Technology & Internet

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 I have been one of the believers or one of the many who rejected Him? I hope with everything in me that I would have been among those who were privileged to worship and learn at His feet.

At the end of our Sunday school class this past Sunday, our teacher challenged us to really focus on the Savior this week. She asked us to remember that this was the week that He died for our sins. She reminded us that before we go "hopping with the bunnies" to take time to realize the great significance of His gift.

I took her challenge to heart and have felt even closer to my Savior this week. I found myself reflecting on a number of different things. I realized that all of my life, I've thought of Him as my Savior and King, but also as my friend. I pondered again on the pain and agony He endured for us and wondered how it is possible that we can forget Him so conveniently at times. When I consider just what His sacrifice entailed, I can't help but feel humbled and amazed.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,
That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

I marvel that He would descend from his throne divine,
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify.

I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt,
Such mercy, such love, such devotion can I forget?
No, no I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the gloried throne I kneel at His feet.
(I Stand All Amazed, text and music by Charles H. Gabriel)

I have yet to sing this Hymn all the way through without getting teary-eyed. The beautiful sentiments expressed in it never fail to touch my heart and soul.

This Easter week I've rededicated my heart, mind, and soul to Him. I will continue to praise Him through music but also through renewed attempts to follow Him and to be a true disciple. I will honor Him by continuing to learn of Him and by teaching my children to love Him.
In honor of this Easter weekend, I want to share with you a couple of excellent sites dedicated to His Life and Teachings.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God - We discussed this site last month but it doesn't hurt to revisit it again this month. Take time to go through the site again especially the section on His Life and Teachings. Don't miss Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's (of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) article on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Don't miss this excellent video titled Finding Life in Christ. Be sure to read the powerful testimonies of modern day prophets who all bear witness that Jesus is the Christ!

Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of Mankind - This excellent site is dedicated solely to the life and teachings of the Savior. Be sure to read the interesting article about the earliest accounts of the Jesus' death and resurrection. If you're looking for historical background on the Bible, this site will answer some of those questions. Other sections include Teachings of Jesus Christ, Miracles of Jesus, Parables of Jesus, The Gospels, Non-canonical Writings, and many more. This is a fairly new site so be sure to check back often for it is sure to become a one stop source for information on the Savior.

Easter for me is a time of sadness but also of great joy because He is risen. He lives, He lives! I love and worship Him. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my King, and the truest of friends.

None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

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 are written in an easily understandable style.
FAIR will use current scholarship, scripture, Church doctrine, historical literature and sound logic in constructing faithful, well-reasoned answers.

FAIR is a worldwide organization with members in the United States, Canada, Finland, Denmark, Australia, Austria, and England. They are devout and active members of the Church who are also students and scholars of the "scriptures, ancient languages, early Christian history, early LDS history, and LDS doctrine and apologetics." FAIR is not affiliated with the Church.

The term apologetic means "in defense of the faith" and should not be confused with the familiar terms 'apology' and 'apologize.' FAIR sponsors various publications. Much of this material is readily available online on their web site. FAIR also sponsors an annual Conference. This year's Conference is scheduled for August and will be held in Sandy, Utah.

FAIR has now posted a large number of videos on YouTube. The following is a small sampling of what is available on this site. Please visit FAIR's YouTube channel for a complete list of videos available.

Horses and the Book of Mormon - A response to criticisms that the Book of Mormon couldn't possibly be true because there were no horses in Pre-Columbian times.

Book of Mormon and Grains - LDS scholars respond to criticisms that certain grains were not available in the Americas during the period covered in the Book of Mormon.

Witnesses of the Book of Mormon - LDS author and scholar, Richard L Anderson responds to questions about the reliability of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith - Mathew Brown addresses several accusations about the Prophet, Joseph Smith.

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 of God and allow Him to do his work.

Now, the videos!

I Believe in Christ - I believe in Christ, He is my King! These are the first words of this beautiful hymn. This hymn testifies of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The text of this hymn was written by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) until his death in 1985. John Longhurst, an organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for over 30 years composed the music. The joyful testimony captured in this hymn echoes the fervent testimony of every faithful member of the Church. We believe in Christ. He is our Redeemer! The complete text of this hymn can be copied for personal use from the Hymns section of the Church site.

The Lord is my Shepherd - A simple but stirring reading of Psalms 23.

Seeing and Believing - A lesson about the need to see Him with our hearts and not only with our eyes. Many who saw Him and heard Him were among those who condemened Him. In this brief conversation between Christ's Apostles, Thomas finally comes to learn what it means to truly see Him and believe. Creative, effective, and absolutely believable! It is not very difficult for me to imagine that a conversation just like this took place between Thomas, Peter and John.

All Prophets Testify of Jesus Christ - The Prophets of the Old and New Testament all testify of Christ; Adam, Moses, Isaiah, Peter, all bore witness of Him. The Book of Mormon contains the testimony of other ancient Prophets such as Benjamin who also testify of Jesus Christ. This pattern continues in our modern times beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

God's Pattern of Prophets - God has called Prophets to teach and to bear witness of Him since the beginning of time. One by one, God's prophets were rejected and persecuted. "He even sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and even He was rejected and persecuted!" God loves us the same, from the ancient times to our modern times. He has not forsaken us. In our days, God has once again called prophets to teach and testify of Him.

