What they Don't Teach you at the MTC


Book Description

When author Norman Hill asked hundreds of Church members what they needed to do to prepare for a mission, he was given several answers and suggestions-so many that he realized how easy it was to overlook the most important strengths The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prescribes for its gospel messengers. Some of the abilities we sometimes fail to consider are • Understanding priesthood leaders' perspectives • Obeying mission rules with exactness • Focusing on commitments and the baptismal interview questions when teaching investigators • Being aware of one's own personal progress and not that of others • Visualizing investigators as our Father in Heaven visualizes them In order for missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to succeed in their sacred calling, they must first be prepared, and in order for them to be prepared, they must first know how. What They Don't Teach at the MTC provides the fundamental foundation needed in order to gain the necessary skills and abilities to serve a successful mission. It is for all those who desire to bring souls unto Christ and reap the blessings thereof. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, success, and achievement have no meaning."




Today I Remember


Book Description

From a Nebula Award–nominated author, “insight and imagination infuse the stories of this eclectic collection. . . . Powerful . . . sure to draw in readers.” (Publishers Weekly) In Today I Remember, Martin L. Shoemaker—award-winning author of Today I Am Carey and The Last Dance—shares stories written as tributes to the people who inspired him in his life and his writing. A circus acrobat relives tragedy and triumph Leonardo da Vinci’s greatest creation exceeds even his vision A manager must save a space colony from starvation An Alzheimer’s patient and her android caretaker experience life through her delusions A girl must keep her father alive after an accident on the Moon A Lunar rescue squad races to find a lost transport ship A vampire's assistant must help him to face the great detective A young man in Nigeria talks with the spirit of the wood A dying patient volunteers for an experiment with unforeseen side-effects A teacher must teach her students to survive the wreck of their spaceship A young law student returns to Haiti to rescue his dead grandfather from the Bokor Each story begins with an explanation of how it came to be and who inspired it. These are some of Martin’s best stories—and best memories.




Another Jesus, a Different Spirit, a Different Gospel


Book Description

Its the Christmas seasonthe most wonderful time of the year for most people in River City, California. But for Jehovahs Witnesses Lawrence and Brad, its a time for them to try to explain the truth about this holiday season to the people of the community. Their earnest efforts may earn them ridicule, disagreement, or a door slammed rudely in their faces, but they persistand are sometimes able to find a mind and heart receptive to their urgent message about Jehovahs coming Kingdom. Whereas for Elders Skousen and Marshalltwo Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionariesthe season is another opportunity to share their Churchs distinctive interpretation of the Christian gospel; but their efforts are often rebuffed, as well. In the course of their work, these two pairs of men engage in dialogue with traditional Christians, as well as members of the Church of Christ; the Community of Christ (RLDS); Seventh-day Adventists; and Oneness Pentecostalsnot to mention skeptics, atheists, and the increasing numbers of people who lack any particular religious beliefs. But when a local church brings in a researcher to give a series of lectures on Cultsand specifically targeting the Jehovahs Witnesses and Mormonsa confrontation is ensured, where theological and biblical concepts collide in a public forum. Who, if anyone, really has the Truth? Can one still discover the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of passionate disagreements over the validity of the holiday season? Are objections raised about the secularization and rampant commercialism of the modern celebration valid? Spend a holiday season (or any other season) with some interesting and intellectually-stimulating characters, as they explore these and other challenging questions. (Readers of the authors earlier novel, A Multicultural Christmas, will be pleased to see a brief reappearance of two characters from that book.)




Mission Accomplished


Book Description

Most returned missionaries say that their missions have been the most rewarding experience of their lifetime. It is no wonder: their maturity, testimony, and knowledge grow phenomenally. There is no greater feeling than to teach, convert, and baptize a new family into the Church. The miraculous changes that occur in people as they accept, live, and progress in the Gospel are worth all of the missionaries' personal sacrifices. If we lovingly encourage and prepare our sons to serve full-time missions, they will accept the challenge. They will happily prepare themselves and look forward with great anticipation to serve the Lord anywhere in the world for two years. If you do the things suggested in Mission Accomplished, you will have successful missionaries who serve honorable missions. You will be showered with never-expected blessings. Indeed, the windows of heaven will open wide to pour out innumerable blessings from on high. I recommend the following to parents of all currently serving missionaries: Pray for them daily Write to them weekly; keep letters positive and encouraging Send them periodic care packages Do not call them unless permitted by the mission president Help them complete an honorable mission If you do these things, you will reap blessings galore. Your missionaries rely on the support they receive from home. They need your support. They look forward to your support. Don't let them down.




The Mormon Quest for Glory


Book Description

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 6 million members in the United States today (and 13 million worldwide). Yet, while there has been extensive study of Mormon history, comparatively little scholarly attention has been paid to contemporary Mormons. The best sociological study of Mormon life, Thomas O'Dea's The Mormons, is now over fifty years old. What is it like to be a Mormon in America today? Melvyn Hammarberg attempts to answer this question by offering an ethnography of contemporary Mormons. In The Mormon Quest for Glory, Hammarberg examines Mormon history, rituals, social organization, family connections, gender roles, artistic traditions, use of media, and missionary work. He writes as a sympathetic outsider who has studied Mormon life for decades, and strives to explain the religious world of the Latter-day Saints through the lens of their own spiritual understanding. Drawing on a survey, participant observation, interviews, focus groups, attendance at religious gatherings, diaries, church periodicals, lesson manuals, and other church literature, Hammarberg aims to present a comprehensive picture of the religious world of the Latter-day Saints.




From One Missionary to Another


Book Description

The book is intended to be a guide for Mormon missionaries who are planning on serving missions or are already on their missions.




Latter-Gay Saints


Book Description

Latter-Gay Saints brings together twenty-five exemplary short works depicting a variety of perspectives of what it means to be both Mormon and queer. Some portray characters determined to reconcile their sexuality with the Mormon faith in accordance with its constantly evolving teachings and policies. The majority present the realities of queer Mormons who have come to terms with their sexuality in a variety of alternative ways. Others are written from outside the Mormon community, commenting on often strange encounters with Mormons who are gay. These stories are also of value for the broader GLBT community revealing similarities that people of faith, regardless of which faith, face in attempting to negotiate their religious heritage with their homosexuality. Some in the GLBT community find a way, while others do not, leaving their faith or having it ripped from them. They are all individuals searching for answers to life's puzzles.




Missionary Fitness


Book Description

The divine responsibility of sharing the Gospel as a full-time missionary is one of the greatest blessings and opportunities in this life. However, it can quickly become a burden if the missionary is not able to effectively manage the physical and spiritual stresses that accompany the rigorous schedule and irregular living conditions common to mission life. To help make the mission experience a blessing and not a burden, health and human performance expert, Calvin Buhler, has combined cutting-edge research with first-hand experience to create a unique and powerful program based on eternal principles that will prepare the body and spirit of any current or future missionary for service. In an easy-to-understand format, readers will: Be reminded of the stewardship they have over their body Discover how Jesus prepared physically and spiritually for His mission Learn advanced strategies to improve their nutrition Understand what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat Be provided meal plans to guide them along the way Learn proven methods to maximize the time they have to exercise Know exactly what exercises to do and how to do them And much more! By implementing the information in this book current and future missionaries will be better prepared to serve with all their heart, might, mind and strength.




The New Era


Book Description




For Times of Trouble


Book Description

The author explores dozens of scriptural passages from the psalms, offering personal ideas and insights and sharing his testimony that "no matter what the trouble and trial of the day may be, we start and finish with the eternal truth that God is for us."--




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