Dallin Oaks calls for unity in protecting religious freedom
According to Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) religious groups should unite to protect the religious freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
In a speech today at Chapman University law school Elder Oaks remembered his audience that religious freedom is one of the Constitution’s supremely important founding principles.
“We must never see the day when the public square is not open to religious ideas and religious persons,” Elder Oaks said. “The religious community must united to be sure we are not coerced or deterred into silence by the kinds of intimidation or threatening rhetoric that are being experienced (Deseret News about Dallin Oaks’s speech and Newsroom about Dallin Oaks’s speech)
Dallin Oaks, as an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his speech addressed a topic of great important for Mormons, who believe that no government can exist in peace, except laws are framed in such a way that will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Mormons were persecuted in the early times of their history by people who did not respect these principles.
Mormons believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but Mormons do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion. Civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul (see Doctrine and Covenants 134:2, 4)
In the Articles of Faith, Joseph Smith wrote:
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may (Articles of Faith 1:11)
The Constitution of the United States was created to defend principles of freedom, but those principles need to be protected or may be lost.
Faith and the Book of Mormon
Filed under: Book of Mormon, Mormon Prophets and Apostles
When I first started investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) with the Mormon missionaries, I had to accept many things by faith. My investigation was actually a relatively short process, shortened by faith, because in spite of being attracted by the general vision and basic principles of the Church, and by the testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, there were so many things that were so new and strange, especially in the Book of Mormon that could only be accepted by faith. There was no time to investigate all of them. The Jaredites story was definitively one of them. But there was one verse in the Book of Ether, that became my favorite and a key to my conversion, Ether 12:27.
Recently I have been thinking a lot about how lack of faith is so tragically linked to bad choices, for young and older people.
Hugh Nibley in his writing about the World of the Jaredites gives a great context to the my favorite scripture
Those without faith live in a world of their own which to them seems logical and final; they take the very unscientific stand that beyond the realm of their own very limited experience nothing whatever exists! God’s works to them look small, and they will never be cured of their myopia until they are willing to face facts and pass a test that only the honest in heart can consider without a chill of aversion. The test is this: “… if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; … then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27)
Faith is a gift of God, and I am thankful for it. Life can really be miserable without it, and consequences for individuals and people may be terrible.
Elizabeth Smart testifies in the courtroom about her Mormon faith
Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping occurred on June 5, 2002, when 14-year-old American was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Smart was found nine months later on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home, in the company of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee, who were indicted for her kidnapping, but initially ruled unfit to stand trial. However, on March of this year U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball declared Brian David Mitchell competent to stand trial.
Because of this new development, Elizabeth Smart who is serving a mission for the Church of Latter-day Saints (Mormon church) in Paris, France, had to return temporarily from her mission to testify in the trial.
Today I was reminded of this story by a long article on CNN about Elizabeth Smart’s Mormon mission. The article explains that
For more than a year, Smart, who recently turned 23, has been in the midst of her LDS Church mission, a rite of passage hallowed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The article overall is pretty good and respectful, in spite of little biases that show up here and there, such as when it describes an LDS Church mission as ”a rite of passage” (as expression that does not convey the proper meaning of a Mormon mission), or when it says that Elizabeth Smart has “been cut off from television, barred from seeing movies and prohibited from following the news” as if she was again “captive” for religious reasons.
It was also interesting to read a few of the many comments to the article, starting with the one that set the tone for the rest of the comments, a heated debate between believers and non-believers,
Faith is the one thing I will never understand; This young lady has seen the dark side and yet she still believes in the Great Not There
or this reply,
Trying to convince people about faith is like trying to convince blind people that there is such thing as sight. “If I have not seen/experienced it, then it must not exist”
Elizabeth Smart testifying in the courtroom in the middle of her Mormon mission is a powerful way of testifying at the same time about her faith, not only because of what she says, but also because of what she does or does not, and what she has become. I am sure that her testimony of God and the Gospel is a lot stronger because of her unfortunate experience. But she had the ability to overcome adversity and transform a sad experience in an great opportunity to testify to the world about her faith. She could have abandoned her faith, many would have felt justified in doing it by a wrong understanding of God and spiritual things. As the first comment above demonstrates, some assume that because bad things happen to people then God does not exist, or does not care. But He exists and He cares, we are under trial to prove our faithfulness, not Him.
