Bealach na Ba pass through Applecross is the most awesome, twisty, hairpin bendy road in the United Kingdom. The single track road’s gradient slopes of nearly 20% enable its quick ascent from sea level to 2,054 feet.  The views are spectacular.

Anthony and I quickly ascended this Scottish Highland mountain pass on our rented motorcycles, and after a short break in the wee village, began the return descent and two hour ride back to our B&B in Portree.

Having found my stride up the mountain, I planned to push my limits on the way down. However, we quickly caught up to a vehicle whose driver seemed deathly afraid of the road. It’s a single track road, meaning only one car will fit on the side of the mountain at a time, so drivers must carefully observe oncoming traffic. One driver must move into an accessible passing place, giving the oncoming driver the right of way to continue on the road, if two drivers meet head on, someone has to back up until a passing place is reached. After the road clears again, the stopped driver proceeds onward.

In front of me, the car’s driver constantly slammed on his brakes in spite of clear roads ahead. We inched down the mountain at 10 mph, and I was frustrated. Anthony, sensing my tension (and knowing me well), rode up beside me to soothe my frustration. We pulled over to look at the views and relax. However, within minutes of being back on the bikes, we caught up to the same car and slowed way down again.

Suddenly, we hit a straightaway and the car jolted forward.  Elated and hopeful, I followed suit.  Then, he slammed on the brakes, from 45mph to 0mph in an instant. I had maintained good distance and saw him stop, but while braking caught the gravel on the mountain side of the road. I knew I was going to crash. I kept slowing in the gravel, but then had no where else to go and abruptly hit the mountain.  The jarred bike and I careened at a 45 degree angle back onto the road and then slid across the asphalt to a stop. My helmet, which I hated wearing, saved my life. Anthony lifted the bike off me, but I couldn’t move right away.  I knew three things: I was alive. Somehow I didn’t go over the edge of the cliff. I was holding up traffic in both directions.

What I Believe

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the Mormon Church).  As a Latter-day Saint, I believe that we are all God’s spirit children who lived and grew in His presence before this earth life, and now have the opportunity to have a physical body and gain experience in this mortal world. The whole point of our existence is to become like our Father, who is a glorious resurrected being of flesh and bones. Because of the Savior Jesus Christ’s miraculous atoning sacrifice, after we die, we will be resurrected (our spirits and bodies unite again) with a perfected body.  Having that perfected body sounded amazing to me as I lay hurting on Scottish mountain pass asphalt.

That incident taught me several lessons about my mortal experience.

Don’t Do Stupid Things To My Body.

The Lord gave specific commandments for our safety and to enhance our journey through life. He knew what would cause emotional and physical pain to our souls and told us how to avoid it. We protect ourselves by wearing spiritual helmets and gear. “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother” (Luke 18:20). “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).

Anger Wreaks Havoc.

Honestly, my intense frustration at the scaredy-cat driver in the car caused me to lose control. While I judged his lack of reason in coming to a complete stop again, I lost my opportunity to stabilize myself and wrecked.  My anger did not affect him at all. He didn’t even stop after I nearly sideswiped him. My emotions affected me and Anthony (and then everyone else who had to wait for the road to be cleared.)

Emotions provide the amusement-park experiences of life – up and down, back and forth, excitement and terror, elation and so dizzy that you …

Mastering my emotions is a constant struggle, but with Christ, all things are possible. In the Book of Mormon,a loving father counseled his son, “[S]ee that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12). The Apostle Paul exhorted, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Everyone On The Road Is On The Same Journey-Even Scaredy-cat Drivers.

If I truly believe that all people are children of God, shouldn’t that change my perspective? Would I rush around adamant that everything has to be done my way and in my time frame? Can I celebrate the divinity in others and rejoice in our unique perspectives and talents? Should I take off my blinders and actually see?

Instead of seeing persons in “my way,” I could consider that we crossed paths for a reason. One of my favorite quotes is: “You lift me and I’ll lift Thee, and We’ll both ascend together.” God’s plan promotes unity of purpose—a Zion, or physical state of oneness with God and each other—rather than individual defensiveness.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

I love living in a time where I can see into outer space and then into tiny atoms, with speedy technology at my finger tips.  The talents and passions of great minds richly enhance life’s experiences. And yet each person I pass on the sidewalk has divine potential to similarly shape the world in his or her own way.

