"Best two years of your life" - a perspective on missionary service

I'd like to talk about missionary service for a little while.

Many people will hear that their mission was "The Best two years of my life".  But, should it really be the best two years of your life.

Why would one refer to it that way .... is not your current year of your life wonderful?   In reality it my not be all you hope for and thus looking back at the time you spent serving a mission ( 2 year for male and 18 months for female of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) you'll have fond memories.

Life on a mission is not easy.  Depending on where you are assigned to labor you may be lucky to teach a lesson a week.  In other places you may find people friendly enough but, they never keep commitments and flake out when you try and follow up with visits.  You may also find people that will try run you over on your bike or throw things at you in disgust, and how about people run you off their property because they are really REALLY not interested.  That is outside all the time you will be robbed or have stuff stole at your apartment just because they think your flush with money.  Don't forget about the disease or other problems with health you may encounter.  The list could go on easily for pages.



So with that laundry list of issues why might one feel or say that those 2 years were some of the best?  It might be something very simple.  The more you do something the easier it gets. 
We got to discussing this issue in our lesson Sunday in the Elders Quorum based on Elder Hollands Oct 2012 Conference Talk.  Right now for those in the group holding the discussion we have what seems like a million things going on in our lives.  There is work and the duties to support our families.  Many have children and in some cases another on the way.  There are all the family things that life brings.   Even some finishing school or going back so they can get ahead.  So the world ways down on you.
As a missionary your all day every day out talking to people about the good news - Gospel of Jesus Christ.  You are regularly studying the scriptures, praying for and in behalf of people and generally being uplifted.  Life is simple.  You are not worried where the next meal will come from (well in most cases), how your going to make rent and other things like this.  Life is so much simpler.


Due to this fact - not having to directly support yourself the time you spend as a missionary is a little limited.   Granted in the 1800's it was a bit different for our ancestors that went on missions.  Many left a wife at home to run the family farm and/or young children to raise.  In many cases they could not even say when they would be back.  With communication as it was, it had to be harder then heck dealing with a mission.  Things have changed but, not a ton.  It is still hard but, worth every effort.

So if a mission was the "best 2 years of your life", how can you make now the best two years of your life?

It might not seem so simple but, increasing that spirituality can sure help.
As you concentrate on living the Gospel things will just click for lack of a better way of putting it.  You can still be inspired, you can still have the power of prayer in your life.  You can still be that shining example you were back in the day.  Granted you may have gained a few pounds, lost some hair and acquired a few worry wrinkles.  However, all the blessing you had on the mission are still available today.  All the great things that come from regular scripture study, prayer and the like are still available.  You might have to work at it a bit harder then before.  With the possibility of a long commute, and all of life's pressures you will have to organize your time better.


So I'll make a list of things you can do to help get that spirit back in your life.  I myself need to do better with many of these things.  I sure do feel better when I have more of them in my life.

1.  Attend your regular Sunday meetings.
2. Actively do your home and visiting teaching.
3. Regularly read the scripture or church literature
4. Pray regularly as a family and/or individually
5. Participate in family home evening
6. Go out with the missionaries
7. Do the best you can in your calling not matter how uneventful it may seem.
8. Use uplifting media.



Go and claim the world.  Nothing is holding you back.  And when the clouds get dark and life seems to be a pit of darkness, remember those moments of joy, when you know the spirit was testifying of truth and lifting you up.  It's those moments that may seem far and few between that will carry you through.


Are you in need of finding some old companions or track down some information about the mission you served in or will serve in?

Find out what you need by going to MISSION.NET
Interested in a free copy of the Book of Mormon? CLICK HERE



Buaidh - NO - Bas

Standing in Holy Places

What or where is the most holy place on earth?  [pause] NO one would argue against anywhere that Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ is currently at.  However, we know they are not present on earth very frequently.  There are few recorded instances in the scriptures; Mount Sinai, Sacred Grove to mention a few.  Beyond that most would say the Temples of the Church, then maybe meeting houses and other church dedicated buildings.   I ask of you today – Are the 19 inches of bench you are currently sitting on holy? 

Or more importantly are the 19 inches of sofa you will occupy later today holy?  I’ll tell you why as we consider how where we are currently standing can be a holy place.

The Bible Dictionary specifies:

Holiness. According to the O.T. things or places were holy that were set apart for a sacred purpose; the opposite of holy is therefore common or profane…. Similarly a holy person meant one who held a sacred office.  …  The word holy therefore came to refer to moral character.

“What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are. -C. S. Lewis.”

http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/C.+S.+Lewis/4/index.html

Locations and places do not necessarily define who we are but, they can have an influence on what we will become.  Just because you are at a bar does not mean you’re an alcoholic.    Hanging around the Temple grounds all day does not therefore make us Celestial Kingdom material.  It sure can help in comparison to an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages or promotes something against the commandments.

“We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints all over the world, wherever possible, to strive to stand more often in holy places. Our most holy places are our sacred temples. Within them is a feeling of sacred comfort. We should seek to be worthy to take our families to the temple to be sealed together for eternity”

Standing in Holy Places James E. Faust

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

April 2005 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/standing-in-holy-places

Also think of your home computer or Television.  At one moment you can be watching the Prophet at a session of General Conference.  A few clicks later you can be viewing images or video that do not invite the spirit.

“Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It's being where the Holy Ghost is our companion—alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be, the best of life will come to us.”

