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Mormons Give most to Charity out of All American Religions

February 25, 2012 by graceforgrace

In a recent article highlighting Mitt Romney’s charitable giving, the New York Times shared a graph that outlines the amount of giving major religions in America contribute.  The LDS, or Mormon Church’s members give nearly twice as much as the denomonation in the number two spot.

Here’s the breakdown of the average percentage of giving per member of each denomonation:

  1. Mormon: 5.6%
  2. Assemblies of God: 2.9%
  3. Nondenominational Evangelical: 2.6%
  4. Baptist: 2%
  5. Lutheran: 1.5%
  6. Jewish: 1.4%
  7. Orthodox: 1.3%
  8. Methodist: 1.2 %
  9. Episcopalian: 1.2%
  10. Presbyterian: 1.2%
  11. Catholic: .7%
  12. Muslim/Buddhist: .6%

Since paying tithing is a requirement for Mormons to attend the temple, I can understand how they could have a relatively high percentage.  Also, regular church attendance for Mormons is usually around 50% and since the tithing requirement is 10%, I can see how the Mormon church members are at around 5%.

For other Christian faiths, I’m actually pretty amazed how low the charitable giving is.  My understanding was that tithing is a law for all Christian faiths, but evidently I’m wrong about that.  Also, I’m amazed that giving isn’t up for Christians merely based on the fact that Jesus taught about giving to those in need.

Posted in Finances the Lord's Way, Tithing | 7 Comments »

Ways to Measure if you have Charity (Christ’s Love)

February 18, 2012 by graceforgrace

Last week’s article was about how to develop Charity (which we identified is the pure love of Christ) in one’s life.  This week, I thought it would be appropriate to share how you can measure the extent that you have Christ’s love in your heart.  These suggestions were given by members of our Stake Presidency on how to measure if one has pure love, or charity in their heart:

1. You feel a sincere desire to help others

2. Praying daily for charity

3. Looking for opportunities to serve, first within your own home and then with your neighbors

4. Being kind and patient in word and deed (even when it is hard)

5. Thinking about others’ needs

He had about 4-5 more that he discussed, but he talked so fast I couldn’t write them all down!

Some additional ideas I considered afterwards include:

1. Willingness to forgive

2. Not judging others

What other ways would you suggest as a good way to measure if on has the pure love of Jesus?

Posted in Christianity, Jesus, Love | 12 Comments »

10 Ways to Devlop Charity (Pure Love) in Ones’ Life

February 11, 2012 by graceforgrace

Mormon churches meet in congregations organized geographically called “wards”.  8-10 wards combine to make a “stake”.  Every six months the LDS, or Mormon Church organizes a meeting where the stake called “Stake Conference”.   At the stake conference, leaders of the stake (the Stake Presidency, organized by a president and 2 counselors) addresses the congregation on matters they feel that are necessary for the members of the stake.

The theme chosen by our stake presidency was charity.

Typically, when we think of charity today, we think of giving money or means to people suffering.  This is charity, indeed, but the scriptures show that charity is deeper than that.

In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 (KJV), Paul states that charity is the greatest gift to have, even greater than that of knowledge, prophecy, and faith.

In the Book of Mormon, in the book of Moroni, chapter 7, the prophet Mormon shares some thoughts on charity that are similar (almost verbatim in some parts) as Paul.  Some key differences are that he includes a definition of what charity is (it is the pure love of Christ see v. 48) and that we should pray daily that we can be filled with that love so that when we come before Christ we are filled with His love.

With these thoughts in mind, I’ll share some points one of the counselors of the Stake Presidency shared with us in how we can develop Charity.  He told us there are 10 ways, which include:

1. Daily Prayer

2. Daily Scripture Study (preferably in the beginning of the day)

3. Attending Sacrament Meeting (Communion)

4-10.  He said to fill these ones in according to what we feel moved to do.

Therefore, for a fun little activity, I thought I could enlist some help from those of you who stop by and read frequently.

What would you list on 4-10 on how we can develop christ-like love in our lives?

P.S.  One thing that stood out to me from his talk was to begin within the walls of our own home.  Sometimes it’s very easy to be kind to others and serve others but difficult to be nice to our own family.

Posted in Book of Mormon, Love | 4 Comments »

A Night with Two Gay Mormon Elders

February 4, 2012 by graceforgrace

Over the course of the last few years, I’ve heard conservatives within the LDS and without the LDS church openly denouce homosexual relationships.  As most of us also know, the LDS or Mormon church has taken a political stance to openly support groups in favor of not legalizing gay marriage alongside the Catholic and other predominantly Christian faiths.

