The Bingham family, currently living in Oregon, has been dealt more than their fair share heartache. Three of their five children have been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that can be fatal. The Binghams are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a faith often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon church), and they have unique and powerful ways of handling their adversities.[1] 

The Binghams’ Story

When Sierra, Jason and Stacy Bingham’s oldest daughter, was six, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, and after a whirlwind of medical care and angst, Sierra received a heart transplant. This alone was an intense and rigorous experience. The Binghams thought that their family’s heart concerns were behind them. Then their third child was diagnosed with the same condition.

Lindsay, the second of the Bingham children to be diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, also needed a transplant, and when she received hers, Sierra’s body started to reject her transplant from six years previous. Through medical treatment, doctors were able to stabilize Sierra’s heart and body, but the Binghams are still left with anxiety and concern. Their son Gage started exhibiting signs of heart failure when he was only three. The Binghams’ medical journey is far from over.

Trusting in Priesthood Blessings

Each of their children who have had heart difficulties have also received priesthood blessings. Mormons believe in the “laying on of hands,” as practiced in the Old and New Testaments. Men in The Church of Jesus Christ can be ordained to offices within the priesthood, predicated on worthiness. Through the priesthood, which is the exercising of the power of God, worthy holders can administer blessings of healing and comfort.

Sierra, Lindsay, and Gage all received special priesthood blessings when they were in the throes of their medical emergencies. These blessings call down the powers of God to heal, support, and comfort the recipients. The most important thing to know about blessings, however, is that those involved need to trust in God and in His will and timing.

Mormons Believe in Miracles

When Lindsay was facing the same road that Sierra walked earlier, Jason wrote on the family blog that God blessed Sierra with a miracle and that He could do the same for Lindsay. Mormons believe in miracles and know that God’s power knows no bounds or limitations. The Binghams understand that God has His own plan for their family, and while they may not know the details, they do know that God loves them and is caring for each of them.

We should note that not every situation results in the miracles we pray for. Again, God has His own plans for us, and we need to trust that His will is wiser and more grand than our own. Heavenly Father will always lead us to Him and will always empower us to handle whatever trials we face. Having faith in God doesn’t mean that everything works out the way we want it to; what it does mean is that we can trust that whatever happens will be for our good and eternal growth.

Stacy and John admitted on their blog that at the time of Sierra’s transplant, they thought that had checked that trial off of their life list. After their experiences with Lindsay and Gage, however, they have come to realize that perhaps that initial situation with Sierra prepared them for the challenges their family would face later in life. Faith in God means that we can gain a broader and more eternal perspective, so that we may better handle the trials we will inevitably face.

Mormons Serve Each Other

Apart from the emotional tax this experience has had on the Binghams, these ongoing medical issues have been wearing physically and financially. Mormons who go to church with the Binghams have reached out in love to help in whatever ways they can. In Mormon congregations, this often means providing meals, childcare, and even financial help. One of the Binghams’ friends created a donation site where anyone can donate money to help cover the costs of the family’s medical care.[2]

The Church of Jesus Christ places immense value on serving others. They believe that often God uses His children on earth to answer the prayers of others, and in the case of the Binghams, that principle is lived in the lives of real people.

Trials aren’t easy–they were never meant to be. Sometimes we may ask God why we have to experience certain hardships, and in those times we need to trust in Him and know that He loves us. He will strengthen and support us as we make our way through this mortal life.

Happiness Is Part of God’s Plan

One of the greatest promises of The Church of Jesus Christ is happiness. In fact, one of the central doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ is what Mormons call The Plan of Happiness (this plan is also called the Plan of Salvation and the Plan of Redemption). The Plan of Happiness is the plan whereby God enables the salvation of each of His children. God’s son, Jesus Christ, volunteered to come to earth to live a perfect life so that He could suffer for our sins and make it possible for us to repent and return to Heavenly Father. For Mormons happiness is found in repentance and in the grace of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I most love about God’s plan for us is that its whole purpose is to make us happy. If anyone knows what true happiness is, God does, and He has set forth a plan whereby we can find that happiness that He desires for us. Our happiness is so important to our Father in Heaven, and I find great comfort and peace in that.

Only One Way to True Happiness

The world will tell us that happiness is relative and that we can find happiness in whatever we feel is right. This wishy-washy approach to happiness is a lie from Satan. Sure, all of us may find superficial happiness in certain things, but the only way to pure and everlasting happiness is through Jesus Christ.

