13 GOSPEL TOPICS ESSAYS

Last month, the Church published the last two of a series of thirteen Gospel Topics Essays begun in 2013. 

According to the news release:

“The 13 essays published to date were prepared through extensive research by men and women Church scholars and carefully reviewed by members of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities and women leaders to provide an official, authoritative and transparent source of information.

The Church hopes that the material will be referenced in various lessons and classes, cited in talks and utilized in home study along with the large volume of resource materials now available to Church members worldwide.

While there are no immediate plans to publish additional essays of this type, it remains an option for the future.” 

Here is the official introduction:


Gospel Topics Essays

 
In the early 1830s, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was less than three years old, the Lord invited members of the Church to seek wisdom by study and by the exercise of faith:

“And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).

This is more than a simple exhortation to learn about the gospel. It is an invitation from the Lord to recognize that not all sources of knowledge are equally reliable. Seeking “out of the best books” does not mean seeking only one set of opinions, but it does require us to distinguish between reliable sources and unreliable sources.

Recognizing that today so much information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be obtained from questionable and often inaccurate sources, officials of the Church began in 2013 to publish straightforward, in-depth essays on a number of topics. The purpose of these essays, which have been approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has been to gather accurate information from many different sources and publications and place it in the Gospel Topics section of LDS.org, where the material can more easily be accessed and studied by Church members and other interested parties.

The Church places great emphasis on knowledge and on the importance of being well informed about Church history, doctrine, and practices. Ongoing historical research, revisions of the Church’s curriculum, and the use of new technologies allowing a more systematic and thorough study of scriptures have all been pursued by the Church to that end. We again encourage members to study the Gospel Topics Essays as they “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

Thought it might be useful to have them all on our blog, so here is the list - hopefully with links!

1.  Are Mormons Christian? 
2.  First Vision Accounts
3.  Race and the Priesthood
4.  Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah
5.  Book of Mormon Translation
6.  Book of Mormon and DNA Studies
7.  Becoming Like God
8.  Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints
9.  Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham 
10. Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo 
11. The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage 
12. Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women 
13. Mother in Heaven

HALLOWEEN HOOT!

Some fun Halloween activities happened at our house today. To begin with, we had Amelia and Stella come up from Fort Sask with their parents.  Baby Max (Graham's nephew) joined us as well for his first time walking door-to-door.  Costumes included a Bride, Elsa from Frozen, a Dinosaur, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and last but not least a "Mommy Mummy".

 This afternoon we made a true Halloween smorgasbord.  First we did Spider Web Nacho Dip, followed by Ghost Pizza and Mummy Dogs followed by Mandarin Pumpkins. 

Of course these must be served on a black paper plate with Bat napkins!

Happy Halloween - Spo-o-oky!  Bahaha...
Auntie Charlene xo

FIFTY EIGHT

When I was in the hospital, I happened to mention that election day was our fifty eighth anniversary.  In unison, three women said "Do you have any tips"
My reply was as follows:
*  Please and thank you go a long way.(silence)
*  Say 'I love you' at least once per day.  (silence)
*  Greet with a smile and always kiss good bye. (silence)
*  Use touch.  when you walk by your partner, gently touch his shoulder, arm or whatever (silence)
The lady in the bed next to me said "and never go to bed on an argument."  Always a good suggestion.
I don't think they expected a sermon but I guess they got one. 


I would have liked to add something I heard in a talk many years ago.  I don't know who said it or the exact wording but we were told a church leader said the following it went something like this:
Marriage is not a 50/50 proposition.  As soon as we check to see if our spouse is giving 50%, we are looking for trouble.  Rather, marriage is 100/100.  If each partner gives 100% then we can have a marriage made in heaven.
Perhaps some of you techno people out there can find out who said this.



Now I want to give a tribute to the most wonderful partner in the world:
I was very blessed to marry a wonderful man and you were all very blessed to have an absolutely fantastic patriarch in your family.  One you can all be proud to look up to and hopefully emulate. 


