Mormon Life - Travel tag

Family history holidays bring tourists to Utah

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:39:00 -0600

source: bbc.co.uk

Thousands of people flock to Salt Lake City each year, not for Utah’s skiing or national parks, but to search through endless records of births, deaths and marriages at one the world's largest repositories of genealogy information on the planet. There is a new breed of traveller focused on uncovering family narratives, as evidenced by the 1,500 visitors who visit the Family History Library every day. Run by the Mormon Church, it contains more than two billion names of the deceased, more than 2.2 million rolls of microfilm and 300,000 books.

Out on the Water

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:10:00 -0600

by Heidi Swinton
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Israel is not just a place for me. There, on seas he walked and calmed, I have felt the vibrant reminder that Jesus Christ lives and beckons us all to "Come."

We were in a wooden fishing boat fashioned to resemble those used at the time of Christ. No sign or buoy marked the spot where Jesus walked on the water and beckoned to Peter, “Come.”

And over the side of the boat went Peter and he, too, briefly walked on the sea. The account in Matthew is one of my favorites of all Christ’s miracles during his ministry. Peter was out on unfamiliar ground but he was walking to be with the Savior and the ground—dirt, water or mud in between—was not the point. He was focused, believing and determined. I love Peter. He is so real and so distracted as the wind swirled about him and the water lapped menacingly at his feet.

He had heard the Lord’s call and responded but—like we do as well—he lost faith. He cried out and the Lord reached for him with his hand. So many times I have felt like I was out on the water and, yes, the Lord was right there reaching out to save me.

The trip to the Holy Land was a pilgrimage of sorts. There were not busloads of us queuing up to glimpse a moment in such a sacred setting over the heads of hordes of fellow visitors. The group was small, intimate and we grew in understanding because we shared testimonies. We had walked hillsides and paths that Jesus trod centuries ago. We had sloshed single file through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, sat by the wine press and read the scriptures in the recreated village of Nazareth, been up on the Temple Mount where Jesus taught and cleansed the temple, looked down on the excavated Pool of Bethesda and saw in our minds the crippled man lodged at the side hoping for a chance to be healed. We knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, just our little group; we stepped into the tomb early one morning just as Mary had—but He was gone. In every case we felt something and savored the thoughts that filled our minds and hearts and felt connected to others who were with us. We were flooded with increased spiritual understanding, as we asked questions of our appointed Israeli guide and quickly appreciated that our “real” guide was Jim Gee.

Out on the water there were no Churches plopped atop sacred settings and no crush of groups bedecked with ear phones jockeying to catch a glimpse of the faithful at the Wailing Wall on Friday eve. You can’t create such singular moments or conjure them up in class reading from the scriptures about the “fourth watch.” This was a pure and precious spiritual moment. Quiet. Serene. And so very real. The words of the song, “I walked today where Jesus walked,” took on a whole new meaning.

To see the rest of this article, click here.

Successful Winter Camping

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:04:00 -0700

by Emergency Essentials
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Camping is popular anytime of the year, but winter camping requires special preparation and equipment. Get educated about the precautions involved and prepare for a fun and successful camping trip.

Winter camping is a challenging adventure. A camper must have a healthy respect for Mother Nature and plan accordingly. When my dad and brothers go ice camping, they spend days beforehand planning for every situation and working out the smallest details. And their preparation pays off because they always have exciting things to tell us when they get back. Before hearing their stories, I never knew you could sleep safely in a hole in the snow, or stay warm even when you are soaking wet.

The main concerns for winter camping are staying warm and dry, and remaining hydrated. The best way to avoid frostbite or hypothermia is to conserve your own body heat. There are three ways to lose critical warmth. Keeping them in mind as you camp or hike through freezing temperatures will make you aware of what you can be doing to keep your body warm.

Radiation. The emission of body heat, especially from the skin areas exposed to the elements. A good set of gloves, hat, and scarf can help best in keeping bare skin to a minimum.

Conduction. The absorption of cold by the body when sitting or laying on cold ground, or handling cold objects such as metal cooking utensils and metal canteens. This is why a decent sleeping pad is required for cold weather camping. The same goes for wearing gloves. A camp stool is a must on a winter camping trip. Try not to sit on the ground.

