The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) was first recognized as a part of the Boy Scouts of America in 1913. The scouting program in The Church of Jesus Christ functions to provide leisure-time activities for the young men of the Church, with a spiritual and cultural emphasis. At the close of 2010, the LDS Church’s involvement in Scouting consisted of: 142,085 Cub Scouts in 10,345 packs; 205,990 Boy Scouts in 19,285 troops, and 64,645 Venturers in 8,298 crews.

Incorporated within scouting for LDS youth is a program known as the Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God program which enables young men to accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. In addition to the skills that they learn and obtain as scouts, the Duty to God program helps them to develop skill sets and character attributes that will be needed in order to achieve success in life. Young men work with their parents and priesthood leaders to set and accomplish goals leading to the Duty to God Award.

Gay Mormon Youth and the Boy Scouts of America

The Church of Jesus Christ has long advocated that a young man’s sexual orientation has never been, nor is it at present, a deterrent for a young man to be a member of an LDS scout troop. That is not to say, however, that The Church of Jesus Christ condones homosexual behavior. A young man’s membership in the scouting program is predicated upon his abstaining from pre-marital sex relationships.

Church of Jesus Christ Supports BSA’s Decision to Lift Ban on Gay Youth

Just one short month ago, Church leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ stated that the support of the BSA’s proposed decision to lift the ban on gay youth was in the affirmative. That stance has not shifted one degree to the left or to the right, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Thursday, 23 May 2013, issued an official statement in support of the BSA’s resolution to lift the ban on gay youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America. The statement that was issued reads as follows:

For the past 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong relationship with Boy Scouts of America, based on our mutual interest in helping boys and young men understand and live their duty to God and develop upright moral behavior. As the Church moves forward in its association with the Boy Scouts of America, Church leaders will continue to seek the most effective ways to address the diverse needs of young people in the United States and throughout the world.

The Church’s long-established policy for participation in activities is stated in the basic instructional handbook used by lay leaders of the Church: “young men … who agree to abide by Church standards” are “welcomed warmly and encouraged to participate” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 8.17.3). This policy applies to Church-sponsored Scout units. Sexual orientation has not previously been—and is not now—a disqualifying factor for boys who want to join Latter-day Saint Scout troops. Willingness to abide by standards of behavior continues to be our compelling interest.

These standards are outlined in the booklet For the Strength of Youth and include abstinence from sexual relationships. We remain firmly committed to upholding these standards and to protecting and strengthening boys and young men.

The Church appreciates BSA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to “duty to God,” which includes service to others and moral behavior—central principles of our teaching to young men. As in the past, the Church will work with BSA to harmonize what Scouting has to offer with the varying needs of our young men. We trust that BSA will implement and administer the approved policy in an appropriate and effective manner.

Additional Resources:

Duty to God Program: Fundamental to Scouting

What Mormons Believe

Mormons and Gays

Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is quoted as having said, “A man who is full of the love of God is not content with blessing his family only, but thinks about all of the people in the world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 4, pg. 227.) The prophet also taught, “After all that has been said, our greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel.” (Joseph Smith, TPJS, pg. 113.)

The most viable way that members of The Church of Jesus Christ can effectively bless the lives of all humanity is by preaching the gospel, not only in word, but also in deed. Some may feel that the responsibility of preaching the gospel rests only with full-time proselyting missionaries, but the truth is that every Latter-day Saint has a significant part to play, and can indeed be a blessing to all of humanity through the giving of the time, talents, and abilities of which they have been blessed. Some may also feel that what they have to offer is not good enough or is insignificant. Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15^th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed that concern and exhorted,

Cultivate the light you have within you, and it will shine through as a radiant expression that will be seen by others.

You need never feel inferior. You need never feel that you were born without talents or without opportunities to give them expression. Cultivate whatever talents you have, and they will grow and refine and become an expression of your true self appreciated by others (from The Light within You, Ensign, May 1995).

The Advent of Modern Technology and the Spreading of the Gospel

Throughout his lifetime, David O. McKay, the 9^th President of The Church of Jesus Christ, exhibited a great example of missionary work. He is well remembered as the Prophet of the Church that proclaimed “Every member a missionary!” [Emphasis added]

In today’s highly technological world, being a member missionary is easier than it has ever been. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ can perform effective missionary work without ever having to travel outside of the area where they reside. New technology is always emerging to assist members in presenting the gospel in a variety of ways.

One of the newest innovations in technology developed by the LDS Church is the “Create and Share Your Media Talents” section on LDS.org, the official website of the LDS Church. Through this newly developed section of the Church website, members are invited to share the gospel with others by sharing their talents through media such as photos, video content, and music that will be used in Church publications, as well as, by members of the Church worldwide. In turn, the media that members share will be able to be downloaded and used for teaching lessons, personal study, blogs, family home evening ideas, and other non-commercial gospel sharing efforts.

The website “Create and Share Your Media Talents” was launched two years ago, but the need for photos and other media still remains in high demand.

“The biggest need is for photos and that’s a constant need,” according to Scott Olson, the product manager over member engagement at the LDS Church’s headquarters. “We need pictures of people in front of temples. … We need pictures of families, parents and children doing activities. … We need people showing their culture and just international pictures are in high demand, to show that it’s a worldwide church.” [1]

Although everyone is welcomed to share their media, only high-quality media is accepted. The site offers training webinars on a monthly basis to provide members with insightful tips on how to take photos that will be acceptable for use in Church publications. There is also a photo challenge that is issued each week in which a topic is given and members are invited to submit photos that they believe fit the suggested topic. A downloadable list of photos that are currently needed is also provided.

According to Olson, hundreds of member-submitted photos have been used for the church websites since create.lds.org launched. “Many of them have been used to illustrate talks by the First Presidency … Many shots have been used by the temple department on the temple site pages. There’s even been member-submitted music used, for example, in an exhibit in the temple visitors’ center in Washington, D.C.”

Member-submitted photos have also appeared in several issues of church magazines. According to Olson, the December covers of the Ensign and the Liahona were both member-submitted photos, as well as the covers for the April New Era, Liahona and Ensign. [1]

Legal and copyright guidelines are also provided on the website for each particular medium. Members are invited to get actively involved and share their talents in the following areas: photos, music, video, design, writing, casting, and contests.

