Mormons are instructed they must only submit names of direct ancestors and their immediate family (parents, siblings, etc.) unless they have permission from the family. Not every Mormon knows the rule, however, although it is written in the places where submissions are made, and many feel they are helping people they consider special by submitting their names. Therefore, when a name is inappropriately submitted, it is due to a misunderstanding of the rules by the member who submitted it. Since they can be submitted online, there is generally not a worker who can ask them about the names they’ve submitted. The church itself does not submit these names and does not give permission for the practice. Of course, as you go further back into a famous person’s genealogy, there are LDS church members who can legitimately submit the names because they are also descendants of the ancestors.

 A church member who finds she shares ancestors with President Obama can submit those ancestors, but cannot continue forward through the line to President Obama’s mother. So, for instance, if a member shares her sixth great grandmother with President Obama, she can submit that grandparent and the grandparents’ immediate families. She can continue further into the past, because those are her direct family, but cannot move forward, all the way to the present.

When a name is sent to a temple, the work is done by a living proxy. This person may be a descendent, or it may be someone using a randomly assigned name that was submitted by another church member. It’s important to understand what Mormons teach about that deceased person.

The Bible teaches that baptism is necessary for eternal life. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (See Acts 2:38.) Even Jesus Christ, who had no sins to repent of, insisted on being baptized, because it was a required action. Baptism is not an optional commandment.

Many religions struggle with this particular issue, because they realize there are those who had no opportunity to choose baptism, and to deny them eternal salvation due to something beyond their control conflicts with their understanding of a loving God. The Bible gives us the answer to this problem. Paul asked the Corinthians: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). It is easy to understand the meaning of this question. He asked the people why they were doing baptisms for the dead if the dead didn’t rise. Well, of course, the dead do rise. He was not explaining baptisms for the dead; he was teaching that the dead do rise and that this was the purpose of these proxy baptisms. Baptisms for the dead were something they obviously already knew about, since he didn’t take any time to explain them. It was in practice at the time and lost in the apostasy. Paul knew, as did Jesus’ other followers, that baptism was necessary for salvation, and that a loving God provided for the challenge of having people die prior to receiving the gospel.

However, God also gives us agency. No one is forced to become a member of God’s church, even if he knows it is true. This gift of agency does not end with death. A baptism by proxy only gives the deceased person the opportunity to accept baptism on his behalf. He is first taught the gospel, just as he would have on earth. Even though at this point, he clearly knows what is true, he is free to reject it if he chooses to do so. Even during life, some people who have received confirmation of the truthfulness of the gospel decide they prefer not to accept or live the truth, and this is also true after death. We continue to be ourselves after we die.

The work can be done one year after death, allowing time for this instruction to occur and for the decision to be made. When the work has been done by a proxy, the deceased person decides whether or not to accept the gift that has been offered. If he rejects it, it is as if it never happened, and he goes on with the life he has earned and chosen. If he does accept, then the proxy ordinance is accepted just as if it had been done by him in his lifetime.

The baptized person is never placed on the records of the earthly church, since we do not know who accepted or what their choices are in Heaven. Those records are kept in the heavenly realm. Here, the only record kept is that the work was done, giving that person the option to accept or reject.

The answer to the question, then, of whether President Obama’s mother is a Mormon is that she is not. The church cancelled the baptism. This means that if she accepted the baptism, the privileges of baptism have been taken from her until one of her own descendants converts and has the work redone. If she had rejected it, nothing has changed for her anyway. Even if the baptism had not been cancelled, her name was never on the records of the earthly church as a member, and she would be a Mormon in Heaven only if she chose to be.

More on the Mormon baptism of Obama’s mother

The first General Authority of African descent was Helvécio Martins. Although he descended from African slaves, he was born in Brazil. The first African General Authority was Christoffel Golden Jr., of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Elder Sitati was born in Kenya. He’s an engineer by trade, having graduated from  the University of Nairobi. He worked in the oil and gas industries. He also served on the board of Reach the Children, a non-profit organization that works to improve opportunities for African children by strengthening self-reliance and improving communities.