Convection. The loss of body heat due to wind blowing across unprotected body parts. This situation can also be reduced by keeping bare skin covered with hats, scarves, and gloves. It is important to keep exposure to a minimum, ESPECIALLY in a windy situation. Convection heat loss can reduce body heat the fastest. Wet clothing will accelerate this process, making staying dry even more important.

Here are some other tips that will make your winter camping trip successful and free of accidents or emergencies that can prove to be life-threatening:

Tent placement. Whenever possible, place your tent in a location that will catch the sunrise in the morning. This will aid in melting off any ice and evaporating any frost or dew that may have formed during the night. This will also warm your tent as you awaken in the morning. Cold air sinks. Try to place your campsite on slightly higher ground than the rest of your surroundings. Try to choose a protected site if it is snowing or the wind is blowing.

Water consumption in cold weather. Dehydration can seriously impair the body's ability to produce heat. Drink fluids as often as possible during the day and keep a water bottle or canteen with you at night.

Cooking in cold weather. Cooking in cold weather will take about twice as long as normal. Always use a lid on any pots that you are cooking in. This will help to hold in the heat and decrease the overall heating time. Make sure you start hot cleaning water before you start cooking. The pots and utensils must still be cleaned. Try to keep your menu to good one-pot meals. Things like stews, chili, and hot beans stick to your ribs, lessen the cleaning time, and provide good sources of energy and fuel for your internal furnace. A good high-calorie snack before bedtime will also keep you warm all night. Stay away from an overabundance of sugar. Cheese is a good high-calorie bedtime snack.

Sleeping tip. Do not sleep with your mouth and nose in your sleeping bag. The moisture of your breath will condense in the bag, and cause it to become wet and ineffective as an insulator.

Buddy system. Buddies can help each other pack for a trek, look after one another in the woods, and watch for symptoms of frostbite, hypothermia, and exhaustion.

Checklist. Make a checklist of everything you need before you start to pack. Then check each item off as you pack it. This way you will not forget anything.

Taking this last idea to heart, we have included a checklist of some basic items that should be on every camping trip:

Backpack with straps to hold skis/snowshoes

Sleeping bag. A bag with a zero degree rating or less is best

Sleeping pad. Never sleep directly on the cold ground (see above definition of conduction)

Map and compass (every team member should have one)

Headlamp and extra batteries

Candles and matches

Shovel (or use a grain scoop or other substitute)

Sunscreen and sunglasses

Moleskin

Garbage Bags, 3 or 4 (to make emergency sleeping bags or shelters)

Boots, socks (wool is best)

Long underwear (polypropylene or other materials that wick moisture away are best)

Ribbons to tie to small gear so it can be found when dropped in the snow

Winter camping is a very rewarding sport because it requires so much effort. It is also one of the most dangerous activities you can engage in, if you are not prepared. With the proper preparation, it can be a fun activity for your family that teaches the value of hard work, how to work together as a team, and basic survival skills.

Dave Says: Company Needs to Step Up!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by Dave Ramsey
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: My company reimburses for travel, but sometimes they send it late. Does this affect my credit score?

Dear Dave,

My company makes me use my personal credit card for overseas travel. They take care of my expenses, but sometimes they don’t send the money until after the payment is due. Does this affect my credit score?

Marshall

Dear Marshall,

Unless you pay on time instead of waiting for their money, you bet it affects your credit score. It’s your card! You signed for it, and it’s in your name. Every late payment affects your credit bureau score.

I don’t know who you work for, but this is a very dangerous and bad practice – both by you and your company. Your company is using your credit and abusing you in the process. Talk to them about furnishing you with a corporate card. Better yet, a corporate debit card! If your employer is going to send you overseas, or anywhere on the road, it shouldn’t cost you money or cause you problems.

—Dave

For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com.

Traveling in the Winter

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:04:00 -0700

by Emergency Essentials
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Winter travel is unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. Prepare yourself for success with these essential tips.

One of the most important concepts to remember when planning winter excursions: If there are winter storm warnings and watches don?t travel unless it is absolutely necessary! If you must travel or have traveled into a winter storm, we have compiled some tips to help you survive.

If you are nervous about driving in bad weather, it is recommended to use public transportation. If you must drive, stay on major routes that will be plowed and maintained. Let someone know the route you plan to take and call them when you arrive. This way your route can be checked and you could be found sooner if you get stuck. Once you are on your way stick to your preplanned route. Drive cautiously, leaving a greater than normal following distance between you and any cars in front of you. In heavy snow slow down until you can see for at least a few feet in front of your car. If the snow is so heavy that it prevents you seeing much at all take the first opportunity to stop in a town and wait out the storm.

