My family, who are not Mormons, strongly disagreed with my choice. Though it’s been eighteen years since I made it—and they no longer question whether or not I am happy—still they regularly ask, “How can belong to a church that restricts your freedoms so much?” Because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a strong code of ethics, the Word of Wisdom which guides our physical habits, and a strict code of conduct for its members, my family assumes my freedom is also restricted and I am following the rules blindly.

But I do not choose to follow blindly, I choose to follow because in doing so I have found a greater happiness, a more reliable source of peace and contentment than I ever had before I joined the Church.

In 1987 Glenn L. Pace, a leader in the Mormon Church, spoke about this very thing. When considering people who “look happy and free,” he counseled:

“Don’t mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. Don’t mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites. Don’t envy a lesser and lower life” (“They’re Not Really Happy,” New Era, Mar 2002, 28.)

Book of Mormon prophet Lehi had an amazing dream one night. In his vision, he saw a great and spacious building, which scripture teaches us represents the pride and temptations of the world:

“And I … beheld … a great and spacious building; …

“And it was filled with people, both old and young, … and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who … were partaking of the fruit” (1 Ne. 8:26–27).

Mormons have a phrase we repeat often: “Choose the right.” You’ll often see members of the Church wearing rings with the symbol CTR on them—they wear these to remind themselves to choose the right in every situation, wherever they may find themselves.

CTR: “Choose the Right”

We need to remind ourselves to choose the right because everywhere we go, there is temptation to enter that great and spacious building. It isn’t always easy to choose the right, to follow the Word of Wisdom, or to be obedient to the counsel of leaders. But we know that as long as we do what is right, we are more free: less burdened by guilt and free from the chains of sin.

That freedom allows us to be who we were created to be. It allows us to be happy. The prophet Joseph Smith said:

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56.)

My family continues to ask why I would restrict myself so much by being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I continue to respond the way I always have: I feel more free now than I ever did before. I am happier now than I ever was before. I testify to you that if you will choose the right, to follow that path that which is marked by virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping the commandments of God, you will be happy too.

Ali C

Throughout scriptural history, we find God sending people to other places for their own safety or to fulfill God’s plans for them. In the Old Testament, we read of Moses leading his people into the wilderness. In the New Testament, God sends Mary and Joseph to Egypt to protect the baby Jesus. Noah was instructed to build and board an ark to save his life and the lives of his family.

In the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Lehi was warned to take his family, leave behind his wealth, and flee into the wilderness because people wanted to kill him for prophesying about God. Another group, the Jaredites, were among those who dispersed following the Tower of Babel events. They were permitted to retain their language, but were instructed to leave and travel to a new homeland.

However, God doesn’t reserve these instructions or warnings just for prophets and future prophets. Every day we receive multiple warnings or helpful suggestions from Him. Unfortunately, we are often so wrapped up in what we are doing that we don’t pay attention or we shrug them off as our imaginations or needless worries. Sometimes these quiet messages tell us to move somewhere new, as they were for Moses or Abraham. Sometimes they warn us to start preparing for danger or opportunity, as they did for Noah. Other times they are about helping someone else. We might have a thought flit across our minds to call someone or to bring a meal to someone. We may not know of that person’s need, but God does, and He meets the need through others who are listening.

These thoughts come from the Holy Ghost, sometimes called the Holy Spirit, and they are messages relayed from God. They are often misunderstood as intuition or ideas, but as we learn more about God, we learn how He helps His children. God communicates with each of us daily, but we have to pay attention. The more we pay attention, the better we become at recognizing when He is speaking to us because we become aware of how often the thoughts that entered our minds turned out to be important.

When God asks you to go somewhere or to do something, what is your reaction? Do you hesitate, try to talk Him out of it, stop to do seemingly more important things, or do  you get right to work doing what you’ve been asked to do? Our choices have consequences we can’t control, and sometimes, even a moment’s hesitation can be “expensive” in terms of our well-being, or even in terms of someone else’s well-being.

Sometimes our impressions come as feelings or thoughts. Less often, they come as though someone were talking to us or planting very specific thoughts in our minds. In a real emergency, people occasionally hear a voice. Most of the time, though, the thoughts are very gentle and can be mistaken for our own thoughts if we aren’t paying attention.

An experience I had a few years ago illustrates how this principle works.

My family had considered moving to a larger home for some time after my son returned home to attend college nearby. Every now and then, I’d search online, but found nothing of interest. I hoped to stay in the same area so I could stay in my congregation. (Mormons attend church based on set boundaries, rather like school districts). I didn’t put much time into it, however.

One day, I was working on my computer when a thought came into my mind to search right now. It wasn’t a voice, just a thought, but I recognized it as more than a thought so I stopped my work and started to search. Unlike previous searches, I immediately found several possibilities. My husband was out of town on business, so the house hunting was left to me. I eventually chose a house I wanted a few blocks from our current home. It seemed to have everything we needed. That was the first prompting of the Spirit—being told to look now.

However, after choosing the house, I felt uneasy. I could barely sleep that night because of it. I felt cranky and uncomfortable. The next morning, I talked to a friend about it. She pointed out my odd reaction might be inspiration. She reminded me there was another house we had been interested in that I’d been unable to get an appointment to see. She suggested I simply show up and ask to be allowed to view it, since it wasn’t occupied and I had seen signs of people working there.

I did, and as soon as I toured it, the uneasiness went away. The house was not perfect—it was old and drafty and it was in another congregation’s boundaries, but I knew God wanted me to take that house for reasons of His own. I called my husband, who was still out of town, and he agreed I needed to follow the inspiration.

After moving into the house, we went to church in our new congregation. Minutes after walking into the building, I was asked to be an aid to a child with cerebral palsy who was in the toddler nursery. They had heard from a friend I was moving in and wanted to work with children. The leaders and family had been praying for someone to move in who could take on that task.

