Mormons in the News

Mormons preparing for troubled times

2009-01-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

This New Story, On Mormon's Preparing For Troubled Times, really was an interesting read. It covers an outsider's perspective on Mormon's and their idea of each family storing a year's supply of food for their family. With the economy so down right now, the world is focusing more and more on what we as a church have been doing for decades: preparing ourselves for troubled times.

The article points to church doctrine concerning "the last days", and the calamities that will come. However, members of the Mormon church aren't only preparing for those types of situations: food storage can come in handy if you lose a job, or just have a hard time making ends meet. The plain fact is, being prepared is helpful for every-day life, not just in case of grave emergency or wide-spread calamity.

Give the article a look, it was a very well written and balanced article.

Mormon church 2008 hurricane relief report

2008-12-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

Church Releases Report on 2008 Hurricane Relief

The Church humanitarian aid system is experienced and well equipped to respond to a variety of disasters, including hurricanes. For instance, the Church provided 200 semi-truck loads of aid and 42,000 man-days of labor in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Disasters, as horrible as they are, give Latter-day Saints a chance to serve. Randy Ellis, Houston cannery manager and disaster volunteer, said: “We get involved because that’s who we are. We’re trying to follow the example of the Savior. It feels good to help your neighbor. We don’t do what we do to get people into the Church. We do it just to help people.”

The LDS church contributes a great deal to humanitarian efforts, both monetarily and in actual service hours. These efforts are made because of an understanding that people's physical needs must be met before they can even begin to think about spiritual matters.

Hurricane relief starts before the hurricane

2008-08-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

This was a great story illustrating just how dedicated the Mormon church is to helping out whenever it can:

In Advance of Hurricane Gustav, Aid Trucks Already Rolling

Trucks loaded with food, hygiene kits and cleaning kits left for the Gulf Coast yesterday and today. More trucks are being loaded and will leave tomorrow, and additional supplies stored at Church aid facilities in Louisiana and Texas are also being made available

The Mormon church assists with natural disaster relief around the world on a regular basis, and it is great to see the preparations starting before the problem is at its fullest.

Mormons on Harleys

2008-08-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

For Mormon bikers, faith a common road

I thought this was a fun write-up about a group of motorcycle riders who ride from temple-to-temple around the US. Sounds like a blast!

Basically, this article points out that the image of Mormonism that most people have isn't entirely correct... we like to have fun, and we come in all personality types. You don't have to fit a mold to be a Mormon!

African Clean Water Project Will Help Over 100,000

2008-07-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Benefits Trickle Down From Clean Water Project

Leading from the storage tank, a main pipe with several distribution lines will provide water to an estimated 160,000 people.
“Water is life,” says Christensen. “This clean water will mean less sickness and prevent many deaths. I cannot fully express how excited the people are about this.”

I was really excited when I read this. It is my dream to be able to help in these sorts of projects, and after my young family grows a bit, I really hope that I will be able to.

This particular project addresses a vital need: clean water. So many people in this world go without it, and it is a simple thing that can change their entire life. I am glad that the LDS church (mormon church) is getting involved.

Church Family History Records Lead to Groundbreaking Genetic Research

2008-07-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

Church Family History Records Lead to Groundbreaking Genetic Research

Utah is leading the world in genetic research because of the Utah Population Data Base (UPDB), a unique combination of state vital statistics, other medical profiles and genealogical records from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“More human disease genes have been discovered in Utah than in any other place in the world,” explained Ray Gesteland, vice president for research and a genetics professor at the University of Utah.

That’s because the Church’s family history records provide invaluable information to a host of University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute researchers involved in genetic data studies. The records tying one family to another and yet another provide a resource to medical personnel attempting to tie a genetic marker or cluster of markers to another generation.

This is excellent news. The effort that the LDS church makes to gather records together has so many benefits, for everyone.

