Technology & Internet

Do you dread going to a large shopping mall because you can't quite get your bearings in that monster of a maze - the parking lot? Have you ever gone to visit someone in a large hospital and felt embarrassed about not knowing which hallway takes you back to the elevator? Have you ever felt a sense of panic after making one wrong turn after another? Have you ever called your husband to guide you home? If you answered yes, then you know exactly how frightening, frustrating, and terribly embarrassing these situations can be. According to one estimate, about ... Read More

As the restored Church of Jesus Christ blossoms throughout the globe—now with more than 13 million members—”the faith of our fathers” has an expanded meaning. For some, it could refer to their family’s heritage in one of the hundreds of Christian faiths; for others, it could refer to Middle-Eastern, Asian, or African faiths and traditions. I have spent most of my life in areas of the world where members of our Church are a small minority. During that time I have learned that often when people learn of the restored gospel, they are impressed by it—many even want to join... Read More

Last year when I watched Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin speak during General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as the Mormon faith), I was struck by his determination. I marveled at his love and concern for all of us. I saw how deeply he loved the Lord. He refused to let a weakened body sto... Read More

...For Mormons, General Conference is an exciting time when large numbers gather to hear sermons, sacred music and news. But the most satisfying, profound and exhilarating thoughts and feelings of inspiration come when one person receives an answer to a serious personal question or is reassured by a connectedness to God and others. (LDS Newsroom) Our family joined millions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints (informally known as Mormons) this past weekend for General... Read More

Missionary work is important in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church). As members of the Church, we take literally the words of the Savior, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Mathew 28: 19) We make solemn and sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. These sacred promises that we make with God include sharing the gospel of Christ with e... Read More

In a couple of days, I will raise my hand and sustain the 16th called Prophet of the Lord, President Thomas S. Monson. So will millions of other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as Mormons) around the world. Speaking about sustaining other Church Presidents before him, Pre... Read More

Easter week marks two of the most sacred events in all of Christianity - the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (informally known as Mormons) join other Christians in commemorating these significant events. I watched a number of different documentaries on the life of Jesus Christ this week. Once again, I wondered how many who knew and heard Him in person failed to recognize Him as the Son of God, the Messiah. If I had been there, would... Read More

Just when you think you can relax, something happens and you realize that you can never let your guard down. At least, not when it comes to the Internet and technology and your children. Take this recent example from our family. Like many parents, we gave our teenagers cell phones so that they would have a way of reaching us (and vice versa) in case of an emergency. This was especially important to us as they had reached the age where they were driving themselves to local school events and other extracurricular activities. Before they were given cell phones, we made sure that they understood there were certain rules that we expected them to keep. In other words, they both received the "talk." We educated them as much as possible on how to use their cell phones safely... Read More

Let's face it, there's been a lot of talk lately about Mormon women. Perhaps these sentiments are true for some. They are not true for me! Never in all the time that I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and that's all of my life) have I ever felt inferior or second-rate because I happen to be female. I've never felt as if I am somehow less important in the eyes of the Lord and in the Church because I'm a woman. I've never once been envious that I do not hold the ... Read More

Yesterday's news reports about a teacher caught on tape verbally abusing her students angered and shocked many around the country. It's always disturbing when someone in a position of trust betrays that trust. When such incidents come to light, we can't help but wonder if they really are isolated incidents or if they happen more often than we realize. We become a little less trusting, a little less willing to accept things at face value. I happen to believe that such incidents really are the exception, not the rule. I know that the majority of our teachers are decent and trustworthy. They work hard and deserve our thanks and support. Our educational system may need a little work, but there is no doubt in my mind that our teachers are among the best in the world. Still, w... Read More

The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) is a private non-profit and volunteer based organization. FAIR is actively engaged in responding to criticisms concerning the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FAIR's Mission Statement FAIR is dedicated to standing as a witness of Christ and His Restored Church. Our mission is to address the charges leveled at the doctrines, practices and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) with documented responses that a... Read More

“With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. ‘Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: “I know that my Redeemer lives!” ’ May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen.” (President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) ... Read More

Seth Adam Smith's testimony of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and of His Restored Gospel shines through from his YouTube videos. Seth has a talent for combining amazing works of art with inspiring messages through Scriptures and Hymns. I should also add a note of caution before we proceed. There is a proliferation of anti-Mormon material on the Internet including YouTube and other online video sites. Don't be distracted by hateful comments that you might encounter. When you view these videos, listen to the message not only with your ears but also with your heart. I ask that you open your heart and mind to the Spirit ... Read More

In the next few days, I hope to share with you several videos about Mormons and the Mormon Church (formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) posted online. The videos that will be featured on this blog are produced by members of the Church. Most members note that they do not speak for the Church. However, they are faithful members of the Church who desire to share the message of the Gospel of Christ as they understand it with the world. For official information about the Church, please visit www.lds.org or www.mormon.org. A few months ago I reviewed AllAboutMormons.com, a website about... Read More

This was the hand that guided Moses, that strengthened Joshua—the hand promised to Jacob when the Lord declared: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: … I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isa. 41:10.) This was the determined hand that drove the moneychangers from the temple. This was the loving hand that blessed little children. This was the strong hand that opened deaf ears and restored vision to sightless eyes. By this hand was the leper cleansed, the lame man healed—even the dead Lazarus raised to life. With the finger of his hand t... Read More

