First, let me make it abundantly clear that I do not like Obama or his communist policies. I would never vote for Obama even if he was the last man standing.
By the same token, just because Mitt Romney happens to share my faith and Mormon lifestyle, I will not vote for him. In this election I simply will not vote.
Although Mitt may seem like a sound alternative to Obama, he still doesn't exude the confidence of a commander in chief, the strategic thinking of a world leader, or the aura of a statesman. Let's put it this way: "Ronald Reagan" Mitt is not.
At best, he is a corporate bureaucrat with a sense of humor to match. I can't see him giving a Gorbachev the challenge to tear down walls the way Reagan did.
He comes across as timid, uncertain, and walks like a schoolboy. Bland, predictable, two-dimensional.
I am not sure I like the idea of a president who is concerned about fostering Israel's ideological war with Iran while at the same priming America's economy back to health. Spending money we don't have on proxy wars is nor going to help us get out of the mess we are in. And agreeing to the passage of the NDAA without debate on new year's eve telegraphs to me that he is all for duping the American public.
There are other reasons I don't like Romney.
Clearly, if Mitt is not speaking against global interventionism and nation-building adventurism, then he is all for it.
If Mitt is not speaking against the crippling effect of the Federal Reserve, then he must want more of the same.
And if he is not saying a word about the IRS, then he is for a collection apparatus that serves the ruling families of the world.
In short, Mitt is more aligned with globalist agendas than with the safeguarding the Constitution of the United States of America. And for this reason he is in my eyes a persona non grata.
A leader must galvanize. Mitt disengages.
I remember seeing him on the David Letterman show exiting the stage. He simply walked out. He didn't stop to smile, wave to the audience or point back to David. Just a quick exit, as if to say "get me out of here".
I will never understand how his lackluster town hall meetings (compared to Ron Paul's mass gatherings) could win him so many delegates. I suspect the machinery that regulates elections ensured that Ron Paul would not win. This is clearly a case of the tail wagging the dog, and one more reason I am not voting for Mitt.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Deserts of Our Life
"To make the desert blossom like the rose".
That's what the pioneers accomplished in the deserts of Utah. Modern-day Israel also made its deserts blossom.
Deserts holds special significance in our lives. There is something purifying about a desert. It's barren parched ground symbolizes a clean slate, a new start. Some will see obstacles when shown a desert. Others will see only opportunity.
When we think of deserts the story of Moses traveling forty days through the desert comes to mind, or the story of the Israelites traveling forty years through the desert before entering the promised land. For forty years the desert purged a generation of unbelievers. How can we forget the story of Jesus fasting forty days in the desert. What transforming empowerment took place there?
Then, in the Book of Mormon, the very first account is of Lehi and his family leaving all their riches behind in Jerusalem as it was about to be destroyed, and traveling through the desert.
The deserts of our life will come and when they come we will abandoned and terrified. In the quietness of the desert we can hear God's whisper resonate more loudly. The voices clamoring for our attention can no longer be heard.
A desert is a sacred place where inner transformation takes place beyond the sight of others. When we let God plant seeds in our desert we can begin to truly blossom, in ways we never imagined.
This view of the parched desert, is not shared by the pundits of New Age philosophies. Their paradigm does not entertain the idea of entering deserts. Quite the contrary. Their ideal expression of transformation is to bypass all deserts, at all costs and visualize only abundance.
Herein lies in stark contrast the difference between God's ways and the World's ways. Just like Satan who tempted Jesus with power and dominion, so the world promises us today power and dominion without inner transformation. World of powerful, dominating egotists is hardly the ideal tableau we should be envisioning.
Yet, God in his infinite wisdom, will make us blossom as the rose after we have been purged. This produces a different kind of world filled with people who are far more concerned about the well-being of others than their own, because they have known privations.
The fork in the road ahead will take you to two destinations: the desert and the fertile valley. Which will you chose?
But, then there is also another choice you can make. There are various kinds of deserts from hot and dry, to cold, semi-arid and coastal. My preference is always "coastal".
That's what the pioneers accomplished in the deserts of Utah. Modern-day Israel also made its deserts blossom.