Standing in holy places

Sister Sharon G. Larsen Second counselor, Young Women General Presidency

Published: Saturday, March 30, 2002

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/41554/Standing-in-holy-places.html

Further more, Sister Larsen mentions the following:

“It is possible the loneliest times are when we are surrounded by people, even friends, who are making wrong choices, and we have to stand alone. There are some places it would not be safe for you to go even to help someone in need. The Lord said to stand in holy places. There are places where the Spirit would never be. You know where those places are. Stay away from them. Do not encourage a curiosity that ought to be stopped. Pay attention to what you are feeling so you will know when you are feeling unsure or uneasy.”

Standing in holy places

Sister Sharon G. Larsen
Second counselor, Young Women General Presidency

Published: Saturday, March 30, 2002

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/41554/Standing-in-holy-places.html

We agreed to come to this earth and gain a body.  We knew there would be challenges.  A plan was detailed for us that we readily accepted.  NO one said it would be easy.   Therefore, there will be times when we have to make choices.  Sometimes really hard choices.

Doctrine & Covenants 87:8

Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh ^bquickly, saith the Lord. Amen.

Bishop Stevenson Presiding Bishop relates the following story from the Priesthood Session of October 2012 Conference:

“Each of you will also have defining moments in your life requiring courage. A friend of mine, John, shared with me one of those moments in his life.

Some years ago, John was accepted at a prestigious Japanese university. He would be part of the international student program with many other top students from around the world. Some enrolled with a hope to deepen their understanding of the culture and language, others viewed it as a stepping-stone to an eventual profession and employment in Japan, but all had left home to study in a foreign country.

Soon after John’s arrival, word of a party to be held on the rooftop of a private residence spread among the foreign student population. That evening, John and two friends made their way to the advertised address.

Following an elevator ride to the top floor of the building, John and his friends navigated the single narrow stairway leading to the rooftop and began mingling with the others. As the night wore on, the atmosphere changed. The noise, music volume, and alcohol amplified, as did John’s uneasiness. Then suddenly someone began organizing the students into a large circle with the intent of sharing marijuana cigarettes. John grimaced and quickly informed his two friends that it was time to leave. Almost in ridicule, one of them replied, “John, this is easy—we’ll just stand in the circle, and when it is our turn, we’ll just pass it along rather than smoke it. That way we won’t have to embarrass ourselves in front of everyone by leaving.” This sounded easy to John, but it did not sound right. He knew he had to announce his intention and act. In a moment he mustered his courage and told them that they could do as they wished, but he was leaving. One friend decided to stay and joined the circle; the other reluctantly followed John down the stairs to board the elevator. Much to their surprise, when the elevator doors opened, Japanese police officers poured out and hurried to ascend the stairs to the rooftop. John and his friend boarded the elevator and departed.

When the police appeared at the top of the stairs, the students quickly threw the illegal drugs off the roof so they wouldn’t be caught. After securing the stairway, however, the officers lined up everyone on the roof and asked each student to extend both hands. The officers then walked down the line, carefully smelling each student’s thumbs and index fingers. All who had held the marijuana, whether they had smoked it or not, were presumed guilty, and there were huge consequences. Almost without exception, the students who had remained on the rooftop were expelled from their respective universities, and those convicted of a crime were likely deported from Japan. Dreams of an education, years of preparation, and the possibility of future employment in Japan were dashed in a moment.

Now let me tell you what happened to these three friends. The friend who stayed on the roof was expelled from the university in Japan to which he had worked so hard to be accepted and was required to return home. The friend who left the party that night with John finished school in Japan and went on to earn degrees from two top-tier universities in the United States. His career took him back to Asia, where he has enjoyed immense professional success. He remains grateful to this day for John’s courageous example. As for John, the consequences in his life have been immeasurable. His time in Japan that year led him to a happy marriage and the subsequent birth of two sons. He has been a very successful businessman and recently became a professor at a Japanese university. Imagine how different his life would have been had he not had the courage to leave the party on that important evening in Japan.³”

Be Valiant in Courage, Strength, and Activity

By Bishop Gary E. Stevenson Presiding Bishop October 2012 General Conference

Doctrine & Covenants 115:5

Verily I say unto you all: ^aArise and shine forth, that thy ^blight may be a ^cstandard for the ^dnations;

Joshua 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, ^achoose you ^bthis day whom ye will ^cserve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my ^dhouse, we will ^eserve the Lord.

“Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal journey without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him God-given guidance to assist in our safe return at the end of mortal life. I speak of prayer. I speak too of the whisperings from that still, small voice within each of us, and I do not overlook the Holy Scriptures, written by mariners who successfully sailed the seas we too must cross.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Three Rs of Choice,” Ensign, Nov. 2010,

Truly we do not have to be like unto Lewis Carroll’s Alice in the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.   You may remember that at one point she was what some would say lost in the forest.  The Cheshire Cat was asked by Alice which path she should use as she lamented on the confusion of the signs and directions available.  The Cheshire Cat who gave some sage advice told her any path would do since she had not particular goal in mind.  The worm in the Movie Labyrinth also gave some great advice to Sarah as she began to navigate the maze in search of her baby brother.   However, since she did not listen long enough she wasted much more time getting to her final destination and goal.  We don’t have to be the wandering soul with no goal in mind.  We have that goal.  And we also are constantly given the directions we need as long as we will listen and head the advice and promptings of the spirit.

“Every time you make a choice, you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And, taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a Heaven creature or into a hellish creature -- either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow creatures and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is Heaven: that is, it is joy, and peace, and knowledge, and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.”
Christianity Quotes – CS Lewis

http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/C.+S.+Lewis/1/index.html

Technically speaking we can not be fence sitters or non-progressing.  We are either moving forward in our progression to eternal life or we are slipping back thus losing ground.  There is no such thing as autopilot when it comes to eternal progression.  Unfortunately, it is a constant battle, one we wage each day.

