A new LDS temple in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Arizona, the nations 5th largest city and one of the fastest growing, will soon be home to a new LDS temple. This new addition, which will be built in North Phoenix, will be one of less than 200 temples in the entire world.

The LDS church has a long history in Arizona, where they settled and irrigated much of what was otherwise uninhabitable in the late 1800’s. The LDS temple in Mesa, AZ was completed in 1927, and is still there today.

LDS temples are beautiful, and their relative rarity makes them a draw for local economies. Where they are built housing and tourism markets always improve.

Mormons strive to be a very family and community oriented people. We strive to live in a way that is beneficial to our cities, countries and local communities. We generally participate in programs like Scouting, and are encouraged to spend time doing community service.

If you have questions about the North Phoenix temple that is being planned, please feel free to post them here!

Mesa Arizona LDS Temple

Finding hope, and the memory of 9/11

Here is a video from lds.org which shows a 9/11 survivor and his story. He shares his memories of that day and his escape from one of the falling towers, and then  speaks about the difficulties he faced for years following 9/11.

The hope that this man found was in Christ, and his ability to care for each of us, and make us whole. We each have a need to be whole, and only our Savior can meet that need by making up for our lacks and mistakes.

This is a good video, and a good reminder of what happened on 9/11, and how it affected the world, and each of us individually. During this time of remembering, I hope everyone will turn their lives more toward Christ, and his teachings.

How can food storage help every family?

Mormons store food. It is a well known fact, and it is something that we’ve been doing for decades. Food storage isn’t new, and Mormons certainly didn’t invent it. Possibly the most famous ancient case of “food storage” is the story of Joseph in Egypt, who helped the Pharoh see the value and importance of storing and preparing in order to save his people from famine.

In Joseph’s day, Pharoh (who was not of Joseph’s religious background) was warned by God to prepare for the times ahead. They faced years of plenty, followed by years of terrible distressed lacking. Had they not been warned, the people may have done what comes naturally in times of plenty: sat back, enjoyed it and imagined it would never change.

When things are going good, it is normal for people to feel that they will never go badly again. But this is not wisdom. No matter what religion you ascribe to, it just makes sense to look at mormon food storage as “wisdom for our times.” If you follow the news, you realize just how deep this wisdom really is. Mormons have been urged to store food continually, even in times of “plenty.” In recent years, with food shortages, crop failures, and grain disease around the globe, storing food has become even more important.

Even so, food storage is NOT only for those who want to be prepared for a shortage. Food storage can be useful in a variety of situations, and can even make your daily life, budgeting and living easier and more healthful. Here are just a few ways that food storage might make life easier, even without disaster:

1. Unemployment: A popular argument for food storage is that having stored food can lessen the stress of unemployment. When you have supplies stored that you can use, it frees up a restricted budget caused by unemployment or underemployment. It is one less thing you have to worry about buying. The psychological value of having enough to eat can really make a tight budget less troublesome. Having less to worry about can make you more confident as you search for new work.
2. Bulk=Savings: Everyone knows that when you buy in bulk, you save significant amounts of money. It is not small change: buying in bulk can mean paying half as much, or less, for a product. When you purchase food storage items in larger quantities, your budget for food can go even farther. This is wonderful, even in times of prosperity. The extra money can be used to pay down debt, build a savings, or help others. It is a wonderful feeling to have food storage that also increases your financial freedom.
3. Minor Emergencies: Food storage isn’t just good for catastrophes, it is also useful in very minor emergencies. In one location that I lived, ice storms could trap you in your home for several days at a time. Everyone was in the same boat. When an ice storm was predicted, the store shelves would be emptied of essentials immediately. With food storage at home, and other preparedness items, we didn’t even need to worry about rushing to the store. We had everything we needed, and our stress level didn’t have to raise for a minor “emergency.”

