LDS News Blog

Great and fantastic news to read about the Church being on Facebook, Twitter, youtube and elsewhere. We are spreading our message online and this is a fantastic way to go for we reach literally millions of people. For me being severely hearing impaired, my blog and facebook have been a great way to show people who I am and my beliefs, sharing at times my Testimony

PUBLIC AFFAIRS — The CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SUBSCRIBE to the BLOG FEEDChurch Has Strong Presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
PRINT |13 May 2011 — POSTED by Newsroom Staff

Like many large organizations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints administers several Facebook pages, YouTube channels and Twitter accounts, each of which communicates with different audiences inside and outside the Church.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the Church’s First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have recently spoken about social media’s power to communicate with others about the Church’s beliefs and practices.

A screenshot of the Mormon Messages YouTube channel page. Videos on the page have been viewed nearly 21 million times.
Caption © 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved

“With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before,” said President Uchtdorf at the Church’s April 2011 general conference.

In 2007, Elder Ballard urged graduating students at BYU-Hawaii to use the Internet — including blogs and other forms of new media — to contribute to a worldwide conversation about the Church.

“We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” Elder Ballard said. “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 Church and its members contribute to the conversation and have steadily built a substantial social media presence. For example, according to the popular website AllFacebook.com (not associated with Facebook), five of the Church’s official Facebook pages are ranked among the top 100 in the “Church/Religious Organization” category — including two in the top 25. AllFacebook.com lists 2,970 pages under Facebook’s “Church/Religious Organization” category.

A screenshot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Facebook page, which has more than 464,000 fans
Caption © 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved

As of 13 May 2011, the following Church Facebook pages were included in AllFacebook.com’s top 90:

•No. 10 — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (464,000-plus fans)
•No. 21 — Mormon.org (244,000-plus fans)
•No. 30 — Mormon Messages (150,000-plus fans)
•No. 43 — Mormon Channel (111,000-plus fans)
•No. 81 — LDS Newsroom (46,000-plus fans)
The Church also administers other popular Facebook pages, such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (156,000-plus fans) and The Ensign Magazine (131,000-plus fans).

Also as of 13 May 2011, the Church’s Mormon Messages YouTube channel was ranked number 2 in video views (20,656,000) in the “Nonprofits & Activism” category. YouTube channels the Church administers include:

•Mormon Messages (20,656,000-plus views)
•Mormon.org (6,000,000-plus views)
•LDS Public Affairs (1,505,856-plus views)
•Mormon Messages for Youth (1,500,000-plus views)
•FamilySearch (54,000-plus views)

A screenshot of the Mormon.org YouTube channel. Videos on the channel have been viewed more than 6 million times. Caption © 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved

In the microblogging world, the Church’s Twitter presence lit up during the most recent general conference, with more than 55,000 tweets mentioning member-related topics or conference. The term “#ldsconf” trended (became a popular term) as high as number 4 worldwide and in the U.S. The terms “Elder Holland” and “President Monson” trended as high as number 2 on Twitter’s trending terms. Other popular terms included “Our LDS” (from Elder Quentin L. Cook’s talk “LDS Women Are Incredible!”), “Elder Cook,” “Elder Bednar” and “Bishop Burton.”

The Church administers several Twitter accounts. You can subscribe to Newsroom Church news updates via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, RSS and email.

Gold plate news keeps popping up

Sez Ogrady We as Mormons know, because we have sought to know through the Holy Ghost, that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from gold or brass plates. Some plates that have been found have been in mesoamerica and in the Middle East. The difference witht heo nes Joseph Smith translated from was that the plates he was translating were in the hands of gone and have gone back to those hands. it was 1823 when was told by an angel that he would translate from brass plates

Ancient gold plates in Mesoamerica
Published: Saturday, April 30, 2011 3:30 a.m. MDT By Daniel Johnson, For Mormon Times

Archaeologists have know for about a century that gold plates with carved writing have been found in Mesoamerica, yet it is still not common knowledge outside their discipline.
It all began with Edward Herbert Thompson.
When he was excavating at Chichén Itzá near the turn of the 20th century, he was enthralled with the sacrificial cenote. Unlike other archaeologists, he believed the Spanish Priest Diego de Landa’s account of offerings at this location. Determined to find them, he began to dredge it in 1904, donning a diving suit to search the muddy bottom himself (Carolyn Meyer and Charles Gallenkamp, “The Mystery of the Ancient Maya,” New York, Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1995, pp. 38-39).