We all need to eat and sleep. We each seek love, security, and purpose. You are me and I am you. Let’s give each other permission to shine.

God’s Timing Enables Me To Enjoy The Ride.

I’ve thought a lot about how I gypped my Applecross experience by wanting, anticipating, and hoping for something else on my journey down the mountain. I focused on the brake lights ahead, which became my skewed reality, and ultimately left me battered and tattered and pretty unfulfilled.

Why didn’t I enjoy the respite Anthony provided, or use our 10mph ride as ample time to breathe in fresh air deeply and enjoy the exquisite vistas from our heavenly perch?  Why am I always in such a hurry to accomplish some crazy to do list?

Why do I compare my weaknesses with others’ strengths or bemoan barrenness when some moms bemoan my freedom? Is the grass really greener going 60 mph down mountainous curves? Why would I want to live someone else’s life?

“Be still and know that I am God” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16).

Only in the stillness of a relationship with Deity does life gain perspective and purpose. We are His children after all. He knows us and wants us to succeed. He provided the perfect path—His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. When I rejoice with gratitude, I feel God’s promise to “go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). When I sin, through Christ’s grace, I can repent. When I sorrow, Jesus succors me. When I need direction or increased faith, hope, and charity, He “[leads me] by the hand and [gives me] answer to [my] prayers” (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10).

Each of us can find Him.  We are His.

History

The patriarch Jacob gave a blessing to each of his sons before he died: “And Jacob called unto his sons and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days” (Genesis 49:1). The Prophet Joseph Smith, the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ, taught that “wherever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints, as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons, etc.”1

Patriarchs

The Church of Jesus Christ is organized into wards and stakes. Thinking of the Church as a big tent, stakes support the weight of the tent and help it perform its function to protect the people inside. A stake is organized into several thousand members of the Church, depending upon the number of members living in a geographical area.  A stake patriarch is called to serve in each stake. They are chosen by the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ. They are ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood and are specially appointed to give patriarchal blessings.

What Is a Patriarchal Blessing?

Similar to the blessings Jacob gave to his sons, a patriarchal blessing in the Church of Jesus Christ is a priesthood blessing that includes a “declaration of a person’s lineage, stating that the person is of the house of Israel—a descendant of Abraham, belonging to a specific tribe of Jacob.” Mormons believe that it doesn’t matter if “a person’s lineage in the house of Israel is through bloodlines or by adoption. Church members are counted as descendants of Abraham and heirs to all the promises and blessings contained in the Abrahamic covenant.”2

The blessing also contains “personal counsel from the Lord” to guide the recipient throughout his or her entire life.3

How to Obtain a Patriarchal Blessing

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ who would like to receive a patriarchal blessing talk to their ward bishop to obtain a recommend that they will give to the stake patriarch. (A stake is made up of several smaller congregations called wards. A bishop is the presiding high priest in his ward.) The bishop will ask a few questions in his interview to make sure the member is ready for a patriarchal blessing. He will also answer any questions the member may have.

After the member has received a recommend, he or she calls the patriarch to schedule an appointment. Most members of the Church prepare themselves spiritually to receive this priesthood blessing by fasting—not eating a meal or drinking water—prior to the appointment (if physically possible).

The patriarch prays for divine guidance before he pronounces each blessing. He speaks to the member briefly before he begins giving the blessing. The blessing is recorded and transcribed, and a printed copy of the blessing is given to the member and archived at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Purpose of the Printed Copy of the Blessing

Receiving the blessing is a spiritual experience. Members feel the presence of the Holy Ghost and feel close to their Heavenly Father while the patriarch speaks words of inspired comfort and counsel, and prophesy of their life mission. Members are often told the fulfillment of the blessing is dependent upon their faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments.

Once a member receives a printed copy of the blessing, he or she is encouraged to read it often.

Church of Jesus Christ President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson said:

“Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone. It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound. Length and language do not a patriarchal blessing make. It is the Spirit that conveys the true meaning. Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. . . . Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal [compass] to chart your course and guide your way.”4

Most Mormons regularly read their blessings. Many connect their life experiences with the promises, admonitions, and cautions found in their blessings and write in their journals about them. Many members of the Church have memorized at least part of their blessings. They consider them as sacred and prayerfully consider if or when to share the contents.

Notes:

1. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1973), 151.