And so, every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can indeed become actively involved in missionary work, because as the prophet Joseph Smith declared:

The standard of truth has been erected; No un hallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

Create and Share Your Media Talents

Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of Mormonism

Natural disasters of any type, and of any magnitude are prone to strike at any given moment, and normally without any prior warning. Such calamities often result in leaving people in undue predicaments such as finding themselves homeless and unable to obtain the necessities to sustain life. In the aftermath, the weight of the burden of stress that many will bear is often accentuated by the sorrow that is felt because of the lives of loved ones and friends that have been claimed by the disaster that has occurred.

From Utah to Oklahoma – A Call to Action

Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank, a German-born Jewish girl from the city of Frankfurt, who wrote a diary while in hiding with her family and four friends in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II, is quoted as saying, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” This expression of compassion is often exemplified by those who respond to the call to action to aid and support those who have fallen victim to any unwarranted and unpleasant circumstances in life. It is during those moments that those who are willing to lend a hand to help another begin to realize, as Dalai Lama XIV once said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

An example of individuals who have a heart of compassion is the Rev. Myke Crowder, senior pastor of the Christian Life Center in Layton, Utah, and his son, Chris. In response to the storms which devastated parts of the Midwest this past week, Crowder is “soliciting donations so in two weeks he can travel to Moore, Oklahoma, to distribute envelopes containing $500 each to tornado victims in the area hardest hit.” [1]

Nolan S. Taylor, President of the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also among those who are rallying together to help those in need. The mission home is located in south Oklahoma, just three miles from where the tornado touched down in Moore, Oklahoma. He commented,

With everyone else, we grieve for the loss of life and the massive destruction that has taken place. But now we have a tremendous opportunity to serve, and our missionaries are very eager to help with the cleanup effort. I’ve asked them all to get some work boots and gloves. We’ll have boots on the ground as soon as we’re told where we’re needed. [1]

In the Service of Others

In the wake of the storm, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) responded by providing such necessities as temporary housing, generators, fuel, and water to those in need. Two congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma, joined hands with a neighboring Baptist congregation to provide water and other emergency supplies for members of a Baptist congregation in Moore, Oklahoma. As members of the LDS Church await further instructions as to how they can be of more service to the storm victims, they continue to do whatever they can to help ease some of the worry and stress that the victims are experiencing.

We don’t just rush in with our yellow ‘Helping Hands’ vests and start moving things around,” said President Kevin Graves of the LDS Church’s Oklahoma City Oklahoma Stake Tuesday afternoon. “There are specially trained teams in the area today, searching through the debris for survivors and stabilizing the area. The best thing we can do right now is stay out of their way. [1]

“The church has a representative on VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), and they tell him what they need from us and then he coordinates with our priesthood leaders to see what we can provide,” Graves said. “Clearly the LDS Church isn’t the entire solution here — we’re part of a much bigger effort. We reach in and offer whatever we can to help.” [1]

Assistance for the storm victims will also be given through the welfare system of The Church of Jesus Christ. The Church has storehouses full of food and supplies in adjacent states, and is able to deliver supplies where needed in an expeditious manner.

Our experience through the years has been that people really want to help in times of crisis, but they don’t really know how to respond,” Graves said. “So they start rushing in with food and clothes and water, and pretty soon you have more than you need and you have an impediment because you have to figure out how to deal with all of that.

By working with VOAD,” he continued, “we know exactly what is needed and we can provide help that really makes a difference in people’s lives. [1]

Meeting the Needs of Others – Both Temporally and Spiritually

Meeting the temporal, as well as, the spiritual needs of the people is Mission President Nolan Taylor’s objective. That objective remains at the forefront as he prepares 168 missionaries and 12 missionary couples to go to work wherever needed under the direction of local Church leadership. Taylor commented, “This is a time when faith needs to be built — and can be built — both through our service in the community as well as through our proselyting efforts.” [1]

Additional Resources:

What are Some Basic Mormon Beliefs?

Be a Good Citizen

Humanitarian Aid from the Mormon Church

Mormon Helping Hands in Chico, California

At the start of the 182^nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others), President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, announced the reduction in age requirements for those worthy young men and young women who desire to labor in the Lord’s vineyard by serving a full –time mission. Eligible young men may now serve a mission beginning at age 18, and eligible young women may serve beginning at 19 years of age. Young men will still serve a two-year mission, and young women will still serve an 18-month mission.

As a result of that church wide announcement “the Church reported that missionary applications had increased dramatically (from 700 applications per week to 4,000), with women comprising more than half of the applicants. While the number of post-announcement applications is still double what it has been in the past, the total number of men and women who have applied since October is now about equal.” [1] It is of noteworthy interest that prior to President Monson’s announcement, the missionary force of The Church of Jesus Christ was comprised of about 15 percent of young women.

The Missionary Program of The Church of Jesus Christ

They can be seen on the streets of major cities of the world, as well as in many of the smaller, rural communities. Their purpose and their mission is to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to bring believers into the fold by baptizing them in His name. With nearly 60,000 missionaries serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at any one time, most of whom are under the age of 25, serving in nearly 350 missions around the world, The LDS Church’s missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.

It should be noted that the decision of a young man or a young woman to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ is a personal choice. Serving a mission is strongly encouraged by Church leaders and parents, but it is not something that is commanded or demanded of young people. There are some young people who decide not to serve a mission for various reasons, and there are others who face the challenge of whether to attend college first, or to pursue a career prior to serving a mission. For some, the decision is easy, for they have been preparing to serve a mission from their youth, and so there is no question as to whether they will serve their mission first. For others, that decision is not necessarily an easy one.

President Monson, in the course of his remarks, regarding the new missionary service age requirements, stated, “I am not suggesting that all young men will — or should — serve at this earlier age. Rather, the option is now available based on individual circumstances, as well as upon a determination by local Church leaders.” [2]

It should also be pointed out that unlike some other Christian missionary programs, young men and young women of The Church of Jesus Christ who are called to serve a mission do not get to pick and choose where they wish to serve. But rather, “Missionaries receive their assignment from Church headquarters and are sent only to countries where governments allow the Church to operate. Missionaries do not request their area of assignment and do not know beforehand whether they will be required to learn a language.” [3]

The decision to serve a mission is based on faith and trust in the Lord, and those who serve, willingly go wherever the Lord needs them to go. Some may serve in missions not far from home, while some may serve in missions in lands far away. No matter where they are called to serve, they know that they are on the Lord’s errand.

