Invitation to Study God [Video]

I came across this video the other day. And, aside from the fact that visual and creative direction is great. Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover power and relevance of Christian truth. The question posed: What will you build your life on? is assessed - We are either building our lives on reality on what God is about or based on our own imagination and conception of who God is. Ponder. Thoughts?

Mormon Helping Hands, Hurricane Sandy - Rockaway, NY [Video]

Mormon Helping Hands :: Hurricane Sandy :: Rockaways, NY from Joshua Brown on Vimeo.

"The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone." - Thomas S. Monson

This had to make it on the blog. An inspiring video on the work that our Mormon brothers and sisters are taking part in, in the US (specifically the NY area). The aftermath of the super storm Hurricane Sandy has left most of the entire east-coast, a total wreck. We hear on the news of the lack of work being done by the nonprofit organizations (such Red Cross and FEMA) and some people still left without power. The thought of our fellow citizens left out in the cold during the height of autumn is excruciating. 

With the terrific video work of Joshua Brown, we get a peak into the effort made by members of our Church, Muslims, and Catholics in the affected areas of Hurricane Sandy. The above video, takes place on November 11th, when thousands of our members cancelled Church services and arrived in a community in Rockaway, NY to assist the victims of this storm.

Share this video to family and friends (member or non-member) that might be able to help areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Join the Facebook Group.


Words by Isabelle Ofume

Judging Others? Stop It! (Pres. Uchtdorf)

One of my favorite talks by President Uchtdorf during the April 2012 General Conference. The simplicity of this topic brings such a great focus on how important it is. He does not give a full list of scriptures (which he states could be quoted) but makes it very straight forward; mentioning the popular quote, "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you".

We all clearly had times when we did it or do it, but the action in making a effort to STOP is what really counts. I feel that is what he tries to emphasize in this short clip. Let's all declare to #stopit.

Celebrities with Connections to LDS Church

Last week I came across an article on the Huffington Post about stars with ties to Latter-Day Saints (active and less active members); there is actually quite a bunch of popular celebrities on the list; Mitt Romney isn't the only LDS member on the TV (obviously).

Jef Holm, "The Bachelorette" star Emily Maynard's suitor-turned-fiance, was raised Mormon. His parents are the mission presidents in South Carolina. Although, he is just not an active LDS member, Holm is said to have quoted the Book of Mormon - "bridling of passions" (Alma 38:12) - on the show.

    

The other celebrities that have counted Mormonism as a part of their life at one point or another include Ryan Gosling (from Crazy, Stupid, Love & Notebook), Aaron Eckhart (Battle: Los Angeles & The Dark Knight), Chelsea Handler (Chelsea Lately), Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy), David Archuleta, John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory, Benchwarmers), the Osmond (Donny Osmond) and Hough siblings (country music singer, Julianne Hough), Amy Adams (Enchanted & The Muppets) and Gladys Knight.

With missionary work coming in different shapes and forms, David Archuleta described the experience on American Idol "in a way an [Mormon] mission". Continuing his missionary service, Archuleta went on a 2-year haitus (in early April 2012) to be a missionary in Chile.

John Heder served in the LDS mission in Japan where he learned to speak Japanese and attended Brigham Young University (not sure which one). On navigating through his prosperous career, he mentions the importance of knowing who you are: "Absolutely it comes from how I was raised. It’s just kind of who I am," he said. "These are the standards I live by and whatever comes my way in the future, whether film-making or animation or whatever, I’m going to do my best to live by those standards." In an interview with Time Magazine he adds, "It's simply about knowing who you are and sticking to what you believe in. Sometimes there's language issues. I'm not interested in sexual content."

The famous singer-songwriter and actress Gladys Knight joined the church in 1997, in this same year she divorced motivational speaker Les Brown. Close friends with President Hinckley, she usually teased him that they needed some "pep" in the church hymns. She directed the Mormon-themed choir Saints Unified Voices who released a Grammy-award winning CD titled, One Voice, which is occasionally played at Firesides. Sidenote: They still exist to this day with 10 years of presenting music and the testimony of Jesus Christ to the world. The famous song "I Am A Child Of God" (written by Naomi Randall) is one of the many that are included this CD.  

Moral of the story: although some of these celebrities may have drifted away from the church or undergone different issues in their lives, its safe to say that the spirit and belief of the church has stuck with them. Amy Adams' parents, for example, divorced when she was 11 years old but she mentions that her religious upbringing "... instilled in me a value system I still hold true. The basic 'Do unto others...', that was what was hammered into me. And love."

Regardless of the fact that you may be less active or active, it is important to keep the spirit of the Church and Lord with you wherever you go. Refer to President Monson's experience, Dare to Stand Alone: "it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged... Dare to be a Mormon, Dare to Stand Alone, Dare to have a Purpose Firm, Dare to Make it Known". The importance of staying true to the belief and standards of the Church gives us the strength to push forward with knowledge and set examples. 

