INTRODUCTION:

Learn a little more about a few Mormon theater stars and the remarkable ways they share their faith with the world.

Alma 13-16

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf was a refugee twice in his life, once as a 4-year-old boy fleeing Czechoslovakia with his family during World War II and later as an 11-year-old escaping from East Germany with his family after the turmoil following the war.

Every month, thousands of Latter-day Saints walk nervously to the pulpits of their churches, their palms sweating as they stumble through an introductory comment about why they felt the need to stand up and talk to their fellow ward members. After establishing their reasons for putting themselves in such a spotlight, they usually proceed to say things along the lines of, “I know the Church is true”, “I know X, Y, and Z”, and the much-loved classics, “I know without a shadow of a doubt/with every fiber of my being…”

I read with great interest Naomi Schaefer Riley’s recent Forward article, in which she contrasts the low LDS interfaith marriage rate and the relatively high Jewish rate while proffering areas for emulation to her Jewish readers. I believe there are two main reasons why Mormons tend to marry other Mormons, only one of which is mentioned by the author. The first is our newly-expanded missionary program, which sends tens of thousands of young men and women all over the world to study and spread their faith. As Ms. Riley notes, returned missionaries generally maintain high levels of activity in the church. My wife and I were both sent to foreign countries, where we had to learn a new language and culture, study the doctrines of our faith, and preach to others during the prime of our lives. Given the level of desire and commitment involved, it’s not surprising that most former missionaries choose to continue their church service upon their return.

When an LDS mother's little boy passed away, she found a vital way she could help sick newborns in the hospital even while holding onto her faith. "We have our faith and we believe we will have him again and that he is an important part of this world and now finally the world is seeing that," Demi Frandsen shared.

John Linford was 43 when he and his wife, Maria, and three of their sons made the decision to leave their home in Gravely, England, to journey thousands of miles to join the Saints in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. They left behind their fourth son, who was serving a mission, sold their belongings, and took passage in Liverpool aboard the ship Thornton.

When Julie and David Grygla leave their St. George home, they prepare to be met with stares and questions. As the parents of 14-month-old triplet boys and 1-month-old twin girls, David and Julie understand that their family is unusual. But with all the attention they attract, it is hard not to feel like a "freak show," Julie says.

It can be tempting to become casual with our efforts to live the gospel and develop Christlike attributes.