The first key to traveling safely in the winter is to avoid getting stuck in the snow.

In order to prepare adequately, you need to be informed. Knowing the terms used to forecast winter weather conditions will help you know what to expect:

Traveler's Advisory. Snow or ice is expected. Travel and visibility may be difficult.

Winter Storm Watch. Severe winter weather is possible. Stay tuned to the TV or radio for more information.

Winter Storm Warning. Heavy snow or freezing rain is expected. Freezing rain is forecast when the expected rain is likely to freeze as soon as it strikes the ground creating a coating of ice on roads and walkways.

Blizzard Warning. Heavy snow, winds of 35 mph or more, and temperatures of 20 degrees or lower are expected.

Severe Blizzard Warning. Very heavy snow is expected with winds over 45 mph and temperatures below 10 degrees. Visibility can be so poor that you will not be able to see for more than a few yards.

Another important key to traveling safely in the winter is preparation. If you know that you will be making a trip this winter, take time now to make sure your vehicle is in the proper condition for safe winter travel. Make sure you check your vehicle at least one week before your trip because some repairs (like repairs to a rear window defroster) may need to cure for a few days before you can use them. In preparing your car you will need to have a mechanic (or yourself if you are able) check the following:

Battery. One of the first problems that can occur during cold weather is a battery problem. If you are unsure about your battery, it may be wise to have a mechanic check it out.

Ignition system. It is important to be able to start your car in any weather predicament. Be sure to check for any damaged wires or cracks in your distributor cap that could cause a sudden break down.

Lights. Make sure both your front and back (including brake) lights function properly. Be sure your front lights are aimed correctly. A headlight that is aimed too high will only contribute to obscuring your vision because it lights up the snowflakes instead of the road, and the glare on the falling snow obscures your vision beyond it.

Brakes. Make sure they will brake evenly to help prevent skidding. Do you know how to use brakes on the snow and ice?

Tires. These are the only connection between you and the road. If they are worn or improperly inflated it will diminish your starting, stopping, and turning ability. Be sure to rotate your tires if needed.

Exhaust system. Have the exhaust system checked for leaks of deadly carbon monoxide gas. If you become trapped in your car this check could save your life.

Heating and cooling system. Make sure the radiator cap, water pump, and radiator are working properly. Check the hoses to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. Test the strength of your antifreeze to make sure it is not too weak. Make sure both the heater and defroster work well.

Windshield. Check the wipers and replace if necessary. Fill up on windshield washer fluid (make sure it is the kind that won't freeze in the reservoir), and make sure it can reach your windshield by checking the motor and making sure the nozzles are not clogged.

Oil. Check the oil level and make sure you have the right kind of oil for low temperatures. This should be specified in your owner?s manual. Check with your mechanic or an auto part store.

Gas. Try to keep your tank as full as possible (above 1/2 tank) so that if you are stranded you will have plenty of fuel to run the car and be able to use the heater.

Now that you have your vehicle checked out, you will want to make sure you are prepared with the necessary items in your car. It is recommended to store an emergency car kit. For more information, see the Insight Articles on Car Preparedness and Safety and How to Build an Emergency Car Kit.

In addition to the emergency car kit, we recommend having mittens, scarf and stocking cap. Also have 30 feet or more of drapery cord or strong nylon string. If you must leave the vehicle to inspect outside conditions, tie a long cord to the vehicle and yourself so you can find your way back. If you have a cell phone keep it charged.

If you do break down DO NOT leave your car. It is the best shelter you can have in a winter storm. Call for help on your cell phone if it is working. While you are stuck, start the car and run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to use the heater. Make sure you crack a window on the side away from the wind to get fresh air. Periodically check to make sure your tail pipe is not blocked by snow or other objects. If it is, you should clear it before using the engine to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid strenuous exercise or exertion. Sweating will only make you colder. When the engine is running turn on your lights so that rescuers can see you. Tie a brightly colored cloth (red, if possible) to your antenna for the same reason. If there is more than one person in the car you should take turns sleeping so that one of you can be alert to watch for rescuers. Make sure you ration battery power. Try not to use any of the car's electrical devices without having the engine running. If your battery does run done, you should be prepared with an emergency power generator. Your main goal if you become stranded is to stay warm until help arrives. After keeping warm, your priorities should be water, food, and then signaling for help.

