(a painting by one of my favorite artists, Carl Bloch)
If you've ever had any questions about Mormon beliefs, lifestyle or doctrine, but didn't know who to ask, I will be sitting right here by my computer from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM MST to chat.
Many people have asked me about the role of temples in our worship. Below I have posted a 3-minute video describing why we worship in temples and how our lives our benefited each time we attend the temple. I hope you enjoy it....
If you'd like to participate in the chat, please just click on the "COMMENTS (SHARE YOURS!)" link below, leave your comment in the comment box, then click refresh as desired to view my responses. Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful day! (If you have trouble leaving a comment, click the "Anonymous" button, then sign your name if you'd like, or leave your comment anonymous.)
...and for your holiday enjoyment....
I just have to say how much I admire you for doing these chats. What a way to be a missionary! Truly Impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Emily! Now if someone would just come and leave a question, then I could REALLY be a good missionary! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're preaching to the choir with me as well, but I really enjoy the videos you post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBecky, I, too, LOVE the YouTube "Mormon Messages" the church puts out. The one at the very bottom of my blog I could watch over and over and over again....and have!
ReplyDeleteWell, I was reading through your blog posts...somewhat in horror...and then came to this one and now everything makes sense. Sorry, but Mormonism is a strange, strange religion. I have done tons of research and lived for 2 years in a city that had a high Mormom population and well, your religion is odd (for lack of a better word)....but each to their own. Also, while I do think it is good that children have chores to do, making them do YOUR work is just downright lazy and mean. Your older kids didn't ask that you keep having kids so that they could do all the work. That was your decision. I am sure if you asked your older children how they really felt about it, they might give a different version than the one you say. I know your religion is all about populating the earth with little Mormons (afterall, how would your religion survive without that little notion), but really! I read on another blog which you commented on about how much you hate WIC. Shame on you for keeping having kids that you can't afford! It is just plain ol' disgusting.
ReplyDeleteWow, Anonymous, what a comment! Let me say a few things in my defense. I can see that you have negative feelings about the Mormon religion. There's probably not a whole lot I can do to change that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have decided to let God plan our family. I have spoken to my children many times about how I feel about this particular aspect of our lives and I have explained to them that I know it's difficult, but that we do need to do what God puts in our hearts to do. Mormons are not the only people who choose to let God plan their families. Not even all Mormons do this. I am actually in the minority.
Yes, large families require a lot of work, and while I do assign my children chores to help accomplish what needs to be done, I work right along side them, and of course, much, much more, every second of the day. I certainly do not think it would be right to take on the burden of running a home alone while they relax, or watch TV or play video games. This would not be teaching them to serve as Jesus would have us do.
As far as them feeling differently about it then what I've written, I've written that they do not like having to do chores on Saturday, as most kids don't. That is an accurate description of their true emotions, I'm pretty sure.
As far as being on WIC, I was on WIC when I had only two children, (about 16 years ago) and my husband was a private in the Army. Unfortunately, the Army does not pay those who defend it's country very well, and this was the only way we could feed our small family. Fortunately, however, I was soon able to find part-time work in my home, a job that I was able to continue for many years to come, and was able to go off WIC relatively quickly. Yes, I had many bad experiences with WIC and I'm very grateful I only had to use them for a few months!
Anonymous, I wanted to take some time to research this before I commented, but now that I have the exact numbers, I would like to share some statistics with you.
ReplyDeleteMost of our yearly increase in church membership comes from the baptism into our church of people who were not members before. We call these people "converts". For instance, in 2006, there were 272,800 convert baptisms. That compares with only 94,000 children who were born into the church in that same year. So yes, having babies does increase the Mormon population, just as having babies in other faiths does as well, but the brunt of our growth comes from the missionary work done throughout the world.
Another question. You mentioned that you were reading my blog "somewhat in horror". Besides my religious beliefs and the fact that I choose to have a large family and ask my children to help with the responsibilities that go along with this, was there something else that horrified you? Just curious.