My husband, your dad, grandpa, great grandpa and great great grandpa is without a doubt the most kind, caring compassionate man I have ever met.  How I was the lucky one to be placed into his loving arms I will never know.  You can all be proud to bear his family name. 


Thank you for 58 wonderful years, Honey.  I look forward to eternity with you.  Thank you  for all you have done for me.  I love you so very much. 


Adina

Mushy Post ;)

Grandma & Grandpa asked me to take some photos of them together last weekend. They thought getting one photo on their couch would be great, but of course knowing me we ended up with all of these!!! (Special thanks to Jenny for helping pick out the perfect outfits) 

I loved spending a few hours with them visiting & capturing their love.

 Aren't they cute? 

Love you all! 

Emma

A trip down memory lane

Going through some boxes (yes from our move to Rocky 2 1/2 years ago) I found a little piece of memory typed on a small piece of paper. Over 20 years ago we had a birthday party for Grampa and we did a little rap song for him, improvising music with the use of sounds by mouth and a zipper from my scriptures.


Here it is:



Hey there Grampa, what do you say,
We hope that everything goes your way.

(make funny mouth noises, rip the zipper up and down and do some goofy body moves)

He buys us treats and buys us movies,
but we don't care,  cause he's so groovy.

(funny noises etc)

And since your turning 60 today,
We want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(you know the drill)

So next time your out there driving your bus,
Don't forget to WAVE to us!

(funny noises and goofy walk off the stage)




It was a great birthday party!

Love from Uncle Brent.

Together Again!

What a wonderful weekend this was! I just LOVE this crazy crew! (I am emailing these pictures to my dad right after this, so if any of you would like copies talk to me or him as I don't have all of your emails)

Love Emma

Grandma is sooo beautiful!!! 

HATS OFF TO GRANDPA!

Just thought I would post a few main/quick photos from Grandpa's 80th birthday before I go to bed - I will probably post more soon. Thanks to all who helped out! It really was enjoyable & successful. We love you Grandpa!!!

Looking For A Better Life

My grandparents came from overseas
On the boat and across the pond
They came from different countries
Found each other and created a bond

Saving their money to get aboard
And starting the long journey
They landed here and found a job
It wasn't much of a worry

As their love blossomed with children
The little family grew
Trying to give the best for them
Was all that granddad knew

Years went by and mother's parents,
Grandpa and his wife
They worked so hard all the time
Looking for a better life
-----------------------

My grandpa on my father's side
Was a short and stocky man
But strong as an ox so don't you dare
Let him squeeze your hand

Grandma raised over seventy-eight children
Some were old and new
But to most that ventured through their home...like dad
The only parents they ever knew

Remembering all the times we spent
At my grandparents home
Seeing them always helping their family
To survive was all they'd known

Years went by and father's parents,
Grandpa and his wife
They worked so hard all the time
Looking for a better life
-----------------------

My father found the girl of his dreams
Across from his backyard
Mom would rush out with their trash
To catch him wasn't hard

They married young and started a family
Then moved us all up north
A tiny little town to grow and learn in
We all know of its worth

As we got older, moved out and married
And started our own story
Soon grandkids came into their home
They were in all their glory

Years went by and I saw my parents,
My father and his wife
They worked so hard all the time
Looking for a better life
-----------------------

When I was married and my family grew
Raising kids was awesome
Teaching them and watching sports
Seeing each one blossom

With my wife so lovely at my side
Each child learned their own
Techniques and talents they've acquired
From my wife and I at home

We packed the house and moved the family
To a pacific northwest state
I took my wife and growing children
To a future that could be great

Years went by and I saw myself,
Me and my wonderful wife
We worked so hard all the time
Looking for a better life
-----------------------

Now my children all have grown
Some have moved away
A couple of them live nearby
We see them day to day

A few of them have married now
Starting families of there own
Watching them teach there children
In ways I wish I had known

