Elder Harold G. Hillam dies at 77

The Mormon Eagle takes the following from the Deseret News of Thursday 29 March 2012:

Elder Harold G. Hillam, 77, an emeritus general authority for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Tuesday evening at his home in Bountiful.

Elder Hillam was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy at the April 1990 general conference of the church, and to the First Quorum a year later.  He served in the Presidency of the Seventy for five years, from August 1995 through August 2000.  He was named an emeritus general authority on Oct. 1, 2005, and was called to be president of the Boise Idaho Temple of the church.  He was released as temple president in 2008.

Among his assignments were counselor, then president of the Brazil area and counselor and president in the Europe West Area.  He also was Sunday School general president for five years.

He was born on Sept. 1, 1935, in Sugar City, Idaho, to Gordon Hillam and Evelyn Skidmore Hillam.  He was the third of five children and the oldest son.  He spent part of his boyhood in St. Anthony, Idaho, and served a mission to Brazil.

Elder Hillam was only 11 when his father fell gravely ill and had to be hospitalized in Salt Lake City.  His mother went to Salt Lake City to be with her sick husband, leaving him and his two older sisters to run the family home.

"We just kind of made ends meet," he recalled in a Church News interview after he was sustained to the Seventy.  "There was no income.  The two girls had a job and I had a paper route and that was really it."
During that time, he said he poured out his worries to his Heavenly Father and promised a lifetime of commitment and dedication if God would help them through it.

As a result, missionary work was a high priority.   Just before he left on his mission to Brazil, he met his wife-to-be, Carol Lois Rasmussen, while he was a fishing guide at Yellowstone National Park.  They were married on June 5, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple after he returned from his mission and the day before she graduated from Brigham Young University.  They are parents of seven children.

After Elder Hillam completed his studies at BYU, he moved his family to Chicago, where he was a dental student at Northwestern University.  Even with heavy church responsibilities — he was a counselor in the Chicago Heights Ward bishopric while a student — he graduated with honors with a doctorate in dental surgery.

After two years practicing as a dentist in Idaho Falls, he and his family went back to Northwestern, where he received a degree in orthodontics.  Then he set up an orthodontics practice in Idaho Falls.  He also was a counselor in the Idaho Falls 28th Ward bishopric.

Elder Hillam was serving as president of the Idaho Falls Idaho South Stake when he was called as president of the Portugal Lisbon Mission.  He was also a regional representative in Portugal and again in Idaho, as well as a regional welfare agent and a counselor in the Idaho Falls South Stake presidency.
Professionally, Elder Hillam was president of the Idaho Falls Dental Society, Idaho State Orthodontic Society and the Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists.  He was president of the Teton Peaks Council for the Boy Scouts of America.  He also received the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Award. 
Elder Hillam spoke five times in general conference.  In his last talk, in the Saturday morning session of the April 2000 conference, he spoke of the need for the young people of the church to learn the lessons needed to become leaders.

"I pray that you young people will develop a reverence for sacred things, a respect for your elders and a willingness to keep the commandments," he said.  "I pray that you will learn to know of the Savior and have an ever-growing understanding of His Atonement."

Funeral plans are pending.

The Kirtland Temple: A short ecclesiastical history

As today, 27 March, is the day upon which the first House of the Lord built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated, The Mormon Eagle shall give some short ecclesiastical history of the building, from its visionary beginnings until today.

The Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio

Concerning the floor plan and layout of the Temple, the Lord showed the First Presidency in vision how it was to look.  Frederick G. Williams, then a counselor in the First Presidency, recalled,

Joseph received the word of the Lord for him to take his two counselors, Williams and Rigdon, and come before the Lord, and He would show them the plan or model of the house to be built.  We went upon our knees, called on the Lord, and the building appeared within viewing distance: I being the first to discover it.  Then all of us viewed it together.  After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us; and the make-up of this hall seemed to coincide with what I there saw to a minutia (in Marvin E. Smith, “The Builder,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1942, 630).

West (Melchizedek) Pulpits, Lower Court, of the Kirtland Temple

Construction on the Temple began in June 1833.  President Hyrum Smith, that dutiful servant of the Lord, had such a desire to build the Lord's House.  Hyrum Smith was so eager to build the Temple that on the first day of construction, he, with scythe in hand, dashed outdoors, exclaiming, "We are preparing to build a house for the Lord, and I am determined to be the first at the work" (“The History of Lucy Smith, Mother of the Prophet,” 1844–45 manuscript, book 14, pp. 1–2, Church Archives).

Even before the House was dedicated, the Lord showed marvelous visions within its walls.  The vision now known as D&C 137 is only a partial account of it.  Immediately after the end of what is now D&C 137, the vision continues on:

I saw the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold Him.  The Savior looked upon them and wept.

I also beheld William E. M'Lellin [sic] in the south, standing upon a hill, surrounded by a vast multitude, preaching to them, and a lame man standing before him supported by his crutches; he threw them down at his word and leaped as a hart, by the mighty power of God.  Also, I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen people of color, who appeared hostile.  He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it.  And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God.  I also beheld the redemption of Zion, and many things which the tongue of man cannot describe in full (History of the Church, 2:381).