“But remember that the Savior himself was tormented, ridiculed, spat upon, and finally crucified because he would not waver in his conviction. Have you ever stopped to think what would have happened had he weakened and said, “Oh, what’s the use?” and abandoned his mission? Do we want to be quitters, or do we want to be valiant servants in spite of all the opposition and evil in the world? Let us have the courage to stand up and be counted as true, devoted followers of Christ.”

For They Loved the Praise of Men More Than the Praise of God

President N. Eldon Tanner First Counselor in the First Presidency Ensign November 1975

Elder Whiting in the most recent conference talks of a time when he inspected a mostly finished temple in Hawaii and the imperfections that were found.  He was also surprised at the fixes actually being made to these seemingly insignificant parts of the temple.

“Why would walls with a little grit and a window with a little asymmetry require additional work and even replacement when few human hands or eyes would ever know? Why was a contractor held to such high standards?

As I exited the temple deep in thought, I found my answer as I looked up at the refinished exterior and saw these words: “Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord.”

The temples of this Church are precisely as proclaimed. These sacred buildings are built for our use, and within their walls sacred and saving ordinances are performed. But there should be no doubt as to whose house it really is. By requiring exacting standards of construction down to the smallest of details, we not only show our love and respect for the Lord Jesus Christ, but we also hold out to all observers that we honor and worship Him whose house it is.”

Temple Standard by Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy  October 2012 General Conference

It is clear we are always refining ourselves.  We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.  The Lord knows we can do it, we know we can do it.  The helps are there.  We can succeed.

Let me summarize briefly a few of the helps the Lord has provided for our use that will help us to stand in Holy Places.

• Holy Ghost and his promptings
• Scriptures and other church literature like the Ensign
• Prayer
• Sunday Meetings and the Sacrament
• Temple Attendance
• Church Music

With this plethora of helps it is obvious the Lord wants us to succeed.  We simple need to reach out and take it.  He’s stand at the door with no handle on his side.  We have to take the initiative and open the door so he can come more fully into our lives.

In Conclusion I’d like to quote from our dear Prophet Thomas S Monson.

“If any of you has stumbled in your journey, I want you to understand without any question whatsoever that there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior gave His life to provide you and me that blessed gift. Despite the fact that the repentance path is not easy, the promises are real. We have been told: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”⁶ “And I will remember [them] no more.”⁷ What a statement. What a blessing. What a promise.”

Dare to Stand Alone Thomas S. Monson  President of the Church General Conference October 2011

{End}

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Pioneer Day

July 24th is celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah.  Maybe even locations in Idaho, and Arizona.  The reason this day is celebrated is this marks when the first group of Mormon Pioneers reached the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. That is why I'm not sure if the largely Mormon communities in locations like Arizona or Idaho also celebrate this event.

As many may know the Saints were pushed out of Nauvoo Illinois and eventually over several months made their way across the plains through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and finally ended at the Salt Lake Valley.  Brigham Young as he saw the valley on the rise just before descending into the valley "This is the Right Place, carry on".  He'd seen it in vision and knew this was the place that the Saints would be able to prosper and thrive.

Strangely the route they was used matched much of what could be the Oregon trail and/or the California trail. 
It appears that the Oregon trail was used slightly earlier then when the Mormons first crossed in 1847.  One way or the other this trek that they took was thousands of miles and not all that easy.  Whether is was undertaken by wagon train or hand carts it was long, exhausting and perilous.  There were presumed threats of Indians attacking, disease and sickness that could be had, issues with wild animals, and then the age old lack of food and water since the journey was taking so long.  All this made sure that those that arrived at the final destination were hardy folks.  The faint in heart, the sickly and invalid did not usually make it the whole way on the journey.

There is very good movie that was made recently that highlights the hardships of taking this crossing and exemplifies why we celebrate Pioneer Day.  17 Miracles is an amazing film about the hand cart companies that came across to Salt Lake in part as a solution to the lack of funds available to members of said companies.

Though it includes some information from multiple hand cart companies and is not necessarily in chronological order it is one of the best films I have seen that show the overall sacrifice that was necessary to make the trek west.
Yes the movie can be said to have a bit of a LDS slant since it does cover the Mormon Pioneers nevertheless, you can get a sense of what life was like back then.  We may not complain of sitting in a car for hours to get to our destination.  How about 3-4 days to cover the same distance with no good source of water or food the whole distance.

 This whole topic of the Pioneers basically covering  the 1840's through to the 1880's is very fascinating.  The beginnings of new technologies.  The vast logistics involved.  The crossing of a vast unknown continent etc.





One of the best book over all that explains in a more or less easy fashion not boring with to many details but, not lacking on content is the following book.  It covers all the essential elements of the Pioneer experience and has it broken down into sections like - Making camp, on the trail etc.  Very much worth the money. It works well for adults and children.


  Want to see some programming on the commemoration of Pioneer day?  I've included some links below to great content including the Annual presentation by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Can not get much better then that.

We all Share Pioneer Legacy - Elder Uchtdorf

http://www.lds.org/pages/modern-day-pioneers?lang=eng


2012 Pioneer Day Concert - Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Friends

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/pioneer-day-concert/2012/07?lang=eng&vid=1747398845001

 

Celebrate the Pioneers in your past or those that are current pioneers.  There may be more out there then you think.