So now, as the article appropriately mentions, Elizabeth Smart has a great opportunity of testifying about her faith, even when she will not mention it directly, because
What we do know is that as Smart testifies about her painful past, the media, the jury and others following this sensational case are hanging on her every word
Congratulations Elizabeth!
Complete Rome Mormon Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony (video)
This is the video of the complete Rome Mormon Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony held in Rome, October 23, 2010.
A few parts are only in Italian but most of the talks were given in English, including obviously the final talk by President Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church).
President Thomas S. Monson was accompanied by Church officials including Elder William R. Walker, Executive Director of the Temple Department; Erich W. Kopischke, President of the Europe Area and his two counselors, Elder Gérald Caussé and Elder José A. Teixeira; Elder Alfredo L. Gessati, Area Seventy; President Massimo De Feo, Rome Italy Stake President; and President Raimondo Castellani, Bern Switzerland Temple President. Numerous government officials were also in attendance including Mr. Giuseppe Ciardi, vice mayor of Rome, and Senator Lucio Malan.
In his remarks, President Monson emphasized the unique and historic nature of the temple’s construction, which has significance extending beyond the borders of Rome and Italy. He thanked the Saints for their faithfulness and commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ, urging them to be good citizens. He said, we love, honor and obey the laws of the country, and we love, honor, and obey the laws of God.
All Italian Saints are now hoping to see the temple completed according to schedule, before the end of 2013.
Rome Mormon Temple Groundbreaking
Two years ago, in October, my family and I went to watch the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) at the closest Stake Center. We had recently cancelled our subscription to cable TV and we were not used yet to use the Internet to watch conference. Therefore the Stake Center was our best option.
That morning very few people were with us in the chapel, and when President Monson started talking and announcing the plans for new temples constructions we were surprised – as many in the audience – by his announcing the construction of the Rome Temple.
When we heard that announcement, we could not refrain from jumping on our feet and shout, as many Italians would do when their favorite soccer team scores a goal!
Now, two years after that historic announcement, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, President Thomas S. Monson presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the future Rome Italy Temple, now being built on a pastoral site in the northeast corner of the city.
When in Rome last November, I had the privilege to visit that site with the Rome Mission president, and I was amazed at the thought that a temple could be eventually built in Italy, and especially in Rome. Thinking back to the time when I had been baptized, in 1985, I remembered how hard would have been at that time to think of being able to see such a day. But the Lord works miracles and His work moves forward.
On Saturday, he shared remarks and counsel before offering a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication on the temple site and construction project.
Following the prayer, President Monson stepped down from the podium, gripped a shovel and turned the maiden load of dirt to commence the construction of the temple.
Now some 25,000 Mormons here look to the years ahead when Italy’s first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open.
But the church leader reminded them of those pivotal, essential moments from their nation’s past that cannot be forgotten.
The ancient apostles Peter and Paul were missionaries here,” he said. “Approximately 1,800 years later, in June of 1850, (Mormon apostle) Elder Lorenzo Snow and two companions, Elder Stenhouse and Elder Toronto, traveled to the valleys of the Piedmont Mountains in northeast Italy, where they began missionary efforts in this dispensation.”
He also paid tribute to the LDS Italians — the local pioneers — who proved faithful over many years by traveling across international borders to worship and serve in the Bern Switzerland Temple.
“Such devotion to temple work has contributed to the wonderful blessing which will soon be ours — that of having a temple; a house of the Lord — here on this spot in this beautiful city. Members throughout Italy, and indeed the entire Mediterranean area, will be able to come here, no longer needing to travel such long distances, often at great expense.”
