Priesthood Blessings - Back to School

 Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brothers and Sisters, it’s finally that time of year; the month the kids go back to school! Like many families, our family has always had the tradition to administer Father’s Blessings just before the first day of school. As a child, I looked forward to this day and now as a Father I anticipate it even more. This serves as a special time of year for everyone in the family. Dad’s get to exercise the Priesthood in the home and kids get to receive a sacred blessing from their Heavenly Father.

Fathers have a sacred duty to preside and worthily bless their families with the priesthood they hold. Elder Oaks taught in his 1987 conference address, “Fathers and other elders, cherish and magnify the privilege of blessing your children and the other children of our Heavenly Father.” Not all homes look the same and not all families have a father available to give these blessings. This responsibility then falls on other family members and home teachers.

Because of the great importance of the restored priesthood, I call on every member of our ward to seek out a priesthood or father’s blessing this month before the traditional start of school. Wives, ask your husbands for a blessing. Families, ask your home teachers to bless your home. Grandparents, encourage your children, wherever they are, to use the priesthood in their home. The purpose of the priesthood is to bless our Heavenly Father’s children. Please accept this invitation to allow our Heavenly Father to bless you and your family as we all prepare for the school year ahead.

May the Lord’s blessings be abundant in your home as you seek Him through prayer and through priesthood blessings.

Sign of the Sabbath

Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As I go through each week reading the news and watching the politics of the day, I can get pretty depressed. I anxiously await each Sunday to be uplifted. Every Sabbath day brings renewal to my mind and spirit. The sacrament, talks, lessons, and meetings add to the enjoyment of the Sabbath, but perhaps one of the biggest reasons Sunday offers refuge to me is the gathering of the saints, each one of you, as we interact in a gospel setting.

Last year, President Russel M. Nelson invited everyone to ponder the question “What sign do I want to give to God,” as it relates to our activities and attitudes on the Sabbath day (The Sabbath Is a Delight, April 2015). How we worship on the Sabbath is a personal decision we make between us and the Lord.

As a ward, I believe there are few things we could do to strengthen our worship on Sunday and help others as they strive to worship as well. Please consider the following invitations and how they could help you in your Sunday observance:

·       Arrive 5-10 minutes early for Sacrament services

·       Ponder the sacrament or gospel questions as you wait for the meeting to start

·       Sing the hymns aloud

·       Vocally say amen at the end of prayers and talks

We have a wonderful and welcoming ward. These invitations should not be interpreted as us lacking in any areas, but ways that we can be more fully engaged in our worship together each Sunday.

Thank you for all the work you do to build the kingdom in our small corner of Payson.

Bishop Sullivan

Christmas Message 2015

 Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Christmas Message 2015

When the angels announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds, they said, “For unto you is born this day… a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Those angels weren’t speaking to mankind in general, they were speaking to you—you, the person reading this— directly. 

Unto you was born a Savior. He came to save you and make it possible that you “might have joy.” 

From the foundation of the world, we knew that our loving Heavenly Father’s plan required a Savior. Christ came into the world to be just that. On the day of His birth, we joined the “multitude of heavenly host[s] praising God.” We gloried God then and we will glory Him now as we remember that all our pains, sins, sorrows and shortcomings can be swallowed up in the atonement of Christ, the Lord. 

As a bishopric, we invite you to find joy in Christ and in His infinite atonement during this special Christmas season. 

May our Heavenly Father send you His choicest blessings in your home is our prayer. 

Merry Christmas

Mormons and Money

Increased exposure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints due to the Romney campaign and the church’s own marketing has led to a continuing onslaught of curiosity and news stories. Many of the stories are good and most are well intentioned. However, even some of the good and well intentioned articles are filled with inaccuracies and stereotypes. Most recently, several “news” agencies have published articles relating to the church’s finances. Again, I think some of these journalists are well intentioned, while others have maliciously misrepresented the faith. There are just a few points I would like to make to help clarify the many lies and half-truths that are circulating concerning this matter.

 1.       The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows the law of tithing as set forth in the Old and New Testaments. This is the same law that Abraham and the Levites followed (Heb 7) and the same law for which Malachi condemned the Israelites (Mal 3:8). Mormons believe that this law has been restored and that as followers of Christ, we can freely choose to follow this commandment by paying one tenth of our income to the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 119:3).

