Just received word from the publisher that a target date of April 21, 2008, has been set for the book's release.
In the event there are any delays, I will make that information available.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
16th Church President Named
Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The announcement was made this morning at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died 27 January 2008.
The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor. Prior to the death of President Hinckely, President Eyring has served as second counselor and President Uchtdorf has served as a member of the Quroum of the Twelve Apostles.
Responding to a reporter’s question about the Church’s openness in working with other churches and groups, President Monson said: “We should not be sequestered in a little cage. We should eliminate the weakness of the one standing alone and substitute it with the strength of working together to make this a better world.”
“I believe in that spirit,” he said.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Succession in the Presidency of the Church
The highest-ranking governing body in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the First Presidency, consisting of the president and his two counselors, or advisers. This three-man body supervises the work of the entire Church in all matters of policy, organization and administration.
The second-highest presiding body in Church government is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and have heavy administrative responsibilities to oversee the orderly progress and development of the Church throughout the world. The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are regarded by Latter-day Saints as prophets who receive divine revelation and inspiration to guide the Church.
The appointment of a new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints happens in an orderly way that — remarkably in today’s world — avoids any trace of internal lobbying for position or rank. Viewed by members as a divinely revealed process, it is devoid of electioneering whether behind the scenes or in public.
Moreover, it is not only the structure of Church organization that governs this process. There is also a deeply ingrained tradition in the Church that personal aspiration for leadership at any level is inappropriate. Instead, the emphasis is on personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve when invited.
The second-highest presiding body in Church government is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and have heavy administrative responsibilities to oversee the orderly progress and development of the Church throughout the world. The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are regarded by Latter-day Saints as prophets who receive divine revelation and inspiration to guide the Church.
The appointment of a new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints happens in an orderly way that — remarkably in today’s world — avoids any trace of internal lobbying for position or rank. Viewed by members as a divinely revealed process, it is devoid of electioneering whether behind the scenes or in public.
Moreover, it is not only the structure of Church organization that governs this process. There is also a deeply ingrained tradition in the Church that personal aspiration for leadership at any level is inappropriate. Instead, the emphasis is on personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve when invited.
Selecting the new prophet
When the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passes away, the following events take place:
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 and headed by the senior apostle, assumes Church leadership.
4. The senior apostle presides at a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two alternative propositions:
i. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
ii. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
5. After discussion, a formal motion is made and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
6. If a motion to reorganize the First Presidency is passed, the Quorum of the Twelve unanimously selects the new president of the Church. The new president chooses two counselors and the three of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history of the Church, the longest-serving apostle has always become the president of the Church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
7. Following the reorganization of the First Presidency, the apostle who has served the second longest is sustained as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. The only exception is when the second-longest-serving apostle has also been called into the First Presidency as a counselor, in which case the third-longest-serving apostle becomes acting president of the Twelve.
8. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart the new president of the Church through a formal laying on of hands.
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 and headed by the senior apostle, assumes Church leadership.
4. The senior apostle presides at a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two alternative propositions:
i. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
ii. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
5. After discussion, a formal motion is made and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
6. If a motion to reorganize the First Presidency is passed, the Quorum of the Twelve unanimously selects the new president of the Church. The new president chooses two counselors and the three of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history of the Church, the longest-serving apostle has always become the president of the Church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
7. Following the reorganization of the First Presidency, the apostle who has served the second longest is sustained as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. The only exception is when the second-longest-serving apostle has also been called into the First Presidency as a counselor, in which case the third-longest-serving apostle becomes acting president of the Twelve.
8. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart the new president of the Church through a formal laying on of hands.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Til we meet again
Today, Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was laid to rest. He was 97 years old.
The funeral services were broadcast from Salt Lake City around the world in over 60 some languages. My wife and I had the blessing of watching it on television here in Miami. President Hinckley will be sorely missed.
A new prophet will be called. The work will roll forth "as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."
Mike Wallace (60 Minutes) said of his experience interviewing President Hinckley, "I learned, from the time we spent with Gordon Hinckley and his wife, from his staff, and from other Mormons who talked to us, that this warm and thoughtful and decent and optimistic leader of the Church fully deserves the almost universal admiration that he gets."
The funeral services were broadcast from Salt Lake City around the world in over 60 some languages. My wife and I had the blessing of watching it on television here in Miami. President Hinckley will be sorely missed.
A new prophet will be called. The work will roll forth "as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."
Mike Wallace (60 Minutes) said of his experience interviewing President Hinckley, "I learned, from the time we spent with Gordon Hinckley and his wife, from his staff, and from other Mormons who talked to us, that this warm and thoughtful and decent and optimistic leader of the Church fully deserves the almost universal admiration that he gets."
Friday, February 1, 2008
What's the fuss?
With the current presidential campaign The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been brought to the forefront of the news time and time again. For whatever reason, this has given the anti-Mormon faction a larger target to attack.
I wouldn't mind the attacks as such (Mormons don't believe what we do, so their nuts), but it's the out-and-out falsehoods and misinformation they perpetrate that I find unacceptable. These attacks come from non-members. Oddly enough, the vast majority of them are leaders of other Christian churches. The remainder are former members who have long forgotten, if they ever learned it, the truth of what the Church really teaches.
Rather than sit idly by, I decided to write a book and address the issue. What's Wrong With Mormons? is one Mormon's experience with Mormons, Mormonism, and the Mormon Church. Although the book was written primarily for non-members, it offers additional insights for new members as well. Also, members could share the book with their non-member family and friends.
This blog was created to provide the readers, and me, an opportunity to discuss the issues and the book itself.
I wouldn't mind the attacks as such (Mormons don't believe what we do, so their nuts), but it's the out-and-out falsehoods and misinformation they perpetrate that I find unacceptable. These attacks come from non-members. Oddly enough, the vast majority of them are leaders of other Christian churches. The remainder are former members who have long forgotten, if they ever learned it, the truth of what the Church really teaches.
Rather than sit idly by, I decided to write a book and address the issue. What's Wrong With Mormons? is one Mormon's experience with Mormons, Mormonism, and the Mormon Church. Although the book was written primarily for non-members, it offers additional insights for new members as well. Also, members could share the book with their non-member family and friends.
This blog was created to provide the readers, and me, an opportunity to discuss the issues and the book itself.
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