Also, unlike some other Christian missionary programs, the Church of Jesus Christ does not fund the cost of an individual’s mission. Those wishing to serve a mission are expected to work and earn monies that will be used to help support them on their mission. Family members are also encouraged to lend monetary support in whatever way they can. The Church of Jesus Christ does, however, have a missionary fund which members can generously donate to, to help support those members who are called to serve a mission, but do not necessarily have the funds to support a mission.

How Mormon Youth Compare to Other Christian Youth

Needless to say the life of a Mormon teen though similar to other teens in some ways, is significantly different in other ways. For example, Mormon teens in many areas arise early each morning to attend a religion class prior to the start of the normal school day. This class, known as seminary, is where they are taught principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In an article in Christianity Today magazine, titled What Can Christians Learn from the Surge in Mormon Youth Missionaries? Greg Stier, founder and president of Dare 2 Share Ministries, and author of Firing Jesus commented:

Mormonism pushes its kids harder and takes them farther than even the most ardent Protestant youth ministry. Can you imagine a youth group that challenged each of its teenagers to meet at 6 a.m. every day of the school year to learn about Christianity? That’s exactly what Mormons do with their high-school students. We get excited if our teens gather around a pole at 7:15 a.m. to pray once a year. [4]

Stier also makes mention of the fact that a Mormon young man is ordained to the work of the ministry at the young age of 12. In comparison to other Christian teens, he notes, “When typical Christians graduate from high school, they grab their books and go off to a college dorm. When typical Mormons graduate from high school, they grab a bike pump and go on mission.” [4]. In a further observation he states:

Those high expectations pay off. Young Mormons know what they believe and why they believe it. They’ve hammered out their theology on evangelical doorsteps. Their hearts and minds have been steeled and sealed into Mormon orthodoxy through their intense commitment.

Maybe that’s why Mormons give more and work harder than their Christian peers. Maybe that’s why the religion is expanding while a majority of former Christian youth-group attendees are fleeing the church. [4]

Steir believes that Protestants should have higher spiritual expectations for their teens. He further believes that the Great Commission should be presented to them as the ultimate cause; that they should be encouraged to spread the message of the gospel at their schools on a daily basis; and that grace and love should be the motivating factors, not religious duty or pressure. He also believes that the Mormon perspective should be adopted, and that Protestant teens should be challenged with greater opportunities of service, outreach, and training to enable them to catch Christ’s vision and mission of building up His Kingdom here on earth. He urges fellow Protestants to “learn from Mormons and instill in our young people a passion for Christ and his cause—making disciples who make disciples.” [4]

Putting Christ First is the Key

Also in the Christianity Today article titled What Can Christians Learn from the Surge in Mormon Youth Missionaries?, John Divito a former Mormon, a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and administrator for the Midwest Center for Theological Studies in Owensboro, Kentucky contends that Mormon culture is founded on a worldview requiring works in order to gain eternal life. He quotes from a verse of scripture found in the Book of Mormon, which Latter-day Saints testify is ‘Another Testament of Jesus Christ’ and is comparable to the Holy Bible, in 2 Nephi 25:23, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” His defense is that this verse contradicts what is taught in the Holy Bible in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

His supposition, therefore, is:

“Mormon missionary work is critical to one’s eternal future. In light of this, we should not be surprised at the flood of applications that followed the LDS First Presidency’s announcement that it was lowering the minimum age requirement for missionaries. These young people are eager to serve so they can earn God’s favor through their faithfulness.” [4]

He does assert, however, that there is at a least a “cautionary” lesson that can be learned from the recent increase in the number of Mormon young men and young women answering the call to serve a mission. He states:

We call our children to be obedient, but don’t point them to Christ, who was obedient for us. We call them to godly living, but don’t direct them to Christ as the substitute for our ungodliness. So when we urge our young men and women to serve sacrificially at home and abroad, the call is too often separated from the gospel. We’ve functionally taught them that the Christian life depends on what they do rather than who they are in Christ. This leads either to pride (“I can do it!”) or to despair (“I can’t do it!”).

In Christ, we have the security and the strength to faithfully serve Him in love. May our youth go into the world and make disciples of all nations, having been reconciled to God and entrusted with the message of reconciliation. [4]

Be Motivated by His Grace

Kara Powell who is executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute, and teaches youth and family ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary, also commented in the Christianity Today article titled What Can Christians Learn from the Surge in Mormon Youth Missionaries? Her comments put the capstone on this topic of discussion. She stated:

Adolescence opens the curtain on a new season of questions for teenagers and emerging adults. Often standing at center stage among the questions that captivate young people is, “What can I do to make a difference?”

The Mormon Church’s missions program gives young people a vibrant stage on which to wrestle with that question and pin down answers. There is a God-given spark embedded in humankind that burns especially bright in adolescents’ developmental hunger to impact others. By lowering the age of eligibility for service, Mormon leaders have fanned the flame for teenagers eager to change the world around them.

The Mormon Church has found a powerful outlet for a young person’s desire to experience purpose and connection. If we as Christians can combine that desire with a sense of God’s extravagant grace, we may experience a similar surge of missions involvement among Christ followers of all ages. [4]

Additional Resources:

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Missionary Work

What Mormons Believe

Bringing your attention, friends, loved ones, of all faiths, to the UCAP Coalition Against Pornography’s upcoming conference in Salt Lake City, May 18th, 2013, 9 AM – 1 PM.

Since 2000, UCAP has worked to deliver training, instruction, and bring people together to combat the ills of pornography and its effects on individuals and families.  If you are struggling, or engaged in the desires to reduce the avalanche of pornography in your sphere, this conference may provide solutions, perspective, hope, and direction. Visit utahcoalition.org for more information.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) is the second fastest growing Church in the United States according to a report by the National Council of Churches. One of the primary focuses of the Church of Jesus Christ is its youth membership. At the end of December 2012, the First Presidency of the LDS Church issued a report stating that the total Church membership at that time was 14,782,473. Of that number, 391,680 youth, ages 14-18 were reported as being enrolled in seminary classes (religious education program for secondary students that is taught in conjunction with their daily educational curriculum.) Of those 391,680 youth, many are members of the Boy Scouts of America.