As an LDS member, I’ve seen the church’s stand divide members.  Historically, the Mormon Church’s leadership has advised its membership not to mix religion and politics, but in this case it is evident that the LDS Church puts aside that advice and has pushed for political action.

Although I feel the intentions of the LDS church are not to be anti-gay, I have sensed that some members of the LDS church may view the Church’s actions as being anti-gay, or promoting intolerance, etc.  I’ve even heard some members who have said they would never allow a gay person in their homes so their kids wouldn’t be corrupted.

I personally do not condone homosexuality, and I feel that I’m a pretty tolerant person.  However, I’ve wondered myself how I would react if one of my children, relatives, or close friend were to come into my home with their significant other.

The opportunity knocked on my door late in the evening recently—literally.  We were having a birthday party for my oldest daughter and family and friends were gathered around our home.  It was about 7:30 p.m. and we heard a knock.  The party had been going for a couple hours already so we joked it must be someone late to the party.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see a relative of mine, who was a returned missionary but had since left the Mormon faith and come out that he was gay.  He had felt unwelcome by our family in recent years and had chosen not to participate in reunions and such.

My first reaction was a bit of surprise, but then I felt a genuine excitement to see him.  All thoughts of him being gay were gone and I remembered how personable and nice he was.  I saw his partner (also a former elder of the LDS church) coming out of the car as well and again, I didn’t feel any sense of judgement or hesitation to let them both into my home.

They both sat down and I introduced him to everyone in my wife’s family.  We sat down and had a very good discussion, catching up on life in general and how each of us were doing.  As they explained the efforts they had made to come visit, I even felt more appreciative that they had stopped by.  On the way through our town, he had remembered the name of the town and called my uncle for our address and phone number.  My uncle only had our address so he and his partner turned around and back-tracked about 45 minutes to get to our house, not knowing if we would be there, but willing to take the time to stop by.

Our evening together was very pleasant.  Our discussion was a very normal conversation and not once did I feel like taking my kids and hiding them in the back room as they both interacted with our kids.

It wasn’t until they had both left and I started thinking about our conversation that I remembered they were gay and that I had wondered within myself how I would react if someone who was gay were to come by with their other half in front of my kids.  I was glad for the experience as the official words from the LDS church’s position on homosexuality became a reality for me:

…we reach out with understanding and respect to people with same-gender attraction.

Posted in Homosexuality | 13 Comments »

Mitt Romney isn’t “Homophobic” Enough

January 27, 2012 by graceforgrace

I couldn’t believe what I read in a recent article, coming from a pastor who claims to be Christian and supporting Rick Santorum.  Here’s the quote:

In obedience to the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, most South Carolinans and I have a sane and healthy homophobia, while Mitt Romney has a very bad case of homophilia,” said Mills in a joint statement with fellow pastor, Rev. Ray Moore, according to The Hill. “Romney’s liberal support for homosexuality is not only at doctrinal odds with traditional Judaism and Christianity, it’s even at odds with latter-day cults like Islam and Mormonism.

I hope that this is just a fringe Christian wing-nut who doesn’t represent the way most Christians feel about people who struggle with homosexuality.

What are your thoughts, fellow Christians?

//edge.jeetyetmedia.com/ia/html/sia.html?org=graceforgrace.wordpress.com

Posted in Homosexuality, Politics | 8 Comments »

Mormons Earning Salvation and Becoming Gods

January 20, 2012 by graceforgrace

We had a pretty interesting discussion to close out our last Elders meeting in 2011.  It was a lesson on judgment and the second coming.  As you can imagine, many interesting things were said.  Some off the wall about what would happen leading up to the Second Coming, and others that were scripturally based.

One brother kept bringing something up though that caused me to reflect on an issue I hear quite frequently from fellow Christian friends of other denomonations, specifically on how they feel Mormons think they can earn their salvation and also become Gods.

The brother kept asking questions about what we needed to do in order to be saved.  He asked about the steps such as baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and going through the temple.  In his mind, it sounded to me like he thought he was home free once he made those steps.  He also made mention in reference to the scripture that if we make these steps, we will become Gods and have everything equal with God.

Although I am a Mormon, or Latter-day Saint, I completely disagree with these statements.  For starters, we will never be equal to God.  I believe that God (Heavenly Father), and Jesus Christ (also a God) are separate beings who are far superior to us and always will be.  Even though we are created in their image, we will never be equal to them.  I feel that it is damaging and dangerous to put ourselves at the same level with them in that it sets us up for pride and it is erroneous doctrine.

