Principles of Mormonism: Learning by the Holy Ghost

In my mind, one of the most touching principles of Mormonism, and much of Christianity for that matter, is the influence of the Holy Ghost. As a member of the Godhead, and one who quite personally influences us, the Holy Ghost--or Holy Spirit--has much to teach us, and we have much to learn.
What other names does the Holy Ghost have?
The Holy Ghost has, over the eons, been called many different names by many different people. Each of these names testifies of His power, and can introduce many nuances of His roles and abilities. Here are just a few of His names:

• Holy Ghost
• Holy Spirit
• Spirit of Promise
• Spirit of Truth
• Spirit of Might
• Spirit of Counsel
• Spirit of Knowledge
• Comforter
• the Still, Small Voice
• Breath of God
• many other names

What does the Holy Ghost do?

The Holy Ghost does not have a physical body, whereas Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ both have bodies of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost, being a spirit, is able to speak directly to our spirits. When a person is humble, obedient to God's commandments, and desires to know the truth, the Holy Ghost can speak to them, and if they are ready to hear it, a person can be taught and uplifted by its message. The Holy Ghost exists to testify of sacred truths, to bear witness the greatness and divinity of God the Father and Jesus Christ. In times of sorrow we can be comforted and strengthened by the Holy Ghost, or in danger (be it spiritual or physical) we can be warned, prepared, and/or guided to safety. The Holy Ghost can do many things for us--and through us--if we righteously, humbly ask for His presence.

What is the difference between the Holy Ghost and the "Light of Christ"?

 Though sometimes referred to by the same names and used almost interchangeably by many, the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ are two separate and distinct concepts. The Light of Christ is not being, but a force. Its nature is much like the name implies. It is the radiating, ever-permeating influence of God. This is God's power and love spanning the universe, all things, and all people. Anyone who is humble and righteous can feel the Light of Christ and its warmth.

On the other hand, The Holy Ghost is one specific being, the third member of the Godhead, who is able to become our constant companion after baptism, confirmation, and continued righteousness. The Holy Ghost brings us peace, knowledge and comfort and can direct our hearts and attention to the Light of Christ.

How does the influence of the Holy Ghost feel?

This is a common question among those looking into Mormonism. Though pure and simple, it can often be difficult to explain. A common metaphor used is to pose another question; "Describe to me the taste of salt--and don't say 'salty'."

 Though it's really quite a simple thing, you might be surprised at how difficult it is to tell someone how salt tastes. "Well... it's not sweet," you might answer, "and its sort of like... I don't know."

The feeling one gets from the Holy Ghost is much the same, in that it is hard to describe to someone who doesn't know what it feels like. What's more is that it can be different for anyone. Some describe it as a sweet, warm sensation in the chest, others as a general feeling of lightness. Personally, I normally feel it by the presence of an inner peace that I know I don't have the ability to feel on my own. I've tried to replicate this peace through other means, but it never comes close to what the Holy Ghost has to offer. I know that it is a feeling that came from outside me. There are many different ways to experience it. We just have to be open to it, and recognize it when it comes.

Much of the time, the Holy Ghost is soft and gentle. It requires one's attention in that it can sadly be overlooked when one is distracted. Many influences vie for our time, attention, and energy, and try to overpower the Holy Ghost by shouting their messages to us, often quite literally. Though the Holy Ghost as much to offer, it will not force a person to pay attention. Each of us have the ability to choose for ourselves whether to listen to the voice of good, or to the voice of evil. But in order to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, we have to be listening for them.

Does the Holy Ghost literally "speak" to us?

It depends really. Though some describe physically hearing a soft voice of guidance at times, more often than not, the Holy Ghost "speaks" to us through feelings and promptings. He can lead our thoughts to what He would have us learn, and answer our questions gentle prods and careful nudges to the the truth. Though He can physically speak to us, He usually communicates to us by revelation and feelings of divine truth.

The Holy Ghost and Prayer

Simply by utilizing the power of the Holy Ghost, we can learn all the mysteries of God. When used in tandem with prayerful scripture study, the Holy Ghost can teach us nearly anything. But we must be willing to act. If we earnestly pray to our Heavenly Father, and exert our efforts to learn, think, and do what the Lord asks of us, the guidance of the Holy Ghost can solidify and confirm the truth of what we have learned, or teach us something more altogether. It is up to us to work for it, and on God's timetable, He can speak truth to us.

If you would like to learn a little more about Mormonism (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), the Holy Ghost, or other topics, please follow this link to chat live with real missionaries!

Mormonism, My Family, and Christmas

Though Mormonism is not unique for the mere act of celebrating the Christmas holiday, I feel that, throughout my life, the Christmas season  has always been a great bolster to my faith , as well as a blessing and uniting force over my entire family. Being conveniently located at the end of the calendar year, it provides a wonderful opportunity for reflection and personal growth. The family seems much closer, and the love is palpable.
One thing I am ever-thankful for is my father and mother's insistence that we keep the focus on the first syllable of the the word. "Christ". Like many children, we were also taught the magical, if silly, legend of Santa Claus, who lived up north, had a weight problem, and flew around the world to deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls. But my parents also stressed the Savior in all of our Christmas merriment. Being a family of history buffs, which may have been prompted by our father, we would often talk about the symbolic meanings and historic origins of the various decorations we were decking the halls with; how this or that pointed to Jesus Christ in some symbolically meaningful way, why people started doing it, etc.
At some point in the month, we schedule a time for what we call a "Back to Bethlehem" dinner. We discuss the Savior and His birth, and hold a feast, in which we put a large sheet on the family room floor, and have everyone sit in a big circle, while dining on finger foods, such as bread, meats, vegetables and fruits, somewhat like they would have eaten in the time of Christ, though we don't stress historical accuracy too much.
The festivities remind us of our roots, and make me thankful, not only for my Mormon upbringing, but for each of these opportunities to enrich my faith, and how often I am given the chance to testify of Christ, or have Him testified to me.
Every Christmas morning, before parading downstairs to see what "Santa" brought us, our parents would gather us all together in one room, and we'd kneel as a family and offer thanks to God for the ultimate gift that He had given us for Christmas: His Son. All in all, the Lord Jesus Christ features heavily throughout the whole affair, as well He should, and we try to use every opportunity to express our love for one another, and our gratitude for Jesus and His eternal sacrifice.