Once the storm stops, you may be tempted to go for help. In most situations it is better for you to stay with your vehicle. Help may have been delayed by the same storm that trapped you, and your vehicle is easier to find than you are. Remember to ask yourself some important questions. Is your water and food supply portable so that leaving your vehicle won't create more problems? Do you have a way of maintaining a constant direction and not walking in circles? Could you leave a note for rescuers to tell them where you went? If you answered no to all these questions you should not leave your vehicle. You won?t increase your chances of being found and you decrease your chance for survival. If you must get out and do something then clear your car off so it is easier to see. Make a signal in the snow that passing planes could see. Spread out a brightly colored blanket on the snow to make a signal. In all these activities remember that cold weather makes exertion harder on your heart and your body, so don't sweat and stay warm. It is easier to stay warm than to get warm again.

Traveling in the winter can be a lot of fun once you have properly prepared. Hopefully this information will help you to prepare for winter traveling.

Martin Luther and a Life Changing Moment

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:04:00 -0600

by John L. Lund
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: On the day we now know as Halloween, Martin Luther challenged the Catholic church with his 95 Theses. It started with an unexpected event in his own life.

Most of us are caught up in the hustle-bustle of daily living and rightly so. We are anxiously engaged in the daily pursuit of health, wealth, and happiness. During our sojourn there are moments when quite unexpectedly we are confronted with a life changing event. The experience will change the choices we make for the rest of our lives. The life-changing experience could be as simple as a poignant moment derived from watching a movie, reading a novel, perusing the Holy Scriptures or listening to an inspired speaker that jolts us into an introspective search for the meaning of our lives. It may be the awareness of a life threatening personal illness or the sudden passing away of a dear one. It may be as dramatic as a near death experience thrust upon us by a natural disaster such as a tornado, an earthquake or even a bolt of lightning.

Such an event happened to Martin Luther, the great Protestant Reformer. After receiving his master’s degree at the age of twenty-two, he was bound for law school. This was to please his father. However on the 2nd of July 1505, Martin Luther had a life-changing experience. He was riding his horse towards the Law University when a bolt of lightning nearly took his life. In an instant Martin returned home and reported to his father that he was terrified of death and the final judgment. In proclaiming that he was not prepared to meet God, Martin cried out, “Help! Saint Anna, I will become a monk.”

Martin Luther entered a monastery and devoted himself totally to a quest to discover what it was that God wanted from him in order that he might return and abide with God in eternity. Martin Luther focused on a comprehensive study of the Bible. From dawn until dusk Martin immersed himself in a determined quest to understand the life and message of Jesus as found in the New Testament. Martin poured over every word of the Old Testament looking for insight and what it was that God wanted from Martin Luther. Eventually he received a Doctor of Theology degree and was called to teach at the University of Wittenberg. Appropriately his title was “Doctor in Bible.” Students flocked to his classes from all over Europe. Martin Luther was unmatched as a Bible scholar. He would spend the rest of his career at Wittenberg deeply immersed in teaching the scriptures.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

How to experience the Holy Land

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:18:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

As a boy, S. Michael Wilcox loved the Old Testament story of Elijah being fed by the ravens. “It was a wonderful thing that the ravens were bringing him food,” Wilcox said, recalling his boyhood fascination of the story found in I Kings 17.

On his first trip to Israel, Wilcox was sitting in Galilee when he noticed a black and grey bird walking on the grass. He inquired about the bird, and his guide replied that it was a raven.

“A wave of emotion swept over me and I started to weep as I looked at this raven,” said Wilcox, a retired instructor for LDS Church Educational System. “The reality of the story I loved as a boy hit somehow. It was a powerful moment, not just for the story, but because of the reality of what I was seeing. That is illustrative of what happens so often.”

The Inquirer after Truth and the Sacred Grove

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by S. Michael Wilcox
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I remember the first time a testimony of Joseph Smith stirred in my heart. I was young, and I visited the Sacred Grove that day.

I was a mischievous boy disturbing Primary classes for conscientious teachers in Southern California when something happened that changed me at a profound level. The Junior Primary chorister came into the class one day and told us she was going to teach us a new song. She would sing it for us and then we would sing it with her. I listened while she sang, “The golden plates lay hidden deep in a mountain side until God found one worthy in whom he could confide.” She had a high soprano voice and it carried me to Palmyra. I could clearly see in my imagination the young Joseph Smith and though I did not comprehend at the time the testimonial endearment that was being instilled in my heart I loved him; believed that what he told people had happened to him really did happen and what’s more I too wanted to be a boy in whom God could confide.