Daniel Johnson
Detail of a section of a gold plate with Mayan hieroglyphs, which was recovered from the Maya site of ChichÉn ItzÁ, can be seen in the Peabody Museum's archives. His tireless efforts eventually brought great discoveries to light. What he did not tell Mexican authorities was that for two decades he had been emptying the cenote of its priceless treasures and sending them back to the Peabody Museum at Harvard. When this became known in 1926, the Mexican government confiscated his estate and he returned home.
Because of Thompson, the Peabody has perhaps the best collection of Mesoamerican artifacts outside of the region. However, because of space and financial issues, most of these objects are not on display but rather archived in the museum’s immense storage facilities.
Thompson found carved jade, tools, gold ornaments, copper axes, other obscure metal items and human remains. Many people know about some of these artifacts, but few know about the gold plates he found. Many of them are decorated with images of warfare and sacrifice, showing bearded Toltecs (Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube, “Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens,” London, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p. 229).
Some have Mayan hieroglyphics. The gold came from as far away as Panama, and it is possible that it was brought to Chichen as blank plates to be engraved there (Lynn V. Foster, “Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World,” New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 322). They date to the ninth century A.D. (Linda Schele and Peter Matthews, “The Code of Kings,” New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998, p. 359).
These gold plates are quite remarkable. The detail is astounding, with intricate designs. Upon close inspection, it appears that very precise metal tools would be necessary to do such work. The gold itself is very thin, but quite strong and stiff.

Like any Mormon woman - well behaved and modest

Sez Ogrady and I really should start all my comments off with that It has been wonderful to hear and read about the way this modest little lady dressed. She has set a fine example to our youthful lassies contemplating marriage. i trust and hope that many will listen and change their immodest way to the modest.

There's certainly been a lot of buzz over these past few weeks leading up to the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, better known as William and Kate. I've only watched a bit of the coverage but I will confess that I, too, find myself a little intrigued by the glamour and romance surrounding this hopeful fairytale.
I remember sitting in my family room, when my children were quite young, watching the royal wedding of the parents of Prince William, experiencing similar feelings. Now that was definitely over the top, to say the least! I still have the image of Princess Diana's out of control wedding dress and that ridiculous train fixed in my mind.
Kate's wedding dress was much more understated. In my opinion she looked exquisite! Her modesty in both dress and demeanor were truly regal. I'll even go so far as to say that even her modest figure struck me the same. As I observed her in each of these different ways, I could better understand why this impeccable display of refinement, romance and glamour are so appealing to women of all ages.
We all seem to still love the idea of the traditional romantic wedding, where a man and a woman fall deeply in love and commit to each other for life. There's a reason for that. The hope of a bright future together filled with love, honor, children, happiness and fidelity is still the fairytale life that most desire.
In today's world, people are becoming more and more cynical to the hope of such a union. For many of us, these royal weddings are the quintessential display of the perfect wedding and everything that it could mean!
In our heart of hearts, it is the desire of every human being to love and be loved, forever. Even the time honored circular wedding ring is the symbol of eternity -- although most marry "until death do us part". Interesting, isn't it?
In pondering some of these things, I couldn't help but think about my own "Royal Wedding" -- the day I was sealed in the holy temple of God, for all time and eternity, to my Prince Charming. To me, every temple marriage is a Royal Wedding! A temple marriage comes with it, all of the promises to true royalty. True riches of a Godly kind, including land, posterity and power! And to faithful members of the LDS Church, these promises are believed to be possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Marriage is a sacred union. Marriage is ordained of God, between a man and a woman. Eternal Marriage is how God literally brings to pass "the immortality and eternal life" of His children.
Mormonism teaches that through priesthood authority in holy temples, a man and woman can be sealed (married) for not only this life, but the next. An understanding of this doctrine has been a tremendous blessing throughout my own marriage. No matter how hopeful a marriage starts out, inevitably challenges will come. And with those challenges, oftentimes a feeling of hopelessness can creep in, IF we do not maintain an eternal perspective and understanding of the potential for our marriage.
Heavenly Father's Plan is for His children is to build eternal families. Satan's plan is to destroy any attempt that we make to be forever families. Most marriages begin with a hopeful fairytale charm, which can quickly fade away as life begins to take its toll. However, as we take seriously our marriage covenant and our desire to have that Eternal Fairytale come true - the promise that we can have our "happily ever after" will become a reality!
Kathryn
Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan - David A. Bednar
Celestial Marriage - Russell M. Nelson

