Where Much is Given, Much is Required

(Inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer)

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn't easy.  Converting to the Church is much harder.   You are asked to give up a lot of things, including habits and lifestyles.   Many converts that I know of had to give up a lot of habits, including smoking, drinking, gambling, drugs, watching inappropriate movies/television, listening to inappropriate music, etc.  To make a habit of something for a long time, then you have to forsake that habit(s) to join the Church is very very difficult.   Here is one person who had doubts of joining the Church because of commitment:
Two missionaries were teaching a fine family, and they had expressed a desire to be baptized, and then they suddenly cooled off. The father had learned about tithing and canceled all further meetings with the missionaries.  The branch president, hearing this persuaded the missionaries to join him in another visit to the home.  The branch president talked with the father and the following conversation occurred: 
"I understand that you have decided not to join the church," the branch president told the father.

"That is correct."

"The elders tell me that you are disturbed about tithing."

"Yes," said the father.  "They had not told us about it, and when I learned of it, I said, 'now that's too much to ask.  Our church  has never asked anything like that.' We think that it is too much for us, and we will not join."

"Did they tell you about fast offerings?"

"No, whats that?"

"In the Church we fast for two meals at the beginning of each month, and we give the value of the meals for the help of the poor."

"They did not tell us that."

"Did they mention the building fund?"

"No, what's that."

"In the Church we all contribute towards building chapels.  If you joined the Church, you would want to participate in labor and money.  In fact, we are building a new chapel here."

"They didn't mention that."

"Did they also tell you that we have no professional clergy?  All of us contribute our time, money, and energy to help the work, and we are not paid for it in money.

"They didn't tell us any of that," said the father.

"Well," said the branch president, "If you are turned away by a little thing like tithing, it is obvious you're not ready to join this church.  "Maybe you've made the right decision and you should not join."

As the branch president and elders departed, the branch president turned and said, ""have you ever wondered why people will do all of these things willingly?  I have never received a bill for tithing.  No one has ever called to collect it, but we pay it, and all of the rest, and count it a great privilege.  If you could discover why, you would be within reach of the pearl of great price, which the Lord said the merchant man was willing to sell everything he had to obtain the Pearl."  "But, it is your decision.  I only hope you will pray about it."

A few days later the father appeared at the branch president’s home. No, he did not want to reschedule the missionaries. That would not be necessary. He wanted to schedule the baptism of his family. They had been praying, fervently praying, and received an answer to their prayers.  


It is difficult to be in the Church, but the blessings are overwhelmingly greater than the sacrifices.

The Relief Society

(This article was inspired by Boyd K. Packer)

Many women today question and criticize the Church because they think that women aren't important or don't have a role in the Church.  Well they haven't heard of the Relief Society.

The Relief Society was established in 1842, when Emma Smith and other female members asked Joseph Smith if women have a role in the Church as well as the men.  Joseph prayed and received a revelation.   He later told the women;
“You will receive instructions through the order of the Priesthood which God has established, through the medium of those appointed to … direct the affairs of the Church in this last dispensation; and I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth” (History of the Church)

The official purpose of Relief Society is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need. Relief Society accomplishes these purposes through Sunday gospel instruction, other Relief Society meetings, visiting teaching, and welfare and compassionate service.  

The Relief Society right now has over 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories.

Keeping Thoughts Clean

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer)

In this day and age, many people find it really difficult to keep their thoughts clean.  Our thoughts are like water, the seek the path of least resistance, which could be in the lowest levels.  One of the most difficult challenges that man will have to face is to keep their thoughts clean.   If we don't keep our thoughts clean, and let our thoughts roam in our minds, it could affect our actions and speech.  There is a way to keep your thoughts clean, and to focus on more uplifting things.  That is to listen to clean music.
Music has one of the most powerful influences on our brain.  It causes our feet to tap to the beat, sometimes without us realizing it, it can influence our emotions, and it can even give us energy.   We must be careful though in the music that we listen to.  If we listen to music with lots of cursing and swearing, it can cause us to curse and swear as well.  In fact, there was a story about a young adult who loved listening to a heavy metal song that talks about someone shoplifting and getting away with it.  A few months down the road, he was arrested for... guess what... shoplifting.   To add to that, he was listening to the song while he was shoplifting.
So remember this, avoid music that disrupts or drives away the spirit, and when you feel like an unclean thought comes to your head, sing in your mind or even hum a favorite hymn.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer )  

Many investigators and curious non-members wonder about what the Church believes and teaches.  This article will explain to the best of it's ability about the Church.