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Finances of the Mormon Church

I only use that title due to the fact that it is so well known and what was used in the recent Bloomberg BusinessWeek article that has caused such a stir.  You can read the article in full at the following link - How the Mormons Make Money.


I guess one of the reason there is such a stir is the fact that they continually try and highlight the for-profit businesses that are owned by the Mormon Church (Official name - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)


As is pointed out in the article and other commentary about the article is that it is very, very hard to talk about and quantify the finances of a religious organization.  In the United States and many other countries around the world a religious organization is tax exempt and the contributions make to said organization are also usable as tax deductions depending on how you figure out your taxes.  Now there are the typical Religious organization we all know like the Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc.  Then you get into the slew of smaller lesser know church and group that in some cases end up in court because they are not deemed to be religious or one reason or another.  The majority if not almost all of these entities live off of donations.  These can be physical donations of clothing and the like to group like Salvation Army, and monetary donations in the form of Tithing to the more traditional.  In some cases you may have a combination of the two which can be fairly standard for those in the LDS Church.

One would assume that most religious groups are not in the business of making money and thus should be given the above mentioned tax break.  However, there are some that do appear to be in it for the money or do have some for-profit enterprises and that brings up a whole new animal.  Should the for-profit business be taxed and the other parts be exempt?  I'd imagine that many would think so until they find out that their church has a for-profit business.


Most churches are a money consuming affair when you look at the face of it.  They have a meeting house and need to pay the electrical and water etc to keep things running.  They will also eventually replace the roof or other parts of the building.  Then you have things like office supplies and church material (Scriptures, manuals, hymnals, publications, etc) that have to be covered as well.  You may also have a paid clergy.  All this takes money.   The property and building don't just magically appear.  Nor do the books, and other items that are put into use.  This is where tithing comes into play.   The members of a religion or church will offer up monies for the sustaining of the church.  In a smaller group everything is handled locally.  In larger organizations like the LDS Church or Roman Catholics there is a very prominent central church headquarters.

So for the smaller groups you can easily see where the tithing might be utilized - salary, utilities, building maintenance, etc.   It is not so easy to see this when dealing with larger religions.  Since you also find that many of them run addiction recover and other social outreach programs, seminaries or various schools, as well as having meeting houses spread all over the place and the associated infrastructure to handle these things.  It can get quite large depending on the scope and size the church.

Let me mention just a few of the ways that the LDS Church receives funds from local members.   Tithing by faithful members, Fast Offerings, and other monetary donations to specific purposes like Temple, Missionary, and/or Perpetual Education Fund.

Now what do I know these funds are being used for?
Tithing the backbone of funds is used mainly for buildings (maintenance, construction, etc) and the running of the unit (i.e manuals, sacrament materials, auxiliary reimbursements, etc.).

Fast offerings are used to handle welfare cases.  These funds may be directly allocated to help pay the rent, or utilities for someone that has lost a job.  It can also be used as part of the Bishop's Store House which provides food stuff and other basics again to people in need.

If you donate to the missionary fund you be either helping to pay the way for a missionary in the field, printing of Book of Mormons or other literature the church gives away.  It might also help to maintain the Missionary training centers around the world as well.


Things like the Perpetual Education fund are special in that they to have a very specific purpose.  In this case it is to help make small loans for those in underprivileged areas so they can go to school.  Under normal circumstances they would not normally qualify to get a loan for school, or none are available like the system that exists in the US.

Same with Humanitarian donations.  These are bundled together and help send aid to those areas that have been hit by natural disaster or other unrest.  Per the article the amount of monetary funds just for this area since the mid 1980's is well over 1 billion.   That fails to include to amount of human service hours that are provided in many of these areas by local members in places like Joplin Missouri.  Great article on this In the Aftermath of the Tornado

Now I know that the LDS Church handles finances a little differently then many others.  We do not pass around a plate or collection basket during services.  We also don't have a donation box located near the front doors.  Our donations are placed in an envelop and include a slip that designated what we are donating to and how much.  We retain a carbon copy of the receipt for our records.   These envelops can only be handed to 3 individuals in a unit;  The Bishop or one of his two counselors.  Not even a Stake President can take these monies.  The monies are entered into the system (Recorded) by a specially called finance clerk together with a member of the Bishopric.  Again, controls are in place with regards to the finances.  Both these individuals will take the money down for deposit at the bank.  Warning messages are provided when no deposit(s) have been made for over a week.  Go to many and you'll get a special visit from Church headquarters.
On a quarterly basis a person comes to audit the finances.  This checks to make sure outstanding checks have been resolved and that expenditures and donations have been recorded properly.
Quickest way to get thrown out of the church is to miss appropriate funds.

At the end of the year each family will meet with the Bishop in what is called  Tithing Settlement.  Here you have the the chance to declare if you are a full tithe payer and also to review the records of what you donated.  At that time you can bring up any errors.  Once again a checks and balances system.  For those of the church you might wonder how someone would know if you really did give 10% of your income.  They don't.  They take your word for it as you never supply pay stubs or financial reports.

The church works off the principle of the widows mite.  It's a huge sacrifice to donate and thus the money must be used wisely.

Also I've heard that if they are going to build a new meeting house they will have all the money lined up upfront before construction.  Can confirm or deny this but, it makes sense.  This can help keep cost over runs and other issues to a minimum.  They also use standardized designs that require only slight modifications to better bit a site.  In the past the local unit was required to raise a portion of the funds to build the new meeting house.  That was the case of the one where I currently meet.  Also back then each family had to pay a portion of the unit's budget.  Back in the mid 90's they moved to a standardized budgeting system.  No longer would there be an assessment to each family.  It is mentioned either in the article or other commentary from desert news (church owned) that they are dedicating a new meeting house some where in the world weekly.