That was the first time I had been to Palmyra, a spiritual journey not a physical one, but a journey nonetheless. Years later the dream, born on that Primary morning, of actually walking among the trees where Joseph prayed and of climbing the hill that revealed the golden glow of ancient Nephite records was fulfilled. It was here, in this frontier community of farms and fields that Joseph taught us the great encompassing and over-arching lesson of his entire life. Perhaps he was given to us by God to teach us one grand truth alone, for the theme of his life was introduced in a Palmyra wood and on a hillside.

I pondered that theme as I walked one spring morning alone through the Sacred Grove. I think it instructive that there is only one place in our religious literature that we grace with the title “Sacred” and that is among the trees where Joseph prayed. I opened Joseph’s account recorded in the Pearl of Great Price and read again the old familiar phrases which have become such a part of my soul’s furniture and which constitute in such perfect fashion his life’s instructive message.

“I was an obscure boy…a boy of no consequence in the world.” Can we not all relate to that self-description and the humility behind it? Is it not true of us all and yet God speaks to the “obscure” of the earth! “I have been induced to write this history to… put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts…” It is the inquirers after truth that the Restoration is addressed to, and I wondered as I walked beneath the newly budding leaves if I was such a one. Certainly Joseph was and he showed us the grand potential of one for whom truth was as necessary as the air he breathed. His whole life was a continual search for truth.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

The Promise of Far Away Places

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:04:00 -0600

by S. Michael Wilcox
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Since I was a young boy, I dreamed of traveling the world.

When I was young I used to sit enthralled in the auditorium of my high school listening to John Goddard while staring impassioned at his slides. At the age of 15 he made a "life list" of the places in the world he wanted to explore and was fulfilling his dream. He would then share his travels with children all over America. I remember thinking to myself, "I want that job!" My own head filled with the places I wanted to see--Machu Picchu, the Great Wall, Jerusalem, Florence, the Great Barrier Reef. Our house in California was close enough to the railroad tracks for me to hear the whistle at night. What an inviting sound it was. It held the promise of far-away places as it faded into the distance. And I would dream.

Travel is in our blood! We are born with a curiosity that longs to be fulfilled in foreign lands, beautiful scenery, historical locations, distant cultures, adventure. Where ever I go, I try to connect to the land, for the land has memory and if we are still, if we listen, we can hear the voices of the past, and they will lift us with their intensity and their desire to instill in us a love and connection with all times, all places, all peoples. We are of the world and it calls to us in many voices.

Upon his return to the fields of Gettysburg, Joshua Laurence Chamberlain, the Union defender of Little Round Top, shared his musings and describes in eloquent language the reason why I love to travel--what I expect to happen each time I walk the paths of the past.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Dave Says: A Parent's Last Days

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:05:00 -0600

by Dave Ramsey
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: My mother is in her last days, and she wants to do many things our family can't afford.

Dear Dave,

I need advice on how to handle things where my mom is concerned. She was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) a year ago, and now she wants our family to do things together that we can’t afford. Last summer, we took a trip to Norway, and mom paid half, but it still made things hard on us financially. What can I do?

Emily

Dear Emily,

I’m really sorry to hear about your mom. I know that’s tough on everyone in more than just a financial sense. What you’re facing is very sad, and I understand that you want to spend as much time with her as possible. At the same time, though, you can’t bankrupt your family, either.

I think you need to sit down with her and gently explain that while you love her and want to spend as much time with her as possible, you can’t put your family in financial danger to help her with a bucket list. You have to balance your love for your mom and this awful situation with what’s best for your own household.

Make reasonable decisions on what you can and can’t do with her. Can you stretch yourself to do a few special things? Sure, but stretching is one thing; breaking is another. If she’s leaving you insurance money, you could stretch a little bit, then put that back into your funds later. But don’t go into debt to make these things happen. That will just start a cycle of borrowing that you can’t afford and leave you with a pile of payments later on top of your grief.

Your family has enough to worry about right now. Don’t put a bunch of debt on the list, too. That’s going too far.

God bless you, Emily.

—Dave

* For more financial help visit daveramsey.com.