Deserts holds special significance in our lives. There is something purifying about a desert. It's barren parched ground symbolizes a clean slate, a new start. Some will see obstacles when shown a desert. Others will see only opportunity.
When we think of deserts the story of Moses traveling forty days through the desert comes to mind, or the story of the Israelites traveling forty years through the desert before entering the promised land. For forty years the desert purged a generation of unbelievers. How can we forget the story of Jesus fasting forty days in the desert. What transforming empowerment took place there?
Then, in the Book of Mormon, the very first account is of Lehi and his family leaving all their riches behind in Jerusalem as it was about to be destroyed, and traveling through the desert.
The deserts of our life will come and when they come we will abandoned and terrified. In the quietness of the desert we can hear God's whisper resonate more loudly. The voices clamoring for our attention can no longer be heard.
A desert is a sacred place where inner transformation takes place beyond the sight of others. When we let God plant seeds in our desert we can begin to truly blossom, in ways we never imagined.
This view of the parched desert, is not shared by the pundits of New Age philosophies. Their paradigm does not entertain the idea of entering deserts. Quite the contrary. Their ideal expression of transformation is to bypass all deserts, at all costs and visualize only abundance.
Herein lies in stark contrast the difference between God's ways and the World's ways. Just like Satan who tempted Jesus with power and dominion, so the world promises us today power and dominion without inner transformation. World of powerful, dominating egotists is hardly the ideal tableau we should be envisioning.
Yet, God in his infinite wisdom, will make us blossom as the rose after we have been purged. This produces a different kind of world filled with people who are far more concerned about the well-being of others than their own, because they have known privations.
The fork in the road ahead will take you to two destinations: the desert and the fertile valley. Which will you chose?
But, then there is also another choice you can make. There are various kinds of deserts from hot and dry, to cold, semi-arid and coastal. My preference is always "coastal".
Friday, July 27, 2012
To Know God is Eternal Life
This above all, perhaps, sums up the essence of our Faith: to know God.
How?
Knowing God is for some as an alien a notion as traveling to outer space. Can it be done, and how?
When God and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith, they appeared as glorified beings of flesh and bones. This epiphany countered to centuries-old belief that God was a force, a phantom, or a universal presence. It is this belief in an incarnate glorified God that sets Latter-Day Saints apart.
We don't expect to see God in this lifetime. Of course, to see Him, touch Him and speak to Him face to face would no longer require faith on our part. We would have sure knowledge of His existence. And that is the reason we are better to not Know him in this manner. A sure knowledge would no longer work faith in us. And what faith we sometimes need to press forward in this life!
Faith, like a muscle, grows only in the absence of evidence. And interestingly enough, when we see our life unfold and can sense God's influence in it, we are more likely to see our faith grow. Faith combined with a clean lifestyle allows us to accomplish much more.
Knowing God therefore is a matter of witnessing His influence in our life, and above all seeing the transformation in our character. Character is like steel. It has different tensile strengths in different people. When steel is tested, it is placed under enormous stress to see if it will break. The blade of a Samurai's sword goes through extensive heating and testing before it is deemed fit for a warrior. And so it is with a character anchored in faith.
How easily will your character break?
When you end up losing everything, as Job did in the Bible, what will your character be made of? Will you curse God and die? Or will you praise His name even during the deepest trials that shape you?
It is through those trials, and the injustices that are heaped upon us that we get to know God's Son, Jesus Christ. For He also suffered the same injustices. And so, if the Son of God who is the hallmark of Love and Purity suffered them, then who are we to complain about our own sufferings? It is exactly those sufferings that help us know God better. In fact, we become His friends.
In the final analysis to know God is to want to be like Him. And to want to be like Him qualifies us to enter into His presence and have Eternal Life. This does not happen in a moment. It takes redoubling of effort in times of weakness, a resolve to hang on when one's moorings drift away, and the patience of Job.
How?
Knowing God is for some as an alien a notion as traveling to outer space. Can it be done, and how?
When God and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith, they appeared as glorified beings of flesh and bones. This epiphany countered to centuries-old belief that God was a force, a phantom, or a universal presence. It is this belief in an incarnate glorified God that sets Latter-Day Saints apart.