BYU Ballroom Dancers to Participate in Olympic Cultural Festival in China

2008-07-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

BYU Ballroom Dancers to Participate in Olympic Cultural Festival in China

The championship Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company recently returned from a three-week performing tour in China, including an invitation to participate in the Olympic Cultural Festival, an international celebration prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

I am personally torn about this year's Olympics, since I do not particularly agree with the Chinese form of government. Still, I am glad that the Chinese do make attempts to work well with the world, though many do not agree with them on many issues.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/byu-ballroom-dancers-to-participate-in-olympic-cultural-festival-in-china

Spanish Speakers Have Greater Access to Records on FamilySearch

2008-07-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

Spanish Speakers Have Greater Access to Records on FamilySearch

FamilySearch’s indexing system is now available in the Spanish language, giving Spanish speakers easier access to an enormous collection of family history resources. Familysearch, a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, contains the world’s largest repository of genealogical records.

Though I don't speak Spanish, I recognize the need to have FamilySearch available to as large an audience as possible. I'm not sure how many languages it is already available in, but it is now also available in Spanish.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/spanish-speakers-have-greater-access-to-records-on-familysearch

Mormon Church Clears Confusion About Polygamy

2008-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Mormon Church Clears Confusion About Polygamy

The link above has a good article about our church, and the current events and stories about polygamy that are creating so much confusion about the Mormons. The fact is, we don't believe in polygamy, nor do we practice it anywhere in the world. Those who might practice it are not part of our church.

The other interesting thing about this article is the fact that it has many video links from people living in Texas, near the polygamy confusion, talking about the Mormon church. The Mormons don't condone polygamy, and we find it as revolting a practice as most.

"We'd much rather be talking about who we are than who we aren't," Elder Cook said. "While many news reporters have been careful to distinguish between our Church and this small Texas group, it is clear that confusion still remains."

Elder Cook said the issue is an important one for the worldwide Mormon faith.

“Mormons have nothing whatsoever to do with this polygamous sect in Texas,” he said. "The fact is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890: 118 years ago. It’s a significant part of our distant past, not of our present.”

Mormon Church Involvement in Katrina Relief

2008-07-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Video about LDS Mormon church involvement in Katrina:

Mormons well supplied for crisis

2008-06-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mormons well supplies for crisis

The Mormon church advises everyone to try to store as much of their food supply as possible, to be able to care for their families in times of need. This advice is extended to the entire world, not just to members of the church.

With the recent global food crisis, this is turning out to be some very good advice. This article examines one families process of storing their own food supply.

But the sharp spike in prices of staples such as bread, eggs, flour and milk at supermarkets has folks looking for options in food purchases and storage.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has historically impressed on its members to build at least a three-month storehouse of food, store ample water and set aside money for a crisis.

More information on food storage is available at www.providentliving.org

The next Mormon reality star

2008-05-21T08:36:00.001-07:00

The next Mormon reality star

Just a little write-up from ABC that runs through 8 big-name reality TV stars that happen to be Mormon. I actually don't watch much TV, but every once in a while someone will mention to me the fact that such-an-such singer/actor/politician/celebrity is Mormon. I thought this ABC article was interesting because it actually goes through all of the major reality shows that have a Mormon in the cast.

Harry who? Meet the new J.K. Rowling

2008-05-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

Harry who? Meet the new J.K. Rowling

Stephenie Meyer, a teetotal Mormon mother of three, has sold seven million novels about high school vampires and knocked Harry Potter off the No1 bestseller spot in the US

I thought I'd link to this for the simple fact that it shows how you might find a member of the Mormon church in any profession. The Mormon church doesn't tell its members what to do for a living, but teaches us Christian values and morals.

This was especially interesting to me because I would love to be a writer someday. Recent markets have proven that there is a place for nearly every type of writer, and that is exciting to me.

Dominican President meets Mormon leaders

2008-05-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

Dominican President meets Mormon leaders

President Leonel Fernandez met Thursday with representatives of Dominican Republic’s 105,000 member-strong Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), in their temple located on Bolivar avenue in this city.
For his part, second advisor of the Mormon Presidency of the congregation’s Caribbean region, elder Miguel Alfredo Lee, urged the government to promote measures aimed at bolstering family values and to uphold them as society’s fundamental base.

This was really a very short article mentioning a meeting between the president of the Dominican Republic and leader of the Mormon church. Because the Mormon church is growing around the world, and because many people don't know a lot about our faith, we make every effort to meet with local leaders and express our views on important issues such as families, marriage and other values.

