So, what is a father? The dictionary defines the word “father” as “a man in relation to his natural child or children.” The word is derived from the Latin word “pater.” The actual word “pater” is used in English when referring to a person’s legal father. Another derivative of the Latin root “pater” is “paternal.” Therefore, when referring to a person’s “paternal” kindred, the reference is being made to those persons of whom his legal father (pater) is a direct offspring.

Fatherhood – A Wonderful, Eternal Principle

In a June 2002 message to fathers, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest presiding group within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) exhorted.” The Lord’s plan of salvation requires that you pass through trials in this mortal life. Those trials seem to be greatest when you reach fatherhood, but be assured—fatherhood, in a sense, is an apprenticeship to godhood” (Father, Consider Your Ways, Ensign, June 2002, 12.)

Latter-day Saint fathers have been taught from their youth by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ, as well as, through the lessons that they are continuously taught in their priesthood quorums, that they have a solemn sacred duty and responsibility, and an extremely important role to play as the patriarch of their homes. Ezra Taft Benson, the 13^th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ reminded fathers:

The sacred title of ‘father’ is shared with the Almighty. In the Church men are called and released. Did you ever hear of a mortal father being released?

“…Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters” (Great Things Required of Their Fathers, Ensign, May 1981, 36)

In another address to fathers titled To the Fathers in Israel, President Benson further taught,

Fathers, yours is an eternal calling from which you are never released. Callings in the Church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place. But a father’s calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity” (To the Fathers in Israel, Ensign, Nov 1987, 48.)

And so, Latter-day Saint fathers are taught that being a father is not just a moral obligation that lasts until the end of mortality, but rather, they will continue to be fathers throughout eternity.

Mormon Fathers are “Normal” Fathers

The question may arise, “Are Mormon fathers different from “normal” fathers?” The short and long of that answer is that Mormon fathers are normal fathers.

A Mormon father loves his wife and children and does everything within his capability to ensure the well-being of his family. He goes to work every day and earns a paycheck that he uses to provide for his family’s temporal needs. He works in such vocations as construction worker, electrician, plumber, musician, actor, banker, lawyer, school teacher, and grocery store clerk, to name but a few. There are Mormon fathers who work on Wall Street and in prestigious offices in Washington, D.C., and there are those who work in small towns, inner cities, and suburbs. Nothing any different than a “normal” father does on a daily routine basis.

At the end of his day, a Mormon father is tired and sweaty and looks forward to going home to be with his family. His day does not end when he reaches the threshold of his home. Once at home, he assumes his responsibilities as husband and father by perhaps helping his wife to finish preparing dinner, or taking care of the children until dinner is ready. He helps with homework, bath time, makes sure that teeth are brushed, helps get pajamas on, reads bedtime stories, and presides over the family evening prayer.

Mormon Fathers strive to be Righteous Examples

In addition, a Mormon father is the priesthood leader of his home – the patriarch of his family. As such, he is the spiritual leader of the home, and realizes that he has an awesome responsibility, with the help of his companion, to ensure that the feet of his progeny are firmly grounded on gospel principles.

As the priesthood leader of the home, he may also be called upon at various times to administer priesthood blessings to his family. A Mormon father realizes that his is a sacred
responsibility – in which he has been given a charge, a stewardship from Heavenly Father – and that the proper way to execute that charge, to guard and protect that stewardship, is through righteous example. His ultimate goal is not so much to leave his progeny with material things when he departs his earthly life, but rather, a spiritual legacy that they will be able to continue to build upon as they build and strengthen their own testimonies of gospel truths, and strive for exaltation.

Kim Crenshaw Sorensen, a member of the Northridge Eighth Ward, Orem Utah Northridge Stake in a February 1995 article in the Ensign magazine titled A Latter-day Father’s Guidebook compared fathers in the Book of Mormon (which Latter-day Saints testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a volume of scripture comparable to the Holy Bible) to the fathers of today:

We live in a day when many fathers are working at a fevered pace to build material legacies of homes, boats, and bank accounts for their children. Exemplary Book of Mormon fathers, on the other hand, show us the importance of leaving legacies that cannot be cankered by rust.

What more could we hope for than to leave our children the spiritual tools, the self-control, and the faith to become witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ? Lehi and his sons Nephi and Jacob, Jacob and his son Enos, King Benjamin and his three sons, Mosiah and his four sons, Alma and his sons, Helaman and his sons Lehi and Nephi, and Mormon and his son Moroni all came to know the joys of discipleship and discipline.