If you'd like to learn a bit more about Jesus or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please don't hesitate to follow this link to chat live with actual missionaries!

On the Christianity of Mormonism.

History of Mormonism: Who was John Rowe Moyle?

John Rowe Moyle (right) was an early member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life, Moyle sacrificed much for the Church, even when it seemed like he had little left to give. He lived as an extreme example of Christian fortitude, and though a relatively minor figure in the history of Mormonism, Moyle left a powerful legacy behind.
Born in England in 1808, John Moyle was a convert to the Church, and left his homeland behind for the Americas, and traveled across the plains as part of a handcart company. With all the strength they had, he and his family made the grueling trek to what is now the state of Utah. The Moyles settled down and built a home about 22 miles from the Salt Lake Valley.
John had previously earned a living as a skilled stone-cutter. In 1854,  as construction on the historic Mormon Salt Lake Temple was underway, Moyle's skill set was needed in the construction of the granite building. Willingly doing his part, he began making the 22 mile walk every week, leaving his house at 2 AM every Monday morning to be at his post by 8:00, and then walking home on Friday evenings to be with his family. This continued for several years.
One day while milking his particularly headstrong cow, tragedy struck. The cow gave a devastating kick to John's leg, irreparably damaging it. His family and friends were forced to amputate his leg with a bucksaw, just a little below the knee.
Nobody would have said anything if John had decided not to continue as a temple stone-cutter. It was perfectly understandable; loss of limb tends to be a pretty legitimate excuse. But John wen above and beyond the call of duty. While he lay in bed, waiting for his leg to recover, John began carving a wooden prosthetic leg, with a cleverly designed ankle joint. Walking on this new leg was extremely painful, but as Moyle built up resistance, he would soon continue the long weekly treks to Salt Lake City and work day in and day out as the temple stone-cutter for several more years.
John Rowe Moyle's hands carved the famous gold plated inscription (left) on the east facade of the temple: "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord".

If you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can click here to chat live with actual missionaries!

For more stories of early Latter-day Saints overcoming great trials, read this post about Joseph Smith and his being tarred and feathered.
How Christ knows of our pain and can empathize with us on a deeply personal level.

The History of Mormonism: Where did the Pearl of Great Price come from?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows four volumes of holy scripture. In no particular order, they are: The King James Version of the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. It is this last book of scripture I wish to discuss today. In the history of Mormonism (more at http://www.mormontopics.org/eng/christ), this piece of scripture has a unique history of its own, and has a story worth telling. The book itself is split into a few different parts.
The Pearl of Great Price begins with:
Joseph Smith- History
This section chronicles some important events in the life of Joseph Smith Jr, the founder and first prophet of the LDS Church). Thee events include the "First Vision"--Smith's first encounter with God the Father and Jesus Christ--Smith's visitation from Angel Moroni, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. This autobiographical work is a great primary source for anyone researching Joseph Smith, or anyone wanting to know more about the Prophet.
The Articles of Faith
In 1842, "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat contacted Joseph Smith to ask him about his religion. Wentworth's questions were for the benefit of a friend who was writing a work on the history of New Hampshire. Smith happily replied with what is now referred to as the "Wentworth Letter". Within, the Prophet recounted the history of the Church up until that point and detailed some basic tenets of the beliefs of Mormonism. Part of the "Wentworth Letter" gave thirteen succinct bullet-point paragraphs which briefly described the core doctrines of the Church. These thirteen paragraphs would come to be known as the Articles of Faith and were included in the Pearl of Great Price. Being only about 400 words, they are an easy way to glean the basics of the LDS Church's beliefs and many members even try to memorize them.
Joseph Smith-Matthew
This excerpt from Joseph Smith's re-translation of the Gospel of Matthew contains many revelations pertaining to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Book of Moses
The Book of Moses are some selections of Joseph Smith's re-translation of the Old Testament. The book expounds on some key visions of Moses, and explains many doctrines concerning the meaning of life, our purpose on Earth, where we came from and where we're going, etc.
The Book of Abraham
The early nineteenth century saw a meteoric rise of interest in ancient Egypt, due in large part to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799. Scads of explorers and excavators flocked to the historic desert ruins in search of ancient Egyptian artifacts. One of these was an Italian-born excavator named Antonio Lebolo.
Lebolo led a team of archaeologists in a dig near Thebes, which would yield several mummies. Some time before Lebolo's death in 1830, the mummies would be sold, and eventually find their way to New York and into the hands of a man named Michael Chandler. Found within the wrappings were several papyri, inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics, which Chandler was told, no one could translate. Chandler displayed the sarcophagi and the mummies within in many venues throughout the area. Many people would tell Chandler, often jokingly, that he ought to take the papyri to the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, as Smith had a reputation for being able to translate ancient writings.
In 1835, Chandler decided to make contact with Joseph Smith, who was then with a large body of the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. Traveling to Kirtland that summer, Chandler showed Smith the mummies and supposedly undecipherable writings. As Smith began to translate, he felt prompted by the Lord that he should purchase the mummies, sarcophagi, and papyri from Michael Chandler, although the Prophet was not yet entirely sure what these inscriptions said. Chandler agreed to Smith's terms, and the Church raised money and purchased the lot, gaining ownership of the finds. As the Prophet continued translating, he was ecstatic to learn that the inscriptions came from the hand of the Old Testament Prophet Abraham. The resultant manuscript was published as a serial in the Church's magazine at the time, Times and Seasons, in 1842, and officially canonized by the Church and included in the Pearl of Great Price in 1880

