Mormonism in Pictures: Church Celebrates 170 Years in French Polynesia

 May 2014.
Preparation for the events has been going on for six months, and the festivities included service projects, a cultural night with singing and dancing and a scripture reading challenge. Community service projects were carried out around French Polynesia by thousands of Church members along with their families and friends. Among the service given was a general cleanup and the planting of 170 plants around the islands.

During the last part of May, Latter-day Saints of all ages ran, walked and biked in a torch relay around the entire island of Tubuai, a distance of about 43 miles.

The torch was passed from one participant to another, until it landed in the hands of the oldest Latter-day Saint in all of French Polynesia, 99-year old Doyenne Hoffmann.

The torch relay represented the responsibility the Polynesian Latter-day Saints feel to pass the gospel of Jesus Christ from generation to generation. It underlines the legacy that started with the first missionaries that arrived in the Pacific. The relay included every generation—old and young—and included women, men and children.

Part of the celebration was remembering the Mormon pioneers who traveled from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the valley of the Great Salt Lake in Utah in 1847. Several congregations portrayed through song and dance the history of the first Polynesian pioneers.

Latter-day Saints, some in pioneer costumes, pulled handcarts in a parade, and islanders played pioneer games such as stick pull and had handcart races.

In addition to the pioneer reenactment, games and other activities, there were workshops and presentations focusing on principles of self-reliance such as recycling, collecting home storage items and growing nutritious food. Members demonstrated their skills in making clothes, preparing food and creating handicrafts.

Pioneer crafts were displayed.

A cultural night on the island of Takaroa started with a depiction of the first missionaries of the Church coming to the Pacific and depicted the early converts’ gratitude toward Addison Pratt for bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the islands of Tubuai and Takaroa.

More than 700 youth performed and retraced the history of the first missionaries to the islands through dance.

Latter-day Saint youth performed traditional dances representing Tahiti, the Marquesas, New Zealand and Hawaii.

A 400-voice choir also performed beautiful old Tahitian songs between performances.

Elder James J. Hamula (left) of the Seventy explained, during a Saturday religious devotional, that, “where there is faith, something happens, and the 23,000 members of the Church in French Polynesia . . . are all reflections of faith planted several years ago.”

More than 10,000 people attended the evening performance 24 May at Pater Stadium, which included many mayors and town representatives.

The family is the foundation of society, said French Polynesia president Gaston Flosse to all in attendance at the devotional. “This is the basis of our society and I know that in the Church, the family is really something sacred.” He said he was very impressed by the talents of the hundreds of young people who come from across the Pacific. “On behalf of our government, thank you.”

President Gaston Flosse (left) and Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy (right) wave to those attending the festivities that celebrated 170 years since Mormon missionaries set foot in French Polynesia to begin sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why Religion Matters: The Ground We Walk On

What does it mean to take something for granted? Every day we walk on ground we seldom notice. It’s just there, underneath us, supporting our feet as we go about our days learning, working and worshiping. Though often unseen, the ground of our lives is full of religious meaning. Many of life’s compelling questions tend to be spiritual. How do we achieve our deepest longings? What makes something right or wrong? Whom should we love? How do we overcome suffering? The answers we receive shape our reality. But religion is always contested. Some even imagine a world without faith. What, then, do we stand to lose?
 