The LDS Church, Boy Scouts of America, and Same-Gender Attraction

The debate over whether to accept gays as both active Scouts and leaders in the Boy Scouts of America has been a longstanding one, with considerable deliberation on both sides of the issue.

In February 2013, after much discussion, it was decided that a resolution on the current policy of excluding gay members and leaders would not be voted on by the approximate 1,400 voting members of the national council until the annual meeting which will be held during the week of 20 May 2013 in Grapevine, Texas.

On Wednesday, 6 February 2013, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued an initial statement in response to the decision made by the Boy Scouts of America. The statement read, ““The Church is following this proposed policy change very closely. We believe the BSA has acted wisely in delaying its decision until all voices can be heard on this important moral issue.” Also on 6 February 2013, The Church of Jesus Christ issued a follow-on statement on the BSA decision, cautioning members to avoid speculation concerning the decision on the part of the Church.

The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in opposition to same-sex marriages. The Church teaches that marriage is ordained of God to be between a man and a woman. With that being said, Latter-day Saints do not shun or ostracize members who struggle with same-gender attraction, but rather, they openly invite those members to remain an active part of their congregations. They believe and teach that God loves all of His children equally and unconditionally, and that it is the engaging in homosexual acts that He deplores. In December 2012, the LDS Church launched a new website to address this issue.

The LDS Church Involvement in the Boy Scouts of America

Scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially recognized as part of the Boy Scouts of America in 1913. The Scouting unit within the LDS Church which is an integral part of the activities program, serves as an extension of both the home and the Church. Keeping in line with the overall mission of the BSA “to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law,” the LDS Church also includes the Duty to God program designed for the young men. As stated in the Church pamphlet For the Strength of Youth, the purpose of the Duty to God Program is “to strengthen a young man’s testimony and his relationship with God, learn and fulfill his priesthood duties, and apply standards.”

The LDS Church’s Official Statement on Boy Scouts of America Proposal

The BSA has recently announced its proposed decision to maintain the current membership policy for adult leaders, however, the ban on gay youth is to be lifted. The new proposal which has been accepted will go into effect 1 January 2014.

On Thursday, 25 April 2013, the Church of Jesus Christ responded that its leaders are satisfied with the decision that has been made. The following statement was issued:

For 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong, rewarding relationship with Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Recently, BSA has been reviewing a possible policy change in its standards for membership and leadership. Now that BSA has finished its review process and has proposed a resolution for consideration, the Church has issued the following statement:

Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’

While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.

The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the on-going dialogue including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.

We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.

Additional Resource:

What Mormons Believe

Saturday, April 27, 2013, is California’s statewide service day, in which thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (nicknamed ”Mormons”) coalesce with friends of other faiths in efforts to improve California’s communities. To become involved and find a project, visit mhhcalifornia.org.

View these comments and suggestions for participating:

Here are some of the California participants’ comments regarding “Mormon Helping Hands”–a global outreach of caring and community service, alleviating stress, assisting one another in times of need and emergency.

Pablo Paniagua ·

Coordinator/Director at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We in the Santa Ana South Stake have a major project at the Heritage Museum of Orange County. We will begin at 7am and conclude at 1:30pm we expect to have 180 people. We will paint, pour concrete, repair a wooden 150 covered walk way and many more. April 20, it’s our day. We are looking forward to an amazing experience.

Carmela Gonzalez ·

Owner-Operator at Social Media Services Santa Barbara, CA Stake-Carpenteria Ward, Santa Barbara Ward and El Camino (Spanish) Branch will be working together at Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. They will be planting, landscaping, and outdoor maintenace of the Gardens. The address there is 115 East Micheltorena St. in Santa Barbara and will go from 9-12am. Mesa Vista Ward will be working at San Marcos High School doing landscaping, and maintanence from 9-12am their contact is Lawrence Stehmeier at 570-4046 or coachstehmeier@gmail.com. El Camino (University) Ward will be at the Santa Barbara Zoo participating in the Zoo-to-Do work day from 8:30am to 1pm doing maintenance and upkeep at the zoo. Their Contact is Michael Gunson at mgunson@me.com. Goleta Valley Ward is working at the Stow House Property (the old train depot and museum) at 304 North Los Caneros Rd. Gole…See More

Blythe Boozer Passanando ·

This is something for the ENTIRE community— If you have found yourself looking at this and thinking, “I’m not Mormon!” It’s okay, you can still participate! This is an event to beautify our community and create unity. Come and help to clean grave markers, garden the grounds, and paint the necessary items at the East Lawn Memorial Park – Sacramento! Please come at 8:30a (or sooner) to sign up for your duty of choice…first come, first serve. **There will be a BBQ lunch served following the event**. Please invite family, friends, neighbors, and strangers to participate as we gather together to serve!

Most people know that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often inadvertently called the Mormon Church, sponsors family history research worldwide.  Mormons avidly search out their roots, and freely give of their time to help others do the same.  The church-sponsored website, FamilySearch.org, hosts billions of records that anyone may search.  Volunteers, both Mormon and friends of other faiths (or no faith) spend time on their computers copying hand-written documents into designated fields, so records can be digitized and shared.  Some who participate in “indexing” call the experience a satisfactory substitute for online gaming, and it’s a far better use of their time.

Over 585,000 people have volunteered their time so far.  In April 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ announced through Mormon Newsroom that one billion searchable records have been added in the last seven years.  Volunteers reside in 164 countries and territories. 

We’re impressed and amazed at what volunteers have accomplished in such a short amount of time,” said Mike Judson, manager of Indexing Workforce Development for FamilySearch. We believe there is potential to do the next billion much faster. Reaching the billion mark is definitely cause for celebration, but it is also a call to action.

Handwritten records come from all over the world, and often, organizations approach The Church of Jesus Christ for help digitizing their records.  There is no other volunteer force like this for the purpose of getting records into searchable online format.  Ellis Island, New York, where millions of immigrants were processed into America, is one such organization that enlisted the help of Mormon indexers to digitalize their records, now easily available for online search.  The Church also brings data for Family Search Indexing by extracting from records in the church storage facility at Granite Mountain in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake Valley. There are about 2.5 million rolls of microfilm stored there, and the Church constantly adds new genealogical data.

