http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lds/ en-us Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:30 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413832/posts IDAHO FALLS -- Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell will be mixing what he calls doctrines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his gubernatorial campaign in a series of meetings slated for LDS elders only. In January, Rammell will kick off a series of special meetings targeted specifically at "faithful priesthood-holders of the LDS Church" to discuss the so-called "White Horse" prophecy. The first meeting will held at the Hampton Inn in Idaho Falls between 7 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 19. Subsequent meetings will be held in Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Boise, and only... Rexburg Standard Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413832/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413084/posts As Mormons join with all of Christendom in commemorating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ this time of year, the thoughts of some might turn to observance of an event of lesser magnitude, but nevertheless vital to the unfolding of God's purposes among His children: The birth of Joseph Smith Jr., just two days before Christmas on Dec. 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vt. In noting the birthday anniversary of the Prophet, some may feel uncomfortable, not wishing to detract in any way from the veneration due the Advent of the Christ in mortality and the commencement of His mortal... Mormon Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413084/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:18:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412699/posts <p>Salt Lake City --The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has long been concerned that it be understood as a distinctively Christian institution, will step up efforts to discourage use of the term Mormon Church and instead emphasize the name Jesus Christ in references to the church, a leading Mormon official said in an interview on Thursday.</p> New York Times via Rick Ross Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412699/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:58:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412385/posts 1. Can you find me archeological and historical proof from non-Mormon sources that prove that the peoples and places named in the Book of Mormon are true? 2. Why does the Book of Mormon state that Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10) when history and the Bible state that he was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1)? 3. I’ve read where Joseph Smith said that he translated the golden plates (from which he got the Book of Mormon) letter-by-letter, “by the power of God” and that it was “the most correct of any book on earth." If that’s true why... alwaysbeready.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412385/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:59:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412383/posts According to some of Joseph's closest associates as well as those who saw Joseph translate the Book of Mormon, when Joseph looked into the Urim and Thummim he was able to see the English translation. Some witnesses even claimed that Joseph spelled out proper names and the English text remained in view until it was written down correctly. Most of the accounts that describe the translation process were recorded long after the fact and are often second or third hand. Because Joseph did not share the details himself, however, it is from these other reports that scholars attempt to deduce... Mormon Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412383/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:55:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412374/posts St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Rosalynde Welch says the Conan O'Brien was both right and wrong about Mormons during the recent Mormon Song segment: "The joke is not at the Mormons' expense, really; it's making fun of the notion that 'Big Love,' 'Witness' and 'Children of the Corn' are sources of information about Mormonism... SNIP BYU's Daily Universe got the "Typo of the Year" award by Craig Silverman, writer for Huffington Post and whose blog chronicles the mistakes of the news industry. Silverman writes: "'The Daily Universe, a student paper at BYU, recalled and trashed 18,000 copies of an edition after... Mormon Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412374/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:35:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412364/posts PROVO — He's been to LDS general conference and sacrament meeting, given a family home evening lesson and shared his beliefs during fast and testimony meeting. But the one thing that still puzzles Talha Siddiqui, 19, a Muslim from Islamabad, Pakistan, is why Latter-day Saint students at Brigham Young University are so anxious to get married. "It's kind of funny how to an outsider … everyone is talking about getting married," he said. "How can you all think about the same thing? That kind of felt a little weird for me. Other than that, things have been great." SNIP "Whenever... Deseret News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412364/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:23:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412250/posts The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2412250/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:46:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411491/posts ... The Mormons regard themselves as Christians, and Jesus figures prominently on the covers of LDS publications. They believe that after the death of Christ's apostles his church became confused, a period that ended only with the restoration of the Gospel by the presentation of another book of scripture by an angel to LDS founder Joseph Smith. Most Christian theologians, however, disagree, not just because they disbelieve the angel story and the Book of Mormon that resulted, but by pointing to Mormon concepts including the ability of humans to become godlike entities after death. Most perturbed have been conservative Evangelicals... TIME