To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please click this link to chat live with actual Mormon missionaries!

Defending Mormonism Means Defending Others

We all have our own beliefs. That's a self-evident fact of life. It's one of the most beautiful examples of free will, or "agency", that two different people can observe the same things and draw different conclusions. While inherently, not every conclusion can be correct, it's still wonderful that we are allowed to draw them. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormonism"), I cherish this sacred right every day. Like a person of any viewpoint, there are naturally people who hold the opposite viewpoints of myself, and some (not all) of them mock me for it. While a good number of people are willing to talk civilly about it, should the matter come up, a small but loud faction of them can get downright hurtful sometimes. While I understand their points, that paradigms I have accepted are not compatible with their way of thinking, I still cringe a little whenever these discussions cross the line. I am equally disturbed when I see others in the same (or worse) situations.

It's a big, big world out there, full to the brim with people, over 7 billion of them in fact. Odds are that a great deal of those people don't share the same views and opinions as me. Can that be frustrating? Oh yeah! Borderline infuriating on occasion? You bet! But the way I see it, these people are all practicing their own agency, just like myself. They are obviously making different decisions with it, but its the same beautiful principle at work in my own life. When we cross paths, we can both exercise agency by sharing ideas, and maybe even convince each other to different viewpoints. This is wonderful; the movement of ideas is a vital part of keeping culture from stagnating.

I've come to learn that, even though I might disagree with another person's beliefs on a fundamental level, I still owe that person respect. I'm not perfect, and I'm not trying to pat myself on the back, but I've had a realization: What kind of man would I be if I told someone to stop undermining Mormonism, but then turned around and said, "Ew, X religion is so weird! Those people are crazy!" I would be a hypocrite! That's why, when discussing religion, I now try to avoid broad generalizations, statements calculated to draw on my sense of fear, and pretty much any criticisms made about a religion on the internet (unless it was written by that church itself).

As fellow human beings, its imperative that we learn to love one another. It's a perfectly sound argument that others might be wrong in their assumptions, or misguided in their beliefs. It's perfectly fine to change one's assumptions or beliefs, or to reasonably convince another to do so. But a person should never be viewed as inferior because of their faith.

If you would like to practice your own agency, and learn a little more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then click here to chat live with real missionaries!

History of Mormonism: Lifestyle of the Pioneers

Early on in the history of Mormonism, a group of people known as the pioneers sacrificed everything. They gave up their property, their comfort, and their way of life in order to head westward in search of a new life, and more tolerant conditions to practice their religious beliefs. But what was the average day like for one of these intrepid go-getters?
Dress
The men generally wore pants made from duck, if not denim. Shirts were also fashioned from denim, and shoes usually took the form of moccasins.
The women would handcraft their own calico dresses, with long sleeves and high necklines. Due to scarcity of materials, and for the sake of efficiency, they usually only wore two dresses a year while on the trail. Women would also typically wear a sunbonnet, which to modern eyes looks as though it would be unbearable to wear in the heat, but was actually a great way to fight the heat. The material of the bonnet would shield a woman's head from the sunlight, but was also quite breathable, allowing for a breeze to help cool off.
Travel
Most of the pioneers pulled handcarts across the plains and the rocky mountains, though some advance scouts would pave the way on horses to check for potential hazards. These two-wheeled carts were moved by simply pulling a yoke-like bar at the front and others pushing on the back. Since they moved completely on human power, the pioneers had to pack only the essentials. Some attempted to lug large possessions like pianos or armoires across the plains, but quickly learned after a short distance that it was not practical. One account tells of a family who actually left their family piano in Iowa, burying it deep in the ground, wrapped tightly in animal skins. A later group uncovered it and brought it to Salt Lake City when it was easier to do so.
The pioneers would travel in large convoys of wagons, called "wagon trains". On a good day, a wagon train would likely travel 10-15 miles, though in inclement weather, or other bad conditions, they could only travel a mile or two. As a rule, they did not travel on Sundays, in an effort to keep the Sabbath. On Sundays they would hold worship services and praise God.
Food
Most of what the pioneers ate was rather simple fare. They brought with them some rations of cornmeal and other staple crops, though these did not always last the whole trip. They would often make due with what they were able to hunt, trap, or gather from the land.
Entertainment
The pioneers got very creative with their entertainment. Some of the ways children would play were quite simple. Many would chase frogs or play with simple toys, like a hoop and stick. They also devised many games to pass the time, ranging from wrestling, tag, "hide-the-thimble", and even spelling bees. The travelers enjoyed making crafts, whittling, knitting, and the like.

As always, if you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, please click here to chat live with real missionaries!