They did not know then that I had a grown child with cerebral palsy and had worked with many children who have special needs, but God did. When they heard I was coming, they’d had an impression I should be given the task. Once everyone knew of my personal experience with special needs children, it was clear to us all why we’d had the impressions we did. God carefully orchestrated everything… but His plan could only work if we all paid attention to the promptings and if we agreed to do as asked.

I wasn’t asked to travel many years in the wilderness or to flee to a new country. I was only asked to move a few miles into a less-than-perfect house to help a little girl whom God loved. God doesn’t save His requests for the big, dramatic, history-making events. He has everything all planned out, but He asks us to carry out the work. Sometimes that means agreeing to pack up our belongings and moving to a new place. Sometimes the journey just involves changing some details of our lives so they fit the planned pattern, even if we don’t physically move somewhere. It can be easy to ignore an instruction because it seems too insignificant to be inspiration, but we just never know what might turn out to matter.

Whether the journey is long or short, literal or figurative, it is important to take it when God asks, without hesitation or delay. Always, the journey requires faith, trust, and a daily effort to listen to God as He gives His instructions. Not doing so can have serious consequences.

Sometimes when I hear someone ask why God didn’t help in a certain situation, I wonder if He tried—but none of the people He sent for answered the call. When I’ve ignored promptings, trying to convince myself they were my imagination because I’m a natural worrier, I am always sorry later. I remember the prompting and understand why it was given and how it would have changed the outcome.

When God asks you to take a journey, how do you respond? Do you have an experience of your own to share about your own God-given journeys?

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

President Joseph F. Smith, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (or Mormon Church) proclaimed: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 263.)

But how, in a world that fights to drag us down, do we keep our hearts happy, full of gratitude and thanksgiving?

The very first thing we must do is to open our eyes to all the blessings in the world around us.

“If [blessings] are difficult to find at first, keep looking, keep counting, and you will soon find that you truly do have a great deal for which to be thankful.”

Once you start looking for blessings, you are sure to find them. If they are difficult to find at first, keep looking, keep counting, and you will soon find that you truly do have a great deal for which to be thankful.

Once our eyes are open and we can see the blessings in our lives, the next thing we must do is to open our hearts. Often our hearts become so hardened that even when we can see that which we should be grateful for, it’s hard to crack that tough shell and let our hearts be filled. Yet fill it we must, with love, faith and thanksgiving.

To live in thanksgiving daily is the surest way to keep our hearts open to the opportunities around us and to ensure that we continue to recognize and receive continued blessings.

One of the best ways to show gratitude for our blessings is to strive to bless the lives of those around us. The Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin taught his people:

“If you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice. …

“… If ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants” (Mosiah 2:20–21.)

If ever you are uncertain how to render thanks to God, King Benjamin told us that as well: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

“Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily.”

A grateful heart can be your greatest boon in your life. Another former president of the LDS Church,  Gordon B. Hinckley, once said:

“My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.” (Standing for Something [2000], 101.)

Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily. “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness,” the Lord has promised, “shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19)

Among the blessings you can expect to receive, happiness is sure to be one of them. Develop a grateful heart and not only your heart, but your life will be filled with happiness.

Ali C

An interesting phenomenon is occurring in my family right now. My children are becoming spouses and parents as they are beginning their post-high school lives. The experience is not surprising or unexpected, but the emotions and memories of this period in our lives are acute and striking.

Grand parenting has plenty of surprising realizations of its own to be sure. When we were going through the phase of life raising our young children, my wife and I were still in college largely, including all the pressures that are part of that experience—like college testing.

Today I found out why we used to require #2 pencils when filling out scan-tron forms during testing.

Now, you might be saying, “Used to? Don’t you still have to?”  It turns out, despite what pretty much all teachers will tell you, not really.  Modern scan-tron systems are quite high-tech, using image sensors and sophisticated image processing algorithms.  

These algorithms can even pick out which oval has the strongest mark.  So if your test is being processed by one of these newer scan-tron systems, you could fill out every bubble on the scan-tron and it would simply pick the darkest shaded bubble in each row and assign that as your answer.

Though my shadow hasn’t graced the doorway of a college testing center for thirty-years or more, the emotions of that experience are still significant and memorable. There remains both similarities and differences in college testing between my days and that of today, no doubt.

When I was in college pretty much all of the examinations were completed at the testing center, which may be similar to processes of universities today. But what I am sure is much different from testing centers today, our test results printed out on a dot matrix printer. Looking back, it was possibly either an invigorating or a humiliating experience. Let me explain.

So computers were relatively new back in those days. And this technology advancement made a significant impact in the rapidity of getting one’s test results back. We answered the questions on scan-tron forms which included filling out the circles on the tests to note the correct answer, and of course we occasionally used college writing pads.

Upon completion of the examination we would line up at the testing center office to collect our results. We handed our scan-tron testing form to the assistant who placed it in a machine, which read and interpreted the form. A dot matrix printer was used at the time to supply the graded manuscript.

So when it became our turn to get the results, we were hoping for a quick printer response like zzz z  zzz  zzzzz, which meant name and subject and great results with hardly any activity at the printer. The alternative was a symphonic medley of tapping by the printer head, which meant that the significant print out of test results on the dot matrix printer was not a good sign:

The correct answer to number 37 was such-and-such. Your answer was so forth…

Then it went to the next question. The longer it printed, the more errors the test had, so we were all hoping for the brief critical information, short print job. Unfortunately, that’s not always what I got. When the printer had to pause during its printing session to refill the buffer in the middle of printing of my test results, I knew that I was struggling.

Added to the recognition that I had just failed an important test in my goal toward graduation, I was also embarrassed by the others that witnessed the significant printout and secretly hoped that particular job was not their test results being tapped out by the printer.