There are many more reasons that Mormons store food. Whether you know or are interested in Mormon doctrines and religious beliefs doesn’t matter: one thing you can take away from Mormonism is an emphasis on self-reliance, an emphasis on providing for your family and for others, and the idea that a loving Heavenly Father wants to protect us from the storms of life, literal or otherwise.

Have additional questions about food storage or Mormonism? feel free to post them here for real, quick answers.

Women in the Mormon church

How does the Mormon church view women? What roles to women have in the LDS church? These are just a few of the questions that I’ve heard relating to the role of women in the LDS faith. Let me start with a few quotes from leaders of the Mormon church, regarding our views of women:

There are some men who, in a spirit of arrogance, think they are superior to women. They do not seem to realize that they would not exist but for the mother who gave them birth. When they assert their superiority they demean her. It has been said, “Man can not degrade woman without himself falling into degradation; he can not elevate her without at the same time elevating himself” (Alexander Walker, in Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book [1923], 204).

Every woman is a daughter of God. You cannot offend her without offending Him.

How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be, for the women in our lives. God bless them. May His great love distill upon them and crown them with luster and beauty, grace and faith. And may His Spirit distill upon us as men and lead us ever to hold them in respect, in gratitude, giving encouragement, strength, nurture, and love, which is the very essence of the gospel of our Redeemer and Lord.

[Source]

The true spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life.

One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

[Source]

“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.

“Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.

[Source]

These few quotes, which are only a drop in the sea of Mormon teachings on the sanctity and importance of womanhood, tell me all that I need to know: the Mormon church views women as not only equals to men on earth, but as the pinnacle of God’s creation, to be revered, respected and upheld through all time.

What roles do women have in the Mormon church?

People sometimes wonder what roles women have in the Mormon church. I have heard of some other faiths where women are not allowed to speak on Sunday at church. In the LDS church, women teach, preach and serve in the church. All people, men, women and children, contribute to our Sunday worship meetings. Women also serve missions, and represent the Mormon church around the world.

The Mormon church defends womanhood

Do a search on lds.org on womanhood. You will find countless articles on the importance of women in the plan of our Heavenly Father. The LDS church defends womanhood as the most important role on this earth. Much of our media today objectifies women, while other influences attempt to deny the existence of womanhood by setting women down as only “identical” to men.

In the Mormon faith, we embrace the natural grace and beauty of womanhood, and encourage women around the world to search for the aspects of themselves that will bring them the most happiness and fulfilment. The Mormon church combats and speak out openly against things that degrade women, such as pornography and abuse. In a world that treats women as objects, the LDS church stands as a witness of the value of women.

What are Mormons all about?

You may have heard about “Mormons” from the news, from a friend, or somewhere else. But who are the Mormons, and what are they all about? What do Mormons believe, and what do they teach? Why is there so much attention on the Mormon religion?

First, let me direct you to a few official LDS (mormon) resources. Mormon.org is an especially great way to learn what Mormons are all about:

• Mormon.org Official Site
• Lds.org Official Site

What are Mormons all about?

Now let me give you my take on the question “what are mormons all about?”  To me, Mormonism is a restoration of the original religion that Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. Mormonism is a Christian religion that focuses entirely on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the “Good News” that Christ came to earth to suffer and die for our sins, so that we might return to live with Heavenly Father after this life is over.

But what about Mormonism and daily life?

You may have noticed that Mormons live a little differently from a lot of other people. We don’t drink coffee. We don’t watch rated R movies. We have a family night every week (that we call Family Home Evening, or FHE). We spend a lot of time on things like Geneology and food storage.

Why do we do all of these things? The short answer is that we know these things will contribute to a better life while here on earth, and will help us develop Christ-like attributes. We follow a “Word of Wisdom”, which is some simple general councel on health that tells us to avoid addictive substances like coffee and  tea. We avoid movies that don’t really fall in-line with our beliefs. We get together as a family to strengthen our relationships, and help shore-up our children against the barage of choices that they will encounter in the world. We store food so that we can always have something on hand in case of emergency, loss of job, or to help others in their time of need.