 2.     Tithing funds are used for the operations of the church. This means they are used to construct and maintain thousands of meeting houses around the world. The funds are also used to support education around the world through the perpetual education fund, seminary programs and the church run universities. Other areas tithing funds are used are the worldwide missionary program, the building and maintenance of temples, and of course worldwide humanitarian aid.

3.       The church additionally owns for profit businesses. Most of these businesses were started out of necessity when the Mormons were isolated in Utah. They started schools, hospitals and commercial stores to meet the needs of the saints who were gathered in the western desert. Many of the businesses, like the hospitals, were sold when it was expedient, while others have been kept to further the work. Enterprises like Deseret Book further communication needs of the church while at the same time subsidize humanitarian efforts. The land and ranches are all part of the vast welfare system the church runs while at the same time they help the church prepare for a rainy day, or better put, for the coming of the Lord.

4.    All of the money the church makes is put to humanitarian work. 100%. Articles by misinformed or malicious “journalists” would have you believe that only small percentages are given as aid. This is blatantly false. That’s like saying the Red Cross gave zero of its money to charity. The Red Cross does not give its money to charity, it is a charity. The church, being a charity itself, uses its money for operating cost of the church and its welfare program and still gives money to other denominations and charities. For example, much of the money is spent by helping people in local communities pay bills and rent or by letting them shop for free at the local bishop’s storehouse (a grocery store with no register). Because this money never leaves the church, those “investigating” the charitable donations don’t count this. 

5. Mormons believe “in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (12^th Article of Faith). There is no shady tax evasion going on in the church. The for-profit organizations are run openly as businesses and file all appropriate taxes and paperwork. The not-for-profit organizations follow all the laws that govern them. Those that wish to be upset at the way churches are taxed or not taxed must have that issue with all churches and it’s an issue they must resolve by talking to their legislator. One cannot single out The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for following tax law as it exists.

In conclusion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does great good with the sacred funds it receives through tithing. I have seen, first hand, how these generous offerings have blessed the lives of people in third world countries and people down the street. I have seen members of the church who have been helped and members of other faiths who have had their Christmas taken care of. Most of what is done is done quietly, with no want for recognition. Those that criticize and mischaracterize the Mormons for how they gain and use money have little knowledge of the mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the church who give, have full faith that those administering the funds do so wisely with an eye single to the glory of God. In the end, we know that all the ventures of the church are for the building of His kingdom and for His glory and to further His work. 

You can view the church's official response here. 

What Do Mormons Believe About Jesus Christ?

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:13-16)

Just as Peter testified of Christ’s divinity through the power of the Holy Ghost, being revealed to him by the Father, Mormons believe in the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Christ is at the center of every teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although there are countless ways that Jesus influences individual’s lives, it is easiest to talk about Mormon’s belief in Christ by describing His three distinct roles as Creator, Savior, and Mediator.

Creator

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ created the universe under the direction of the Father. As Jesus did while among mortals, He was about His Father’s business in His pre-mortal state.

During this time before His earthly ministry, Christ was referred to as Jehovah. As Jehovah, Christ was the God of the Old Testament. Truly, He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of Israel. Everything we have in this life was created by The Son.

Savior

Christ was born of the mortal Mary to live with and teach mankind. Inheriting mortal qualities from His earthly Mother, but maintaining his Godly nature from His Father, Jesus led a sinless life. During his mortal ministry he taught us how to best live God’s commands and showed us the path to return to Him. At the close of His life, Christ offered his perfect life as a sacrifice for all sin. He saved man from sin and from physical death. Mormons testify that Christ is the Savior of the world.

Mediator

Mormons pray to The Father in the name of Jesus Christ. We believe He is our mediator with our Heavenly Father. At the Day of Judgment we will account for our time on earth. Christ will be our advocate for us with our Heavenly Father as is only through Him that we can enter into the peace that awaits us with God.

Christ is the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and worship Him as such.

Baptisms for the Dead and Mormons

Misunderstanding leads to ignorance, rumors and even bigotry. The many misconceptions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to be strung across the blogosphere and even national television. Among the lesser-known doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ, baptisms for the dead has been mischaracterized recently and taken out of context to marginalize the believers of Mormonism. In a poorly researched article, a well-known atheist recently described the belief as part of “the weird and sinister belief system of the LDS.” The casual observer may agree with this author if the doctrine is not understood. The following is a brief description of what Mormons believe in the context of baptisms for the dead.