Elder Sitati is a convert to the church. He and his wife were looking for something to help them raise a strong family. He was baptized in 1986. Only three years later, he was a district president, similar to overseeing a Catholic diocese. He was, in fact, the very first district president of the newly formed district in Kenya. Organizing a new district is a daunting task for a long-time, experienced church leader. For someone who had only been a member for three years, this was an amazing feat.

The task was made more complicated because that year, the government of Kenya had made it illegal for more than nine adult members to meet together, and had asked all full-time missionaries to leave the country. He organized all the members into small nine-person groups and ensured at least one priesthood leader oversaw each group. However, there weren’t many church members, and the restrictions, and lack of missionaries, made it difficult to carry out the normal programs of the church causing them to lose many of their members. However, Elder Sitati, a man of great faith, saw it as nothing more than a passing phase that could be overcome.

To this end, he asked all the church members to fast (go without food or drink for twenty-four hours) and pray that the church would become officially registered in their country, which would lift the restrictions. His leadership was so great that small children were reminding their parents to pray again. Their prayers were answered early in 1991. A few months later, Uganda was also registered, and James E. Faust, an apostle, was sent there to dedicate both countries to the preaching of the gospel. Elder Sitati and his family were the first Kenyans to go to the temple, following the lifting of apartheid, where they were sealed as a family. This is a Mormon ceremony that joins a family not just until death separates them, but for all of eternity.

 In 2001, the district, under his direction, had grown large enough to be called a stake, similar to the district, but demonstrating a larger LDS population. He was then selected to lead as the first stake president of the newly formed stake. He was later called to be an area seventy, overseeing a large portion of the area in which he lives. He next oversaw church public affairs, working with the news media, for all of Africa. This was followed by time spent overseeing the Nigeria Calabar Mission, where he supervised the work of all missionaries assigned to that region. This was his assignment at the time of his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy, a designation that makes him a General Authority, serving under the direction of the apostles. They are often asked to speak at General conferences, and more than twenty of them have gone on to become apostles.

The new apostle is Neil L. Andersen, who had been serving as the senior member of the Presidency of the Seventy, where he had been serving since 1993. He has spent ten of the last twenty years outside of the United States and has traveled extensively for the Church, which is excellent preparation for his new calling (church job) as an apostle. He lived in France as a young adult serving a mission, and returned to spend three years as the mission president. He was released from that assignment nine months before becoming a General Authority in 1993.

Elder Andersen led the church’s work in Brazil, Europe, and various parts of the United States. He speaks four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

He was born in Utah, but was raised in Idaho on a farm. Many of his childhood experiences helped prepare him for a life of church service. When he was three, his family lived in Wyoming and had to drive 90 miles to attend church each week. The fact that they did so helped him develop an attitude that church was worth that sort of sacrifice. At about the age of seven, he had the opportunity to shake hands with Spencer W. Kimball, who would later become a prophet. When he was nine years old, he went to General Conference, but was unable to get a seat inside. He stayed outside listening, and afterwards, went to the exit, where he was able to be close to many of the church’s leaders. These two experiences gave him a testimony that the leaders of the church were called of God.

 He raised his children in Tampa, Florida when they weren’t living elsewhere on church assignments.

Elder Andersen is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Harvard University. He currently has four children and twelve grandchildren.

Many who follow the church’s semi-annual General Conference will be familiar with Elder Andersen through the talks he’s given. One popular talk, currently featured on Mormon Messages, is “You Know Enough.”

“Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts-these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe.”

Through the years we take these important spiritual steps over and over again. We begin to see that “he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” Our questions and doubts are resolved or become less concerning to us. Our faith becomes simple and pure. We come to know what we already knew.” (Neil L. Andersen, “You Know Enough,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 13-14)

In 2008, Elder Andersen told the story of a Christmas Eve when he and his family were living in France. He had taken his family to visit each city in the mission, where they presented a special message to the missionaries serving in each place over the course of a week. They were happy and fulfilled as they began the long drive home in a large van containing Elder Andersen, his wife, their four children, and four  missionaries.

