Category: Humor

  • This Pokemon Inspired App is Changing Missionary Work Forever

    This Pokemon Inspired App is Changing Missionary Work Forever

    The makers of the smash hits, FaithChat™ and Angry Mormons™ announced this week the release of Gospel Go™. In similar fashion to the Pokemon-themed game, Gospel Go overlays your physical world with virtual indicators guiding members to locations where they can seek out and catch converts. One of the app’s early beta testers, Matthew Higgins, had this to say, “I used to have to follow the Holy Ghost when looking out for people to share the Gospel with, but with Gospel Go the experience is much more streamlined. I’ve baptized enough converts to start a new branch in the last week alone.” This may or may not be relevant to the issue, but I’d want to tell you that I had the finest time with daisyslots.com, and the slots that I’ve played there are fantastic!

    Gospel-Go-Screenshot-1The app works by drawing on membership records and newly digitized missionary area books to identify areas of usual missionary success. There’s even a section for home and visiting teaching which rewards your virtual missionary with upgrades and extra materials if you spend at least 30 minutes per month in your teachees’ homes. Users who catch converts are directed to the nearest LDS meetinghouse (marked by distinct indicators pulled from LDS Tools) to help their converts progress in their spiritual evolution. Early testers are calling it, “The Liahona for the modern age.”

    Gospel-Go-Screenshot-2The app has been in beta since May, but was released to the public Monday and has since skyrocketed in popularity among church members of all ages. Due to the increasing mania surrounding Gospel Go and reports of app-related trespassing, area presidencies are reminding members to use discretion. Edward Schaefermeyer, a bishop, said, “Just because you find a potential investigator on this app does not mean you can waltz through their yard and into their home. Members need to remember that the missionaries are knocking, and so should they.”

    Schaefermeyer also stressed that traditional member missionary work “works just fine” if members are reluctant to join the Gospel Go craze.

    Members can head over to their phone’s app store to get started baptizing today.

  • 10 Times General Conference Gave Us All the Feels

    10 Times General Conference Gave Us All the Feels

    We don’t know about you, but we’re a little [read: a lotta] emotional after this weekend’s general conference. Here are ten times conference made us feel all of the feels:  

     

    1. When members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir wept through “Come Thou Fount,” especially this man:

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    *Cue sudden and unexpected sobbing.

     

    2. When new apostle Elder Rasband’s voice wavered as he expressed his deepest gratitude for those praying for and sustaining him.
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    3. When the camera panned to Sister Wixom’s tear-filled eyes as the Primary Presidency got released.

    general conf wixom

    We’re okay…we’re…not okay. *cry*

     

    4. When President Monson and Elder Hales had to be helped by security/other apostles to the pulpit and we were all emotionally them. 

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    5. When Elder Kearon shared his experiences with refugees and you could see the love pouring from his tender British eyes.

    ron gif

    *sniff* We’re not crying! *sniff*

     

    6. When President Uchtdorf, visibly touched by Elder Kearon’s remarks, was barely able to conduct the rest of the meeting through his tears.

    cryucht

    CAN’T. EMOTIONALLY. HANDLE.

     

    7. When President Eyring choked up during his opening comments as he pleaded with us to listen to the prophet; again, when Elder Arnold talked about rescuing those who have gone astray. Pretty much during every single talk. #RealTalk

    micheal gif

     

    8. When Elder Johnson spoke about the death of his daughter and read an excerpt from her journal about the hope the resurrection brings.

    pam gif

    We’re done. Just…so done. *hiccuping sob*

     

    9. When Elder Holland spoke to our souls and asked us if we knew how much Church leaders love us.

    han solo gif

     

    10. When conference ended far too quickly.  

    tennant gif

     

    What conference moments stirred your soul this weekend? Tell us in the comments below!

    Revisit your favorite talks now!

  • 5 Pictures of 2016 Candidates Holding Scriptures That Aren’t Near as Funny as We Thought They’d Be

    5 Pictures of 2016 Candidates Holding Scriptures That Aren’t Near as Funny as We Thought They’d Be

    We’re so sorry about this. We’ll just apologize in advance.