Timeline of Mormon History

Since the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, members of the LDS Church have seen and participated in a rich and ever-growing history. From its early days to its most recent hours, the events surrounding Mormonism are most certainly grand. In chronological order, here is a timeline of major events in the history of Mormonism.

December 23, 1805- Joseph Smith Jr. is born in Sharon, Vermont.

Spring 1820- Joseph Smith Jr. is visited by God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

September 21, 1823- The Angel Moroni appears to Joseph Smith Jr. and informs him of the Golden Plates.

September 22, 1827- Joseph Smith Jr. obtains the Golden Plates from the Hill Cumorah.

May 15, 1829- Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery are given the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist.

May-June 1829- Josehp Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery are give the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James, and John.

June 1829- Translation of the Golden Plates into what would become the Book of Mormon is finished.

March 26, 1830- The Book of Mormon is officially published by E. B. Grandin's Bookstore in Palmyra, New York.

April 6, 1830- The Church is officially founded.

December 1830- The Church gathers in Ohio.

June 1831- Church members begin to gather in Jackson County Missouri.

February 27, 1833- The Word of Wisdom is introduced.

July 23, 1833- Cornerstone is laid on the Kirland, Ohio Temple.

October 27, 1838- Due to mounting tensions between Mormons and disgruntled neighbors, Governor Lilburn Boggs of Missouri orders an "Extermination Order" on the Mormons. Though long forgotten and obviously not in effect any time in the 20th Century, the order was rediscovered in the records and officially rescinded in 1976.

October 30, 1838- Saints are attacked by an angry mob at Haun's Mill, Missouri.

April 6, 1841- The Nauvoo, Illinois Temple is completed.

June 27, 1844- Joseph Smith Jr. and brother Hyrum Smith are martyred by an angry mob.

July 24, 1847- Under the direction of Brigham Young, the first Mormons enter the Salt Lake Valley, settling what is now the state of Utah.

December 27, 1847- Brigham Young officially named Prophet of the Church.

April 6, 1853- Construction begins on the Salt Lake Temple.

September 1890- The Church issues a moratorium on the practice of polygamy.

April 6, 1893- Construction on the Salt Lake Temple is finished.

1913- The Church supports the Boy Scouts of America program. The program becomes the official activity of the Church's young men.

1918-1938- LDS Seminary buildings begin to be built adjacent to many public high schools in Utah.

Late 1940's- The Church sends relief supplies to Europe at the end of World War II.
January 1971- The Church's official magazines are retooled, giving rise to the publication of the Ensign, the New Era, and the Friend.

1978- All worthy men are allowed to receive the priesthood.

February 7, 1993- A man named Cody Judy threatened Howard W. Hunter and an audience of 15,000-17,000 at a Fireside with a suitcase he claimed held an explosive. He threatened to detonate it unless Hunter would read a paper supposedly declaring Judy the new President of the Church. Howard W. Hunter refused, and Judy was detained by security.

Spring 2000- Construction of the LDS Conference Center is completed, and the building becomes the main meeting place for General Church meetings. Biannually, the General Conference of the Church is held in and broadcast from this engineering marvel.

To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can chat live with real missionaries here!

For more church timelines, check out this series about the Latter-day prophets.

Mormonism and the Sacrament

The Sacrament is a key element of worship practiced in Mormonism. Each Sunday, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will eat a small piece of bread, and drink a sip of water in a manner similar, yet not identical, to the "Communion" or "Eucharist" rites practiced by many other Christian faiths. What is the significance of this ceremony, and why do Mormons do it every week?

How the Sacrament is Performed
The LDS Church generally holds Sunday meetings in a three-hour block. The Sacrament most often takes place during a special one-hour meeting known informally as "Sacrament Meeting". The other two hours are set aside for Sunday School classes. Each Sunday in before the Sacrament Meeting, the men of the congregation who hold the Priesthood will break bread into bite-size pieces and place them on handled trays. They will then fill up many thimble-sized cups with water and place these also on handled trays. These trays are then covered with a white cloth on a table until it is time for the Sacrament. When the time comes, one Priesthood holder will uncover the bread and bless it. Other men will then take the trays and pass them around to the whole congregation. When the trays are returned, they are recovered with the cloth and the water is then uncovered. The water is blessed and passed to the congregation in a similar manner. The trays are returned and both the bread and water are recovered.

Why water instead of wine?

The early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actually did use wine to signify the blood of Christ in the Sacrament. So why the change? In 1833, Joseph Smith received a revelation known as the "Word of Wisdom". The Word of Wisdom details how members can be freed from addiction and habit by obeying a simple health code. This is the reason that Mormons are asked to not smoke, drink coffee or tea, drink alcohol, or partake of any addictive substance or activity. For many years however, when the Word of Wisdom was introduced, it was seen more as a guideline than a rule, and many members partook every now and then anyway, and wine was still used in the Sacrament. The Saints were cautioned  not to by alcohol from their enemies however, to avoid the threat of poisoning. This was remedied for a while by the Church producing its own wine. Over time, the Word of Wisdom became more emphasized, and review of the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 27:2 ("It mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.") prompted the substitution of water in the ordinance of the Sacrament, becoming the standard in 1912.

