(For ideas on emergency preparedness, see the Church’s information here. Also, this website, compiled by two Mormon women, has a lot of helpful information.)

Read about one missionary’s experience helping near the epicenter in Chile.

Read about LDS relief efforts in Chile here.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who served for several years on assignment in Chile, shares his thoughts after hearing about the earthquake. He reminds us that, “Even for those who have sustained terrible loss the Spirit can bring peace, tranquility, a hope for the future.”

Please remember to pray for those in Chile, Haiti, and Taiwan…as well as in other places where trial and tragedy abound.

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Read several stories and see photo essays of Mormon Church members helping in Haiti here.

Read the thoughts of former mission presidents and their wives on life in Haiti before the earthquake here.

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The recent tragedy of Marie Osmond’s son committing suicide may raise question in some people’s minds about LDS views on this difficult topic.

First of all, we want to encourage those who may feel they or someone they know is in danger of hurting themselves to get help. There are numerous crisis lines and online resources available if you search “suicide hotline” or other similar topics.

Following are some resources about Mormon beliefs regarding suicide:

“What do Mormons believe about suicide?” Two-part series, part 1 and part 2 here at Mormon Women: Who We Are.

Articles on suicide from the LDS Family Services section of the LDS Church’s website, Provident Living

The post Links: Helping After Earthquakes in Haiti, Chile; Mormon Beliefs re: Suicide appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

President Uchtdorf talked to young adults in the CES fireside that is held and broadcast the first Sunday of nearly every month. He addressed some important topics. While the audience is primarily LDS, his message could benefit anyone.

He started by sharing a summary of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. Like the bird who thought he was just an ugly misfit, we, too, sometimes don’t remember who we really are — children of God.

This notion of “Who We Are” is obviously important to us here on this website — not only because we hope people can understand what our lives are like as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but because we hope to share what means the most from our doctrine about who we all are as children of God, and about the purposes of life — where we came from, why we are here on Earth, and what happens after this life.

President Uchtdorf declared:

“We have been blessed with the answers to these questions, and we freely share them with all who will listen. We know them not because of someone’s educated guess, or because we found a scientific explanation. We have the answers because heavenly messengers revealed these mysteries to man. That same knowledge is available to anyone on this planet Earth who is honest in heart through the power of the Holy Spirit…. Because He is merciful and loves His children, God has given again in these latter days the truth about where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going.”

President Uchtdorf responded to a few pressing questions that he and our Church leaders have heard from young adults. If any of these questions are pressing on your mind, I urge you to listen to his wise and wonderful counsel.

Question #1. “I’m unhappy and depressed. Sometimes it seems like the world would be a better place if I weren’t in it. Why should I go on living?” (I love how he addresses this head-on, and yet also with a warmth and even some humor and with faith in our potential for joy and God’s love for us.)

Question #2: “I’m so lonely. Will I ever find my soul-mate?” (He gives wise counsel about dating and marriage and commitment and eternal promises — counsel applicable to anyone, single or married.)

Question #3: “Can I remain faithful?” (He addresses facing doubts and temptation, and talks about seeking answers to honest questions. “Inquiry is the birthplace of testimony….Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a precursor of growth…. God commands us to seek answers to our questions and asks only that we seek with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ…. Fear not to ask questions…but doubt not. Doubt not….”)

If you listen to the talk, we invite you to share what things stood out to you. I love President Uchtdorf’s warm personality, fervent faith, and very evident love for God and the Savior, Jesus Christ, and for those to whom he speaks.

The post Noteworthy News: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks at CES fireside appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.