The rigors of science and technology open us to many wonders and truths, but they cannot, as one writer explained, “connect with purpose, intimacy, emotion—the stuff that matters most in people’s everyday lives.”[2] The highest in human accomplishment often traces to religious inspiration. Much of the world’s finest art, architecture, music and literature are clothed in the beauty of spiritual longing. Sacred writings provide ethical frameworks that spark deeds of self-sacrifice, integrity and love. Religion gives societies a shared moral aspiration, instils social commitment without legal compulsion, encourages voluntary compliance of the law and reminds us of our inherent dignity. Belief in deity motivates people to overcome the despair of death and turn suffering into good.
The values of society have roots in the ground of religion. Our modern aspirations toward human rights, altruism and humanitarian aid, for example, have religious pedigrees. Behind efforts to feed the poor, house the homeless and treat the sick, a church ministry is likely to be found.[3] Trust in our civic foundation depends on the spiritual disciplines of honesty, empathy and reciprocity. Everyone benefits when we live up to these ideals. Secular journalist Will Saletan wrote: “Religion is the vehicle through which most folks learn and practice morality. In the long run, it’s our friend.”[4]
And then come all the precious, indefinable things. Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that human beings are born with a “taste for the infinite” and a “love for what is immortal.”[5] Individuals across time and culture have pondered and sought these intangibles. Identity, understanding, salvation, belonging — the things of the soul — never stray far from our hearts. Agnostic writer Julian Barnes tapped into something profound when he said, “I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.”[6] A world without religion looks flatter, emptier and simpler, yet still craves the God it once knew.
Today people across the globe find refuge in God and their faith communities. Eighty four percent of the world’s population identifies with a religious group.[7] The world is not sinking into disbelief, but that belief is becoming more rich, pluralistic and complex. We are all stewards of society, and our choices determine who we become. The ground of religion needs constant cultivating and nourishing. A garden cannot take care of itself.

 

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[1] Theo Hobson, “The Return of God: Atheism’s Crisis of Faith,” The Spectator, Apr. 19, 2014.

[2] Alasdair Craig, “God Is Dead — What Next?” Prospect, May 1, 2014.

[3] See Robert A. Putnam and David E. Campbell, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us (2010).

[4] Will Saletan, “When Churches Do the Right Thing,” Slate, May 8, 2014.

[5] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (2000), 510.

[6] Julian Barnes, Nothing to Be Frightened Of (2009), 1.

[7] Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project, “The Global Religious Landscape,” Dec. 18, 2012.

Well it seems that people are not flocking to this blog

Well it seems that people are not flocking to this blog as I thought it takes time I know but we need to find out why people are not coming. People need to know that Jesus lives and there is salvation out their

Mormon Helping Hands Volunteers Participate in Arkansas Tornado Cleanup

Jason Rowland owns a tree service in central Arkansas and was among other Mormon volunteers who showed up in western Pulaski County over the weekend to clean up debris from a devastating tornado that hit the region on 27 April 2014. In fact, Rowland has spent the past two Saturdays and two Wednesday evenings helping out his neighbors.

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Volunteers clean up downed trees in central Arkansas, which was hard hit by a recent tornado, Saturday, 10 May 2014.© All rights reserved.

Volunteers gathered on 10 May in the Ferndale and Pinnacle Mountain areas where the tornado first touched down with chainsaws, tractors and tree service equipment.  Much of the damage in the rural area was from downed trees. Rowland is known for volunteering his services during disasters, including storms such as Hurricane Katrina and service projects. Local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say cleanup efforts will be ongoing. 
UPDATE (6 May 2014):
Hundreds of Mormon Helping Hands volunteers gathered in central Arkansas on Saturday, 3 May 2014, to help clean up debris in communities devastated by recent tornadoes. Storms tore through the area on 27 April, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses in the communities of Vilonia, Mayflower and surrounding towns. Local Church leaders estimate it will take weeks to clear all of the tornado debris in Arkansas
Fifteen people were killed and more than 150 people were injured when the deadly tornadoes hit the southeastern United States, including a 31-year-old Latter-day Saint father who died when he was struck by some wood while shielding his daughter. His wife and two daughters survived. The twister was a category EF4, with winds of at least 180 mph.  
About 1,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their neighbors who were wearing yellow Mormon Helping Hands shirts joined the American Red Cross and Team Rubicon, a national organization that coordinated the volunteer efforts, to sort through debris. “We were unprepared for the type of recovery we were going to face,” explained George Wing, a spokesman for the Church’s North Little Rock Stake (similar to a Catholic diocese), who said the tornado hit with such a velocity that there were no walls standing and the structures were reduced to “bits and pieces that needed to be sorted.” Wing said not a single piece of wood was salvageable. “We didn’t see a single 2-by-4 worth saving. This was not your typical chainsaw operation.”
Some of the personal items recovered by volunteers include a girls’ soccer picture, a Mormon missionary badge, a Primary child’s Faith in God award and some food storage cans and buckets. One man was overjoyed to find his wife’s purse and remarked that everything was going to be all right now.
Renee Carr of the new Searcy Stake in central Arkansas said the tornado hit one day after members of the congregation participated in its first “Day of Service” to clean hiking trails around Heber Springs, an annual event organized by the Church worldwide in which local congregations gather to render service in their communities.
Carr said members from local congregations in the Searcy Stake, including women and children, gathered to tie more than 50 quilts and put together office kits for the tornado victims. “Our first Relief Society stake activity got converted into a relief effort at the building, tying quilts and assembling kits,” added Carr, who lost her home to a tornado in 2008. The women were originally planning to collect food for local food pantries and recipes for families for their already scheduled Saturday meeting, but they switched their activity to relief efforts. The office kits contain paper, stamps, envelopes, scissors and other items and can be helpful when families are working with insurance companies and rebuilding their lives.
Some regular Church activities, such as an upcoming father and son campout, have been canceled while local congregations focus on helping their neighbors recover from the disaster.