The sons of righteous Book of Mormon fathers were grateful they had been taught in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Enos 1:1), which led them to Jesus Christ” (A Latter-day Father’s Guidebook, Ensign, Feb 1995, 15.)

A Humble Prayer for All Fathers

The remarks given by Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15^th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brings a fitting close to this treatise in the form of a humble prayer for all fathers. He once said,

God bless you, dear fathers. May He bless you with wisdom and judgment, with understanding, with self-discipline and self-control, with faith and kindness and love. And may He bless the sons and daughters who have come into your homes, that yours may be a fortifying, strengthening, guiding hand as they walk the treacherous path of life. As the years pass—and they will pass ever so quickly—may you know that “peace… which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) as you look upon your sons and daughters, who likewise have known that sacred and wonderful peace. Such is my humble prayer, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen (Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children, Ensign, Nov 2000, 50.)

Additional Resources:

The Fundamental Beliefs of Mormonism

The Importance of Marriage and Family to Mormons

Kasman recently came to the realization that for the entire time that he has been in the rabbinate, he has never met a member of The Church of Jesus Christ (officially called Latter-day Saint, but referred to as Mormon) at an interfaith event, nor has he ever heard a Mormon speaking at a Jewish synagogue. And so, feeling that the burden of responsibility to rectify the situation rested on his shoulders, he decided to do some outreach.

I realized this when I was watching the televised Tony Awards that featured songs from “The Book of Mormon.” One of the songs made jokes about the beliefs of Mormons. It bothered me and made me wonder how I would feel about a show that ridiculed Jewish theology. But I was also impressed by how the Mormons responded wisely with this statement: “The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.” The Mormon church also has taken out advertisements in communities where the road company performed the hit Broadway musical, saying, “You’ve seen the show; now read the Book.” It made me smile. [1]

Rabbi Kasman noted that Jews take pride in laughing about themselves. He stated that when the going gets tough, Jews tell jokes because nobody knows better how funny Judaism is than Jews. The father of psychology, Sigmund Freud, wrote in Wit and the Unconscious, “Jewish jokes about Jews are “stories invented by Jews and aimed at Jewish characteristics. which show an awareness of (Jews’) real faults. They know how these are related to their good points.” Rabi Kansman further stated that the ability of Mormons to go with the humor of the Book of Mormon Musical resonates with his Jewish soul, and that the Latter-day Saints seem to be his kind of people. “You’ve seen the show; now read the Book.” I get it, he says.

Jews hold a special place in their hearts for people who call themselves the new Israel. Declaring that the United States was “Zion” and that the leadership of the LDS Church has a mission related to the biblical prophets, signifies that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a complex relationship with Hebrew vocabulray, as well as the history of the Israelites. Latter-day Saints, like Jews, identify themselves with Israelite ancestors.

Stake President of the Albany Stake, Rodney Standage, is the leader of the Latter-day Saints in and around the Capital Region. A stake may be compared to a diocese in the Roman Catholic Church. It is an administrative unit composed of multiple congregations, or wards. The term “stake” comes from an allegorical interpretation of a verse found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 33:20 are recorded these words:

Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

And in Isaiah 54:2, 3 are found these words:

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Latter-day Saints have faced oppression in the United States since their beginning in upstate New York, and moving West when religious groups and others attacked them. Most recently, during the race for the White House, with Mitt Romney, a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ, being one of the candidates vying for the oval office, the LDS Faith was continuously in the spotlight as anti-Mormon bigotry began to stir. Romney’s comment about “binders full of women”, for example, sparked ridiculous allegations about Mormon plural marriages, or polygamy, which was outlawed in the United States by the Morril Anti-Bigamy Act in 1862. In Ohio, American atheists sponsored billboards said not to vote for Romney since he was Mormon and Mormons are bigots.

Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues its mission to spread the faith, seeking converts all over the world, including within the Jewish community. Rabbi Kassman stated, “While this has made Jews uncomfortable, I believe it is also one the reasons why we should talk to each other in an interfaith dialogue.” [1]

Toward that end, Rodney Standage, Stake President of the Albany Stake, was invited to speak at Temple Beth El in Troy, and the public was invited to attend.