Hail to the Prophet - This hymn is a tribute to the martyred Prophet, Joseph Smith. It was written by William W. Phelps, a close associate of the Prophet. The hymn is titled "Praise To The Man."

Cries From The Dust - A powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon, another witness of Christ. "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel..."

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief - There is a special place in my heart for this hymn. It was written by James Montgomery (1771-1854) with music composed by George Coles (1792-1858). The text echoes the teachings of Christ as found in Mathew 25:31-40. In these verses, Christ reminds us that "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Simply put, we are to love and care for one another. This hymn was also a favorite of both the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Just moments before the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered, he asked John Taylor to sing this song as they sat in Carthage Jail. (John Taylor became the third President of the Church.) I can't help but think about what those moments were like for the Prophet and those that were with him that day each time I hear this song.

To view all of Seth's videos, please visit his YouTube channel. If you'd like to read Seth's testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints please visit his blog.

I too believe in Christ. He is my King! I believe in Christ. I honor and worship Him. Because of the great and wonderful gift of His Atonement, I can be saved. I am eternally grateful to have an Advocate that knows and loves me. I will praise His name forever for He really is my Savior and Redeemer.

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 Mormon beliefs. Today, I want to recommend several videos posted by AllAboutMormons.com. This series of 10 brief videos provides an excellent introduction to basic Mormon beliefs.

All About Mormons, Par 1: Basic Beliefs

All About Mormons, Part 2: The Mormon God

All About Mormons, Part 3a: The Mormon Jesus Christ

All About Mormons, Part 3b: The Mormon Jesus Christ

All About Mormons, Part 4: Mormon Prophets and Apostles

All About Mormons, Part 5: The Book of Mormon

All About Mormons, Part 6: Apostasy & Restoration

All About Mormons, Part 7a: Mormon Commandments

All About Mormons, Part 7b: Mormon Commandments

All About Mormons, Part 8: Mormon Families and Temples

You may also want to revisit the All About Mormons website and blog.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles urged all Mormons to "join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration." Such a call to action is especially crucial today. For far too long, others who are not of our faith have been doing the talking about Mormons. Often times, such individuals and groups have distorted Mormon beliefs and teachings for their own purposes and agendas.

Once again, I plead with those of you who are sincerely seeking for information about the Mormon Church. Please allow those of us who are faithful members to share the teachings of the Church with you. Come, study our beliefs. Read the Book of Mormon. Listen to the words of our Church leaders.

My friends, I am so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I hope that you too will come to know His teachings and feel His love in your lives. I leave you tonight with this challenge from the ancient Prophet Moroni;

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Moroni 10:4)

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 Church for one reason or another. Is there a bias in messages from such individuals and groups? Most definitely!

I suppose you can also argue that I'm biased because I'm Mormon - you would be absolutely right. I would ask you to remember a few things about my bias and conviction of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My conviction of the truthfulness of the Mormon Church came about through years of actual scripture study - both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon. It is the result of many life experiences and trials, both good and bad. It is the result of years of study and reading a wide array of literature on Religion and God, even those penned by those who argue that there is no God. It came as a result of faith, sincere prayer, and through obedience to the witness of the Spirit.

As members of the Church, we are taught that we all need to obtain our own testimony. We all need to know for ourselves. In other words, every Mormon must decide for himself if the Church and its teachings are true. A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement... (lds.org)

Obtaining a testimony is "not a single event but a process." It begins with a humble heart, a sincere desire to know, and faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. President Gordon B. Hinckley observed that the Lord himself gave us the formula for obtaining a testimony in John 7:17 - "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." If you do have questions and are sincere about your desire to know more about the Mormon Religion, I invite you to visit these online resources.

Mormon.org - This is an official Church site that provides basic information about the Church. If you want to know what we believe, you'll be able to find out by clicking on the link for "Basic Beliefs." You can also listen to the testimony of others who searched for the truth and found it in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Myths and Realities - This 10 minute video hosted by Steve Young (former NFL quarterback) and Sharlene Hawkes (former Miss America) both Mormons respond to questions and common misconceptions about the Church.

LDS FAQ - This site offers answers to over 400 questions that are frequently asked about the Mormon Religion. You can browse the list of questions and answers available and you can also submit a question about the Church. This site is sponsored by BYU Studies.

Frequently Asked Questions - This question and answer site is owned by the Church. It addresses the most commonly asked questions about Mormon Temples.

LDS FAQ: Mormon Answers - Well known Mormon scholar and writer, Jeff Lindsay responds to a wide variety of questions about the Mormon Religion. Mr. Lindsay hosts other sites and blogs about the Church so be sure to follow the links to those sites as well.

Ask Gramps - This site offers "moral answers to everyday concerns, curiosities, and uncertainties." Gramps is a Mormon so be sure to check out all those questions and answers that are related to the Church.

Isn't technology wonderful? Most of us are so used to the conveniences afforded us by modern technology that we hardly even think about it anymore. Yet, it really isn't too long ago that such things as online banking, online bill pay, and online shopping were more a story line out of a science fiction novel than reality.

I'm old enough to remember standing in long lines at the bank to get cash out. Does anyone else remember those little bank books we used to keep track of our money? I think I was just starting my first professional job after college when ATM's first came out. Payday was always a busy day at the bank because everyone was there to deposit their checks. There was no such thing as automatic deposits then. Today, I not only do not have to go to the bank to deposit a check or get money out, but even when I do go to the bank, I don't even have to get out of my car to do what I need to do.