The children were excited about the Christmas Eve dinner being prepared for them by a missionary couple back home, and the gifts that awaited them. However, they began to have serious car trouble when they were still a good distance from home. After failing to find a train station or rental place open in the small towns they were in, his wife Kathy suggested they pray. They did so and continued on. When the van finally stopped running, they found themselves outside a lovely inn. They went inside, hoping to find a meal in the pleasant restaurant and rooms in the inn until businesses reopened. However, the innkeeper, seeing the tired and sad faces of the children, instead offered to drive them ten miles to his farm, where he would loan them a large van they could use, so they could be in their own home for Christmas. He refused money and simply told them to return the van when they could. They arrived home in the borrowed van shortly after midnight, through the power of prayer and the kindness and trust of a complete stranger. (Neil L. Andersen, “Room in the Inn,” Liahona, Dec 2008, 8-11)

Elder Andersen comes to his new assignment as an apostle with a deep understanding of other cultures and a powerful testimony of the gospel.

“This Web section on disabilities has been created to offer support, comfort, and an increased level of acceptance toward those with disabilities.

Those individuals who live with a disability, their caregivers, as well as leaders, teachers, and members may find within this site additional understanding of specific disabilities and some of the difficulties faced by those involved.”

The website offers basic church guidelines for working with people who have disabilities, as well as suggestions for teachers who have students with special needs. The site also has a page of scriptures and quotes related to disabilities or caring for those in need, to serve as a comfort and a guidance. Another page has a list of the resources the church makes available for those with disabilities.

Other pages are less church-specific. One page offers guidelines for parents, for assisting the siblings, and for grandparents on helping a person with disabilities. The page for siblings is particularly helpful. There is often a lack of material on how to help a child accept and understand a disabled sibling. This page explains that siblings often go through the same grieving process as the parents do, and that they have a right to be children. They should be allowed to express their true feelings, even if they’re hard to hear, but then be guided gently to an appropriate attitude in time.

Following these pages, there are pages for a few specific disabilities: autism, chronic illness, hearing loss, intellectual disability, learning disability, memory loss, mental illness, physical disabilities, speech and language, and vision loss and blindness.

As an example of the type of information available, let’s look at the autism topic. The page begins with an overview of autism, including symptoms and causes. Below this, the article outlines three main areas in which an autistic person might have challenges. It then outlines how to help, with the focus centering on teachers and leaders in the church. The article also includes a list of teaching tips, so that even a person with no experience can help a student get the most of the class.

Finally, the page offers a list of additional resources, both on the church’s website, and on non-LDS websites as well.

Because those with special needs are most often integrated into a regular ward program, this is a valuable resource for parents and leaders. Teachers may feel uneasy about having a special child in their class at first, but when they approach the assignment with love and realism, they soon realize the experience enriches everyone’s life.

I once had a four-year-old with the abilities of an eighteen-month-old in my Primary class. I gave the children a simple explanation and told them that while she had a family and teachers and a Heavenly Father who loved her and helped her, what she didn’t have was friends her own age. I explained that she would need extra care and help and asked them if they’d like to be her friend and help her. They agreed, and that set off what I call my Miracle Year.

The children eagerly watched for opportunities to serve the little girl, and also cheerfully helped each other so I could work more closely with her. If we made something they assisted each other, leaving me free to help her. As they learned to watch for service opportunities, they expanded it into all aspects of the class, leaping to help one another at all times. They became very compassionate about individual differences. When one child was upset because he was the only one who couldn’t ride a bike, the others reminded him of what we always said about our special classmate: Everyone has things he’s good at and things that are harder, and we all learn at our own pace. In the past, I’d seen other children teasing a child in this situation, but these children were learning to respect individual pacing.

Throughout the year and three months I worked with these children, I not only saw a dramatic increase in their compassion, but in their spirituality. We witnessed a number of spiritual miracles, including a reactivation of a parent. I had no doubt, as I looked back on an extraordinary year, that it all started because they had the opportunity to serve a child with special needs and learn to be more like Jesus Christ.