We don't expect to see God in this lifetime. Of course, to see Him, touch Him and speak to Him face to face would no longer require faith on our part. We would have sure knowledge of His existence. And that is the reason we are better to not Know him in this manner. A sure knowledge would no longer work faith in us. And what faith we sometimes need to press forward in this life!
Faith, like a muscle, grows only in the absence of evidence. And interestingly enough, when we see our life unfold and can sense God's influence in it, we are more likely to see our faith grow. Faith combined with a clean lifestyle allows us to accomplish much more.
Knowing God therefore is a matter of witnessing His influence in our life, and above all seeing the transformation in our character. Character is like steel. It has different tensile strengths in different people. When steel is tested, it is placed under enormous stress to see if it will break. The blade of a Samurai's sword goes through extensive heating and testing before it is deemed fit for a warrior. And so it is with a character anchored in faith.
How easily will your character break?
When you end up losing everything, as Job did in the Bible, what will your character be made of? Will you curse God and die? Or will you praise His name even during the deepest trials that shape you?
It is through those trials, and the injustices that are heaped upon us that we get to know God's Son, Jesus Christ. For He also suffered the same injustices. And so, if the Son of God who is the hallmark of Love and Purity suffered them, then who are we to complain about our own sufferings? It is exactly those sufferings that help us know God better. In fact, we become His friends.
In the final analysis to know God is to want to be like Him. And to want to be like Him qualifies us to enter into His presence and have Eternal Life. This does not happen in a moment. It takes redoubling of effort in times of weakness, a resolve to hang on when one's moorings drift away, and the patience of Job.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Trappings of Wealth
Often we ask: why do those with the least amount of faith in God enjoy so much material wealth? The flip side of that question, coming from the non-believers camp, would be: why do those with the least amount of material wealth enjoy so much peace and joy?
Our life's journey is but a moment compared to Eternity. While some measure success by the material possessions, others measure it by the serenity and meaning they find in life. In fact, the greatest is "wealth". The book of Mormon is replete with examples of a society run a muck because it had too much wealth.
If wealth should be bestowed on us, heaven help us. Yet, wealth is the final and perhaps only real test. For when can we be given an opportunity to bless those in need, if not when we are wealthy?
When can we remember to be modest, than when we are prosperous? What better time to demonstrate our gratitude to God than when we have been blessed with a surplus?
And yet, history has shown that wealth is the final stumbling block which causes many to falter and perish in their selfishness and greed. For this reason the Savior said: "it is easier for a Camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven. Yet with God all things are possible."
There is no greatness without humility and paradoxically, no humility without greatness. For a great primer on wealth and its destructive force one has to look no further than the Book of Mormon. Helaman Chapter 12 gives a concise summation of our natural inclinations, and of God's boundless love for us.
It is not as though God does not want us to have wealth. Quite the contrary. But, He knows that few can handle abundance. And it is for this reason that abundance without an eternal perspective is a recipe for disaster.
Our life's journey is but a moment compared to Eternity. While some measure success by the material possessions, others measure it by the serenity and meaning they find in life. In fact, the greatest is "wealth". The book of Mormon is replete with examples of a society run a muck because it had too much wealth.
If wealth should be bestowed on us, heaven help us. Yet, wealth is the final and perhaps only real test. For when can we be given an opportunity to bless those in need, if not when we are wealthy?
When can we remember to be modest, than when we are prosperous? What better time to demonstrate our gratitude to God than when we have been blessed with a surplus?
And yet, history has shown that wealth is the final stumbling block which causes many to falter and perish in their selfishness and greed. For this reason the Savior said: "it is easier for a Camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven. Yet with God all things are possible."
There is no greatness without humility and paradoxically, no humility without greatness. For a great primer on wealth and its destructive force one has to look no further than the Book of Mormon. Helaman Chapter 12 gives a concise summation of our natural inclinations, and of God's boundless love for us.