To participate in Family Search Indexing, go to www.familysearchindexing.org and create a profile.  You can be confident that there are volunteers who go over the work of indexers and catch mistakes.  If a record is illegible or difficult to see, you can turn it back in and try another one.  There is also a selection of languages and record types.  Indexers learn something about the people who show up on these records.  I was once indexing marriage records for a certain eastern American city in the early 1900’s.  One fellow showed up with a new wife every few years, after a series of divorces.  Fascinating.  I wanted to warn those ladies that he wasn’t the type to stay married very long.

Alert: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs your push-back, your voice to stop the flood of profanity and nudity on prime time “family?” television. The FCC recently announced it is considering dropping current broadcast decency standards that ban explicit profanity and “non-sexual” nudity.Please see the Action Item below this post to take action.

Violence, Nudity, Extra-Marital Sex

Children are watching an average of 28 hours of television nationally. Since many TVs and computers streaming TV programming are in their bedrooms (2/3), much viewing is unsupervised.

What’s the net, net?: By age 18, a U.S. youth will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence, according to the American Psychiatric Association–an increase of vulgarity (72 obscenities in 117 hours of ‘prime time’ TV, 8-9 PM), as if the muck isn’t deep enough already, and now, more nudity than ever.

Extra-marital, pre-marital and homosexual sexual relations are depicted in 8:1 ratio over marital relations (none of which should appear). The content as well as the deceptive ratings are unacceptable. (Parents TV; No Place For Your Kids, 2).

Nudity Up on TV by 6300%

A recent study by The Parent’s Television Council shows that nudity has increased 6300% in the last quarter. Findings include the following:

1.) During the 2011 – 2012 season there were 76 incidents of full nudity in 37 shows compared to 15 incidents in 14 shows the previous year. These numbers reflect a 407% increase in the amount of full nudity that aired in the 2011 – 2012 study period compared to the same time period the previous year.

2.) Almost 70% of the scenes that depicted full nudity during the 2011 – 2012 study period were in shows that aired before 9:00 pm and as early as 7:00 pm.In comparison, 50% of the full nudity scenes aired after 9:00 pm the previous year.

3.) Out of 76 instances of full nudity during the 2011 – 2012 study period, only 5 of those depictions occurred in shows that contained an “S” descriptor alerting parents of the explicit adult content. In other words, a young child was able to view 71 instances of almost full nudity on broadcast television during prime time without any warning to parents.

4.) Relative to full frontal nudity, one instance occurred during the 2010 – 2011 study period and by the same time the following year there were 64 instances of full frontal nudity that aired during prime-time broadcast programming. This represents a 6300% increase in full frontal nudity depictions within a one year period.

5). There was a 2700% increase in the use of blurring or pixilation to cover body parts in 2011 – 2012 compared to the previous year (n = 56 and n = 2 respectively).

6). During the 2010 – 2011 study period black bars/logos and/or conveniently placed objects in a scene were used to block the view of sexual organs from the viewer 87% of the time. In contrast, during the 2011 – 2012 study period 74% of the incidents of full nudity used blurring or pixilation to cover sexual body parts. The full body of flesh tones depicted during full body nudity scenes where sexual organs are blurred or pixilated could be perceived to be a closer simulation of complete frontal nudity given that the viewer is seeing all flesh tones.

Findings: Parents Television Council

File an FCC Complaint

Please Note: Current broadcast decency law prohibits expletives and nudity, even if brief or “fleeting.” The Supreme Court has upheld the law as constitutionally enforceable by the FCC, despite lawsuit attempts by networks NBC and FOX to overturn it.

Please share and invite others to do likewise. Comments will be accepted through the end of April. Email comments are not acceptable submissions to refute the proposal.

Steps to File FCC Complaint:

1. Go to http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/begin?procName=&filedFrom=X.

2. Enter the code “13-86″ in the “Proceeding Number” box and fill out the few remaining required fields.

3. Enter your comment in the text box provided and click “Continue.”

4. From there, review your comment and click “Confirm.”

Sample FCC Complaint:

I urge the FCC to reject all proposals that would allow for the broadcast of expletives and nudity on FCC-licensed stations, the loosening of the existing policy and set of indecency standards–regardless of the length of time such flashes, words, or scenes appear on the screen.

Coalition Against Pornography

While I’m here, I’ll also mention the Utah Coalition Against Pornography’s annual conference will be held on Saturday, May 18, in Salt Lake City. For more information, visit UtahCoalition.org.

Elder Harold Burke Peterson was a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 6 April 1972 until the time of his death on Sunday, 14 April 2013.

Eagle Scout, Seabee, Educator, Family Man

Peterson was born on 19 September 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was raised in Phoenix, Arizona where he eventually became an Eagle Scout. In 1940 he began attending Phoenix College, and in 1942 he joined the United States Navy. Having finished a course in civil engineering at the University of Oklahoma, he became a Seabee and worked on projects in the Pacific Ocean theater during World War II.

Following the war, he earned a Bachelor Degree from the University of Arizona and taught at the Utah State Agricultural College where he eventually earned his Masters Degree. Upon graduation, he worked with the United States Department of Agriculture in Phoenix, Arizona. And in 1955, he and two other Latter-day Saints founded a civil engineering firm, the Engineering Corporation of America.

He was married for time and eternity to Brookie Cardon in the Mesa Arizona Temple in 1947. Together they had five daughters.

Church Callings and Responsibilities

Before he was ever called to be a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Peterson served as both a Bishop and a Stake President in Phoenix, Arizona and later served as a regional representative for the Arizona Temple regions of Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe.

From 6 April 1972 until 6 April 1985 he served as the First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ to Victor L. Brown, the Presiding Bishop. He served in this capacity until 1985 when Brown was succeeded by Robert D. Hales. In April 1985, he was called by President Spencer W. Kimball to serve as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and served from 6 April 1985 until 2 October 1993 when he was granted General Authority Emeritus status by President Ezra Taft Benson. From 1985 until 1987, he served as the Temple President of the Jordan River Utah Temple. His wife, Brookie, served with him in the Jordan River Utah Temple as matron.

Final Address to the Church

Elder Peterson’s final general conference address came during the priesthood session of the October 1993 general conference of the church. In it he urged his listeners to stay away from immoral and illicit entertainment. In other general conferences he spoke about adversity, achieving harmony in the home and the power of prayer. [1]

“Listening is an essential part of praying,” he said in October 1973. “Answers from the Lord come quietly — ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient.” [1]

In Death His Counsel is Remembered

Just 4 short months after the passing of his beloved wife of 65 years, Brookie, Elder H. Burke Peterson passed away at his home in Bountiful, Utah, on Sunday, 14 April 2013, at the age of 89 years. In lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations to the LDS Missionary Fund.

