Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mormons in Texas

Did you know that Mormons do NOT practice polygamy? There has been confusion about this because of a Texas polygamy group, but that group is not associated with the Mormon Church. There is an important distinction that the world should know: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not tolerate the practice of polygamy by its members. The Mormon Church recently published a news release to address this topic on the church website:

Church Seeks to Address Public Confusion Over Texas Polygamy Group

Additionally, the church has provided information regarding the Mormon Church in Texas so individuals seeking to know what Mormons are really like can have the chance to see for themselves directly from members of the Mormon Church. Here's an example:


More information is available here... LDS.com Newsroom

How the Mormon Church Responds to Humanitarian Needs

Please play this video to see an example of how the Mormon Church Responded to Humanitarian Needs for Hurricane Katrina...

Sunday, June 22, 2008

What do Mormons Believe? - The Articles of Faith

Many people of other religions are either curious about what Mormon's believe or have been told by non-Mormon's what Mormons believe. Either way, accurate information from the Mormon Church or from someone who is a Mormon would be helpful to provide some clarification and a sufficient amount of "real" information about Mormon beliefs. Since providing information about Mormon beliefs is one of the key purposes of Mormon Blog there will be much shared on this topic in coming posts. To get things started I will refer readers what we call in the Mormon Church:

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Articles of Faith describe the Mormon belief in God who is the Eternal Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. They also describe our belief that men are responsible for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression, and that through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. The first principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are these:
  1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
  2. Repentance
  3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
  4. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
The Articles of Faith also describe our belief in the organization of the Church being the same as what existed in the Primitive Church with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc., and the gifts of the Spirit such as tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

An important Mormon belief that is expressed in the Articles of Faith is that Mormon's believe in Modern Revelation. In other words, not only do we believe that God has revealed things to mankind, but we also believe that he is revealing and will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Mormons believe that the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly, and a distinguishing belief is that Mormon's also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God - as a companion scripture to the Bible. Much more will be shared on this topic in future posts.

To see all 13 Articles of Faith, please visit The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional information about Mormon Beliefs can also be found at Mormon.org...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Welcome Laurel and Crazysmoothies!

Laurel, Crazysmoothies and Dan Hilke are joining Mormon Blog as contributors. So here's a special welcome to all three of them!

Good Example!!

Thanks for the information. What a good example you are.

Laurel

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Why I Joined the Mormon Church

I joined the Mormon Church when I was 24 years old - one month shy of 25. I could state many reasons why I joined the Mormon or LDS Church. Perhaps it is best, however, to report my reasons in the same words as I recorded shortly after my conversion to the LDS Church, since those words were not influenced by the numerous additional experiences and testimony that have accumulated over the subsequent years. Later I'll write a posting that lists the reasons I'm "still" a member. Here's my conversion story...

Bob Hilke Jr. Conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I hope you enjoy reading about my experience searching, learning about and joining the LDS Church.

Elder Ballard Speaks of Using New Media to Support the Work of the Church

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke at Brigham Young University - Hawaii's graduation ceremony on 15 December 2007 and his talk included the following excerpts...

"There is perhaps no other time in its history when the Church has received more attention from the news media and on the Internet than it does right now. Obviously, that is being driven by the fact that one of our faith, Mitt Romney, is seeking the office of President of the United States. It’s as if a national conversation is going on about the Church. The Church, of course, is politically neutral. We do not get involved in politics. Still, because of this attention Public Affairs is making a concerted effort to define the message of the Restoration rather than letting others define our beliefs for us.

"That word conversation is important. There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches. While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.

"The challenge is that there are too many people participating in conversation about the Church for our Church personnel to converse with and respond to individually. We cannot answer every question, satisfy every inquiry, and respond to every inaccuracy that exists. As I said at General Conference in October, we need to remember that there is a difference between interest and curiosity. Sometimes people just want to know what the Church is. And some who seek answers want them to come directly from a member of the Church, like each one of you. They appreciate one-on-one conversations.

"Now, to you who are graduating today and all other faithful members of the Church, as you graduate from this wonderful university, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple, clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true."

- Elder M. Russell Ballard

Read Elder Ballard's entire talk...

The purpose of this blog is to participate in the "Conversation" Elder Ballard referred to, and to help individuals seeking information about the Mormon Church to find the information they seek.

Sacrament Meeting Talks

Today my daughter gave a short talk in Sacrament Meeting to tell about her experience this past year in Seminary. The word "short" perhaps does not adequately define the time parameter - perhaps micro-short is directionally more precise. Each of the Seminary students shared a favorite scripture they memorized during Seminary, and they also shared experiences with the congregation about how their Seminary study this past year has helped them grow in their testimony and understanding of the Gospel.

Church Meetings

Since today is Sunday, I though it would be good to tell about the type of Church meetings we have on Sunday. In the Mormon Church, Sunday is our Sabbath day. We meet for three hours, and the meetings are broken into three sessions:
  1. Sacrament Meeting - This is where the members of our Church partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. We partake of the Sacrament weekly. Also, during this meeting members of the church may be asked to speak on gospel topics or share their testimony about the Savior and the Gospel wich is our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness.

  2. Sunday School - In the Mormon Church, everyone attends Sunday School where we are instructed in numerous Gospel topics.