It is not as though God does not want us to have wealth. Quite the contrary. But, He knows that few can handle abundance. And it is for this reason that abundance without an eternal perspective is a recipe for disaster.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Ensignia of my Faith
We have all seen Nascar races. The cars are emblazoned with the decals and logos of their sponsors. It's not much different when we become members of the Church of Jesus Christ, One of the covenants we make at the waters of baptism is to take on the name of Jesus Christ. To take on His name is really to say to the world "this is who I represent, and the person to who I look to fir support".
At times when all seems lost, when perils and storms gather in the horizon, we have only one person to look towards for relief. The Savior's atonement is more than just a payment for our sins. It is also an umbrage of relief in our sorest trials. Our despair, our losses, our barren present can be supplanted with hope, equanimity, focus on eternal goals which reach far beyond this temporary heap of accidents we all come to experience in life.
It is as thought some of us had asked for the heavier tests, the tougher races, the greatest possible afflictions that our faith in our Sponsor may be tested. After all, what is a race without a sponsor?
At times when all seems lost, when perils and storms gather in the horizon, we have only one person to look towards for relief. The Savior's atonement is more than just a payment for our sins. It is also an umbrage of relief in our sorest trials. Our despair, our losses, our barren present can be supplanted with hope, equanimity, focus on eternal goals which reach far beyond this temporary heap of accidents we all come to experience in life.
It is as thought some of us had asked for the heavier tests, the tougher races, the greatest possible afflictions that our faith in our Sponsor may be tested. After all, what is a race without a sponsor?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
After Life Views
In 1971 I fell in love with a girl (we'll call her Linda - not her real name). She was also a LDS and we were the same age. We dated for a year and then I went on my mission for two years to France and Switzerland. She went on the get her Masters in Psychology and eventually left the Church.
The years passed but we kept in touch. Every so often, we would write to keep each other posted. She got into New Age, ascended masters, guardian angels, animal spirits, and spirit travel. Last month we connected again by email.
She hasn't changed much. She is still insular with her beliefs, but she asked me a thought provoking question which I think merits discussing. She wanted to know what I thought happens to us after we die. In particular, whether we end up as atom-like forms of energy and are swallowed up in the enormity of the universe. I suppose if that would make her happy, perhaps that is the way she should end up.
How would you like the movie to end? For me, I would like to be with my parents again. I would also like to visit my relatives, grandparents, forefathers and fore-mothers, historical figures and God. I wold also like to be be able to do that in a perfect, immortal body. I derive a great deal of sensual and emotional pleasure from my body and I think a perfected body would only accentuate those sensations.
I do concede with her that we are all energy, that even plants have a conscience and that in order for us to truly understand the "nature" of things we would eventually need to be "one" with them, as in part of the sun, a tree, and a host of other things that interest us.
We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and that there is nothing that we cannot know after we pass on. Our learning is eternal, and as long as we thirst for knowledge, it will be made available to us.
Of course, nothing would be possible without a perfect body that could at once penetrate all matter and yet remain immortal. For this we must thank Jesus Christ for the gift of the resurrection. Central to any kind of eternal progression is the perfect mission of him we call our Savior.
Needless to say, many will disagree.
The years passed but we kept in touch. Every so often, we would write to keep each other posted. She got into New Age, ascended masters, guardian angels, animal spirits, and spirit travel. Last month we connected again by email.
She hasn't changed much. She is still insular with her beliefs, but she asked me a thought provoking question which I think merits discussing. She wanted to know what I thought happens to us after we die. In particular, whether we end up as atom-like forms of energy and are swallowed up in the enormity of the universe. I suppose if that would make her happy, perhaps that is the way she should end up.
How would you like the movie to end? For me, I would like to be with my parents again. I would also like to visit my relatives, grandparents, forefathers and fore-mothers, historical figures and God. I wold also like to be be able to do that in a perfect, immortal body. I derive a great deal of sensual and emotional pleasure from my body and I think a perfected body would only accentuate those sensations.
I do concede with her that we are all energy, that even plants have a conscience and that in order for us to truly understand the "nature" of things we would eventually need to be "one" with them, as in part of the sun, a tree, and a host of other things that interest us.
We believe that the glory of God is intelligence and that there is nothing that we cannot know after we pass on. Our learning is eternal, and as long as we thirst for knowledge, it will be made available to us.