2. Patriarchal Blessings

3. Patriarchal Blessings

4. “Your Patriarchal Blessing: a Liahona of Light,” Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, November 1986.

Reference:

Living as a Latter-day Saint: Your Patriarchal Blessing

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

Paula Hicken was an editor with the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship from 2000 to 2013. She earned her BA degree in English from Brigham Young University. She edited Insights, the Maxwell Institute newsletter, and was the production editor for Faith, Philosophy, Scripture, Hebrew Law in Biblical Times (2nd ed.), Third Nephi: An Incomparable Scripture, and was one of the copy editors for Analysis of the Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon. She also helped manage the Maxwell Institute intellectual property and oversaw rights and permissions. She has published in the Ensign, the Liahona, the LDS Church News, and the FARMS Review.

Additional Resource:

Patriarchal Blessings

http://youtu.be/-9pbAch6cMw

“People fell in love with this little boy, who had first been diagnosed with this ravaging disease when he was only a three-year-old toddler.”

Despite legitimate assessments by many people that social media, such as Facebook, create a false sense of intimacy, the chronicles of Mitchell’s journey testified of his parents’ faith in their Heavenly Father’s plan and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

His parents, Chris and Natalie Jones, are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the Mormon Church. They “believed the burden would be lightened if they shared their anguish—and so they did in photos, videos that include doctor’s reports and their vivid reactions, and journal entries.” Their experiences resonated with readers and comments on their Facebook page “reflect that those thousands who followed this heartbreaking story learned something more about faith, enduring tragedy with grace, and how to love their children with more intensity.”

Chris Jones’s entries are compelling:

I’ll never forget the look of bewilderment on Natalie’s face upon hearing the diagnosis. I remained stoic and collected, but after leaving the doors of he hospital I stayed behind and sat on a bench that looked over the valley and wept.

Today, knowing what we know (after seeing the doctor), we see some of the things he does with a different perspective—and we are now recognizing what were before silent indications that this disease was already taking grasp on his little body.

He also shares his faith and trust in our loving Father in Heaven—a closeness with God that helps Latter-day Saints through the trials of life:

Something happened a few years ago and I don’t completely understand why  . . . and I suppose in time that it will be revealed; but, since the day Mitchell was born, I have had a recurring and persistent impression that his life on this earth would be short. This feeling came long before this devastating news about his disease–and when we had no reason to believe such a thing. Over time I told only a few people about this impression . . . . But for reasons I don’t completely understand at this point—I had this persistent uneasiness about him. I now see (at least) that our loving Heavenly Father wanted me to know something was wrong. And indeed—something is. He warned us . . . in effect prepared us to some degree. And if He did that, He will also carry us places we don’t have the strength to go ourselves.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ understand that Jesus Christ’s Atonement provided resurrection and redemption for all of God’s children. Through life’s painful experiences, they grow to understand the enabling and healing power of the Atonement. Chris Jones wrote:

“I am grateful to have learned something of the Atonement—and while I have much to learn about that sacred topic, I know enough about the hope it provides to keep from sinking.”

The funeral address given by Mitchell’s father appears on the Facebook page. He shares six tender mercies that were “extended to our family during this journey” and he thanks Heavenly Father for them. His concluding words reflect his continued trust and faith in God and his belief that he will be reunited with Mitchell:

As our little boy approached death, I began to sense that Mitchell was much older than I realized. Beneath the veneer of a little 10-year-old’s broken body was a spirit that was older and wiser than I appreciated. And while I miss his tender face, his soft voice, and his beautiful soul . . . so very much . . . every-so-often I am beginning to get a sense of things as they really are. His spirit existed long before he came to this earth—as did all of ours. . . .

But as painful as this separation is, I know that my redeemer lives. And because He lives, so also, does my son.

And I will spend the rest of my days chasing after them—so that I might enjoy that sacred reunion and all that Heavenly Father would offer.

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

Paula Hicken was an editor with the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship from 2000 to 2013. She earned her BA degree in English from Brigham Young University. She edited Insights, the Maxwell Institute newsletter, and was the production editor for Faith, Philosophy, Scripture, Hebrew Law in Biblical Times (2nd ed.), Third Nephi: An Incomparable Scripture, and was one of the copy editors for Analysis of the Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon. She also helped manage the Maxwell Institute intellectual property and oversaw rights and permissions. She has published in the Ensign, the Liahona, the LDS Church News, and the FARMS Review.

