Mormons are Worth Loving Too

So I was talking to a friend of mine who just recently joined the church a few months ago. She was telling me that while at work she overheard a couple of her friends/co-workers talking about Mormons and our beliefs. One of her co-workers said, "Ya, I could never be friends with a Mormon." Hmmm...Really?? It just boggles my mind how some people will consciously choose to not be friends with someone just because they have different religious beliefs than them. This isn't the first time I've heard a story like this, but it never fails to surprise me. It's hard for me to understand because I have many friends who are of other faiths. I disagree with and don't understand many of the doctrines that they believe in. But would I ever choose to not be some one's friend just because they have different religious beliefs? Of course not. That seems ridiculous to me, and honestly quite un-Christian like.

What's funny is that they ARE friends with a Mormon...They just don't know it yet. I can only hope that once these gals find out that their friend is a Mormon, they will realize that Mormons are regular, decent people who although imperfect, are worth loving too.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

“This is the first and great commandment.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:36-40)

Look Not Behind Thee

I really think this video relays an important message.  We have a new year before us.  We have the opportunity for a new start.  The important thing to remember is that we need to move ahead and not look back.  I made plenty of mistakes in 2010.  But because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we all have the opportunity to repent, forgive ourselves and move forward.  Let's make positive changes in 2011 and not look back.  Yes, I will still make mistakes in 2011.  But the great thing is that each day is a new start and the Atonement is there for us always.  The opportunity for a new start is available to us each and every day.  Look Not Behind Thee.



"If any has stumbled in his journey, there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift. Though the path is difficult, the promise is real: 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow' (Isaiah 1:18)." (Pres. Thomas S. Monson)

Real Meaning of Christmas...a child's narration.

A video to help you get into the spirit of Christmas.  SO precious!!

The Christmas Spirit

We often hear the phrase, "The Spirit of Christmas" or "The Christmas Spirit".  What is the Spirit of Christmas?? I often hear others say things like, "I love the spirit of Christmas!" or "I'm feeling the Christmas spirit!" or sometimes even "I just can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit".  I myself have said all of these things. 

So how do we go about feeling this Christmas spirit that everyone seems to always talk about? I love the Christmas season.  I love the decorations, the yummy food, the Christmas music, the parties, the buying of gifts, the visits to Santa etc.  All of these things can help me "get into the Christmas spirit".  But many times I find myself surrounded by these fun things yet still struggle to feel the Christmas spirit in my heart.  Why is that? Although these are all good things, I have learned that in order for me to really and truly feel the Christmas spirit, I have to remember the reason for the season.  I have personally found that the answer to feeling the Chrismas spirit is to simply focus on my Savior Jesus Christ.  I know it's a simple answer, but nonetheless it is the answer.

So how do we do this? It is through our thoughts and actions.  I feel the Christmas spirit when I take the time to sit with my family and read about the birth and life of Jesus Christ in the Bible, or when after the kids go to bed I turn off all the lights and sit in front of the Christmas tree pondering upon the many blessings that I have, or when I sing Christmas hymns or read inspirational Christmas stories with my family.  I feel the Christmas spirit when I stop focusing on myself and my problems and look outward.  It is when I take the time to help those around me and serve those in need that I feel the Christmas spirit.  I'm definitely not perfect at doing all these things. In fact, every year I struggle with getting into the Christmas spirit.  And every year, I have to come to the realization that I need to switch my focus and turn my thoughts to the reason for the season.  It is when I do this that my heart becomes more open to the Christmas spirit. 

And what's great about this is...the spirit of Christmas doesn't have to be felt only at Christmas time.  If we choose, it can be felt all year round.  After all, what is the Spirit of Christmas?? It is the Spirit of Christ.  The Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. 

What do you do that helps you feel the Christmas spirit?? I would love to hear your thoughts.




"By focusing on your loved ones, enjoying or building holiday traditions, and following the Savior's example of service, you can give yourself and your family true, lasting Christmas gifts.

Simplify your Christmas by embracing the spiritual side of the season.


The gift of Christmas isn't wrapped up in presents or parties. The gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God. As you follow Him, you put people first. You may spend less time in lines and more time serving others. You may spend less money on - and more time with - the people you love. You may lose yourself and you may find everything else that matters."

Baptisms for the Dead

Last week my son (12) and daughter (14) were able to participate in Baptisms for the Dead at the Temple. This was my son’s first time participating. He was excited, but a little nervous about it. I couldn’t wait for him to get home so I could hear all about it. When he arrived home, he walked in the door with a big smile on his face. He said, “Mom! It was so much fun! I want to go back next week!!” He couldn’t stop smiling. I had a hard time getting him to go to bed because he just wanted to keep talking about it. :)

I also have fond memories of participating in Baptisms for the Dead as a youth. There is a special spirit there in the Temple, and to be able to be baptized by proxy for those who never had the opportunity in this life is a sweet experience.
Many people not of our faith are confused by this LDS practice. Why do we baptize for the dead?