  3. Priesthood, Relief Society, Youth and Primary Children - Men, Women, Young Men, and Children meet in these respective groups for instruction pertaining to each group. Future blog entries will expound on each of these groups.
You can find a Mormon Church meetinghouse and times for church meetings here:

Meetinghouse Locator

One thing you can count on... Wherever you are in the world, you will always be welcome to attend Church at one of the Mormon Church meetinghouses.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer

In the Mormon Church, we worship Jesus Christ. We believe that He is the Living Son of God who is our Eternal Father in Heaven. Our Church provides an excellent Testimony of The Living Christ that was signed by the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I share it with you to enjoy and to strengthen your own personal testimony of our Savior...

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Mutual

Our Ward youth meet one night each week for Mutual which is an opportunity for the Young Men and Young Women of the ward to share experiences where there is mutual respect and support for one another. Sometimes they all meet together, other times Young Men meet by themselves and the Young Women meet by themselves.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Mormon Church sends Aid to Myanmar

Members of the Mormon Church contribute help to to those in need. Here's a news story about recent aid sent to Myanmar...

Family Home Evening

Tonight, Monday evening, we had Family Home Evening. This is where our entire family gathers for some family time. Most important is that we spend time together. Sometimes we have an activity or a lesson. Tonight we discussed Patriarchal Blessings. The Mormon Church provides excellent online resources for families who wish to hold Family Home Evening in their home.

Here's some lesson topic ideas provided at our church website:


Appreciating Music


Compile Family History

Fasting

Forgiving Others

Gaining a Testimony

Gratitude

Honesty

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

Life and Teachings of Christ

Managing Family Resources

Morality

Plan of Salvation

Prayer

Preparing for Baptism, Priesthood ordination, or Marriage


Preparing for the Temple

Reading the Scriptures

Repentance

Reverence and Respect

Sacrament

Sharing Household Work

Sharing the Gospel

Solving Family Problems

Tithing

Understanding Death

Word of Wisdom

Ideas for how to get started, and how to make your Family Home Evenings successful can be found at this web page:

Helps for Family Home Evening

When we are faithful at having Family Home Evening consistently every week, things just seem to go better for our family. I encourage all to try this wonderful idea.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

About Me (Bob Hilke Jr.)

My name is Bob Hilke Jr, and I am a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church. I started this blog with several objectives in mind.

Objective #1 is to provide a venue for people who are searching to learn information about the Mormon Church from an actual member of the the Mormon Church as opposed to learning about the Mormon Church directly from the official Church itself (a good idea but perhaps a bit intimidating or impractical) or from some other church or from some other organization which is less qualified to explain the beliefs, doctrines and practices of the Mormon religion.

Objective #2 is to contribute a voice of Testimony regarding the principles and doctrines of the Mormon Church to help proclaim to the world the truthfulness and significance of something very special that many people have not yet had the opportunity to hear about.

Objective #3 is provide an opportunity for seekers of truth to learn somewhat regarding the lifestyle of a Mormon Family.

The scope of the religion and Church represented in Mormon Blog is that of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is my religion. It is I, Bob Hilke Jr., who speak for this blog. This blog, therefore, is not an official blog of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather it is simply the words of one if the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I hope you find the information contained here helpful to you.

Mormon Seminary

Our family just returned from Seminary Graduation where our daughter graduated from her 2nd year of Seminary. In the Mormon religion, high school students attend seminary daily through all four years of school, often times meeting early in the morning for an hour of religious instruction every day before their regular high school classes begin. This year, the Seminary students studied the Old Testament. These are the Old Testament books they just finished studying...

Genesis (Gen.)
Exodus (Ex.)
Leviticus (Lev.)
Numbers (Num.)
Deuteronomy (Deut.)
Joshua (Josh.)
Judges (Judg.)
Ruth (Ruth)
1 Samuel (1 Sam.)
2 Samuel (2 Sam.)
1 Kings (1 Kgs.)
2 Kings (2 Kgs.)
1 Chronicles (1 Chr.)
2 Chronicles (2 Chr.)
Ezra (Ezra)
Nehemiah (Neh.)
Esther (Esth.)
Job (Job)
Psalms (Ps.)
Proverbs (Prov.)
Ecclesiastes (Eccl.)
The Song of Solomon (Song.)
Isaiah (Isa.)
Jeremiah (Jer.)
Lamentations (Lam.)
Ezekiel (Ezek.)
Daniel (Dan.)
Hosea (Hosea)
Joel (Joel)
Amos (Amos)
Obadiah (Obad.)
Jonah (Jonah)
Micah (Micah)
Nahum (Nahum)
Habakkuk (Hab.)
Zephaniah (Zeph.)
Haggai (Hag.)
Zechariah (Zech.)
Malachi (Mal.)
And these are the scriptures that the students memorized during the year...

Seminary Old Testament Scripture Mastery

The following article describes how our Church leaders encourage our Seminary Students to Stand True and Faithful in a world full of distractions:

Stand True and Faithfull

What a great blessing it is to find a religion which instructs its young men and young women in the scriptures to equip them with faith, knowledge, virtue and testimony to be able to stand true and faithful as they prepare to stand on their own in this very important time of their life.

Welcome to Mormon Blog

Hi, This is Bob Hilke Jr, and this is my first entry at "Mormon Blog" which is my new blog for sharing information about my religion. I hope you enjoy reading my blog. I look forward to your comments.