Let's just use a simple example and show how much of the monies received in tithing might be expended on a building.

Let us say we have a typical ward meeting house that will house 2 units.  Let us also say for argument sake that the building will run 3 million dollars to build.  The property is say going to be 1.5 million since it is expensive here in California.  So a rough estimate will be in the neighborhood of 5 million dollars to build and outfit a new meeting house.  Think of how much tithing you have to collect just to be able to build that building.
If a typical unit has 400-500 members or about 150 families and a portion of those will be inactive.  You say drawing on tithing from about 100 people.  If on average these individuals are giving $4,000 annually you come up with in the neighborhood of $800,000 in annual tithing.  If that unit or units were in need of that building and you wanted to wait till they had all the money in place you be looking at a good 6-7 years time.  Thus the up front costs of building is far greater then the monies being received in a given area.  However, with the funds being pooled on a worldwide basis you can then construct new buildings and relive the burden from the local members.
I served in Brazil on my mission and in many areas they had buildings and very few members since was very new there.  They would have had to wait years if not decades to get a building if it had to come solely from local funds.  They had buildings albeit smaller with new ones or expansions being built as circumstances changed.  Also the overall income is far different for members living in Mozambique or Fiji compared to Los Angeles, or a well developed country in Europe.  Yes, the cost of living in those areas are also going to be different.  You'll spend less on utilities, and other things but, overall things end up being similar.

And that does not include all the buildings being used for religious instruction, or the Temples, and welfare related offices.

So you see there are load of expenses that the church has.    There is a large amount of outlay just to keep things functioning.
Let alone the need to building new meeting houses and the continued construction of Temples world wide.  Check out the churches list of statistics.


But, outside the use of tithing the bone of contention seems to be with the for-profit businesses the church runs. This was highlighted with the recent completion of the City Creek Shopping Complex in March of 2012.   The estimated price tag for this redevelopment was 2 billion.  That would be a ton of tithing money to spend if that is what they had done.  They say all the money for the project came from non-tithing funds.  And the article points out why they even decided to do a project like this.  They mention urban blight as the main purpose.  The number of jobs created were/are 1,700 for construction and 2,000 permanent per city creek's web site.
Take a week economy and the area around the famed Salt Lake Temple Square going to pot and you see why they would do a project like this.  It might make some money but, mainly it was kind of a grand welfare project.  They pumped 2 billion into the Utah economy.  Sure beats having to fill food orders down the road.  Win win in my opinion.

And think why would the church not want to run it own insurance company?  There could be many advantages.  Any profit would be rolled back into the operation and they could even offer it to other entities.

You have to see the reasoning behind some of the ventures.  You have to see the logic, the need, and then you can see why they are in some businesses and not others.

Take the Polynesia Culture Center in Hawaii also mentioned in the article.  It is run in conjunction with BYU Hawaii and the students that attend there.  Many of the people employed at the center are student from the various areas of Polynesia.  They work there to help pay for their schooling.  Yes they charge for admission but, if there is any kind of profit it just allows them to improve things at the center or employ more people in the over all operation.  Thus more members and in some cases non-members can gain employment and allow them to attend school and become able to be productive in their home cultures/countries when they return home.  Another win win over all.

So in the end I'll stay pay my tithing as I need the spiritual blessing and other things that come from being obedient.  Also I will not sweat the little things and what is exactly being done in the for-profit businesses of the Church.  They provide way more things then one can imagine.

Because they are being wise stewards of the monies received we do the major portion of cleaning a building.  However, we learn more respect for said building when we have to clean up that spill we just made.




Buaidh - NO - Bas

Essential Ordinances

4 We believe that the first principles and ^aordinances of the Gospel are: first, ^bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ^cRepentance; third, ^dBaptism by ^eimmersion for the ^fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ^ghands for the ^hgift of the Holy Ghost.
Articles of Faith - 4 


Well this past Saturday we baptized my daughter whom was also having her 8th birthday the same day.

She as a female member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has complete the first of just a few essential ordinances that she will complete in her life.  This is also the 2nd time of 3 times that she used a white dress.  There are some good books and artwork on this topic you find out more about below.

We stressed out a lot during the week prior to the baptism for a couple of reasons.  First we had discovered following her interview with the bishop that there were no clothing for children in the usual place.  That lead to a frantic search as to who had this clothing.  We knew a couple of other children in another unit had been baptized about a week prior.  The other stress came from the fact I knew my daughter would not be able to bend her legs as as others do and thus we would need to work on an alternate method to make sure she was fully immersed.  We had practiced how I would hold here a lot and it went mostly as planned.  She did have a toe pop up and then we redoing it I was so worried about the feet I forgot to lower her head enough.  In the end we held her shoulder and legs and it worked out fine.

The Bishop mentioned several times how much understanding my daughter had on the whole baptismal ordinance.  He asked her in the interview what baptism means.  She gave as a response 2 things right off the bat.  That you have to be fully immersed and second that when you take the sacrament on Sunday it is like you are being re-baptized.  That is some very deep understanding.


So let us talk about this essential ordinance of baptism.  Why are we baptized?  What is the proper mode of baptism?  Whom can perform a baptism?  All these are very essential and important questions.  Since if one of these is not properly in place then we simply do not have a valid baptism.


We are baptized for a remission of our sins.  And secondly to be come a member of Christ's Church.  We also have the opportunity to receive the Holy Ghost at that time as well.

