Sunday, June 19, 2011

Mormons are not weird. We love our Dads.

Share on Facebook

I was perusing facebook this morning, and there were so many wonderful Father's Day wishes out there - It was very touching. There were of course the many "Happy Father's Day to my Dad/Husband/Brother" you are an amazing/wonderful/thoughtful person and I can't imagine my life without you." sentiments. There were a few photos of families, photos of fathers who have long since passed from this earth, photos of fathers with new born babies in their arms, photos of soldiers stationed far away. And then there were the songs posted - Dad's favorite song, songs that remind us of dad...songs about dad. So many loving tributes to our fathers and how much they mean to us.

However, those are not the things I want to share with you today. Rather, I would like to share with you this prayer, by President Gordon B Hinckley:

"God bless you, dear fathers. May He bless you with wisdom and judgment, with understanding, with self-discipline and self-control, with faith and kindness and love. And may He bless the sons and daughters who have come into your homes, that yours may be a fortifying, strengthening, guiding hand as they walk the treacherous path of life. As the years pass—and they will pass ever so quickly—may you know that "peace... which passeth all understanding" (Philip. 4:7) as you look upon your sons and daughters, who likewise have known that sacred and wonderful peace. Such is my humble prayer, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen" ("'Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children'," Ensign, Nov 2000, 50.)

Happy Father's Day.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Mormons are not weird. They are people.

Share on Facebook

I came across this article today written by an Elder Witt, currently serving as a Missionary in the state of Alaska.  Elder Witt had a desire to write an old fashioned letter.  He wanted to use a typewriter - the kind that runs on no electricity, and produces letters on plain white paper with the assistance of a hammer stroke and a black ribbon.  It may sound like ancient technology to many of you - but typewriters are what most people used to use before there were computers.  I even used one to write a few things back in my school days.

Elder Witt wanted to write, and he wanted to do it the old fashioned way - so he contacted a newspaper office and asked if they had an old typewriter...which they did, and happily gave to him.  You see, Elder Witt has a desire to one day be a journalist, and they wanted to help his ambition (or at least, that's the reason I believe that they offered the typewriter.)  Anyway, Elder Witt wrote a few letters, but he also wrote a column for the newspaper - and they published it.  What is the column all about?  Missionary work, of course - and the true nature of a missionary.  My favorite line from the column?

"we are just as nervous standing at your door as you are having us there. We are not trying to sell anything, so why do we do it? We do it to try to bring happiness into people’s lives."

Then he goes on to explain, a Missionaries' job is to uplift and inspire.  Help and to listen.  Be a friend.  Be a neighbor.  Be a servant of the Lord, in whatever he may be called to do.  Being a missionary isn't all about proselytizing.  It's about Service, friendship, humility, and doing good for all men.

"We missionaries are here to help and serve; when we are at the front door feel free to ask us to help with anything that is needed. We enjoy helping and serving, and we love doing it often. Don’t think of us as merely missionaries, think of us as people who want to uplift, inspire and comfort. We care and want to be friends with as many as we can. We truly want every person we meet to be happy. We believe that is what Christ’s work was, to bring true happiness into people’s lives."

I honestly wish Elder Witt luck.  I know he will not read this post.  I know he does not have access to the internet on his mission.  I also know that he did not expect the notoriety that this article is certainly going to bring him.  I do hope that someone in the great city of Homer, Alaska will find him or his counterparts and wish him happiness on his journey.  He's an amazing young man, and his strength in his testimony of Christ, of Service and of Love to all men has thus far helped him to grow into an amazing young man.  Well said Elder Witt.  I hope you keep writing and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Mormons are not weird.  They are people.

to read Elder Witt's full article, please go here:

http://homertribune.com/2011/06/lds-missionary-workers-want-to-serve/

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Mormons are not weird. Every Member a Missionary.

Share on Facebook

The term "Every member a missionary" has been around as long as I can remember.  To some, outside of the church, when they hear this they assume it means that every single member of the LDS church's main goal is to convert them.  I promise you, when someone meets a member of the church the first thought that runs through their head is very rarely when they might get them to commit to baptism.  As for myself, I typically tend to think, "wow, this is a really great person that I might become good friends with." 