Reference:

Thousands followed Mitchell’s Journey on Facebook

Additional Resource:

Mitchell’s Journey

And with the protruding belly, the backaches and the lack of balance, I’ve also recently remembered that part of being pregnant with my fifth child means that I get asked, “Are you done yet?” and “Do you really think you can handle another one?”  And I feel the unspoken question is passed through a glance, “Why don’t you use birth control?”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often mistakenly called the Mormon Church), we Mormons are often known for having large families.  What many people don’t know is that we have these large families mindfully.  Every single one of my children was intentional. We believe that before we came to earth we lived with God, as his children, and that we awaited the opportunity to receive a body and progress to become more like Him.

Because we have a belief in a life before birth, members of the Church of Jesus Christ have a unique desire to invite those spirits, who have yet to be born, into our homes as our children.   We believe that this offers them the greatest opportunity for their continued growth in a household of faith.  We also feel a personal responsibility to fulfill God’s commandment to “multiply and replenish the earth.”

Sometimes I am asked by close friends who practice other religions why we don’t use birth control and I jokingly answer, “We do!  Imagine what my family would look like if we didn’t!”  In all seriousness, in such private matters the husband and wife use the guidance of the Holy Ghost to direct them in the number and spacing of their children.  Birth control is not expressly endorsed or forbidden except in one instance—abortion.

From True to the Faith, a manual for those seeking Mormonism’s basic tenets:

“Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must not submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for an abortion…Some exceptional circumstances may justify an abortion, such as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is judged by competent medical authority to be in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.  But even these circumstances do not automatically justify an abortion.”

We believe that the giving and taking of life are two powers that should not be handled lightly.  Failure to be cautious in the giving of life does not justify the taking of that life, or the promise of that life, after the fact.

Although procreation is undoubtedly an essential part of God’s plan for our happiness here on earth, sexuality between a husband and wife is not meant solely to create life.  It’s meant to be a unifying experience for married couples.   Modern scripture elaborates on the Adam and Eve story.  In it, God expressly commands, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh“ (Moses 3:24).

The sacred powers of sexuality and creation are revered and honored in LDS culture and as such, are guarded by our strict adherence to modesty— including the wearing of the temple garment under our clothing— and our commitment to being sexually abstinent before marriage and completely loyal to our spouse after it.

In many religions, there is an altar, a sacred place where hearts are given to God in complete offering.  For us, altars are found in churches where the sacrament is broken and blessed and in temples where we kneel across from each other and are married. It is here that promises are made and God extends His grace to His children.  Kneeling before an altar shows complete submission to the will of God and His timing.

In our home, we have another special place—our bed.  We kneel before it and offer our hearts to God and accept His will for our family.  We promise to care for each of the children He sees fit to give us—His children, not ours really.  And we share a sacrament as husband and wife that unites us in passion and joy and selflessness.

We may be done having children, we’ll see.  We always try to take them one at a time.   But whatever the future holds, I know we can handle what God has given us through His grace.  Bound together in spiritual, emotional, mental and physical unity, my husband and I pledge our hearts to each other, to God and His children.

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

Miranda H. Lotz is a military wife, mother and avid reader.  She loves composing music and currently resides in Colorado Springs.

Strengthening Families

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know.  In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us.  We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

Actions speak louder than words

A Thought
In class on tuesday my Professor said, “You are the epistle of Christ.” This statement, while simple, hit me with a profound depth.

The statement originates out of 2 Corinthians chapter 3. At the time, the people of Corinth, like many others, were caught up in the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law. Verse 3 says, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” Christ is using us, trusting us, to write and preach his word through our actions.

I love watching people interact and often note how you can tell when people are taking the necessary actions in their life to stay in tune with the spirit. The way they think, act, and react to situations is often grounded, mature, and typically does not result in hurt feelings but rather clear and productive communications. It is quiet and they just do it. It is apart of their nature. It is how they live.

It made me think about how I have the responsibility to be Christ’s message through my actions. I teach by being me. I may not always have the in depth conversations, but by aligning my actions with Christ and living in the good ways I know how may provide a greater force for good than I could ever realize or understand. People’s hearts are sensitive. I love the imagery in this verse, ink on stone and spirit in flesh. People’s hearts can be written on, changed by our actions and by following the small promptings of the spirit. It is the kind of writing that will not erode over time as stone does, rather it impacts the people our lives collide with.