 38 Then Peter ^asaid unto them, ^bRepent, and be ^cbaptized every one of you in the ^dname of Jesus Christ for the ^eremission of sins, and ye shall receive the ^fgift of the ^gHoly Ghost.
Acts 2:38

Baptism is like entering a portal or door.  It is one of the first step on the way to eternal life.  It is like the first steps needed to get on the path that will lead us back to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  And thus after baptism we have become clean and start down the path as a clean reborn individual.  Now we know we will deviate from the path (Sin) and thus as we take the sacrament weekly and work on repenting we are bringing ourselves back on the the path.  If after all we have done we have maintained ourselves on the path (enduring to the end) we will be able to receive eternal life and our mansion in heaven set aside by our Heavenly Father.

Now we know that baptism is important.  But, you will notice there is some confusion as to how it must be done.  Let us look to the example of Christ to clear things up.

 13 ¶Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be ^abaptized of him.

 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, ^aSuffer it to be so now: for thus it ^bbecometh us to ^cfulfil all ^drighteousness. Then he suffered him.

 16 And Jesus, when he was ^abaptized, went up ^bstraightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the ^cSpirit of God descending like a ^ddove, and lighting upon him:

Matthew 3:13-16

Thus we see Jesus went unto John the Baptist.  Why would be go to John the Baptist?  Because we know that John had divine Authority (Aaronic Priesthood) to perform baptism.  Now we notice that John mentions that he should be getting baptized by Jesus.  Jesus with the ultimate authority could have done that but, we see nothing recorded about it at the time.  Jesus also mentioned the need to 'fulfill all righteousness'.  It is kind of hard to ask everyone to be baptized if you yourself are not willing to do it.  

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being ^aholy, should have need to be ^bbaptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be ^cbaptized, yea, even by water!

 6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

 7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be ^aobedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

 2 Nephi 31:5-7

We also notice that Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan.  He was not baptized in a sink or at a well or some such location.  He was baptized in a river so he could be fully immersed.  That helps with the symbolism of rebirth.  Being fully covered by water and then coming out again like a person reborn.

I once saw a movie where they had Jesus go into the water and then John sprinkled some on his head.  Why even bother going into the river if your going to sprinkle.  You could have done that at the side of the well, in the backyard of some Sadducee's home or the like.

We also notice that Jesus came to John when he was of age (30 and starting his ministry).  Jesus was not baptized as a child and he definitely knew what he as doing.  It is clearly stated in the scriptures that one must be of age (Capable of understanding).  Those that die as young children are saved in Christ Jesus for they are pure and sinless.  See Moroni 8 for more details.  Clearly a child of 4 months is not fully capable of understanding what they are doing.  Let alone able to really sin thus they need not be baptized.  Also have you noticed how much more comprehension and understanding a child has as they reach their 8th birthday.  They begin to ask a ton more questions.  They begin to become more sensitive.  They also understand thing more and recognize for example when other children are not being appropriate and mean or misbehaving.  It all just makes sense.

We have touched briefly on whom can perform a baptism.  We see that Jesus went unto John the Baptist because he is one who had authority.

Via modern day revelation we know that there are two types of Priesthood.  The Aaronic and the Melchizedek.  Technically, Levitical Priesthood is an appendage or alternate name for the Aaronic Priesthood.  Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory Priesthood.
"God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth."  Topic Priesthood

Those that hold the office of Priest may baptize but, not confirm and give the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Only those with the Melchizedek Priesthood may perform this portion of the ordinance.

One does not go around looking to receive the Priesthood or to attempt to gain office or position there in.  The Lord calls the individual.  No one seeks out the keys or authority associated with said Priesthood.

Take note that at first Joseph Smith sought of the lord Information concerning what church to join.  He did not seek out to obtain authority.  He simply wanted answers.  And later as they translated the Book of Mormon they read of authority and Priesthood.  Together they went into the woods and asked of the Lord.  'What are we to do?  Who has this authority necessary to be baptized?'(paraphrasing)  And who should appear to them but, John the Baptist himself to confer the Aaronic Priesthood, and tell them that as they stayed worthy Peter, James and John would come and confer to them the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood.


Hopefully with all my words of wisdom and explanation one can see why Baptism is one of the essential ordinances.  As previously specified this is one of the 3 times my daughter will wear a white dress. The first was when she was blessed and given a name for the records of the church.  The second being her baptism and the third being wedding day at the Temple.

So if you have not been baptized as Jesus was please take the time to pray about it and find out why you should.  It will be well worth your time



For additional study on this and related topic see the following topics

Baptism
Holy Ghost
Priesthood

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Baptismal Program - Once Again

I'd like to revisit my previous posts on baptismal programs.

Baptismal Program - revisited
Baptismal Program
One of the reasons I want to do this is an article my wife found.  This article talks about using videos while the people who were involved in the baptism are changing out of their wet clothes.

see http://mormonlifehacker.com/use-mormon-messages-for-baptism-waiting/  for the whole article


This article talks in some detail about selection of the videos and some ideas on getting programs to help you compile them.


The reality is that there are some really good ones out there to use.  Many by Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf and others by President Monson.

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Create - Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

Have I Done Any Good - President Thomas S Monson

The Mormon Messages put out by the church are recommended but, each is generally only a bit more then 1 minute and at the maximum about 3 minutes.  You'd have to have a fair number of these to make up the 10-20 minutes needed in most cases.  so a mix of slightly longer videos and Mormon message commercial style clips works best.    You do have to be careful to not use to many non-official church clips.  They can become awkward if you have not viewed them fully and in many cases they can be just a handful of pictures and the like with music.  Basically, a power point presentation moved into the video realm.