Look how online shopping has revolutionized the whole retail industry. Sure, nothing beats walking around a mall yourself and looking at the merchandise in the stores, but for those who have a strong aversion to shopping like I do, online shopping is absolutely wonderful.

Travel arrangements is another area where technology has not only made things easier but cheaper as well. Take our travel plans for example. The minute we decided we were going to go Home for the holidays, we went online and started to shop around. I even called a few airlines directly to compare prices with those I found online. Two days later, we found a really good fare through one of the online vendors so we made our reservations and bought our tickets online. We received confirmation a minute later that our flights were booked and paid for.

Yes, technology is truly wonderful. How did we ever get by without it?

One of the greatest advances in technology is in the field of communication. Look at how we're communicating today. We have cellphones, we text, we email, we IM, and we develop and maintain relationships through social networks. How many of us experience a panic attack when we're out and about somewhere and realize that we've forgotten our cellphones at home? How many of us actually go back home to get it? I suspect quite a few of us do so.

Yes, modern technology is truly wonderful. How did we ever survive without it?

The Internet has completely changed the way we do things. People today tend to get their information from the Internet before any other source. Those of us in the information field are familiar with the claim that libraries aren't needed anymore because the Internet has pretty much made them obsolete. Thankfully, this hasn't proven true. Still, it does serve to drive home the fact that the Internet has become the primary destination for those looking for information of any kind.

Because the Internet is such a powerful tool, it behooves all of us to be educated and discerning users. As most of us know, the Internet is not without its pitfalls. We've talked at some length about most of them.

Today, I'd like to just reiterate one of those pitfalls; the source!

The Internet has allowed all of us with an inclination to do so to publish an article, a journal, or even a whole book. Anyone anywhere can post his or her opinion on any topic. If we're not careful, we could end up making our decisions based on the opinion of someone who is completely unqualified in that area. If you remember, I used the example of someone who had no medical training or experience giving medical advice. Honestly, who would you take medical advice from - someone like me who has no medical training or someone who is a trained, certified, and experienced medical doctor?

Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently commented about the power of the Internet:

The Internet allows everyone to be a publisher, to have their voice heard, and it is revolutionizing society. Before the Internet, there were great barriers to printing. It took money, power, or influence and a great amount of time to publish. But today, because of the emergence of what some call New Media, made possible by the Internet, many of those barriers have been removed. New Media consists of tools on the Internet that make it possible for nearly anyone to publish or broadcast to either a large or a niche audience...The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion, and nearly everyone can participate. This modern equivalent of the printing press is not reserved only for the elite.

Now some of these tools – like any tool in an unpracticed or undisciplined hand – can be dangerous. The Internet can be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and can just as easily be used to market the filth and sleaze of pornography.

In the last couple of weeks, we've seen an increase of Mormon related articles and discussions on the Internet and the Media. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) appears to be a hot topic today. As educated and discerning users and consumers of the Internet and the Media in general, I ask you to please consider where and who the information is coming from. I've always believed that if I wanted to know the truth about something, the best place to go is the primary source.

As you read articles and blogs about Mormons that are out there, I ask you to please look closely at the source. If you want to know more about Mormons, I invite you to ask those of us who are Mormons. Ask those of us who live and practice our faith. If you want to know what we believe, please let us tell you and not someone who really doesn't know what they're talking about. If you are curious about what Mormons teach please visit our Sunday services. We would love to tell you.

Allow me to share with you our basic beliefs as stated in the 13 Articles of Faith.

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 this 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.

Yes, modern technology is truly amazing, but let's be sure that we are aware of the all the dangers associated with it including the danger of misinformation and false information.

Because I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the Mormon Church), I've always been exposed to questions and comments about Joseph Smith. Sometimes the questions and comments have been sincere and serious, often times, they weren't. Many times, they were meant to mock and hurt. I can still remember the things that were said by other kids my age and adults whenever someone found out I was a Mormon. To a very young person, such an experience can be really traumatic. When you're teased frequently for any reason whatsoever as a nine, ten, or twelve year old it leaves a mark on you.

Oddly enough, the comments about Joseph Smith that were meant to poke fun and belittle had another unforseen effect on me. Yes, they did hurt. Yes, at the time I would rather not have been teased and called names because I was a Mormon. However, with the passage of time and maturity, I realize that those years helped me to learn an important lesson. I learned that I needed to know for myself who Joseph Smith was. I needed to know why I was being tormented. I needed to know if I really believed that Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw, and if he really was a Prophet of God.

Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith. However, as President Henry B. Eyring (Second Counselor in the First Presidency) said, we do recognize and "thank and love him as the Lord’s the prophet of the Restoration." I do not intent to write an essay about the Prophet Joseph Smith here. That has already been done by the many gifted writers and scholars who have dedicated significant time in the study of the Prophet's life and mission. Therefore, suffice it for me to say this; because I have studied and prayed, and then studied and prayed some more, I know without any doubt in my mind that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I know that he saw and spoke with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that he was a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. These truths are seared into my soul and heart, and no amount of mocking will ever erase that knowledge from my heart and mind.