Mormonism Core Beliefs

We have a simple set of core beliefs called the “Articles of Faith“. They are a brief outline of what Mormons believe. Here they are:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Specific questions about Mormonism

If you have more specific questions about Mormonism, please feel free to ask. I’m happy to answer your questions, or point you to an official trusted source for information on Mormonism.

Our faith in Christ

There have been a few news articles lately that highlight Mormonism as it relates to other Christian denominations. People often ask what we believe about Christ, or how we view the Godhead, or whether or not we are Christians. We believe in Christ, we talk of Christ, we hope in Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we know that Christ is our Savior.

One great source for finding out what the Mormon church is really all about is LDS.org. On LDS.org you will have instant and easy access to all of our doctrines. You can easily and quickly search through our scriptures, our general conference records, and a variety of other church materials. You can even download PDF versions of many LDS church books and magazines, all of which will give you insights to what we read, study, and believe.

Of particular interest on the subject of our belief in Christ is this article from LDS.org. The article gives a wonderfully complete overview of our faith in Christ, that he lived on the earth, suffered and died for our sins, and will come again. Here is a brief excerpt from the article, which I recommend reading in full:

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

Even with all of the evidence of our faith and total dependance on Christ in Mormonism, nothing will convince a person about our Christianity. The key, if you truly want to understand about our deep dedication to Jesus Christ, is to ask God in the name of Christ. Prayer is the only way to gain a testimony of the truth because it comes from our Father, who gives to all equally, without holding anything back.

As you look around for information and answers and Mormonism, and about Christianity and Mormonism, please keep a prayer in your heart. I add my testimony to those you might come across: that Christ lives, and that He loves us with an infinite love. He is patient, and personally knows each of us. He has suffered for our sins so that we might not, if we will turn our hearts to him and rely wholy on his merits and mercies. Christ has set an example for us in baptism, and in the Sacrament of His Last Supper. He has set an example in all things.

If you have more questions about mormonism, or mormonism as it relates to the rest of Christianity, please feel free to ask them here on this blog, or visit mormon.org to chat with a mormon missionary who can help answer your questions. If you have a friend who is mormon, that’s also a great way to learn about Mormonism!

How do Mormons feel about prayer? How to Mormons pray?

In the LDS church, we believe that anyone can pray, at any time, and that God will hear and answer every sincere prayer. Our basic belief about prayers is this:

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We should pray to Him and no one else. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19). As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.

For me, prayer is a deeply personal event. Even so, it is sometimes shared with family, friends, or even strangers. The unifying factor that lets this personal experience be so readily shared is our universal nature as sons and daughters of God on the earth. We are all here together, and we can all pray to our Heavenly Father any time we want or need to.

Mormons pray very simply. We don’t memorize prayers, and we generally say what comes to our heart. We address our Father in Heaven, thank Him for specific blessings he has given us, ask for things we need, and close in the name of His Son. I believe that God will hear any prayer, no matter what is said, if it is done in humility, searching for God’s help and presence.

There are times when we don’t feel like praying. The fact is, these are the times when we need to pray the most. When we’re down, disappointed, discourage or in dispair, prayer can lift is back to an understand and clear view of our lives. When we’re worried about others, prayer can help ease our own burnden, and can bring about miracles in lives beyond our own.

Recently on LDS.org there was an article featured by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS church. In his profession, he was a commercial pilot, and in his article he relates a story of how he used to feel when he broke through dark storm clouds and into the sun that shone above. He relates:

Prayer is a heavenly gift designed to help us achieve spiritual lift. It enhances and cultivates our relationship with God. Isn’t it remarkable that we can converse with the supreme Source of wisdom and compassion in the universe at any time of our choosing, in any place?

Daily simple, sincere, and mighty prayers lift our lives to a higher spiritual altitude. In our prayers we praise God, give thanks to Him, confess weaknesses, petition needs, and express deep devotion to our Heavenly Father. As we make this spiritual effort in the name of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, we are endowed with increased inspiration, revelation, and righteousness, which bring the brightness of heaven into our lives.