As I have specified in the previous posts the program is generally fairly simple.  There are not a whole lot things to resolve that are variable like.  You'll will always have an opening prayer and song.  There will also be a closing prayer and song.  The middle flexes a bit depending on whether you decide to have a separate person speak on the Holy Ghost and Baptism.  I've seen it done both ways and either works.  It's all a matter of preference and deciding what will work for the types of people present.  If you have a lot of people unfamiliar with the process and that are not members you will definitely want to have them split up.  If it is a bunch of relatives that are all members you will likely combine since it becomes a little like a review for the baptisee and others present.

The big thing that can break the spirit of the meeting is what happens will the people are changing their clothes.

Many things have been utilized to a varying degree of success.  Again it depends on those attending and what you  might want to achieve.   For a convert baptism the missionaries generally will take a few minutes to invite those attending who are not members to find out more and bear their testimonies.  Unfortunately, even for a great missionary it can be hard to accordion his comments to match that of the time needed.

Other times people will simply sing some hymn or primary songs. This works great to bring or maintain the spirit.  Bearing of testimonies is also a good one but, lets be realistic.  How many times have you sat in fast and testimony meeting and witnessed the long dead spaces of time when no one goes up to the pulpit?

So we decided on using some church videos but, felt at a loss original as to which to use.  Then after determining the longer ones would not work we considered the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  This also proved problematic since they have mostly Christmas related material available.   And then it hit us.  Use the videos from Mormon messages and the like found on the Internet.

I'm going to include a few here for your viewing pleasure.  You'll find they are all very excellent and depending on the audience can be used  to great advantage.

You Matter to God - Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

Lessons Learned as Boy - President Gordon B Hinckley

Happily Ever After - Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf


So if you know someone that will be putting on a baptismal program in the near future, or even a 'Great to Be 8' presentation why not let them in on this new trend.  Videos during the interlude might just be what they have been looking for to fill the time appropriately.

Please leave your comments on what you have done and which videos you are using.

Buaidh - NO - Bas

If you feel impressed to find out more  after viewing some of these video clips you can request a missionary, Copy of the Book of Mormon or even a church video by clicking here

Power, Authority and Duty

This last Sunday in our Elders Quorum we were afforded the opportunity to go over the Ordinances and blessings we perform as priesthood holders.  One thing that came up is the distinction between power and authority.   Many of us there were present are authorized to perform the ordinances but we may not have the power vested in us.  This is due to circumstances occurring in our lives etc.


So this brings up several interesting points.  First we must acquire the authority (i.e. receive the Priesthood) then learn our duty and at the same time do all in our ability to be vested with the power of the Priesthood as we go about doing our duty through our righteous living.

Many may not bring into this discussion much the area of Duty.  Some times it seems they are talked about separately.  Duty and power of the Priesthood.

The duties of the Priesthood vary as do the offices which are held within the Priesthood.  A Deacon will have very different duties to that of a Bishop.   Can one say that the duties of the Bishop are greater then those of  Lowly Teacher?  Yes, they can but, it is no more important to fulfill your duty as a Teacher then it is those of a Bishop.  The Bishop has no more opportunity to obtain the highest levels in the Celestial Kingdom then does the Deacon if they fulfill their duties to the fullest.  A very interesting concept, right.

We discussed a situation were a missionary had hurt himself badly in a sporting accident.  He was pending surgery and the possibility that he may have to return home early.  At the time Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was in the area and the missionary felt impressed to ask him for a blessing.  His chance slipped away due to circumstance beyond his control.  Eventual, his mission president asked if he'd like a blessing as he was looking a bit depressed.  They all came to the realization that the power and authority of the Priesthood vested in that mission president was the same at the member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.   Great results came from that blessing and a grand lesson was learned.   You will not be further blessed simply because a general authority gives you the blessing.  We might think so since they seem to have more faith and possess what seems like more power via their righteous living.  The Young worthy 12 year old Deacon has just as much right, Power and authority to call down angels to assist him as a Seventy in an area presidency does.   As long as it is the will of the Lord it can be done.  If it will help accomplish his aims he will let it happen.




At times we may feel overwhelmed.  We may feel inadequate etc.  That is natural since we to often are not properly instructed.  Too often those of us that have the Priesthood do not understand our duty or let alone the power the Lord has vested in us.  Remember this is not something we go seeking after.  Not something we proposition the congregation for.   Thus because all of us as leaders and followers are mere mortals we have our faults and short comings.  We strive to progress and become better.  We begin to see the grand picture and not just that which is in front of us or comprehensible by our small minds.  The Lord can see the begin and the end.  His wisdom and knowledge is thus far greater then our own.

"At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right." Willing and Worthy to Serve Thomas S. Monson 

Hopefully we are instructed just as well as Elder Uchtdorf was as a young Deacon.

"Instead, he spent time with me and helped me understand not only the what of my assignment and new responsibility but, much more important, the why."

The Why of Priesthood Service Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

No wonder he did not take his duty and assignment lightly.  He had been instructed in what his duty really was.  What power and authority he really had received.  He as given the WHY.

When you have the WHY you will want to do your best, and not some half masted job.  My grandfather always did his home teaching on the first Sunday of the month.  He had the vision, and it helped he was living in a small town of a couple hundred.  But, irregardless of circumstances he was blessed just as much as the brother living in a metropolitan city of millions doing his duty to the fullest.  Same blessings and responsibilities, different circumstances.