Of course, nothing would be possible without a perfect body that could at once penetrate all matter and yet remain immortal. For this we must thank Jesus Christ for the gift of the resurrection. Central to any kind of eternal progression is the perfect mission of him we call our Savior.
Needless to say, many will disagree.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The 4-fold mission of the Church
It used to be, up until a year ago, that the Church had a three-fold mission. The additional fourth element is proof that the Church is not stagnant or monolithic, but a resilient and adaptable organization in an ever-changing world. I am quoting from The Church News below:
1. Missionary work
An invitation to "come unto Christ" is the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:62).
"The joys and blessings of serving a full-time mission are so personally sacred, they are hard to express adequately. Thirty-five years after I served my first mission, I received a letter from a family whom I had taught but did not baptize. The letter shared that their family of four little children whom I once knew now consisted of four temple marriages, three full-time missionaries, three bishops, a Relief Society president, and a dozen grandchildren maturing and developing in the gospel. You can well imagine the thrill and joy I received knowing that I had helped to find them and to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ." — Elder Earl C. Tingey, April 1998 General Conference.
Shortly after the Church was organized in April 1830, the first formal missionary activity began. A brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Samuel H. Smith, traveled through neighboring towns in New York with copies of the newly published Book of Mormon.
Today there are over 52,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions (reported as of December 2007).
Each mission is an ecclesiastical unit of the Church in a designated geographic area and is presided over by a mission president who serves full-time for three years. Each missionary serves for up to two years. This service is voluntary with missionaries and their families generally pay the costs of serving.
Missionaries use the scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) to teach persons interested in the Church. Missionaries also use a Church publication, "Preach my Gospel" to guide their efforts.
Preparation for missionary service begins in the home as children are taught and begin living basic principles and doctrines of the Church. Unmarried men, ages 19-25, and unmarried women, ages 21-39, may be called to serve missions of 18 or 24 months. Older members and married couples often serve missions of 12 or 18 months.
Once assigned to a mission, a missionary receives on-the-job instruction from a senior companion or other mission leaders. A missionary's daily endeavor includes studying scriptures, seeking and teaching those interested in the Church and providing service to others.
People interested in the Church are encouraged to read and study the gospel and to pray concerning the messages they receive from missionaries. They are also encouraged to attend Church meetings and begin living the principles of the gospel prior to being baptized and confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." — Doctrine and Covenants 4:1-5
I can never forget the experiences I had in my mission. This work is divine and true. If people will forget their prejudices and after reading and pondering the Book of Mormon Will ask God if it true, and ask with a sincere heart, they will have their answer from God.
2. Perfecting the Saints
3. Redeeming our Ancestors
Not everyone born into this world had a chance to be baptized by someone holding the Legitimate Authority (Priesthood Authority). Since baptism is an essential ordinance in achieving salvation, it is possible to baptize by proxy those who have gone before us. This is done in Temples.
For members of the Church, the temple is a central focus of worship where members participate in sacred ordinances and solemn covenants are made in the name of Jesus Christ. Members attending the temple are taught the organizing principles of the universe. According to LDS authors, the temple is a model, a presentation in figurative terms, of the pattern and journey of life on earth.
Within each temple, special areas are designated for specific ordinances such as baptisms for ancestors, washing and anointing, receiving one's endowment, and where temple marriages and sealings are solemnized for the living, and vicariously for our ancestors.
Once a temple is dedicated, entrance is restricted to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who present a temple recommend (issued by their local Church leaders) for entrance. Members do not discuss details about temple ceremonies outside of the temple as these ordinances are considered sacred. Temples are not open on Sunday as the Sabbath Day is reserved for worshipping the Lord in local meetinghouses or in homes.
"There are many reasons one should want to come to the temple. Even its external appearance seems to hint of its deeply spiritual purposes. This is much more evident within its walls. Over the door to the temple appears the tribute "Holiness to the Lord." When you enter any dedicated temple, you are in the house of the Lord.
In the temples, members of the Church who make themselves eligible can participate in the most exalted of the redeeming ordinances that have been revealed to mankind. There, in a sacred ceremony, an individual may be washed and anointed and instructed and endowed and sealed. And when we have received these blessings for ourselves, we may officiate for those who have died without having had the same opportunity. In the temples sacred ordinances are performed for the living and for the dead alike." ("The Holy Temple", President Boyd K. Packer, Complete Article At lds.org).