Though this anecdote may sound ancient to some of you, it is not just on printers where we feel the pangs of struggling through our tests. We may feel that life’s test is more than we can handle on our own. Gratefully, we don’t have to overcome the test of life all by ourselves.

The Lord promised he would be in our midst if we follow and witness of him, though that is not always revealed in our circumstances, professional attainments, and belongings. Perhaps when our children or spouse go astray we feel much the same as I did in the testing center when I learned my test results was the day’s biggest print job.

But there is at least one big difference that changes everything. Someone took the test with both you and me and scored perfectly. And because of him, our test results can perfectly enable us to live with strength and confidence every day. The beauty of our relationship with him enables us to thrive and succeed and reach our potential despite pain, negativity in our midst, and hardships of extraordinary intensity. With him, we can make a difference in our own lives and help others.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example, but he doesn’t require exclusivity to the title of example. Instead, he wants us to be examples to others and follow him and pay forward all that he has given us, be positive illustrations of righteous living to our colleagues, and instill in others the good we have received because of him, especially in the face of difficulty and hardship.

Gratefully, because of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can have the true desires of our heart. Our tests are necessary, but our scores when added to his may achieve all our hopes and are beyond our fondest dreams. I once heard President Henry B. Eyring teach this principle in the following way:

A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, “You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.”

The family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.

Happiness is the reward for the obedient. Despite the challenges of this life, the results of the test are known for those that follow him and let his gift change their lives both on this earth and in the world to come. When we open the door to the blessings he has already attained for us, we can receive that priceless reward for following and having faith in Him. And the reward he offers us and is waiting for us to accept is a perfect score.

Similarly, in the test of life, we hope that our performance will result in the score that we really want. But the difference between this test and that I mentioned in college, is that our score is perfect when added to that of the Savior, and because of him through the blessing of repentance, we receive do overs until we get it right.

Today I found out how we can use the gospel of Jesus Christ to get us through life’s test.

Now, you might be asking, “Today?”  I have known this principle for myself my entire life. Making my mark in life has always been an important objective for me. But I learned again today from many others that following the gospel of Jesus Christ can help us through all of life’s tests. It turns out, that there are many who have applied the principles of the gospel and make this claim.

Their stories are miraculous and inspiring and give us strength by making a difference and seeking to leave their mark. So if your test seems to be overwhelming you, remember you are not alone. Embracing our challenges and sharing the effects of our faith in life and the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others helps us and them enjoy the opportunities that it provides.

Listen to their stories. There a dozens, possibly hundreds or thousands of digital testimonies that can teach you something valuable and give you hope and strength and the vitality to move forward.

As such, you can use pencils, pens, and even printer toner or ink to capture your history, but I think you will also find that the digital anecdotes provide a great resource that helps you share and provide answers.  Pens and pencils are obviously a worthy vehicle as well, but you may decide to evoke digital memories for impact, giving you the ability to elaborate on your history.  Also, generally speaking, digital reproductions may help you to preserve your history and personal experiences in perpetuity, so that you and others can read or listen or watch them perfectly.

Although, anecdotal evidence has shown that online vendors can effortlessly make photo books from your digital images, your involvement will help you and your family love and share it with others.  Online social media and phone apps make designing, securing, saving, and sharing your history fun and easy.  Further, if you pick the right tools, it happens for you automatically with the experiences you are already publishing.

On the flip-side, you can also celebrate and share others’ stories of their lives and capture their experiences recorded in videos and audio footage that are sometimes significantly more sophisticated.  They sing beautiful songs, capture interesting footage, and shine light and verbiage on subjects that are just as important to you and me. Their talents lift and edify us all.

Even with antiquated sources and systems, we can find new, creative ways to share our histories, answer our posterity’ looming questions, and celebrate, perpetuate, and impart our own histories and experiences, bringing happiness to us and light to others. Families must be focused on celebrating the Source of everything that is good and correct in our lives, receiving joy in the process.

They have a word for that—it is Hallelujah.

When I was a boy, I grew up with Spencer W Kimball as prophet. Somehow I connected with him when I was a young man. He was the prophet for twelve years. President Kimball was the prophet when I received the priesthood. He interviewed my father for a mission, and he called me on mine. When I was still a teenager, I picked up his biography and read it in a few days.

I hadn’t read a book of that size from cover-to-cover in my entire life up to that point. But I related to him and his life stories. His experiences strengthened me. It changed my life really. You have certainly had examples like that in your life. I have so much to be thankful for that it would be ungrateful to God if I wasn’t happy.

Times are good, and times are tough. We go through life with high expectations and faith in Jesus Christ, but this test is challenging. We don’t always know what to expect and though our focus is set on achieving success, we face obstacles and challenges that may be above our capacity to fully understand or accomplish. But that is what tests are designed to do—stretch us to our limit to see what we are made of and how far we can go.

When we don’t reach the level of success that we are shooting for or attain the ultimate goal for which we aimed, our efforts are acknowledgement of sincerity and determination. Even when we don’t score the way we had hoped, we must remember that life is not perfect and neither are we. But because of the love and sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ, we get second chances as long as we are willing to try, until we hear his voice.  

“Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant”

One of the ways you can tell whether your efforts are producing the kind of result you want is to ask yourself whether your goals are helping you enjoy the most important things in life like your spouse, children, and family. If not, you are not alone. We are all trying to achieve those goals when life throws us a curve.

It helps knowing others face similar challenges and witnessing what they do to extract themselves from circumstances they don’t want. We are all in this together. We learn from each other’s example. I think that’s what the I’m a Mormon campaign is all about in every language and everywhere you can imagine.

When we study in college for our examinations, we listen to the professors’ lectures, review the curriculum, take notes, attend study groups, hire outside-of-class tutors, and possibly employ other means to help us.

