Mormonism & the Mormon church

Jeff Lindsay is visiting Las Vegas this week and has two complimentary blog posts about the Church in Sin City. As a Mormon growing up in Las Vegas myself, I found these to be pretty accurate:

My Small World Experience in Las Vegas

Best Show in Las Vegas and My New Favorite Celestial Room

Here are some links that Mormons struggling with homosexuality may find helpful:

• LDS.org: Homosexuality (Same Sex Attraction) — a library of information
• LDS.org: Same Gender Attraction — an interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Wickman
• Ask Gramps: What is the Mormon church’s position toward transgendered persons and gay marriages?
• Ask Gramps: How can I overcome same sex attraction to become a faithful Mormon?
• Ask Gramps: Science and Sexual Orientation
• Evergreen International — a non-profit organization that helps people who want to overcome homosexual behavior.
• Superchastity — an interesting idea to change the semantics of homosexuality in the Church and improve understanding and kindness

Last weekend I attended the FAIR Conference where, among other good speakers, I heard Marcus Martins speak about being a “black man in Zion”. Marcus joined the Mormon church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1972, a time when the Church did not allow blacks to hold the priesthood. In 1978 when the priesthood was extended to all worthy males regardless of skin color, Marcus received the priesthood and was the first black to serve as a Mormon missionary.

Here are my notes from his talk:

• The priesthood ban is an “undeniable part of history but an insignificant part of the present”.
• Blacks have an opportunity to exercise faith that other races will never have.
• I believe the priesthood ban was never part of the everlasting gospel, but a custom or law in response to a societal situation
• Priesthood ban not instituted by revelation? “For me this would be enough to explain the ban.”
• “The ban didn’t prevent me from receiving blessings”
• The Nephi-Sam continuum: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know…” while “to others it is given to believe on their words” (D&C 46:13-14). Sam apparently didn’t experience what Nephi did but he believed Nephi and was blessed.
• We must ask ourselves: Am I faithful, obedient, loyal?
• The 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to blacks helps fulfill D&C 1:20, and was another step in “restoration of all things”.
• The lifting of the priesthood ban parallels the extending of the Gospel to the Gentiles in biblical times.
• It’s His Church. He can do whatever he wants with it.
• Time is a time for activity, not activism. All I want to do is serve in the Church.
• We can teach the past without opening wounds.
• There’s so much war and hatred and people who can’t let go of past prejudices. They should follow the counsel of Paul to be an “example of the believers”.
• My experience is a result of my ancestors being brought to Brazil as slaves by others of my ancestors
• Joseph in Egypt (a symbol of the Savior) also sold as slave and knows what it’s like
• Someday I will have thrones, principalities, and dominions
• In 1973, President Kimball met with my father (Helvecio Martins) and told him that if he remained faithful, he’d receive all blessings of the Gospel. He repeated the promise at the laying of the cornerstone of the Sao Paulo temple in 1977.
• Should Church apologize so we can move on? I don’t think so. No apology needed because the ban was not instituted by Revelation.
• President David O. McKay considered lifting the ban but received “not now”. Harold B. Lee also received a “not now”.
• If Lord took away the priesthood again, I wouldn’t have to hometeach! (Just kidding)
• Some people still harbor racism.
• The ban wasn’t racist but it was a religious justification for racism in some members.

Additional reading:
The Need for Greater Kindness, by President Gordon Hinckley
BlackLDS.org, a website dedicated to black members of the Mormon church
Black Latter-day Saints: A Faith-FULL History
FairWiki: Blacks and the Priesthood

The official title of the Mormon church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The name was given by revelation from God to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1838. It is common, though incorrect, to see a lowercase “t” in the “The” or an uppercase “D” in “day”.

When used in the media, it is preferred that the full title of the church be used, as opposed to “Mormon church”, “LDS church”, or “Church of the Latter-day Saints”. These variations leave out the most important part of the Church’s name — the name of Jesus Christ — and perpetuate false notions about the Mormon church not being Christian. Additional references to the Church may use the term “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ”.

Church members may be referred to as “Latter-day Saints” (better) or “Mormons” (okay). The culture, doctrine, and lifestyle of the Church together may be called “Mormonism”.

For more information, see Style Guide – The Name of the Church.

While these guidelines are important for naming the title of the Church in the media and preventing misconceptions, the use of more colloquial phrases like Mormon church or the Mormons is an important part of reaching out to persons of other faith. Both on the Internet and in person we should use language that is familiar to persons of other faiths and not expect them to understand our esoteric language. As they become more familiar with Mormonism, we can begin to explain the less familiar terms.

