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You are so welcome!

You know, for those who wonder, or question whether the LDS faith is Christian, let me recite the words of a song we teach our Primay age (4-12) kids. I teach the 10 year olds at church. This song has a wonderful tune...it touches the heart, and I find myself humming and singing it to myself during the day. The kids all learn it, and memorize it:

I’m Trying to be like Jesus

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“I’m trying to be like Jesus,
I’m following in His way.
I’m trying to live as He did,
In all that I do and say.

“Sometime I am tempted to make the wrong choice,
The the Spirit whispers in a still, small voice, saying,

“Love one another as Jesus loved you,
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Children who grow up learning and seeing this in their lives, internalize it, themselves and usually come to Christ, accepting His atonement and redemption in their lives, and try and live like Him. That benefits all of us...our entire society.

Truth be told, this happening in Christian denominations throughout the country was the vision of our founders, because such people will govern themselves without the need of a burdensome, over-reaching government. It is at the heart of America and why it is free and prosperous.

I pray we preserve it for our children and grnadchildren...and we can start doing that this November in a big way.

While traveling the Great River Road from Lake Itaska Minnesota to Venice Lousiana, we happened on Nauvoo Illinois. There is a wonderful visitors center and museum. The site contains many many acres and the original streets and several of the original buildings. A great deal of time, effort and money has been spent to restore the historic site.

In the glass cases are several very worn leather bound Bibles and New Testaments. The term dog earred is a good descriptive. There are several large paintings representing Jesus Christ in important events. There is at least one very well done sculptures in white marble. All are testimony to a strong Christian tradition.

There was an old man (about my age). He came to be our guide. It was his position as a missionary of sorts. He was salt of the earth type and knowing we were not LDS took pains to point out exhibits of interest.

We visited one of the living history exhibits, a wheel wright shop. It was the original building and contained in addition to the tools of the trade am original wagon fully loaded with the specified goods necessary for the journey west. If you did not have the specified goods and wagon you did not go.

The presenter asked the group of 25 or so if they had ancestors who made the journey from Nauvoo to Utah. The children all turned around looking to parents for guidance. Then, they enthusiastically raised their hands as parents gavetem a nod. All but 4 of the group were LDS with ancestors who made the journey. They were from all over the country. They were witness to history up close and personal.

At the time there were Mormonophobes in Ilinois who felt it their Christian duty to kill and chase away those who saw things differently. We know for certain their tradition is alive and well on Free Republic.

That song, Jeff, won't do them a BIT of good!

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University) http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

I'll bet, Jeff, that they sing THIS one, too. Right?

(click)

Praise to the Man!

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assasins,
Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again.

Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.