And finally the fourth mission of the Church which was recently added to the list is Humanitarian Work. Increasingly, the Church is involved in sending relief to disaster-stricken areas around the world.
Emergency Response is the part of the LDS Church’s humanitarian efforts of which most people are aware. Funds and supplies in this area are used to help victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, and hurricanes, as well as other disasters such as wars or political unrest. Supplies in this area are gathered and stored before a crisis so supplies can be sent literally within hours of an emergency. Volunteers are also on call so if they are needed they can be reached and organized within a few hours. The LDS Church is renowned for its ability to organize its members in various regions of the world to respond to emergency and facilitate distributing goods immediately after a crisis, often before aid programs such as the Red Cross or the Salvation Army come to assist. In 2008, the LDS Church responded to 124 disasters in 48 countries.
Wheelchair Distribution is another program of the LDS Church crucial to helping those in need. Studies estimate that only one percent of the disabled in the world have wheelchairs. For the rest, being without a wheelchair means for adults that they can not provide for themselves or their families, and for children it often means not being able to attend school. By providing wheelchairs to those in need, the LDS Church hopes to help people become more self-reliant which is an important tenant of LDS beliefs.
The Clean Water Service provides clean water and wells to people who otherwise would most likely contract deadly diseases because of the dirty water. It is estimated that one billion people lack clean water. The clean water program is designed to partner with local community agencies to provide sustainable clean water.
The Neonatal Resuscitation program sends doctors and volunteers to areas where infant mortality rate is high. They are able to teach people in the area how to resuscitate newborns as well as provide simple medical equipment. This service is greatly needed as it is estimated that nearly 1 million newborns die each year due to birth difficulties. Up to 10% of newborns have breathing difficulties.
The Vision Treatment Training program teaches facilities and medical personnel in developing countries how to treat preventable or reversible blindness. There are 37 million people in the world who are blind, and up to 75 % of blindness is treatable. The vision care program works with local vision health care centers to help treat and prevent blindness for the poor.
In addition to these efforts, the LDS Church also has over 300 job development and placement centers around the world. In 2001, the LDS Church began the Perpetual Education Fund which provides money to cover tuition and other school expenses to people in developing nations. As of 2007, tens of thousands of individuals had been given assistance. So far this program has operated primarily in South America and Oceana. The LDS Church has also begun producing a nutrition-rich porridge named ATMIT to help during acute famines. The LDS Church Welfare program owns farms, ranches, canneries, and other food producing facilities to provide temporary food relief for families and individuals. LDS Humanitarian Services frequently works with other charities and NGOs such as the Red Cross, Catholic charities and even various Islamic charities for which the LDS Church has produced Halaal food.
The Church is also committed to teaching its members the principles of Provident Living and Self-Reliance. Spirituality is just as much a matter of self-dignity from being able to care for one's own current and unexpected future needs as it is about worshiping God on Sunday or serving our fellow-men. In fact, it is safe to say, that without self-dignity the task of assisting others and worshiping God becomes much more difficult.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s admonition to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison (see Matthew 25:35–36).
The Church sponsors humanitarian relief and development projects around the world that benefit those of other faiths. These projects include emergency relief assistance in times of disaster and programs that strengthen the self-reliance of individuals, families, and communities.
Hundreds of full-time Church volunteers with skills and experience in education, agriculture, social work, business, and medicine serve throughout the world as part of these humanitarian projects.
The Church conducts humanitarian activities worldwide. From 1985 to 2007 Humanitarian Services provided more than $1.01 billion in total assistance to needy individuals in 165 countries.
I would propose that the Church has even a 5th mission, which would be simply to Inspire through the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choir is currently seeking new members to join it. Here is the official advertisement.
1. Missionary work
An invitation to "come unto Christ" is the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:62).