First off, is how the Church got its name.  When Jesus Christ visited the America's, the people there asked Him what they should call their church, because of arguments and contentions deciding the name.  Jesus told them that they should name the church after Him.  If it was Moses' church, it would be the church of Moses, same thing with others.  Jesus told them to name the church after Himself.  That is how the Church got its name, 'the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'  The "Latter-Day Saints," was added when the Church was re-established through Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830.  It fulfilled a prophecy in the Bible that the Church would be restored in the latter-days, hence the last part of the name.

The Church has four books of doctrine: The Bible, The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It depicts of Prophets and civilizations in the America's and includes information of events like the destruction of the Nephites and Jaredites, the signs of the Birth of Christ and the signs of the Death of Christ, the journeys and works of many Prophets, etc.  Because of the Book of Mormon, the Church and its members are usually called the 'Mormon Church' and the 'Mormons.'  It is a title they don't resent, but it is not accurate.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a historical account of the Prophet Joseph Smith, his works, and revelations he received during the restoration the the Church.
The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of the Church. These items were produced by Joseph Smith and were published in the Church periodicals of his day. 

Latter-day Saints (members of the Church) follow the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Ten Commandments.   They are taught by Church leaders to love one another, to love and serve God, to fast, pay tithing, and to follow the Prophet's and Apostles teachings.

Many people say the the Church isn't Christian.  Quite the contrary, no other Church follows the teachings and doctrine more closely, completely, and thoroughly than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Church does believe in the crucifixion of Jesus, but unlike other churches, the LDS Church believes more and finds more important, the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus. 

Learn more about the Church at its website.  Click here to go to the site. 

Following the Word of Wisdom

This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer at the 1996 April General Conference.

We know that young people generally don’t like restrictions. Believe it or not, we were young once and we remember.  Everyone, not just youth, should realize the importance and blessing that come with following the Word of Wisdom.  
The Word of Wisdom is a revelation given to us. In that revelation, it tells us what we should or should not eat/drink, it tells us that we should avoid tobacco, tea, coffee, and alcohol.   It also tells us to to eat lots of grains, fruits, and vegetables, to eat meats sparingly, and to eat and drink things that will "nourish" our bodies.  There are some people that decide not to eat meat at all.  Sometimes, there is a legitimate reason, and they cannot eat meat, whether it is a phobia, or it is a medical condition.  The Lord did tell us through scripture that he created many animals for us to eat; nothing else, just that specific purpose. 
One major substance is repeatedly challenged whether it is against the Word of Wisdom or not: caffeinated beverages.  The Word of Wisdom actually says in a deep meaning that it is against its teachings.  In a deeper meaning, the Word of Wisdom is literally saying that we should not partake of anything that can be harmful or addictive to our bodies, and the same goes for too much of anything isn't good for you.  Caffeine is both addictive and harmful to our bodies.  You might read about what people say on the news, in public, or in the internet about some of these substances, like tea and coffee being good for you, and I have read them as well.  It can be like tobacco; once you consume it/use it, it can be addicting.  Same thing with chocolate; favorite of millions (myself included) and yes, it has caffeine, around 9 mg for a 1.6 oz Hershey's bar.  It is okay to have chocolate, but in small portions.  People have used drugs like marijuana cocaine, and caffeine.  If used right, they can be help us.  
One story in particular is about a man who had really painful headaches.  He tried everything, and nothing would work.  A friend of his gave him a bottle of pills, telling him that someone he knew had headaches like the man as well.  He took a pill, and an hour later, his headaches for the first time in a long time were gone.  
A month later, the man went to his pharmacist and asked for a refill for the bottle.  The pharmacist did a double-take when he saw the label on the bottle.  What the man was taking, was actually cocaine.  He did not get addicted to it, and the pharmacist was able to get a special request for a refill, and the man has enjoyed a headache-free life ever since.  Like I said before, we can use substances that can help our bodies, or we can abuse them.  
The reason why energy drinks, caffeinated sodas, coffee, and tea isn't good for you, is the high amount of caffeine in it, and the fact that many people are addicted to it and can experience withdrawal symptoms.  The same thing can happen to non-caffeinated sodas as well.  You can be addicted to the sugar.
People might look at the Word of Wisdom, and call it a cult, but they don't realize the blessings, both physical and spiritual, we can receive. Chief of these blessings is a healthy body.  We can also be blessed spiritually, and have spiritual guidance in our lives.
Here are some words to live by: Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