I love the Temple, and I still remember the many trips we took to the Swiss temple, when we still lived in Italy. In one of those trips my first son Luca was born, two months in advance, and it was a great blessing, and probably it saved his life, to be born in that particular place and time.
I know that the Rome Mormon Temple will bless the life of thousand of people, bringing them closer to the Lord.
Mormon Scholars Testify
Filed under: Giuseppe Martinengo, Mormonism
A few months ago I was invited by Daniel C. Petersen to write my testimony for his new website, Mormon Scholars Testify.
Mormon Scholars Testify
I always enjoy the opportunity of testifying and tell the story of my conversion, and so I accepted his invitation, even if I consider myself just a guy with a PhD, who published a few journal articles, and not a scholar like many of the others who are listed in the website. In any case, to share my testimony is always a privilege and a blessing.
Mormon Scholars Testify states in its home page:
One of the unique characteristics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its emphasis on education and scholarship. Studies have shown that among Latter-day Saints (Mormons), higher levels of education are strongly correlated with higher church attendance, and higher levels of devotion.
In LDS scripture, Mormons are encouraged to study and learn. In the book Doctrine and Covenants, a book considered to be a collection of modern day revelation from God, it says:
D & C 109: 7 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;
This website gives LDS scholars the opportunity to express their views and feelings about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are some who may feel that people of education and learning can’t be religious. It is hoped that these testimonies will help dispel that myth, educate, and give insights into the thoughts and feelings of LDS scholars.
I think that it is particularly interesting to notice that among Latter-day Saints (Mormons), higher levels of education are strongly correlated with higher church attendance, and higher levels of devotion. This is not always true of other denominations. Why?
The study cited in Mormon Scholars Testify concludes, according to Fairmormon.org, that
Among other things, such statistics put the lie to claims by critics that believing Mormons are either ignorant, dupes, or ill-informed. As members of the Church become better informed, they give more, not less, attention to their beliefs. This suggests that LDS beliefs provide a spiritually and intellectually satisfying aspect of their lives. Furthermore, the Church leadership places a strong emphasis on members furthering their secular education and merging that with their testimony. This has been the case since the time of Joseph Smith, from “Study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.” D&C 90:15 to “The glory of God is intelligence” D&C 93:36
In short, Mormonism would not fit Karl Marx’s description of religion as opium of the masses, a religion used (according to a quick explanation given by About.com)
…by oppressors to make people feel better about the distress they experience due to being poor and exploited.
Mormonism is not a religion established to control poor and ignorant people, to enslave them, but to make them free. The more people understand, the more Mormonism makes sense. But more importantly, Mormonism is the only religion that I know that ask people to ask God, to know if it is true. This is how we get our testimonies, and this is why we can say that we know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.
Mormon Apostle talks about fathers and sons
Filed under: Mormon Church, Mormon Families, Mormon Prophets and Apostles
In one of the last Mormon General Conferences Elder Ballard during the priesthood session talked about the relationship that should exist between fathers and sons.
Tonight I want to talk to you fathers and sons about how you talk to each other. There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become. Now, I understand that some of you young men do not have fathers with whom you can have these kinds of conversations. And some of you men do not have sons or have lost your sons to accident or illness. But much of what I say tonight will apply to uncles and grandfathers and priesthood leaders and other mentors who sometimes fill the gaps for these significant father-son relationships. You see, we’re all on a journey. Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be. (Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship)
More recently Mormon Messages launched this video about how a father and a son were able to improve their relationship. In this case the story is about a step son and a step father, and those relationships are usually fraught with more challenges, but the principles taught by Elder Ballard apply to every father and son relationship.
Financial Times: The rise of a new generation of Mormons
I have found this very interesting article about a “new generation of Mormons“.