What does it all mean? Purposes and Origins of the Sacrament
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ met with His disciples in the upper room for what was known as "The Last Supper". It was at this time that Christ instituted a very sacred tradition. Breaking some bread, He passed it around to each of His disciples and told them to eat in remembrance of His body. He then passed wine to His disciples, telling them to drink in remembrance of His blood which would later be shed on their behalf.
After this, the Savior went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He offered a prayer to God, His Father. In the Garden, Christ suffered immensely, experiencing the weight of every sin, every pain, every illness, and every affliction that mankind had ever, did ever, and would ever experience. The pain caused Him to bleed from every pore. He was then betrayed, beaten, wrongly sentenced, and crucified by a mob of wicked angry men. This great sacrifice which the Lord Jesus performed on our behalf is known as the "Atonement". He did so that He might more fully understand our pain, and that He could cleanse us of our sins if we repent and use the Atonement in our lives. We activate the Atonement by following the model laid down by Jesus Christ  in the Last Supper.
If you'll notice, the events of the Last Supper are similar in many ways to the Mormon Sacrament.
Baptism in the LDS Church serves multiple purposes. One of these purposes is gain membership into the Church, signifying the convert's willingness to emulate Christ. Baptism also serves to wash clean the sins of the penitent. But everyone sins. When a person makes a mistake after baptism, it is necessary to renew the covenants they made with the Lord at baptism. This is done by sincerely repenting of the mistakes that we make, and activating the power of the Atonement in our lives once more through the sacrament. In the Sacrament, as well as in baptism, we acknowledge the Savior and the sacrifices He made for us. We humble ourselves to the point of understanding our total dependence on the power of Jesus Christ, and our personal duty to obey His commandments.

For other sacred ordinances of the Mormon Church, read here about the temple and its importance.

History of Mormonism: Latter-day Prophets, Part IV (final)

The history of Mormonism is a unique and interesting one, and one that has been touched by the hands of many amazing men and women. Since the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized in 1830, there has been a total sixteen Prophets who have led the Church. Below is a the fourth and final installment of a chronology of these great men, along with a brief bio and some major accomplishments they made during their ministry as President of the Church.

13. Ezra Taft Benson Growing up as the oldest of 11 children, Ezra Taft Benson learned at a young age how to be a good leader, and the value of hard work from chores on the family farm. In his youth and adulthood he was very involved with his family and community. He was also involved with his nation, serving as Secretary of Agriculture during both of Dwight D. Eisenhower's terms. During his service as Prophet of the Church, President Benson urged the members to renew their vigor in the Book of Mormon, reiterating and emphasizing its importance as the "keystone of the church." Any Mormons who were alive to experience his 1989 address to the Church in General Conference on the subject of "pride" were surely blessed. It has become an iconic speech, a moment in his ministry that many Church members remember him for to this day.

14. Howard W. Hunter Hunter was a man of many talents and played several musical instruments, including the piano, drums, violin, clarinet, and others. As a young man, he formed a band called "Hunter's Croonaders", and the group performed at local events and even booked a gig on an Asian cruise line. Though his professional career eventually settled on law, he held various jobs over the course of his life, among them were bridge painter, and laundry detergent salesman. President Hunter is notable for having shortest run as Prophet in the history of the Church, dying only nine months after being ordained in June 1994. A famous event in the life of president Hunter occurred just a couple years before he became the Prophet of the Church. In February 1993, when Hunter was still an apostle, he was delivering a speech to a group of young single adults at Brigham Young University. As he was preparing for his talk, a man named Cody Judy walked up to Hunter with a briefcase, which he said contained a bomb. Judy ordered Hunter to read a three page paper he had written, declaring Judy the President of the Church. Hunter outright refused. At that moment, the audience spontaneously started singing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet", a famous Mormon him. During the song, a few men from the congregation and campus security overpowered Judy and detained him. Hunter then got up and calmly delivered his speech, as if nothing had happened.

15. Gordon B. Hinckley President Hinckley was known by the Church as well as by many others as a spiritual giant and a wonderful leader. As President, he oversaw some major increases for the Church. His presidency saw the building of 77 new temples throughout the world bringing the number from 47 when he started to 124 when he died early 2008. The Church also grew significantly in membership under President Hinckley. By the time of his death it was calculated that a third of the Church's membership had joined while he was the Prophet.

16. Thomas S. Monson Thomas S. Monson is the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, being ordained to the post after the death of President Hinckley in 2008. Throughout the course of his life he has had a great focus on charity, doing whatever is necessary to help his fellow man. As a boy in the heat of the Great Depression, a friend of his let him know that his family had nothing to eat but cold cereal for their Christmas dinner. In a display of sacrifice and kindness beyond his years, he gladly gave his friend his pet rabbit, so that they would have something eat. As a young man, he became the bishop of a Salt Lake City ward of approximately 1000 members. Eighty-five of these members were widows, and as their bishop, Monson visited each one regularly, bringing them wonderful home-cooked meals and good company. Even after he was released as bishop, he kept in contact with these women, and continued to visit them and bring them happiness. As the years went on, he would speak at each and every one of their funerals. As Prophet, he continually reminds the Mormons to strive to generous and charitable to their fellow man, and to "come to the rescue" of anyone in need.
  If you want to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can click here to chat live with real Mormon missionaries.

Other parts of this series:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

History of Mormonism- Latter-day Prophets, Part III

The history of Mormonism is a long and storied one, and one that has been moved forward and guided by the hands of many amazing men and women. Since the inception of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, all told, there have been sixteen Prophets who have led the Church. Below is a handy list of each of these great men, along with a brief bio and some major accomplishments they made during their ministry as President of the Church.