Often small actions can speak and teach so much louder than any words can.

There is much good I can do just by being me and letting Christ work through that medium. I, through my actions, am the epistle of Christ.

According to Wikipedia, Lent is “the period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter.” According to Wikipedia, the length of Lent commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness and where he was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is a time of preparation through prayer, fasting, penance, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial, according to the site. Often, believers give up a luxury or vice during this time.

Although members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t observe Lent, the traditions of Lent are similar in nature to a monthly Mormon observance called “Fast Sunday.” Fast Sunday is usually the first Sunday of each month, unless other church-wide or regional meetings are scheduled. In that case, Fast Sunday is either the Sunday before or after. This Sunday is also a time of prayer, fasting, repentance and almsgiving.

Fast Sunday, as the name connotes, is a time of fasting. In the LDS Church, members usually abstain from food and drink for two full meals. Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before the Lord and purify, or chasten, our hearts. Psalms 35:13 says, “I humbled my soul with fasting.” Psalms 69:10 reads, “I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting.”

In the scriptures, fasting is rarely mentioned without prayer. When members fast, they prepare themselves to commune with God through prayer. Daniel 9:3 reads, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” In the LDS Church, members are taught to fast with a purpose, and to begin with a prayer, asking for guidance and help. During the fast, in “sackcloth and ashes”—in other words, in humility— members prayerfully ponder and study their scriptures and the words of the prophets. It is also a time to repent and seek to do better, to recommit oneself to the Lord. These acts of humility allow our hearts to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the answers we are seeking.

Last Fast Sunday, the members of my family (the ones who are old enough to do so) fasted for my 8-year-old daughter regarding some health concerns. She was sick, so she and I stayed home from church. Her health issues had been going on for years but were so subtle that I missed the signs. My friend texted me later that day and asked why I had missed church. I told her my daughter was sick. She asked what her symptoms were, and I told her. She told me it sounded like something she had when she was my daughter’s age. She explained it to me. I searched online for more information and then took my daughter back to the doctor, who gave her some much-needed medicine for temporary relief. I had a follow-up visit two weeks later with our family doctor, who scheduled lab work and tests to find out exactly what needs to be done for her. We are in the middle of that process now. My friend’s text and subsequent information was the answer to our prayers. The Lord does not always answer as quickly as He did that day, but He always answers our sincere prayers.

On Fast Sunday, members of the Church donate the money that would have been spent on meals to the Church. This donation is called Fast Offering, and the money is used to care for the needy both locally and around the world. The Savior teaches, in Luke 11:41, to “give alms of such things as ye have.” In Matthew 19:21, He teaches: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” As part of the baptismal and temple covenants, LDS Church members promise to give of their resources to help others, especially those in need.

In the LDS Church, sacrament meeting has special significance on Fast Day. First, members partake of the sacrament, “an ordinance in which Church members partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This ordinance is an essential part of worship and spiritual development. Through this ordinance, Church members renew the covenants they made with God when they were baptized,” according to lds.org.

In the Mormon Church, another component of Fast Day is the bearing of testimonies, which comprise the remainder of the sacrament meeting. Members, as they feel prompted by the Holy Spirit, stand before the congregation and share their feelings of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His restored gospel. They sometimes share short experiences that have strengthened their faith.

Similar to Lent, Fast Sunday is a time for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prepare themselves spiritually as well as to increase their faith and commitment to the Savior, Jesus Christ. At Easter, all Christians would be wise to spiritually prepare themselves to celebrate the greatest victory known to man—the resurrection of our Lord. If we will do this, our Easter celebrations will become more sacred and meaningful in our lives.

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

Additional Resources:

A Mormon Temple in a Catholic Country

Mormon Sacrament Meeting

Worship with Mormons

And honestly, I don’t really know the answer. I don’t know what they think Christians do or don’t do that conflicts with being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called “Mormons.”

I wake up in the morning and kneel inside my covers on my bed, maybe a better Christian would kneel on the side of the bed, but it’s too cold up here in North Dakota. I pray in gratitude for our home and for protection through the night. I thank the Lord for health and pray for strength through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ to get me through the day. I pray for guidance for my four children eight and under. I pray for the protection of my husband as he serves in the military. I pray for family members who are struggling with their own unique challenges. And mostly I pray for the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost.