Temples are a special type of church building. They aren’t used for regular, weekly worship or congregational activities. While regular church buildings are open to all, temples are open only to those who have developed a high level of worthiness as members of the church.
You can think of them as being like a college class. If you decide you want to study physics, you don’t begin with the advanced course. You start with the beginning physics class and then, when you have sufficient background and understanding, you sign up for the advanced class. People who are not members of the church or who haven’t been a member for very long need a good grounding in the basics of the gospel. They need to learn to live the gospel to a certain level before they learn more and make sacred covenants (promises) between themselves and God. These covenants must never be broken, since we should never break a promise to God. Therefore, it’s important for a person to have the knowledge, the spiritual maturity, and the experience to make promises to God. Members must have belonged to the church for one year prior to making these covenants.

Members in good standing are married in the temple. This marriage covenant is made for eternity, not just until death. God created families when he created the earth, and gave families a powerful bond that no loving God would rob us of at a time when we’ve been promised the greatest joy imaginable. Do you really want to spend eternity without your spouse and children?

Baptisms are performed for those who died without an opportunity to hear the gospel. Living people act in proxy for those who died, and the deceased person has the opportunity, in Heaven, to accept or reject the ordinance. If he rejects it, it is as if it never happened. It has no hold on him at all, because agency is an essential doctrine of the gospel. If he accepts, it is as if he’d been baptized on earth and he is welcomed into the fold as a full member.

One of the new temples will be built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia was the site of an historic sermon given by Joseph Smith, the first modern-day prophet of the church. This will be an urban, multi-use building, with a regular meeting house below and the temple above. This model is also used in Manhattan and Hong Kong.

A temple is being built in the Kansas City, Missouri area, on property the church is currently developing. A temple is also being built in Argentina, next to the current mission home, and another in Calgary, Canada.

Members were most excited about a new temple announced for Rome, Italy. When it was announced, there were audible gasps from those in the Conference Center. It is being built on a fifteen-acre site the church owns.

I am an author, a teacher, and most importantly, a mother of four. I have been blessed in my life to be able to do many things I love, like writing (my children’s picture book My Squishy Pants just came out, and I am working on many other writing projects as well), substitute teaching at the local elementary schools, reading great books, playing (and even coaching some) volleyball, and being a full-time mother. I also had the opportunity of serving a full-time mission in Utica, New York, which was a wonderful experience. I now live in Kaysville, Utah with my husband, Daniel, and our children. I have been given so much. (Lori Conger, 29 July 2008)

Candace: As an author of children’s literature you have a unique love and connection with the children of the world. Will you please share with us the value children have in the eyes of our Lord?

Lori? From the time I was very small I was taught that I was a child of God, that He heard my prayers and that He loved me. I think it was the most valuable principle my parents ever instilled in me, for it gave me a sense of self worth and a knowledge of who I was and what my purpose was here on earth. I felt His love many times as a child and knew that He knew me, just as He knows and loves all of His children.

One of my favorite scriptural accounts is found in 3 Nephi, Chapter 17, when the Savior took the little children in his arms and blessed them and prayed for them. It is one of the most beautiful accounts of the Savior portraying His love, and He does it to the children. It is no wonder He always taught to “suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not” (Matt. 19:14). In the Book of Mormon we are taught to become like little children (Mosiah 3:19), and I love the scripture in Matthew 18, verse 10 that reminds us to not despise “these little ones,” for their angels always behold the face of God. Yes, God loves little children.

Candace: What is your favorite scripture and why?

Lori I have many favorite scriptures, but one that I have relied on many times in my life is Helaman 5:12, where we are taught to build our foundation on the “rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.” As the influences of the world become stronger and many voices pull for our attention, this scripture reminds me that I need only to make sure I am firmly grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then, no matter what Satan tries or how strong his influence may seem, I will not–cannot–fall. What a remarkable promise!

Candace: Who is your favorite prophet and why?