"The joys and blessings of serving a full-time mission are so personally sacred, they are hard to express adequately. Thirty-five years after I served my first mission, I received a letter from a family whom I had taught but did not baptize. The letter shared that their family of four little children whom I once knew now consisted of four temple marriages, three full-time missionaries, three bishops, a Relief Society president, and a dozen grandchildren maturing and developing in the gospel. You can well imagine the thrill and joy I received knowing that I had helped to find them and to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ." — Elder Earl C. Tingey, April 1998 General Conference.
Shortly after the Church was organized in April 1830, the first formal missionary activity began. A brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Samuel H. Smith, traveled through neighboring towns in New York with copies of the newly published Book of Mormon.
Today there are over 52,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions (reported as of December 2007).
Each mission is an ecclesiastical unit of the Church in a designated geographic area and is presided over by a mission president who serves full-time for three years. Each missionary serves for up to two years. This service is voluntary with missionaries and their families generally pay the costs of serving.
Missionaries use the scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price) to teach persons interested in the Church. Missionaries also use a Church publication, "Preach my Gospel" to guide their efforts.
Preparation for missionary service begins in the home as children are taught and begin living basic principles and doctrines of the Church. Unmarried men, ages 19-25, and unmarried women, ages 21-39, may be called to serve missions of 18 or 24 months. Older members and married couples often serve missions of 12 or 18 months.
Once assigned to a mission, a missionary receives on-the-job instruction from a senior companion or other mission leaders. A missionary's daily endeavor includes studying scriptures, seeking and teaching those interested in the Church and providing service to others.
People interested in the Church are encouraged to read and study the gospel and to pray concerning the messages they receive from missionaries. They are also encouraged to attend Church meetings and begin living the principles of the gospel prior to being baptized and confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." — Doctrine and Covenants 4:1-5
I can never forget the experiences I had in my mission. This work is divine and true. If people will forget their prejudices and after reading and pondering the Book of Mormon Will ask God if it true, and ask with a sincere heart, they will have their answer from God.
2. Perfecting the Saints
The
Church of Jesus Christ was established in the meridian of time and
reestablished in this dispensation for two great purposes: first, to
proclaim the truth concerning man’s salvation to all the world, and
second, to perfect those who accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To
accomplish the first objective—to take the gospel to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is engaged in a worldwide missionary effort, with approximately
150 missions and 25,000 full-time missionaries. With additional
thousands of stake and district missionaries, and with the “every member
a missionary” program becoming more effective, the Church is growing at
an accelerated rate.
With
reference to the perfecting of the Saints, the Savior has asked us to
become perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. (See Matt 5:48)
In modern revelation we are told that we “are not able to abide the
presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore,
continue in patience until ye are perfected." (D&C 67:13).
To
accomplish the second objective, the perfecting of the Saints, The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides opportunities for
all members to become involved in many different kinds of activities
that develop them mentally, morally, physically, and spiritually in the
perfection process.
A high percentage of the members of the Church are active in the perfection process and are being blessed in many ways.
3. Redeeming our Ancestors
Not everyone born into this world had a chance to be baptized by someone holding the Legitimate Authority (Priesthood Authority). Since baptism is an essential ordinance in achieving salvation, it is possible to baptize by proxy those who have gone before us. This is done in Temples.
For members of the Church, the temple is a central focus of worship where members participate in sacred ordinances and solemn covenants are made in the name of Jesus Christ. Members attending the temple are taught the organizing principles of the universe. According to LDS authors, the temple is a model, a presentation in figurative terms, of the pattern and journey of life on earth.
Within each temple, special areas are designated for specific ordinances such as baptisms for ancestors, washing and anointing, receiving one's endowment, and where temple marriages and sealings are solemnized for the living, and vicariously for our ancestors.
Once a temple is dedicated, entrance is restricted to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who present a temple recommend (issued by their local Church leaders) for entrance. Members do not discuss details about temple ceremonies outside of the temple as these ordinances are considered sacred. Temples are not open on Sunday as the Sabbath Day is reserved for worshipping the Lord in local meetinghouses or in homes.
"There are many reasons one should want to come to the temple. Even its external appearance seems to hint of its deeply spiritual purposes. This is much more evident within its walls. Over the door to the temple appears the tribute "Holiness to the Lord." When you enter any dedicated temple, you are in the house of the Lord.