I need Thee ev'ry hour

119 I Need Thee Every Hour - 119 I Need Thee Every Hour .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, O I need Thee!
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Saviour!
I come to Thee.

I need Thee ev'ry hour;
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow'r
When Thou art nigh.

I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

I need Thee ev'ry hour;
Teach me Thy will,
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.

I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!

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Story:
Several of the hymn stories in this book relate the trying experiences of the children of God and how their afflictions have been the material from which great hymns were written.

However, here's one which came into being through completely different and happier circumstances. It makes a refreshing and interesting change.

Annie Sherwood Hawks was bom in Hoosick, New York, on 28th May 1835. Even from an early age she was writing poetry and, at 14, had some published in a newspaper.

When she married, at 24, she moved to live in the Brooklyn area of New York. There, she and her husband joined the church whose pastor was the noted hymn writer and composer, Dr. Robert S. Lowry.

Dr. Lowry immediately recognised Mrs Hawks talent for writing and encouraged her to use it. In fact he even offered her a challenge. 'If you'll write the words,' he said, I'll write the music,' and he was as good as his word.

"I Need Thee Every Hour", was written in April 1872 and is thought to have been based on the exhortation of Jesus in John 15 verses 4 and 5.

'Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can
ye, except ye abide in me. I am the
vine, ye are the branches: he that
abideth in me, I am in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without
me ye can do nothing.'

The new hymn was first performed in November that year at the National Sunday School Convention in Cincinatti, Ohio. Very soon it was taken up by the famous evangelistic team of Moody and Sankey, who, it seems likely, did most to make it popular. It was translated into many other languages too; and even featured in the great Chicago World's Fair.

But what about the actual penning of those comforting lines?

Well, a short time before her death, on January 3rd 1918, Mrs Hawkes gave the full background story. I quote her own words.

'I remember well the circumstances under which I wrote the hymn. It was a bright June day, and I became so filled with the sense of the nearness of my Master that I began to wonder how anyone could live without Him, in either joy or pain. Suddenly, the words I need Thee every hour, flashed into my mind, and very quickly the thought had full possession of me.

Seating myself by the open windows, I caught up my pencil and committed the words to paper - almost as they are today. A few months later Dr. Robert Lowry composed the tune Need, for my hymn and also added the refrain.

For myself, the hymn, at its writing, was prophetic rather than expressive of my own experiences, for it was wafted out to the world on the wings of love and joy, instead of under the stress of great personal sorrow, with which it has often been associated.

At first I did not understand why the hymn so greatly touched the throbbing heart of humanity. Years later, however, under the shadow of a great loss, I came to understand something of the comforting power of the words 1 had been permitted to give out to others in my hours of sweet serenity and peace.'

It must have given the talented lady great satisfaction to write something which has been such a blessing to so many.

I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine,
Can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee!
Every hour I need Thee:
O bless me now my Saviour!
I come to Thee.