9. David O. McKay Throughout his life, David O. McKay was devoted to education. When his grandmother died, she bequeathed $5000 to his mother, with the explicit instructions that it be used solely for the education of David and his brother. These funds got David through his time at the University of Utah, where he graduated as valedictorian and class president. In his professional career, McKay performed as an educator at both the high school and college levels, eventually becoming the principal of what would become Weber State University. At the age of 32, McKay was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As an apostle, McKay's passion for education did not wane, He became the superintendent of the Church's Sunday school. In this capacity, he spearheaded the establishment of LDS seminaries being built near many high schools in Utah, allowing Mormon high school students in the state the option to take a religion class in conjunction with their academic classes. During President McKay's ministry as Prophet the membership of the LDS Church nearly tripled, jumping from 1.1 million in 1951 to 2.8 million when he died in 1970. Being a general authority for almost 64 years, David O. McKay served in this capacity longer than anyone else besides Eldred G. Smith.

10. Joseph Fielding Smith Joseph Fielding Smith was the son of Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church. He also served as apostle longer than anyone else in Church history, spanning from 1910 to 1972. Though his ministry as Prophet was markedly short (two and half years), he got a lot done in that short amount of time. Among his accomplishments were the restructuring of the Church Sunday School system and the Church Department of Social Services. President Smith also retooled the Church's official magazines, introducing the Ensign (for adults), the New Era (for teens), and the Friend (for Children). He oversaw a constant growth in the number of missionaries serving.

11. Harold B. Lee As a child, Lee was a bit accident prone, but his life was saved on a handful of occasions by his mother. At age eight, he accidentally spilled lye all over himself, and his mother poured vinegar on him to neutralize the dangerous chemicals. Later as a teen, Lee punctured an artery on a broken bottle, which was cleaned, but became severely infected. His mother, once again thinking fast, burned a wool sock and rubbed the ashes in Harold's open wound which over time, fixed the problem. Lee helped spearhead the standardization of Sunday School curriculum, meaning that on any given week, Mormons across the world are learning the same principles and lessons regardless of which ward or stake they are in. President Harold B. Lee had one of the shortest ministries as the President of the Church, having been ordained in July 1972, and dying just a year and a half later in December 1973 from a sudden pulmonary embolism.

12. Spencer W. Kimball Spencer W. Kimball was very shocked to receive a call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1943. He felt so inadequate for the job, that he asked J. Reuben Clark, who had informed him of the matter, if he could pray about it for a few days. Kimball took to praying and fasting heavily about the matter, and obtained peace about the matter when dreamed about the life of his grandfather, Heber C. Kimball. Spencer W. Kimball says that in that moment his doubts were washed away, and that "I felt nearer [to] my Lord than ever at any time in my life." As Prophet, President Kimball continually implored members to "lengthen their stride", and saw a growth in the building of Temples at a faster pace than in any time previous in the history of Mormonism.

  If you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please follow this link to chat live with real missionaries!

Other Parts of this Series:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

History of Mormonism- Latter-day Prophets, Part II

The history of Mormonism is a long and storied one, and one that has been influenced by the hands of many amazing men and women. Since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, there have been sixteen Prophets who have led the Church. Below is a handy list of each of these great men, along with a brief bio and some major accomplishments they made in their ministry.

5.Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow was grew up in a family that valued hard work and a good education. As a result, Snow was well-educated, a graduate of Oberlin College. He was very involved in his community, serving in several leadership positions in both the Mormon Church and also the Utah government. As President of the Church, Lorenzo Snow championed the LDS practice of tithing. At a time when the Church was struggling financially, the practice was indeed divinely inspired, and allows the Church to do much more in regards to philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, as well as streamlining the efficiency of the Church in general.

6. Joseph F. Smith Joseph F. Smith has the distinction of being the last Prophet of the Church to have known Joseph Smith, the founding Prophet. Joseph F. Smith was indeed related to Joseph Smith, a nephew of the founder. As President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith did much in the way of acquiring historical landmarks, such as the birthplace of Joseph Smith in Vermont, and the Seagull Monument in Temple Square. He strove to improve public relations of the Church. Smith oversaw the construction of many new meetinghouses and the improvement of the Church's educational programs at colleges and universities.

7. Heber J. Grant In 1856, when President Grant was only nine days old, his father died died of pneumonia. Raised primarily by his mother, Grant learned earlier on the value of hard work and perfecting one's talents. As a boy, he desired to join the local little league baseball team, but was too fumbling and awkward to have any real chance of doing so. Determined, he practiced for hours by himself until he eventually was skilled enough to join a team that would go on to win the Utah Territorial Championship. In another case, he found in business that his penmanship was less than desirable. Once again practicing the skill tirelessly, he became so skilled that he was invited to teach penmanship at a local academy. One of President grants greatest achievements was that of the institution of the Church welfare program in 1936 during the heat of the Great Depression. The welfare program was, and still is today, essentially a tool to help struggling members get back on their feet, and to promote industry and charitable service among members and non-members alike. The welfare program remains to this day a strong force for good in philanthropic and humanitarian efforts.

8.George Albert Smith Not one to let adversity hold him back, George Albert Smith overcame many obstacles to achieve success in his life. While working as a railroad surveyor as a young man, his eyes were permanently damaged by the glare of the sun. Over time, Smith found that his travels were exacerbating issues of severe physical weakness. This was eventually diagnosed as a severe autoimmune disease, known as lupus erythematosus. Smith was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1903, and in the early 1920's he served in the capacity of President of the British and European Missions of the Church. At this time, he preached all over Europe. As Prophet, George Albert Smith sent supplies to Europe at the end of the Second World War, and made considerable efforts to revive the LDS Church's missionary efforts. All told, it is surmised that in his lifetime, he traveled nearly one million miles traveling in service of the Church.