Why then when we go through life’s test is an occasional lesson at church on weekends sufficient?

It’s not.

That’s what the I’m a Mormon campaign is all about.

Better uses for dot matrix printers and a little fun

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Rocky’s Printer – Eye of the tiger on a dot matrix printer [HD]

What if Mozart had a printer – PRINTING Nachtmusik [HD]

Toccata and Fugue in DOT minor – Bach on a DOT MATRIX PRINTER

Stand up, speak out, and be different.

Walter Penning

In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life’s challenges is his panacea.

We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want suffering. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one’s own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness. —Dalai Lama

As I write this, I’ve been contemplating the sadness around me. There are some who seem to live in a constant battle with sadness and depression. While I have had my own bad days and even some depressed days, I’ve been very blessed to live a joyful life. It is difficult to see sadness around me and feel happy myself. I don’t like to watch suffering anymore than anyone else. At times, I actually feel guilty for being happy. As a member of the human family, I want us all to be happy. Kind feelings toward others are part of our makeup as children of our Heavenly Father. He wants us to love one another, and that means to grieve and mourn with each other.

My guilt is not justified. It is good to be happy and to feel joy. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I’ve been taught in The Book of Mormon, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

Service instead of guilt is the answer. As we serve others, we not only alleviate their pain, but we increase our own happiness. I think that’s what Dalai Lama meant when he said, “The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.” The act of pursuing our own happiness is serving others. In service lies the essence of joy. The Book of Mormon also teaches, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)

It is difficult to watch the news. While wanting to stay informed, we can sometimes be overwhelmed by the misery in the world. It is true that we can’t single-handedly save the world, but we can make a dent in the sadness. We can serve those close to us and relieve their suffering. Sometimes we can’t totally end their suffering, but we can at least be near with a smile to brighten their day.

I don’t know why there is sadness in the world. Some of it comes from our own actions; some as a consequence of others. Some just comes as a natural course of our mortal existence. We are here to be tested and tried—and that requires us to pass through pain and sorrow. We must recognize that our mortal existence is only temporary. If we endure to the end, and endure it well, there will be no end to our joy. If only we could see our lives through the perspective of eternal life. Our mortal existence is such a small about of time to endure compared to the eternities. That thought alone should bring us great joy.

Today as I look around me, I’m taking a personal inventory of sorts. My life is full of people who make me happy. They make my life better. Some of those people are not currently happy themselves. I’m making a list of that group and committing myself to bring some happiness into their lives. I’m going to need to develop a plan. Some people live close to me, while others do not. It will take some creativity. I may have to enlist the help of others in my plan. I’m going to have to schedule my time to accommodate the accomplishment of the plan. I’ll need to keep focused in order to complete the mission. There will be times when I won’t be successful in making someone happy—but at least I will have tried. I am committed to giving it my best effort.

To read more of Tudie’s work, click the picture.

When I finish with my first list, I anticipate a third, fourth, and fifth list of people to serve. There should be a never-ending list of people for me to serve, as there will always be those in need of service.

As I pursue my own happiness by extending service to others, I’m confident that I will forge bonds with those whom I serve. I hope I can bring happiness and joy to their lives. Maybe they will find in themselves the courage to move onward and upward. Hopefully, we will help each other to find a way hang on to the good moments life has to offer. Will you join me in this effort? Will you pursue your own happiness by serving others?

Tudie Rose

Tudie Rose is a mother of four and grandmother of ten in Sacramento, California. You can find her on Twitter as @TudieRose. She blogs as Tudie Rose at http://potrackrose.wordpress.com. She has written articles for Familius. You will find a Tudie Rose essay in Lessons from My Parents, Michele Robbins, Familius 2013, at http://www.familius.com/lessons-from-my-parents.

Read the transcript.

Sister Neill Marriot, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland addressed the media by talking about the debate which has been going on for years over the advocates of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Tran-sexual) and many Christian groups.

Neill Marriot started with “The debate we speak of today is about how to affirm rights for some without taking away from the rights of others. On one side of the debate we have advocates of LGBT rights. This movement arose after centuries of ridicule, persecution and even violence against homosexuals. Ultimately, most of society recognized that such treatment was simply wrong, and that such basic human rights as securing a job or a place to live should not depend on a person’s sexual orientation.”

How strongly we, as Latter-Day Saints, agree with this statement. Those living fulfilling lives of service and meaningful employment should always be respected and loved regardless of sexual preference and should not have to defend their rights.

Dallin Oaks talked of the LDS Church’s stand on this debate which follows the principles based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. That is:

• “We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.
• We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.
• We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.
• We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances or differences in gender or sexual orientation.”

By the same token, those who believe in the Christian ideals should also be respected and loved for their contribution and religious rights. This road travels both ways. Christians should be respected for their convictions just as much as those who advocate any other groups who want peace.
Jeffry Holland touched on this with his words: “What kinds of religious rights are we talking about? To begin with, we refer to the constitutionally guaranteed right of religious communities to function according to the dictates of their faith. This includes their right to teach their beliefs from the pulpit and in church classrooms, share their views openly in the public square, select their own leaders, and minister to their members freely.”

The whole media presentation centered around all souls who want fair and free opportunity to live their private lives without harming the health or safety of others. All of God’s children want to be treated fairly, regardless of their sexual orientation or religious preference. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints support this ideal.

Building Strong Families
To read more of Valerie’s articles, click the picture.

As this trio of presenters spoke of the importance of tolerance and finding ways to show respect for others and their beliefs, we can see that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is very concerned with the welfare of all of God’s children and not just its members.
This is Christianity at its best. As was mentioned in this conference, considerate citizens should “respect those who object to performing abortions or artificial insemination for a lesbian couple, or for those who decline to carry the ‘morning after’ pill.” Actions of bullying or boycotting places of business that support this ideal should be considered intolerance to other people’s convictions.