We believe that Baptism by proper authority, is an essential earthly ordinance for our salvation in the next life. Though Baptism alone doesn’t save us, it is an essential step in accepting and following our Savior Jesus Christ. "Except that a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Heavenly Father saw fit, for whatever reason, to put me personally here on earth in an environment where I could learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ and be baptized. Well, what about everyone else that has lived on the earth? What of those that never had an opportunity to really learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ? And what about those who have lived and died without even hearing of Jesus Christ? So do I just have an advantage over them because of the particular circumstances that I was born in? Are they just damned because they never had the opportunity to be baptized? No. Absolutely not. This is what our church has to say about it:

“Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.

Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.” (lds.org)

This is GREAT news! This shows the power of God’s grace and love!! God loves ALL of his children and will give everyone who has ever lived upon the earth the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they didn’t have the opportunity in this life, they will have the opportunity to accept in the next life.

Unfortunately there are those not of our faith who are offended by the practice of Baptizing for the dead. Most often it is because they feel that we are forcing deceased persons to be baptized into the church. This is not true. We are only making the gift available to them. 

“Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world. The names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church.” (lds.org)

I was reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 the other day. Paul was addressing the people who were saying that there is no resurrection. He says, "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not" (vs. 12-15).

Paul then points out that there would be no purpose in baptizing for the dead if there indeed was no resurrection. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (vs. 29)

Paul is right.  There would be no reason to do baptisms for the dead if there was no resurrection.  Paul testifies that the resurrection is real and that all will be resurrected. 

I also testify that Christ was indeed resurrected just as all of us will be someday.  I am grateful to know that God is a fair and just God and that through Baptisms for the dead the blessings of the gospel are available to all of God's children.

The Lost Pamphlet-Conversion Story #3

"The Lost Pamphlet"
By Wenceslao Salguero
Ensign, Feb. 2001, 60–61

I was born and raised in El Progreso, a small town in southern Guatemala. When I was about 10 years old, an unusual pamphlet came into my hands. It contained the story of Joseph Smith, a young boy who saw a vision of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I was deeply impressed by this story. Unsatisfied with the training I was receiving in the religion of my parents, I wanted to know more about the boy in the pamphlet. But I didn’t know where to get information. In time I lost the pamphlet, but I never forgot about it. I wondered if I would ever find another like it.

As a teenager and young adult, I investigated several religious denominations. I even took classes in their doctrine and received diplomas. But there were aspects of these religions that troubled me, and I felt uncomfortable with the criticism that clergy of different faiths sometimes directed at one another. By this time I had started reading the Bible, and as I compared the Bible with what I saw in the religions I had studied, I became convinced those religions lacked God’s authority.

I knelt many times in prayer, pleading with God to guide me to His true Church. I promised that if He did, I would be faithful in keeping His commandments and would always serve Him.

I had dreams, too, in which I told God I was willing to do anything to receive forgiveness for my sins. I would wake up and find my pillow wet with tears. I also asked God to help me find the pamphlet about Joseph Smith again.

By 1968 I had a wife and son. We moved to Guatemala City so I could find better employment.

On the afternoon of 20 November 1975, two young American women, simply dressed, knocked on our door. They said they had a message for my family. We made an appointment for them to come back at a later time.

I remember the first discussion clearly. One of the young women said a prayer, and then the other one began to talk about Joseph Smith. In her hands was a copy of the pamphlet I had read as a boy! My search for the truth had come to an end in my own living room.

No words can express what I felt at that moment. I wanted to snatch the pamphlet out of her hands. The sisters noticed the way I was looking at it and said they would leave it with me. When they gave me that precious pamphlet, I could hardly believe it. I put it in my shirt pocket to keep it near my heart.

Two days later the sisters returned. When they saw the pamphlet in my pocket, they asked if I had read it. I told them they didn’t realize what it meant to me. I explained I had read it as a boy and had prayed to find it again.

On Sunday our family went to church. We arrived very early, and the sisters were surprised to see us. They hadn’t really invited us, just told us where the building was.

The sisters continued to teach us. Although they didn’t speak Spanish very well, they taught by the Holy Ghost. When they taught us about repentance, I felt something I had never felt before and started to cry. Then I realized we were all crying. I was convinced I had found the true Church.

My wife, Rosa Élida, had a similar experience. It happened when the sisters invited us to be baptized. “Sister Salguero,” they asked, “do you want to follow the Savior?” She realized right then that she did.