To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here to chat live with real Mormon missionaries.

Other articles in this series:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

History of Mormonism- Latter-day Prophets, Part I

The history of Mormonism is a long and storied one, and one that has been influenced by the hands of many amazing men and women. Since the official founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, there has been a total of sixteen Prophets who have headed the Church. Below is a handy list of each of these great men, along with a brief bio and some major accomplishments they made in their ministry. (More to follow)

1.Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph Smith was the first and founding president of the Church. In 1820, he was appeared to by God the Father and Jesus Christ. He was told during this experience, known as "The First Vision", that the Lord's true Church was no longer upon the earth, because of a great apostasy long ago. He was instructed to restore God's Church to the earth, and to translate an ancient record which would become the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible, which supplements the Bible as a second witness of Jesus Christ. During his life, he faced extreme persecution for his beliefs and claims, and in 1844, he was killed by an assassin's bullet, when an angry mob stormed the jail where he and his brother Hyrum were wrongly imprisoned. Joseph Smith was an extremely hard worker, and a man who gave everything to get the Church off the ground,and to further the work of God.

2. Brigham Young Following the death of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young was ordained as the Prophet. Perhaps his most famous accomplishments were his strong leadership and his instrumental role in leading the Saints west. On July 24, 1847, he and the first wave of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, when he famously said, "It is enough, this is the right place. Drive on." In 1853, Brigham Young broke ground and began the fourty-year construction of the Salt Lake Temple. Under the direction of President Young, the Saints would take the Salt Lake Valley--originally a desert wasteland--and cultivate the land allowing for fertile crops and thriving agriculture, a tremendous undertaking to say the least.

3.John Taylor Born in England in 1808, Taylor was originally Christened into the Church of England, but converted to Methodism at age sixteen. In the early 1830's, he and his family emigrated to what is now Toronto, Canada. In 1836, he was introduced to the Mormon Church, and converted soon after. He held several leadership roles throughout the Church, and eventually succeeded Brigham Young as President in 1880. As Prophet of the Church, he was instrumental in promoting the Church-wide institution of the Primary Association, a curriculum of Sunday school classes for grade-school age children. He also helped the Quorum of the Seventy become more organized and streamlined.

4.Wilford Woodruff President Woodruff was well-known for keeping diaries, and his extensive journal-keeping was and is a great asset for historians of Mormonism. Without his writings, much of that which was said by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and many other Church leaders might have been lost forever. During Wilford Woodruff's ministry as Prophet of the Church, the Salt Lake Temple was finally completed in 1893, solidifying a spiritual beacon for the Saints and beautiful example of American architecture. Woodruff also organized the Genealogical Society of Utah, a major leap forward in the Church's family history efforts, and a group which still benefits the Church and its members' genealogical pursuits to this day.

If you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here to chat live with real missionaries!

Other Articles in this Series:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

The History of Mormonism: Joseph Smith, Tarred and Feathered

Throughout the history of Mormonism--and the history of religion in general for that matter--there have been many willing to sacrifice everything for their dearly held beliefs. When pinpointing the Mormon faith, this is perhaps most evident in the case of Joseph Smith, the founding Prophet of the Church. On April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially founded, with Smith presiding as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. The Church, though steadily gaining followers, had some bumps along the way. As with all religions, some of the new converts were not as devoted as others, and some even left the Church shortly after joining. They all had their reasons. There are accounts of a man leaving the Church because his horse died on the journey to Missouri, and another of a man leaving because his name was spelled wrong in a Church document. One such man was Ezra Booth. Booth had converted to the Church in 1831, and was soon sent out to serve as a missionary soon after. The mission was not what Booth expected it to be, and he soon grew bitter, and began to spread lies and express his hate for the Church, instead of preaching the gospel as he had been asked to do. Booth was later excommunicated for his misconduct. Upon returning to Ohio, Booth started writing letters to the local newspaper condemning Mormonism and its followers. These letters intensified the suspicions of the locals, and relations were somewhat strained. These events came to a head on March 24, 1832, when a group of men who had read Ezra Booth's letters got very, very, drunk. Joseph Smith and his wife Emma had recently adopted a pair of twin baby boys. Joseph had been up much of the night, tending to one of his new sons, who had the measles. Just as Joseph was falling asleep, the mob stormed into the Smith home and dragged Joseph from his bed and carried him out of the house. With a bucket of molten tar, the men began to smear Joseph's skin, covering all over his body, and gutting one of his pillows, covered him with the contents. Some of the men tried to force feed Joseph a vial of nitric acid. There were many angry threats to the Prophet's life and he was beaten severely. Joseph said a prayer for safety and mercy, and just then, an alarm sounded, scaring the mob away. Struggling back inside, Joseph showed himself to Emma, who fainted when the lighting made the tar look like blood. Thus began the long, arduous process of painfully removing the tar. During the struggle, the cold night air had been let in, and the Smith's new baby sadly perished from exposure. The very next day, Sunday, Smith got out of bed, and attended his Church meetings as usual. Beaten raw, covered in bits of tar, bruises, and more, Joseph got up before the congregation and gave a sermon as powerful as ever. He never mentioned the elephant in the room, skipping over the previous night's events entirely, even as some of the very men from the mob who attacked him sat among the congregation. In this trial, Joseph Smith displayed not only resilience in the face of adversity, but also a great capacity for forgiveness to those who had so viciously hurt him. I consider him a wonderful role model, and a man who very faithfully followed the example of his savior Jesus Christ.