Elder Peterson is remembered as saying in the 1982 October General Conference, “If our words are not consistent with our actions, they will never be heard above the thunder of our deeds.” [1]

He also once gave these words of counsel which we all would do well to heed:

The Man of Power is one who presides—

By persuasion. He uses no demeaning words or behavior, does not manipulate others, appeals to the best in everyone, and respects the dignity and agency of all humankind—men, women, boys, and girls.

By long-suffering. He waits when necessary and listens to the humblest or youngest person. He is tolerant of the ideas of others and avoids quick judgments and anger.

By gentleness. He uses a smile more often than a frown. He is not gruff or loud or frightening; he does not discipline in anger.

By meekness. He is not puffed up, does not dominate conversations, and is willing to conform his will to the will of God.

By love unfeigned. He does not pretend. He is sincere, giving honest love without reservation even when others are unlovable.

By kindness. He practices courtesy and thoughtfulness in little things as well as in the more obvious things. By pure knowledge. He avoids half-truths and seeks to be empathetic.

Without hypocrisy. He practices the principles he teaches. He knows he is not always right and is willing to admit his mistakes and say ‘I’m sorry.’

Without guile. He is not sly or crafty in his dealings with others, but is honest and authentic when describing his feelings.”

(H. Burke Peterson; 1986; from A Glimpse of Glory; (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft))

Additional Resources:

Elder H. Burke Peterson – Prayer: Try Again

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

The Utah Celebration of Marriage on March 26 attracted media coverage (here and here) and same-sex activists as well as hundreds of supporters of traditional marriage.

From the Deseret News story:

Even as the U.S. Supreme Court opened debate around marriage laws Tuesday, two different opinions converged in Utah’s Capitol rotunda. Supporters of Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act gathered for a night of music and speeches celebrating traditional marriage and families. 

But as the program got under way, they found themselves surrounded on all sides by banners and flags crying out in support of gay marriage. When seats for the concert filled up, Salt Lake residents Dominic and Jeana Jones stood on the sidelines, holding their two children in their arms. They came, they said, as an example of what they believe marriage and family should look like. 

“We’re trying to not redefine marriage,” Jeana Jones said. “It’s not just a valentine between two people. We respect people’s right to love whoever they love, but marriage is something more.”

Couldn’t make it to the celebration? Click here to watch for yourself what the amazing 13-year-old Amelia Summerhays, Sen. Margaret Dayton, Dr. Jenet Erickson, the Rev. Greg Johnson and others said in their speeches.

Courtesy of Sutherland Institute

Violence against women is not a new topic of discussion by any means. It is an everyday reality of life, and therefore is a topic of discussion that demands some sort of resolution.

On Wednesday, 6 March 2013, during a United Nations side event featuring the humanitarian outreach of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (mistakenly referred to as the Mormon Church by people of other faiths) to women worldwide, the executive director of LDS Charities, Sharon Eubank, stated, “Violence against women isn’t just physical, it can be structural.” She further commented:

If women don’t have access to health care because the roads are too dangerous, if they are turned away from care because they are too poor or too disabled, if there is no equipment to save their newborn, if no one believes girls need wheelchairs — they are bullied by a societal structure that is so much bigger and meaner than they have power to fight. [1]

During the past quarter-century, the Church of Jesus Christ has provided assistance to nearly 30 million people in 179 countries. The LDS Church hosted this event as part of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women. Featured speakers at the event included: Sharon Eubank, Ambassador Charles T. Ntwaagae, Botswana’s permanent representative to the United Nations, and Dr. Dennis C. and Nancy C. Hughes, LDS humanitarian medical trainers.

Eubank began her remarks talking about a humanitarian effort that predates LDS Charities. She spoke of the Salt Lake Valley in 1870, when inexperienced midwifery and home births contributed to a high infant mortality rate. She said,

A visionary woman named Eliza Snow went to the territory governor with a plan, requesting that six women be sent to the Eastern United States and trained in medicine. They would return and train others.

One 28-year-old woman, Ellis Shipp, left Salt Lake City for medical school. She was expecting a baby herself, found a job guarding the cadaver lab at night and studied by candlelight.

In 1879 she came back to Salt Lake City with a medical degree. Over her lifetime she delivered 5,000 babies. And she trained 500 midwives to be certified and licensed. She was the beginning of the drop of the infant mortality rate in (Utah). [1]

Ellis Shipp was an ordinary woman of 1879 who dared to do extraordinary things, and the work that she begun continues today. Eubank stated that the work of Shipp has evolved into the modern-day work by LDS Charities on neonatal resuscitation training. She further stated, “LDS Charities’ great strength — which may be unique in the world — is the organization’s ability to combine big vision and strategic multilateral relationships with grass roots voluntarism to tackle intractable problems.” [1]

Eubank noted that there are more than 1 million infants every year that die of asphyxia, and there are many doctors who know how to save these babies, but they do not have the necessary equipment to do so. In an effort to address this problem, LDS Charities donates medical equipment to hospitals, and couples such as the Dr. Dennis C. and Nancy C. Hughes train medical professionals. In 2012, LDS Charities trained 28,000 medical professionals in 48 countries. During the event, Dennis Hughes, using a training doll, demonstrated some of the equipment and training given to these professionals.

“We know our work is very valuable,” Nancy Hughes said. “The distribution of medical equipment through LDS Charities and the skills that are learned help babies live.” To those attending the United Nations conference, she added, “Our goals are your goals.” [1]

Ambassador Ntwaagae said Botswana is one of the countries that has, over the years, benefited tremendously from the support of LDS Charities — especially when it comes to wheelchair distribution. Later this year, Botswana will be among the first African countries to implement the newly released World Health Organization wheelchair-training curricula. The multiyear effort between the Botswana Ministry of Health and LDS Charities trains physical therapists and technicians to properly fit wheelchair recipients and then provides a variety of mobility aids for distribution. [1]

Eubank pointed out that there are 45 million people in the world who need wheelchairs but don’t have access to one. She added that men and boys get 70 percent of this equipment. “When we distribute wheelchairs we look for partnering organizations that have a commitment to address this gender bias,” she said. [1]

In expressing his appreciation for the years of support from LDS Charities, Ambassador Ntwaagae said:

This particular commitment has been very helpful in uplifting the lives of our vulnerable population, especially the women and children.