Charity in the book of mormon

• Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies:1 Cor. 8:1;
• Charity, a pure love, excels and exceeds almost all else:1 Cor. 13;
• The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart:1 Tim. 1:5;
• Add to brotherly kindness charity:2 Pet. 1:7;
• The Lord has commanded that all men should have charity:2 Ne. 26:30; ( Moro. 7:44–47; )
• See that ye have faith, hope, and charity:Alma 7:24;
• The love that the Lord has for men is charity:Ether 12:33–34;
• Without charity men cannot inherit that place prepared in the Father’s mansions:Ether 12:34; ( Moro. 10:20–21; )
• Moroni wrote Mormon’s words on faith, hope, and charity:Moro. 7;
• Charity qualifies men for the Lord’s work:D&C 4:5–6; ( D&C 12:8; )
• Clothe yourselves with the bond of charity:D&C 88:125;
• Let thy bowels be full of charity:D&C 121:45;

The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent

The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship

President Monson, we love you. You have given your heart and your health to every calling the Lord has ever given you, especially the sacred office you now hold. This entire Church thanks you for your steadfast service and for your unfailing devotion to duty.

With admiration and encouragement for everyone who will need to remain steadfast in these latter days, I say to all and especially the youth of the Church that if you haven’t already, you will one day find yourself called upon to defend your faith or perhaps even endure some personal abuse simply because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Such moments will require both courage and courtesy on your part.

For example, a sister missionary recently wrote to me: “My companion and I saw a man sitting on a bench in the town square eating his lunch. As we drew near, he looked up and saw our missionary name tags. With a terrible look in his eye, he jumped up and raised his hand to hit me. I ducked just in time, only to have him spit his food all over me and start swearing the most horrible things at us. We walked away saying nothing. I tried to wipe the food off of my face, only to feel a clump of mashed potato hit me in the back of the head. Sometimes it is hard being a missionary because right then I wanted to go back, grab that little man, and say, ‘EXCUSE ME!’ But I didn’t.”

To this devoted missionary I say, dear child, you have in your own humble way stepped into a circle of very distinguished women and men who have, as the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob said, “view[ed Christ’s] death, and suffer[ed] his cross and [borne] the shame of the world.”¹

Indeed, of Jesus Himself, Jacob’s brother Nephi wrote: “And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.”²

In keeping with the Savior’s own experience, there has been a long history of rejection and a painfully high price paid by prophets and apostles, missionaries and members in every generation—all those who have tried to honor God’s call to lift the human family to “a more excellent way.”³

“And what shall I more say [of them]?” the writer of the book of Hebrews asks.

“[They] who … stopped the mouths of lions,

“Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, … waxed valiant in fight, turned [armies] to flight …

“[Saw] their dead raised to life [while] others were tortured, …

“And … had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, … of bonds and imprisonment:

“They were stoned, … were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: … wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, [and] tormented;

“([They] of whom the world was not worthy:) … wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”⁴

Surely the angels of heaven wept as they recorded this cost of discipleship in a world that is often hostile to the commandments of God. The Savior Himself shed His own tears over those who for hundreds of years had been rejected and slain in His service. And now He was being rejected and about to be slain.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” Jesus cried, “thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”⁵

And therein lies a message for every young man and young woman in this Church. You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our “houses” left unto us “desolate”—desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods, and desolate nations.

So here we have the burden of those called to bear the messianic message. In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time these same messengers are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship). They know full well that the road leading to the promised land “flowing with milk and honey”⁶ of necessity runs by way of Mount Sinai, flowing with “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots.”⁷

Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were anciently, as at least two spit-upon, potato-spattered sister missionaries can now attest. Hate is an ugly word, yet there are those today who would say with the corrupt Ahab, “I hate [the prophet Micaiah]; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always [prophesied] evil.”⁸ That kind of hate for a prophet’s honesty cost Abinadi his life. As he said to King Noah: “Because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. … Because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad”⁹ or, we might add, provincial, patriarchal, bigoted, unkind, narrow, outmoded, and elderly.

