Mormon Life - Interfaith tag

Church leaders join in Pacific freedom of religion conference

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:36:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Though the Church is a minority in the Pacific Islands, leaders were invited to discuss managing religious diversity. Elder James J. Hamula joined Samoa’s head of state and leaders of other faiths last week in the first “Managing Religious and Cultural Diversity in the Pacific” conference at the National University of Samoa in Apia.

In remarks directed to fellow conference delegates, Elder Hamula, who is the Pacific Area President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “It is contrary to the interests of all religious faiths to have any one religious faith restrict or limit another religious faith. Further, it is contrary to the doctrines and beliefs of the Christian faiths that prevail in the Pacific to restrict or limit others from believing what they wish.”

To Mormons: Take care - you just might be someone's 'Mormon friend'

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Chrisy Ross - LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Chrisy Ross, author of LDS Living's popular "To Mormons, with Love" article, shares more insights on living as a non-Mormon among Mormons. In this Mormon moment, she says, it's important to realize that non-Mormons might look to you to answer questions - and take what you say as gospel.

There’s no shortage of pronouncements on what Mormons believe, ironically from people who aren’t members of the LDS Church; many who have skewed information. It has become evident that Mormonism is a trending topic and there is amplified interest in all things Mormon. This provides a great opportunity for members of the Church to set things straight.

There’s one thing I’ve noticed that contributes to the problem . . .

Some nonmembers feel like they have a solid grasp of the material—LDS Doctrine—if they’ve had a question answered by a member, an insider, a real Mormon. Someone they refer to as their “Mormon friend.”

One innocuous question + One acquaintance who happens to be LDS + One heavily weighted answer = One nonmember’s perception of the entire faith. The answer to ONE question can define Mormonism for a person; paint a vivid picture in someone’s mind—sometimes in the right palette, but often not.

For example, last year while I was in a casual conversation with acquaintances in another state, the topic shifted to the fact that I live in Utah. Predictably, things segued to Mormonism. Comments were benign until one woman said, “Mormons don’t celebrate Easter.” The implication was that Mormons don’t acknowledge the resurrection story. Naughty! How did she know this titillating factoid? Her reply was, “I asked my Mormon friend.”

I’ve had a handful of similar conversations. From my limited vantage point, I bet that the “Mormon friend” has no idea they’re referred to as such, nor are they likely aware that a simple comment like, “Our family doesn’t color eggs for Easter,” is heard as a doctrinal statement. When I’ve prodded someone about his or her “Mormon friend,” the relationship sounds more fringe or token than actual. (This isn’t to say that interfaith friendships aren’t genuine. Not the point of this piece.)

Nonmember confusion continues to surround LDS weddings (sealing ceremonies versus receptions), a nonmember’s ability to attend a sacrament meeting versus visit the temple, and the length of Sunday services. I’ve heard, “Only Mormons can attend their weddings,” “You have to convert before you can visit an LDS Church,” or “They go to church ALL day on Sunday—like eight hours.” A simple comment made by someone’s “Mormon friend” taken out of context has fueled these misconceptions.

People talk. Politics and religion are the topics right now. I’ve heard amusing as well as insulting comments from nonmembers as they attempt to share their knowledge of the LDS Church beliefs and practices. And, yes, I do my part to correct a misunderstanding or encourage someone to dig a little deeper for bona fide information.

I’m not a Mormon scholar, nor are most of my LDS friends. Although I’ve received a lot of great—and accurate—explanations from my LDS friends, occasionally I’ve experienced slightly different or conflicting answers to the same question from different people. That’s how I found and researched LDS.org and Mormon.org. I know I’m preaching to the choir when I compliment the approachability, ease of use, and tremendous information source these sites provide. For all—members and nonmembers.

The way I see things:

1. Mitt Romney, John Huntsman, and numerous mainstream celebrities who are members of the LDS Church are all contributing to heightened interest in Mormonism. The spotlight is growing.

2. Now more than ever, nonmembers are curious and comfortable asking questions. This is THE TIME to dissolve myths and misunderstandings.

3. If a nonmember—even a person you know very casually at the office, or who lives three blocks away in your Midwest, Protestant neighborhood— asks you a question, recognize that they are listening. (No pressure!)

4. Tell someone about the safe (free, anonymous access), informational websites, that even members visit (not everyone is a religious scholar).

5. An authentic interfaith friendship, where conversation flows, is not what I’m referring to. Someone whose name you may not remember, might reference a forgettable (for you) conversation you had with them, and proudly proclaim that they know the “real deal” about Mormonism because . . . they asked their Mormon friend.

It’s time to bone up on your facts, or graciously admit you’re not sure and will look something up when asked a question about the Church. Or refer people to the terrific websites. You just might be someone’s Mormon friend.

For more of Chrisy's articles about experiencing life as a non-Mormon among Mormons, click here.