Lori: I would have to say that my favorite prophet is whomever is the current prophet (is it cheating to say that?). I am so profoundly grateful for a living prophet and feel humbled and blessed to live at such a time when we have divine guidance through a prophet of God that I find myself loving and appreciating whomever is filling that divine calling. Each prophet in my lifetime has influenced my life in tremendous ways. Could you imagine the world without a David O. Mckay or Ezra Taft Benson, or especially a Gordon B. Hinckley? Me niether! So, right now, my favorite prophet is President Thomas S. Monson.

Candace: Will you please share with us your conversion? All of us, whether we are born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, have a moment of conversion, please share?

Lori: I have to say that I do not have a “moment” of conversion, for my conversion came line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little until I found my heart full with a sincere and profound knowledge and love of the Lord and His church. I do distinctly remember, however, standing in the front of our chapel one Sunday morning in May of 1986, only a few days after our elementary school had been held hostage (miraculously no one but our captors had lost their lives–even after a bomb had exploded) and singing “I Am a Child of God,” and knowing deep within my heart that I truly was and that He had been aware of our situation and intervened to save us. Then, as a teenager, when President Benson directed us to read the Book of Mormon every day, I took that challenge, and without really knowing it then, it changed my life. I grew to love and honor that sacred book, and it gave me a deep and abiding testimony of the Savior and a desire to live the life He would want me to live.

Candace: Will you please share your personal testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Lori: I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know He is real, that He came to earth to do His Father’s will, to live and die for each of us. I know that because He loves us deeply He has continued to call living prophets throughout time to help us know the truth and the way to live to gain eternal life. I know that every good thing in my life is because of my Savior and Redeemer, who made it possible for me to have true and lasting peace and joy, and I love Him so much for that.

Candace: Christians across the globe face an ever-increasing battle against those who would destroy and erase all that our Savior has done for us. What would you say to them, given the chance?

Lori I think I would say something similar to what Alma told Korihor in the thirtieth chapter of Alma. Korihor kept denying that there is a Christ. Alma shared with Korihor his testimony and then asked a profound question, “And now, what evidence have ye that there is no God or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.” Then he continues by saying that he had all things as a testimony that they are true.

I would hope to share a simple, powerful testimony and then encourage them to sincerely seek for truth, to be honest with themselves, and to go to God, rather than the world, for answers.

Candace: Please share your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope it brings to every human soul.

Lori: I know God lives, that He is our Father, and that He hears and answers our prayers. I know He wants us to find true and lasting peace and happiness, and that is why He created a Plan that allowed us to come to earth to learn and grow. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, that He lives, and that He provided the way for us to return Home again someday. I know we are led by a prophet of God, President Thomas S. Monson, and that the truth was restored to the earth in the spring of 1820 when God and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith in a grove of trees in upstate New York. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that it has the power to bring us to Christ. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom on earth today. I know that God loves us more deeply than we could ever understand and that is why He gave us commandments and guidelines so that we would know how to live and be happy. The Gospel is true and it is real. Of that I am sure.

Candace: You stand, as it were, on a world stage. In that circumstance, what message do you have for this troubled world?

Lori: We live in a miraculous time! There is so much to rejoice in and hope for. The truth is on the earth and there is a way for every human soul to find it. The heavens are open, God is waiting, and He will answer every sincere desire for truth. There is a way to live and be at peace, even in troubled times, for we need only to follow the living Prophet. We need not be in despair. God lives. He is aware of us, and He will lead and guide us if we let Him.

Lori, thank you for dropping by and sharing your testimony with all the readers of LDSBlogs.com.

Candace: You are a well-known author in the LDS Historical Fiction genre, and as such you have spoken all across the west about the power of recording life histories in journals so that others might benefit from our experiences. Can you tell us why you feel it is so important you record in journals?

Tristi: If we think for a minute about the volumes of scripture we’ve been given, what are they? In essence, they’re journals. These prophets of old experienced God’s mercy in their lives, heard God’s word, or learned through their trials, and they wrote it all down. Today, we have those words to rely on to get us through the hard times. If we, in turn, record the things we’ve learned, the times we’ve experienced mercy, and the times we’ve heard God’s word, then our descendants can look to our words for encouragement.