Some LDS or Mormon prophets (most notably, Lorenzo Snow) have come out and stated that we can become gods and that God was once like us.  Mormons are also quick to point to the scripture in the Bible that states in both the Old and New Testamant “ye are gods…” and use that as evidence that one can be a god.

A closer reading of the scriptures shows that every time Jesus or Heavenly Father are mentioned, the “g” in god is capitalized.  In the scripture that says we “are gods” the “g” is lower case.  To me, this means that we can become “like” God and have power and authority over certain things that He gives us, but we will always be inferior to Him and function under his jurisdiction.  Another way of looking at it is what we learn in the Mormon temple about us becoming “kings and priests” unto god, but not a God in the sense that He is God.

Regarding earning salvation, there are certainly actions we must take to receive the gospel into our hearts.  However, we will always be in debt to God the Father and Jesus for their sacrifice so that we have the opportunity to be saved.  Although we should always take actions to be obedient and close to the Holy Spirit, it is through the grace and mercy of Jesus that salvation comes.  The moment we start thinking we’re the ones accomplishing the task of being saved, we run into pride issues and this is also erronous doctrine to think we can earn our salvation.

Perhaps since I’ve been able to learn more from fellow Christian friends through this blog and other sources such as friends and family in other faiths, I am a bit more sensitive to the subject of Mormons earning their salvation and becoming Gods than I was before.  After that discussion we had in class, I can see why members of other faiths are alarmed when they attend a Morm0n church.

For those of you inside the church, do you think there is an issue with people feeling they have to earn their salvation?  What can we do to overcome this error in doctrine?

For those outside of the LDS church, have you had any experiences with Mormons thinking they can earn their salvation?  If so, please share your experience and how it makes you feel.

Posted in Christianity, Latter-day Saints, Mormon Christians | 42 Comments »

Advice for New Elders Quorum Presidents

January 13, 2012 by graceforgrace

The LDS, or Mormon church functions under a lay ministery.  This means that no one is paid for church service including the pastors and other leadership positions within the church.

One of the key leadership positions is the Elders Quorum President.  According to the LDS Auxillary Guidebook, the Elders Quorum President has several duties, which include: setting example and presiding over men in the quorum, organizing home teaching (monthly service visits to congregation members), teaching men of their duties as husbands, fathers, and in the church; and ordaining men to other priesthood callings, or jobs within the church.

Each quorum can consist of up to 96 elders (men) before being split into a new quorum.

As you can imagine, the position of an elders quorum president carries a lot of weight and responsibility, especially for someone who has a job and family full-time.  It can seem very overwhelming for an individual who is called to work in this position.

I know first hand how overwhelming it can be.  I was called to the position in 2003 right when I had started Graduate school for my MBA.  The Stake President (in the LDS church, he is the leader over a group of 8-10 congregations) called me to the position and I openly expressed my concerns with him as far as my time constraints were concerned.  The quorum I was being called to had around 90 men in it and the ward (congregation) was very transient and therefore required a lot of administrative work to organize the home visits.

Noticing the concern, the Stake President offered me some very inspired advice on what an Elders Quorum President should focus on to be the spiritual leader for the men he needs to be.  He offered three tips, which include:

  • Delegation

The tendancy for a lot of presidents (said my stake president to me) is to try and tackle everything by oneself including: scheduling the home teaching visits, visiting sick members of the ward, visiting the elders in the quorum to help them maintain spiritual relationship with God, etc.  He told me not to be afraid to have counselors and delegate things to them.  I took his advice and called 3 counselors to help me with all of the administration behind the scenes and it made a huge difference.

  • Minister vs. Administer

Ministering is the heart of Christ-like service, he said.  Administering helps, but isn’t the heart of Christ-like service and being a shepard, which is what the elders quorum presidents’ job entails.  As a president, having counselors doing the administration while I got out and met the members of the quorum individually through visits to their homes made a great difference in me being able to try and serve like Christ would.

  • Stay close to the Lord

This goes almost without saying, but it is important to keep oneself close to the Lord for inspiration to help quorum members.  It is easy to get lost in the shuffle and focus only on the job and not on ones’ personal relationship with God.  Regularly schedule times to read scripture, pray, and meditate.  If an elders president is in tune with God, he can act as God’s hand in serving those who may be struggling.

I hope these tips help anyone who is in a leadership position.  Of course, we would love to hear from those of you who are or have served in a similar position and share your insights for others to learn from.  My hope is that this article will help those newly called elders quorum presidents be successful.

Posted in Latter-day Saints | Leave a Comment »

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