Lethal weather

The weather can be frightening there is no doubt about that. tornadoes, I feel, can be more frightening than a cyclone, for the funnel shaped monster dancing across the landscape can strike in any direction; this house, that one over there, or a whole street. In this case, these monsters seem to have almost demolished whole nieghbourhoods and cities. All we can do is mourn the dead, help the survivors and put our hands in our pockets to donate to the Humanitarian Aid. There is no doubt though, despite the ravaged land and death toll, the Saints are a blessed people. We follow the truth of our Lord. And help is always available through the Bishop's Storehouses where volunteers help to pack and load, including the helping hands of our youth.

Lethal tornadoes impact lives of Latter-day Saints
No members injured; several lose their homes, possessions
By Jason Swensen
Church News staff writer
Published: Friday, May 6, 2011
Just hours before some 150 tornadoes touched down April 27 across six states in the U.S. South — carving a historic and tragic swath of death and destruction — Colleen Robbins shared a harmless joke with her husband, Wade.

Photo courtesy of President Richard Holzapfel, Alabama Birmingham Mission Photo of Wade and Colleen Robbins' home following the tornado.

Sister Robbins and her 1-year-old granddaughter, McKenna, were in the home when the tornado hit. Both survived, having sought refuge in a bedroom closet moments before the storm hit.
The longtime Tuscaloosa, Ala., resident and Church member was no stranger to the sorts of tornado warnings that were being issued that day. She knew most such warnings are issued and pass without a twister ever touching down. So that day Sister Robbins told her husband, tongue in cheek, "that I'd be hiding in our bedroom's middle closet when the tornado hits our home."
That's exactly what happened.

Photo courtesy of President Richard Holzapfel, Alabama Birmingham Mission Area Seventy Elder R. Randall Bluth speaks with Colleen Robbins and other members outside the ruins of the Robbins home.

Late in the afternoon, Sister Robbins, a member of the Tuscaloosa Ward, Bessemer Alabama Stake, heard on the radio that a tornado had touched down some four minutes from her home. She was caring for her 1-year-old granddaughter, McKenna, and decided to take the toddler and move to her bedroom as a precaution. "With tornadoes, you always just hope they won't hit you."

Associated PressAerial photo shows the devastation of the Cedar Crest and Forest Lake neighborhoods in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on April 28, a day after a deadly tornado cut through the community.Several Latter-day Saint families in Tuscaloosa lost their homes to the disaster.

Sister Robbins and McKenna were on the bed together when rocks began pelting the side of the home. The two hurriedly ducked into the bedroom closet. "A moment later my bedroom window blew out — it sounded like a bomb," she said. Terrified, both began to cry. Sister Robbins tried to pray in-between her sobs. She looked up, watched the roof twist from the top of her brick home and peered into the blue sky.
In just seconds, the tornado had demolished the family's home. "But when it was over, we were OK," Sister Robbins told the Church News. "It was as if the Lord had put His hand on us and protected us."
Despite losing her house and countless possessions, Sister Robbins considers herself blessed to be alive. She's especially grateful little McKenna was unharmed. She knows hundreds were not as fortunate. At press time, 328 people from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia were reported killed in the April 27 twister outbreak. Meanwhile hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed, leaving thousands without homes and, in many cases, without jobs in a region already staggered by a weak economy.
No missionaries or members were harmed in what's being called the largest tornado outbreak since the Great Depression. Still, several member families in the Bessemer Alabama Stake, Tupelo Mississippi Stake and Jackson Mississippi Stake lost their homes entirely or are dealing with significant damage. Many members and missionaries have found shelter in the homes of fellow members. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of homes across the impacted Southern states were left without power for several days following the twisters.
"The devastation of this disaster has been overwhelming," said Sister Robbins, who is staying with her family with friends from the Tuscaloosa Ward.
Alabama member Jim Phillips reported that electrical service in his neighborhood was interrupted for almost a week. "Many spots in the [state] are just obliterated," he said.
No Church-owned buildings were significantly damaged.
Members in this area are no strangers to natural disaster. Legions were enlisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to assist their fellow members and hurricane-weary neighbors to the south. Now many who were benefactors of service following Katrina have become the beneficiaries of such assistance. When the tornadoes finally passed, the members across the region were quick to help any and all in need.
"I have been so impressed with the Church's organizational [skills] and dedication to helping others rebuild their lives," said Alabama Birmingham Mission President Richard Holzapfel.
The missionaries and members were immediately enlisted to assist others with a variety of humanitarian aid. Some members have taken in friends and fellow members while others have worked long hours to clear fallen trees and building materials around damaged homes. Many have assisted tornado victims to search for valuables scattered across debris-strewn lots.
Members in the Birmingham area had planned for a weekend day of service long before the tornadoes hit. As part of the event, a truckload of bailed clothing had been shipped from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City to distribute to residents of the community. Many who lost everything to the tornadoes were able to find clean, quality clothes at a local LDS meetinghouse just days after the disaster.
Local priesthood leaders have also worked tirelessly with Church authorities and welfare workers in Salt Lake City to coordinate relief efforts. Sacrament services were conducted on May 1 in areas impacted by the storms, but many local members spent the Sabbath out and about in their communities, helping all they found to be in need.
A large-scale service project has also been organized for May 7-8, with thousands of members from the U.S. South expected to travel to affected areas and spend the weekend providing service.
President Holzapfel said he has seen many in the devastated communities come together as they have both rendered and received service.


Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaItems from the Bishops' Storehouse in Tucker, Ga., are prepared for shipping into areas affected by recent tornadoes.

"People's hearts have turned to what's really important," he said. "There is a feeling here that we are a real community."
Brother and Sister Robbins continue to recover from the shock of losing their home and witnessing one of the many tornadoes at ground level. Still, they said they have been sustained, thanks to the love and support of their fellow members. Brother Robbins has even maintained his sense of humor. Just days after the twister destroyed his home, several visiting priesthood leaders stopped by the family's demolished lot to check on their welfare.
Brother Robbins greeted the men, saying "Brethren, if I knew you were coming I would have cleaned up a little."

Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaMaterials prepared in the Bishops' Storehouse are ready for shipping to assist those affected by recent tornadoes. Youth respond to a call to assist in preparing materials at the Tucker, Ga., Bishops' Storehouse. They pause for a photo in a trailer prior to it being loaded and send to areas affected by recent severe weather.

Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaTrucks are loaded with supplies at the Tucker, Ga., Bishops' Storehouse for transport into areas affected by severe weather.
Photo by Marvin Tedjamulia

Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaVolunteers responded to a call to serve at the Tucker, Ga., Bishops' Storehouse to prepare materials to be shipped into areas affected by recent severe weather.

Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaVolunteers responded to a call to serve at the Tucker, Ga., Bishops' Storehouse to prepare materials to be shipped into areas affected by recent severe weather.

Photo by Marvin TedjamuliaTrucks are loaded with supplies at the Tucker, Ga., Bishops' Storehouse for transport into areas affected by severe weather.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

This beautiful choir, the voices that blend so harmonically, had a concert for the 9/11 sufferers, which could be likened to the world in general. I love this choir, and all the music it performs, whether it be The Star Spangled Banner, I Love America, Hymns, songs of Jerusalem and so many, many more, the music always inspires me and tugs at my heart stings. I can never tire of them

9/11 and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Even now it seems strange that America’s worst day in my lifetime turned out to be one of the most spiritual — a day that is remembered with a deep sense of reverence by thousands in my profession from all across the country, most of whom are not members of the LDS Church. Added to the indelible imprint left by the horrors of 9/11 was a most remarkable concert performed by the Tabernacle Choir and presided over by President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Even today, people from distant cities light up when they find out I’m from Utah, almost always starting with, “Were you …” and I know that they’re going to ask about the concert. Here’s how it happened.

See the rest on Utah news

The Work of Jim Lergessner

Great Southern Land: Origins of the early New South Wales colony by James G. Lergnesser




I have only recently purchased this book so will do a review after having read it



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The work of Jim Lergnesser

From Olive Grove to Eucalyptus Tree: An immigrant family in baby boomer Australia by Jim Lergessner




I have just purchased this book so cannot give a rating as yet



View all my reviews