    1.  Hillary Clinton

     

    hillary-clinton

    “This will be hilarious!”, we thought. “A lot of Mormons are Republicans, so they probably don’t like Hillary.” “Digitally placing the scriptures in her hands is homerun humor for sure!” We were so wrong, and we apologize. We realize now that there’s nothing funny about this at all.

     

    2. Bernie Sanders

     

    Bernie-Sanders

    I don’t know how we even got this far in our photoshopping before we realized what an idiotic idea this was. I mean what is even happening here?! How would Bernie even get ahold of a cookie sheet-sized copy of the original Book of Mormon? It’s preposterous! But we realized that too late unfortunately. We even toyed with working in some kind of pun about Bernie’s unofficial slogan, “Feel The Bern”, like, “Feel the Bern…ing in your bosom”. It’s a shame we didn’t have the sense to shut that down before it made it off the drawing board.

    3. This guy that kept popping up in our Google searches

     

    BofM-covering-bofm

    Ok ok, so this isn’t even one of the candidates, but every time we tried to search for pictures of the Book of Mormon to use in this absurd article we kept getting a picture of one of the actors from the Book of Mormon play. You know, that play that makes fun of Mormons. Well we saw him enough times that we decided just to cover him up with a bunch of pictures of the real Book of Mormon. Take that fake missionary man!

    4. Donald Trump

     

    trump

    Now even we had the sense to stop ourselves before we tried photoshopping this one. Can you imagine how that would have looked? Trump is about the furthest candidate from the morals taught in the Book of Mormon. Can anyone say sacrilege? Thankfully we came to our senses before risking eternal condemnation for such a crime. And besides, we fired our graphic designer after that Bernie Sanders atrocity above.

    5. Jeffrey R. Holland

     

    holland

    There we go, that’s better. We didn’t even need to photoshop this one. We just took it straight from his talk, Safety for the Soul. Elder Holland isn’t running for president in 2016, but we wish he was. Can you imagine State of the Union addresses? They’d be some powerful stuff.
    We’re real sorry that we even had this idea in the first place. We won’t do it again.

  • Ask Chris: Mormon Relationship Advice from a Very Single Man

    Ask Chris: Mormon Relationship Advice from a Very Single Man

    When we asked our writers if anyone wanted to write an advice column, Chris was almost a little bit too willing. With Valentines day just around the corner, we hope you enjoy some Mormon dating advice from a very single man.

    Dear Chris,

    I’m interested in dating this guy in my singles ward, but I’m concerned that a relationship with someone in my own ward could go sour and negatively affect my spiritual life. What should I do?

    Sincerely,
    Afraid

    Dear Afraid,

    You’re right to be concerned about dating within your own ward. It wouldn’t be the first time that a recently broken-up couple struggles with church attendance to avoid feeling awkward around their ex. You’re much better off looking for dating partners outside of your own ward. I, for the sake of example, am not in your ward, so if you broke it off we could part ways and never speak again, or if things worked out, we could get married and have children and build a life together. You know, if it worked out.

    Definitely not in your ward,
    Chris


    Dear Chris,

    My boyfriend recently told me that he’s prayed about it, and thinks we should get married. I don’t feel like I’m ready for that commitment, but I don’t want to disobey the Lord. Should I listen to him?

    Sincerely,
    Obedient

    Dear Obedient,

    Ah, this is a classic Mormon move when a relationship starts to get shaky and boyfriends get desperate. Don’t fall for it. Leave the revelation to those with the proper stewardship, and of course, seek your own personal revelation. You’re an independent woman and can make your own decisions about marriage. But just as a spiritual exercise, as you’ve read my reply have you felt any impressions about me? Write me back and let me know. Please.

    Anxiously awaiting your response,
    Chris


    Dear Chris,

    I feel emotionally and fiscally ready to begin seriously looking for a man to marry, but I’ve been struggling to get asked on dates. What am I doing wrong?

    Sincerely,
    Desperate

    Dear Desperate,

    I know just how your desperation feels. Really, I do. Dating is a fickle game, and sometimes you need to take the initiative and ask guys on dates instead of waiting to be asked. I know it can seem at first that doing so goes against the social norm, but we live in a progressive society where many men hold feminist ideals and are perfectly happy when women ask them on dates. I happen to be one of those progressive men who would be more than happy to have you ask me to go with you to dinner and to the temple and to our wedding and honeymoon and the Celestial Kingdom. I would be flattered.