Got a question about Joseph Smith, or other aspects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Please click here to chat live with real missionaries and ask them directly!

For another story of an early Latter-day Saint overcoming great trial, please read this story about John Rowe Moyle, a stone-cutter for the Salt Lake Temple.
Read about the lifestyle of the Mormon pioneers.

Jesus Christ and the LDS Church; Is Mormonism Christian?

As an ardent believer in, and an intense lover of Jesus Christ, it can be a bit disheartening to hear certain people categorize my religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known by its nickname, "Mormonism") as "non-Christian", or imply that there is an inherent difference between it and Christianity. I've always viewed the term "Christian" (one who does their best to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ) as a personal choice. As mortal beings, we are not always able to know the thoughts and feelings of others. So it would seem to me that determining another Christian's level of devotion to Christ would be a matter of guesswork. Completely arbitrary.

As Jesus Himself told us in His Sermon on the Mount, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." I don't write this to call to repentance those who question my Christianity, as that is not my place. I merely write to ask for brotherhood in the beliefs and values we do have in common, and give some insight as to how this church--while not quite mainstream-- is an excellent example of a Christian church.

• The Savior's name is referenced the official title of the Church. The Church's name is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
• The Book of Mormon, a volume of holy scripture at the cornerstone of the Church's beliefs--and also where the Church gets it nickname-- mentions Jesus Christ over 482 times, not including when He is referred to by other titles, such as "Savior", "Redeemer", "Son of God", etc. The Book of Mormon has 531 pages, which puts a very conservative estimate at Christ being mentioned, on average, at least once every 1.2 pages of the book.
• The Book of Mormon is subtitled as "Another Testament of Jesus Christ"
• Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. 
• Every Sunday, they renew their covenants made at baptism by partaking in the sacrament (similar to communion). Members are counseled to remain reverent at this time, and humble themselves by pondering on the Savior's ultimate sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross.
• Mormons believe that if they follow the Lord's commandments, and repent of all sins, they can be forgiven and washed clean by Christ's atoning sacrifice.
• The Church believes that after the death of Christ, their was a great apostasy among the believers, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ (in its fullness) was lost from the Earth. The Church considers itself a restoration of the Church Jesus Christ started, a divinely inspired renewal of the original Gospel of Christ in its fullness. This is why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not trace its roots back to any Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox faith, as it arose independent of any of these lineages.

I love the Savior Jesus Christ, and do my best to follow His divine example. I am in awe that He would put up with me and my rebellious ways, and I would like to express a humble gratitude for Him and His condescension towards me--towards all of us. The perfect, sinless, Son of God was made to bear and overcome unthinkable agony and the deepest sorrow, all that we might be happy. I am proud to have Him as my guide, my example, and my Savior. I will close this article now in His sweet name, Jesus Christ--Amen.

Any more questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Please don't hesitate to click here, and chat live with actual missionaries who can answer you directly!

For more on the divine love of Jesus Christ read this post.
On Christmas, and how my family and I celebrate.

Jesus Christ: His Matchless Love

Jesus Christ loves you. If you aren't a particularly religious person to begin with, it may seem like an odd notion, but it is true nonetheless. He loves you more than you could possibly comprehend. Think of the person you love the most. It might be a spouse or significant other. It could be a parent, a sibling, a child, or even a close friend. It doesn't take anything away from the deep love you feel for that person, but the love of Jesus Christ, is so much deeper, so much purer, and so much greater than anything we can imagine.
Why does He love us?
Christ know us on a deeply personal level. He and our Heavenly Father know all about us: our motives, our thoughts, our desires, our actions, and everything in between. At the thought of this concept, many of us might make the mistake of thinking He has less reason to love us. After all, we have each and every one of us made one mistake or another in this life, and the thought that someone might know all the intricate details of our misdeeds is terrifying. So why would Jesus, the Son of God, and the most perfect being ever to walk the Earth, put up with such vile sinners for even a second? Surely He could find more worthy subjects than us. But the truth is, even as Christ knows all about our mistakes, our sins, and our misdeeds, He also sees and knows what we may become. He understands the context of our mistakes because He lived them. In the   Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross in Golgotha, Christ suffered for all the sins and all the pains of mankind. Everyone that has lived, is living, or will live is cleansed through the ultimate self-sacrifice of the perfect, unblemished Son of God, but only if we allow it to.
When we sin, no matter how major our sin is, we have the opportunity and the duty to repent. When we correct the situation, asking forgiveness, and leaving our sins behind, we can then approach our Lord and Savior by praying with an eye single to Him and appreciation of His redeeming sacrifice. When we do this earnestly, He will forgive us.
Jesus Christ loves us so much, that He was willing to sacrifice everything He had--and more--that we might be cleansed from wickedness, and brought to the eternal happiness that comes from a clean conscience, and closeness to the Lord, our God. Because of His sacrifice, we are able to reach our full potential, and rise to the level of that person that Jesus knows we may become. With an eye single to Him, and a sincere love for all we meet, there is no limit to our progression in righteousness, our understanding of the mysteries of God, and  our ability to love in the supreme way that Christ the Lord did.
I leave this with you in His holy name, Jesus Christ--Amen.

Any questions about Jesus Christ, or other principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Please click here to chat with real missionaries and ask them directly!

On Mormonism and Christianity: is there a difference?
For an exploration of the nature of the Holy Ghost, click here.
Sacrament or Communion?