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17) At least twice a month, we are honored to have special guests in our home for dinner. These... Read More

Big beautiful bouquet of roses. Check. Hearts pasted on the fridge courtesy of our 8 year old. Check. A box of chocolates that I shouldn't sample but will partake of nevertheless. Check, check. And, my absolute favorite, an extra "I love you" in the morning! Oh yes, "Love" is definitely in the air. Love is apparent in our home and I pray that it is in yours too. Hopefully, love is apparent each day of the year in all of our lives. Perhaps, not in so grandiose a fashion as on Valentine's Day but apparent nonetheless. Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love. True and enduring love should be celebrated. It should b... Read More

I've been thinking a lot about the kind of legacy we leave behind when we pass on. When our work here is done, will we be remembered as we would like to be remembered? I remember watching a show on televison some time ago about a mother and son that were going through a very difficult time. The mother admitted that she had never been a real mother to her son. The son, now a young adult was bitter and wanted nothing to do with his mom. The mother was desperate to reconnect with her son and to be a part of his life again. One of the things the therapist counseled this mother to do was to write her own eulogy. She was asked specifically to write her eulogy from the point of view of her son. The point of the exercise (as I understood it) was for this mother to see exactly where she... Read More

I am so grateful for the youth of the Church. There is so much of evil everywhere. Temptation, with all its titillating influences, is about us everywhere. We lose some to these destructive forces, unfortunately. We sorrow over every one that is lost. We reach out to help them, to save them, but in too many cases our entreaties are spurned. Tragic is the course they are following. It is the way which leads down to destruction. But there are so many, many hundreds of thousands of our young people who are faithful and true, who are straight as an arrow and as strong as a great wave of the sea in following the course they have mapped out for themselves. It is a course of righteousness and goodness, a course of accomplishment and achievement. They are making something of... Read More

Your loved one has deployed. Your emotions may run the range from anger to sorrow. It seems as if your world has turned upside down. Don't feel bad, that is natural. It is normal for you to feel those emotions. This a very difficult time for you and your deployed spouse. If you have children, it is also an especially difficult time for them. So what do we do? Well, the one thing we shouldn't be doing is to go on feeling sorry for ourselves. Frankly, we just don't have the luxury or the time to feel sorry for ourselves, especially if we have children that are depending on us. As miltary spouses, we knew that deployment was quite likely for our soldier. It is natural for us to feel sad, worried, and frustrated during these times but we've got to find a way to make peace with it so... Read More

When all is said and done, we of this Church are people of peace. We are followers of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Prince of Peace. But even He said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt. 10:34) This places us in the position of those who long for peace, who teach peace, who work for peace, but who also are citizens of nations and are subject to the laws of our governments. Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy. I believe that God will not hold men and women in uniform responsible as agents of their government in carrying forward that which they are legally obligated to do. It may even be that He will hold us... Read More

The media and Internet is abuzz today with news of the passing of our beloved Mormon leader and Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. Following close behind are news stories speculating about his successor. Tradition has dictated that the longest-serving apostle will become the next president. If that is the case, it will be President Thomas S. Monson. At the young age of 36, President Monson was ordained an Apostle and called to the ... Read More

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) around the world are mourning the passing of our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. He died yesterday at the age of 97. President Hinckley touched the lives of countless people around the globe, including mine. He will be sorely missed! Yes, we are sorrowful today but we are also filled with joy. Joy because we know that our beloved prophet has gone to meet our Heavenly Father having done all he could to further the kingdom of our Lord on this earth. No doubt, President Hinckley will be received in Heaven, with these words, ... Read More

"I have it. Why not share it? Why not share it with my brother? See the joy within me shine in someone else's eyes. I know it and I love it. Why not share it with my brother? See the joy within me shine in someone else's eyes." (Written by Susan E. McCloud and Denny Crockett) I learned and sang this song a very long time ago as a young woman. Somehow the words have stayed with me throughout all these years and every now and then I find myself humming the tune. Nowadays, when this song pops into my head I often pause and ask myself if I'm sharing the joy I feel with a brother or a sister. You see, the song talks about the joy that faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) feel in th... Read More

and Truth? If one were to believe some of the rhetoric that is pervasive on the Internet and the media today, one would come to think that Mormons are not Christians. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is surprising for those of us who are faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons as we're sometimes called) to read and hear these comments because we are Christians to the core. All of us who have been baptized and become members of the Church have promised to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, that we will always remember Him, and will keep His commandments. These are sacred promises to us and we try extremely hard... Read More

We have answers! As we all know, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church or Mormon Religion) has become a popular topic of conversation in recent months. Undoubtedly, this interest will continue through the next several months. As a Mormon, I am very grateful that my Religion is being discussed and being talked about so much. Unfortunately, such an interest can sometimes result in the wrong or incomplete information being circulated about the Church. There is a lot of half-truths and lies about Mormons and the Mormon Church out there. Some are published by well meaning individuals who perhaps do not fully understand the Mormon Religion. The bulk of this kind of information, however, is perpetuated by individuals and groups who hate the ... Read More