Summer Travel Series: Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:12:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Tucked into a corner of Old Town San Diego is a place where people of all ages can step back in time and discover some unsung heroes. At the Mormon Battalion Historic Site, visitors learn about the only religion-specific military unit in American historyand what motivated their 19th-century trek from Iowa to California. The recently remodeled site offers a fun, interactive experience for the whole family.

Historical Background

In July 1846, the United States was involved in the Mexican-American War and the Mormon pioneers were in the middle of their trek to the Salt Lake Valley. While the pioneers were in Council Bluffs, Iowa, a request came from President James K. Polk for volunteers to march to Fort Leavenworth (present-day Kansas) and then to California on a one-year U.S. Army enlistment.

Summer Travel Series: Wyoming, an adventure into Mormon pioneer history

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:13:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Martin’s Cove

Wyoming: the rugged west, cowboys, horses, plentiful wildlife and a lot of Mormon pioneer history. There are many things to do and learn in the great outdoors in America’s 44th state.

Years before Wyoming was settled, groups of Mormon pioneer wagon trains traversed the rugged wilderness, crossed rivers, negotiated with Native Americans and coped with the ever-changing weather.

For the groups of pioneers traveling not in the “luxury” of covered wagons but pulling all they owned in two-wheeled handcarts, Wyoming was a difficult place to be, especially in the winter. The already beleaguered early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints left Iowa City, Iowa, in June of 1856 on their way to the Salt Lake Valley.

Africa: A land Where Wildlife Reigns Supreme

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:43:00 -0600

by FUN FOR LESS
source: MormonLife.com

I just returned home from Africa. I still can’t believe it, I was in Africa! Before going there, I didn’t have anything to relate Africa to except the many National Geographic specials I had watched on television since I was a child. What I saw and experienced there, was more than I had ever imagined!

Imagine endless plains teeming with herds of impalas, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebras and many more. Imagine a place completely unaware of civilization, where wildlife still reigns supreme. It’s hard to believe a place like this still exists, but it does. It is called The Kruger National Park in South Africa. It captured my soul!

*To read the full article, click here.

Shapers of Nations and Humblers of Empires

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:39:00 -0600

by FUN FOR LESS
source: MormonLife.com

There is no trip one can experience in the world as spiritually refreshing as the Holy Land. There is something wonderfully unique in walking, as we say, in the footsteps of Jesus. Galilee, the Garden Tomb, Gethsemane and Bethlehem will always warm the heart with renewed faith and understanding of the love of God for all his children as that love was manifested in the life, teachings, and sacrifices of His Son. There is perpetual homesickness within me when I think of these places. Yet the great story of Christ did not end when Jesus softly called Mary’s name by the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. It spread forth to distant horizons where searching men and women waited for the good news of God’s divine intervention in the affairs of men. That is a story in and of itself, written on the stones of Ephesus, Cappadocia, Athens, Galatia, Patmos, and Rome. These “holy” places also awaken the divine homesickness within.

The story of the apostles spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean, lifting Christianity onto the landscape of the Roman world is a compelling one.

*To read the full article, click here.

When

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:36:00 -0600

by FUN FOR LESS
source: MormonLife.com

Years ago a man by the name of Eric Berne wrote a book titled the When Script. The essence of the message was that life will begin “When I get my driver’s license…, When I graduate from high school…, When I graduate from College…, When I get a job…, When I get married…, When we get a home…, When the kids are on their own…, or When I retire….” I’ll take that trip that I have always wanted to take “When…and you can fill in the blank?”

Recently a dear friend confided that he had lived his whole life based on “When I retire and When the kids are grown.” He said with a deep sadness in his voice that his current state of health would not allow “When” to ever happen. It wasn’t a matter of finances or of making a choice they could not afford, it was believing in the “When Script” that robbed him of a lifelong dream to see a part of the world he had longed to see.

*To read the full article, click here.

Summer Travel Series: Winter Quarters and Kanesville

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:50:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1846 and 1852 is a story of transition and severe hardship, but also triumph. Winter Quarters and Kanesville are critical components of the transition following the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, expulsion from Nauvoo and eventual settlement in the Salt Lake Valley.

The 19th-century Mormon migration that started in 1846 was one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of the United States’ great western migration. The Missouri River refuge sites at Winter Quarters and Kanesville are where plans for the trek west were settled, discipleship and loyalty to the Church were tested and the First Presidency was reorganized.