When I asked the Lord to help me find His Church, I promised I would serve Him. From the first time I went to church, I have faithfully attended and have tried to serve diligently. I have had many wonderful Church callings, including serving twice as bishop. My wife has served in the Primary and Relief Society and in the family history program. My eldest son served a full-time mission, and now his younger brother is preparing to serve. We have two daughters who are also active in the Church.

Whenever I am asked to speak in church, I try to communicate the joy I feel as a member of the Lord’s Church. I know that God lives and that through the Prophet Joseph Smith He has restored to us His gospel, His Church, and the authority of His priesthood.

How to Distinguish Good from Evil, Truth from Error

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33)

We live in a world of chaos. A world where people are confused…and rightfully so. There are so many voices in the world that compete for our attention and unfortunately many that "call evil good and good evil" (see Isaiah 5:20).  It is not God’s desire for us to be confused.  He is not the author of confusion…people are. So how do we know what is good and what is evil and what is truth and what is not? How do we determine what is actually from God?

The Prophet Moroni in the Book of Mormon gives an answer to that question. His answer is so simple yet it makes so much sense.

“Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.”

“But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God and to serve him, is inspired of God.” (Moroni 7:13-14)

The Prophet Moroni also teaches that every person is given the “Spirit of Christ” or the “Light of Christ” which enables them to judge between good and evil. Our Conscience is a manifestation of the Light of Christ.

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.”

“But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves to him.” (Moroni 7:16 -17)

It’s so simple yet so profound. I love the whole chapter of Moroni 7. To find the text of the complete chapter Click Here.

One of the reasons why I decided to do a post on this subject was because I was thinking about the internet. I was thinking about how the internet can be a source for both good and evil. The internet is a sea of both true and untrue information. I was thinking about the people out there who are sincerely interested in learning more about the Mormon Church. In this day in age, what’s the first thing we do to retrieve information on a particular subject? We Google it! So then of course, those unsuspecting persons who are interested in the Mormon Church Google “Mormons”. The problem with this is that along with the true and accurate information about the church on the internet, there is just as much negative and inaccurate information about the church. So how then do you know what’s true and what’s not?

One solution to this problem is… go to the source. If I want to find out more about baseball, I would ask a baseball player, not a football player. I will more likely get accurate information talking to a baseball player than I would a football player. If I want to find out more about the Lutheran church, I would talk to a Lutheran, not a Catholic. And if I was serious about getting to the truth about the Lutheran church, I would talk to someone who is active in their church and who takes their religion seriously by actively living their religion. So if a person is interested in or has questions about the Mormon faith, why not ask a Mormon? Ask a Mormon who actively lives the Mormon religion. Or, another option… go to the internet! But once again, the key to accurate information is to go to the source. The church has many great websites (see my sidebar for some of them), but I think that Mormon.org is probably the best way to learn more about the church. They recently redesigned the mormon.org site and it’s wonderful! Members of the church all over the world have created profiles which give others a glimpse into the lives of members of the church. The profiles also include answers from the members to frequently asked questions. I especially love the profiles which include a video. Here are examples of two different profiles.
 
http://www.mormon.org/rochelle

http://mormon.org/me/1RY0-eng/Paris


There are so many misconceptions about the Mormon Church, and much of that is due to the inaccurate information on the web. Some information you might come across is just from people who are uninformed… people who believe everything they hear and regurgitate inaccurate information instead of making the effort to find out the correct information. On the other hand, there are numerous sites and blogs on the internet whose sole purpose is to spread negative information and lies about the church. How unfortunate it is that many are deceived by the lies of men. I’m not saying that all the information on these anti-Mormon sites is false. But what I have found is that they twist the truth. They mix truth with lies/inaccuracies and they try to “call evil good and good evil” (see Isaiah 5:20). They are really good at what they do and do it quite convincingly. It always amazes me to think that some people spend so much of their lives speaking ill of other people and religions. I personally would never trust the words of anyone whose intent is to hurt and deceive. Let’s go back to the scriptures mentioned above. Do these anti-Mormon sites invite and entice others to do good and to love God and to serve him? Not in my opinion. I always think of the Scripture, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20)

So my advice? Go to the proper sources for your information. And as you are making an effort to sift through all of the voices of the world, remember that your best source will be God. God is the source of all truth. Pray to God and ask that He will guide and direct you and help you to distinguish between truth and error.
Let the Light of Christ be your guide. 

For those persons who are honestly and sincerely seeking for truth, this is your guide…truth will always manifest itself in the form of peace. Gravitate towards the sources that fill your heart with peace. 

“Wherefore, take heed my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the Devil.” (Moroni 7:14)

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

Forgiveness and the power of Jesus Christ enable a man to survive losing his wife and several children in a car accident—and allow the offending driver to begin rebuilding his own life.