My intent in this post is to guide you to online resources that can help you learn more about the Prophet Joseph Smith. If you are curious about Mormons, or you if have a sincere desire to know who Joseph Smith was, I invite you to check these sites. Study them out for yourself. Pray to know if these things are true. This is exactly what the Prophet Joseph did. He desired to know so he prayed after reading these words in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Joseph Smith, Prophet of God - This site maintained by the Church provides information on the Mission of the Prophet, His Life, Historical Documents from the life and times of Joseph Smith, and more.

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith - Another Church site, this one contains the Prophet's accounts of his quest to find out for himself which Church is right, the First Vision, his persecution, and many more.

Mormon Answers: Fulfilled Prophecies of the Joseph Smith - Well known LDS writer and scholar Jeff Lindsay discusses many of the Prophet's prophecies that have come to pass.

Joseph Smith and His Accounts of the First Vision - Jeff Lindsay responds to critics who dismiss the First Vision as a fraud.

Joseph Smith's First Vision: A Harmony - Created by Elden Watson to "demonstrate the inherent unanimity and concurrence manifest by the nine known major recitals of Joseph Smith's First Vision."

Joseph Smith, Jr: The Prophet of the Restoration - This post by LDS author, screenwriter, and motivational speaker Candace Salima explains clearly who Joseph Smith was and what his mission was here on earth.

I pray that those of you who are sincerely seeking for the truth about Joseph Smith will study and pray about what you learn from these sources. Do not let the mocking and pointing fingers of others discourage you. You owe it to yourself to find out who Joseph Smith really was.

I testify to you that he was a Prophet of God, a Seer, and a Revelator. I testify that he was placed on this earth to restore God's Church. He was called of God, but he was also still a man, with human failings and weaknesses. Consider this statement by the late Presdient James E. Faust (Second Counselor in the First Presidency until his death earlier this year);

We acknowledge that all Church leaders, past and present—except Christ himself—had human failings and weaknesses. The critics of the Church are wont to discredit this marvelous work because of the human weaknesses of its leaders. But, as President Gordon B. Hinckley said a few years ago, “to highlight the mistakes and gloss over the greater good is to draw a caricature. Caricatures are amusing, but they are often ugly and dishonest. A man may have a wart on his cheek and still have a face of beauty and strength, but if the wart is emphasized unduly in relation to his other features, the portrait is often lacking in integrity.”

Of the early leaders of the Church, President Hinckley said, “If some of them stumbled, or if their characters may have been slightly flawed in one way or another, the wonder is the greater that they accomplished so much.” The same is true today.

Whatever weaknesses the Prophet Joseph Smith may have had do not make him any less of a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator in my eyes. I'm in fact humbled by the knowledge that man can be so inspired. My heart is warmed by the knowledge that men can be an instruments in the Hands of God even though it is the very nature of humans to have failings and shortcomings.

I will forever testify and rejoice that God does indeed love us so much and has restored His Church upon the earth. I will forever testify that Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. I will forever testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

Because I have been given much, I too must give;

Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee

With every brother that I see

Who has the need of help from me.

(From Hymns page 219, Text by Grace Noll Crowell, Music by Phillip Landgrave)

For many people around the world, the sentiments of this hymn reflect the sincere desires of their hearts. Most of us recognize how much our Lord has blessed us and we yearn to do what we can for our brothers and sisters who are in need. Compassion transcends all barriers; racial, cultural, and religion.

As Mormons, we make covenants with God when we are baptized and become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We promise that we will "bear one another's burdens...mourn with those who mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places." (Mosiah 18:8-9) Mormons truly believe that we have a responsibility to extend whatever help we can to those in need. Many Church programs are in place to serve those who find themselves in need of a helping hand. For example, one of the main objectives of the Relief Society (women's organization of the Church) is to "exercise charity and nurture those in need."

Mormons as well as many other Christians around the world remember the many lessons on compassion and kindness from the Scriptures. In Zechariah 7:9-10 we read, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother, And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart." One of my favorite stories about compassion is the parable of the Good Samaritan. We are told that of the three men (a Priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan) who saw a severely injured man lying on the road to Jericho, only one had compassion. "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him." (Luke 10:33)

As the end of 2007 approaches I find myself reflecting on my conduct this past year. Was I a Good Samaritan, or was I more of a Priest and a Levite in my relationships with my fellowmen? Do I live what I preach everyday or only when it is convenient and comfortable for me to do so? Do I say I believe one thing but I do another? Do I extend the hand of compassion and fellowship to all men or do I only care for those who share my interests, my background, my religion? In a beautiful message titled "The Gift of Compassion," President Thomas S. Monson (First counselor in the First Presidency) taught, "We have no way of knowing when our privilege to extend a helping hand will unfold before us. The road to Jericho that each of us travels bears no name, and the weary traveler who needs our help may be one unknown."

The Christmas season is a wonderful time for a lot of reasons. There is something about it that brings out the best in us. We are kinder, more patient, more loving. This season reminds all of us about our common bond as children of a loving God. Many of us seek out ways to help lighten the loads of others, to be of service, to give of ourselves. In short, it brings out deep feelings of compassion in all of us.