The reason Jesus Christ is our only way to eternal happiness is that He is the one who redeemed us from sin and death. In the Book of Mormon (a book of scripture complementary to the Bible and key to The Church of Jesus Christ), the prophet Alma teaches that “wickedness never was happiness” (41:10). No matter how we spin it, we will never be happy when we disobey God’s commandments. God doesn’t issue commandments to be in control or tyrannical; rather, He gives us commandments to keep us safe and because He knows the best way to happiness.

Happiness Is Found in Family Relationships

One of the most important emphases in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ is the family. The family is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and second to redemption through the Savior, is the most important purpose of God’s Plan of Happiness. God designed His plan so that through sacred ordinances we can be with our families for eternity. This is a great and marvelous gift. Marriage and family are key to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and happiness is a crucial purpose of family life.

Because families are so important in the doctrine of Christ, Mormons put special effort and time into building their families. Certainly family life isn’t happy or easy 100 percent of the time, but happiness can surely be found in family life here as well as in the life to come. Mormons place great importance on building family relationships and strengthening their marriages, because for Mormons married in the temple, marriage is for eternity.

Happiness Can Be Found in Trials

For Mormons, happiness certainly doesn’t mean pain-free. In fact, your potential for happiness is increased when you experience adversity in life. Another Book of Mormon prophet Lehi taught that “there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). You can’t know or find true happiness if you haven’t experienced unhappy times.

Regardless of our faith or creed, we will all experience adversity and trials; there is no way to live this mortal life without experiencing pain and heartache. Hardship is part of the package. Even in spite of this truth, we can still find happiness even when things in our lives are hard and difficult. This is where true happiness can prevail. When you root your happiness in Jesus Christ, you can find peace no matter where you go or what happens. The peace offered by the Savior can penetrate any circumstance and affect every person.

Sometimes happiness is hard to find, even with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In these cases, the grace of the Savior can still offer peace, comfort, and the promise of happiness. That’s what The Church of Jesus Christ has to offer: the truth about Jesus Christ and His everlasting and perfect atonement. For Mormons, happiness is peace, truth, family, and endurance–happiness is Jesus Christ.

One day I grew tired of his prodding, so with a little trepidation, I swung my leg over the bike and fired it up.  He gave me a quick lesson on shifting and braking and then I set out on the country road by our house.

I enjoyed testing out the steering along the bumpy road. The bends were conscious decisions rather than merely yielding to physics. I felt keenly aware of the wind on my face and through my hair. The air temperature played with the hairs on my skin as I neared irrigation sprinklers and then again as the air dried out. I determined which road to take and at what speed. Driving the motorcycle was completely different than being the passenger, and I loved it!

In seeking truth, I followed a similar path. Initially, I learned from others and I was content.  I felt comfortable riding on their vehicles of knowledge until one day I realized that teachers, friends, and family could not completely answer questions burning in my soul.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the Mormon Church), I believe in Jesus Christ.  His words to ancient and modern day prophets taught me how to become His disciple.  He taught the truths that can and do make us free through His perfect Gospel. My parents taught me that true answers come from God through the peaceful assurance of the Holy Spirit, who as a member of the Godhead, teaches and testifies of truth.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32).

My prayers became more meaningful as I sought to know truth.  As a Mormon, I had been taught, and believed, that all mankind are the spirit children of Almighty God sent to earth to gain bodies and choose to follow His commandments or not. After our opportunities on earth, I believe that our spirits and bodies will be resurrected—to live eternally. Knowing these truths of God’s plan of salvation gave me confidence in making decisions  to remain pure and chaste, to avoid alcohol and drugs, and to maintain integrity in my schoolwork against tough peer pressure as a teenager. In High School, I realized that keeping God’s commandments does bring true freedom!

While knowing the truths about God’s grand plan for mankind, sometimes it was still hard to know that He had a specific plan for me. Studying the scriptures opened amazing avenues of learning to me.  Almost every major trial I’ve experienced in life has been identified and answered by someone in the scriptures.  The mechanics of the my story and his or her story were often different (no mention of High School Choir trips or car accidents), but as I saw the hand of God in each scripture story, I began noticing His hand in my life as well. I gained faith in His purpose and in miracles.

What Is Truth? And How Can I Find Truth?

While reading the scriptures, I learned that “Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. … And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth [God’s] commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24, 27-28).