In the temples, members of the Church who make themselves eligible can participate in the most exalted of the redeeming ordinances that have been revealed to mankind. There, in a sacred ceremony, an individual may be washed and anointed and instructed and endowed and sealed. And when we have received these blessings for ourselves, we may officiate for those who have died without having had the same opportunity. In the temples sacred ordinances are performed for the living and for the dead alike." ("The Holy Temple", President Boyd K. Packer, Complete Article At lds.org).
And finally the fourth mission of the Church which was recently added to the list is Humanitarian Work. Increasingly, the Church is involved in sending relief to disaster-stricken areas around the world.
Emergency Response is the part of the LDS Church’s humanitarian efforts of which most people are aware. Funds and supplies in this area are used to help victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, and hurricanes, as well as other disasters such as wars or political unrest. Supplies in this area are gathered and stored before a crisis so supplies can be sent literally within hours of an emergency. Volunteers are also on call so if they are needed they can be reached and organized within a few hours. The LDS Church is renowned for its ability to organize its members in various regions of the world to respond to emergency and facilitate distributing goods immediately after a crisis, often before aid programs such as the Red Cross or the Salvation Army come to assist. In 2008, the LDS Church responded to 124 disasters in 48 countries.
Wheelchair Distribution is another program of the LDS Church crucial to helping those in need. Studies estimate that only one percent of the disabled in the world have wheelchairs. For the rest, being without a wheelchair means for adults that they can not provide for themselves or their families, and for children it often means not being able to attend school. By providing wheelchairs to those in need, the LDS Church hopes to help people become more self-reliant which is an important tenant of LDS beliefs.
The Clean Water Service provides clean water and wells to people who otherwise would most likely contract deadly diseases because of the dirty water. It is estimated that one billion people lack clean water. The clean water program is designed to partner with local community agencies to provide sustainable clean water.
The Neonatal Resuscitation program sends doctors and volunteers to areas where infant mortality rate is high. They are able to teach people in the area how to resuscitate newborns as well as provide simple medical equipment. This service is greatly needed as it is estimated that nearly 1 million newborns die each year due to birth difficulties. Up to 10% of newborns have breathing difficulties.
The Vision Treatment Training program teaches facilities and medical personnel in developing countries how to treat preventable or reversible blindness. There are 37 million people in the world who are blind, and up to 75 % of blindness is treatable. The vision care program works with local vision health care centers to help treat and prevent blindness for the poor.
In addition to these efforts, the LDS Church also has over 300 job development and placement centers around the world. In 2001, the LDS Church began the Perpetual Education Fund which provides money to cover tuition and other school expenses to people in developing nations. As of 2007, tens of thousands of individuals had been given assistance. So far this program has operated primarily in South America and Oceana. The LDS Church has also begun producing a nutrition-rich porridge named ATMIT to help during acute famines. The LDS Church Welfare program owns farms, ranches, canneries, and other food producing facilities to provide temporary food relief for families and individuals. LDS Humanitarian Services frequently works with other charities and NGOs such as the Red Cross, Catholic charities and even various Islamic charities for which the LDS Church has produced Halaal food.
The Church is also committed to teaching its members the principles of Provident Living and Self-Reliance. Spirituality is just as much a matter of self-dignity from being able to care for one's own current and unexpected future needs as it is about worshiping God on Sunday or serving our fellow-men. In fact, it is safe to say, that without self-dignity the task of assisting others and worshiping God becomes much more difficult.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s admonition to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison (see Matthew 25:35–36).
The Church sponsors humanitarian relief and development projects around the world that benefit those of other faiths. These projects include emergency relief assistance in times of disaster and programs that strengthen the self-reliance of individuals, families, and communities.
Hundreds of full-time Church volunteers with skills and experience in education, agriculture, social work, business, and medicine serve throughout the world as part of these humanitarian projects.
The Church conducts humanitarian activities worldwide. From 1985 to 2007 Humanitarian Services provided more than $1.01 billion in total assistance to needy individuals in 165 countries.
I would propose that the Church has even a 5th mission, which would be simply to Inspire through the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choir is currently seeking new members to join it. Here is the official advertisement.
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