When we seek to lighten the loads of others, we can't help but be fulfilled and happy ourselves. Let me share a recent example: A group of us from our Ward (local Church unit) went caroling at a nursing home last Sunday. I'm pretty sure we weren't the best choir they've ever heard there. In fact, we were actually quite off key with one song in particular but the residents applauded and thanked us as if we were the best thing they'd ever heard. We stayed and visited for awhile and every single resident that attended expressed sincere thanks for our time and talents. We went to perform a service, but we were the ones who were blessed instead. We received love, appreciation, kindness, and gratitude. Our hearts were full and our spirits were lifted.

Many opportunities exist in our communities where we can serve and lend a hand. As you look around your communities for ways to share your blessings and talents, consider a couple of these other ones also:

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation - This nationally recognized program has blessed the lives of thousands of children and made Christmas a little more special for them since 1947.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - An international leader in children's medicine and care, this hospital treats all admitted patients without regard to the family's ability to pay.

Covenant House - "Covenant House International is the largest privately-funded agency in the Americas providing shelter and other services to homeless, runaway and throwaway youth."

America Supports You - This nationwide program sponsored by the Department of Defense supports our military men and women at home and abroad.

Humanitarian Services - "For millions of people in need around the world, the humanitarian outreach program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers hope and the potential for a life that transcends disease, poverty, and despair."

Recognizing that we have been given much doesn't mean that we haven't had our share of trials and challenges. On the contrary, we realize that even with our trials and challenges, we are still blessed in so many other ways. In fact, we might even see that sometimes our trials are blessings in disguise.

Because I've been given much, I will try to give in return. Because I've been so blessed in my life, I will try to be a blessing in someone else's life. As I look around for ways to give back this season, I am also going to look for ways to give throughout the year for true compassion is practiced throughout one's lifetime and not just one month a year.

Life as a college student anywhere can be both challenging and stimulating. As a student you will have your share of positive experiences and a few painful ones. Actually, this is true of life anywhere, on a college campus and everywhere else. Hopefully, the positive experiences will far outnumber any negative ones you'll have. One of the positive experiences I had as a student at Brigham Young University-Hawaii was attending the weekly Devotionals with one or more of my friends. BYU-Hawaii is one of three universities owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church). I don't mean to suggest that we attended every single devotional. After all, we were typical college students with many other demands on our time such as work, assignments, upcoming exams, sleep, and of course, some much needed fun and relaxation. Still we tried to attend a good number of Devotionals and each time we did, we were always happy that we went.

What exactly is a Devotional? A Devotional at Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and Brigham Young University-Idaho, is a weekly assembly or gathering to hear a presentation on topics ranging from "personal and religious enrichment to current issues and other topics." (BYU Broadcasting: Devotional/Forum Broadcasts). Answers.com defines devotional as "a short religious service." Devotionals are usually very spiritual. More than any other memory of Devotionals, that is the one that is the clearest in my mind - that it was a spiritual and an inspirational experience.

Devotionals also allow students to hear firsthand from the leaders of the Church. President Gordon B. Hinckley, the current President of the Church, as well as a number of different Apostles and other Church leaders, have all given speeches at various Devotionals. Elder L. Tom Perry said, "the words of the Apostles, past and present, live in the scriptures, conference addresses, Church magazines, Devotionals, and so forth." (Elder L. Tom Perry is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) Devotionals at the three BYU campuses are open to all students, faculty, and staff. Members of the community are also welcome to attend as Devotionals are normally free and open to the public.

All of this is well and good if you happen to live close to BYU in Provo, Laie, or Rexburg. What if you live clear across the country? What if you are a college student attending a university in Florida or France for that matter? What if you are someone who simply enjoys listening to uplifting and informative messages from whichever part of the globe you call home? Well, if this is you, then you are in luck. All three campuses have made the speeches from their weekly devotionals available online. You can either print the text of the speeches, listen to it right on your PC, view a podcast, or download them to your MP3 player or iPod. Re-broadcasts on BYU television is also available in many areas in the United States so be sure to check with your local television stations.

To access speeches from BYU Provo Devotionals, please click here. The earliest talk available here is one by President George Albert Smith given on June 21, 1950. President George Albert Smith was the eighth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU Provo also has a separate Speeches site that offers a treasure trove of speeches that you shouldn't pass up. Many of these speeches were presented during Devotionals at BYU Provo. This web site also provides the option of reading a text of a speech or downloading it for free. It contains speeches from as far back as 1949.

BYU-Hawaii's Devotionals and Speeches can be accessed here. Recent speeches and talks are available but as of today the archives only go back to Fall 1999.

BYU-Idaho's Devotionals and Speeches are available here. Their archive of speeches and talks go back to 1972. This site is actually the best site if you are new to Devotionals. It offers a video presentation on Devotional preparedness, Devotional etiquette, and even a printable note page that you can use to jot down quotes, thoughts, etc., that you want to remember from each Devotional.

Another university that you may not be aware about that also offers Devotionals is Southern Virginia University. Although the university isn't owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is a private institution of higher learning that was established to serve the Latter-day Saint community or Mormons. Their Devotionals and Speeches can be accessed here. SVU is a fairly new university so its archive of Devotionals and Speeches only goes back to Fall 2005.

Devotionals are a wonderful way to recharge during the week. The best thing about them is that we can all take advantage of them today. Technology has enabled even those of us who live hundreds and thousands of miles away to access this wealth of inspirational and informative messages. We really don't have to be a student at BYU to take advantage of this wonderful resource. We can have our own devotionals at home when we listen or read any one of these wonderful speeches.