I quote a few passages from the article: (link to the full article: The rise of a new generation of Mormons)
A New Generation of Mormons
… the Mormon church is the outstanding religious success story of the past hundred years. Approximately 1.7 per cent of the US population are LDS members, just slightly fewer than describe themselves as Jewish. Global membership rose from 250,000 in 1900 to one million in 1948, to 13 million today. The church is probably the world’s richest per capita religious institution, too, with assets estimated at between $25bn and $30bn. (That’s £16bn-£20bn; the Church of England’s portfolio in 2009 was £4.4bn.)
Religious sociologist Rodney Stark, at Baylor University in Texas, has predicted that the LDS will in the latter half of this century become the first new world religion since Islam – just one reason that Smith, who founded the church in the 1830s, is sometimes described as the “American Mohammed”. There is something special about Mormons, but what is it? The most fashionable theory regarding religious success at the moment comes from economics, drawing on approaches developed by the University of Chicago’s Gary Becker. Becker, a sociologist and economist, argues that American church pews are kept full – while those in Europe empty out – because the US is unencumbered by religious monopolies (such as the Church of England or the Catholic Church), leaving plenty of room for competition and choice. And indeed, one-quarter of US Mormons are first-generation converts. The US’s National Council of Churches data from 2008 rank the LDS fourth among church membership in the US, with 5.8 million members – a rise of 1.56 per cent from the previous year.
Yet growth alone doesn’t explain why some religions break into the boardroom and why some don’t. American Jews and Hindus stand out in socio-demographic surveys for their exceptional incomes and professional accomplishment, but this flows not from growing membership, rather from heavy investment in education and, in the case of Hindus, successive waves of immigration by highly trained elites such as doctors and engineers. Mormon success is different: unlike Hindu immigrants, the newest LDS members in America – converts – tend to be poorer and less educated than those with longer heritage in the church. ..
Perhaps the most telling sign that Mormon success springs from different roots is this fact: the church’s most successful members, in terms of education and wealth, are also its most fervent. In most religions, piety and professional success mix badly. Devout Jews earn less, and tend to be less educated, than their less-orthodox brethren. American Christian evangelicals save and earn less than those from more moderate traditions.
According to the Financial Times (and my experience) it is generally true that the most successful members are also the most fervent, characteristic that is not usually found in other religions, where many of the most successful people become skeptic of their religion and distance themselves from it. But why does this happen?
An easy answer from a convert to the Church (myself) is that the reason is because what the Church teaches is true, and when we apply its teachings to our life over a period of time, our life become successful, and this success confirms and strengthen our faith, and do not destroy it.
On the other hand, those who are members of the Mormon church but do not apply the principles of their religion to their lives, are usually less successful, and they tend to lose faith in their religion because they do not receive the support they were hoping for. The problem is that some of them do not realize that their lack of success is in part due to their actions, and therefore they do not make the corrections that are needed, and end up accusing the church for their failure.
But why is that in other religions more educated and wealthy people tend to be less devout then?
After the Millennium-what? Mormon Apostle responds
I have always been interested in what we should expect to see happen right before the beginning of the Millennium, since it is the time we are living now. However, what is the purpose of the Millennium and what will happen after it? What about the “little season” after the Millennium? How long is that going to be?
Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie explains:
After the Millennium-what? Is this great day when there shall be peace on earth and goodwill in the hearts of men-is it an end in itself? Is this the day of rest and righteousness, when there is neither sorrow, disease, nor death-is it the summun bonum of all things? When Israel triumphs and wickedness ceases and the Lord Jehovah lives and reigns on earth-will we then reach the great end and goal toward which all things point? Or is the millennial era but a way and a means to prepare most of the spirit hosts of an Almighty Elohim for even greater heights of joy and peace, of glory and exaltation?
… The Millennium is simply a means to an end; it is that portion of the earth’s temporal continuance during which billions of our Father’s children will so live as to gain eternal life. Out of the millennial era will come, without question, more saved souls than will result from all the rest of the ages combined. And after the Millennium will come celestial rest and glory.