I am pretty sure there is more to this list, being that I've heard of a few others (not mentioned here) that I just can't seem to remember. But hey, if you know any other LDS member with a celebrity "title"... comment below; this could be really interesting.

Elder Danny Raices's Farewell [Photos]

Powerful letter from Elder Danny Raices.

August 27, 2012

Hey Brendaen,  

How are you friend? It has been 10 months so far that I was with you giving you a bear hug before I left. hahaha well, my friend I would like to share something with you and with the YSA...
First, "BE STILL, AND FEAR NOT" as a missionary and even before you are a missionary. Brendaen, my mission so far has been the most joyful experience I've had in my life so far. Meeting a lot of families and people contacting, church, and neighbors have truly made me feel like I have a purpose here. What brings much joy and happiness is to have that opportunity to spread the gospel, I should have done this along time ago...
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE (YM, YW, YSA): Don't you dare think you will put your mission on hold for school or for anything. I say this with love and with real concern. What I want you to think right now is how this gospel has helped you out in your life. Ponder and pray to Heavenly Father how He helped you. Once you find that warm feeling of goodness, let that grow and grow your testimony that you can give that feeling to those who are hungry for that happiness. Nothing is more important to serve the Lord then right now!! FEAR NOT, Isaiah 41:10...your families will be in God's hand, D&C 100: 1,2. Most of you may say you may want to stay with your families to take care of them, trust me, I know how you feel. I left my family being the man of the house taking care of everything and leaving everything behind, its tough but YOU CAN DO IT!

Right now, I'm serving in Palmdale and there is a member name Cindy who is a great member. She loves missionary work but she had a plan to go to school, get married, and have a family...well the one thing that was stopping her plan was her mother. Her mother is in a critical state of her life. Health problems that she has to go to 2 appointments a week for the rest of her life...sad but true. Cindy is the oldest of 4 and she put her plans aside to help her mom since the father is working slave hours to support his family. 

We had an investigator who recently got baptized, Alba, and Cindy was our prime member to come out with us. She wanted to help her out because Alba lost her husband in June. I was there when he was dying and I was there to hear him saw, "I want to be baptized because I know I have faith in Jesus Christ!! My Savior loves me!" (in Spanish) with all he had, all his strength to let us know how important the gospel is to him. Brothers and Sisters, he had cancer that spread his whole entire body which doctors say he couldn't move so much but seeing him raise his arms to me and my companion and with a voice of a trumpet letting us know that was when I knew how important it is to be there. Cindy was there as well and saw every moment we was with Alba and her husband. When he passed away, Cindy went out to visit Alba without us and that showed us a great love. Before Alba's baptism, we talked to Cindy about going on a mission but she said she couldn't due to her mother. But deep down my companion and I knew that her mother will be fine with hands of God. He both bore our deepest feelings and testimony on how Heavenly Father WILL be there for our families as we go and do His work here on earth. I have prayed every single night for Cindy to find that peace in heart to God to know that she would be a great missionary.

The day of Alba's baptism, Cindy told me the news that she is going to serve a mission. So much excitement and joy came out of me to hear those great news. She told me that she prayed, read her patriarchal blessing, scripture study and all those things reflected on missionary work and she said she stopped fight with God and knew God wanted her to go on a mission. She was so excited to tell me and her eyes just shine with the love of God. That brought me so much joy and happiness, and it is for the fact that I changed my ways before the mission and to witness myself the beauty of this gospel. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE...if I never decided to go on a mission, I would never feel this close to our Savior. YOU CANNOT GO ON WITH LIFE IF YOU DON'T GO ON A MISSION. I can't tell you how your mission is going to be like but what I can say – you will never regret that decision. Please, brothers and sisters, this mission is once in a life time and put all your trust in God (Proverbs 3: 5,6) He will protect your family and friends, your plans are nothing compared to God's plan which bring happiness and a smile. We are the clay and he is the potter who molds us to become strong, only if we let Him, and I testify to you, let him. Your family on the mission is waiting for your testimony, your love, your personality, your experience, and your smile. Your smile will show them the love you have to Heavenly Father and to your Savior Jesus Christ. I pray every day for you all to ponder and accept the call to serve with all your heart and have that burning desire. I love you with all my heart and I wouldn't tell you these things if it weren't true, if it weren't for two strong missionaries helping me, I wouldn't be here now serving a mission and wanting to help everyone I can here and to help you. Lean to Him and let Him comfort you. 

Mucho Amor, Elder Raices

Angel's Mission Call to São Paulo, Brazil [Video]

Boston YAG Missionary Farewell [Video]

Farewell to:

Elder Roland Jr. Pierre Louis (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Elder Kerby Louis (Paris, France)
Sister Yangzi Elena Jin (Temple Square, Salt Lake City)
Sister Sandra Mücke (San Bernandino, California)