This is well summed up by George Albert Smith.
“I have not wanted this position. I have not felt equal to it. But it has come to me, and I will fill it to the best of my ability. I want you all to know that, whatever you are doing in the church, from [home] teaching to presiding over a stake, if you do it to the best of your ability, your position is just as important as mine.”
The Life and Ministry of George Albert Smith

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010

But, we are not  alone in figuring out what our duty is and how to be vested with true Priesthood power.  The scriptures are full of examples and information.  Section 107 of the doctrine and Covenants is full of information on our duties and responsibilities.
Conference talks are also a great place to learn more of our duties and become more endowed with the power god has given us.




As we become more aware of our duties and have that increased desire to help our fellow man we will begin to full espouse the true power of the Priesthood.  For in true reality the Priesthood is given to help others.  For we do not place our own hands upon our head and pronounce a blessing.  We must ask for another to do that.

The Lord has a vision for each and everyone of us.  He wants us to succeed, though he know it will not be easy.  And thus he provided his authority so that we on earth may be blessed.  And what a blessing it is to have the Priesthood.  Hard as it may seem to understand it fully.




The following are several good ways to live our lives.  They come from George Albert Smith and if society would lives by these 11 statements it sure would be a better place.

"When he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his “personal creed”—11 ideals that he committed to live by:

“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

“I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.

“I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.

“I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.

“I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.

“I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

“I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

“I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

“I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.

“I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

“Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth"
Chapter 1: Living What We Believe

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010

Are you curious to find out more the Priesthood?  Do you have questions on who can be ordained?  Then you might just need to talk with the missionaries.  They'll come and visit you no strings attached.

Request a visit from the missionaries here

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Religious Freedom

I like to take  few moments and comment on religious freedom and the advantages that a religious society have.

Religion in society provides us with a basis or background from which we can judge our own action.  I know you will say that in as much as we have the 10 commandments many in the government doe not follow them.  Rightfully so,  you can claim that.  But, it does provide a standard by which we can judge ourselves.

There are quite a few times that we see from the Book of Mormon how the society (Nephites) here in the Americas deteriorated as the people in general dwindled in unbelief.   Their turning away from the Gospel and falling into wickedness eventually lead to their down fall.  The other part of society (i.e the enemy or Lamanites) came in and via war, bloodshed and contention wiped them out.


As the people relied on their own strength and did not recognize the hand of God in their lives they began to fail and fall.   They entered into a phase in the circular cycle.  This cycle goes from 1. humbling ones self and recognizing God in our lives, 2. being blessed and prospering, 3. becoming prideful, etc, and finally 4. being humbled by the Lord.

So can we see that as we turn away from our religious roots we begin to rely more on "the arm of the flesh" and begin to become a loathsome and abominable people.

But, what then does this have to do with religious freedom?
When we begin to persecute those of other faiths be they Christian or not we begin to suppress religion in general.  When religion in general is no longer tolerated we begin to lose our way and enter in the pride portion of the cycle.  Thus some that would say that we must be tolerant of all and thus we can not have anything that appears religious in any shape or form associated with government are actually promoting the opposite.

At that point they are basically denying the existence of a supreme being.  This is thus very dangerous.  But, at the same time we have to be careful that we are not promoting one religion over another.

I love the fact that at many town and city council meetings they have a prayer at the begin of the meeting.  Usually, a pastor or other leader of a local church is called in to over this prayer.  Every time it is rotated around to someone new.  Thus no on religion, denomination or faith is promoted over another.  But, in some instances this is being pushed aside.

We are setting aside our standards, changing our moral compass.  All in the claim that we must be more inclusive and/or tolerant of those around us.  But, in the end we are denying our maker and moving away from our foundation of faith.

Will societies ills be fixed over night as we promote religion in any of it's forms?  No, it will not but, take communities where there is lack of a family unit, morals are lacks or no existent, and honest is a thing rarely seen.  Imagine how much better this community would be if there were people striving to live a moral life, uphold the family unit, and be honest and neighborly to one another.  This surely would improve life in the neighborhood.

Sometimes they state that you can take the people out of the ghetto but, not the ghetto out of the people.   Imagine if you took the ghetto out of the people.... Religion can provide the basis for which to do this.  So we have to adamantly promote religion in all its forms.

Since it is easy to see that spiritual, no less the physical benefits of religion in our society.  So thank the next person you see for being religiously involved and for standing up for their faith and religious rights.  Let us stand bold such that our little ones will not think we are those that "Do not believe in Jesus" - or basically lack any religious orientation.

We definitely do not want to end up like Nazi Germany or the fall of the Nephite Civilization as recounted by Mormon to his son Moroni-


7 And now I write somewhat concerning the sufferings of this people. For according to the knowledge which I have received from Amoron, behold, the Lamanites have many prisoners, which they took from the tower of Sherrizah; and there were men, women, and children.

 8 And the husbands and fathers of those women and children they have slain; and they feed the women upon the ^aflesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh of their fathers; and no water, save a little, do they give unto them.

 9 And notwithstanding this great ^aabomination of the Lamanites, it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after ^bdepriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is ^cchastity and ^dvirtue—

 10 And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most ^acruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of the hardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery.

 11 O my beloved son, how can a people like this, that are without civilization—

 12 (And only a few years have passed away, and they were a civil and a delightsome people)

 13 But O my son, how can a people like this, whose ^adelight is in so much abomination—

 14 How can we expect that God will ^astay his hand in judgment against us?

Moroni 9: 7-14 

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