After the dedication of the House of the Lord, Brother Truman O. Angell, later the chief architect for the Salt Lake Temple, recorded that he and Elder Brigham Young were walking by the Temple one night, at which time other Brethren inside were engaged in prayer.  Angell wrote, 

We walked out towards the [Kirtland] Temple, approaching the building on the side which was used for the Prophet Joseph and his counselors, a portion of the attic on the east being especially appropriated to their use.  In the said attic, and right over the stand where the brethren were praying in the hall below were two windows in the gable end to help give light to his compartment or room, the windows being 12 or 14 feet apart, and unusually high from the floor; being nearly 4 feet to the bottom of the lower sash.

When about ten rods distant we looked up and saw two personages; before each window, leaving and approaching each other like guards would do.  This continued until quite dark.  As they were walking back and forth, one turned his face to me for an instant; but while they walked to and fro, only a side view was visible.  I have no doubt that the house was guarded, as I have had no other way to account for it (quoted in Hawkins, Chad S., Holy Places: True Stories of Faith and Miracles From Latter-day Temples, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book Company, 2006, 23).

Unfortunately, the Saints were driven out by apostates in 1838.  During his mission to the East in 1844, President Brigham Young wrote in his journal for Sunday 9 June 1844, "I preached in the temple in the morning, and Brother F[ranklin] D. Richards in the afternoon.  I lectured in the evening on the subject of the location of Nauvoo; the Saints were dead and cold to the things of God" (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).   

An apostate group (the Community of Christ) now owns the building, which is no longer a House of the Lord, but an unholy building, as per President Brigham Young's statement, which states, "The Temple at Kirtland [has] fallen into the hands of wicked men, and by them been polluted, . . . and consequently it [is] disowned by the Father and the Son" (Journal of Discourses 2:32).  Notwithstanding the fact that the Community of Christ is in possession of the building, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in possession of the Priesthood Keys, the which Keys and Priesthood no other religion possesses.  I hope that one day, the Kirtland Temple will be back in the hands of the Latter-day Saints.  God only knows the time and season.

A Jew's perspective on the Mormon Mission

In a blog article for the Huffington Post, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach gives his perspective on how the LDS Missions help the missionary.  He writes,

There's a reason why the Mormons fielded two top candidates in a single presidential election cycle and there's a reason why the comparatively small church is surging to prominence worldwide.  Primarily, it's the fact that they inculcate within their teenagers the idea of mandatory service. . . . And what does a mission do?  It teaches them altruism [or concern for the welfare of others] and selflessness, not to mention going beyond a natural shyness and learning to approach complete strangers about their beliefs.

I have gained many-needed skills from my Mormon mission to California.  Among the many skills I gleaned are: altruism, how to sow on a button, complete reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ and upon the promptings of His Spirit (and learn when it is speaking to me), how to work with people, proper decorum and etiquette, the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the inherent goodness in all people, etc.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true because in it are the proper Priesthood Keys to act in the Name of God, which Priesthood no other religion has.  The Church grows so quickly and is a marvel to many people because God raised up this Church, and not man.  Indeed, it is not the Church of Joseph Smith nor of Thomas S. Monson, but it is The Church of Jesus Christ, established by Him in these last days in order to prepare the world for His Second Coming.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Savior Suffers In Gethsemane Bible video

As The Mormon Eagle has been established to promulgate the Gospel of the Redeemer to the world, we give you this video produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and under the direction of the Council of the First Presidency of said Church.  Enjoy!

I, Clark LeRay Herlin, author of The Mormon Eagle, know Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of the Living God.  It is through Him, and Him only, that mankind shall be saved.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

"Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth"

Samuel heard the word of the Lord, and so can we.

A glorious day has come for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In an article by Ryan Morgenegg for the Church News, we read,

In recent years, members' interest in historical audio and video of conference talks on the Internet has dramatically increased. . . . Recently, the Church has gone beyond 2002 to release English video and audio formats of general conference back to the '90s, '80s and '70s. By the end of March 2012, the English audio and video archive of general conference at lds.org will include addresses given from present back to 1971. . . . Addresses from priesthood session, general Relief Society and general Young Women meetings will also be included along with various music selections ("Glimpsing the past: General Conference audio and video archive", ldschurchnews.com, Saturday, 17 March 2012).

Indeed, this is a glorious day to be a Mormon.  Revelation flows now as it did in the days of Peter and Paul, all because the Lord has opened the windows of Heaven in the form of new technologies, that His holy work might spread forth upon the earth!  Now we all can truly say, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:9-10).

President Thomas S. Monson's first talk as an Apostle

The following video is all 7:10 minutes of "I Stand at the Door and Knock", President Thomas S. Monson's first talk as an Apostle, given on the day he was sustained, 10 October 1963, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Official Statement: LDS Church and race

A Florida Pastor, Reverend O'Neal Dozier, held a press conference Monday to get US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney to renounce Mormonism and its apparent racist aspects.  In light of this, The Mormon Eagle here posts the LDS Church's official statement on race within the Church:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone.  The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).  This is the Church’s official teaching.

