Preach My Gospel: Mormon Messages Channel on YouTube

Mormon Messages is an official channel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Each week, Mormon Messages provides short video segments about the Church's basic beliefs, as well as inspiring stories and messages of hope. Watch these gospel-centered videos and then share them with family, friends and those of other faiths.

Subscribing to this channel (using the subscribe button above) will allow you to receive email updates when new videos are added.

Link of the Week: Dieter F. Uchtdorf—Create

This spot, created from President Uchtdorf's General Relief Society message last September, is really terrific. It's my most favorite sermon from him. The Church has done a good job of distilling this 30-minute message into a two-minute spot, capturing its essence and yet making it available to those that don't speak 'Mormon.'

Blog of the Week: Dr. Laura’s Blog » Blessings in Disguise

Dr. Laura’s Blog » Blessings in Disguise

I don't listen to Dr. Laura, but my sister sent me this article posted on the radio host's blog, and I thought it was very cool and you'd enjoy the read. It's good to hear people talk well of Mormons, but it's even better to see that some actually 'get' us as a people, if not our religion. Dr. Laura seems to be one. In speaking of the Welfare system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after touring the main facility, she explains the concepts of those in need donating whatever service they can in exchange for the help they receive:

The basic concept is to preserve a sense of dignity and pride in those who have temporary need by giving them an opportunity to use their skills in the service of others. Walking around the premises, I felt the uplifted attitude of all who were there: smiles, waves, and straight backs.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provides for people all over the world – not only with goods and goodwill, but with the opportunity to not lose a sense of self when “things” are lost.

I probably sound like an advertisement for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not a member of their religion, but I am impressed with their charitable philosophy, because I believe it teaches our children their real value, while motivating and uplifting them at the same time.

This article also brings to mind an article in the February 2008 Ensign by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. In 'A Band of Brothers', he states:

If someone were to ask you who we are as a people, what would you say? Who are we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The answer, I believe, is a simple one given to us by the Savior Himself. We are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds. And we are a people who love our neighbor as ourselves. (See Matthew 22:37–39.)

This answer satisfies many of the questions asked about why we do what we do. Why does the Church ask so much of its members? Because we love the Lord, and we love our neighbor. Why do we do temple work? Missionary work? Welfare work? Because we love the Lord, and we love our neighbor.

These are the roots of all that we do. We do not send our missionaries out into the world to collect statistics. We send them into the world because we love our Heavenly Father, and we love our fellowmen.

That is who we are as a people. That is why we do what we do.

Especially at this Christmas season, when so many of us 'do what we do' in expressing our love for one another with gifts, caroling, parties, and help for the needy, let us remember why we do it. Let us make our love for our neighbors our gift to the Savior in celebration of His birth.

Preach My Gospel: Mormons in Texas

The Church Seeks to Address Confusion over Texas Polygamy Groups

Perhaps you may have noticed among your non-LDS friends, that some confusion has arisen between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the FLDS, a small polygamist sect with property in western Texas. The Church has taken several steps to dispel the misconceptions, and to that end has posted this page in the public affairs section of lds.org. The videos below can also be found on YouTube. These interviews with Texas Mormons (primarily of the greater Beaumont area), as well as Gifford Nielsen and other notables shine a bit of light on who we are and what we believe, and could prove very useful as you discuss the FLDS situation with your interested friends.



Following is an excerpt from a study cited on the site which demonstrates some of the confusion among the public regarding the Mormon Church.

The effort to more clearly distinguish Mormons from the Texas polygamist group follows a survey commissioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that found a high level of public awareness of stories about the polygamous compound near San Angelo, Texas. Allegations of child abuse led to a raid by the state's Child Protective Services earlier this year. Some 91 percent of respondents had heard or read stories surrounding the religious compound.

However, the survey also found that:

• More than a third of those surveyed (36 percent) erroneously thought that the Texas compound was part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or "Mormon Church" based in Salt Lake City
• 6 percent said the two groups were partly related.
• 29 percent correctly said the two groups were not connected at all
• 29 percent were not sure.

In addition, when asked specifically which religious organization members of the polygamous group belonged to:

• 30 percent said "Mormon," "LDS" or "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
• 14 percent said "FLDS"
• 6 percent said "Mormon fundamentalists"
• Nearly half (44 percent) were unsure
  

Mormon belief: Mormons believe God speaks

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