http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411491/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:27:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411488/posts The Rise of Mormonism If anyone doubts that the Mormonism is a growing concern, just consider these facts. The Mormon church has grown from 2 million members in 1963 to 9.7 million members today with "stakes" (as they call their congregations) in 160 different countries. In the United States alone there are approximately 5 million people who claim to be Mormons!As we express our deep concerns about the anti-Christian nature of Mormonism, it is important that we recognize that many Mormons are fine people, with high moral values and deep devotion to their family. The sincerity of the Mormon people... Life of the World http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411488/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:10:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411487/posts Mormons want you to believe that they are "Christians" and that their church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", is just another Christian denomination. Mormons themselves believe that they are Christians and that their church is the only true church. Joseph Smith receiving his vision There is even a move among Mormons to shorten the name of their church to simply "The Church of Jesus Christ."Their founder, Joseph Smith claimed to have been told in a vision regarding the Christian churches that God "forbade me to join with any of them" and "all their creeds were an... Catholic Education Resource Center http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2411487/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:02:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2409590/posts "Every Church member is expected to understand the doctrine of the Church intelligently. There is no place in the Church for blind adherence." -- John Widtsoe, LDS Apostle It was long ago, two thousand years, when sweet baby Jesus was born. Although every baby is cherished by his parents and grandparents and siblings and cousins, this little boy was precious to all the world. The story began in Nazareth…The Old Testament patriarch Noah, who had died long ago and been resurrected as an angel named Gabriel,1 was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. There he appeared... Answering LDS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2409590/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:49:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2410157/posts Angels, those winged creatures atop Christmas trees and a perennial subject for movies, long have captured the human imagination. But for most religious people, angels are far from imaginary. They are not merely cultural conceptions, symbols or myths. Indeed, angels play a vital role in the relationship between humans and the divine, according to teachings of the world's dominant religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all believe in angels and share a common notion -- that angels do God's work, including communication with humans. The very word "angel" is from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for messenger, "mal'ach." Many... The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2410157/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:25:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2409922/posts Twelve years ago, the president of the Gilbert Arizona Stake thought that the Gilbert community would be benefited and community relationships strengthened if his stake and the local parish of the Catholic Church could interact and build a bridge of friendship using an interest common to both, music. The first three years of this relationship saw each congregation prepare separate choral numbers and sing at the other's building. After shedding concerns and apprehensions, the choir directors for the parish and the stake combined their efforts to create a joint choir comprised of both faiths. They chose to prepare numbers to... LDS Church News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2409922/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:37:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407897/posts SALT LAKE CITY -- A conservative think tank is hoping the Legislature can help protect people of faith living in Salt Lake City after two discrimination ordinances were passed. The ordinances protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in housing and employment. Sutherland Institute president Paul Mero says churches and some organizations have exemptions. The exemptions are for religious freedom and expressive association. That means a church corporation doesn't have to hire someone who is gay if they don't want to. Expressive association means the company doesn't have to hire someone who does not fit into their culture - for example,... KSL.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407897/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:46:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407002/posts SALT LAKE CITY - Over the course of two weeks, Utah Republicans had the chance to see the two most talked-about potential presidential candidates in their party. Mitt Romney attended an event for ADX security systems and Sarah Palin visited to sign her bestselling book. The Utahpolicy.com, Fox 13 Insider Poll finds that Mitt Romney is taken far more seriously as a potential presidential candidate. 53.5 percent of Republicans say they expect Romney to be the Republican party candidate to face Barack Obama. 31.3 percent of Democrats think Romney will be the candidate. Only 4.7 percent of Republicans and 6.3... KSTU-TV Fox 13 Salt Lake City, Utah http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407002/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:56:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407326/posts (SALT LAKE CITY) – Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney is preparing a more prominent presence on the national scene with a new book coming out in the spring. His new book, “No Apology: The Case for America’s Greatness” comes out March 2 and Romney is kicking off a book tour at the Salt Palace March 13 with a book signing hosted by the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. Kirk Jowers, a long-time Romney backer, is its director and says the book will offer ideas about turning around a nation some see in a decline. Jowers said he hopes... MidUtahRadio.