A college friend took me for a motorcycle ride up a canyon one evening. I love riding in the coolness of evening time.  As he maneuvered the motorcycle, my thoughts wandered and I looked around aimlessly. I carelessly looked too far over my shoulder and the wind caught my glasses and blew them off my face.  My friend turned around and we quickly retraced our path.  The glasses were already smashed beyond repair by a car. I was left in near-sighted blindness.

An aimless, wandering approach to truth would not produce the effects I sought! The truths and freedom the Savior promised does not cross the careless, haphazard path of righteousness.  But, the promise is sure, “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light…”

Clarity of vision comes through the Holy Ghost.  He is the Comforter, whom the Savior promised, “the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all thing to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

He testifies of the true nature of God. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

Joseph Smith’s Search For Truth

To have faith in God and Jesus Christ, one must have a true understanding of their characteristics.  The reestablishment of The Church of Jesus Christ in modern times began by an event known to Latter-day Saints as The First Vision.   After studying the tenets of religion and wanting to follow God’s commandment to be baptized, Joseph Smith read James 1:5 stating, “If any of you lack you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.”  Emboldened by God’s promise to answer his sincere prayer, Joseph knelt alone in a grove of trees to ask God which church he should join.

Joseph recorded,

I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. … When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him! (See Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17.)

God the Eternal Father and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith!  The First Vision revealed God the Eternal Father and the Lord Jesus Christ again to mankind.  Their personal visitation corrected erroneous beliefs about the nature of the Godhead. God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct personages.  Knowing truth about the basic nature of God enables me freedom to build a true and lasting relationship with Deity.

How To Be Happy

In the record of the Savior’s people on the American continent called the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi taught his children about truth and choice. I’ve pondered a part of one verse for many years: “and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).  Joy in this world of hardship and depravity? Yes!

Lehi continued,

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself (2 Nephi 2:27).

We are free to choose happiness or misery. We are free to choose truth or remain in darkness.  We are free to be changed by what we learn—internalize and repent of sins—or study truth without every coming to a knowledge of the truth.

I invite you to seek, and be changed, by the Savior’s truths! He truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Light!

I learned the truth that because of the Savior’s redemption of mankind joy is a choice. I can enjoy this amazing world and my life because I know that Jesus Christ truly lived and died for me and all mankind. I know that His commandments provide safety and freedom. I know that according to God’s merciful plan for us, we will live again after we die. Truth brings His peace.

Almost nothing captivates me more than riding towards a glorious West Texas sunset. The entire western sky blazes with heavenly fire. The reds, yellows, oranges, and purple hues blend together in a perfect harmony of Divine majesty.  The truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ blend together even more gloriously, for they proclaim our divine nature as children of God and His eternal plan for us. How can I keep from rejoicing?!  My insatiable appetite to continue learning the truths of God compels me forward into that beautiful sunset.

Taught to Pray—In the Car

In the quiet of the car, I do a lot of praying. Even on short drives, I find myself talking with my Father in Heaven. On longer drives—especially when I’m the only driver—I find myself pleading with the Lord to help us arrive at our destination safely. The scriptures teach us the pray always. One of my favorites is in the Book of Mormon—another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion scripture to the Bible and a record of God’s dealings with some of the peoples who lived in the ancient Americas.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things ye shall be lifted up at the last day (Alma 37:37).

In these times of heartfelt prayer, I have received sweet answers of comfort. One such occurred in the summer of the year that my husband and I were married. I was in turmoil over a very personal issue, and I was driving on the freeway in Salt Lake City. I was crying, praying and asking my Heavenly Father why this event occurred. I looked up at a billboard and it read, in big, bold letters: Let it go. That was my answer. I had never seen that sign before, and I never saw it after that. But I was taught by God in the car that day to let go of the confusion and turmoil and allow the peaceful comfort of the Holy Spirit into my heart. Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church—said:

Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies. … Remember, “God is not the author of confusion, but [the author] of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). [1]

Taught to Listen to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost—In the Car

 I grew up in Indiana but went to college in Idaho and Utah. Whenever my siblings and I went home, we always drove straight through without stopping for the night. I had two experiences during these 24-hour trips that taught me to always listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The first one happened one dark winter night when two of my sisters and I, crammed into the cab of a little Isuzu Pup truck, were driving home. I was behind the wheel, and all of a sudden the thought came to me that I needed to switch lanes. We were driving downhill on the Interstate, and there were no lights on the road. So I switched lanes. As soon as I did, we swooshed past a camper sitting in the lane we had just vacated. We were stunned. There were no lights on the camper, and I would not have seen it until we collided. I was shaken but grateful for the prompting that prevented an accident that dark winter night.