His talk is part of our congregation’s series called “Peace — How can people of different religious viewpoints contribute to getting along?” So far, we’ve featured evangelical Christian, Muslim, humanist and Franciscan faith community leaders. These programs are scheduled for the first Saturday of each month immediately after services. Standage will be speaking at a light bagel and spreads lunch. Donations are not accepted on the Sabbath, and, like all kiddush meals, there is no charge for the event. [1]

Rabbi Kasman believes that the good-nature response of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to parody is even more reason to invite them into the ongoing interfaith discussion, respecting their beliefs, while at the same time gaining a better understanding of what motivates them. He further believes that prejudices against Latter-day Saints should have no place in our political system, and encourages fellow clergy of all faiths to come together to appreciate and better understand the Mormon faith.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

Learn More About Mormons

Worship with Mormons

I have often wondered why people would do it. Why post something that “might” be true, or perhaps that is even known to be false, about someone’s beliefs. For example, I had a co-worker years ago tell me in no uncertain terms “facts” about LDS doctrine that I knew with 100% certainty to be false. Yet, she was convinced and would not respond to counter-suggestions from one who knew for certain, based on first-hand experience that she did not have.

While I suppose there are many psychological, and some ill-intentioned, reasons for this, what has occurred to me over the last few years is the similarity to those opposing Christ during His mortal ministry. Christians of many different sects (and yes, I absolutely include members of the LDS Church in that group), seem baffled by the Jewish leadership’s response to Christ. After all, the Jews had ostensibly been looking and waiting and praying for the Messiah to come. As Christians today we posit that Christ was indeed the Messianic answer to those prayers. There He was, right in front of them – yet they turned with intense anger toward Him. They tried to turn public opinion against Him. They lied about Him in court. They finally resorted to physical violence, intrigue, and to turning the political establishment against Him.

Meanwhile, thousands were converted to His message. During Jesus’ life, those were almost entirely Jewish citizens of the Roman Empire. Many of them suffered dearly for their sacrifice. Even among the leadership some were converted. I have always appreciated the approach of Gamaliel in Acts 5:34-40 (KJV). Essentially he said:

Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [Here are two examples (Theudas and Judas of Galilee) that rose and fell.] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

In today’s context, many who have studied scripture look forward to the return of Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 we are warned that there would be “a falling away first.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that a “falling away” did happen and that a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has followed. I will not pretend to be a doctrinal wizard, but what the LDS Church claims is not outside the realm of possibility in fulfilling prophecies in the Bible. I believe that it does just that.

This proclamation of the fulfillment of prophecy, of the restoration of Priesthood authority from a loving Heavenly Father, of prophets and apostles once again being on the earth, should pique interest from all sides. Shouldn’t the Savior’s arrival in Bethlehem have done the same? Yet it didn’t have the widespread draw that you would reasonably expect. Likewise, the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day has drawn the interest of some 14-15 million people, but shouldn’t this great news pull more? Shouldn’t Christ’s arrival to earth have done so? Are we back where the Jewish leadership was during the time of Christ? Even if that is the case, I commend the words of Gamaliel again: “if this work be of men, it will come to naught, but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39.)

The non-LDS Christians that attack the LDS Church, have an opportunity to do what Gamaliel suggested. Let it alone. If it’s of men, it will fail. If it’s of God, you really don’t want to be fighting against it. Open your mind and consider the possibility that a falling away has occurred, that a restoration has already happened, and that prophets and apostles are again on the earth. Keeping an open mind to God, and the possibility that He still lives, that He cares a great deal about each one of His children, and that He loves us enough to once again speak through prophets and apostles will help cut through the fog of antagonists that mislead, that blatantly lie, that “lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).

Happily, there are many around the world who do keep an open mind and stay open the possibility that what they know today may not be the end of what is available for them to know about God or His plan for them. As with every soul on earth, born into a belief of the teachings of the LDS Church or not, I have had to ponder and read and study and pray. I have felt witness after witness that the message is true. Christ lives! He cares for us personally and deeply. He has restored His gospel to the earth through Joseph Smith. There are apostles and prophets on the earth today. The best part is that you do not need to believe me, nor another protagonist nor antagonist, you can find out for yourself.

http://youtu.be/RDYJ5Ql-Qhc

http://youtu.be/nSN7kMG1Fvc

By Ralph Hall

Ralph Hall has been working in and around the learning and development field since 1996. He works as a senior trainer and training manager at a software company in Vancouver, Washington, where he lives with his wife of 22 years and 7 of their 9 children. He has a BA in Russian and European Studies from BYU, an MBA from Ohio State University, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Distance Education from Penn State. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in Finland (1987 – 1989) and has tried to serve faithfully in a variety of assignments in the LDS Church since that time.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