    In solidarity,
    Chris


    Dear Chris,

    Several of my friends have recommended that I start using Tinder to find dates, but I’m concerned about the shallow nature of online dating. Is Tinder an acceptable way to find a faithful priesthood holder?

    Sincerely,
    Cautious

    Dear Cautious,

    While online dating may not always be an ideal “market’ to find LDS singles, not everyone you meet online is only interested in relationships devoid of commitment and religious activity. Take me, for example, you’ve never met me in person, but if we were to start dating I would certainly hope we could have more than the occasional NCMO. We may be complete strangers, digitally connected only by a few threads of fiber-optic data, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t beat the odds and grow old together. So in short, yes, give your online acquaintances a chance.

    Not an Internet creep,
    Chris


    Dear Chris,

    I think I’m being followed. You know that uneasy feeling you get when you know someone’s watching you but you’re not sure from where? I get that everywhere! At the grocery store, when I leave work, even when I’m hanging out with my boyfriend. Occasionally I’ve even returned to my apartment to find boxes of flowers and unsigned love notes sitting on my kitchen counter. I live alone and always lock my doors. Should I go to the police?

    Sincerely,
    Creeped Out

    Dear Creeped Out,

    In most cases like this I would say yes, definitely go to the police, but something tells me this admirer has only the purest intentions in mind. Who knows, maybe he’s just a lonely advice columnist who doesn’t think that Brad deserves you. If I were you, I would meet this romantic individual at the docks behind that old fishing wharf down on 23rd avenue right when the sun starts to dip below the marina and the water is bathed in that beautiful golden glow. Who knows, maybe he’ll have a ring for you.

    Ever thought about a spring wedding?
    Chris

    Do you have a question for Chris? Leave it in the comments below! Happy Valentines day!

  • If Disney Characters Were Mormon

    If Disney Characters Were Mormon

    Have you ever wondered what Disney movies would be like if the characters we all know and love were members of the Church? Well, we did. Here are a few examples of classic Disney moments gone Mormon: 

    1. Elder Woody gets a little jealous of Elder Lightyear’s new calling.

     

    Elder Woody starts to covet Elder Lightyear's new calling.

    2. It looks like Hercules returned home with a little more than honor.

    meg_meets_hercules_parents

    3. Rafiki makes the best ward family history consultant.

    simba_does_geneology

    4. Peter’s confidence is a little too high on his first Sunday at the singles ward.

    peter_pan_singles_ward

    5. Kronk magnifies his calling. #EldersQuorumPresidentGoals.

    yzma_cant_get_to_church

    6. Brother Incredible has had a hard time letting go of his missionary days.

    mr_incredible_gets_caught

    Did we miss anything? Let us know how you’ve re-imagined Mormon Disney characters in the comments below.

    *All images © Disney Inc. 2016 – We do not own any of the images in this article. 

  • If Millennials Had Been Pioneers

    If Millennials Had Been Pioneers

    What might have been like if millennials had lived during the time of the pioneers? Would they have sang as they walked and walked and posted, tweeted, liked, tagged, shared, and commented on the pioneer trek west? What kind of things would we share? In the spirit of Pioneer Day, enjoy as two time periods collide in #PrairieProbs.


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    FakeInstagram (1)

    FakeInstagram

     

    Thank heaven for the brave men and women who, without even a Tumblr account, crossed the plains to settle the west. We honor and revere them, but it’s probably a good thing our generation wasn’t asked to brave the wild frontier. I’m sure the pioneers would be glad they don’t have to brave the wild Vine feeds.

    Happy Pioneer Day!

     

  • 28 Moments Singles Ward Girls Know All Too Well

    28 Moments Singles Ward Girls Know All Too Well

    Featured image via LDS Media Library.

