How Do You Find Happiness?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-06-01-we-can-find-happiness?lang=eng

I'm always surprised when people give me sympathy. By this time you wouldn't think that I would be surprised since I've been ill for over 45 years. When I tell them that I can't eat wheat or dairy, must avoid petrochemicals (plastics, perfumes, polyester etc. . . . ), and often have little energy, their eyes grow round, then they blurt out that "They couldn't live that way!" They actually seem to have a hard time believing that I could really be happy.

Quotes I like about Priesthood

From the Young Women leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.lds.org/blog/how-to-help-young-women-see-their-value-in-the-church?cid=HP_WE_25-10-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2_

                                           Sister Marriott: We’ve 

heard it, but it’s hard to get it into our minds, to make that shift that the priesthood is not the men of the Church. Priesthood is the power of God, and we all work with that power—not necessarily with keys or even with duties described in the scriptures, but we all have this power as we fulfill our covenant responsibilities.

Should Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ask Questions?

Of course!  Questioning is how we learn. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in these latter days because a young man questioned the traditional Christian teachings. Joseph Smith prayed and asked God what church was right? Which church should I join?

But many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are very concerned that they are showing a lack of faith if they question their leaders. Though we are warned to follow our leaders to help us be safe in these perilous times, that does not mean that we are to blindly follow them like unthinking robots.  We each have a responsibility to carefully study the things our leaders say, then we must pray to know what they are saying is right.  It is only after own own effort that we can gain our own testimony, our own witness from God, of the truth of what our leaders are saying.  It is only when we act on what we have learned to be right,  that we will grow and progress.

Some members can feel OK about asking for a confirmation that what leaders are saying is right, but feel that they are doing something wrong if they question Church doctrine.  What confuses members and is causing their concern is that there are seeing two different things. One is the honest questioning of a person who is looking for answers. The other is people who are looking merely for a quick way to discount the Gospel teachings and live a less demanding life.

Am I a Suppressed Woman?

 General Relief Society Presidency. Left to right: Sharon Eubank, 
Jean B. Bingham, and Reyna I. Aburto.

Yes, I'm a wife and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints , but am I suppressed? Hardly! I think most women members would find that funny. We are often overwhelmed by the load of leadership responsibility we carry.

I think where most people get confused and think that women in The Church are dominated by the men because they have heard that women are "not allowed to hold the Priesthood". Actually, the women are given the same priesthood power when we make covenants in the temple. When we promise to keep the Lord's commandments, He blesses us, both men and women, with some of His power to enable us to grow and to accomplish the things He wants us to do.  Priesthood power is what enables women to guide their family, teach, and lead the children, young women, and women of the Church.

But you might say that the women are not allowed to hold leadership positions. It is true that men and women have been given different responsibilities. Men have the responsibility for general administration. Women have responsibility lead the children, young women, and the women of The Church under Priesthood guidance.

Raising Active Children

I just found this article that I wrote a long time ago about our experiences of raising our children. Home computers were fairly new, so we had a new option for our children's time to cope with. It really took effort to encourage our children to lead active lives instead of just sitting at the computer or playing video games. Hope our experiences are a help to you.

Our children were always busy doing something. I have been asking myself why they didn’t just sit in front of the TV or computer all day.  I think the major reason was our family policy. Watching TV or playing on the computer were considered rewards, not rights. Play time was earned.

Though I’ll admit it was tempting, especially since I was often ill,  to consider using the TV as a babysitter to keep the children quiet and passive, we didn’t. TV was mainly limited to an hour or two in the evenings. As parents we were conscious of our example, so we didn’t just turn on the TV every spare moment to amuse ourselves or just keep us company.

We tried also to set an example of spending our time doing good things, and included our children in these projects. Our children helped rewire the house, learned to cook, washed cars,  planted gardens, and picked fruit. Besides projects, we provided regular work for them to do. We divided the upkeep of the house and yard and made assignments according to ability. Even toddlers were given small jobs to do.

About Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I wrote this letter about twenty years ago to explain about our son serving as a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Our son is legally an ordained minister.  A friend of mine has a son leaving soon for Spain and the government is requiring a copy of his Seminary graduation (this is a four year course of scripture study which many students take before high school or give up an elective course to take) offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints; and a copy of his Priesthood ordination certificate before he will be allowed a visa.  Our son has been ordained an Elder in the priesthood and as such has the power and authority to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He can conduct meetings, baptize, administer the sacrament, and bless the sick.  He may even be called on to administer the affairs of a small branch of The Church.  So our son really is an official, functioning minister.  When he returns, he will continue with the same priesthood responsibilities only not on a full time basis.  To maintain his legal status as a minister and to enable him to be an example to those he serve and earn their respect, He is required to live certain standards.  If he violates these rules of conduct, he is returned home.  All faiths expect exemplary behavior from their ministers and missionaries.

Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, men and women are full equal partners both in the home and in the church. Men are given Priesthood responsibilities to provide spiritual leadership, and women have the natural responsibilities of Motherhood to nurture, teach, and lead. As we work together in complementary roles we all benefit.

I have watched my sons grow as they have been given Priesthood responsibilities a little at a time. At 12 a worthy young man can be ordained a Deacon and pass the Sacrament, collect fast offerings, and help keep up the church building. At 14 a worthy young man may be ordained a Teacher. His duties include those of a deacon plus they serve as home teachers; visiting families in the ward (local church group) and helping them. They also prepare the bread and water for the sacrament. At 16 a worthy young man may be ordained a Priest. He then has the authority to do all that a Teacher does plus he may baptize, and administer the sacrament. At 19 our oldest son was ordained an Elder. He had had four years of seminary during high school and was an official ordained minister as he served a two year mission in Ohio.

What does a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe about Blind Obedience and Freedom

Go here to download this fun video. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-1260-act-for-themselves?category=topics/agency&lang=eng

I have often heard, "I would never be a Mormon. They believe in blind obedience. I value my freedom and will not blindly follow some leader, some Prophet." There are dictators and cult leaders who through military force, drugs, and personal charisma are able to make others submit to their will, but they are never able to maintain this control for very long. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1836 nearly two hundred years ago and is now a thriving worldwide church of over 15 million people. Would so many people join and remain in a church where they were required to surrender their right to make decisions, to think for themselves? Are our eighteen year old missionaries that charismatic? Hardly!

People say, but you follow a prophet. Yes, we do. What would have happened to the people of Israel if they had not followed the prophet, Moses, who led them out of slavery in Egypt?  As one of our Apostles explained, "We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see. " 

Why Won't The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bless and Baptize Some Children?

(Find link to whole address at bottom of this page)

Yes, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not bless and baptize all children who would like to be baptized. Minds clouded with fear cry, "Unfair!" They assume we are trying to punish or reject the child or the parents. While grudgingly admitting all our work to grant same-sex people equal legal rights in employment and housing, they fill the air with strident shouts of "prejudice!"  They think the reasoning for our actions is "obvious." They claim that we have suddenly changed our position, but have we?