It is as the Lord Himself lamented to the prophet Isaiah:

“[These] children … will not hear the law of the Lord:

“[They] say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

“Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”¹⁰

Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds.¹¹

Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes—and this seems the greatest irony of all—these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of “comfortable” God. Really? He who said not only should we not break commandments, but we should not even think about breaking them. And if we do think about breaking them, we have already broken them in our heart. Does that sound like “comfortable” doctrine, easy on the ear and popular down at the village love-in?

And what of those who just want to look at sin or touch it from a distance? Jesus said with a flash, if your eye offends you, pluck it out. If your hand offends you, cut it off.¹² “I came not to [bring] peace, but a sword,”¹³ He warned those who thought He spoke only soothing platitudes. No wonder that, sermon after sermon, the local communities “pray[ed] him to depart out of their coasts.”¹⁴ No wonder, miracle after miracle, His power was attributed not to God but to the devil.¹⁵ It is obvious that the bumper sticker question “What would Jesus do?” will not always bring a popular response.

At the zenith of His mortal ministry, Jesus said, “Love one another, as I have loved you.”¹⁶ To make certain they understood exactly what kind of love that was, He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments”¹⁷ and “whosoever … shall break one of [the] least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be … the least in the kingdom of heaven.”¹⁸ Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others. Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once).

Friends, especially my young friends, take heart. Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world. I testify that the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and you are members of His true and living Church, trying to share it. I bear witness of that gospel and that Church, with a particular witness of restored priesthood keys which unlock the power and efficacy of saving ordinances. I am more certain that those keys have been restored and that those ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit and you sit before me in this conference.

Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them. A long history of inspired voices, including those you will hear in this conference and the voice you just heard in the person of President Thomas S. Monson, point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”¹⁹ In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall.²⁰ In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Holland Surprises 1,200 Youth in Fort Lauderdale

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks to the youth and leaders during a rehearsal at the Fort Lauderdale Florida Stake Center in Plantation, Florida.  Photo by Mitzi Capote.

Article Highlights

• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles made a surprise visit to more than 1,200 youth rehearsing for the cultural program they will present on prior to the dedication of the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple.

Related Links

• Learn more about the dedication.

A surprise visit from an Apostle added to the excitement felt by some 1,200 youth in the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple District as they gathered for the first time to rehearse for the cultural program they will present on May 3, the eve of the temple's dedication.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had just finished a mission presidents seminar in the area, dropped by to watch the rehearsal and speak with the youth, whose ages range from 12-18.
After watching and listening a little while, Elder Holland spoke to the youth seated on the floor and wearing different colors representing their stakes.
“This temple is a chance of a lifetime and, in a sense, in a very real way, this event is the chance of a lifetime,” he told the youth.
Elder Hollands said that participating in the cultural program is something they will tell their children and grandchildren about in years to come. He told them they will remember the cultural event and dedication of the temple and the songs that they sang, the dances they did, and the feelings they had.
“You can ever underestimate and understate the blessing you are to us [Church leaders]. We’re in this together, this passing of batons to generations. We’re in this shoulder to shoulder and we’re going to do it until the Savior comes.”
Before leaving, Elder Holland blessed the youth and leaders. He said that apostles testify and bless as the Savior has asked them to do. As he left, Elder Holland told the youth he loved them.
The youth cultural event will take place on Saturday, May, 3, at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. Through narration, song, and dance, the performance will focus on the rich cultural heritage and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Florida. There will be two performances, one at 3 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Since there is limited seating at the venue, the 7 p.m. show will be broadcast to meetinghouses throughout Florida and available to view on the Internet.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks to the youth and leaders during a rehearsal at the Fort Lauderdale Florida Stake Center in Plantation, Florida. Photo by Mitzi Capote.

Is today the best day or the worst

Hi everyone how are you doing i hope all is well. today at rehab was a good day we did so much and we had fun. I think i am lurning alout of cool stuff copeing skills o well any who i did feel the spirit what a great feeling we have thanks for your time