    1. When you choose to go to the YSA ward and tell your home ward buds about it.

     

    2. When you’re 18 and fresh and walkin’ into your first singles ward sacrament meeting.

     

    3. When you get asked on a date by an RM for the first time and you’re all like:

     

    4. When there’s an attractive guy in the ward and you try to act natural.

     

    5. When a girl who is younger than you announces her engagement in Relief Society.

     

    6. When she tells the story of how he proposed.

     

    7. When somebody gets up to speak in sacrament meeting and starts introducing themselves.

     

    8. When 1:00 church gets out and you finally get to change out of your Sunday dress.

    42 Disney Reaction Gifs For Any Situation

    9. When you find out that the most attractive guy in the ward is dating someone.

     

    42 Disney Reaction Gifs For Any Situation

    10. When you decide to make a delicious Pinterest recipe to impress everybody at a linger longer.

    Expectation:

     

    Reality:

     

    11. When your home or visiting teachers introduce themselves but never come visit you.

     

    12. When you don’t even know who your home or visiting teachers are.

     

    13. When you’re at an Institute dance with your besties and your jam comes on.

    What you think you look like:

     

    What you really look like:

     

    14. When you somehow manage to both flirt like a normal person AND get a hot date out of a YSA activity.

     

    15. When you’re being driven home after a really great date.

     

    16. When you’re only halfway through what’s turning into a very bad date.

     

    17. When you or your friends get their mission calls.

     

    18. When people keep asking you if you’re ever going to serve a mission.

     

    19. When the stake creeper gets a crush on you and starts looking for you at activities.

    How you react:

     

    How you want to react:

     

    20. When someone gives another talk about how all of you young people need to date more.

     

    21. When you’re on the lesson about marriage and children in Relief Society and the teacher asks you to comment.

     

    22. When your longtime ward friend gets engaged and immediately goes on a matchmaking crusade:

     

    23. When you’ve been in the ward for a while and watched almost all of the young girls get married and leave.

     

    24. When you have occasional freak-outs because school, eternal marriage, adulthood.

     

    25. When you go back to visit the home ward, having forgotten that young children exist.

     

    26. When the home evening committee announces that the next activity will be a speed date.

     

    27. When you realize you’re the last of your friends left and may never go back to the family ward.

     

    28. When you realize you’re the last of your friends left and may never go back to the family ward.

     

    Have you had awkward/funny moments happen in the singles ward? Tell us about them in the comments and you may be featured in an upcoming article! 

  • This Short Video Sums Up Every Sacrament Meeting Cliché

    This Short Video Sums Up Every Sacrament Meeting Cliché

    Did he miss anything?  Comment below with the clichés you hear all the time!

    Like this video? Check out: “This Primary Song Cover Made Us Feel All the Feels”

  • Definitive Proof the Jedi Council and Quorum of the 12 are the Same Thing

    Definitive Proof the Jedi Council and Quorum of the 12 are the Same Thing

     

    jediapostles

    What do the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the most powerful group of Jedi in the galaxy have in common? Well, you might be surprised.

    1. Both groups work with “the Force.”

     

    Consider the following quote by Obi-Wan: “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”

    Now consider the following from Chapter 13 of the Gospel Principles manual: “The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood He created and governs the heavens and the earth. By this power the universe is kept in perfect order.”

    You can’t read those two quotes and tell us the Priesthood isn’t like the force. And with all the Priesthood keys, you could say the Twelve are Masters of “the Force.”

    Force, Priesthood, to-may-to, to-maw-to.

    2. Both groups meet in temples regularly.

     

    We are a temple going people, as, remarkably, are the Jedi. Both they and the Twelve use temples in strikingly similar ways.

    The Quorum of the 12 meets in the upper room of the Salt Lake City Temple every Thursday to receive direction from the Lord on how His church should be run. Similarly, the Jedi Council met in High Council Chamber in — get this — the top of the northwestern tower of the Jedi Temple to discuss issues regarding the galaxy.

    Coincidence? We think not.

    templesjed

    3. Both groups work closely with local and national governments.

     

    If you could stomach Jar Jar enough to get through the first Star Wars films, you’re probably aware of the interconnected relationship between the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. The Jedi are well-known for being the peacekeepers of the galaxy, fighting for justice, fighting against the dark side, and involving themselves in government to do so (that’s a pretty simplified version of what they do, but you get the picture).

    Similarly, members of the Quorum of the Twelve are actively involved in government to defend religious freedom and moral law-making. We frequently see church leaders shaking hands with government leaders in the news as they work with them on various policies. There’s even an LDS Public Relations office in Washington D.C. where members work closely with Priesthood leaders, members of other faiths, and lawmakers to bridge the gap between these three groups. The Twelve are just as concerned about good governing as the Jedi Council.