This earth is destined to be a celestial sphere. It is now in a telestial state and will return to its Edenic or terrestrial state during the Millennium. Its final destiny, in John’s language, is to be “a sea of glass like unto crystal” (Rev. 4:6), which our revelation identifies as “the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.” (D&C 77:1.) The inspired word also says: “The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; but they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire. . . . The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim. This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon.” (D&C 130:6-9.)
During the Millennium, Satan is bound. Because of the righteousness of the people, he has no power over them. “And when the thousand years are expired,” John tells us, “Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” (Rev. 20:7.) This means that once again men will begin to give heed to his enticements. Satan was bound among the Nephites during their golden era. None of the people were then subject to his wiles; all lived in righteousness, and all were saved. But in A.D. 201, “there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.” (4 Ne. 1:24-26.) Soon there were persecution, crime, murder, and evil of every sort. So shall it be at the end of the Millennium. Men will begin again, gradually, to partake of the things of this world; pride and carnality and crime will commence anew; true believers will be persecuted and false churches will arise. Satan will be loosed because he is no longer bound by the righteousness of the people.
“And when he [Satan] is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth.” This “little season” is presumed to be another thousand years. The reasoning is that Christ came in the meridian of time, which means both the high point in time and the middle of time. The millennial era will be the seventh period of one thousand years of this earth’s temporal continuance; thus an added thousand-year period is needed to place the meridian of time in the midpoint in history. But be that as it may, “he that liveth in righteousness”-at the time of the actual end of the earth-”shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire.” This will be a second day of burning, the day when this earth becomes a celestial globe. “And the wicked shall go away into unquenchable fire, and their end no man knoweth on earth, nor ever shall know, until they come before me in judgment.” (D&C 43:31-33.)
“And again, verily, verily, I say unto you,” saith the Lord, “that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season.” The language here bears out the concept that apostasy and its consequent evil way of life will be the key that opens the prison in which Satan is bound. “And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.” There was a new earth and new heavens when the Millennium commenced. This is a second new heaven and new earth; it is the celestial earth and its heaven. The language in each instance is similar, but the meaning is different. In one instance the new earth is the paradisiacal earth; in this case it is the celestial globe. “For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; and not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand.” (D&C 29:22-25.) All forms of life shall then be immortal; all shall come forth from death and live in a resurrected state forever; the resurrection applies to men and animals and fowls and fishes and creeping things-all shall rise in immortality and live forever in their destined orders and spheres of existence. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.693-696)
New Mormon.org
Filed under: Mormon Church, Mormon Missionaries
It is refreshing and exciting to see the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) to move in the right direction with her websites. At the More Good Foundation we have been working for a few years trying to promote positive content about the Mormons online. A few years ago the Church was still moving slowly while those who oppose it were moving fast, creating a distortion in the public perception of what the Mormon Church or the Mormons really are or stand for.
I am happy to see that things have changed, and now the Church is including in her new or renewed websites some of the things that we first started at the More Good Foundation (e.g. online testimonies of normal members, videos on youtube, more searchable content on the internet, and so on) when many members were still wary of participating on the internet.
One of the last improvements that the Church is doing is related to the new Mormon.org. According to an article on another blog (ByCommonConsent):
The new mormon.org will launch this summer (current plan: mid-June). The preliminary index page offers several screenshots that give a preview of different facets of the site. Without question, the main event is the collection of personal profiles, the individualized building blocks of the site which have the potential to offer visitors a wide spectrum of perspectives on being a Mormon.
Here are a few details about the profile pages:
–Each page features an individual member of the Church
–Any member 18 and older can create a profile (you need your membership # to do so; there’s a separate site for youth)
–Profiles include your name, photo, and text you write yourself as prompted on the profile creation page
–Required sections include “About Me,” “How I live my faith,” “Why I am a Mormon,” FAQs and personal stories.
–Thought questions are provided for the FAQ and personal stories sections—the former are somewhat objective questions about what Mormons believe (What does Mormonism teach regarding baptism?); the latter focus more directly on your personal experience as a member of the Church (How has the Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?). You must answer at least one of each.