The news conference was a good reminder to everyone of what really matters in the world: Respect and kindness for both sides of a debate. We can live together peaceably even with differences of opinion.

Valerie Steimle

Valerie Steimle has been writing as a family advocate for over 25 years. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she promotes Christian living in her writings and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to twelve. Mrs. Steimle authored six books and is a contributing writer to several online websites. To her, time is the most precious commodity we have and knows we should spend it wisely.
To read more of Valerie’s work, visit her at her website, The Blessings of Family Life.

Fable of the man, the boy and the donkey

A man and his son were taking their donkey to market. As they walked, another man saw them and said, “Old man, you’re a fool—a donkey is for riding.” So the man put the boy on the donkey and continued onward. They came upon a group of men who called out, “Look how selfish that boy is—riding while his father walks.” The son then got off and let his father ride instead. Later, two women saw the man on top of the donkey and said, “What a lazy father, not letting his son have a turn.” Confused at what to do now, the father put his son on the donkey with him and they both rode. Soon they got to town, only to find more jeering. This confused the man further. The people said to him, “How dare you over-burden that poor donkey?” Finally, not knowing what else to do, he tied the donkey’s feet to a pole and hoisted the animal up for him and his son to carry. They got even more laughs from the crowd. As they crossed the bridge, the donkey struggled, the boy dropped his end, and the donkey went crashing down into the river and drowned.

What went wrong for the man and the boy?

The man and the boy were ridiculed in their journey for the choices they made. Rather than sticking with their original choice, which wasn’t hurting anyone, they heeded the cries of each passer-by. As they journeyed on, the ridicule persisted, no matter what choice they made. So they continued to change their actions according to the next person’s opinion—they followed the next “latest trend”. Rather than giving them peace of mind, it only confused them more and more until they lost what they had. The moral of this story is “to please all, you please no one.” What went wrong for the man and the boy? They were too desirous to please the people around them. They lost their focus on which voice they should have been listening to in the first place—the voice of sound mind and reason.

God’s prophets have spoken to us with that very voice.

I never stand alone when I stand with God’s chosen prophet.

The united voice of God’s holy prophets is a sure voice with a moral center. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. To stand with God’s prophets is to never stand alone. But God’s words do not always fit with the latest trends of society. God asks us to sacrifice, to give of ourselves, to have faith and to believe when it appears there is nothing to benefit. God does not manifest himself according to our desires. He can be seen, heard and felt in spiritual ways, not scientific or physical ways. His laws have everlasting benefits that our mortal eyes may not be able to comprehend at this time. Because his ways are not the same as the ways of the world, we may feel we stand alone when we stand with God and his prophets. But we are never alone when we stand with the master of the universe and those who are called to proclaim his eternal plan.

There are some people who profess to follow God’s chosen leaders and yet they do horrible things “in the name of God.” There are others who also claim to be followers of Christ but their actions are not consistent with Biblical truths—in fact their differences are as vast as the number of Christian denominations that dot the earth today. Trying to discern all of these voices would be tantamount to the man and the boy listening to the people along the way to market—we would be confused and ultimately lose everything. Finding the one true voice is the key to eternal happiness. But how does one do this? The Bible provides the answer.

God’s pattern since Biblical days—Listen to a prophet’s voice

Mormons follow the prophet to follow God

In the Bible, God spoke through prophets—men who were set apart with certain priesthood authority to hear the word of God directly from Him and to guide the people according to God’s will and man’s faithfulness. This pattern began from the time of Adam and Eve (Adam being the first prophet) and has been consistent throughout history. We know of many prophets of old—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Malachi, even John the Baptist. They had the authority to act in God’s name. During the time of Christ’s ministry, Jesus continued to follow this pattern by calling prophets and apostles, setting apart Peter as the next prophet to lead his church. The line of authority continued until men became so corrupt; they killed the prophets and apostles of old. It seemed as if God’s chosen way—leadership through prophets—would come to an end.

Shouldn’t there be a prophet today?

When you read about current events around the world you can’t help but see the vast turmoil that presses down on God’s children—greater even than in times of old. Isn’t the world in need of a prophet now more than ever? We’ve seen nations fall to the lies of cruel dictators and leaders who are only out for their own gain. The Bible states, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7). So where is our prophet today?

Many people have decided that God does not speak to his children anymore—that revelation ceased with the death of the original apostles of old. Others believe that since they cannot see the hand of God in their lives today, there must not even be a God. Many people have lost faith in God, thinking he must have loved his children of old more than those who walk the earth today—the heavens are closed to revelation. So they follow the words of whoever speaks closest to their own conscience, while the winds of change toss them about.

While there are many good religious leaders in the world today, many of them differ with each other in the doctrine of the gospel. Many have decided that their voice, not the voice of a living prophet, is the voice of authority. But why would God alter his given pattern in the modern day by having differing voices to believe? Why would he condone confusion amongst his children? If having a prophet was necessary to prepare the people for the first coming of Christ when he began his ministry, why would Heavenly Father not provide a prophet to usher in the second coming of Christ?

“My dear brothers and sisters, if the Restoration (of the original gospel of Jesus Christ) did anything, it shattered the age-old myth that God had stopped talking to His children. Nothing could be further from the truth. A prophet has stood at the head of God’s Church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day.” (Russell M. Nelson, Sustaining the Prophets, General Conference Oct 2014).

For those who think we could never have another prophet again because it seems too hard to believe this could happen, I invite you to ponder this thought—why not?

Single out the one true voice

In the fable of the man, the boy, and the donkey, neither the man nor the boy could decide what was the best way to act. They could not distill the voice of reason from the confusing din of the crowd. We need not journey through life with the same confusion. Our Father in Heaven is a loving Father who wishes for us to know for ourselves the one true voice to follow. Not only has he indeed called a prophet to usher in the last dispensation before the coming of Christ, he has provided for us a way to know who that prophet is.