Then it’s time to wake the kids. I hate to do it, but if we don’t have scripture study in the morning it becomes an all-out rumble at night. We gather around our kitchen table and sing a hymn and have a prayer and the kids begin to eat their breakfast, while Greg, my husband, reads aloud from the Book of Mormon or Bible. The Book of Mormon is a record of people who believed in Christ and how He chastened them and led them and loved them. We only make it through about a page a day; maybe a better Christian would be able to do more.

After the kids are on the bus, I exercise and shower and play some games with my two year old. I listen, hopefully with compassion, as a friend drops by and needs to unload some doubts and fears and insecurities. Maybe a better Christian would know how to offer more comforting words. But as it is, my friend has me, so we joke a little bit and cry together a little bit. And then we hug each other and take a deep breath.

When afternoon comes around my kids come home exhausted, and I try to make peace between them as they bicker about which television show to watch and beg for me to pop some popcorn. Perhaps a more Christian mother could end the bickering with a kind word, but I snap at them. And then I apologize. And then I make the popcorn.

By 6:00, I’m ready for the day to end. But it’s family home evening. Once a week we have a lesson on either a gospel principle like faith in Christ or prayer, or just another topic that we feel like our kids need to hear about like bullying or even the infamous lesson, “Hygiene—it keeps me clean.” You can imagine what the content was for that lesson. Greg pulls aside one of the kids to help him teach the lesson and I pull aside another to choose a treat and be my helper in the kitchen. It’s divide and conquer to create unity.

We joke that family night is the only argument that begins and ends with a prayer. But this lesson goes by rather calmly and serenely. For just a moment I feel like they’re getting it. Like they understand that Christ is everything. That we can turn to Him no matter what. Maybe other Christians have more of these moments.

And then the moment’s gone, and it’s time for a rousing game of duck, duck goose. They gobble their brownies and milk, and I usher them into the bathrooms to brush away the sugar bugs. My kids change into their pajamas and climb into bed where I see them kneel under their covers to pray. They’re cold too. I wish I could show them a better example. But maybe with Christ I’m enough.

Article was written by Miranda H. Lotz

Miranda H. Lotz is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a U.S. Air Force wife and mother. Miranda is involved in musical theater, sings, sews, writes, and serves in the children’s “Primary” organization in her local Mormon congregation.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Mormon Families

Mormon Youth

I returned home from the store frustrated and discouraged.  I clicked on the TV for my children, and called my sister, Liz.

“Are these really the best years?” I demanded.  “People keep telling me that these years are the best, but honestly I’m exhausted all the time.  I’m barely keeping my head afloat.  And if it just gets harder, I’m going to drown!”

“It gets easier.  Your kids are dependent on you in so many ways right now, but give them some time and then it’ll really start getting fun. And honestly, those little old ladies just don’t remember what it was like.  It was too long ago for them,” Liz soothed.  “Can I tell you a story?”

“Yes, please.”  Liz has great stories.

“Last week I decided to make brownies,” she began.  “I followed the recipe from the family cookbook and used real vanilla and put them into the oven to bake.  About 15 minutes before the brownies were done they smelled amazing.  I thought,  ‘I should have my brownie now before all the kids come in and want me to dish theirs for them.’  So I pulled the brownies out of the oven and cut myself a piece.

“But as I put that first bite into my mouth instead of getting a delicious brownie, I burned my mouth on a steaming ball of glue. It was disgusting.  I had to throw out the brownie I had scooped for myself.

“Do you see where I’m going with this?” she asked.  “You are using the right recipe and the right ingredients to make a strong family.   You are living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You’re praying together and studying the scriptures.  But you’re trying to taste your brownies too soon.  They’re not done.  It’s going to take some time before you feel like your family is becoming delicious to you.”

We members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, casually called Mormons, are often deeply involved with our families, because we believe that family ties can exist after we die, if we make and keep certain covenants with God.  These covenants, or two-way promises, include our increased commitment to honor the commandments as absolute laws.  We make these promises within Mormon temples during the endowment ceremony and are given God’s promise that our families will be sealed to us, or kept together with us, for eternity in the marriage ceremony, known as the sealing ceremony.  As the strength of our commitment to God increases, so does the eternal bond which unites our families.
This belief in eternal families is one of the most striking doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ.  Although most people believe in their hearts that they will see their deceased family members again, most religions make no promise about being together after death.  In fact, many Christian religions even specifically proclaim that marriage will be “until death do you part.”