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407326/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:54:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407311/posts One of the basic tenets of gospel living has always been to set a good example for our neighbors. "Let your light so shine before men," the Savior said. "That they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Trouble is, some of us seem to think that guideline doesn't apply when we live in "Zion." Case in point: My wife, Annie, works at a bank in Utah valley where a significant number of the customers are active Latter-day Saints. She knows this because they frequently come in to cash checks from The Church of... Mormon Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407311/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:35:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2406936/posts In 1833 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that contained a strong rebuke to several leading brethren of the Church to set their families in order (see D&C 93:40–50). A specific phrase from this revelation provides the theme for my message—“more diligent and concerned at home” (verse 50). I want to suggest three ways each of us can become more diligent and concerned in our homes. I invite you to listen both with ears that hear and with hearts that feel, and I pray for the Spirit of the Lord to be with all of us. Suggestion Number One:... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2406936/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:02:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405627/posts SALT LAKE CITY -- David Austin's two-day visit to Utah was packed with meetings, presentations and discussions about finding and producing Mormon-made films that might appeal to the general Christian inspiration market. A blizzard hit on the first day, Dec. 8, messing up the tight schedule. But Austin didn't mind. "I'm from Michigan, so it feels like home," Austin said of the weather. Austin is vice president of sales and marketing at Bridgestone Multimedia Group and was here at the invitation of filmmakers including Lyman Dayton and BYU's Dennis Packard. Bridgestone distributes family-friendly Christian movies and music to Christian bookstores... Mormon Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405627/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:39:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405566/posts As finals are quickly approaching, students sometimes joke about living in the library. But when author Matthew Brown says he lives in the library, he’s not joking around. Brown, who recently released the book “Exploring the Connection between Mormons and Masons,” does most of the research for his books in the BYU library. “I live here in the BYU library and I’m not kidding,” Brown said. “I have done research at other universities around the country but for the most part, when it comes to LDS subjects, this is my primary research library.” “Mormons and Masons” is Brown’s 10th book,... BYU Daily Universe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405566/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:37:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405383/posts SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is adding a fourth emphasis to its three-prong mission. The LDS Church is adding, "to care for the poor and needy" to the threefold mission of the Church, which is to teach the gospel to the world, strengthen the membership of the Church and perform saving ordinances for the dead. The change will be made in a new Church Handbook of Instructions, to be released next year, which will refer to them as "the purpose of the Church" instead of missions. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=8984614-SNIP-Related: Origin of the “Threefold Mission... KSL http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2405383/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:04:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2404806/posts Compassion for the elderly and infirm that has come to characterize Thomas S. Monson's ministry soon will be embraced more fully by the worldwide church he leads. The LDS Church is adding "to care for the poor and needy" to its longstanding "threefold mission," which is to preach the LDS gospel, purify members' lives and provide saving ordinances such as baptism to those who have died. This mission first was coined by late LDS President Spencer W. Kimball in the 1980s and since then has been repeated as a mantra by the church's more than 13 million members. The new... The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2404806/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:50:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403785/posts   The Gospel and the ChurchBy Ronald E. PoelmanThe First Quorum of the SeventyGeneral Conference October, 1984Two different version of this talk were distributed. The first was given over the pulpit at general conference, the second was published in the Ensign and on the official conference videotape. Differences between the two talks are highlighted in red. Deletions from the original talk are set off by strikethrough Font, while additions in the Ensign version are Underlined. Conference Version  Version Published in the Ensign and on Video Tape Both the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ are... mormon.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403785/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:42:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403504/posts For me, this is an embarrassing question to answer, because I used to be racist. I was born and raised Mormon in Cottonwood, Arizona, USA. I served a mission and was sealed to my wife in the Mesa Arizona temple. I have seen the good that Mormons do in helping the poor and needy but racism is still alive and well within the LDS church. Seven years ago my wife and I decided to leave Mormonism when we began to study the doctrines that Joseph Smith originally proclaimed. I wish I could say that I left the Mormon church because... The Inquirer Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403504/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 05:43:54 GMT