President Uchtdorf Speaks to The Los Angeles World Affairs Council

With both Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman considering a run for the office of the President of the United States, Mormons will be in the spotlight more and more.  People will have questions regarding our Church, and our beliefs.  Today I listened to a wonderful talk given by President Uchtdorf as he addressed the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, which gave concise information regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a wide range of areas.

"The Los Angeles World Affairs Council promotes greater understanding of current global issues and their impact on the people of Southern California by inviting authoritative, influential figures in world affairs to Los Angeles and providing them an open forum."

President Uchtdorf addressed topics like:

• Our belief in Jesus Christ.
• Our belief in The Ten Commandments as divine laws.
• The growth of The Church.
• The importance of higher education, with information about Church Universities and Institutes.
• LDS Charities.
• The Church welfare system, highlighting the importance of self reliance.
• LDS Humanitarian Aid.
• The Family Proclamation.
• Temples.
• Basic core doctrinal beliefs and value systems.

Some of my favorite quotes were:

“In my lifetime I have experienced and worked in times of grim challenges and uncertainty. I was a refugee twice, and I have witnessed how opposing political systems impacted the life of a large number of people in very divergent ways. I learned by experience how important high moral and ethical values are in leadership, irrespective of political systems.”

“Too often the teachings of our respective faiths are kept in an abstract religious box cautiously separated from personal conduct.  Divine leadership principles are based on the commandment that ‘Ye love one another’ and that is irrespective of religion.  By reemphasizing this commandment, the Savior has made feeding his sheep one of our ongoing responsibilities which cannot be dismissed.  Leaders whose leadership reflects integrity and goodness could do much to create a better world for our children and grandchildren.”

"It takes courage … and humility to put away old hatred, divisions and traditions that constrict and confine people into a blind succession of destructive behavior toward others. It is within our reach to breach barriers of hate and build bridges of brotherhood and understanding between opposing cultures, beliefs, religion and world views."

He closed with a request and a blessing, “God is not merely an abstract concept, He’s not. He lives. As we trust in God and listen to His voice, regardless of our faith and our religion, He will help us personally, and collectively, in these challenging times. There is hope, there’s a great future ahead of us.  It is in our hands to make it happen.  Of this I bear witness as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you and may God bless you all.”

I just wonder if those in attendance realize how blessed they really were to hear from that great man.

Just so you know, the video is really worth watching…..

The Christian Case for Mormon Values

Well, the buzz around town is that the Mormons just might have two potential presidential candidates this election, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. I guess we are really hitting the big time, huh?

Or, will it be Jon Huntsman?

Will it be Mitt Romney?

  

The Washington Post has a column called On Faith that talks about religious issues in the news.  Thanks to my Twitter addiction I stumbled onto an article written on the subject of these two Mormon potentials by, yes… wait for it…, a Professor of philosophy from  Biola University, a Christian.  (Remember, a lot of people think Mormon’s aren’t Christians… )

The title of the article is “The Christian case for Mormon Values”.  Catchy, right?  The author, John Mark Reynolds (coincidentally two very Christian names.. I think not), did an extremely civil job of throwing his support for the Mormon leaders out there for the world to consider.  In fact, he makes a really good case for Christian support of these Mormon men.  

He states,” God works in mysterious ways to perform His wonders. Old Testament prophets complained about the instruments God chose, but God went on being God despite their complaints. 2012 is likely to give Americans two serious candidates for president that are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Many conservative Christians, for good and bad, get inspiration and information from Glenn Beck, who is also a member of the Church.”

Reynolds continues, “Should Americans be concerned? Bluntly, no, though those of us who are not Mormon should be depressed that such a small group has outworked, out thought, and out hustled us. Mormon success should spur traditional Christians, who outnumber Mormons by tens of millions, to do better.

Sadly ignorance of the LDS Church is widespread in our culture. Despite over a century of faithful citizenship and embracing family values, stupid stereotypes remain. Magically much of the media easily remembers Glenn Beck is Mormon, but keeps forgetting that Harry Reid is as well. Sacred garments on Christians and Jews are normal, but sacred garments on Mormons?”

Way to go Brother Reynolds!!

I believe that he reached his peak of the address when he praised Mormon’s in the following way…

“If this is, as the Washington Post suggests, a Mormon moment, it is because Mormons clung to truths now unfashionable and addressed questions others ignore. They suffered exile in their own land, persecution, and the need to change important ideas to be part of the broader culture. This American experience taught them good lessons about America. Being right is powerful and most LDS are right on many of today's big issues: the nature of family, the protection of life, defense of religious liberty, and republican values.

Traditional Christians should learn from their example and patriotic Americans should celebrate their effective service.”

How about that for a Christian endorsement? 

The Mormon's might just be the mysterious way God is moving in, huh?

Perhaps you would like to read the entire post?  Click here and check it out for yourself.

Don't be alarmed at all the wacky comments that people are posting in response to his article... whenever you talk about Mormon's those people crawl out of the woodwork, right Churchlady?

Regardless, thanks John Mark Reynolds for all the good things you have said about my people!

Read more about the history of Mormon persecution here.