The second time, I didn’t listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. The summer that I graduated from college, my sister Rachel and I decided to visit our oldest sister in Arizona before heading home. As we were driving down an isolated two-lane highway somewhere in rural Utah, we needed to make a pit stop. To our left was a remote rest area, hidden from view of the road by trees. To our right was a gas station. Immediately the thought flashed in my mind that we needed to stop at the gas station. But I didn’t want to feel obligated to buy something, so we stopped at the rest area. I got out and used the facilities first. There was an eerie feeling, but I thought it was just me. Sometimes I have an overactive imagination. But I went as fast as I could, and prayed the entire time that I would be safe and protected and not hurt or killed. I thought it was all in my head until I got to the car and told Rachel it was her turn. She said, “I don’t have to go that bad. Let’s get out of here NOW.” We never found out the reason for those feelings, but I have always felt bad that I didn’t listen. Elder Boyd K. Packer, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, said:

It is difficult to separate from the confusion of life that quiet voice of inspiration. Unless you attune yourself, you will miss it. Answers to prayers come in a quiet way. The scriptures describe that voice of inspiration as a still, small voice. If you really try, you can learn to respond to that voice. [2]

As we turn to the Lord in all things, we are teachable. If we take the time to reflect upon the word of God and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can be taught by God—even in the car.

Blessed from the Beginning

I have to admit that I had a good start, having been born in post-World War II America to educated parents.  They provided me with the ability to get an education and develop my talents.  We had lots of books in the house, had access to dental and medical care, and all the perks associated with the middle class.  But I was wanting spiritually.  I can see now that God led me in a direction from my youth so that I would find The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the Mormon Church).  Finding the Church at age 15 saved me from the vicissitudes and craziness of the ‘60’s and helped me to navigate a safe path through my college years.

Protection and Guidance

Although I was the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ in my family, I found support in my friends, church associates, and college roommates.  I strove to live according to the commandments of Jesus Christ as they came down through Mormon prophets, and living those commandments saved me from some pretty dangerous stuff.

I never did smoke or use drugs.  I never drank.  And I worked to follow the Lord’s standard of sexual abstinence outside of marriage.  My freshman year of college, I attended my parents’ choice of schools for me, and it was a party school.  My friends there struggled every day with their decisions, especially in the area of sexual morality.  Their desires and the peer pressure they faced placed them in the position of trying to make their way with a situational morality.  They never could find a standard that didn’t shift with the occasion.  They struggled with guilt and the wonderment that comes with trying to formulate a new life philosophy on a daily basis.  They seemed agitated and confused.  If they drank too much, all their decisions blew away with the wind, and they had to deal with the aftermath.

The hardest part about my freshman year of college was having these students, many of them older and more accomplished than I, come to me crying about their rootlessness.  By the end of the year, I was drained.  I was too young to carry their burdens, especially if they weren’t interested in making the sacrifices necessary to join me on the path Christ has laid out for us.

I transferred to a college owned by The Church of Jesus Christ, and there, I had an easier time.  I married a returned Mormon missionary, and we established a home and started a family.  Having been raised by intellectual parents in an adult-oriented home, I had to feel my way into Mormon motherhood with help from the Church provided by the loving sisters there who taught me many skills.

How the Truth Has Made Me Free

Because of the revelatory commandments of The Church of Jesus Christ, my husband and I have been free from many of the things that trouble our peers in the world at large.  We have never had to worry about the possible ravages or damage caused by sexual promiscuity.  In our eternally committed Mormon temple marriage, we have enjoyed decades of intimacy without any lonely periods.  We have been able to work through any low spots in our marriage with an eternal perspective in mind.  We’ve had no addictions to interrupt our good relationship.  We’ve raised six amazing children and now have thirteen super grandchildren  a large and loving family with enough members that there is always someone to call upon in times of need.

We have enjoyed personal revelation and  the power of healing through the Mormon  Priesthood to carry us through times of illness and financial difficulty, and by following the Holy Spirit, have enjoyed experiences that might not have otherwise come our way.  We’ve lived in five countries and traveled in many, many more than that, meeting wonderful people all over the world.

