Abuse not tolerated by Mormons: "My brethren, if... any guilty, I call upon you to repent."

I read the following story, Rites and wrongs - alleged abuse in the Mormon church published in the Sunday Star Times of Fairfax, New Zealand on Sunday, 10 August 2008. The story relates a sad story of three women that were abused by their spouses and in one instance abused by someone that had come to live with the family.

The stories are tragic, and it is true that every religion has some adherents that do not follow their leader's direction. However, this story certainly portrays a negative slant on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church or Mormons). While the author does point out the inadequacy with which some Mormon lay leaders approach these sensitive, serious, personal issues, the article fails to report on the LDS Church's official position on child abuse, spouse abuse, and sexual abuse.

The article gives the impression at the least that the Mormon church condones the behavior and at the worst that the offenders were driven to their terrible actions because of the Church's doctrine (a truly ridiculous assertion on the author's part).

In a worldwide broadcast the immediate Past President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mr. Gordon B. Hinckley delivered a powerful message on the subject of sexual abuse, child abuse, spouse abuse, and abuse of the elderly to the largest gathering of men in Church at the time.

He concluded his remarks saying:

"For a long period now we have worked on this problem. We have urged bishops,
stake presidents, and others to reach out to victims, to comfort them, to strengthen them, to let them know that what happened was wrong, that the experience was not their fault, and that it need never happen again.
We have issued publications, established a telephone line where Church officers may
receive counsel in handling cases, and offered professional help through LDS Family Services. These acts are often criminal in their nature. They are punishable under the law. Professional counselors, including lawyers and social workers, are available on this help line to advise bishops and stake presidents concerning their obligations in these circumstances. Those in other nations should call their respective Area Presidents."

Finally, with specific reference to spouse abuse and child abuse Mr. Hinckley stated:

"In the marriage companionship there is neither inferiority nor superiority. The
woman does not walk ahead of the man; neither does the man walk ahead of the
woman. They walk side by side as a son and daughter of God on an eternal
journey. She is not your servant, your chattel, nor anything of the kind.
How tragic and utterly disgusting a phenomenon is wife abuse. Any man
in this Church who abuses his wife, who demeans her, who insults her, who exercises unrighteous dominion over her is unworthy to hold the priesthood. Though he may have been ordained, the heavens will withdraw, the Spirit of the Lord will be grieved, and it will be amen to the authority of the priesthood of that man. Any man who engages in this practice is unworthy to hold a temple recommend... My brethren, if there be any within the sound of my voice who are guilty of such behavior, I call upon you to repent."

The article would be much better balanced by referencing the Official Church stand against spouse, child, and sexual abuse. I suppose there are some draw backs to relying on a lay clergy, can they all become trained social workers? Probably not, but there is the hotline to call for information and Bishops and Stake President's hopefully understand that any form of abuse must not be tolerated!

Where to find Mormon Music? And do Mormons listen to Evangelical Christian music?

This afternoon my wife found a website called Pandora.com. It is a free music website that plays songs based on your favorites. For instance, if you wanted to listen to Country music, you can type in the name of a song and a playlist will be created for you. The website will play tons of songs based on your preference for music. It creates a great mix of spiritual music for Sundays.

This brings me to the title of this post, "Where to find Mormon Music? Do Mormons listen to Evangelical Christian music?". At Pandora.com we entered "Mormon Tabernacle Choir". Turns out Pandora play lots of LDS music and it mixes in the likes of Charolette Church, Greg Buchanan, David Phelps, Jeff Majors, and the London Philharmonic Choir. It's been a joy to listen to.

Mormons believe good music can help you feel more spiritual. In fact, one of the articles of faith states, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Music has been a part of Mormon worship services since the early days of Mormonism. The following quote is from LDS.org:

Three months after the Church was organized [in April of 1830], the Lord,
through the Prophet Joseph Smith, instructed Joseph's wife, Emma, to make a
selection of sacred hymns for the Church: "For my soul delighteth in the song of
the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be
answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12).

Additionally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints created a website that holds all of their hymns. Now you can listen or download the hymns before you go to a meeting. Pandora.com has made a difference in our Sundays, I recommend setting up a Mormon Tabernacle Choir station to all my friends: both Evangelical and not.

Here is a song by David Phelps, I might not agree with his doctrine and the Chrisitan stores selling his CDs may diss my religion by selling anti-Mormon books, but wow, he does a pretty good job and I celebrate his passion:

Some Churches grew, some stayed the same, and some shrunk in 2007

Religion News in Brief
By The Associated Press - New York

Most of the United States' 25 largest church bodies either lost members or experienced no growth in the past year, according to a 2008 yearbook produced by the National Council of Churches.

The Episcopal Church, locked in a conflict over the Bible and homosexuality, suffered the steepest decline, reporting a more than 4 percent drop to slightly fewer than 2.2 million members. Another mainline Protestant group, the 3 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), facing similar divisions, suffered a 2.4 percent membership decrease.

The figures are outlined in the 2008 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, which tracks membership and other trends from 224 national church bodies.

The yearbook's editor, the Rev. Eileen W. Lindner, said many churches' said many people in their 20s and 30s attend and support local congregations but resist becoming members.

Of the churches that reported growth, the Jehovah's Witnesses said their group had a 2.25 percent increase to 1 million members, while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it grew 1.56 percent to 5.8 million members in the U.S.

The Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God and African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church also reported membership gains under 1 percent each.

A dozen churches said membership remained steady, while seven reported declines.

The yearbook also reported a 4 percent increase in per capita giving from the 65 churches that reported contribution trends.

My comments: Those are some interesting trends in the USA. I am especially impressed by the 4% increase in giving, that's kind of nice.

So is this saying Jehovah's Witnesses grew the fastest and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was second highest? Wow, those Mormons must have a pretty good message.

Mormon Church passes 13 million members June 2007

More than 800 people join the Mormon Church every day. With the fastest growth occurring in Africa and Asia, and the most growth coming in North and South America and the Philippines. How interesting that more members live outside of the United States and Canada than live inside. Does anybody recognize where Mr. Ballard is?



I find it amazing to be part of a Church that shares a purpose across the world.

Trust in God

Throughout the ages there have been so many different ideas on the nature and existence of God as well as the role and teachings of Jesus Christ. With so many different ideas leading to so many different religions and teachings throughout the world, I find great comfort in know that God can reveal to me through the Holy Ghost that which is just and true, right or wrong, light or darkness.