If you are interested in Mormons these Devotionals are a great way to find out a little more about Mormons. If you can attend in person please do so, you will feel the Spirit there if you go with a sincere desire to know. In 1 Corinthians 2:10 we are promised that if we are earnestly seeking the truth it will be revealed to us by the power of the Spirit. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." Don't forget to also check out the official Church web sites at www.lds.org and www.mormons.org for the most accurate information about Mormons.

"With help from your parents, begin your own library of favorite tapes, books, and pictures which are available at Church distribution centers. Enjoy reading each month in your home the Friend magazine or the international magazines." (President Ezra Taft Benson).

President Benson was the 13th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) and in this address he was speaking directly to the children of the Church.

I was a fairly new mother when I first heard this counsel concerning building a library of good books but it has stayed with me throughout the years. Although President Benson's comments were directed to children, his message is meant for all of us. Over the years, we've made a conscious effort to add to our library of good books, vides, dvds, and music cds. This library of uplifting books and other materials has enhanced our family life in so many different ways.

Mormons are encouraged to study. We are taught that we need to seek wisdom and knowledge out of the best books. (D&C 88:118) We are further commanded in D&C 90:15 that we must "...study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books..." The Prophet Brigham Young (2nd President of the Church) is known for his leadership and loyalty to the Lord. One of the greatest lessons I take from his life is his unceasing quest for knowledge. Although he had only 11 days of formal schooling, he was undoubtedly one of the most learned man of his time. "He never ceased learning from books, from the scriptures, and from the revelations of the Lord, and he taught the Saints to establish schools and to delight in learning."

If you are interested in learning more about Mormons and about what we teach and believe, one of the best things you can do is to read any or all of the Church's publications that are readily available online. These manuals contain teachings taken from the Scriptures as well as teachings from our modern day Prophets. Key principles and beliefs are presented in a clear and concise language.

I recommend that you start with these publications:

True to the Faith - This publication is meant to be a companion to our study of the Scriptures and the teachings of modern prophets.

Gospel Principles - This manual answers most questions about basic principles and teachings of the Church.

For the Strength of Youth - A wonderful resource that explains clearly the Church's standards and other teachings.

Family Guidebook - This guidebook offers information on the organization of the family as well as key concepts that we can all use to make our families more unified.

In addition, video files have been made available for you to download or viewed online. Visit this page for a list of what is available now. There is going to be more added so check back often.

Church publications are also available as audio files in MP3 format. Click here to access the extensive list of titles that are available for you to download.

Your library of good books doesn't have to be limited only to Church publications. There are many other great resources out there that you can incorporate into your library of good books. For example, our library includes a couple of titles from the popular series "Chicken Soup for the Soul" by Jack Canfield as well as a couple of titles by author Stephen Covey, and our favorite children's books. We've also been able to add a fair number of classics to our collection. Since buying books can be expensive, not to mention the fact that you probably won't have space for all the books you want, we've made it a point to only buy those books that we've really enjoyed for our library. These are books that we'll read over and over.

If you are serious about starting a personal library of good books, I suggest you start at your local public library. Check out those titles that you are normally interested in and start from there. Decide if it is a title that is worth owning. You can also find a large number of classics online. Many of these titles are now in the public domain so you can read them online or download them for free. Of course, if you decide that it is a classic that you'd want for your personal library, you may want to invest in a hardbound copy. There are a number of online sites dedicated to offering free classic books, short stories, plays, and other texts that are either in the public domain or are not under copyright. These sites include: Classic Reader, Project Gutenberg,Classic Literature, PSU's Electronic Classics Site, and Bibliomania.

"Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given." (D&C 46:8).

As the Christmas season approaches, Mormons along with most everyone in the Western world share the excitement of the season. It is a time of celebration. We pause with other Christians to celebrate and remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Mormons, we believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Our formal name carries His name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Christmas is truly a time of rejoicing. One of the best things I enjoy about Christmas is that it seems to bring out the best in all of us. We are more loving, more patient, more giving. Most of us are already eagerly anticipating the joy our loved ones will feel when they open the gifts we've so carefully selected for them. Most of us are also looking forward to opening the gifts that we are sure to receive as well.

Mormons believe that the best gifts are those of the Spirit. Elder Robert D. Hales taught:

Spiritual gifts are given as a blessing and benefit for those who love God and keep His commandments...These gifts of the Spirit are encompassed by the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the eternal Godhead and is identified as the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit is a gift from God to help us make the decisions that will allow us to find and fulfill our mission. These gifts were part of the ministry of the early prophets and were well known by the Apostles of the New Testament...

I hope that each of us has an opportunity to receive spiritual gifts this Christmas. I hope we can all experience the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Each of us has a different idea of what else constitutes the "best" gift. It might be a bicycle, a gold bracelet, a computer, a cherished book, or a video game. These are indeed wonderful gifts, and no doubt for the one who has been wanting just that one thing, it is the best gift. I hope that all of us will receive the one best gift that we are wishing for this Christmas.