We have avoided the spiritual confusion caused by not having access to the Real Answers.  The more we study our faith, the firmer we become in our assurance that God lives, and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all.  We have had real help from the other side of the veil.  It has actually saved my life on several occasions.  I feel truly free   liberated, if the adjective fits.

As far as worldly pursuits are concerned, I never did write the Great American Novel… but there is still time…over the years, the value of truly excelling in a career has faded.  I’ve watched those who reached these worldly pinnacles burn out, fall down, their health or personal connections crumble, and it’s been easy to see what is really important, and how free I really am.

In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.

In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America.  (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names.  We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)

Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.

Mormonism: Focusing Our Lives

Hey family!!

As I have been contemplating what to share with you all this week, my mind was especially caught up in contemplating the principle of happiness. It seems to be something that each one of us tries for in life. We gain our happiness in a variety of ways, sharing time with family and friends, reading a good book, playing with our children, and countless other methods. I would honestly hope that everyone who reads this message has a desire to be happy in this life.

As I was pondering the meaning of happiness, I found myself in Alma 41 in the Book of Mormon. For those of you not super familiar with this part in the Book of Mormon, it is when Alma, the prophet at the time, is talking to his rebellious son Shiblon. Shiblon has done some really bad things in his life that, at first, appeared to give him the happiness that he sought, but he quickly learned when he was taught by his father about how true happiness is attained and I feel that it has application to our lives. Alma shares in verse 10 of chapter 41 that “wickedness never was happiness.” I want you guys to ponder on that for a moment. “Wickedness never was happiness.” How many times in life have we had choices to make that appeal to us as human beings? We are confronted every day with “methods of happiness” that the world would lead us to believe as the true ways to feel better about ourselves and to gain greater satisfaction in this life. Often those ideas lead us to focus on how we can get ourselves to feel better. It leads us to focus completely on what we want and what we need. We are then tempted to do things that initially bring us pleasure, but that ultimately cause the Spirit to leave. I testify that the only true way that we can receive lasting, deep happiness is by focusing our lives on the Savior Jesus Christ and living His Gospel.

I have not been exempt to the wicked ways of the world. There have been many times when I have thought of how I can gratify myself and gain what I thought was true happiness. I quickly learned, that these were merely empty feelings that quickly faded away unless I indulged constantly in them. I know that this is not the way.

I want each of you to know that I love you and that I truly want each of you to be happy. But I know that the only way that we can truly get that happiness is by following the Lord and doing all that He asks us to do through His living prophets. I know that we are guided by living prophets and that the Lord loves each of you so much!! He wants us all to be happy and to live together forever. My prayer is that each of us will look deep inside and try to see if what we are doing in our lives is truly giving us happiness and peace. If it’s not, let us make those changes so that we can feel the Spirit in our lives and be a forever family!!!

Love you all tons!!!
Kraig

The average American spends about 48 hours a year volunteering for charity. That’s a lot, but Mormons volunteer for 427.9 hours per year. Much of that is spent teaching or leading or working in church positions that largely benefit other church members, but 151.9 hours are spent volunteering in church programs that are not religious in nature. They volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America or participate in non-sectarian humanitarian work or welfare programs.

Programs carried out within the Church are often open to people who are not Mormon and benefit the community as a whole. For instance, the literacy program, run by the Mormon women, certainly benefits the entire community, as does the employment program. When anyone in a community gets a better job, learns to read or to speak the native language, or improves his parenting skills, everyone in the entire community benefits and future generations are blessed. Mormon welfare programs, carried out largely for Latter-day Saints (Mormons), mean that Mormons are not taking money from the government or community charities, leaving those resources for those who cannot get them elsewhere. The Humanitarian Aid program provides initiatives that serve people regardless of faith. Donations to that fund are used exclusively to provide the actual care, with the administrative costs paid for through other church funds. The totals of moneys spent listed on the LDS website do not represent the full cost of services given, since it does not include those administrative costs, nor does it include the many other programs operated by the Church.

Mormons also donate 1,821 dollars a year to non-LDS charities and causes. These donations are in addition to their tithing. 88.8 percent of Mormons who are active in the Church pay a full ten percent tithe, as taught in the Bible.