What an amazing story!!

Thoughts From a Great Woman-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I've always admired Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley.  She was the wife of our previous Prophet-Gordon B. Hinckley.  They both have passed in recent years but they will never be forgotten.  It's always been said that "behind a great man is a great woman".  She was just that.  She was also very charasmatic, funny and witty.  Here are a few quotes from her that I love.

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead"

"The family is eternal. Love must be nurtured. It must be spoken. We must put away our pride, our haughtiness, our shyness, our misunderstandings, and with humility say, "I love you. Is there something I can do to help you?" You can never be completely happy under any other circumstances."

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

"Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

These last two are my favorite!!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.


I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.


I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.


I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.


I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Mormon Temples

With the recent Gila Valley Arizona Temple Dedication, I’ve been thinking more about temples. I know that many people who are not of our faith have questions about LDS temples. I hope that the information I share will shed some light about LDS temples.

Why do Mormons build temples?
The Lord has always commanded His people to build temples.
“Whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey his word, they have been commanded to build temples in which the ordinances of the gospel and other spiritual manifestations that pertain to exaltation and eternal life may be administered. In cases of extreme poverty or emergency, these ordinances may sometimes be done on a mountaintop. This may be the case with Mount Sinai and the Mount of Transfiguration. The tabernacle erected by Moses was a type of portable temple, since the Israelites were traveling in the wilderness.” (Bible Dictionary)

The best known temple mentioned in the Bible is that which was built in Jerusalem in the days of Solomon. Solomon’s temple took 8 years to complete. The walls were made of stone and were covered on the inside with carved wood and gold. Only the best of materials were used to construct the temple. When it was finished, Solomon knelt at the altar in the temple and offered a dedicatory prayer. (See 2 Chronicles:6)
To me, it makes sense that if God commanded His people to build temples in Bible times, then He would also command His people to build temples in our time. After all…isn’t God the same yesterday, today and forever?


What is the purpose of temples?
Temples are not used for weekly Sunday worship services. We have meetinghouses or chapels for the purpose of meeting on the Sabbath for Sunday worship.

Temples are places of learning where holy truths are taught. The principal purpose of temples is to provide the ordinances necessary for all of God’s children to enable them to return to dwell with Him.

“Temples are considered ‘houses of the Lord’ where Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism, and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man.” (Church News)

Temples are also a place for personal contemplation and prayer. For me, the temple is a sanctuary from the world. It’s a bit of heaven on earth. I love to go to the temple because of the peace that I feel. I feel closer to God in the temple than anywhere else. In my last entry I mentioned the temple open house. Before a temple is dedicated, it is open to the public for tours. At the Gila Valley temple dedication, the temple president’s wife mentioned in her talk that a friend of hers, who is not a member of our church attended the open house. After touring the temple her friend mentioned the peace that she felt while in the temple. She said that it reminded her of the scripture in Philippians 4:7 that talks about “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.”  This is so very true. The temple is a place where the Holy Spirit and the love of God can be felt.

Because the temple is sacred to us and because we keep these things close to our hearts, people not of our faith accuse us of being secretive and assume that unrighteous things must be going on in the temple. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The ordinances and ceremonies of the temple are simple, beautiful, uplifting, and worthy of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Why do Mormons perform temple ordinances vicariously for those who have died?
“A temple is literally a house of the Lord, a holy sanctuary in which sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and also in behalf of the dead… From Adam to the time of Jesus, ordinances were performed in temples for the living only. After Jesus opened the way for the gospel to be preached in the world of spirits, ceremonial work for the dead, as well as for the living, has been done in temples on the earth by faithful members of the Church. (Bible Dictionary)

Some people are confused as to why we would perform vicarious ordinances for those who have died. To me it makes perfect sense and is reflective of God’s love for ALL of His children. We believe that the ordinances performed in temples are essential for exaltation. Well…what about all of the people who never even had the opportunity to hear or learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ while they lived here on earth? Is it fair that they will be damned, only because they didn’t have that opportunity? No. God is a just and fair God and He will provide ALL of His children with the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ either in this life or the next. Those who didn’t have the opportunity to learn the gospel while here on earth will have that chance in the Spirit World and then when the ordinances are performed vicariously for them in temples here on earth, they will have the choice to accept or reject this vicarious service. No one is forced to take upon themselves these ordinances. There is Agency in all things.

Blessings of the temple available to all
“It was never intended that knowledge of these temple ceremonies would be limited to a select few who would be obliged to ensure that others never learn of them. It is quite the opposite, in fact. With great effort we urge every soul to qualify and prepare for the temple experience.” (Boyd K. Packer)

For more information about Temples,CLICK HERE