Temples Dotting The Earth

I'd love to show this to our Primary kids in the ward, but not sure how to get in on dvd. Isn't it great? And so uplifting in the midst of all the negativity I've been hearing lately.

Yes on 8

Prop8voterinfo

Vote YES on prop 8

The Church released this updated statement on 16 October 2008:

As the Proposition 8 campaign in support of traditional marriage enters its last two weeks, the Protect Marriage Coalition is encouraging its members to make phone calls in support of the measure. The Church is participating with the Coalition in support of this endeavor.

This is a segment from a broadcast to Californian Church members addressing the Church’s doctrine of marriage and the Protect Marriage Coalition.


My sister in CA has had 3 Yes to prop #8 signs stolen from her yard. There are concerns that if same sex marriage is allowed, then it could possibly affect churches and temples who only perform heterosexual marriages. If bound by same sex marriage law, would the LDS church (and other religions) be forced to recognize same sex marriages? If the law passes in CA, it could pass in other places and directly affect the sacred ordinance of a temple marriage. I believe that Arizona could be the next state to address this issue through voting (but I'm not sure, so don't quote me on that).

I don't live in CA, so I cannot vote YES on this issue (I certainly would if I could), but I can do my part by helping others be aware of the issue. Check out this blog, prop8voterinfo. They have a wealth of information along with links to help a voter decide what to choose when voting.

For more information on what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes, visit http://www.lds.org/. If you would like to read what the church specifically says about the same sex marriage issue, visit the LDS.org Newsroom here

Reflections of Christ Website and Slide show

Check out this beautiful slide show on the Reflections of Christ blog. I love the music. The whole thing is inspiring and spiritually uplifting. I especially enjoyed how they made Jesus Christ and John the Baptist smile while in the waters of baptism. I'm sure it was a joyous as well as a spiritual experience for them both.

Reflections of Christ is a traveling fine art photography exhibit. Currently, it's located at the Temple visitor center in Mesa, Arizona. This is a beautiful exhibit not only for LDS members, but for anyone who is Christian. Check it out!

P.S...Thank-you to my friend Nancy for sending me the link in the first place :)

STANDING FOR SOMETHING

Originally I was going to post about how I never make New Year's resolutions. Why don't I make them each year? Because I don't believe in the once a year hoopla of tossing out the words and then actually tossing away the plan by the end of February or March. I am a FIRM believer that goals should be made continuously and worked on continuously. I don't wait until the New Year to start losing weight. I don't wait until the New Year to decide to be a better parent. I'm always making goals and working to achieve them. When and if I achieve one, I set a another and work on it along side other ones.

I'm not saying that I disagree with people who make New Year's resolutions. Not at all. More power to those people and I wish them the best of luck. I'm just saying that it's not something that works for me.

Anyway, the reason for the post subject change is that I felt inspired to set a new goal because of a speech given by Elder M. Russell Ballard at BYU Hawaii this past December about using "new media" to support the teachings of the church. Here is the link.

He says that he would urge us today to use the Internet — including blogs and other forms of “new media” — to contribute to a national conversation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.
He's sooo right. There are so many misconceptions about our religion. I am a frequent user of Google and Google images. When I google anything about the church, I always see the sites touting the problems with "mormonism" and lds bashing. If only people could understand that any site (in my opinion) that uses the word, "mormonism" is going to have negative things to say about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they could stay away from it and go to the source of truth. If anyone reading this isn't a member of the church, but would like more information, accurate information...why not go to the official church website? Try this link to the site: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
If the link doesn't work, go to www.lds.org

The official church website is the best place to get accurate information. There is so much knowledge to be learned at the site.

Back to Elder Ballards speech....he goes on to say that there were too many conversations going on about the Church for Church representatives to respond to each individually, and that Church leaders “can’t answer every question, satisfy every inquiry and respond to every inaccuracy that exists.”

He said students should consider sharing their views on blogs, responding to online news reports and using the “new media” in other ways.

But he cautioned against arguing with others about their beliefs. “There is no need to become defensive or belligerent,” he said. Remember as the Proverb states that “a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

I can see how someone can be angered easily when they are provoked on a message board or something similar online. I do my best to stay away from those type of areas on the internet, but this is my own personal blog. I think it's about time that I stand for something loud and clear. I'll be adding more pictures, more views and more testimony of my beliefs in the coming posts. We live and learn by example. I want to set a good example and spread the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm a strong Christian woman who loves the Lord, my family, and the country that I live in. I can be a voice for the Lord or keep my views quiet and fade into the background. I love to blog and I'll stand tall in my beliefs on this blog.

Elder Ballard suggests that we make sure that the choices we make in the use of new media are choices that expand our minds, increase our opportunities, and feed our souls.
I love to read other blogs that uplift me, so thank you to the many other bloggers out there who contribute such wonderful examples in the blogging world! Just as Elder Ballard states, my position is solid; the Church is true. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit. That is my continued goal.

Would you like to join me?