The LDS.org Newsroom - an official source

2008-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for an official source for media and press from the LDS (Mormon) church, try the following website link:

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

There are many links to interesting articles that help people understand what our church is all about. You can also see commentary, statistics, and links to discussions on public issues facing the Mormon church today.

I would encourage you to visit this website to get a better understanding of who the Mormons really are, from a reliable source.

Mormon Church missionaries link with community

2008-04-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Mormon Church missionaries link with community
[ Source: Lockport Union-Sun & Journal ]

The church encourages its missionaries to connect with the community and going door-to-door is just a small part of the mission. Mack and Hansen live on Market Street and do service work around the city.

“However people need us to help them, we do whatever they like us to do,” Mack said. The young elders do service in the YMCA, senior center, Red Cross, for members of the Lockport church on Locust Street, for people who need help moving things and for people who are sick.

“We’re here to help,” Hansen said. “We’re not here to sell something to you. We’re here to help you guys and share our message of Jesus Christ. We do that by showing compassion.”

Mission work is not required by the church, but it is encouraged because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Having served a mission myself, I thought this was a simple but positive article explaining what missionaries do. There's a good chance that most people will run across the Mormon missionaries at least once in their life, and it's helpful to understand that they are there to answer questions and to provide service.

Check out the article, and read up on lds.org for more information on what our missionaries do.

Modern-day Mormons disavow polygamy

2008-04-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Modern-day Mormons disavow polygamy
[ Source: Salt Lake Tribune ]

"Despite the LDS Church's repeated efforts to distance itself from the polygamy-practicing Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, many Americans have trouble distinguishing the two."

The recent events with the polygamist compound have been very disturbing to me. I personally find the practice of polygamy today to be revolting, illegal and wrong in the sight of God. The Mormon church does not practice polygamy, nor does it allow any of its members to do so:

"during the 1800s [the LDS church] officially ceased the practice of such marriages .... since that time, plural marriage has not been approved by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any member adopting this practice is subject to losing his or her membership in the Church." [ source: lds.org ]

Associated with these illegal and irreligious polygamist groups are cases of abuse and manipulation. The Mormon church does not tolerate such abuse, and decries it in all forms and cases. Also, the bible has the following to say about child abuse:

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

I think it is very clear that practicing polygamy today is against the commandments of God, and is wrong. The Mormon church holds that view. You can read more about Mormon views from the church's official websites lds.org or mormon.org.

Mormons and Catholics: Outreach Story

2008-04-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Ecumenical meeting marks first time Mormons join in papal gathering
[ Source: Catholic News Service ]

"We have shared values and there is a possibility of collaboration on a number of social issues while respecting our theological differences" - Father James Massa, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interrreligious Affairs

" Father Massa described the request as coming out of a growing respect between Catholics and Mormons, which began under the leadership of the late Gordon B. Hinckley, longtime president of the Latter-day Saints."

"People of good faith do not need to have the exact same beliefs in order to accomplish great things in the service of their fellow human beings."

I felt this was an excellent example of how people of all religions should be working together toward good causes. To me, this demonstrates the commitment of the Mormon church to have an open dialog with every religion who is trying to do good in the world today.

2008-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Mormons Provide Humanitarian Services to 4 Million in 85 Countries in 2007

[ Source: American Chronicle ]

"Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have provided more than $1 billion in total assistance to needy individuals in 165 countries."

This article outlines some of the global humanitarian efforts of the Mormon church in 2007. We believe that "by their fruits ye shall know them." We are Christians, and we do tell people that, but it is better to show what you believe by how you treat your fellow man. The Mormon church is dedicated to the mentality of the good Samaritan, around the globe.

Mormons in the news

2008-04-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

You may have seen a news headline about Mormons. Information out Mormons is easily and quickly accessed on the official Mormon church websites, lds.org and mormon.org; this website is intended as a place to discuss current events and news about the Mormon church and its beliefs.

I hope to help answer some of your questions, and clear up any confusion you might have about the Mormon church. Please also feel free to visit my other website, Questions about Mormonism, to ask a question of your own.