Mormon Life - Official Church Info

Apostles Visit Members in Brazil

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:12:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

From January 20 to 29, 2012, Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy, visited Church members in Brazil.

The Brethren were accompanied by their wives, as well as by the Brazil Area Presidency—Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, Elder Carlos A. Godoy, and Elder Jairo Mazzagardi of the Seventy— and other Area Seventies.

President Uchtdorf dedicates new Bishops’ Central Storehouse

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:40:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Mormon Life says: “God is in His heavens, but He asks that we, His disciples on earth, serve as His hands.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated a new 570,000-square-foot Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, on Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, also attended.

Prior to the dedication, President Uchtdorf emphasized that while the processes and techniques of welfare must be flexible to accommodate the needs and circumstances of the times, the principles behind the processes remain unchanged and eternal.

Seminary program celebrates century of teaching Mormon teens

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:48:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

In 1912, adjacent to Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, Thomas J. Yates assumed the challenging task of organizing and teaching the first seminary class of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Yates, a Cornell University trained engineer and a power plant employee, rode his horse at midday from his full-time job to teach the 70 students enrolled in the fledgling program.

Yates recognized the demanding nature of the new educational pursuit. “This was a new venture,” he stated in his autobiography. “It had never been tried before. We could see wonderful possibilities; if it were successful it would mean a complete change for the Church.”

Kansas City Missouri Temple open house and dedication dates announced

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:38:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

The First Presidency has announced open house and dedication dates for the Kansas City Missouri Temple.

The public is invited to visit the temple during an open house from Saturday, 7 April 2012, until Saturday, 21 April 2012, excluding Sundays.

Bishop Burton joins leaders to promote religious freedom and marriage

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:32:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: The letter he signed promotes the protection of marriage between a man and a woman. Last Thursday, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, H. David Burton, joined 38 prominent leaders of different faiths in signing a letter advocating traditional marriage and religious freedom.

2012 sharing time theme

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:14:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

The theme for the 2012 Outline for Sharing Time — "Choose the Right" — will help Latter-day Saint children learn that agency, or the ability to make choices, is part of Heavenly Father's plan, said Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president.

"Agency was a part of our life before this existence and it is part of our life now, and it is by choosing the right that will help us stay on the path to our Heavenly Father," she said.

Church launches new Hong Kong newsroom website

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:16:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Only months after the launch of the Church’s Mexico Newsroom website, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched the Hong Kong Newsroom website: mormonnewsroom.hk.

Collaboration of Jewish Center and LDS Institute Builds Friendship

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:13:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

From May through August 2011, there could be found at the Tucson Arizona LDS Institute of Religion an interesting mix of people. For those four months, students and staff of the University of Arizona’s Hillel Foundation Jewish Student Center utilized empty offices and space at the institute while their facility underwent extensive renovation.

On Sunday, December 11, 2011, more than 200 students, community leaders, donors, and administrative leaders gathered at the new facility for a dedication service.

Michelle Blumenberg, executive director of the Hillel Foundation on the university campus, thanked institute director Norman W. Gardner during the ceremony: “During the time of our renovation, we had to find another place to work,” she explained. “Our neighbors at the Tucson Institute of Religion graciously opened their doors to us and gave us shelter during the summer. Not only that, they provided us and our contractor with parking spaces, which we know is almost more valuable than gold on campus.”

Saints in Solomon Islands Celebrate First District with Service

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:34:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Latter-day Saints in Honiara, Solomon Islands, celebrated the organization of the nation’s first district this month. The historic event was marked by the Saints’ humanitarian efforts throughout their communities.

For example, using humanitarian funds provided by the Church, members teamed up with a local Anglican congregation to renovate and repair a 40-year-old health clinic. Sixty people worked tirelessly for two weeks on the project.

Year in Review: 2011 Another Year of Progress for the Church

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:44:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Love this look at the last year from the perspective of the Church. It has been a great one! In 2011 new temples were announced and others dedicated, and increased public attention was focused on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what many journalists have called the “Mormon Moment.”

Temple Building

Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the building of eight new temples during the Church’s general conferences in April and October. President Monson said four temples would be built internationally in Canada, France, South Africa and Colombia, while another four will be built in the United States in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Of particular interest was the announcement that the historic Provo Tabernacle, which had been destroyed by fire in December 2010, would be rebuilt and converted to the city’s second temple.