Mormons believe that all men and women ever born on earth will live again and even be resurrected like Jesus Christ (Romans 6:5; Mosiah 6:18). We also believe that as resurrected beings, all men and women will be judged according to their works and live in a degree of glory for eternity (1Cor 15:35-44). After death and before judgment, there also exists a time when man’s spirit awaits judgment. It is during this time that Mormons believe everyone will be given the opportunity to hear the gospel (1Peter 4:6).

This unique doctrine illustrates the infinite justice and mercy of our Heavenly Father; the doctrine that regardless of circumstance on earth, the gospel will be preached to each soul so that each individual may accept or reject the message. This means any person in any time. People in China or Africa where Christianity has not been preached, great-great grandparents that never knew of Christ, every son or daughter of God will get to hear and chose the good news.

Like most Christians, Mormons believe there are certain earthly ordinances, like baptism, that must be performed in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Because the deceased await the day of judgment as spirits, those that have passed on cannot perform these ordinances for themselves. This is where Mormons follow the direction of Christ’s church as taught in the Bible by Paul and perform ordinances for those who could not and did not (1Cor 15:29).

Mormons absolutely do not believe that anyone is posthumously made a Mormon by virtue of performing the ordinance. In fact, we believe that the agency to choose that we possess here on earth will continue to exist in the eternities. This means that although a baptism may be performed in a Mormon temple for a certain ancestor, it is still up to that ancestor to decide and choose to accept the gospel.

There is nothing spooky about the ordinance. No graves are robbed and no cadavers are to be found on the premise of a Mormon temple. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perform the baptism nearly identical to the way the ordinance is performed outside the temple. A living member stands as proxy for their ancestor that has passed on. We believe that the temple is a sacred place set aside to do work for the dead, and that is why the ordinance is not performed in the standard chapels or elsewhere.

Mormons don’t intend to offend anyone with their practice of baptizing the dead. They simply try to fulfill Elijah’s prophecy of turning "the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6) by giving those that have passed an opportunity to know and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Creatures or Children of God?

I must claim ignorance as to the specific beliefs of all other religions as it pertains to the existence of man’s soul before birth. From what I gather generally, most religions recognize the creation of the soul at some point here on Earth either in the womb or at birth. I am open to be enlightened by those of other faiths as to their beliefs on the existence of the soul before life begins. It is not so much my intent to define other’s religious beliefs as it is to explain and clarify mine. 

Mormons believe that all of us existed together as spirit children of our Heavenly Father before coming to this Earth. We co-existed as literal brothers and sisters and interacted with God. God knew us as he knew Jeremiah before he was “formed in the belly” (Jerimiah 1:5). Details of day to day life in this pre-earth state aren’t readily available, but some of the major events of that life have been revealed through prophets. 

John teaches in Revelation that there was a great battle between good and evil before the Earth was (Rev 12:7). Mormons believe that this “battle” was a battle for our souls even before the world began. We believe that two plans were presented to bring us back to our Heavenly Father. One plan was presented by Lucifer. His plan was to force all mankind to choose good so that not one soul would be lost. In return for saving all of mankind, Lucifer wanted all glory. The alternative plan was that of Jesus Christ. He presented a plan of free will and offered Himself as a sacrifice for those that used free agency to sin. Christ returned all glory to The Father (Abraham 3:27-28).  When Christ’s plan was chosen, Lucifer rebelled and fell from heaven (Luke 10:18; 2 Nephi 2:17). 

Because we are here on Earth, we know we accepted Christ’s plan to come to Earth and be tested (Abraham 3:24-26). Job even tells us that we all “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) when we accepted the plan. Here, we do not remember the events that happened before we were born. We must rely on the revelations given to prophets and the promptings of the spirit. These promptings tend to be very strong and lead people to ask, “Where did I come from?” Others wonder what it means to “return” to our Heavenly Father (Eccl 12:7). 

As Mormons, we happily share that we came from a Heavenly Family. We are literal spirit sons and daughters of a Heavenly King! Great happiness come from the knowledge that we are not mere creatures of a foreign God, but rather we have a loving Heavenly Father anxiously awaiting our return.