LDS, NOT FLDS!

A recent national public opinion survey conducted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, contracted with APCO Insight®, found that 36 percent of those surveyed thought that the FLDS polygamist compound in Texas was part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or "Mormon Church" based in Salt Lake City.

The results of this survey are obviously disconcerting to members of the LDS "Mormon Church" (like me) who have absolutely no affiliation with the FLDS polygamists.

LDS church officials and church members are taking steps to help distinguish the LDS church from the FLDS through contact with the news media.

Elder Quentin L. Cook, LDS Church Apostle set the record straight with this statement:

“Mormons have nothing whatsoever to do with this polygamous sect in Texas,” he said. "The fact is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890: 118 years ago. It’s a significant part of our distant past, not of our present.”

"People have the right to worship as they choose, and we aren't interested in attacking someone else's beliefs," Elder Cook said. "At the same time, we have an obligation to define ourselves rather than be defined by events and incidents that have nothing to do with us. It's obvious we need to do more to help people understand the enormous differences that exist between our Church which is a global faith and these small polygamous groups."

If you're still unsure about the difference between the LDS and FLDS churches, here are a few photos to help you distinguish between the two.

LDS "Mormons"
(Do NOT practice polygamy. Live and work in your community. That's me on the left.)



FLDS
(Practice polygamy. Usually live in compounds like the one in San Angelo, Texas.)


Photo courtesy LA Times

Visit the LDS Newsroom or www.mormon.org for more info.

We lived before; We'll live again.

Before we were born we lived with God and His son, Jesus Christ, in a premortal existence. We lived as spirits; the spirit children of God, our Eternal Father. Jesus Christ, our brother, created the earth as part of God's plan for us.

God wanted us to live on earth with a body to learn about happiness and sadness, to grow and to have families, and to experience joy. He wanted to test us, to see if we would follow the perfect example of Jesus Christ, our brother.

When this life is over, we will live again. Just as Jesus Christ was resurrected, we will all be resurrected. If we we follow the example of Jesus Christ in this life, we will live with our families and loved ones again in eternal paradise.

Does that sound crazy?
Maybe to some.

Do I really believe it?
Absolutely.

The knowledge of God's plan, called the Plan of Happiness or the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the reason I am happy. It's how I find peace in this crazy, mixed up world. I believe I can live with my family again, even after death. I believe I can live with God, my loving father, and Jesus Christ, my perfect brother, again.

If you would like to learn more about the Plan of Happiness and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, please visit www.mormon.org.

Dear Drew,

You're driving me crazy!!!

But I can't help myself. I still love you more than words can say.

Especially at times like this...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is Good.

Have you ever wondered: "Who am I?" and "Why am I here on Earth?" and "What should I do with my life?"

This talk, given by Henry B. Eyring, addressed to LDS young women, answers those questions.

Want to learn more? Visit www.mormon.org

Dirty Mouth?

Clean it up with Orbit!



Oh wait, I don't let my baby chew gum...

So we used the hose...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Do You Need to Lose Weight?

Then come on over and use my toothbrush!

I lost four pounds in 24 hours and YOU can too! All you have to do is spend some quality time with yours truly! Really! It's that easy! It's MAGICAL! And IT WORKS!

So, if you need to lose a few pounds in a hurry, give me a call. I'll let you drink from my glass and in just a few days, you'll be on your way to instant weight loss!

But hurry, this offer ends soon! Call now!

*Side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, aches, pains, dizziness, weakness, more vomiting, and even more vomiting.

(No Pain, No Gain... Or in this case Loss, I guess.)

But seriously, Garrit and I left for our family reunion at Fish Lake on Thursday afternoon feeling great. We hung out with the family and went on a little walk around the lake. It was so fun! Here are some pics:

And then I got sick. And then Garrit got sick. We were up all night. Drew was up all night. Needless to say, we didn't have the best trip.

We're home now and feeling better, thanks. But don't come around for a few days.