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.
President Spencer W. Kimball Regional Seminar 1974
Filed under: Internet & Media, Mormon Church
This is the video of the famous Regional Representatives Seminar by President Spencer W. Kimball in 1974.
From this video is taken the quote below that confirms the importance of using the Internet for finding people who are interested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church). The video shows its age, but the prophetic message is still valid.
I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse. … When we have used the satellite and related discoveries to their greatest potential, … then, and not until then, shall we approach the insistence of our Lord and Master to go unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (President Spencer W. Kimball)
Watch President Spencer W. Kimball Regional Rep Seminar 1974 in Activism & Non-Profit | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com