Let me also suggest some other best gifts that you might consider for your family this year:

a. If you are considering Music CDs as stocking stuffers, make it inspirational music. Make it a point to listen together as a family to uplifting music through the year.

b. Set aside one evening of the week for Family Time. Mormon families gather together one evening a week for Family Home Evenings. During Family Home Evenings we discuss scriptures, share family concerns, play games, and a number of other activities that builds and strengthens family relationships.

c. Plan a family service project. I'm sure that if you looked around your neighborhood, you'll find a number of neighbors and families that would appreciate some help. Doing something good for someone else is a wonderful way to teach our children about service.

d. Attend worship services together. It helps our families to lead Christ-centered lives if we are constantly making him the focus of our existence.

e. Visit Mormons.org and find out for yourself what Mormons believe. Attend a Mormon Sunday service and judge for yourself if it is for you or not.

f. Chat live with a Mormon missionary between 7:00am to 10:30pm MT.

g. Get a subscription for the Ensign, New Era, and Friend for your family. These Church magazines are full of information and messages about the Church, and they are very affordable. The Ensign is geared for adults of the Church. The New Era magazine is suitable for youth of the Church (ages 12–18, and the Friend magazine is designed for the children of the Church. You can get additional information about how to subscribe to all Church magazines here.

"What a miracle is the human mind. Think of its power to assimilate knowledge, to analyze and synthesize. What a remarkable thing is learning... Education is the great conversion process under which abstract knowledge becomes useful and productive activity. It is something that need never stop. No matter how old we grow, we can acquire knowledge and use it..." President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Mormons place great value on learning and education. In fact, we are divinely instructed to "seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118). This mandate is not limited to things of a spiritual nature. It applies to secular subjects as well. As Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-day Saints we believe that whatever learning we acquire in this life will go with us in the next. (D&C 130:18).

We know that learning is not limited to a formal process of education nor is it limited to inside a "brick and mortar" building. Education can take place anywhere and at any time. Today, the opportunities for learning are almost limitless.

Technology and the Internet have made education and learning even more accessible. Many resources for learning are available free or for a donation online. A large number of these resources are published by respected institutions and organizations. Many colleges and universities sponsor free online courses, lectures, and tutorials. Some may be offered as podcasts.

The following list is a small sampling of what is available.

Brigham Young University offers free online courses in Family History, Family Life and Religious Scripture Study.

John Hopkins University School of Public Health provides free access to the School's most popular courses. Topics covered include Adolescent Health, Maternal and Child Health, Global Health, Health Issues for Aging Populations, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, and many more.

The University of Washingon offers free online courses on The American Civil War, Greek Mythology, HTML Basics, The American Revolution, Shakespeare's Comedies and a few more.

Carnegie Mellon University offers a "collection of openly available and free online courses and course materials that enact instruction for an entire course in an online format." These subjects are geared to a college freshman level. Avaiable subjects are: Engineering Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Causal Reasoning, Logic and Proofs, French, Economics, and Empirical Research Methods.

Penn State offers free online language courses in Swedish and Hungarian.

Massachutes Institute of Technology (MIT) Open Course Ware "shares free lecture notes, exams, and other resources from more than 1700 courses spanning MIT's entire curriculum."

Wharton Community College has compiled a list of free online tutorials for Math. It includes tutorials on Algebra, Calculus, Trignometry and others.

Tufts University offers free online courses on medicine, dentistry, nutrition, and more.

Free-ed.net offers a wide variety of courses. It "is committed to providing an online school where users from around the world can study, take courses, and participate in online community activities at no cost."

BBC offers free Online Broadcast and New Media Courses. These courses were actually used by the staff at BBC for training purposes. You can take a course on Video Production, Interviewing for Radio, and a number of other media related topics.

Don't forget that books have always been a valuable resource for learning. Our public libraries contain a wealth of knowledge waiting to be utilized. With only a few exceptions, the collected written knowledge of the entire world can be accessed with a minimum of effort at your library. Reading is one of the greatest things we can do if we want to be a learned people. Even if we don't have time to take a course, we all have time to read a little every day.

Once you decide to add to your learning and to enhance your education, go ahead and do it. Don't put it off for another day. Start looking for that topic you've always wanted to learn more about. You'll be amazed how much is freely available once you get started. You'll probably wonder what took you so long.

When was the last time you tried to find a formal gown at the mall? Do you recall what you found? Did you find anything that was even remotely close to being modest?

As formal events and prom season approaches, a lot of young women and their mothers are already eagerly scanning magazines and visiting the mall hoping to find that dream of a dress that will make their evening memorable. Some are anxiously counting every dollar saved so they can buy the most beautiful dress on display. Others are furiously searching speciality boutiques for that one of a kind dress just to be sure they don't show up to the prom wearing the same dress as someone else.

To say that this can be a stressful endeavor is a huge understatement. My friends who have daughters can't wait until prom season is over. LDS mothers and daughters need to also worry about finding the right modest dress. I used the word need in the previous sentence purposefully. For Latter-day Saints modesty isn't an option, it is a way of life.

I have boys, one has already graduated high school so I've experienced prom madness from that angle. The biggest glitch I've had so far occured earlier this year when our oldest son decided he was going to go out with a bang and opted for a red tuxedo for his senior prom. I tried persuasion, threats, bribes, and even appealing to his sense of good taste but he wouldn't budge. So off to the senior prom he went in his red tux!

The last time I looked for a formal gown was about this time last year. Sadly, I never learned to sew so making my gown is not an option for me. Now, obviously my prom days are long gone and are barely even a memory anymore but I do have to attend formal military socials with my husband.

