Guest Post: Missionaries served God and country in WWII

M* is pleased to share the following guest post from Brother Alfred Gunn.

Brother Gunn serves on the Gig Harbor Stake Public Affairs Council and in that capacity writes a monthly religion column for his local paper, The Peninsula Gateway. Be sure to check the “Worth Reading” section for links to Brother Gunn’s articles.

Three years ago I stood at the foot of Brazil’s iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Rock overlooking Rio de Janeiro-a magnificent representation of the resurrected Christ, arms outstretched, the marks of atoning sacrifice in his hands.

In my tour group was Barlow Briggs, then a spry 86 years old, who had been a Mormon missionary in Brazil as a young man. He recalled how one Sunday after church he and his companion rode the Corcovado train up to admire the statue, erected only 10 years before. The next day, he said, bold newspaper headlines announced “War in the Pacific.” Pearl Harbor had been bombed that Sunday.

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Guest Post: A Life of Crime Doesn’t Suit Me

M* is pleased to share the following guest post from Marsha Ward.

Marsha is a multi-published freelance writer, editor, workshop presenter, mentor, and consultant, and the author of three novels as well as a contributor to two non-fiction books on writing and publishing. She is the Sacrament Meeting organist and Relief Society pianist in her small Central Arizona branch.

Recently I attended the LDStorymakers’ Writers Conference in Provo, at which I had a marvelous time hobnobbing with my fellow writers and associates. I live in Central Arizona, so going to Utah by car is a bit of a trip there and back. I got home about 10:15 on Sunday night after driving most of the day. (All right, I did take a lunch break where I could check my email.) I didn’t know I was about to have a new adventure.
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Guest Post: Salvation in This Life

Another fine guest post from Ray, who blogs at Things of My Soul.

The Jewish leaders who facilitated the crucifixion of Jesus did so in part because they could not accept Him as the one who had led them (Jehovah) and/or would pay for their sins (Jesus). They said, in essence, “We don’t need you. We are children of Abraham. We are fine. We’ll do it on our own.”

We decry deathbed repentance, particularly for those who consciously choose to procrastinate repentance until the end – to do what they want to do until they are facing death and the possibility of judgment, largely because we see repentance as a process rather than an event. At the same time, too many members view grace, faith and works as follows: Continue reading

Guest Post: Reflections of Christ- If you build it, they will come

 The Millennial Star is pleased to present the following guest post from Cecily Markland. Cecily is an amazing writer with an extensive resume.  

She has over 18 years experience as a writer, editor, project manager and journalist. Her past experience includes freelance writing for the “Ogden Standard Examiner”, the Gilbert Independent Newspaper and she for the last eight years has served as the editor of “The Beehive“. 

Cecily is the mother to six children and grandmother of 11. You can visit Cecily’s web site and blog “The Buzz” by clicking here.  

 In true “if-you-build-it-they-will-come” fashion, the Reflections of Christ exhibit at the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors’ Center drew more than 1,500 people in the first three days it was open. 

Now, several weeks later, crowds of up to 600 or more a night continue to converge on this unique exhibit of fine art photographs depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, complemented by a companion documentary and a soundtrack with original arrangements of familiar hymns.

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