So why "Every Member a Missionary" if it isn't a requirement to go out and baptize or commit to baptism every person we meet, what exactly does this phrase mean?  It means to lead by example,  live according to your faith, and share - when the opportunity presents itself - what exactly it is that makes you so darned happy.  It doesn't mean to take your family door to door proselytizing  or require you to stand on a crowded corner teaching the gospel. 

Many people who come into contact with me or work with me for any period of time come to know rather quickly that I am indeed a member of the Mormon faith.  If they don't notice the CTR (Choose the Right) ring on my right hand, or the fact that I don't tend to swear or use other bad language, or that I never join them in cocktail hour - - - there is always something that gives me away.  In casual conversation it may come up that I am from Utah (not all Mormons are, by the way), that my husband graduated from BYU, or perhaps it's mentioned that I was involved with a youth service activity.  Either way, I don't hide from my friends or co-workers who I am.  I let them get to know me, the real me - the person I am now and forever.  In these opportunities, I find time and place to share more about this Gospel that I love.  If they indeed want to learn more, I then set up time for them to meet with the full time missionaries (Men and women that volunteer 18 months to two years of their life to serve as Missionaries proselytizing about the Gospel).  If they don't want that, I continue to answer questions as they come up, and continue to be their friend.  Period.

When you find something that makes you happy, truly happy - you want to share it with the world.  For some people that means that they open with it on first conversations.  For some, it is something they hold closely to their heart and only share it with those that they have grown to love and respect.  For some, they write about it.  I tend to fall into the latter two groups, as evidenced by this blog.  I have learned, however, that it isn't about being a missionary, and it isn't about baptizing everyone I know.  It's about sharing a piece of myself, and a piece of my faith, and a whole part of a Gospel that as I've mentioned before is a great deal of who I am. 

Mormons are not weird.  Every Member a Missionary - Every person love your neighbor.

Now to end this post, I seem it fitting to put in this story I heard not too long ago.  I don't know if it's true or not, but I do hope it is.  I love it that much.

When the MTC (Missionary Training Center for the Full time missionaries) was built in Provo, there were lush green athletic fields put in just across the street for their exercise and enjoyment. The fields were so inviting, and due to proximity of location to Brigham Young University - they were typically filled with BYU students taking part in different activities causing the missionaries to not be able to use them as much as intended.  So, very shortly after their installation, a sign was also installed near the edge of the fields that looks like this:

image

The next day, the groundskeepers went out to find posted on this sign, just below that read:

Every Member a Missionary.

See, I told you it was good.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mormons are not weird. They bake great cookies.

Share on Facebook

I'm sorry.  I can't have a blog named "Mormons are Not Weird" and not include some humor once in a while.  I saw this today, and it made me laugh...one because it's snarky and clever.  Two...because I happen to be making cookies. Right. Now.

259828_2050978403660_1520504070_32223975_1112590_n

Friday, June 3, 2011

Mormons are not weird. MormonsMadeSimple.com

Share on Facebook

The purpose of creating this blog for me was to help my children understand and respond to some of the questions they face about our faith. I have also learned so much as I continue to write and read and pray about the things which I write here. It's truly a humbling experience.

If you have landed on this blog because you have questions about the church, or because you heard something you just weren't sure about, I applaud your efforts to discover the truth behind a myth rather than taking it at face value. I believe very strongly in the power of education and understanding. If you have come here because you are discovering your own faith, or because you are investigating the LDS church, I welcome you as well. I can honestly say my faith is a huge part of who I am and I am genuinely happy because of it.

With all that being said - (it was a rather long introduction to this video clip - apologies.) Please enjoy this video made by the folks at www.mormonsmadesimple.com. There are several videos listed there about our worship services, the missionaries, our beliefs in general, and many other topics. In short three to five minute videos, they explain in simple terms a lot about our faith. Of course, if you ever have questions about the church, there are many avenues you can take for answers. Ask a Mormon friend, talk to the missionaries, visit www.LDS.org or www.Mormon.org. We are always happy to answer any questions. Mormons are not weird. We are ready to help you understand and answer your questions.