The grandkids they are so much fun
When we play with them
Each time a new soul joins our family
They are such a gem

Years go by and I see my children
As they grow though all the strife
They work so hard all the time
Looking for a better life
-----------------------

I pray that as my grandkids grow
That they learn the things they need
To make a difference in this world
And in their future family seed

I hope they all find real true friendships
That they can have together
And a loving person they can marry
Who will be with them forever

I pray that they will all have children
Such a special bond it brings
That they all find out what's most important
The FAMILY....above all other things

As years go by I hope to see them all,
Whether with a husband or a wife
I pray they work hard for their family
And find a better life
----------------------

Troy Hudkins              July 2014

A Quote on the Atonement

Last month in church, a teacher gave the following quote about the atonement.  It really moved me and I had to search out the reference.  It was originally addressed to women, but applies to us all.  I think it is quite profound and have pondered on it a lot, so wanted to share it with you:


“Well, my dear sisters, the gospel is the good news that can free us from guilt. We know that Jesus experienced the totality of mortal existence in Gethsemane. It’s our faith that he experienced everything- absolutely everything. Sometimes we don’t think through the implications of that belief. We talk in great generalities about the sins of all humankind, about the suffering of the entire human family. But we don’t experience pain in generalities. We experience it individually. That means he knows what it felt like when your mother died of cancer- how it was for your mother, how it still is for you. He knows what it felt like to lose the student body election. He knows that moment when the brakes locked and the car started to skid. He experienced the slave ship sailing from Ghana toward Virginia. He experienced the gas chambers at Dachau. He experienced Napalm in Vietnam. He knows about drug addiction and alcoholism.

Let me go further. There is nothing you have experienced as a woman that he does not also know and recognize. On a profound level, he understands the hunger to hold your baby that sustains you through pregnancy. He understands both the physical pain of giving birth and the immense joy. He knows about PMS and cramps and menopause. He understands about rape and infertility and abortion. His last recorded words to his disciples were, “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) He understands your mother-pain when your five-year-old leaves for kindergarten, when a bully picks on your fifth-grader, when your daughter calls to say that the new baby has Down syndrome. He knows your mother-rage when a trusted babysitter sexually abuses your two-year-old, when someone gives your thirteen-year-old drugs, when someone seduces your seventeen-year-old. He knows the pain you live with when you come home to a quiet apartment where the only children are visitors, when you hear that your former husband and his new wife were sealed in the temple last week, when your fiftieth wedding anniversary rolls around and your husband has been dead for two years. He knows all that. He’s been there. He’s been lower than all that. He’s not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don’t need a Savior. He came to save his people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He’s not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief. "

This quote is from Cheiko Okazaki. She served as first counsellor to Elaine Jack, General Relief Society President from 2001 - 2007. She passed away August 1, 2011. 
This quote can be found in the preface to her book Lighten Up.  I highly recommend all of her books as I've read most of them.


Mom, can you read this?
Charlene

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers are so special

In every single way

In everything they do

And everything they say

They love you unconditionally

From deep within their heart

They love you when your near

Even more when your apart

Mothers of their children

Whether young or old

Teach new generations

And start a brand new mold

There is a special bond

Between a child and mother

That people carry with them

A connection like no other

In any part of motherhood

You should know your worth

Your a very intricate part

Of this time on earth.

Troy Hudkins           May 2015

To all the great grandmas, grandmas, and mothers,

Happy Mothers Day

Meatball Minestrone Soup

Here is a great recipe passed on by my R.S. President that Leslie and I decided to try this past week.
It is a very easy and filling soup and makes a fairly large batch.  It calls for slow cooker but I just did mine on stove top.  Perfect for those cold winter days that just seem to be soup days!  Highly recommend it - seconded by other family members... 

Just follow this link:

http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/01/meatball-minestrone-soup-crock-pot/


Enjoy!
Auntie Charlene
xo