Morning Devotional
To read more of Nanette’s devotionals, click the picture.

I testify that Thomas S. Monson is the true and living prophet on the earth. He is guiding the Lord’s church today. I know this because I researched the churches of our day, studied the doctrine of old, and compared what I found. I did so with a sincere desire to know of the truth for myself. I prayed directly to my Heavenly Father. The answer came in quiet manifestations that can only be discerned by the spirit. I have experienced confirmations of the truths I have learned time and time again, some too sacred to share, all too vivid to deny.

Next week, I would like to share some of the things that helped me make my decision. You can then ponder the facts for yourself and receive the same testimony. God lives. He called prophets in Biblical days to guide us back home. He has called a prophet again. We need not ever be tossed about by the dictates of man or the impulses of the world.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

Every child is a scientist. Children are born fascinated with the world around them. I feel my responsibility is to cultivate and preserve their natural curiosity. That is the focus of our science education.

Observation: Go on a walk with a child. In general, the only exercise you get on a walk with a child is the opportunity to exercise patience. They take the time to notice clouds and follow a caterpillar- literally following a caterpillar. I decided long ago to separate walks from explores. Walks are when we have a destination and a deadline. Explores are for my little scientists. We crunch leaves, follow butterflies, smell the roses, and get at bug level. Patient observation is a critical skill for scientists. I give my children the space and time to practice this skill.

Collections: Every child wants to collect things. We’ve had boxes of leaves and rocks and bugs. We’ve learned how to bleach chicken bones, so we could keep them. Is it messy? Yes. Do I have surprises in my fridge and on the counter? Sometimes. I let them happen.

Measurement: Children love to count and weigh and measure and compare. They tend to have more patience and longevity than I have. Sometimes they pull out the scale, and sometimes I start something and one child will just stick with it . . . and be weighing and measuring their collections or random things for hours.

Time: Science takes time. I love having all four seasons, over years, with my budding scientists. A garden is very practical science, but allows for wonderful conversations and rewards. Photosynthesis, soil composition, unique plant needs, the miracle of a seed, the reward of a harvest . . . gardening is a unique science adventure. I love that they can continue interests for years.

Life: Life is full of science. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, fixing cars or the fence, sports, injuries, and pregnancies. Life demands experimentation.

Now we do sometimes repeat experiments. That is also science. So we have our family favorite experiments, and we do experiments from books. But I have found that there is a unique power in letting the writing and analyzing and the bulk of their science experience be about their own interests.

Learning at Home
To read more of Britt’s articles, click the picture.

I share what I’m reading. I read Lavoisier. It sounds snooty, but it’s so approachable. Who doesn’t want to learn about how Lavoisier died? Or the amazing role his wife played in his work even after his death? I don’t understand all of his writing, but he did explain how pressure affects weather in a way that was clear enough to me I could explain it to my children.

When I teach my children evolution, I start with Darwin. When I connect the science with the life of the scientist, I find it inspires my children to recognize how much time it can take to learn and make connections. In some cases, a life time. In our instant society, that’s valuable. It also naturally draws in the history, the culture, the drama and the literature that surrounds science.

Cultivating the scientist naturally present in each child is an adventure. It is messy. It takes me out of my comfort zone. It teaches and inspires me. It requires patience and lots of bleach. It makes me grateful for the internet and the blessed beauty of this world.

Below: A scientist talks about God.

Britt Kelly

Britt grew up in a family of six brothers and one sister and gained a bonus sister later. She camped in the High Sierras, canoed down the Colorado, and played volleyball at Brigham Young University. She then served a mission to South Africa.

With all of her time in the gym and the mountains and South Africa, she was totally prepared to become the mother of 2 sons and soon to be 9 daughters. By totally prepared she means willing to love them and muddle through everything else in a partially sleepless state. She is mostly successful at figuring out how to keep the baby clothed, or at least diapered, though her current toddler is challenging this skill.

She feels children naturally love to learn and didn’t want to disrupt childhood curiosity with worksheets and school bells. She loves to play in the dirt, read books, go on adventures, watch her children discover new things, and mentor her children. Her oldest child is currently at a community college and her oldest son is going to high school at a public school. She loves to follow her children in their unique paths and interests.

She loves to write because, unlike the laundry and the dishes, writing stays done. Whenever someone asks her how she does it all she wonders what in the world they think she’s doing.

In an earlier article, I wrote about the dangers of priestcraft. The Book of Mormon, which Mormons (a nickname for people who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) read along with the Bible, says, “priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 26:29).

In other words, it means preaching the gospel or serving in the church for personal gain, not in order to serve God. One way Mormons avoid priestcraft is by having their members volunteer their time, rather than using religious service as a paid career. Only the very highest levels of leadership work full-time for life, and if they can afford to do so, they support themselves. Many do it through pensions, savings, or help from family. If they are unable to do so, they are given a modest stipend that is not paid from tithing money. The Mormons operate a small number of for-profit businesses on which they pay taxes, and this money is used to support those leaders in need. However, they do not get a share of profits or become wealthy from the funds. It merely sustains them at a modest level, probably much less than many career ministers receive.

Besides the ability to avoid priestcraft, a lay ministry has other benefits. Following are some of the ways Mormons feel they are blessed by having a lay ministry.

Mormon Leaders Have Experiences Similar to Those They Lead

Mormon congregations, called wards, are led by bishops, who are usually called to serve for about five years . A bishop is a lay pastor and is not the equivalent of a bishop in some other religions. He is married and often has children. He also has a secular career if he is not retired. This means that his life is very much like the lives of the people in his congregation. Since members are assigned congregations based on where they live, they also live in the same general area as the members of their flocks.

