Apostles on Religion

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The Williamsburg Charter reminds us that despite our constitutional prohibition against establishing a state religion, in many areas of the United States during the nineteenth century there was “a de facto semi-establishment of one religion in the United States: a generalized Protestantism given dominant status in national institutions, especially in the public schools.” In contrast, the Charter … [Read more...]

This Is What 30 Years Of Marriage Looks Like

Jill and Rick

The time has flown by and in the process we have produced five children and they in turn have given us three grandchildren -- so far. I don't really have too much advice for newly married couples except to tell you to make sure you go to church together often. In my church on a Sunday the men meet separately for part of the time and quite often we will be reminded to honor and respect womanhood and … [Read more...]

Hugh Nibley on Religion

Hugh Nibley

"Science without religion, like philosophy without religion, has nothing to feed on. . . . It is my contention that any branch of human thought without religion soon withers and dies of anemia." ("Science Fiction and the Gospel," The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley 12:519) "The worst sinners, according to Jesus, are not the harlots and publicans, but the religious leaders with their insistence … [Read more...]

C. S. Lewis on Religion

C. S. Lewis

"Now that I am a Christian I do not have moods in which the whole thing looks very improbable: but when I was an atheist I had moods in which Christianity looked terribly probable." (Mere Christianity) "Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed. That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed. If it offered us just the kind of … [Read more...]

Cassandra Is Blessed

Cassandra Is Blessed

Last Sunday the family gathered to the Lakeview Ward for the blessing of Cassandra Willoughby. For my readers unfamiliar with the naming and blessing of children I will explain. Under the direction of the presiding authority (in our case today it was Bishop Macrum), brethren who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may participate in the ordinance of naming and blessing children (see Doctrine & Covenants … [Read more...]

George W Bush on Religion

George W Bush

"My main objective in my discussions on religious freedom is to remind this new generation of [Chinese] leadership that religion is not to be feared but to be welcomed in society." (Mon, 04 Aug 2008 Washington Post) “I don’t think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made.” (Mon, 23 Apr 2007 New York Times) "I will be your … [Read more...]

Mitt Romney on Religion

Mitt Romney

“We separate church and state affairs in this country.... No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion.” (Fri, 7 Dec 2007 National Public Radio) “I’m not sure that we fully appreciate the profound implications of our tradition of religious liberty. I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired … [Read more...]

Mormons Living in El Paso Lumber Yard

Mormons living in El Paso lumber yard

This photograph was published by Bain News Service between 1910 and 1915. These Mormons were probably refugees from Mexico. In addition to numerous Mexican refugees, nearly 3,000 Mormons sought refuge in El Paso in 1912, going there from Mexico to escape dangers in the border areas during the Mexican revolution that started in 1911. The refugees received a warm welcome from the hospitable people of … [Read more...]

President Monson on Food Storage

President Thomas S. Monson

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since February 3, 2008. "As has been said so often, the best storehouse system that the Church could devise would be for every family to store a year’s supply of needed food, clothing, and, where possible, the other necessities of life." (Thomas S. Monson, “Guiding Principles of Personal … [Read more...]

Those Mormons Keep On Growing

Salt Lake Temple

The 2010 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reports total church membership of 147,384,631, up 0.49 percent over 2009. The top five churches in order of size of membership: The Catholic Church, 68,115,001, up 1.49 percent. Southern Baptist Convention, 16,228,438, down 0.24 percent. The United Methodist Church, 7,853,987, down 0.98 percent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day … [Read more...]