But members of the Church of Jesus Christ stand as witnesses that Heaven would not be Heaven without our loved ones.  Our families are fundamental to our well-being here and are the foundational aspect of our happiness in the eternities after this life.

Liz was right. It’s been several years since that desperate phone call, and in that time while my “brownies were baking” a world of joy and fun has opened up for us.  As we’ve tried to follow God’s plan for our salvation–the recipe; as we’ve fostered love and compassion, forgiveness and work—the ingredients; and as we’ve let time do it’s work our family has grown stronger.

Right now, I feel like I’ve had some tantalizing whiffs of the brownies that are still baking.  And they’re going to take a lifetime to finish.  But, oh, how good they will taste in Heaven!

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

Miranda H. Lotz is a military wife, mother of four, bibliophile and musician. She lives on a remote Air Force station in Cavalier, North Dakota.

Additional Resources:

Mormon Temples

Worship with Mormons

Mormon Families

Mormon Youth

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

After the Eucharist (what Mormons call the “sacrament”) members of the congregations participate in what they call “fast and testimony meeting.” This is a time where there  are no scheduled sermons. In the Church of Jesus Christ, even Sunday sermons are delivered by assigned lay members, but there are no previously-made assignments on fast Sundays.   The privilege to address the congregations is otherwise by invitation from the Bishop or other church authority.  These individual addresses are called “talks.”
On Fast Sunday, the meeting is turned over to members who wish to share their personal testimonies (witness) of Christ, God, or the Church.  Their personal testimonies may include a simple witness or even highly personalized stories that have strengthened their testimony in Christ and His gospel.

There is no set formula,  and members young and old may participate by going to the podium to address the congregation or what Mormons call a “ward.” Sometimes the deacons will carry a microphone to any member who stands for this purpose, or the member may simply stand and bear their witness or testimony in a loud voice if no microphone is available, or the congregation is small enough  that all may hear with  clarity.

Quite often the younger generation participate in ‘bearing their personal testimonies (witness) of Christ and his Church. As a young person growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ, I recall bearing my testimony as early as five years old.  Technically, I was not even a member of the Church, because in Mormonism you are not eligible for baptism until eight years of age.  Prior to this “age of accountability,” Mormons do not consider a child to be capable of making the right and wrong choices that allow for sin.  Children are sinless before God.

After the services, Mormons then make a “Fast Offering” (a form of alms giving, which is also part of the Easter tradition among all Christians). Since Mormons have refrained from eating on fast Sunday, Mormons take the approximate value of those meals as an alms, or offering,   for the benefit of the poor.  Again, this is done on a monthly basis.
Fast offerings are collected on an honor basis.  These donations are distributed through the Bishop’s Storehouse and the LDS Church welfare system.  In an individual congregation a Bishop may request assistance for a family. Quite often, these benefits, particularly in natural disasters, do not even benefit members of the Church but go to anyone in need.

Some Mormons are not able to participate in fasting due to medical reasons like old age, diabetes and so forth. However, even if they are not able to participate in the actual fasting, they can still make an alms or fast offering.

Since Mormons do not take up collections in meetings, addressed envelopes are provided near the Bishop’s office with a form that can be filled out to make various types of donations to the Church.

These donations can be made by cash or check by filling out the form and giving the Bishop or one of his counselors before or after the meeting. They may also be mailed in the self addressed envelope with the Bishop’s name and mailing address. Sometimes donations may also be accepted in kind- by arrangement, meaning by donating actual goods, rather than cash or check.

Mormons also provide physical labor to help the poor, donating their time and effort at church welfare farms, orchards, ranches, and canneries.

In addition to fast offerings, Mormons also pay ten percent of their income to the Church of Jesus Christ in the form of tithing.  Tithing supports all of the activities of the LDS Church including building and maintaining Mormon temples and meetinghouses.  The Church of Jesus Christ also sponsors three universities and a remarkable system of religious education.  Tithing also supports missionary work with nearly 60,000 missionaries out in the field.

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

Mel Borup Chandler lives in California. He writes about science-related topics, technological breakthroughs and medicine. He is a former member of the Los Angeles Press Club. Additionally, he has also served an LDS Mission in Argentina during Argentina’s “Dirty War.”

Additional Resources:

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Worship with Mormons

Famous Mormons