One unique humanitarian program carried out by Mormons is the Fast Offering. One Sunday a month, Mormons go without food or drink for twenty-four hours—skipping two meals—and then donate the money saved to assist people in their congregation who are in need of food or shelter. This is an important aspect of the commandment to take care of our own. Mormons believe we should take care of those in our circles whenever possible. By going hungry for 24 hours, Mormons are able to prevent long-term hunger among their friends. This also helps them to gain a small understanding of what it means to be hungry in a world that seems to have plenty. Their temporary and voluntary hunger each month increases their compassion for those in need.

Mormon charitable giving of time and money is rooted in a commandment to become more like the Savior. Again and again, the Bible tells of the Savior’s concern for those who had the greatest need  He commanded His followers to be like Him and to love their neighbors as themselves. This motivates Mormons to serve others, both in and out of the church, with their time and their money.

Friends have told me they could not be Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) because women can’t hold the priesthood and that is demeaning. What they don’t understand is that most faithful Mormon women are happy, and feel valued and fulfilled without having the priesthood.

They do not aspire to take the role of the men and do not view themselves as second-class citizens or as being blindly submissive. In fact, women in the LDS Church pray and give talks in Sacrament meeting–the most sacred of Church meetings, hold leadership positions, perform ordinances in the Holy Temples and sustain and support the priesthood leaders, just as men do.

Researchers recently took a look at different sects to determine whether religion is a unifying or divisive force. Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referenced the findings and spoke of the strength of Mormon women:

“The recent highly acclaimed book American Grace reported on women in many faiths. It noted that Latter-day Saint women are unique in being overwhelmingly satisfied with their role in Church leadership. Furthermore, Latter-day Saints as a whole, men and women, have the strongest attachment to their faith of any of the religions studied.

Our women are not incredible because they have managed to avoid the difficulties of life—quite the opposite. They are incredible because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite the challenges and tests life has to offer—from marriage or lack of marriage, children’s choices, poor health, lack of opportunities, and many other problems—they remain remarkably strong and immovable and true to the faith. Our sisters throughout the Church consistently “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

The worth of each soul is of equal importance in the sight of God, whether the person is male or female. However, each gender has a different role.

In every organization that runs well, someone must be in charge. While that position is singular, it cannot be done alone. It requires the support of those who do not preside, but work in equal partnership for the same cause.

So it is in Mormon families and in the Church of Jesus Christ. Worthy priesthood holders preside.

“Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.”

Just as men are physically built larger and stronger to provide and protect, they are also spiritually endowed to provide and protect their families in the name of God through the use of the priesthood.

Of equal importance is the role of women to build the kingdom of God by bearing, nurturing and developing strong families (and husband/wife relationships).

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”

In a worldly sense, women and men compete for better jobs, more money, greater academic skills, etc. But in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no competition. In the Church, men and women regard their roles as sacred and equal—not believing that one is greater than the other–the power to act in God’s name by priesthood authority–or the creative, divine nature to bear children. Men and women complete each other to make a whole. The roles are clearly assigned; to envy one role is to deny the value of the other role.

In the LDS Church, women find service satisfying. They have continual opportunities for leadership, since there is no paid ministry. For example, the Relief Society president oversees the women in the ward (congregation) and regularly counsels with the bishop (spiritual leader of the ward) to assess the needs of each family. In addition, the Young Women president oversees girls from age 12-18 in spiritual education and weekly uplifting activities that teach values and prepare them for the future. The ward Primary president is responsible for the spiritual education of all children from age 3 to 12 as well as activity days for the older girls and cub scouts for the older boys.

Mormon women are called by the bishop to serve in a variety of positions such as music director, teacher, coordinating monthly visits to each sister, assisting with humanitarian service or ministering to specific needs in the ward. These positions provide personal growth, a sense of belonging and they unify the women in a common cause for good. Elder Cook agreed:

“Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us.”

Although it might seem the Mormons (a nickname sometimes used for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have so many rules they would all be just alike, in reality there is great diversity within the church. The church is a lot like a sonnet. A sonnet has many rules, but there are millions of sonnets, all different, written within that strict format. Mormons can choose from many different varieties of life within the framework God has created for them. They belong to a variety of races, have many different nationalities, belong to different political parties, and work in a wide range of secular careers within their own communities.

It is likely you know many Mormons and don’t realize it. They don’t dress differently than anyone else, except that they dress modestly while remaining fashionable if they choose to be fashionable. They live in ordinary homes in whatever community they choose and have ordinary jobs. However, if you don’t know any Mormons, or aren’t aware that you do, there is a place you can visit to peek into the lives of everyday Mormons.