History of Mormonism: Oliver Cowdery

In Mormonism, Oliver Cowdery was born in October 3rd, 1806, in Wells Vermont. Before he met Joseph Smith, Martin Harris was ascribing for Joseph. He lost the 116 pages that he and Joseph translated, and the Lord took the Plates from Joseph for a while. After he got them back, Oliver Cowdery, hearing about the Gold Plates and having a vision about them, traveled to where Joseph was and scribes for Joseph. While working on the translation, Joseph and Oliver came across a scripture talking about the priesthood. They prayed about it and went by the Susquehanna River, where John the Baptist came and blessed Joseph and Oliver with the Aaronic Priesthood. After receiving the priesthood, they went into the river and baptized each other. The went into the forest, and prayed some more, then the Apostles Peter, James, and John came and blessed them with the Melchizedek Priesthood. Days later, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were able to have the privilege of being shown the Gold Plates by Joseph. They later wrote what would be known as the Testimony of the Three Witnesses. Oliver and Joseph were able to finish translation and through the help of Martin Harris, they were able to print the Book of Mormon.
After the restoration of the Church in 1830, Oliver had some disagreements with Joseph. In 1838, he was excommunicated from the Church, mainly with competing with being the leader of the Church, not following some of the revelation Joseph inquired from the Lord, and not appearing on a hearing about his membership in the Church.
Oliver joined a Methodist church for some years, being secretary, doing some editorials for local newspapers, and practicing law.
In 1848, he met Brigham Young in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and asked him to be re-baptized into the church. This was taken to a council and was unanimously approved. Oliver was re-baptized into the church on November 12, 1848.
On March 3rd, 1850, Oliver died due to health problems, causing him to not be able to relocate to Utah Territory. He died in David Whitmer's Home in Missouri.

History of Mormonism: Emma Smith

Born on July 10, 1804, in Harmony Township, Pennsylvania, Emma Hale Smith became a great contributor to Mormonism, mainly due to her participation in being the Relief Society President and the wife of Joseph Smith Jr.
She met Joseph Smith Jr. in 1825, while he and several men were working. Joseph stopped by her house often, but Emma's father, Issac Hale, would not allow her to get married because he considered Smith's occupation disreputable. Ignoring her father's wishes, Emma and Joseph got married Afton New York, on January 17, 1827. Afterwards, Joseph and Emma went to the Hill Cumorah, and Joseph dug up the Golden Plates to be translated. Word spread quickly about Joseph finding a "Gold Bible" in the hill, and it caused Joseph and Emma to move back into Harmony, and meet with Emma's grumbling father. With his help, she and Joseph had a small house to live in. Joseph would translate the plates, and Emma would be the scribe (Emma never saw the plates in person, although she felt them when they were covered. Joseph would look into a hat where the Urim and Thummim was when translating). While in Harmony, Emma gave birth to a son named Alvin, after Joseph's older brother. Alvin lived only a few hours.
In 1829, Joseph and Emma moved in with David Whitmer in Fayette, New York. While there, Joseph was able to finish the translation, and with the help of Martin Harris, he was able to print the Book of Mormon.
Later, while the Church was established, Emma talked to Joseph about the elders using tobacco, which led to the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. Joseph also received a revelation about Emma being an, "Elect Lady," and she would later gather hymns for the church and later become president of the Relief Society.
Emma moved with Joseph many times, and witnessing many of her newborn children dying soon after birth. In her marriage with Joseph, she was able two have two children that would live. After Joseph died, the Church was thrown into disorder. Sidney Rigdon, Emma Smith's son Joseph Smith lll, and Brigham Young, were all wanting to be the next president of the Church. When Brigham Young spoke at a meeting with many members, many of them witnessed how Brigham both looked and sounded like Joseph Smith. They knew that both this revelation and the spirit in their hearts that Brigham Young would become the next president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sidney Rigdon and Emma Smith would depart, creating churches of their own. Emma's church was the most successfull non LDS church, and would be later known as the Community of Christ.
Three years after Joseph's Death, she married Major Lewis C. Bidamon, a non-member of the Church.
In 1871, Emma Smith Died peacefully in Nauvoo, Illinois.