A Most Remarkable Mission Conference: LDS Lawmakers Bear Testimonies

Meridian Magazine ^ | Jan. 4, 2010 | Scot Facer Proctor

[Colofornian]

If you had happened into the Cannon House Office Building on Washington DC’s Capitol Hill a few days before Christmas, you would have heard something amazing and most unusual.

There, echoing down the halls and reverberating up the marbled stairs of the rotunda, wafting into the offices...were the booming voices of missionaries, singing at the top of their lungs...

SNIP

...President and Sister Mark and Karyn Albright held their Christmas gathering this year in this House office building and, instead of having an inspirational speaker or two, the LDS members of Congress came to address the missionaries and bear their testimonies.

Slipping in to address the missionaries, between votes on the floor of Congress, were Senators Orrin Hatch (UT), Robert Bennett (UT) , Harry Reid (NV), and Representatives Buck McKeon (CA), Wally Herger (CA) , Jason Chaffetz (UT), Rob Bishop (UT), Jeff Flake (AZ); and Dean Heller (NV)...

SNIP

Here’s a brief summary of the remarks of each LDS lawmaker...:

SNIP

Senator Reid talked of his conversion to the Church. One night his young wife came home from her job, where several Latter-day Saints worked, including a stake missionary who wanted to come and talk to them about religion. At that point they had zero religion and no apparent interest or background, but Senator Reid remembered that growing up in Nevada, the nicest kids in school were the Mormons.

This missionary saw them every week for several months—and our joining the Church has made a tremendous difference in our lives. He said to the missionaries, “You may be teaching someone like me who has no religion and no background in it, but you can change their lives. I testify that the work you are doing is the Lord’s work.”

SNIP

[Colofornian]

From the article: ...the LDS members of Congress came to address the missionaries and bear their testimonies. Slipping in to address the missionaries, between votes on the floor of Congress, were Senators Orrin Hatch (UT), Robert Bennett (UT), Harry Reid (NV), and Representatives Buck McKeon (CA), Wally Herger (CA), Jason Chaffetz (UT), Rob Bishop (UT), Jeff Flake (AZ); and Dean Heller (NV).

Reid "bearing his testimony" as a Mormon with all the other Mormon lawmakers on Capitol Hill less than three weeks ago.

[Utah Binger]

I’m holding my tongue as if I speak I will lose it. Idiots all!

[Utah Binger]

And we’re all so special.

[MuttTheHoople]

And the darkest day in Harry’s life is when the Mormon church changed their scripture from “White and Delightsome” to “Pure and Delightsome”. That forced Harry to have to learn to relate to “those people”.

[JRochelle]

I happen to really really like Jeff Flake.

He was just on TV again today talking about how Congress wastes our money.

[reaganaut]

Reid “bearing his testimony” as a Mormon with all the other Mormon lawmakers on Capitol Hill less than three weeks ago.

- - - - - -
Guess he isn’t a MINO after all.

[svcw]

Oh hurl!!!!

[Colofornian]

I happen to really really like Jeff Flake. He was just on TV again today talking about how Congress wastes our money.

(Hey, I like a lot of Mormons, too...with many of them, there's much to like. Still, I'd think it'd be worth asking Rep. Jeff: "Rep. Flake, you do believe in the White Horse prophesy -- which is to say that the Constitution will hand by a thread and Mormon elders will rush in to save it?")

(All of you who have Lds lawmakers @ the national level -- see this article link for it lists most of them -- I think there's about 14 of them in Congress -- and all of you who have Lds lawmakers @ the state/regional level...should raise that question to them)

[Elsie]

Talking Points...

1.  “We are all enlisted ‘til the conflict is o’er. Happy are we.  Happy are we.”
2. The missionaries were given models of powerful people in the very highest seat of government, who nonetheless, put their testimonies and their commitment to God first.
3. Senator Hatch quoted this famous line to the missionaries, “I’d rather be a servant in the House of the Lord, than serve in the seat of the mighty.”  He also added a quip, “Without a brain, you may look good, but then all you could do is run for public office.”
4. There was the answer.  The entire promised land, the land of their fathers, was at that time called the land of Jerusalem.  Hugh Nibley’s research verified that.
5. Matthew Cowley, who noted, “The greatest calling in the Church is to be a worthy member.” 

 

[Elsie]

Wear mittens - they’ll keep you from typing...

[Elsie]

I happen to really really like Jeff Flake.

I'll bet he has fun with his name! ;^)

"I'll be the onbly Flake in Congress who admits it!"

"Send another Flake to Congress!"

etc.

[Elsie]

Still, I'd think it'd be worth asking Rep. Jeff: How about that #2?

[Elsie]

Speaking of Mittens...

How ‘bout that #3!!

[Elsie]

Matthew Cowley, who noted, “The greatest calling in the Church is to be a worthy member.”

In 1914, Cowley was called to serve as a missionary in New Zealand. There he developed an unusual talent with the Māori language and people. He was called upon to revise the translation of the Book of Mormon in that language; this revised edition appeared in 1917.

(Why can't these folks EVER get it right the FIRST time?

[greyfoxx39]

I haven’t read all the numerous threads going about Reid’s “negro” comment...has anyone posted the link between his comment and the mormon church’s past racist stance?

[colorcountry]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2425785/posts

Done!