Mormon.org is a website created to help people who are not Mormon learn more about the religion. On this site are profiles of many ordinary, everyday Mormons. Mormons can volunteer to post these profiles. They are asked questions about their lives and their beliefs. It is not required and the people in these profiles are not chosen by the church. (The people featured in the video profiles have been selected for their interesting stories, but the written profiles were done because a Mormon decided to share his or her story.)

Meet Mormons allows you to filter to find people a lot like you. You can select by age, gender, ethnicity, and previous religion. Then just start reading. Choosing at random, I found these stories.

Becky is a single parent of nine children who works as a customer service representative. At church, she teaches adult Sunday School.

Isaiah Gray is very athletic, but has chosen to put sports on hold to serve a two-year volunteer mission for the church. He will be sharing his faith in the Dominican Republic.

Jen is Korean-American and is in graduate school, obtaining a dual MD-PhD degree. She plans to be a physician-scientist.

Elizabeth, another grad student, became Mormon two years ago. Before that, she was actually very anti-Mormon. Just below her profile, she explains why she once thought Mormonism was a cult—and why she doesn’t now.

Here is a video of another (somewhat) ordinary Mormon:

Sunday services are three hours long. The main worship service, called Sacrament Meeting, is just over one hour. Since the Mormons have a lay church, they do not have a paid minister. Instead, a bishop, similar to a lay pastor, is chosen from among the men in the congregation. He generally has secular employment and a family, so his church work is completed in the evenings and on weekends. This means the work that might normally be done by a full-time paid employee must be divided among many people, including the teenagers.

The bishop does not give the sermon each week. He and two counselors take turns conducting the service, but the prayers and sermons (called talks) are given by ordinary church members. Most Mormons speak about once a year and each service includes two or three speakers. Teenagers can begin giving talks at age twelve. By this time, they have had considerable experience, since they have been giving 2 ½ minute talks in the children’s Primary since age three. As teens, they speak in the regular adult service for about five minutes. When they are adults, they will speak for ten to twenty minutes, depending on the number of speakers.

The sacrament, similar to communion, is prepared, blessed (prayed over) and handed out to the membership by teenage boys who hold the priesthood if there are enough of them. If there are not, adults assist. Teen boys can receive the priesthood at age twelve, which is different from being a priest in other churches. It gives them the opportunity to serve God in increasingly more responsible positions, but priesthood is strictly a service opportunity. They cannot use their priesthood to bless themselves, only others. Having this opportunity means they are expected to be more mature and responsible than most teenagers, not just at church, but always.

Mormon teens attend two classes each Sunday with their own peers. Sunday School is for both boys and girls, and, when there are enough teens, they divide into several classes based on age. Boys also attend a priesthood class and girls attend a comparable class called Young Women’s. In this class they learn how to put their religious knowledge into their real lives.

During the week, teens meet one evening a week, with the boys participating in Scouting or their Young Men’s program, and the girls participating in a church-created Young Women’s programs. They have combined meetings once a month. During this time, the boys work to earn their Scouting badges while the girls work on the requirements for a unique Personal Progress program. Both programs give them opportunities for hands-on application of gospel principles and teach them to set and meet intense goals. Both programs require extensive community service.

The Mormon youth lead their own programs with shadow leadership from the adult leaders. This means the adults mentor and guide, but do not take over. For instance, when the youth are planning an activity, the adults might ask questions that cause the teens to think about whether or not the activity will meet a goal, improve lives, and honor church standards, but they won’t tell them whether or not it will. Eventually, the teens learn to carry out their programs with less guidance. In the meantime, they are trained in leadership skills and learn to work with adults and peers both. They learn to plan, carry out, conduct, and evaluate activities and meetings, learn to lead music, speak in public, and serve others. The youth leaders, who are chosen by adults and who are rotated often, learn to put the needs of their organization before their own and to pay attention to which teens might be lonely, who has special needs, and how they can create activities that are both meaningful and fun.

Each school day, Mormon youth attend a religion class in which they study the scriptures in-depth for four years. They study the Bible for two of these years, the Book of Mormon for one, and the Doctrine and Covenants for one. The study is in-depth and, while spiritual, is also more academic than Sunday School.

These programs help to explain why Mormon youth were found in a non-Mormon study of religious teens to be better able to discuss their religious beliefs than other religious teens and also to have a greater personal commitment to their faith than other teens. They are designed not just get teens to show up in order to be entertained, but to teach them to be responsible, participating members of their faith.