Simplifying LDS Life | Mormon Life Hacker

FAITH IS NOT BLIND podcast: Ben Shilaty (Mormon an...

Posted by Guest Author | Jul 16, 2019 | church, cool links | 0 |

Latter-day Saints Lend a Helping Hand to Oakland’s...

Posted by Guest Author | Jul 15, 2019 | Ministering | 0 |

FAITH IS NOT BLIND podcast: Ben Shilaty (Mormon and Gay)

by Guest Author | Jul 16, 2019 | church, cool links | 0 |

Ben shares his experiences about being a gay, active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He offers unique counsel for gay members, family members, and for ward members.

Latter-day Saints Lend a Helping Hand to Oakland’s Homeless Population

by Guest Author | Jul 15, 2019 | Ministering | 0 |

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently partnered with Oakland, California, government officials and two local organizations to help alleviate the city’s homelessness crisis. Recent data shows a significant increase in the homeless population in the past two years.

Joseph Smith’s Last Dream

by Guest Author | Jul 14, 2019 | revelation | 0 |

Two days before his martyrdom, Joseph Smith told W. W. Phelps about a prophetic dream he had a few nights prior. W. W. Phelps did not publish the account until 1862, but when he did, he titled it: “Joseph Smith’s Last Dream.”

Greg Trimble’s video post of a crowd and choir singing songs about Christ during the New York City Blackout goes viral!

by Guest Author | Jul 14, 2019 | #BECAUSEofHIM, #LIGHTtheWORLD, #PrinceOfPeace | 0 |

The lights are out in #NYC but there are thousands of kids and adults lighting up the city with songs about Christ. Carnegie Hall has the power out, so they took the concert outside.

COME, FOLLOW ME LESSON AIDS: July 22–28 Acts 16–21 “The Lord Had Called Us for to Preach the Gospel”

by Guest Author | Jul 14, 2019 | Come Follow Me lessons | 0 |

This is post 25 of 25 in the series “Come, Follow Me 2019” Official Lessons...

COME, FOLLOW ME LESSON AIDS: July 15–21 Acts 10–15 “The Word of God Grew and Multiplied”

by Guest Author | Jul 14, 2019 | Come Follow Me lessons | 0 |

Acts 10: An angel ministers to Cornelius—Peter, in a vision, is commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles—The gospel is taught by witnesses—The Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles.

Acts 11: God grants the gift of repentance to the Gentiles—The disciples are first called Christians at Antioch—The Church is guided by revelation.

Acts 12: The martyrdom of James is described—An angel frees Peter from prison—The Lord slays Herod by disease—The Church grows.

Acts 13: Saul and Barnabas are called to missionary service—Saul, now called Paul, curses a sorcerer—Christ is a descendant of David—Paul offers the gospel to Israel, then to the Gentiles.

Acts 14: Persecution attends the spread of the gospel—Paul heals a crippled man; Paul and Barnabas are hailed as gods—Paul is stoned and revived; he preaches—Elders are ordained.

Acts 15: Great dissension arises at Antioch concerning circumcision—The Apostles at Jerusalem decide the issue—Paul chooses Silas as his companion.

What do Mormons believe about God?

by Guest Author | Jul 14, 2019 | #PrinceOfPeace, Book of Mormon, missionary | 0 |

Many of life’s fundamental questions are centered on the nature of God. Does He exist? Is He aware of us? What can He help us accomplish?

Until the day I die . . .

by Matthew Watkins | Jul 14, 2019 | activities, Ministering, missionary | 0 |

I loved the second area of my mission. The Bishop was totally on board with missionary work. The ward mission leader was a rock star. The ward was warm and accepting. And the boundaries were large enough to stave off knocking on someone’s door more than once every 2 months or so (this was back in the day when tracting was almost all missionaries ever did). It was really awesome– definitely one of the highlights of my whole mission.

I was there a long time. I spent 6 months (and 5 companions) in that ward. But no matter how awesome an area is, you can still burn out.

Joy. It’s our purpose!

by Matthew Watkins | Jul 6, 2019 | prayer & fasting, productivity, revelation | 0 |

On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you today? How about the past week? The past year? Or overall? Would you (and those around you) consider you to be a generally happy person overall? Maybe you’re just not a “happy” kind of person. Maybe you’re not a total grump, but maybe on the overall personality spectrum, you’re a bit closer to the Mr. Grinch end than the Relief Society President end. Maybe you’re holding out hope that you would be eventually happy. You know, once your sons have returned from their missions. And your quorum takes their ministering assignments seriously. And your husband stops leaving the toilet seat up. Or maybe you’re just enduring life right now and looking forward to that day of release when you will finally be able to rest in eternal felicity in heaven because sure then you will be happy, right?

COME, FOLLOW ME LESSON AIDS: July 8–14 Acts 6–9 “What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?”

by Guest Author | Jul 6, 2019 | Come Follow Me lessons | 0 |

Acts 6: The Apostles choose seven to assist them—Stephen is tried before the council.

Acts 7: Stephen recounts the history of Israel and names Moses as a prototype of Christ—He testifies of the apostasy in Israel—He sees Jesus on the right hand of God—Stephen’s testimony is rejected, and he is stoned to death.

Acts 8: Saul persecutes the Church—Philip’s ministry in Samaria is described—Philip performs miracles and baptizes men and women—Peter and John come to Samaria and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands—Simon seeks to buy this gift and is rebuked by Peter—Philip preaches about Christ and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.

Acts 9: Jesus appears to Saul—Saul is a chosen vessel—Ananias restores Saul’s sight—Saul is baptized and begins his ministry—Peter heals Æneas and raises Dorcas from death.

BOOK OF MORMON CENTRAL: Evidences of the Book of Mormon (Old World Geography)

by Guest Author | Jun 30, 2019 | Book of Mormon | 0 |

Have you ever wondered where in the world Nephi and his family traveled before they set sail for the Americas? For many years, researchers have been carefully studying Nephi’s account in 1 Nephi and comparing it with the known geography of ancient Israel and the Arabian Peninsula. Amazingly, nearly every travel detail in his record can now be connected with some plausible site, route, or ancient custom or practice.

The Remembrance Cycle

by Matthew Watkins | Jun 30, 2019 | blogging | 0 |

I like listening to my dad tell stories from his time in the army. One thing he observed is that the drill sergeants he had were very much like the drill sergeants you see in the movies: insulting, swearing, and strict almost to the point of abusive. And he saw why. Although my dad was a married, returned missionary with 2 kids when he enlisted in the army, the rest of his group were 18 and 19-year old boys. And they acted the part. The primary goal in basic training is to crush you and try and get as much of the silliness and horseplay out of you as possible.