What if those ancient prophets said they were too busy to take the time to write in their journals? Remember what the Savior said when He came to visit the inhabitants of the Americas–He rebuked them for not keeping their records. If they can take time, with their chisels and sheets of metal, to write in their journals, surely we can pull up a Word document or get out a notebook and write in ours. Our words will have tremendous worth to our children and their children–and to us, as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reminded of past blessings from reading old journal entries of mine from years past.

Candace: Will you tell us a little more about your ancestor Benjamin Perkins and the role he played in the Hole in The Rock?

Tristi: Benjamin Perkins was an incredible man of faith. He came to America with only the money for his passage, worked his way across the continent to join with the Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormons, in Utah, then continued to work to bring his family and his sweetheart across. After all that work, after toiling to build a home, he left it all behind when he was asked to serve a mission to colonize the southeast corner of the state of Utah. He, along with the other men on the trek, literally carved their path out of rock and wood. When they reached the sheer cliffs that comprise the bank on the west side of the Colorado River, rather than turning back or giving up, he came up with a way to create a road tacked on to the cliff face to lower the wagons to the water side. In every instance, he moved forward with faith in the Lord and didn’t question the things he was asked to do, even when the command to practice polygamy nearly tore him apart.

Candace: Why is literacy so important to the children of God?

Tristi: We need to be able to read and fully comprehend the words of the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and the words of our own patriarchal blessings. In addition, we’ve been taught that our knowledge is the only thing we’ll be able to take with us to the next life, and we’ll use that knowledge in our eternal progression. We must be literate in order to attain that knowledge. The glory of God is light and truth, is it not, and how else can we gain that light and truth for ourselves than by educating ourselves in the gospel?

Candace: You are a lifelong Latter-day Saint, can you tell us when you gained a testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Tristi: I’ve always had a testimony of the Church. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t have it. However, I’ve had certain experiences that have taught me more deeply about certain aspects of the gospel. During my parents’ divorce, while seeking comfort in prayer, I gained a rock-solid assurance that our Heavenly Father listens to every single word we offer up to Him. While visiting Nauvoo as a sixteen-year-old, my testimony of Joseph Smith became unshakable. When faced with unemployment and the prospects of losing my home, I learned without question that God is in charge.

Candace: What gospel principle plays the most important role in your life and why?

Tristi: I don’t think I can pick just one. I love the principle of eternal families, knowing that I can be with my dear ones forever. I love knowing that I can turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer any time I want. I love the blessings that come from paying tithing. If I had to narrow it to one, I would say that knowing I’m a daughter of God is the most priceless to me, knowing that He loves me so much that He sent His Son to pave my way, and knowing that my Brother loves me so much that He died the most painful death imaginable for me.

Candace: You stand on a world stage now, as it were. What message do you have for those seeking Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Tristi: We live in a time where chaos and confusion are kings. We can look to the media, to drugs, to fame, to money, to being skinny, to chanting mantras — we can look in a thousand different places for peace and happiness, but we never will find it until we have come unto Christ. And not just come unto Him, but accepted the very reality that He is the way, and if we just listen to the promptings we receive and follow the guidance we’ve been given, we will know what we should do. When everything around us is falling apart, we will know what to do.

For those who have been seeking Christ but aren’t sure where to find Him, He’s so easy to find. Just kneel down and offer up your heart, and He will be there immediately. You don’t have to struggle to find Him. You don’t have to go through a priest or a minister or any other form to ecclesiastical leader to find Him — you can approach Him directly and He will listen and He will respond immediately.

As far as seeking out a church that worships Him as He would most like to be worshiped, I know for a fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church restored to the earth. It is set up after the same pattern Christ Himself showed us while He was on the earth. The Church has His power, His authority, and His approbation to act in His name.

Candace: What is your favorite scripture and why?