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Chrisy Ross is the author of To Mormons, With Love (A Little Something from the New Girl in Utah), available at deseretbook.com. To learn more about her, visit chrisyross.com.

FHE: Activation

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Use this lesson to discuss how you can help non-Mormons or less active members feel welcome and loved in the LDS community.

Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, Without Delay,” by Elder Jose L. Alonso, Ensign, Nov 2011, 14.

Thought:

We have a responsibility and a great opportunity. There are many who need to once again experience the sweet savor of happiness and joy through activity in the Church. That happiness comes from receiving the ordinances, making sacred covenants, and keeping them. The Lord needs us to help them. Let us do the right thing at the right time, without delay.

(Elder Jose L. Alonso, “Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, Without Delay,” Ensign, Nov 2011, 14.)

Song:

“The Things I Do,” Children’s Songbook, p. 170.

Scripture:

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

(Mosiah 2:17)

Object Lesson:

Materials needed: A balloon.

Procedure: Ask your group if they have ever tried to blow up a stiff balloon. It’s difficult at best and sometimes impossible. By stretching and working with the balloon, we can make the process of blowing it up much easier.

We can liken this to fellowshipping nonmembers and less-active members.

Trying to convert them or change them can be a difficult, nearly impossible task. By friendshipping them, serving them, and setting a good example we can prepare them to receive the gospel in their lives.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, More Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 19.)

Story:

When I was a bishop, I received a telephone call from Elder Spencer W. Kimball. He said, “Brother Monson, in your ward is a trailer court, and in a little trailer in that court—the smallest trailer of all—is a sweet Navajo widow, Margaret Bird. She feels unwanted, unneeded, and lost. Could you and the Relief Society presidency seek her out, extend to her the hand of fellowship, and provide for her a special welcome?” This we did.

A miracle resulted. Margaret Bird blossomed in her newly found environment. Despair disappeared. The widow in her affliction had been visited. The lost sheep had been found. Each who participated in the simple human drama emerged a better person.

In reality, the true shepherd was the concerned apostle, Spencer W. Kimball, who, leaving the ninety and nine of his ministry, went in search of the precious soul who was lost.

(Thomas S. Monson, Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994].)

Activity:

Have everyone stand in a circle or boundary drawn on the ground. Toss an inflated balloon into the air. Everyone must keep it in the air by hitting, batting, or swatting and not let it hit the ground. The players must stay within the boundary.

The score for each ground is the number of hits before the balloon hits the ground.

Refreshment

Orange Rolls

1⁄2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons grated orange peel

Frozen white bread dough, thawed

Mix butter, sugar, and orange peel in a small bowl to make orange butter.

Divide dough and roll into rectangles about 8x12 inches on a floured board. Spread with orange butter. Roll up into a long log and slice into 1-inch rounds. Place on a sprayed or greased baking sheet, sides touching. Drizzle on any remaining orange butter. Let rise until double in size. Bake according to recipe or frozen dough directions.

Variable servings.

(Janet Peterson, Remedies for the “I Don’t Cook” Syndrome, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001], p. 90.)

To access the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

New temple and student group give life to Penn Mormons

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:03:00 -0600

source: thedp.com

While Penn’s Mormon community may have flown under the radar for the average student in past years, a new temple under construction and a recently formed student organization will give it an opportunity to make its presence known.

Following the ground-breaking ceremony last month, the Latter-day Saints temple located on 1739 Vine St. has been reaching out to members of the Mormon community at Penn, who are currently active in the LDS Church meetinghouse on 39th and Chestnut streets. The new temple — the first to be built in Pennsylvania — is slated for completion by 2014. It will serve more than 31,000 LDS Church members from congregations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

“There are LDS faculty, students and workers at Penn, but it’s a minority group that is smaller relative to other denominations, so not many people are aware of it,” spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Congregation of the Church Melissa Yuen said.

'Fitting in' as a non-Mormon in Utah

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:48:00 -0600

source: stgnews.com

Mormon Life says: It's interesting to read this; while some people have similar experiences, I know others who have vastly different experiences. Outside of Utah, the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – the Mormons – is in the minority. Inside of the state that trend is reversed. Newcomers to Utah suddenly find themselves in the minority if they are not a part of the dominant religion and its accompanying culture.

To members of the LDS church, religious and cultural intolerance is nothing new. A quick run-through of the church’s early history in the American East and Midwest is full of tales of persecution and forced expulsion.

However, this is not a story about grevious offenses committed over a century ago. Instead, the magnifying glass examines how one of Utah’s minorities, namely those not of the Mormon faith, perceive the dominant culture and relate how they have been received by it.

BYU football building bridges of friendship and faith in Mississippi

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:30:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

The Brigham Young University football team not only came away from Mississippi with a winning football game, it also left with a key to the city of Tupelo. City Councilman, Jonny Davis, presented BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson a key to the city at a devotional Friday, Sept. 2, the night before the big game.

