Leaders

In Joseph Smith, Jr.'s "Lectures on Faith" he teaches many powerful lessons, one of which is: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) By this we understand the principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of this principle of power existing in the Deity, that all created things exist; so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, exist by reason of faith as it existed in Him. (Joseph Smith, Jr., "Lectures on Faith" American Fork, 2000 3)... Read More

Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th called prophet of these modern times, wrote a poem several years ago that I just heard for the first time today. The words are so heartfelt, and because I've felt death so recently, it hit me particularly hard. What is this thing called death This quiet passing in the night? Tis not the end but genesis of better worlds and greater light. O God, touch Thou my aching heart And calm my troubled, haunting fears. Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure, Give strength and peace beyond my tears. There is no death, but only change, With recompense for vict'ry won. The gift of Him who loved all men, The Son of God, the Holy One.... Read More

Baptism is something that is common to many Christian factions across the globe. Many favor the "sprinkling" method, while other Christians, like Mormons, use the "immersion" method as was the baptism of Jesus Christ. Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ... Read More

Emma Smith: Wife, Mother, Helpmeet - Part 1 Joseph Smith and Emma Hale met while Joseph was rooming with his employer, who was an acquaintance of Emma's parents. During the two years Joseph lived there, he asked for Emma's hand in marriage more than once before they finally eloped on January 18, 1827. She was disowned by her family, her father saying to Joseph, “You have stolen my daughter. I would have rather had followed her to the grave.” (Gracia Jones, Emma and Joseph, Covenant Communications, American Fork, 1999 ... Read More

I travel across America speaking on a variety of topics, some religious, some not. But this year, I've been scheduled to speak about Joseph Smith and his beloved wife, Emma to several wards in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referred to as Mormons. Last night was one of those nights. I am almost 45 years old. For the first 42 years of my life I'd been taught many negative things about Emma Smith. Not by my mother, and I cannot identify who taught this to me, but I know that throughout the years I developed a very negative attitude toward her. As I began an indepth study of her life I came to the... Read More

President Thomas S. Monson, the sixteenth called prophet in these modern times, teaches the children of God through stories. With an unfailing gentle voice, sweet and tender spirit, a godlike love for each of our Father in Heaven's children, he teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ through story. In teaching of the hope that Jesus Christ represents to mankind, he shared this story: First, may I tell you about Arthur. He had blond, curly ... Read More

In 1996 President Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth called prophet in these modern times, sat down with reporter, Mike Wallace in an unprecedented interview. They discussed a variety of topics, but in particular, Mr. Wallace asked about the state of the nation. Mike Wallace: “Since World War II, we seem to be splintering; we seem to be becoming more selfish, more self-absorbed, less community minded. Families don’t seem to mean so much, and morality has gone to hell [his expression] in a handbasket. Why?” Gordon B. Hinckley: “The basic failure is in our homes. Parents haven̵... Read More

President John Taylor, the third called prophet in these modern times was an highly educated man. He was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referred to as the Mormons, while still living in England. After joining the Church he traveled to America and was with the saints (Mormons) during their travails as the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ gained a foothold in the world once again. He was in the Carthage jail cell when the prophet, Joseph Smith and his brother, the patriarch, Hyrum were assassinated by a mob with their faces painted black.... Read More

There is much which comes to mind as I ponder the roles of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in my life. If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referred to as the Mormons, you might have some confusion as to the difference between Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Let's begin with Jesus Christ. Which Jesus Christ do Mormons believe in? Well, it has been said that we do not believe in the same Jesus Christ as other Christians, therefore we are not Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let me address this from my viewpoint, but ... Read More

I have absolutely loved reading Andrew C. Skinner's book, Prophets, Priests and Kings. It has given me a whole new light on how carefully Jehovah has placed people in the earth's history for specific purposes. Such is Cyrus: Thus saith the Lord . . . saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (... Read More

From the beginning of the world there have been prophets of God on the earth, except during the Dark Ages. Jehovah, who is also Jesus Christ, communicated with Adam and Eve in the Garden and from that day forward, the teachings of heaven were available to the children of men. Throughout the world's history we see, in the lives of His prophets, a foreshadowing of the mortal life of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Let's us first take a look at Abraham, a prophet of the Old Testament. Bo... Read More

"If what you're doing doesn't have eternal consequences, why are you doing it?" Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tonight, I was listening to Glenn Beck, a national radio personality, talk about the passing of Gordon B. Hinckley. He, as so many of us were, was in complete awe of President Hinckley. Glenn spoke to his millions of listeners and asked for a moment of understanding as he spoke about this great man who effected his life so profoundly. He had once spoken with Larry King about President Hinckley and when asked if he'd met the Prophet, Glenn answered, "No." Larry told him he'd call Gordon (I prefer President Hinckley) right up and get it set up right away. Glenn told him, "No, no. I d... Read More

Since the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr. on June 27, 1844 there has been a clear and established transfer of this prophetic calling to the next man, called of God, to serve in the capacity of prophet, seer and revelator. Gordon B. Hinckley died on January 27, 2008 and the First Presidency was dissolved and the counselors returned to their positions in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which now total fourteen. Until the new prophet is chosen, the Church will be run by the Apostles. It has already been announced by the Church that the new prophet will not be chosen until the conclusion of President Hinckley's funeral in the next few days.... Read More

