It’s a Cool Time to be a Latter-day Saint

My family has a link to the troubles the early saints experienced in Missouri that we have been studying in CFM. In October 1838, a tragic event happened that became known as the Haun’s Mill Massacre.

There was an older gentleman, known as Father McBride, who was among the murdered. He was shot at close range, then hacked to death with a corn cutter (scythe) and buried in a well. His name was Thomas White McBride. Much of the detail that we know about the massacre came from the autobiographical account writen by his son, James – who happened to stay home from the mill that day because he was sick.

I am a direct descendant of those McBrides. Take a look:

It’s only five generations between Thomas and me, and when we study this era in church history, I always pay closer attention. I feel a kinship and love for those people. What those early saints went through was brutal. Some years ago, I wrote a post about it and how it related to Joseph Smith’s time in Liberty Jail. (Link here)

However, rather than focus on those events that my ancestors endured, I want to focus on something more positive – more upbeat – if you will.

I believe this is a very cool time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is an exciting time with a lot going on. The contrast between what our ancestors experienced and what we are living through could not be more dramatic.

The Church is everywhere. I don’t recall a period in my lifetime when there has been such a media spotlight on the Church. Most of it is good, some of it is stupid, and there is some tragedy.

The recent shootings and arson in Michigan are a stark reminder. The forces that burned down the early saints’ homes and murdered them are still at work in our modern world. (The cause of the fire that burned down the church building in New Zealand has not been determined.)

Yet in the aftermath, the church members in Michigan displayed amazing courage and grace during and after the attack. Not only were some members’ actions heroic, they also displayed Christ’s charity, forgiveness, and compassion to the family of the gunmen. In one report, the daughter of one of the men murdered posted their story and words of forgiveness. “I forgave him right there, not in words, but with my heart.” (link)

And people noticed.

This is one of many examples of how the Church is being seen throughout the world in a positive light, and that good things are happening. Here are some more:

• Recently, severe flooding hit Globe, Arizona – a region close to my home. The next day, literally thousands of members arrived to help. The local newspaper praised them, saying, “they turned mud and wreckage into an act of grace.” (link)

• The recent passing of President Nelson gave the world an opportunity to learn more about his life of service. Tributes from religious and political leaders poured in from all over the world, honoring him for his goodness and contributions. His final messages about the need for peacemakers proved to be… prophetic.

• The sustaining and ordination of President Dallin Oaks brought new visibility as to how the rights of succession happen in the Lord’s Church. The contrast to other religions and governments is striking.

• A huge, ongoing clamor in the Christian world seeks to pronounce that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not well…err…Christian. Meanwhile, members of the Church go about their business doing good works and being like Jesus, because we know that Jesus is the one who decides if we are Christian.

• The Charlie Kirk assassination that happened in Orem, Utah, is now inextricably tied to our faith, for good and ill. His last words were about the Church. “I love how Mormons send missionaries around the world, I love how polite they are. … Half my team is Mormon. … Mormons are great people. Let me just say, I’m an evangelical Christian, but I’m not one of those guys that hates on Mormons,” (link)

• LDS Humanitarian Services have been busy aiding suffering people all over the world – often as the first on-site after natural disasters. The recipients of such service are grateful and vocal about the Church’s contributions. Last year the Church spent $1.45 BILLION on humanitarian aid. (link)

• There are temples popping up everywhere! New technology has made family history work easier than ever. New garment styles will help some who struggle to better honor their covenants.

• The Church has made an impressive effort to address some of the more controversial and least-understood issues regarding doctrine and church history. The amount of information available is staggering, and no one can make the case that the Church is hiding anything. New essays and resources appear regularly on the church website. Here is a link to this treasure trove of information.

• The undeniable impact the gospel has on the lives of its members is being statistically proven. A brother on X named Clint Teeples (@TeeplesCY) makes the greatest charts, so I will use some, with attribution. I have attached a bunch at the end of the post. Very cool!

• 2025 is looking to have the most convert baptisms EVER. Growth is up 20% in every region of the world. (link) There is a momentum happening that I haven’t seen in my lifetime.

These are all visible, important things, and I am grateful to be in such an organization. Both good and bad events cause people to have questions regarding what we believe. Such visibility gives us more opportunity to share our testimonies of the restored gospel. It has never been easier.

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As for “cool,” there are a lot of things going on that are, maybe, not so important, but are highly visible.

• Kansas City Chief’s Coach Andy Reid, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend are busy promoting the Church’s Giving Machines ahead of the holidays. (link)

• BYU’s football team is in the top ten, and leads the Big 12 Conference. The press coverage around the team, Provo and BYU has been off the charts positive at a national level. Even guys like Dave Portnoy showed up to Provo and loved it. The Coug’s fanbase has done a great job showcasing how to have fun and be sober at the same time.

• While it is sad that there are enough stupid people out there that “Secret Lives of Mormon Housewives” got a second season. But even bad press can lead to curiosity. For example, the Book of Mormon musical on Broadway led to conversions! (Link) A book and movie were recently released to counter the show: “The Not-So-Secret Lives of REAL ‘Mormon’ Wives.” (link)

These are just a few of the many things happening out there. I’m sure you have a bunch more that you could add to the list.

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Over 180 years ago, Joseph Smith wrote:

“The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

That is where we are. Smack dab in the middle of it. The work is rolling forward, and we get to be a part of it! How cool is that? With rare exception, the horrors that our ancestors experienced are not even a consideration in our lives. Yes, they may well return before the winding-up scenes, but right now is an awesome time to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I hope that Father McBride is looking down and smiling.

Here are a few of the many charts made by Clint Teeples: