Answer:
Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said:
"A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families, with parents who teach their children principles and values that are positive and affirmative and will lead them to worthwhile endeavors. That is the basic failure that has taken place in America. And we are making a tremendous effort to bring about greater solidarity in families. Parents have no greater responsibility in this world than the bringing up of their children in the right way, and they will have no greater satisfaction as the years pass than to see those children grow in integrity and honesty and make something of their lives, adding to society because they are a part of it."
Saturday, April 14, 2007
The Presidency’s Mormon Moment
In its 9 April edition, The New York Times ran an opinion editorial by Kenneth Woodward entitled “The Presidency’s Mormon Moment.” Writing primarily about the presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney, Mr. Woodward noted the “stumbling block” that Mr. Romney’s religious faith might be.
“Although with 5.6 million adherents Mormonism is the nation’s fourth-largest denomination,” Mr. Woodward wrote, “57 percent of respondents to a recent CBS poll said they know little or nothing about Mormon beliefs and practices.”
That irony — being large and still largely misunderstood — recalls an experience following Hurricane Andrew. One local official thanked the many who helped in the cleanup, including members of the Mormon Church and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thankful for the help, the official didn’t realize those helping hands came from the same denomination.
Mr. Woodward’s column and the hurricane experience hit upon a reality in America. Polls show considerable “ignorance” about the Church of Jesus Christ, while Mormons feel the church they belong to is not the same church they often hear and read about. This unfortunate reality need not persist.
Mr. Woodward’s observations about Mormons include a certain “clannishness” and lack of close friendships with non-Mormon neighbors, due, in part, to their being so “busy.” It’s true that many Mormons are busy — they volunteer at church and try to spend time with family members. They probably don’t know all of their neighbors as well as they’d like. And they’ve heard their own Church president caution them against being “clannish” or holding any kind of “holier-than-thou” attitude.
They also know the dilemma of being “perceived as unusually secretive” about temple ceremonies. From the outside, Mormon temples can appear “secretive.” From the inside, faithful Mormons know temple worship to be sacred. Such worship is indeed uncommon — there is little in society that is so private and even less that can be considered holy. Mormons won’t discuss the details of temple worship, but they’ll certainly explain what the experience means to them and how it informs their lives.
On the other hand, they’re fully aware that anyone can visit — and in fact anyone is invited to attend — any Sunday service in the 27,475 congregations around the world.
Do Mormons “speak one way among themselves, another among outsiders,” as Mr. Woodward observes? Many probably do. Visitors to a Sunday service, for example, will almost certainly hear religious beliefs and doctrines expressed in ways unfamiliar to them. Fair enough. It's having a conversation that counts. Both sides — Mormons and non-Mormons — should be aware of the need to listen carefully and to explain and clarify the terms of their beliefs. Conversation and dialogue are welcome.
But there remain the weightier matters. Mr. Woodward thinks “Americans distrust the Mormon church.” The polls suggest he is right. On the other hand, some Mormons think 150-year-old stereotypes — like polygamy, which the Church discontinued over a century ago — still obscure who they are and the life they live. They’re right too.
Mr. Woodward squarely addresses both a stereotype and the potential distrust that could result. Some might fear the president of the Church — regarded by members as a prophet — might have too much political influence, as with earlier concerns about the pope and the Catholic Church. Mr. Woodward simply proposes to “review the church’s record.” There are many prominent Mormon office holders with divergent political views, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Orrin Hatch. Mr. Woodward correctly notes “there is no evidence that church authorities have tried to influence any of these public servants.”
He seems to be suggesting, at least in this case, that fears and concerns will work out with experience, accurate information and patience.
History will have to determine if this will be the “Mormon moment in presidential politics.” But whatever the political outcome, there is the opportunity for distrust and stereotypes to yield to understanding.
“Although with 5.6 million adherents Mormonism is the nation’s fourth-largest denomination,” Mr. Woodward wrote, “57 percent of respondents to a recent CBS poll said they know little or nothing about Mormon beliefs and practices.”
That irony — being large and still largely misunderstood — recalls an experience following Hurricane Andrew. One local official thanked the many who helped in the cleanup, including members of the Mormon Church and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thankful for the help, the official didn’t realize those helping hands came from the same denomination.
Mr. Woodward’s column and the hurricane experience hit upon a reality in America. Polls show considerable “ignorance” about the Church of Jesus Christ, while Mormons feel the church they belong to is not the same church they often hear and read about. This unfortunate reality need not persist.
Mr. Woodward’s observations about Mormons include a certain “clannishness” and lack of close friendships with non-Mormon neighbors, due, in part, to their being so “busy.” It’s true that many Mormons are busy — they volunteer at church and try to spend time with family members. They probably don’t know all of their neighbors as well as they’d like. And they’ve heard their own Church president caution them against being “clannish” or holding any kind of “holier-than-thou” attitude.
They also know the dilemma of being “perceived as unusually secretive” about temple ceremonies. From the outside, Mormon temples can appear “secretive.” From the inside, faithful Mormons know temple worship to be sacred. Such worship is indeed uncommon — there is little in society that is so private and even less that can be considered holy. Mormons won’t discuss the details of temple worship, but they’ll certainly explain what the experience means to them and how it informs their lives.
On the other hand, they’re fully aware that anyone can visit — and in fact anyone is invited to attend — any Sunday service in the 27,475 congregations around the world.
Do Mormons “speak one way among themselves, another among outsiders,” as Mr. Woodward observes? Many probably do. Visitors to a Sunday service, for example, will almost certainly hear religious beliefs and doctrines expressed in ways unfamiliar to them. Fair enough. It's having a conversation that counts. Both sides — Mormons and non-Mormons — should be aware of the need to listen carefully and to explain and clarify the terms of their beliefs. Conversation and dialogue are welcome.
But there remain the weightier matters. Mr. Woodward thinks “Americans distrust the Mormon church.” The polls suggest he is right. On the other hand, some Mormons think 150-year-old stereotypes — like polygamy, which the Church discontinued over a century ago — still obscure who they are and the life they live. They’re right too.
Mr. Woodward squarely addresses both a stereotype and the potential distrust that could result. Some might fear the president of the Church — regarded by members as a prophet — might have too much political influence, as with earlier concerns about the pope and the Catholic Church. Mr. Woodward simply proposes to “review the church’s record.” There are many prominent Mormon office holders with divergent political views, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Orrin Hatch. Mr. Woodward correctly notes “there is no evidence that church authorities have tried to influence any of these public servants.”
He seems to be suggesting, at least in this case, that fears and concerns will work out with experience, accurate information and patience.
History will have to determine if this will be the “Mormon moment in presidential politics.” But whatever the political outcome, there is the opportunity for distrust and stereotypes to yield to understanding.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Happy April 6th!!!
Today is the 177th anniversery of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!
In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith went into a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York, and prayed to learn which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him, just as heavenly beings had appeared to prophets like Moses and Paul in biblical times. Joseph learned that the Church originally organized by Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth.
Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. During the next 10 years, Joseph was visited by other heavenly messengers, translated the Book of Mormon, and received authority to organize the Church. The Church was organized in Fayette, New York, on 6 April 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith. It has grown to an organization with members and congregations throughout the world.
Learn More at Mormon.org
In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith went into a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York, and prayed to learn which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him, just as heavenly beings had appeared to prophets like Moses and Paul in biblical times. Joseph learned that the Church originally organized by Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth.
Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. During the next 10 years, Joseph was visited by other heavenly messengers, translated the Book of Mormon, and received authority to organize the Church. The Church was organized in Fayette, New York, on 6 April 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith. It has grown to an organization with members and congregations throughout the world.
Learn More at Mormon.org
What is the purpose of life?
Have you ever thought there must be something more to life than just living day to day?
There is—much more. Your life has a divine purpose.
God, your Heavenly Father, has prepared a marvelous plan for your happiness. When you realize that God has a plan for you, it is easier to understand why you are on this earth. God wants all of His children to progress and become more like Him. This time on Earth provides opportunities for you to grow and progress. Coming here allows you to:
* Receive a physical body.
* Exercise agency and learn to choose between good and evil.
* Learn and gain experience that will help you become more like your Heavenly Father.
By following our Heavenly Father’s plan, you—like all of His children—can someday return to live with Him and with your loved ones. You can have greater peace in this life and eternal joy in the life to come.
Learn More
There is—much more. Your life has a divine purpose.
God, your Heavenly Father, has prepared a marvelous plan for your happiness. When you realize that God has a plan for you, it is easier to understand why you are on this earth. God wants all of His children to progress and become more like Him. This time on Earth provides opportunities for you to grow and progress. Coming here allows you to:
* Receive a physical body.
* Exercise agency and learn to choose between good and evil.
* Learn and gain experience that will help you become more like your Heavenly Father.
By following our Heavenly Father’s plan, you—like all of His children—can someday return to live with Him and with your loved ones. You can have greater peace in this life and eternal joy in the life to come.
Learn More
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