Among the latest news around the Mormon church is a letter from Church leaders to local members addressing an upcoming Senate bill that would amend the Constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. The letter from the Church asked members to “express themselves on this urgent matter to their elected representatives in the Senate.” (See KSL.) This effort by the Church is seen by gay rights advocates as discriminatory, and I suppose there are probably gay Mormons within the Church that feel similarly.

The Church rarely takes a position on political issues, except in some family and societal matters, which makes this recent letter all the more interesting. In fact the Church has a policy of being politically neutral:

In this election year, we urge Church members to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then vote for those they believe will most nearly carry out their ideas of good government. Latter-day Saints are under special obligation to seek out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are ‘wise,’ ‘good,’ and ‘honest,’ (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10). (LDS.org)

The Mormon church’s position on homosexuality is that it’s a behavior and as such can be overcome. I don’t think this denies the possibility that gays may have a biological tendency toward homosexuality, making it difficult to overcome for some. I tend to look at it like a person of Irish descent saying (and I have heard this), “I’m Irish; I have a temper. That’s just the way I am.” No doubt there are tendencies toward certain temperaments, but that doesn’t mean we can’t overcome our tendencies.

FYI, Evergreen International helps gay Mormons overcome homosexuality.

See the following searches at LDSsearch.com for more information:
Gay Mormons
Gays and the Mormon church

David Bresnahan at American Chronicle has a good article on the Mormon church and Mitt Romney. He explains that the Mormon church is a Christian church, its members strive to live Christian principles, and Mitt Romney is a great candidate for U.S. President:

The next time a news reporter questions whether a Mormon can be elected president, take a look at it for what it is. A lazy reporter needed a story about Romney and could not come up with anything new other than to rehash the same tired story so many others have already done. The evangelical pastors that reporters quote in such stories are quick to exaggerate. In reality the typical evangelical Christian is not much different than a Mormon.

They both want the best for their families, and they both do their best to live according to the beliefs of their religion. Some of their doctrines are different, but their values are not. As more and more people focus on values instead of doctrines they will recognize that having a Mormon as president is just what this country needs.

Source: A Mormon President?

One of the side effects of being a Mormon missionary is that you meet lots of great people. (Probably because you simply meet lots of people, period.) Some of my best friends today are those I met while serving a mission in Brazil. That includes my mission companions, other missionaries who weren’t my companions, and families living in Minas Gerais. Those friendships and associations are among the best I have.

As I hinted above, meeting lots of people means you meet several negative or unfriendly persons as well. But those relationships fade quickly and the good ones remain.

Missionary work isn’t easy but the benefits are numerous.

When I started this blog, I intended to talk more about my experiences as a Mormon missionary. As a missionary in Brazil, many people were surprised to find out that being a missionary was a temporary assignment and that I would return to be a layman in the Church and pursue other professional goals. They were also surprised to learn that Mormon missionaries don’t receive a salary but in fact pay their own way. These sacrifices, combined with long hours of mental and physical exertion make being a Mormon missionary a demanding job.

But on the other hand, there was never a time when my tasks were so focused and clear cut. I felt important and productive. I met so many good people, among both the Brazilians I taught and among the Brazilian and Americans that were my companions. I repeatedly felt the Holy Spirit affirm the truthfulness of what I was doing and teaching and learning.

Being a Mormon missionary wasn’t easy, but I’m so thankful for what it did for me. President Gordon B. Hinckley said that missions are a tithing on the first 20 years of your life — not easy, but after doing it God opens the windows of heaven.

The idea of “eternal” or “celestial” marriage is among the most unique (and appealing) doctrines of Mormonism. Unlike other marriage ceremonies that end in the words “until death do you part”, marriage ceremonies performed in Mormon temples include the promise that couples that are faithful to each other and to God may continue as husband and wife for the rest of eternity, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This is one of the most appealing promises of becoming a member of the Mormon church and among the biggest rewards for living a Christian life.

An article at LDS Church Temples has more information on Mormon marriage.

This weekend as I watched General Conference on TV, I couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy during President Hinckley’s talk. Gordon B. Hinckley became prophet and president of the Mormon church when I was a freshman in high school. He is the prophet that I grew up with, that sent me on a mission, and who I’ve heard speak the most. His talk this weekend was reflective and personal, as if he was alluding to his own upcoming passing. Despite that tone, President Hinckley ended the talk by saying, essentially, ‘This isn’t an obituary. I look forward to seeing you in October.”

I found it interesting to learn today that two years ago on President Hinckley’s birthday, President George W. Bush awarded Gordon B. Hinckley the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award given to civilians. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.