Summer Travel Series: Independence and Liberty, Missouri

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:39:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Early Latter-day Saints experienced some of the darkest days of the Church in Independence and Liberty, Missouri. For a brief period, though, Missouri’s frontier also proved to be where some of the happiest times occurred for members of the fledgling Church.

Independence and Liberty are now destinations steeped in meaningful history for members of the Church and anyone interested in the saga of early America.

“As people visit the Church historic sites in the area, they’ll come to understand that Independence and Liberty, Missouri, areas are important and even sacred places for members of the Church,” said Gary Boatright Jr., a curator for the Church History Department.

Summer Travel Series: Nauvoo

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:49:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

For children the exploration of Nauvoo, Illinois, involves hoops: a hoop to catch on a stick, a hoop to roll with a mallet or a hoop to bind the wooden wagon wheel in a bumpy ride over country roads. It may be a giant step for the electronically savvy kids of today, but a peek at the pioneer pastimes presented in a Nauvoo tour provides a bridge to historic family activities, a means of slowing the contemporary pace and making connections with years gone by.

The journey to Nauvoo, the historic restoration of an 1840s Mormon settlement, offers a link to the tales of pioneering effort and endurance, a hands-on exposure to the lifestyles of the settlers and a nostalgic glimpse of the past brought forward to current times.

“Nauvoo is a walk back in time,” reports recent visitor Jolene Jaster. “It’s an inviting place where one can find peace, serenity and excitement all combined.”

Summer Travel Series: Historic Kirtland, Ohio

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:43:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: A travel guide put together by the Church public affairs department. A glimpse of the 19th-century American frontier unfolds in the exploration of restored sites at Historic Kirtland, Ohio. Settled by early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this rural community shares stories of struggle, sacrifice and dedication, stories that relate to contemporary social and economic events.

Background

Nestled along the east branch of the Chagrin River, Kirtland served as the organizational headquarters of the infant Church from 1831 until 1838. Membership grew from a handful of members to well over 2,000 before persecution and the financial upheaval of the times forced the Mormons to move on to western settlements in Missouri and Illinois.

The Kirtland years were one of the most remarkable periods in Church history, according to Milton V. Backman, professor emeritus at Brigham Young University.

“Here a vast amount of doctrinal information was unfolded to Joseph Smith, the Church leader. Members gained an increased understanding of one subject, then another,” Backman said in a series about Kirtland on the Mormon Channel.

{Lifestyle} My Travel Tales of Sharing the Gospel

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:30:00 -0600

by Ashley Bardsley
source: MormonLife.com

Over the past couple of years I have had the super unique opportunity to travel for my job—a jobby, I like to call it (cross between job and hobby. Are we all on the same page? Good). After countless airplane rides, layovers, slices of airport pizza, movies on the plane, and airport security lines, I have made it to 10 countries and 22 cities. This may not sound like very much to some of you—and that is because you are well traveled—but for this cautious Utah girl, it has been life changing.

The destinations have been absolutely incredible, but it has been the people I met and the cultures I have learned about that have made my experiences truly unforgettable.

Let me tell you about my mission. No, I wasn’t called on a “full-time” mission, but I was able to share the gospel in some unlikely places.

There was Sonja from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The only Mormon she knew was the doctor who fixed her niece’s cleft lip last year. She admired him for his service. I had a great talk with Tom on the plane ride to Paris. He thought members of the LDS Church still practiced polygamy. After I corrected him and gave him a brief history, we talked about eternal marriage between one man and one woman. I had a similar discussion with Lavar on the plane ride to Tokyo. We then talked about my little brother and thousands of other missionaries serving around the world. Sandra wondered about modern-day revelation and about our prophet as we walked through Hyde Park. There was Ricardo from Mexico City who told me about the men in white shirts with black nametags who frequented his town.

I’ve learned that even though it may be quite out of my comfort zone to just start sharing the gospel, it is absolutely necessary. I have had the opportunity to share the gospel in some way or another everywhere I have traveled. All it takes is simply opening your mouth—a talent I hope to develop more and more over time.

With some friends in Nevis, West Indies.

With kids at a school in Thailand.

In Barcelona when I saw the missionaries singing in the plaza.

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Ashley Bardsley is a contributing writer for LDS Living. The few things she enjoys more than traveling the world as an event coordinator include making and eating cupcakes, sleeping in and watching Saved by the Bell reruns with her husband.