As a country, Botswana is committed to the concept of social inclusion and integration, including people with disabilities. However, we continue to face challenges in terms of a shortage of equipment. [1]

Eubank closed by asking those in attendance to work with her to “inoculate people at an early age against violence and the acceptance of violence because it is like a disease.” “We can commit that we will speak and learn ourselves and then train eight other people by our personal example,” she said. “We can find ways for inclusion and rehabilitation to bring people back into the mainstream of society. It is only in those skills that we have a clear road to be able to go forward in this way. It is important for every person in this room.” [1]

Latter-day Saint Charities

Recently a living apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yes, there really are living oracles of God in our very day! Ask us more, if you like.), Henry B. Eyring, shared some tender, powerful remarks about the mountains of adversity we climb in this life. Each of us has a story to tell, a time when the weight and burden seemed heavier than heavy, and almost crushing, when either the peace of the Savior and the reality of the atonement – the burden He carried for us — became even more intensely real and meaningful to us or we despaired of life, not knowing how to access Him. If you are standing alone, He beckons you, right now, every moment, to come unto Him.  If you don’t know how, contact us or someone who can guide you through.  You are a breath away from hope and from Him.  Ask Him if He is real and to manifest Himself to you.  That is real prayer—the outpouring of your soul . God is there. He delights in lifting and helping you and is not absentee, vague, obscure, distant or reluctant. It is often us who turn away, not Him.

Below this entry from a friend on her adversity and her struggles through a series of hurtful miscarriages, is a must-see video that encapsulates Elder Eyring’s remarks on the mountains of adversity some of us face, and overcoming through faith in Jesus Christ. God bless you in your journey.  These are more than pat answers and platitudes.  There is purpose in pain and there is relief and peace and hope and healing through faith in Jesus Christ.  Let us know if we can guide you along your path to happiness and to a knowledge of God’s restored gospel and Church.

Heartache and Hope

I have had as many miscarriages as babies born: four of each. After I survived a foreclosure and bankruptcy, I thought I could handle any trial that the Lord sent me. So He tested me, and boy, was I wrong. The financial trials were humbling, but the next wave of adversity hit me to the very core of my being.

I have always known when it was time to have a child. And, for the most part, I knew who was coming. I felt confident in the spiritual connection I had with my babies before they were born. My husband and I even chose their names before we ever had the first one. The first three came relatively easily. I had a miscarriage between the third and the fourth. That was heart-wrenching, but I got pregnant again within a few months. And I soon saw the reason for the delay in my son’s coming— the pregnancy I lost was due in July 2007; but in July 2007, we were in a state of transition and chaos. So it was a blessing.

In June 2009, my husband came to me and said, “It’s time to have another kid.” And I said, “Are you sure? Because I don’t feel that way at all.” But since this is not something that my husband usually does, I went to the Lord. And I got the same answer: It was time.

The Doctrine and Covenants is one of the books of scripture in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as the Mormon Church. Doctrine and Covenants 101:4-5 says, “Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son. For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified.”

For me, the chastening was about to begin.

It took a few months, but I became pregnant for the 6^th time. I lost the baby at the end of March, right before General Conference, the worldwide meeting for members of The Church of Jesus Christ (sometimes nicknamed “Mormons”). At this semi-annual gathering, or General Conference, the living prophet and apostles (!) speak to the members, and I felt the Holy Spirit as I listened to their counsel and teachings. I became pregnant again and lost the baby just in time for the October session of General Conference. The messages again brought me comfort during my time of distress. You can view these wonderful Conference messages at lds.org.

Almost a year later, I became pregnant for the 8^th time. I would not let myself get excited until I knew that this baby would live. When I had my first ultrasound, he was alive and moving but something felt wrong. I told myself that maybe I was just freaking out because of the previous two ultrasound experiences, but I wouldn’t get excited until I knew for sure. I prayed and begged the Lord to let my baby live. But in my heart I knew. When I went in to the doctor a few weeks later, there was no heartbeat. I was almost too numb from the pain to cry. I had been begging and pleading with the Lord to let my baby live. I could feel my child’s presence, and I knew he was there. And I felt when he was gone.

It was March again. The third loss in a row was two years after the first. My heart was broken. The pain was so raw that I felt numb, and I didn’t know how I was going to go on. I had put my heart and soul into trying to have another child. I knew it was time. I knew I had two more babies. Didn’t I always know when it was time? But I had just lost 3 babies, and maybe I didn’t have any more. I was distraught, desperate and depleted mentally, physically and spiritually. I didn’t know how I was going to take care of my family when all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and sob.

For me, the trial was twofold. Going through the first trimester of pregnancy over and over again felt like the movie “Groundhog Day.” I was exhausted physically, and my body was showing the signs. And spiritually, I really began to wonder where I stood with the Lord. I wondered if I was really receiving the personal revelation that I thought I was, why was everything going so horribly wrong?

Relief Society is the women’s organization of The LDS Church, and every year we have regional meetings. At that meeting, a woman spoke. Her words brought me comfort and peace. She talked of her health trials, and told a story of how she was trying to make dinner for her family when she was so weak she could barely stand up. So she decided to make spaghetti (or something like that… I don’t remember the specifics of the meal). She put the meat on the stove, turned it on, and was so weak she had to lie down on the floor and rest. And then she got up, stirred the meat, and put the boiling water on the stove. And then she lay down again. She repeated this over and over until she had finished making dinner. And her family was grateful. I realized that, little by little, I too could return to my family. I could start by making dinner. And playing games with the beautiful babies I did have. And slowly but surely, I could return.

This was also Easter time, and I didn’t want to spend the holiday at home. Also, I was mad at Heavenly Father and didn’t want to go to the temple. But I wanted to go to the Salt Lake Temple. That is one of my favorite places on earth. My grandma said we could stay at her house. We spent three days on Temple Square, taking our children to see the sights and basking in the warmth of the days and the Holy Spirit that resides there. I was free, for a time, of the sorrow and pain of my life. And I had fun with my family. My husband and I went to the Salt Lake Temple, and I felt the love of my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We went to the LDS Visitor’s Center on Temple Square and went to see the Christus statue. We stood at the feet of the Savior and showed our children the nail prints in His hands and feet, and I felt His love for me.