A bishop is better able to advise his members concerning marriage issues because he is married himself. He understands the challenges of employment and of having to uphold high standards in a secular world.  He is living a life similar to their own, so he has personal experience with their challenges.

More Mormons Get to Serve God

If you’re not a minister, when is the last time you got to give the sermon or lead the congregation in prayer? Mormons have that sort of opportunity all the time.

In most faiths, only the minister, and perhaps an assistant pastor, get to offer sermons and lead the prayers. In a Mormon congregation, everyone twelve and older gets to have that opportunity, and the children, beginning at age three, have the opportunity to do it in their own program. There is nothing cuter than to hear a sermon given by a preschooler!

Since the bishop has a busy outside life and a huge amount of work to do in the Church, we all help out. He doesn’t give the sermon every week. Instead, we take turns doing it. Since most of us aren’t professional speakers, we simplify it by keeping the sermons, which we call ‘talks,’ shorter. In a typical service, there will be three or four speakers. Often, two of them are teenagers and two are adults. The teens will speak for five minutes and the adults for ten to twenty, depending on the number of speakers.

How many teenagers do you know who would be able to stand up in front of an entire congregation and preach a short sermon? Since Mormons start doing it at age three in the children’s program, by the time they are twelve, they’ve had a lot of experience. Once a year, the children even take over the service and give little sermons or say a line or two, so they’ve had practice speaking in front of a large group.

The Mormons have rather intense programs to teach their young people about their faith. They start attending classes at age 18 months, although the toddlers are only getting about ten minutes of lesson time and another of singing. Once they are three, they attend a 40-minute class and then group lessons called Sharing Time and Singing Time. The teenagers have a very in-depth program divided into two segments. One is Sunday School and the other is a gender-divided class on applying the gospel.

What is unique about the youth program is that in a recent development, it was decided the teachers would become mentors and facilitators, rather than instructors. They introduce a question and the teens research the answer in small groups. They then teach each other what they’ve learned and discuss any questions they have in the process. They decide for themselves if they need an extra week of study and they also work to have a personal experience with the topic.

This helps them learn the gospel much better because they learn how to find answers for themselves and to think about their faith in both an intellectual and spiritual way. They learn to teach, which prepares them for adult service.

Mormons Understand their Faith Well

There is so much work to do in a typical Mormon congregation that everyone has at least one job. Some serve as leaders, some as teachers, and some in other positions. The positions, called ‘callings’, rotate on a regular basis. Over a lifetime, most Mormons will have served in nearly every organization in the Church. This means they gain a clear understanding of the structure, procedures, and goals of each organization. They have a broader understanding of how the Church works.

Because so many of the callings involve teaching, Mormons are always studying their religion in order to prepare their lessons. As everyone who has ever taught knows, it is the teacher who learns the most. When I prepare a lesson, I study far more than I can put into the lesson, even if I’m teaching preschoolers. When I am finished, I always have a better knowledge and stronger testimony of the topic I’m going to teach. This motivates Mormons to go beyond passively listening on Sundays and actually digging deep into their faith.

Mormons Have Opportunities to Improve Skills

Callings are generally assigned through inspiration, not chosen by the member. This means we’re often taken out of our comfort zone and given the opportunity to learn new things. I had my first teaching assignment when I was just seventeen and had been a Mormon for a few months. I taught young adults principles of the gospel that I had to learn myself before I could teach them. I had never taught adults, but others helped me learn the skills. Shortly before I turned eighteen, I was asked to teach seventeen preschoolers, three of whom had disabilities. Two of the children were deaf and I was only in a beginning sign language class. I was struggling to succeed in my sign language class, but the need to teach and to serve as an interpreter each week caused me to improve rapidly and I quickly began to achieve top scores in my sign language classes at college.

In many religions, it is easy to show up and passively listen while others teach. Those leading and teaching receive the most blessings for their efforts. For Mormons, church membership is not passive. We are all a part of the program, and the success of the Church hinges on our participation. We serve God actively every week. It helps us to remember that Christianity should be an all-day, every-day lifestyle. I’m so grateful for the chance God has given me to serve Him in so many different ways. I am no longer the shy, timid follower I was when I joined the Church. My callings have given me new skills, taught me to lead, and strengthened my testimony of my faith.

To me, the fact that Mormons have a lay leadership is one proof that my religion is true. God would indeed plan a method to help His children grow to be so much more than they ever imagined, and to do so while serving Him. In fact, as we read the Bible, we note that Jesus didn’t choose rabbis to serve as his apostles. He chose people with secular careers who lived the lives of the people they would serve and some of them had very humble careers. He was the Savior of everyone, from the most powerful to the most humble and so he chose his leaders from among the ordinary people of the world, helping us to understand that anyone can serve God and Jesus Christ, even without a formal education in the ministry.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Utah and Wilson’s Presidential Campaigns

Woodrow Wilson ran for president against William Howard Taft, the incumbent president. Mormon president Joseph F. Smith supported Taft, as he had during Taft’s previous political campaign. When his endorsement was represented as an instruction to church members on how to vote, he explained that this was a personal endorsement, not a church endorsement. The Church does not instruct its members concerning specific candidates. Church members accepted that explanation, and although Utah’s electoral vote went to Taft, the vote was very close, and the combined votes for Wilson and Roosevelt, who were also running, were greater than the votes for Taft. When Wilson ran for re-election in 1916, no church leaders or church-owned publications endorsed a candidate, and Utah voted for Wilson. Today, Mormon leaders do not endorse candidates, even privately, in order to avoid confusion.

Mormon General Authority Mentions of Woodrow Wilson

Wilson has been quoted at least twice in Mormon General Conference:

Woodrow Wilson stated: “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about (DHC, vol. 5, p. 286, quoted by Dennis B. Neuenschwander, in Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes, April 1999 General Conference).