The Bible in Mormonism

Recently, University of Pennsylvania professor Ram Cnaan and fellow researchers Van Evans and Daniel W. Curtis jointly published a study that measures the donations given by members of The LDS Church. The team analyzed data taken from 2,664 church-attending Latter-day Saints in the United States. Based on their research, the team concluded that Latter-day Saints who are active members “volunteer and donate significantly more than the average American and are even more generous in time and money than the upper quintile of religious people in America.” [1]

According to the data, while the average American volunteers some 48 hours per year to charitable causes, an active Latter-day Saint volunteers 427.9 hours annually — a contribution worth an estimated $9,140 annually. [1] This is no small surprise as Mormons, by nature, are a charitable people, and are always willing to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 12:12) whenever, and wherever needed. Mormons are good citizens and actively participate in their communities – always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, whether they are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ or not.

The thirteenth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ taught:

We have no special instructions to give; he is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them (Seasons of the Times, Volume 3, 15 March 1842, page 732.)

Therefore, Latter-day Saints believe that:

The charge to seek after virtue, goodness, honor, and all praiseworthy things is an obligation that flows from love for and devotion to God. Jesus declared, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Later in his ministry, Jesus further declared that loving God and loving our fellowmen are the two great commandments upon which “hang all the law and the prophets” (see Matthew 22:37—40). Latter-day Saints take these commandments very seriously, for love is the essence of true religion (see James 1:27). “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,” the apostle Paul wrote, “and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1—2; see Moroni 7:44—48). Latter-day Saints embrace the teachings of both ancient and modern scriptures that one’s love for God must also be manifested in love for one’s fellowmen. [2]

In addition to freely volunteering their service, they always give free-will donations through tithing in the LDS Church, as well as to charitable organizations outside of the LDS Church. The results of the research indicated that 88.8 percent of active members follow the biblical admonition to tithe (donate 10 percent of their annual income to the Church). [1]

Further results of the research indicated that:

Although much of Church volunteerism is religious in nature, members also dedicate 151.9 hours annually to serving in the Church’s social and community initiatives, such as Boy Scouts of America or the Church’s worldwide welfare and humanitarian aid programs.

In addition, active members not only donate, on average, a full 10 percent of their income to the Church, but donate $1,821 to other social and community causes. [1]

Latter-day Saints are taught and have an understanding of the Savior’s teaching when He said, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (Matthew 25:45.) “Overall, we found they are the most prosocial members of American society,” the study said. “Regardless of where they live, they are very generous with their time and money.” [1] In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, the current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward.”

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormons Beliefs and Real Mormons

Mormon Giving

Mormon Self-Reliance

And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth (Book of Mormon, Alma 1:29).

The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that obedience to the commandments brings blessings according to will of the Lord, who wants His obedient children to partake all the goodness of the earth and also even giving them the greatest gift of all, which is eternal life. The Lord said,

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130:20-21).

The story of Job is one of the perfect examples of abundance through Jesus Christ. Job is considered one of the richest men in his area, as recorded in the Old Testament. He had everything that a man would want to have, nevertheless he was not obsessed with his possessions. Job was a righteous man, and he loved the Lord. But later in his life, Job experienced trials that tested all of his good qualities, including patience, kindness, love, faith, humility, understanding and obedience to God’s commandments. The trials became so intense that he lost everything he possessed, including his wealth, health, and worst of all, his family. Despite all that had happened to him, he still wanted to obey God. He said,

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment (Old Testament, Job 19:25-29).

Perhaps the greatest lesson that all of us can get out of the story of Job is that what matters most is our obedience to commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything depends on God; the rise and fall of an individual or a family or a nation depends on their obedience to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days” (Old Testament, Job 42:12-17).

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all are treated alike. The Church also reaches out to the world, especially during calamities in giving relief to those who have been affected, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. The greatest good is manifest, however, not in humanitarian aid, but in how the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives for the better. It is a testimony of what the fullness of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ can do for someone’s life. Of course, God wants us all to be happy, well, and abundant in all things, not only temporally but everlastingly.

All people are commanded to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and follow His commandments.

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:9,19-20).

This article was written by Roy, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

References:
1) Book of Mormon, Alma 1:29
2) Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130:20-21
3) Old Testament, Job 19:25-29
4) Old Testament, Job 42:12-17
5) Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:9,19-20

Additional Resources:

Jesus.Christ.org

Provident Living

LDS Philanthropies: Helping to Save and Change Lives