That was a year ago, and the year has not been easy for me. But, even though I didn’t realize it at the time, my healing began on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. My husband was inspired on that trip, and he bought me a replica of the Christus statue to put on our mantel, so that I could see the Savior watching over me.

The summer came and went, and October General Conference began. President Henry B. Eyring, the first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a talk titled “Where is the Pavilion?” He tells the story of his daughter-in-law, who had a similar trial. She finally asks the Lord to give her a divine errand. I realized that I needed the same thing. And so I prayed and asked the Lord what I should do. My youngest baby is going to kindergarten soon, and I will be home alone. The Lord did not answer my prayers with another baby. He still hasn’t. Instead, he led me to writing and editing opportunities—things that I love to do. He helped me to rediscover who I am. And he helped me see that I still matter to Him.

One of my favorite scriptures is in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Prophet Joseph Smith, who restored the gospel to the earth through the power of Jesus Christ, was in jail in Missouri in 1839. In Doctrine and Covenants 121:1, Joseph asks: “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” In verses 7-8 the Lord answers him, saying, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” And then, my favorite, in Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8, the Lord continues, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?”

That last sentence gets me every time. I know that I am not greater than the Son of God. And through His sacrifice, He knows how to succor me. And He will (and does) carry me through my darkest times.

This trial is not over for me. But there are some things that help me to get through. The first is the love of my Savior. I feel that love as I sincerely pray, read the scriptures and attend the temple. The second is the love of my family, specifically my husband. The first couple of times I lost my babies, I felt like I was the only one who cared. My husband finally said to me, “I am sad, too. I’m just trying to be the strong one.” To which I replied, “I feel so alone when you don’t tell me how you feel.” My husband has been my rock through this. He has stood by my side, and he has listened to me and taken care of me. Our relationship has been strengthened as we have tried to see this trial through each other’s eyes. I have also had inspired friends and family members reach out to me in times of desperate need. More than once I have heard, “I don’t know why, but I was thinking of you and felt like I should call.” I knew why that person called—the Lord had heard my cries and answered my prayers.

Throughout these last three years, I have felt myself shutting down because of the pain. A couple of years ago, my kids and I started taking piano lessons together. I have been learning to play The Church of Jesus Christ’s “Hymns Made Easy.” Sometimes, the only time I could release the pain was when I was playing the hymns. I would sit and play the piano and cry. With tears streaming down my face, the words and the music would speak comfort and peace to my soul. One of the hymns that spoke to me is “Come, Come, Ye Saints.” The first two verses read:

“Come, come ye Saints. No toil nor labor fear.

But with joy, wend your way.

Though hard to you, this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day.

Tis better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive

Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—

All is well! All is well!

“Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?

Tis not so; all is right.

Why should we think to earn a great reward

If we now shun the fight?

Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.

Our God will never us forsake;

And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—

All is well! All is well!”

As I played this hymn, I would think of the trials of the early Saints. They endured much hardship and loss. I knew that I couldn’t feel sorry for myself or wallow in my pain. I had to let it go and take comfort that Heavenly Father would provide me with the grace I needed to get through the days. He will never forsake me. And if I want the blessings, I can’t quit now.

I know that the Lord lives and that He loves me. I know my Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and one day I will know why I went through this trial. I think I am beginning to get a glimpse right now. I am grateful for the knowledge and peace the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into my life. I am grateful for the beautiful music that brings peace and comfort to my soul. I still have hope that one day, the Lord will grant me the blessings of having two more babies. And if He doesn’t, I know He will be by my side.

Additional Resources:

Read, watch or listen to General Conference talks from the Mormon Church.

Alfie Boe, Tony-winning British tenor who never saw a live musical show until he starred in one, completely enraptured audiences once again in the 2012 Temple Square Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  Beloved and renown for his showstopping rendition of “Bring Him Home”–the Les Mis prayer-song of Jean Valjean which Alfie added to the musical numbers performed at the Choir Concert–brought him and the Choir and orchestra, an unsurprising standing ovation. The Christmas extravaganza featured distinguished journalist, Tom Brokaw, NBC News Nitely Anchor and Today Show host.  Brokaw narrated the story of the Salt-Lake City born, World War II Air Force Pilot “Candy-Bomber”–Gail Halvorsen, who dropped candy from C-47s to children he came to meet behind a barbed wire fence one day on his mission in Germany.

As the music crescendo-ed, Tom continued to recount Gail’s story of giving against the backdrop of airplanes and min-parachutes dropping candy on video sweeping across a white-screen floating vertically from top to bottom of the Tabernacle Choir Stage.  Just as Tom completed the story of the candy-bomber, the screen lifted.  The Candy-Bomber himself stood in uniform on stage, wrapping the audience in love and cheers.  Meanwhile, mini white real parachutes dropped from the ceiling of the Conference Center mirroring those dropping from those WWII planes. The audience was riveted and overcome with the Spirit of Christ–the spirit of giving, the spirit of Christmas–as children approached the Candy-Bomber, and he has came to share a few words with Tom and the audience about giving, about gratitude, about finding real joy in service.

Merry Christmas to each of you.

May you also enjoy various other Christmas songs performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra on Temple Square are available for download on Mormon.org (list courtesy of mormonwoman.org).

Mormon Tabernacle Choir on YouTube

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir–the Spirit-filled renown volunteer cadre of singers gracing the globe with Sunday sounds and special concerts–launched their YouTube Channelearlier this week, making the Choir’s music available to fans throughout the world anytime, anywhere, for free. The announcement event was streamed live from the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City on the Choir’s Facebook page.

The Choir’s new YouTube page will feature a variety of content:
- Music videos, such as the one unveiled at the news conference featuring soloist Alex Boyé singing the African American spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk Me” with the Choir.
- Popular past performances such as the Pioneer Concert with Katherine Jenkins.
- Music and the Spoken Word is also on the YouTube channel. Music and the Spoken Word is the longest continuing broadcast in the world, first airing on July 15, 1929 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Since then, over 4,300 episodes have aired.
- Musical highlights, inspirational messages, general conference music, and concerts.

Source: LDS Media Talk

Visit the Choir’s YouTube Page.