I think back on my days as a pilot and those times when thick clouds and threatening thunderstorms made all appear dark and gloomy. In spite of how bleak things looked from my earthly vantage point, I knew that above the clouds the sun beamed brightly like a dazzling jewel in an ocean of blue skies. I did not have faith that such was the case—I knew it. I knew it because I had experienced it for myself. I did not need to rely on other people’s theories or beliefs. I knew.

In the same way that aerodynamic lift can transport us above the outer storms of the world, I know that the principles of spiritual lift can take us above the inner storms of life.

And I know something else. Although it was a breathtaking experience to break through the clouds and fly to the bright blue horizon, that is nothing compared to the wonders of what we all can experience as we lift up our hearts in humble and earnest prayer.

Prayer helps us transcend the stormy times. It gives us a glimpse of that blue sky that we cannot see from our earthly vantage point, and it reveals to us another vista—a glorious spiritual horizon filled with hope and the assurance of the bright blessings the Lord has promised to those who love and follow Him.

I know that God lives, and that he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, so that we would not have to go through this life alone. We can always turn to God in prayer for answers and help. We can receive divine guidance, inspiration, and answers, if we will have faith.

Eternal families; a highlight of Mormonism

So many people have questions about what Mormon’s call “eternal families”. People sometimes wonder “what is the point of marriage and family if it all ends at death?”

Like so many things, having an eternal perspective can bring more joy, understanding and fulfillment to a person’s life. LDS people believe that families can be together forever, and that many of the true sources of joy do not end at death, but carry over into the eternities.

In a devotional talk, published in the 2001 “Ensign” magazine, Dallin H. Oaks noted the following:

All Latter-day Saints understand that having an eternal family is an eternal goal. Exaltation is a family matter, not possible outside the everlasting covenant of marriage, which makes possible the perpetuation of glorious family relationships. But this does not mean that everything related to mortal families is an eternal goal. There are many short-term objectives associated with families—such as family togetherness or family solidarity or love—that are methods, not the eternal goals we pursue in priority above all others. For example, family solidarity to conduct an evil enterprise is obviously no virtue. Neither is family solidarity to conceal and perpetuate some evil practice like abuse.

The purpose of mortal families is to bring children into the world, to teach them what is right, and to prepare all family members for exaltation in eternal family relationships. The gospel plan contemplates the kind of family government, discipline, solidarity, and love that serve those ultimate goals. But even the love of family members is subject to the overriding first commandment, which is love of God (see Matt. 22:37–38), and the Savior’s directive, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). As Jesus taught, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37).

LDS people are encouraged to get married in our temples. These are sacred places, and to go there one must be willing to confess their sins and promise to follow God’s commandments. Marriage in the temple is done through true Priesthood authority, and because of this, remains in force even in the eternities.

What can we do to make our marriage and family life better?

Here on earth, we often get caught up in momentary pleasure, and sometimes miss out on the lasting joy that we can find through the gospel of Jesus Christ, as a family. “Family Fun” is a wonderful and important part of family life, but it can feel empty if we don’t also have a larger goal in mind.

What can we do to put a more eternal focus on our family life? In the Mormon church we have what we call “Family Home Evening.” it is a time set aside every week, usually on Monday night, when there are no church meetings of activities planned, and when families are encouraged to spend time together learning and playing.

Family meals can also be an enriching time. Though it might seem old fashioned, or of little importance, getting the whole family together without distraction (eliminate the TV, radio or iPod noise, texting, phone calls, etc) can create lasting memories and help children feel safe and grounded.

If you have more questions about the idea of an “eternal family,” feel free to ask them here, or get in touch with a Mormon friend or the missionaries. Marriage is sacred, and we believe it can be for more than just “til death do us part”. Any LDS person would be happy to share with you our ideas on that subject, and answer any questions you might have.

