Mormon Life - Missionaries tag

Viewpoint: Making the most of the Mormon Moment

Tue, 22 May 2012 12:05:00 -0600

source: universe.byu.edu

My last companion in Australia was Elder William Hopoate — one of the most famous rugby all-stars in Australia. When he turned down millions of dollars to serve a Mormon mission, it went viral. As we served together, I realized his influence did much more than simply touch the people he came in contact with. His good example and selfless sacrifice affected the general public’s opinion of the LDS faith. The people in Australia are more receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ because, for perhaps the first time, they were able to see the Church in an incredibly positive way through the media.

LDS missionaries help with N.C. Day of Service food drive

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:42:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

LDS missionaries provided hours of service during the multi-city, dual-stake Day of Service here this year.

Mormon missionaries helped unload and sort donations at food bank drop-off cites throughout the area.

Solving 10 worries about serving a mission

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:20:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Our youth Sunday School class brainstormed 10 real worries of someone preparing to serve a full-time mission as well as possible solutions — with a little help from the teachings of Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin.

Although my sample size would be considered insignificant, a recent discussion in our youth Sunday School class about worries over serving a full-time LDS mission transcended our cinder-block corner classroom and could apply to other members of the church wherever they live.

It helped that a recently returned missionary was in our midst who humbly prayed in Honduran Spanish to begin class and whose contributions validated, squashed or most importantly helped find solutions to some of the worries entertained by pre-missionaries.

We also turned to the Book of Mormon and the words of King Benjamin to help address each of the following fears or obstacles, in no particular order.

All-time list of returned LDS missionaries in professional sports

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:14:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

More and more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are serving 2-year missions and returning to compete at the highest levels of professional sports.

This is a list of 65 current and past Latter-day Saint athletes who served missions and played in the NBA, NFL MLB and other professional sports leagues. The list was compiled in connection with Sports Illustrated's cover story on Jabari Parker, who is considering serving a mission.

Fathers should be missionaries to their children, family too

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:16:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Our take: Missionaries are typically those who leave their home and families to spread a message of faith to other parts of the world; however, Pastor Scott T. Brown points out that the biggest, untapped mission field may be right at home, among family. To lead by example and help decrease the number of young people walking away from the faith of their parents, he suggests that fathers view their own families as a mission field and take the time to pass a spiritual heritage onto the next generation at home.

Cabo Verde, Land of Light

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:52:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: I didn't know the history of the Cabo Verde Mission. It's beautiful.

The Mormon way of business

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:25:00 -0600

source: economist.com

Mormon Life says: A look at the large number of successful Mormons, and some thoughts on the reasons for it. Jokes about sacred underpants have reached epidemic proportions, thanks to Mitt Romney’s presidential bid and the musical masterpiece by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, “The Book of Mormon”. But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to give it its full name, is fighting back. A huge advertising campaign features ordinary people doing ordinary things—a white man sporting a beard, a black man sporting a moustache and a young skateboarder flying through the air—with the tag line: “I’m a Mormon.”

The snag is, not everyone will buy the idea that Mormons are just like the rest of us. They don’t get drunk. They have large families, stable marriages and a three-month supply of food in the larder in case of Armageddon. They are usually clean-cut and neatly dressed (the facial hair in the “I’m a Mormon” ads is thankfully atypical). And they have a passion for business.

Raiders draft pick Bergstrom credits LDS mission for his maturity

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:05:00 -0600

source: silverandblackpride.com

At 26 years of age, Raiders new rookie offensive guard, Tony Bergstrom, is a bit older than most rookies. As is often the case for Mormon recruits, he took time off after high school to go on his Mormon mission. And according to him, the path he chose and his advanced age actually helped him as a player.

Out-Door Preaching: Instructions to Missionaries, April 1883

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:53:00 -0600

source: keepapitchinin.org

The following instructions and tips were issued to elders of the British Mission in the spring of 1883. They suggest to me that Elders of the nineteenth century found it just as difficult as I would to do street preaching; I’m also struck by the cautions about too-bold attacking of other churches’ doctrines, and a suggestion that the elders not be too prompt in identifying themselves. What strikes you?

The season has now arrived for out-door preaching to be commenced, and we hope the Elders will push this part of the work vigorously.

Norlan G. and Sheron R. Walker: Service in the Nuclear Age

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:59:00 -0600

source: keepapitchinin.org

Mormon Life says: What an interesting mission call to help victims called "Downwinders" do family history. Between 1951 and 1962, the Nevada Test Site northwest of Las Vegas was the location of exactly 100 above-ground nuclear blasts and hundreds more below-ground tests. The atmospheric tests were the fun ones, of course, you could sit in your hotel room in Las Vegas and marvel at the mushroom clouds some 65 miles away. If you were in the military, you might have an even closer view. These were awesome glimpses of unimaginable power – but not to worry, you were safe: Tests were conducted only when the desert breezes blew away from Las Vegas and the heavily populated Southern California regions beyond. To show you exactly how safe it all was, the federal government even drove carloads of ranchers out to see the Test Site after some blasts (giving the dust a couple of hours to settle safely first, of course).