My beloved prophet has died. Gordon Bittner Hinckley passed away tonight from age related causes at the age of 97. He was surrounded by his family and was anxious to be reunited with his sweet wife who had passed away four years ago. I heard one reporter say that President Hinckley had done more for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons, save for Joseph Smith, Jr. To understand the full impact of that statement,... Read More

Of his calling to the highest and holy office in the world, Howard W. Hunter, the fourteenth called prophet in these modern times, said: “I have shed many tears and have sought my Father in Heaven in earnest prayer with a desire to be equal to the high and holy calling which is now mine. “My greatest strength through these past hours and recent days has been my abiding testimony that this is the work of God and not men, that Jesus Christ is the authorized and living head of this church and he leads it in word and deed. I pledge my life, my strength, and the full measure of my soul to serving Him fully. … “To the membership of the Church in every country of the world and to people everywhere I extend my love. … I pray that... Read More

From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints press release: [This is] a 10-minute video originally produced for the large number of journalists visiting Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics has been updated and posted on Newsroom today to help counter persistent myths about the C... Read More

When Gordon Bitner Hinckley was announced on March 13, 1995 as the Lord's new prophet he was asked by journalists what his message would be. He replied, “Carry on. Yes. Our theme will be to carry on the great work which has been furthered by our predecessors.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands,” Ensign, Jun 1995, 2–13) And indeed, President Hinckley has carried on even into his late nineties and approaching the century mark. His enthusi... Read More

John Taylor, the third called prophet of these modern times, has a unique testimony of Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet of the restoration. President Taylor was in Carthage Jail with Joseph and Hyrum Smith when the mob, faces painted black, charged the jail and assassinated the prophet and patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. Before the mob attacked, Joseph asked John Taylor to sing his favorite hymn, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." As his beautiful tenor voice rose in song, the prophet listened with heavy heart, knowing he would no... Read More

What is the difference between eternal life and immortality? Each of Heavenly Father's children, every single person born into mortality, and yes, that includes you, will be resurrected regardless of their level of righteousness. This was assured by our Savior, Jesus Christ, when He broke the bands of death and arose in that garden tomb as our resurrected Lord and Redeemer. That is immortality. Eternal life, on the other hand, has to be earned. It is something to be greatly desired and every effort, part and parcel of our lives should be dedicated to that end. Harold B. Lee, the eleventh called ... Read More

As we live the gospel, we receive the light, inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. (“Chapter 20: The Still, Small Voice of Revelation,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 181) This is a beautiful gift given to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. This gift is personal, two-way communication, with God, who is our Heavenly Father and always petit... Read More

On this day, 202 years ago, a baby was born into the world. Joseph Smith came into the world to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in its entirety, but on that day, he was simply Joseph and Lucy Smith's baby boy. One who loved to laugh, jump, run and play, but also was diligent in his work and study of the Bible. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father . . . he didn't live to see his own children grow to to adulthood, let alone have children, and so he never became a grandfather in mortality. But he was all of these and more, devoted in each capacity. He was also a prophet of God. Chosen from before the foundations of the world were ever formed to come into this world in 1805 and res... Read More

John Taylor, who was the third called prophet in these modern times, saw and experienced so much hatred and persecution in his life that I find these words of his particularly poignant and powerful. “Love one another,” he encouraged, “and work the works of righteousness, and look after the welfare of all, and seek to promote the happiness of all. That is what God is doing.” He believed strongly in the role of the Spirit in nurturing our love for others. “When you get the Spirit of God,” he taught, “you feel full of kindness, charity, long-suffering, and you are willing all the day long to accord to every man that which you want yourself. You feel disposed all the day long to... Read More

Brother Brigham lived through all the early and extremely tough years of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons. He served with Joseph Smith, Jr. as a friend, a brother in the gospel and an apostle of the Lord, which is a special witness of Jesus Christ. He so loved, honored and cherished his association with the prophet of the restoration, Brother Joseph, that on his deathbed the last words, of recognition and joy, from his mouth were, "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph." Brigham Young met Joseph not long after the Church was formally organized on April 6, 1830. No... Read More

First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson is a living apostle, Navy veteran of World War II and an accomplished businessman and publisher. He has served in the First Presidency under three prophets of God: Ezra Taft Benson, Howard W. Hunter and now, Gordon B. Hinckley. Known for his marvelous stories and poems which teach the principles of God, Thomas S. Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah... Read More

Born July 1, 1855 in Salt Lake City, Orson F. Whitney, a poet, historian and apostle, was the grandson of one of the original twelve apostles under Joseph Smith, Jr., Heber C. Kimball. One of his earliest memories was the family moving as Johnson's Army approached Salt Lake City. Which is a whole other story pertaining to Mormon History and is better told at another time. Raised in Salt Lak... Read More

One of my favorite apostles in this modern age is Elder John A. Widtsoe. Born January 31st of 1872 in Dalöe, Island of Fröyen, Norway, his mother, who worked as a seamstress, and siblings joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and they emigrated from Norway to America in 1883, where he was baptized April 3, 1884. Born with a deep hunger for knowledge, Elder Widtsoe became a renowned and well-respected scientist. He graduated from Brigham Young University and then Harvard, graduating from there with honors in 1894. Married June 1st, of 1898, to a granddaughter of the prophet ... Read More