Who are the Mormons?

I love the profile videos that the church has been producing.  Too many people don't understand the truth about who Mormons really are and what Mormons believe. Many only know what they have heard or read on the internet which more often than not is false, inaccurate, or twisted. Elder M. Russell Ballard, an Apostle of the church stated, "The many misunderstandings and false information about the church are somewhat our own fault for not clearly explaining who we are and what we believe."  So the church and we as members of the church are doing all that we can to dispel the myths about the church and teach the world who we really are and what we really believe through written and video profiles.

So who are the Mormons and what are they like? The profiles give a snapshot look at the lives of Mormons to help the world better understand that Mormons are just a diverse group of people with varying backgrounds, interests and personalities who share a common desire to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I recently completed a written personal profile on mormon.org.  To learn more about me and why I am a Mormon go here.  http://mormon.org/me/59XZ/Crissie/

Here are a couple new profile videos that I came across.

9/11-Words from a Prophet

LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson writes about the spiritual lessons learned from the 9/11 tragedy in today's "On Faith" blog on the Washington Post website.

"If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us," President Monson wrote. "We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season."

President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson noted that there was "a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way."

However, he said, "it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well."

President Monson suggests that "the way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly 'need Him every hour,' not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.

"It is constancy that God would have from us," he concludes. "Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm."

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

Autism

I enjoyed this article in the church magazine about Autism. Autism affects so many families and can be a difficult challenge to deal with.

Garrett Was God's Child First
"When our son was diagnosed with autism, I prayed to know how to “fix” him. But I soon learned that he was not broken."   http://lds.org/ensign/2011/08/garrett-was-gods-child-first?lang=eng

For more about Autism or other disabilities, go to the church's website-www.disabilities.lds.org

My sister in law who has 4 boys with autism has written a book about autism.  Here is a news segment feauturing her with her boys.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=201&sid=16811300#.TknOpMMoHi8.facebook

Finding Truth and Guidance Through Obedience

“Show me Latter-day Saints who have to feed upon miracles, signs and visions in order to keep them steadfast in the Church, and I will show you members…who are not in good standing before God, and who are walking in slippery paths.  It is not by marvelous manifestations unto us that we shall be established in truth, but it is by humility and faithful obedience to the commandments and laws of God” (Joseph F. Smith)

This really rings true to me. In my own life, I have learned that receiving guidance and direction from God and the manifestation of truth is a direct result of obedience to God's commandments. It takes action (obedience) along with faith to receive direction and revelation from God.

I've also learned, just as the above quote says, that guidance from God and the manifestation of truth doesn't usually come in the form of miracles, signs and visions. It is more likely that we will be guided by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost through small spiritual impressions. Sometimes we may actually recognize those impressions as coming from God.  However I think more often than not, we may not even recognize that we're being guided and directed through revelation. But I do know that even though we may not always recognize the small impressions we receive as coming from God, when we are faithfully obeying God's laws, we can be assured that God is directing our path and enlightening our minds with the Spirit of truth.

"Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it.  But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family." (Elder David A. Bednar)

I love this scripture in the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 2:41
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Joseph Smith-Prophet of the Restoration (Movie)

I was so excited to see that this film is available to watch online.  I highly recommend watching this hour long movie about the life of Joseph Smith.  It is very well done and most definitely worth watching. 

Watch in full screen for better viewing.

Could Joseph Smith have written the Book of Mormon?

In an attempt to answer this question, here’s something to think about…If Joseph Smith’s story of the origin of the Book of Mormon is not true, then where did the record come from?

Well, there are some non-believers that have conjectured that the Book of Mormon is a work of fiction written by Joseph Smith himself.  So the question is, Is it possible that Joseph Smith could have written the Book of Mormon himself? It’s not likely.  Those who make this claim don’t understand all that would have been entailed if Joseph Smith had attempted such a feat.

Please consider the following points and determine for yourself whether you, had you been Joseph Smith could have written the Book of Mormon:

1.  You are between 23 and 24 years of age.

2.  You are not a college graduate.  In fact, you have only had three years of formal schooling.

3.  Whatever you write must be on the basis of what you know.

4.  You must write a book with 239 chapters; 54 of them about wars, 21 about history, 55 about prophecy, 71 about doctrine, 17 about missionaries, and 21 about the mission of the Messiah.

5. You  must write a history of an ancient country, covering a period from 2200 B.C. to 421 A.D.

6.  You must include in your writings the history of two distinct and separate nations, along with the histories of different contemporary nations or groups of people.

7.  Your writings must describe the religious, economic, social and political cultures and institutions of these two nations.

8.  You must write the history, covering a period of over 2500 years in approximately 80 days.

9.  After pauses for sleep and food, you must continue dictating to your stenographer without ever asking to have the last sentence read back to you.

