Study Shows Different Outcomes for Children of Traditional and Gay Families
A new study published in June, 2011, suggest that children whose parents practice homosexual behaviors may have more problems than children in traditional families. This contradicts previous studies that showed no difference. The study found twenty-five differences out of forty measured, including lower income and more social and emotional problems. As is standard in social-science studies, it Read more
Why People Become Mormons: Mormon Family
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Basic LDS Beliefs, Blessings, Contentment in Motherhood, Counsel from Church Leaders, Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps, Families, Family Traditions, Family Unity, Finding Happiness, Finding Truth in Family, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, LDS Practices, Parents/Leaders, Relationships
In this series, we’re looking at the reasons people first start looking into Mormonism. By the time they are ready to be baptized they have deeper reasons, including a testimony, but initially, they normally begin searching for a church to join because their lives are lacking something they feel a church might be able to provide. In this article, we’re discussing how Mormon beliefs about family appeal to many searchers. The Mormon family has a unique focus.
“In the Church, our belief in the overriding importance of families is rooted in restored doctrine. We know of the sanctity of families in both directions of our eternal existence. We know that before this life we lived with our Heavenly Father as part of His family, and we know that family relationships can endure beyond death.
If we live and act upon this knowledge, we will attract the world to us. Parents who place a high priority on their families will gravitate to the Church because it offers the family structure, values, doctrine, and eternal perspective that they seek and cannot find elsewhere.” (M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest,” October 1, 2005). Read more
Why People Become Mormon: Helping Their Children
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Children, Choosing the Right, Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps, Finding Happiness, Finding Truth, Fruits of gospel living, Gospel & Doctrine, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, LDS Practices, LDS Q&A, Parents/Leaders, Teens & Seminary, Youth Programs
Part one of a series
A new report from the Council of Churches states that while most church membership numbers are declining, Mormon membership is growing. Mormons are the fourth largest religion in the United States and the church with the highest growth among the top ten this year and second among all churches reporting numbers.
Mormonism has a lot to offer teens and children.
Mormonism isn’t an easy church to join. You have to participate in a series of “discussions” about the church first and complete assignments designed to help you learn what you’re signing up for and to help you find out if the Mormon Church is true. To this end, you are required to pray and ask God to tell you, since God is the one source you can always trust when you want the truth. You are then asked to commit to living specific Gospel principles and to live a moral lifestyle.
Then, if that’s not enough, you’ll probably get put to work. The Mormon religion is a lay church, so we don’t have paid ministers, organists, or other workers. This means everyone pitches in to help with one or two tasks. For instance, I assist a toddler with a disability in the toddler nursery each week.
Mormons Launch New Family Night Website
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Families, Family Home Evenings, Family Traditions, Gospel & Doctrine, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, Jesus Christ, Music, Teaching Children, Teaching Values
A Mormon family enjoys a family night lesson.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are informally known as Mormons, has launched a new website designed to help strengthen families in these challenging times. It focuses on a program practiced by Mormons that can be easily adapted to families of any faith. This program, Family Home Evening or Family Night, brings the family together one night a week to learn and play as a family. It is generally a time just for families—no friends or guests are normally included.
Mormons usually hold this family night on Monday evenings, a time that is traditionally pretty calm. Of course, if Mondays are impossible, another night can be chosen, but Mormons hold no church meetings or activities that night, making it the easiest time for most families. It is set aside as a time dedicated to family life. Read more
Christmas is a Season for Giving
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Becoming More Christlike, Bible, Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps, Family Traditions, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, Jesus Christ
Does Obeying God Seem Too Hard?
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Choosing the Right, Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps, Finding joy within the gospel, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, Jesus Christ, Obedience, Plan of Salvation
The people who built the Tower of Babel were trying to get into Heaven without following God’s plan for getting there. They wanted to build a name for themselves and to avoid being scattered. Some have suggested they also wanted to avoid having to make covenants with God and to avoid keeping the commandments.
Parenthood as a Career
Filed under: Contentment in Motherhood, Parents/Leaders
Most of us spend a great many hours improving our job skills. We study the latest technology, management trends, or industry leaders. However, many of the same people who work hard to stay on top of their careers will complain that parenthood is unchallenging. Some parents who stay at home with their children all day fuss that their minds are turning to mush and some parents who are employed spend far less time focusing on making parenthood intellectually challenging than they do on their “paid” jobs. For too many, parenthood is just something we do after our real jobs end each day. Read more
Teaching Toddlers the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Filed under: Parents/Leaders, Scripture Stories, Teaching Children, Teaching Values, Uncategorized
Each week, I teach one to three year olds about God, Jesus, and the Bible in my Mormon nursery class. Every month,
we learn a Bible story, repeating it each Sunday for the entire month, and we also have a lesson on a basic principle of Christianity. Over the past year, I’ve learned a great deal about teaching religion to very young children.
It’s never too soon to start teaching our children. As a family, we can read the scriptures and make sure even our youngest children are in the room as we do. They are listening and will absorb whatever they are ready for. Read more
Teaching Your Child to Entertain Himself
Filed under: Entertaiment and Recreation, Motivating Children, Parents/Leaders, Teaching Children
I was watching various teenagers today as I drove around town doing errands and noticed none of them seemed to be comfortable with their own company. They talked on cell phones or were plugged into music as they waited for school busses or walked down the street. Merely walking and thinking seemed to be out of style. Read more
Mormon Meetinghouses: Relief Society and Primary Rooms
Filed under: Basic LDS Beliefs, Church Organization, Faith in God Program, Gospel Principles, Practices & Precepts, Scouting
Curious about what is inside a Mormon meetinghouse? Visitors are always welcome in these smaller buildings designed for regular worship and weekday activities. However, you can also tour a building virtually through a new feature on the Mormon’s official website.
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