Preserving Religious Freedom

This clip features three apostles who talk about what religious liberty means, and the fight we will have to preserve our religious liberty.  Religious liberty is more than just the freedom to believe.  It has to include the freedom to express your religion.  They are not advocating a fight of guns, but a fight of minds, standing up for our rights to practice religion according to our own conscience.  Being active in this cause will help us preserve our liberties.

Special Witness - Elder Rasband

Being the great-great grandson of pioneers in the Martin handcart Company, I was very touched by this testimony.  He talks of his heritage of faith and endurance, of family who had a testimony of the Lord jesus Christ.  This legacy has helped forge his own testimony.

Special Witness - Elder Renlund

This is the apostolic witness of Elder Renlund, one of the newer apostles

Biographical Book Review: Charles C. Rich: Mormon General and Western Frontiersman

Charles C RIch: Mormon general and Western Frontiersman,
Leonard J. Arrington, Brigham Young University Press, Provo,
Utah, 1974.
I have ben fascinated by this book.  This is the story of an apostle,
who experienced many of the early events of the Church.
He participated in Zion's Camp, and saw the Lord defend his
men through a storm which prevented the gentiles from being
able to mount an attack.  He was at Far West when the prophet
was taken.  He served missions to England in the early days
of the Church.  Perhaps one of the most important places in
church history was the establishment of San Bernardino in
California, which was established as a lace for the Saints to
rest if they should come around the Horn and up to California
and then on to Utah.  I never realized much of the history of this
community, and how the Mormons eventually left.  The Church
was paying an incredible amount of interest on the property.
They often would have to go to members and ask for donations,
this included John Horner who became a wealthy farmer in the
Bay Area after traveling on the Ship Brooklyn.  Even with
donations, it seems there was always another payment due.
Persecution also found it way to San Bernardino, with non
Mormons wanting to take over the property of the Mormons.
Finally Brigham Young decided it was time to give up the property
rather than making the payments.  He called Charles Rich and
other leaders on missions to Europe.  The Church owned property
was let go.  Some Mormons on private property continued on,
but most returned to Utah.  Charles Rich subsequently was called
to found the area around Bear Lake, and the Utah County is named
for him.  This area is incredibly cold in the winter, the the cold
weather caused some problems with people being snowed in
for months during the winter.  Sometimes travel was dangerous
due to snow.  Charles Rich passed away in Paris, Idaho in 1983.
He was 74 years old.  

Fishers of Men: A Bible Story for Children

What does it mean to be a Fisher of Men?  Be like Him, help others and teach people about the gospel.

Mormon Apostle Special Witness President Henry B. Eyring

Powerful testimony from Henry B. Eyring and the peace of the temples and the Savior's love.

Special Witness - Elder Bednar

Testimony of the restoration of the priesthood, and of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Special Witness - Elder Holland

An apostolic witness from the garden of Gethsemane.

Mormons Special Witness Elder Neil L. Andersen

A great testimony from an Apostle.  He quotes Francis Webster, a handcart pioneer.

Special Witnesses of Christ Elder Hales

The witness of an apostle of Jesus Christ

Jesus Call His Apostles: I Will Make Ye Fishers of Men

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-060-follow-me-and-i-will-make-you-fishers-of-men?category=bible-videos-the-life-of-jesus-christ

Jesus calls his apostles:

 18 ¶And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.  (Matthew 4)

  16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.  (Mark 1)

Three Part Series: Daily Bread: D. Todd Christofferson

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=enghttp://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-013-daily-bread-experience?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-014-daily-bread-change?lang=eng

The apostle D. Todd Christofferson provides an important series of three videos on the importance of prayer, and looking to Jesus, the bread of Life, daily.  I think I can grow closer to Jesus through his example.  I have always lacked consistency in my prayers.  This video points to the importance of daily communication with God.  It is something I hope to commit to more fully.

Come What May and Love It

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-03-come-what-may-and-love-it?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2009&&lang=eng

This video is of Joseph B. Wirthlin.  It is taken from a talk he gave shortly before passing away.  It is short, and I would encourage you to watch "Come What May and Love It."  Elder Wirthlin give a four part key to being happy.  1. Learn to laugh, 2. Seek for the eternal, 3. Learn the principle of compensation and 4. Trust in the Lord.

If You Are Mormon, Why?

April McMurtrey has posed an interesting question.  A question that takes some thought.
The first reason that comes to mind, is the feelings of peace and recognition that comes to me when I hear inspired talks at church, or at conference.  When I hear the prophet speak, or for that matter any of the conference speakers, but especially the prophet, I have that feeling inside that says this is a prophet, or this is a man or woman of God, and what they are saying will help me be a better person. 
Along with this, comes the assurance that the story of the Church is a true story.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in fact a restoration of the ancient Church of Jesus Christ as established by Jesus Himself in Jerusalem and in the new world.  The gospel message of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End, and Eternal Life is God's Good News. 
I know this message is a true message, because I have prayed about it, and received the witness of the Holy Ghost that it is true.  God Lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, we have a living prophet today.
The great thing about this message, is that others receive the same assurance.  Through prayer, study of the Book of Mormon, and earnest desire, millions have reached the same conclusion and testimony.  God speaks today.  He has a prophet on the Earth with twelve apostles.  His Gospel has been restored and rolls forth in glory.