Tristi: Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 — “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

I have the tendency to fear, and this scripture keeps me grounded and reminds me that I’m not the one in charge. I don’t have to make things all better. Someone Else can do that a whole lot better than I can, and I need to just let Him.

Candace: Who is your favorite prophet and why?

Tristi: My favorite prophet is always the one we have right now. I love the fact that ours is a living church, and that we are entitled to and do receive new revelation. This revelation doesn’t contradict what we’ve learned in the past, but rather adds to it and makes it richer. I love hearing the voice of the modern prophets and learning what the Lord wants me to do in this day and age, to add to the lessons we’ve already learned from prophets of old.

Candace: When did you gain a testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer and what does He mean to you now?

Tristi: That question of “when” is hard to pin down. It’s something that I’ve always known, and yet, as I mentioned, I’ve had experiences along the path that have strengthened what I’ve always known. He has seen me through some pretty agonizing times. He has comforted me when I’ve been in despair. He has been patient and kind and loving with me, sometimes gently correcting me but never blasting me with lightning, like I’m sometimes sure He will. Knowing that He loves me so much that He suffered the greatest pains of all, for me, is the most wonderful, validating, empowering thing I can imagine.

Candace: Any last words or thoughts you wish to share?

Tristi: I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my testimony and to publicly express how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father and my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, for my life, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for my family, and for the many ways in which They walk beside me every day.

Tristi Pinkston is the author of three published historical fiction novels and the mother of four adorable children. She writes for Families.com and works as a freelance editor. She and her husband make their home in Utah Valley, where she homeschools her children and serves as a Cub Scout leader in her ward.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. (Articles of Faith 1:11)

This is something President Thomas S. Monson, the 16th called prophet of these modern times, has taken to heart. In the last General Conference, he stated:

“I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.”

President Monson has made a point of always welcoming and fostering good, solid relationships, as well as friendships, with the leaders of other faiths. He’s a good, kind and friendly man. It is a natural extension of who he is and he has asked that Mormons keep in mind the struggle we had, and still have, in being respected for believing in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In keeping that in mind, it should help us to have kinder feelings and thoughts toward friends of other faiths, for indeed, that is who they are, friends.

Indeed, his counselor, a living Apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, also in the last General Conference, reinforced that request with:

“We honor and respect sincere souls from all religions, no matter where or when they lived, who have loved God, even without having the fullness of the gospel. We lift our voices in gratitude for their selflessness and courage. We embrace them as brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father. … He hears the prayers of the humble and sincere of every nation, tongue, and people. He grants light to those who seek and honor Him and are willing to obey His commandments.”

In a news release dated April 18, 2008, the LDS Newsroom reported:

The late Krister Stendahl, emeritus Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm and professor emeritus of Harvard Divinity School, established three rules for religious understanding:

(1) When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies;
(2) don’t compare your best to their worst; and
(3) leave room for “holy envy” by finding elements in other faiths to emulate.

These principles foster relationships between religions that build trust and lay the groundwork for charitable efforts. (LDS Newsroom)

Good points for all of us to live by. Indeed, it does us no good, anyone, to fight over the difference in beliefs. It is much more important to unite over our common beliefs. “It is important to note that interfaith cooperation does not require doctrinal compromise.” (LDS Newsroom, “Respect for Diversity of Faiths“, April 18, 2008)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has united with Catholic Relief Services to relieve human suffering, as well as joining with the Islamic Relief Worldwide and the Islamic Society of Great Salt Lake to accomplish the same purpose. This is something we are always willing to do, and indeed have sent tens, of thousands, of millions of tons of relief supplies across the world. It matters not the country, culture or religious differences, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under the direction of The First Presidency, always steps up when the children of God, regardless of their geographical location or religion, always steps up to fulfill the admonition of Jesus Christ, which is to “Feed my Sheep.” The Savior had in mind that His followers teach His Gospel to the world, but He also intended that we care for our fellow man. His prophet simply follows that admonition. It is an added benefit that it is, as stated before, that this is a natural extension of this man that is the living prophet of God today.

