. In addition, nine out of ten were absolutely certain of God’s existence. Ninety-one percent of Mormons believe God is someone you can have a relationship with. All these figures are well above the normal for other groups. What is it about the Mormons that makes them so likely to believe in God in a very personal way? One reason Mormons have a high rate of belief in God is that much time is spent teaching children and investigators of the church about God, and about how to find out if He is real. Those new to the faith, whether due to age or experience, are taught that they can pray to God and receive an answer to their sincere questions. They are taught... Read the rest of this entry »
It’s a meeting of two presidents today, one the head of the United States of America and the other the international leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are often called Mormons informally. President Monson will present President Obama with a four-volume history of his family, a gift commonly prepared for presidents and for many other world leaders. A meeting with church leaders was originally scheduled earlier in the year. However, when President Hinckley, who was then president of the Church, died, the funeral was scheduled for the same day as President Obama’s trip to Utah. President Obama respectfully bowed out of the meeting, although his wife came for a visit with church leaders later on. When President Obama was inaugurated, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the church. President Uchtdorf said afterwards, “”It was a great experience... Read the rest of this entry »