10.  Your history or record must be long, approximately 522 printed pages, with over 150 words per page.

11. You must announce that your narrative is not fiction, but true, sacred history.

12.  In fact, your narrative must fulfill the Bible prophecies that foretell the coming forth of the book, even down to the exact manner in which it shall come forth, to whom given, and its purposes and accomplishments.

13. Three honest, credible witnesses must testify to the whole world that an angel from heaven appeared to them and showed them the ancient records from which you claim your record was translated. (Read the Testimony of Three Witnesses here)

14. Eight other witnesses must testify to the world that they saw the ancient records in broad daylight and that they handled them and felt the engravings thereon. (Read the Testimony of Eight Witnesses here)

15. These eleven witnesses must bear their testimony, not for profit or gain, but under great personal sacrifice and severe persecution, even to their deaths.

16. You must find someone to finance your book with the understanding that neither he nor you will ever receive any remuneration from it.  You must sell the book at cost or less.

17. Finally, after suffering persecution and revilement for 14 years after you finish the book, you must willingly give your own life for your testimony that the record is from God.

(Taken from “What is the Book of Mormon” published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

These are interesting facts to consider.  If you know anything about the life of Joseph Smith, you know that because of the testimony he bore, he and his family endured extreme persecution throughout his life.  Why would he be so willing to endure such persecution and pain, even to death? How much easier life could have been if he would have just denied what he knew to be true.  But he didn’t.  I have read the Book of Mormon many times in my life and I personally believe that it would be an impossible task for Joseph Smith, or anyone else for that matter, to have had the knowledge necessary to have written such a complex book. 

I truly believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.  I have a testimony that he did indeed see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and that with the help of God, translated the ancient records which are now known as the Book of Mormon.  Although the above facts about Joseph Smith are interesting, I want to clarify that it is not the facts that convince me that Joseph Smith’s claims are true.  I can’t base my testimony on facts alone.  The facts only confirm what I already know to be true through the witness of the Holy Ghost.

“No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.” (George Cannon)

Easter Video

A short video to remind us of the sacrifice the Savior made for each one of us.  I am truly grateful for the love that Jesus Christ has for me and you.  I know that my Savior lives!

Hypocrisy in the Church

I love it!! :)

There are various reasons as to why people choose to not attend church. I have found that a common reason for choosing to not attend is because “All churches are full of Hypocrites”. This is something that I have a hard time understanding. Yes, there are most definitely hypocrites in every church. But aren’t we all hypocrites in one way or another? I have a hard time understanding why some people expect church goers to be perfect just because they attend church. I am not trying to excuse sin, but we need to understand that church goers are not perfect nor will they ever be. There are people in every church who say and do stupid things. There are people in every church who will offend others. There are people in every church who may go to church every Sunday but then don’t abide by the teachings of their church during the week. Yes, there are hypocrites in every church. But…so what?? Why would we choose to make that our problem?? Their sins and imperfections are between them and God. Not between us and them. Why do we sometimes allow people to get between us and God? I am reminded of the quote, “When you let a hypocrite stand between you and God, who is closer to God??” It’s something to think about. There may be church goers who are hypocrites, but what better place for a hypocrite to be than church?? Isn’t that where they should be? Church goers don’t claim to be perfect.  It’s important for us to remember that church IS for imperfect people. The purpose of church is to HELP imperfect people (including hypocrites) become better.

This is one of my very favorite quotes because it teaches an important point:

“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other.… We are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves” (Joseph B. Wirthlin)

Let’s remember that we are NOT accountable to God for the actions of others. When it is time for us to stand before God, we will only be responsible for our own actions. And while here on earth, if we choose to let any thing or any person (including hypocrites) come between us and Him, we will be held accountable for that. None of us are perfect, so let’s stop judging and labeling others as hypocrites. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2) We ALL fall short sometimes.  We ALL sin.  As hard as it can be sometimes, we need to take our critical eyes off the sin of others and focus on our own need for improvement and forgiveness.

"We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

If you happen to be one of those who choose to not go to church because there are hypocrites in the church, I would hope that you would reconsider. Please don’t use the failings of others as an excuse for wavering in your own devotion to God. Most churches, although full of imperfect people, are also full of wonderful, service oriented, Christian people. For me personally, church is a wonderful place to be. I need church. I need that weekly spiritual rejuvenation. I need that opportunity to become closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I truly gain strength from attending church each Sunday. I know that there are many people who feel that they can fulfill their spiritual needs without attending church. I personally believe that everyone can benefit from attending a good church. Through experience I have learned that there are simply some blessings and opportunities that can only come as a result of being part of a church. Don’t miss out on those wonderful opportunities. 

Top 10 Reasons to Smile

Top 10 Reasons to Smile
By Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com Guide
Updated February 04, 2010

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness. Smiling is just one fun way to live longer.

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

I'm so grateful for the healing power of the Atonement and for the Peace of God that each of us are entitled to if we so desire.