Sterling W. Sill, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, quoted President Wilson in an article that appeared in the Mormon magazine for adults:

“The greatest ability of the American people is their ability to resist instruction,” (Woodrow Wilson, quoted by Sterling W. Sill, The Three I’s, Ensign, August 1979).

Woodrow Wilson and the Mormon Wheat

In 1919, Woodrow Wilson came to Salt Lake City to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle. He was very ill and was forced to cancel all but two of his scheduled appointments. He gave his speech and then said he would keep only one other commitment—he wanted to meet Emmeline B. Wells. She was the international president of the Relief Society, the official auxiliary for Mormon women. He presented her with a commendation in recognition of the service Mormon women gave to their country during World War 1. The women of the Church raised and stored wheat for emergencies, and 200,000 bushels of that wheat were sold at a reasonable price to the United States government in its time of need during the war. In August, I will post an article telling more about this amazing story.

The League of Nations Mormon Controversy

Utah played a significant role in trying to help Woodrow Wilson fulfill his desire to bring about permanent world peace following the end of the First World War. This role led to some challenging times for church members, but the results demonstrate how Christians can disagree on certain issues while still retaining a Christ-like love for one another.

Woodrow Wilson wanted the United States to join the League of Nations, a precursor to the current United Nations, that encouraged countries to come together to work out their problems peacefully. Utah senator Reed Smoot, along with many other Republicans, wanted amendments added that would ensure the United States did not lose its sovereignty. Many other Mormons opposed the League for various reasons. However, most Mormon leaders, including the prophet, supported and promoted it, seeing it as a way to help freedom of religion around the world. The Church did not take an official position on the matter, but individual church leaders did.

The Mountain Congress of the League to Enforce Peace held its annual conference in Salt Lake City in 1919. The conference was attended by William Taft, who was a previous United States president. The Mormon prophet, Heber J. Grant, who was a Democrat, not only attended the conference, but led several of the sessions. George F. Richards, Anthony W. Ivins, and B. H. Roberts also supported the League. President Ivins spoke publicly in support of the proposal and other church leaders encouraged or discouraged support while speaking at stake conferences, something that is also seldom done today. David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, Charles W. Nibley, and J. Reuben Clark were among those who openly opposed the League.

Heber J. Grant read the manifesto in a stake (regional) conference in Salt Lake City in September, 1919. He explained that he had signed it because it matched his personal beliefs, not because he was commanding people to support it.

The prophet said he regretted that church members were using the scriptures to bolster their views, a reference to Reed Smoot’s assertion that the Book of Mormon opposed the League of Nations and President Ivans’ claim that the Book of Mormon did support it.

An illustrated hand-bill has been circulated and has been widely republished in newspapers under the heading: “Mormon Bible Prophecies Become Issue in Opposition to the League of Nations.” The position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that the standard works of the Church are not opposed to the League of Nations.

As stated in what I have read to you, I regret exceedingly that this great and important question has become a political issue, and I desire to ask each and all of the members of the Church, over which I have the honor to preside, that in all their controversy in connection with this great issue, they express themselves as to their views with due deference to the opinions of others.

END BLOCK QUOTE

(Please note that “Mormon Bible” is an incorrect title for the Book of Mormon, which is a companion to the Bible, not a replacement for it.)

Both sides had been able to find Book of Mormon scriptures to support their views. Those in opposition cited scriptures that said war would continue until the Second Coming and thus there was no use for the program. Others cited scriptures encouraging peace and discouraging the initiation of war without provocation. President Grant made it clear his support was based on his personal political views, not scripture, which did not mention a League of Nations. He fully supported political diversity, even among his own leaders, as long as they weren’t claiming scriptural authority for their beliefs.

It might seem curious to some that church leaders could disagree on something as important—politically—as the League of Nations, even while serving together as church leaders. The League of Nations was an idea some Mormons supported because they believed it would further God’s work, while others opposed it, possibly for the same reasons. However, there was never a revelation on the subject. Support for the League was not a commandment or an official declaration of belief. It was a personal interpretation for each leader concerning a matter that was important, but not the subject of revelation or official doctrine.

Mormons believe we are free to make our own decisions on any matter for which there is not an official church doctrine and we are to pray for personal confirmation of church doctrine, too. This applies even to the highest level of leadership. The church does not officially endorse candidates, but does endorse some political issues on a non-partisan basis. Today’s leaders are often more careful to make clear whether or not their support for a particular political issue is official or personal, particularly given the enhancements in communication. In earlier days, this was not always the case. The League of Nations debate was a perfect example of the ability of inspired people to see different paths to the same goal.

When the measure was defeated, there was dissension among some church members. President Grant expressed regret the following year that church members had ignored his plea for political civility on the subject. He taught by example that differences of opinion in political matters need not interfere with religious harmony. Over the course of his presidency, he would choose three strong opponents to the League of Nations as his counselors.

Woodrow Wilson Chooses First Mormon Cabinet Member

James Moyle was Woodrow Wilson’s Assistant Secretary of the Treasury from 1917 to 1921. He was the first Mormon to be appointed to a subcabinet position and a former Mormon prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, wrote a biography of him.

Sources:

James B. Allen, Assistant Church Historian, The American Presidency and the Mormons, Ensign, October 1972

Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual, Chapter Thirty-Eight: Change and Consistency

BOAP, Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1919, Discourse of President Heber J. Grant, p.15-19

James B. Allen, A Note on Faith, Political Differences, and Mutual Respect, NauvooTimes.com

Allen, James B., and Glen M. Leonard. “Change and Continuity in the Postwar Decade, 1919-1930.” The story of the Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Published in collaboration with the Historical Dept. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [by] Deseret Book Co., 1976. 512-513. Print.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.