New features kick off issues of the 2012 Friend magazine

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:23:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Love the "I Can Play It!" feature. Readers of the Friend magazine will notice new and exciting features designed to enhance scripture learning and provide music for young musicians. Other new features will cater to older children transitioning from Primary.

Jan Pinborough, managing editor of the Friend, said many of the upcoming features serve to help today’s children who “are being challenged in new ways.”

Church Offers Program to Help Those with Addictions and Their Families

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:50:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Love that the Church has this program. Rod was 12 years old when some older teens in his neighborhood introduced him to alcohol and drugs. Although he didn’t necessarily see it this way at the time, he began using the substances to escape the pain he felt from his father’s suicide six years earlier. Within a short time he was addicted.

For the next 15 years, Rod regularly drank and took drugs. His sense of loss always escalated around the holidays; his father had died about that time of year, and when Rod was in his early 20s, his grandfather, with whom he was close, died on January 2.

“I felt all of these bad emotions associated with the holidays,” he explains, “so I ended up running from them. I put on a fake face and acted like I was really happy and partied it up.” And every year, that partying—compounded with feeling estranged from his family and experiencing the high emotions that many people experience during the holidays—led to more alcohol consumption and drug use.

Redesign of Mormon Channel Website and App Increases Usability

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:44:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Early in December, Mormon Channel—a media channel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—enhanced features of both its website, mormonchannel.org, and its free mobile app, increasing usability and visual appeal.

The new design is meant to be more intuitive and user-friendly and now features the ability to search, create a playlist on a computer or mobile device, and download material.

Site acquired for Meridian Idaho LDS Temple

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:13:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

The Meridian Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hasn't been completely designed yet, but it does have an address: 7345 North Linder Road in Meridian.

The location just north of the intersection of North Linder Road and Chinden Blvd. in Idaho's third-largest city was announced Monday.

"Meridian has a large faith community which plays an important role in keeping a strong focus on our families," said Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd. "[The new LDS temple] in Meridian is welcomed and we will do our part to ensure their needs are met."

Elder Keith W. Wilcox dies at age 90

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:35:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Elder Keith W. Wilcox, who served in the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy from 1984 to 1989, died Friday evening, Dec. 16. Elder Wilcox,a resident of Ogden, Utah, was 90 years old.

An architect before he was called as a General Authority, he is perhaps best known for his design of the Washington D.C. Temple.

For the Strength of Youth updated and refreshed

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:06:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Today, youth.lds.org launched a newly updated version of For the Strength of Youth that addresses issues and challenges youth face today that were not specifically addressed in the previous version of the booklet.

“The standards have not changed, but times have changed,” said Young Women general president Elaine S. Dalton, explaining the update. “For the Strength of Youth has been revised to address the issues youth face today—to teach them the doctrine behind the standards and the promised blessings of obedience.”

Church dispels rumors regarding Tennessee canning facility

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:20:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received a number of inquiries about an alleged visit by federal officials to a Church canning facility in Tennessee seeking information about those who use the facility.

President Uchtdorf dedicates second LDS temple in Guatemala

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:24:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Most maps identify Guatemala's second-largest city as Quetzaltenango. But ask a native from this highland community to name their hometown and they will likely answer "Xela" — the Mayan name that existed centuries before the arrival of the Spaniards.

Indeed, Quetzaltenango (or Xela) is synonymous with cultural tradition. Many of the women still dress in the colorful wide skirts and woven blouses favored by their ancestors. Others can comfortably speak both Spanish and local indigenous languages such as K'iche'.

BibleVideos.LDS.org is Church’s gift to the world

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:46:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Did you watch it during the devotional? Amazing. During the December 4, 2011, First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Church leaders presented The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos website, a “gift” to the world for the coming holiday season.

BibleVideos.lds.org is a repository for original short videos that depict scenes from Christ’s life, ranging from the angel foretelling Christ’s birth to the Savior's Resurrection.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:05:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Don't forget to watch it tomorrow! An invitation to all Church members, non-members, family and friends has been extended to take part in the annual broadcast of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. The program will transpire in front of a live audience and originate from the Conference Center on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. mountain standard time. Traditionally, the devotional includes a Christmas message from each member of the First Presidency along with music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.