President Monson has called on all Latter-day Saints, Mormons, to follow his example in respecting the diversity of faiths which exist across the world. We, as has he, need to reach out to neighbors of all religions and foster friendships while respecting the differences in our beliefs.

The command to “Love Thy Neighbor” did not distinguish between faiths. Jesus Christ simply asked us to love everyone, as has His prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

Source: “Respect for Diversity of Faiths,” LDS Newsroom, April 18, 2008

According to the Ann Arbor News, the event began in part to help the community understand that Mormons are in fact Christians. It has become the Church’s “gift to the community” for 25 years.

However, this year will be the last. All of the work is done by volunteers, and the labor involved in setting it up and taking it down is intensive and there is no chairperson available beyond this year. So if you’re in the Ann Arbor area, you’ll want to stop by this year. More details on the event, as well as some photographs of a few of the displays, can be found at www.crecheexhibit.com.

I posted a blog covering a similar event not long ago. Again, if you’re able to attend these or a similar event held in your own community, I highly recommend it.

Kensington, Maryland: The 30th Annual Festival of Lights at the Washington, D.C. temple of the LDS Church officially began the evening of November 28. According to the Deseret Morning News, 450,000 lights will shine on the temple grounds through the holiday season. More than 250,000 visitors are expected to visit the display during December.

“These lights are our holiday gift to the nation’s capital,” said Ann Santini, director of international affairs for the Church.

Congressmen, ambassadors, and other guests were on hand for the official lighting. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, was among those who made remarks. Parnohadiningrat, a Muslim, said that peace on earth is “not only possible but imperative,” as reported by the Deseret Morning News.

“I believe we can make peace on earth more than just a slogan,” he said.

Musical numbers were also presented by soprano Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller and the Mormon Choir of Washington, D.C. Other musicians and musical groups will perform throughout the holiday season.

Asking missionaries of another faith for help in preparing to teach may seem odd, but when you think about it, it really does make sense. After all, Mormons have a very active and successful worldwide missionary program. So whether or not you agree with the specific religious beliefs, you’ve got to admit that the LDS Church probably does have some good insights into missionary work and sharing the gospel of Christ with others.

According to the North County Times, the Reverend Randy Leisey, pastor of United Church of the Valley, had become interested in the Mormon approach when he heard President Gordon B. Hinckley, then the prophet and president of the LDS Church, speaking in a local conference.

“He said ‘You 77 million baby boomers, don’t get a motor home. Go on mission,’” Leisey said to the North County Times. “I thought, ‘Wow, wouldn’t that change the world?’”

Leisey had been more interested in the LDS Church’s humanitarian efforts, since members of his congregation would be serving humanitarian missions themselves, helping to build houses in an impoverished country. But Larry Slusser, second counselor to the Temecula Stake (group of local congregations) president of the LDS Church, gave them a challenge in their meeting: “Is there any plan to teach them about Jesus Christ?”

Members of the United Church of the Valley were not completely comfortable with this idea, as they were afraid of appearing pushy and self-righteous. However, President Slusser gave them some ideas for sharing the message of Jesus Christ that would not be overbearing, such as bringing them videos to watch, holding devotionals before work, and staying in contact with the people after the projects were completed.

The important things, as LDS Church leaders will tell you, is to truly become their friends and to not be afraid to share your knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel when appropriate.

“The house is going to care for … one or two generations,” Slusser explained. “The faith affects many future generations. . . (Christianity) is life-changing, to give them peace of mind, direction … .”

“The task of missionary work used to be to make them like you,” Leisey commented. “But if you get intellectual about it, you realize how egocentric that is. Our denomination and many denominations started rethinking what mission is all about — building relationships.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said: “Our opportunity and responsibility are to care, to share, to testify, to invite, and then to allow individuals to decide for themselves. . . At the very least, we have a rewarding relationship with someone from another faith, and we can continue to enjoy their friendship.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Creating a Gospel-Sharing Home,” Ensign, May 2006, 84-87)

And, in the meantime, we will have given someone we care about the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it can change their lives. Having received the gift ourselves, we naturally want to share it with those we love.