Man on a mission: Australia newspaper features rugby star missionary

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:36:00 -0600

source: brisbanetimes.com.au

Mormon Life says: William Hopoate put his rugby career and a $1.7M contract on hold to serve an LDS mission. What a good kid. Perhaps if William Hopoate dressed in one of his old rugby league jerseys – and not a crisp, white, short-sleeved shirt, distinctive black name tag and tie – the man who responded with such unbridled hostility towards him after he offered a polite "hello" at the local shopping centre might have stopped to shake his hand and talk.

Instead, the thick-set bruiser glared at the clean-cut teenager and cursed under his breath as he marched past with his chest puffed out. Moments later another local nodded timidly as Elder Hopoate, Mormon missionary, asked how his day was going; an Asian woman panicked and indicated via frantic hand signals that she couldn't speak English when Hopoate and his missionary companion, Elder Paia'aua, approached her.

“It happens a bit,” Hopoate said.

Hawaii won't release player to transfer to BYU after mission

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:21:00 -0600

source: usatoday.com

Perhaps college basketball was drawing too many transfer controversies because now we have one in college football.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting Hawaii is denying the transfer of Michael Wadsworth to Brigham Young after the defensive back finishes a Mormon mission in England.

LDS Church pilot program for construction in Congo

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:58:00 -0600

source: cestlavie.com

Here in Kinshasa the church is doing a new pilot program for developing nations. It's the first one of its kind and is probably the last big thing done by Bishop Burton before he was released. He was very anxious about the lack of employment in the Congo and this was the idea that they came up with to help that problem. PEF is in Kinshasa, and is wonderful. Our missionary couple, Staggs, have really worked to get it started here in the Congo. It's a good program and many are benefiting from it. But it's very hard to get a job even after you go to school. There are fewer jobs than people looking for work, even for those who are trained. So another alternative will be a great blessing too. This new program is addressing the problem in a completely different direction.

Missionary work in London reaching those from many countries

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Rejoice Osaremwimba was wandering through shops near the Peckham High Street in London. She was only 19 years old when she left her native Nigeria, hoping to find better employment and education opportunities in London than at home.

At times she was lonely for her parents and siblings who remain in Nigeria, but with a few new friends and great optimism, she continued to work nights in a local restaurant and was saving money to begin studying at the local university within a few months.

13 ways to make a good mission great

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:46:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Every week, hundreds of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin full-time missions. Everyone who volunteers is blessed. Those who apply themselves to true discipleship of the Lord Jesus Christ and serve faithfully have exceptional life-changing experiences.

There are many who serve “good” missions and then there are some who serve “great” missions. Here are 13 suggestions that can change a good Mormon mission into a great mission.

The Inner City Project: a chance to serve from home

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:03:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Whether you're finding an apartment for someone newly homeless, explaining to a foreign refugee what a flush toilet is, or connecting addicts with resources for recovery, the Inner City Project has something nearly anyone can do to fulfill Christ's call to serve "the least of these" right when it matters the most.

Mike and Allene Ross — Elder and Sister Ross for now — are assistant directors for this innovative program that is changing the lives of both recipients and those who serve in downtown Salt Lake City. In this audio interview they share amazing stories about this program that lets you serve for a number of hours each week while still living at home, sleeping in your own bed and even before you retire.

Two LDS missionaries battle back from brain injuries

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:51:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: We hope they recover soon. Two missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are fighting their way back from serious brain injuries suffered while serving in Brazil and Canada, respectively.

Elder Britten Schenk, the LDS missionary from Hyde Park, Utah, who was severely injured when he was hit by a bus in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last month, has returned home to Utah.

"When he saw/heard us he stretched out his arms and started to cry," members of the Schenk family reported on the online blog they maintain to keep friends and family members informed of the missionary's progress. "It was a great reunion! Tears of joy, for his safe return home."

New mission presidents

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:27:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Marcelo Andrezzo, 47, and Solange Pinto Andrezzo, three children, Brazil Salvador South Mission; Joinville Ward, Joinville Brazil Stake. Brother Andrezzo serves as a high councilor and is a former stake president and counselor, stake mission president, bishop and missionary in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro and Brazil Brasilia missions. State tax official, State of Santa Catarina. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Orlando Ferreira and Zilda Clarinda Da Conceicao Andrezzo.

Elder David Archuleta at the MTC - as seen by fellow elders and sisters

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:04:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: Missionaries in the MTC are writing home about Elder David Archuleta. Read what they have to say. Murray native and "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta began his journey to become a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by entering the Missionary Training Center in late March.

It was thought that once he went inside the doors of the secretive Provo institution, the 21-year-old would be out of the public eye for about two years, spending about 10 weeks at the MTC and then the rest of his time in his assigned mission, reportedly in Chile.

But this is an age where social media breaks down ramparts and bulwarks, no matter how much Elder Archuleta desires his pious privacy. As a consequence, the public and his fans have been able to read about his experiences through blog posts written by fellow elders and sisters at MTC.

Understanding what matters and what doesn't

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:43:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

It’s a story we’ve told many times before, but it deserves repeating here because of the powerful lesson it teaches about family priorities.

While serving as Mormon mission president in London, we got a call one day from headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was Arthur Haycock, secretary to President Spencer W. Kimball, who in his mind-mannered, humble way said, “President, we hate to impose, but the prophet will be coming to London next week on his way to the continent and if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, do you think you and Sister Eyre could meet our flight at Heathrow Airport and get us to our hotel in London?