"People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning.  In fact, by the end of his life in 1844 Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opposed slavery.  During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood. At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended.  Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members.  The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world.

"The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church.  In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that 'no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ.  Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church.  Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.'

"Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject: 'The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.'"

Statements on the US Constitution to "hang by a thread"

The following are direct prophecies given by LDS Church leaders about the fate and destiny of the Constitution of the United States of America.  The Mormon Eagle shall quote prophecies made in public meetings, and shall quote from the speakers' mouths.  Second-hand accounts (such as "I heard so-and-so say such-and-such") will not be used.

The Prophet Joseph Smith
"Even this nation will be on the verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the Constitution is on the brink of ruin this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (Joseph Smith Papers, LDS Church Historical Archives, Box 1, March 10, 1844). 

President John Taylor
"When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men" (Jornal of Discourses 21:8).

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

"You and I have heard all our lives that the time may come when the Constitution may hang by a thread.  I do not know whether it is a thread, or a small rope by which it now hangs, but I do know that whether it shall live or die is now in the balance" (Conference Report, October 1942, 58). 

President Brigham Young
"When the Constitution of the United States hangs, as it were, upon a single thread, they [the people of the United States of America] will have to call for the 'Mormon' elders to save it from utter destruction; and they [the Elders] will step forth and do it" (JD 2:182, February  18, 1855). 

Philosophy of "babies raise stress, reduce happiness" false

What is the impact of children on a relationship?  Today's USA Today report on 25 separate studies done over the past two years.  We read, "'Kids do lower marital satisfaction and there's not much we seem to be able to do to prevent it,' says Brian Doss, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. . . . Ninety percent of the 218 couples in an eight-year study Doss co-authored experienced a decline in satisfaction, he says" ("Years of research point to strain kids put on relationships"). 

No, one can't blame USA Today for reporting on the results of this survey; however, the "results", if one may call them such, are scholarly, but nevertheless false and foolish.  We must, in this situation, rely on the words of the Prophets, both ancient and modern.

Adam and Eve teaching their children, by Del Parson

What does our glorious Mother Eve have to say about children and the blessing they are?  Saith she, "Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed [children], and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient" (Moses 5:11).  Indeed, the Psalmist saith well that "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalms 127:3).  Was not Mary amply rewarded in being the mother of the One Perfect Child?  Indeed she was.  All those who think children are a burden must talk to Eve when they get to Spirit Prison and behold their error!

The Mormon Eagle need only cite the words of the venerable Prophets and Apostles of our day.  It is written, "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . . The family is ordained of God. . . . Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World").

Men and women are free to choose to believe what they will, but I, Clark LeRay Herlin, know that marriage is God's creation, and that children are truly "an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3).  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Don't wear masks, Elder Cook says

On Sunday 4 March 2012, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke at Brigham Young University - Idaho for a Church-wide Church Educational System fireside for young adults from the ages of 18-30, both single and married.  The subject of Elder Cook's talk was that of not wearing masks, or acting in character of a Latter-day Saint both in public and private life.

Among many things, he said, "One of your greatest protections against making bad choices in to not put on any mask of anonymity.  If you ever find yourself wanting to do so, please know it is a serious sign of danger and one of the adversary's tools to get you to do something you should not do" (R. Scott Lloyd, "Beware of Wearing the mask, Elder Cook warns", Deseret News, Monday 5 March 2012, B2).  Let's examine this more, by looking at the Perfect Example.  Christ taught, "No man can serve two master: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).  Our Savior didn't wear a mask during His mortal journey.  However, it wasn't easy, at times, for Him.  He showed kindness, yet also forthright boldness, in teaching His doctrine and ministering to His brethren and sisters, but was hated and killed for it.  Because the Savior wore no mask, the scripture was fulfilled which saith, "He had done no evil, neither was any deceit in His mouth" (Mosiah 14:9; compare Isaiah 53:9).

Elder Cook also said, "You generation, like the 'greatest generation', will need to protect righteousness and religious freedom. . . . We need to preserve it for future generations" ("Mask", B2). 

Policy for submitting names to the House of the Lord

The following is a letter from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to be read in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday 4 March 2012:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We would like to reiterate the policies first stated in 1995 concerning the submission of names for proxy temple ordinances:

Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors. Those whose names are submitted for proxy temple ordinances should be related to the submitter.

Without exception, Church members must not submit for proxy temple ordinances any names from unauthorized groups, such as celebrities and Jewish Holocaust victims. If members do so, they may forfeit their New FamilySearch privileges. Other corrective action may also be taken.

Members are encouraged to participate in FamilySearch indexing which is vital to family history and temple work.

Bishops are asked to post this letter on their meetinghouse bulletin boards. Church members may seek the assistance of the family history consultants in their area for additional information, if needed. Name submission policies are also clearly stated on New.FamilySearch.org.

We appreciate the faithful adherence to these policies by all members of the Church.
Sincerely yours ,

[Signed]
The First Presidency