Mr. Davis stated, “There will always be a bond between the City of Tupelo and Brigham Young University.”

“This was such an important event for the Church. The south is a very religious place, but it is also very loyal. It is difficult to get friends of other faiths into our Church building because they feel such a strong allegiance to their own religion,” said Director of Public Affairs for the Tupelo Stake, Gina Thorderson.

Serving their common man: LDS members help Provo community church that helped during tabernacle fire

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:39:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: We've heard stories about LDS churches helping other churches in the midst of difficulty, but here's a great example when we received help from another church. It wasn't their church, but on this Saturday, members of the LDS Church's Lakeside 7th Ward and Lakeside 10th Ward treated it as if it were. It was about serving their common man and being good neighbors.

It was also about turning a tragic event into a bonding experience between LDS faithful and members of the Provo Community United Church of Christ.

When flames destroyed the Provo Tabernacle last December, it looked as if events planned for the National Day of Prayer would not happen. "When the tabernacle burned down, we offered to help open our facilities," said the Rev. Daniel Haas.

Mormon beliefs and Christian creeds

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:57:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Another great column from Church spokesman Michael Otterson -- on coming to terms with similarities, and differences, between Mormonism and mainstream Christianity. The first time I prayed with a group of evangelical Christians was nearly 40 years ago. My wife and I had been living in Japan, and were on our way back to our native England via Taiwan, when our one-year-old baby daughter fell sick. Unable to find an English-speaking doctor, we ended up at a U.S. military base, where the doctor on duty prescribed rest for the baby and promptly invited us to stay with him and his family for a few days at his home in the mountains.

I have never forgotten that kindness. One evening he invited us to join him as he taught his evangelical church youth group in his home. The kids sat in a circle on the floor and, when they prayed, we all held hands. I admit to a moment of self-consciousness -- Mormons typically don’t pray like that in a group setting. But the overwhelming impression was the evident goodness of these people, and while we had doctrinal differences it was obvious we were praying to God in the name of the same Jesus.

Mormon and Muslim teens team up for food drive

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:02:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Teenagers from the Mission Viejo and Santa Margarita, Calif., stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and from the Islamic Shura Council joined together on Aug. 13 for a food drive to benefit local families, collecting an estimated 5,300 pounds of food.

The food was delivered to South County Outreach, which serves families in the California cities of Irvine through San Clemente. Three years ago, SCO served 33,000 people, and this year the organization is on track to help nearly double that amount.

Muslim leaders express thanks to President Uchtdorf

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:53:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Among some 800 attendees at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council to hear President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's remarks on May 25 were more than 30 Muslim leaders from Southern California.

Many of the Muslims were able to thank President Uchtdorf, the second counselor in the First Presidency, personally for the LDS Church's friendship with Muslims and the support they feel from the church in combating prejudice and fostering good will.

American Red Cross, LDS and Catholic churches unite in Bay Area blood drive

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:48:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: It's wonderful to see how interfaith cooperation is increasing. The uniting of the LDS and Roman Catholic churches to help the American Red Cross raise blood units in the Bay Area is a unique first-time occasion.

The Interfaith Community Blood Drive is so unique, in fact, that Jeff Meyer, the CEO of Red Cross operations in northern California, said he cannot remember another occasion in which the two churches and other denominations in the region have ever before combined for such an enterprise.

Though the effort provided a mere portion of the 6 million units of blood the American Red Cross collects annually, Meyer had been touched by the seven-month concordance of the two religions to assist in the temporal saving of lives.

"It's amazing to me to see this is actually occurring," Meyer said. "When I'm in a Catholic church seeing an LDS symphony perform and then I'm seeing a Catholic cardinal with elders from the LDS Church sitting next to him, it hit home to me, wondering where else this sort of thing would occur. It blew me away that other differences would be put aside for the common goal of saving lives."

Staying in Tune

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:21:00 -0600

source: youtube.com/MormonMessages

Mormon Life says: This is one of the winners of Mormon Messages' Video Contest. It's really well done and has a great message of surrounding yourself with uplifting things.

Mormon Life - Interfaith tag

Church leaders join in Pacific freedom of religion conference

To Mormons: Take care - you just might be someone's 'Mormon friend'

SPONSORED: 'Day of Defense' DVD to be released May 1st

FHE: Activation

New temple and student group give life to Penn Mormons

'Fitting in' as a non-Mormon in Utah

BYU football building bridges of friendship and faith in Mississippi

Serving their common man: LDS members help Provo community church that helped during tabernacle fire

Mormon beliefs and Christian creeds

Mormon and Muslim teens team up for food drive

Muslim leaders express thanks to President Uchtdorf

American Red Cross, LDS and Catholic churches unite in Bay Area blood drive

Staying in Tune