Being Happy

Being Happy

This isn’t specifically an answer to questions I’ve heard about Mormonism, but it is very important. Everyone wants to find happiness. People sometimes try to find it in material possessions, their jobs, their positions, or any variety of places. People look high and low for happiness, and some people never find it, though they achieve great things.

True happiness comes from knowing God, and living in accordance with His divine will. Some people, in their search for happiness, ask themselves “why am I here on earth?”, or “where will I go when this is all over?” These are eternal questions that man-kind has asked for a long, long time.

If you think on these questions you’ll realize that they are fundamentally linked to our relationship with God. God sent us here to earth for a reason, and the desire to understand that purpose is deep within each of us. When we find the answers, we can find more peace, and more happiness.

So what does God want us to do on this earth? Why are we here? And where exactly are we going after this life is through? Some of the most important things we have to do on this earth have to do with how we affect other people. Our loved ones, our children and spouses, parents and grand-parents, are all part of our purpose here on earth. By doing everything we can to serve and love them, we will find more happiness in this life.

God also wants us to draw close to Him personally. We are here, each of us, to learn how to overcome challenges, to learn and to grow. God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to set an example for us to follow, and it is His will that we become like His Son (See Romans 8).

After this life, we will all return to that God that create us and gave us life (See Alma 11:42-43). We will have an opportunity to look back on our lives, and understand what we did and did not do. Jesus Christ will also be there, and He will act as a great Mediator for each of us with the Father, so that we can all recieve a measure of glory thanks to the precious gift of the Son.

If you have any questions about Mormonism, or would like answers to any specific questions you might have, please feel free to let me know.

Mormon advice for rough times?

People often see certain aspects of the Mormon faith and are lead to ask “what advice can Mormons give during rough times?” Rough times might include periods of unemployment, family troubles, difficulty raising children, or personal trials. One thing is certain: we will all face our own “rough times” at some point in our lives.

Prepare in advance for rough times

One of the best pieces of advice that one might observe in the Mormon faith is the principle of “preparing” for rough times. This is not just a material concept, it is also a spiritual and emotional one. We “prepare” spiritually by pushing ourselves to learn and grown, even when times are good. It is easy and natural to turn to God when things are hard, but you “prepare” by turning to Him all the time.

You can prepare spiritually and emotionally by doing simple things each day. Read your scriptures- for you it might be the Bible or another holy book. It might be motivational books for you at this point. Whatever it is, read a little each day, and take the inspiration those things provide into your daily life.

Another simple daily thing you can do to prepare “spiritually” is to give adequate attention to your family life. We all know the quote that tells us how much we won’t regret missing that extra hour at the office when we’re gone, but how much pain it will give us to know that we missed precious time with our families. Spend time each day, perhaps in the morning and evening, talking with your family. Make it a habit, and have everyone be involved. Set aside additional time once a week for a special outing, dinner, or other family-centered evening.

Preparing Materially

Mormons call this “temporal” preparation. “Temporal” simply means all things related to our physical needs, or the sustanance of our bodies. One thing Mormons are famous for is food storage. You don’t have to run out and buy a years supply of food. In fact, most Mormons don’t start this way either! Buy a little extra food each shopping trip, perhaps some canned goods, that you know you’ll use. It ads up fast, and every extra can you buy is security for your family. Read more on my food storage page for links and more ideas.

Be Happy

I think most people feel that being happy is a result of pleasant happenings in our lives. Happiness, it seems, is a state that we are in when things are going our way. I disagree with this thought, and propose that being happy is a choice. There are ample examples of people who, in spite of the worst conditions, are happy. This includes people from every walk of life. There are also ample examples of people who are sad, in spite of having every material comfort imaginable.

Mormon advice for rough times? Be happy! Thank God for all the good things that you have, and all the bad things that you don’t have to deal with. No matter how bad you have it, someone else has it worse. No matter how alone you feel, Christ was more alone, and suffered more. He understands, and can help you through those times.

If you want to learn more about any of these subjects, just let me know. You can email me using the Ask a Question page.