I've long since given up on finding anything suitable for a LDS woman at the mall when it comes to formal wear. Keeping in mind the counsel of President Hinckley, "Modesty in dress and manner will assist in protecting against temptation. It may be difficult to find modest clothing, but it can be found with enough effort...," I decided to look elsewhere. I turned to my computer and discovered a good number of sites specializing in beautiful modest clothing for just about every formal occasion. So if you're searching for your teenage daughter who is about to experience her first formal event or for yourself, be sure to check out these sites. Most sites also offer modest bridal gowns in case you are beyond proms and ready for the next big day in your life.

Dreszing http://www.dreszing.com/dress.htm

Beautifully Modest http://www.beautifullymodest.com/

Modest by Design http://www.modestbydesign.com/Home

LDS Bridal & Prom http://www.eternitystore.com/default.aspx

ModestProm.com http://www.modestprom.com/buyagown/

A Formal Choice http://www.aformalchoice.com/index.html

Totally Modest http://www.totallymodest.com/index.html

Lorna's Bridal and Prom http://www.lornasbridal.com/prom/

Kathleen's Bridal and Formal Wear http://www.kathleensbridal.com/default.aspx

Eternity gowns http://www.eternitygowns.com/assets/evenings/evenings.htm

Modesty is important to Latter-day Saints because we believe that the human body is God's sacred creation and we show respect for our bodies through our dress and appearance. Modesty extends far beyond clothing. It also applies to our language and behavior. Modesty applies to men as well as women, to boys as well as girls. I'm concentrating on women and dresses in this post because as a woman it's always been a challenge for me to find something modest whereas my husband or my boys would usually find a suitable suit or tuxedo in a matter of minutes. As Latter-day Saints we are taught that our bodies are a gift from our Heavenly Father and as such we want to treat it with the utmost respect. Modest clothing is a representation of this respect.

If you'd like more information on the Church's teachings on modesty please see True to the Faith. This wonderful booklet was designed to be a companion to the Scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets.

In case you haven't heard yet, LDS Public Affairs now has a YouTube page. At the time of this post there are a total of seven videos featuring Elder M. Russell Ballard addressing seven different questions. Each video is about 1 to 2 minutes long. The seven questions he addresses are:

1. Do Mormons worship Jesus Christ in their services?
2. How are Mormon beliefs similar to other Christians?
3. Is there scientific proof authenticating the Book of Mormon?
4. Are Mormons Christian?
5. Why do people say Mormonism is a cult?
6. How do Mormon beliefs differ from other Christians?
7. Does the Church support political candidates?

Click here http://www.youtube.com/LDSPublicAffairs to see each video in its entirety.

We are so fortunate to be alive in such an amazing era. We've witnessed the gospel take root and flourish in many parts of the world. We've witnessed events that have allowed the gospel to be preached in countries that were closed off to such endeavors before. We are all witnesses to the ongoing fulfillment of a mandate given to us by the Lord to teach the gospel to all people. But there is still a lot to be done. There are still millions of people who have not yet had an opportunity to hear and receive the gospel.

Today we have available to us marvelous tools that can help us take the gospel to every land. Technological advances in electronic communication enables us today to share the gospel with a wider audience and in less time than we were ever able to before. The LDS Public Affairs videos on YouTube is a great use of technology to proclaim the gospel.

Those of us who are now enjoying membership in the gospel and all the blessings that come with it also need to utilize these tools to further the work so that others can have the same blessings in their lives. Email a non-member friend and invite them to go to church with you. Share your testimony on a blog like this one. Those of you who like to text, send a text message to an inactive family member sharing your love of the gospel and invite them to come back.

The next time you find yourself online consider these thoughts by our leaders:

"We are blessed to be living in such an exciting gospel dispensation. God is inspiring the minds of great people to create inventions that further the work of the Lord in ways this world has never known." Elder Russell M. Nelson.

"As members of the Lord’s Church, we must take missionary work more seriously. The Lord’s commission to “preach the gospel to every creature” will never change in our dispensation. We have been greatly blessed with the material means, the technology, and an inspired message to bring the gospel to all men. More is expected of us than any previous generation. Where “much is given much is required.” President Ezra Taft Benson.

"Advances in travel and communication have helped the institutional Church move forward at a rapid pace in proclaiming the gospel. Media referrals are introducing our missionaries to more investigators. Church-produced videos help the missionaries explain the gospel message and the mission of the Church. But are we as individuals doing our part to move this holy work forward? Today the information highway, with all of its means of communication, affords an opportunity for us to carry the mission with a thousandfold greater speed and ease than Peter, James, and John and the other intrepid disciples. Thousands of messengers, their feet shod with the gospel of peace, now go forth with the message of God. Technology provides significant support to the ongoing mission of the Church...We now have hundreds of stakes outside of the United States. Advances in communication and travel during this last century have hastened the pace at which the word of the Lord goes out from Zion. I feel much like Isaiah, who spoke of our time, when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” I believe that this marvelous outpouring of knowledge has heightened our ability to take the Lord’s saving message to the world..." President James E. Faust.

I want to end this post with my testimony. I know God lives. Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I am thankful for his atoning sacrifice. I am ever so grateful that he loved me enough to die for me. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God called to restore his Church in this dispensation. I am thankful for his courage and his faith. I know that President Hinckley is our living Prophet today. I am blessed to have the gospel in my life. It has made all the difference in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.