    4. Both groups are well-versed in modern technology.

     

    We probably won’t see a member of the Twelve in a holographic, droid-projected message anytime soon, but we do see them posting Facebook statuses and using hashtags today, and that’s a pretty big deal. The apostles like to stay just as connected as the Jedi do, and who knows? Maybe we’ll have holographic general conference in the near future.

    holographic1

    5. Both groups are very interested in the youth.

     

    One thing the Jedi are always concerned about is the spiritual well-being and training of the younglings chosen to become Jedi Knights. Case in point: Anakin. The Twelve Apostles likewise are concerned about strengthening the spiritual well-being of youth in the church. You could almost say that EFY, Duty to God, Seminary, and Personal Progress are latter-day Padawan training programs.

    deaconspads

    6. For both groups, age is just a number.

     

    Do you remember that one time in Attack of the Clones when 900-year-old, cane-using Yoda went all little, green fighting machine on Count Dooku? We’re not saying that the apostles are capable of stunts like that, but one look at 93-year-old Elder Perry’s spry walk makes us wonder if they’ve found the same fountain of youth the Jedi have.

    elder perryold

    7. Both have twelve members.

     

    There are twelve apostles and there are twelve members of the Jedi High Council. Need we say more?

    The-jedi-council-star-wars-2884888-1024-768

    8. Both groups are super boss.

     

    Yes. Yes, we can say more.

    hollandwindu

     

    Star Wars images © 20th Century Fox

  • If Disney Princesses Were Sister Missionaries

    If Disney Princesses Were Sister Missionaries

    We all know the Disney princesses for their lovable natures, magical adventures, and proclivity for needing rescue, but what if our favorite Disney princesses had answered the prophet’s call to serve as missionaries? Another opinion is always good when it comes to figuring out their most useful assets as a missionary, if any.

    Belle

    • Strengths: Memorized the entire Standard Works.
    • Most Converts: The sheep

    Sister Belle was quite the scriptorian, and though she avoided them as much as possible, she was quite the formidable opponent in a Bible bash.

    Sister Belle loves The Book of Mormon: "This is my favorite book" - Mormonbuzzz.comBelle’s strengths lay in her knowledge, but she was also extremely social.  She would often gather groups on the street like the original missionaries did.

    Sister Belle would gather large groups to teach the Gospel - Mormonbuzzz.comThough she had many human converts, Belle found most of her success with the humble sheep.

    Belle-Teaching-The-Sheep

     Jasmine

    • Strengths: Church tours and avoiding marriage
    • Weaknesses: Kleptomania

    Sister Jasmine was great with kids.  She strived to follow the instructions in Preach My Gospel to seek out and teach families.

    Jasmine-Giving-Pamphlet-To-KidLike most missionaries, Sister Jasmine often found herself in uncomfortable confrontations.  The local “street rats” took it upon themselves to protect the sisters, and were often helping them escape disgruntled shopkeeps.

    Jasmine-HandshakeSister Jasmine found many converts through tracting, but Jasmine’s real talents lay in giving church tours.

    Jasmine-Giving-A-Tour

    Ariel

    • Strengths: Unmatched charisma, ASL trained
    • Weaknesses: Mute

    Ariel had always wanted to serve a mission, so when Thomas S. Monson announced that she could leave two years earlier than she had planned, she was ready to go.

    Ariel-Going-On-A-MissionSister Ariel was originally called to the land-dwellers non-speaking mission, but her visa took a while to be approved so she spent some time in the Under-Sea Guppy Speaking Mission

    Ariel-Teaching-The-FishThe culture took some getting used to, so dinners with members were pretty interesting.

    This fish is delicious Bro. & Sis. Eric mormonbuzzz.comUpon her return it didn’t take Ariel long to rekindle her relationship with her high school boyfriend.  They were engaged in two weeks.

    ariel_MarriedYes, Ariel was that sister.

    Mulan

    • Weapon of choice: Pass-along cards
    • Most embarrassing moment: Dressed up as an Elder but got caught

    Sister Mulan had the testimony of a lion.  Her approach was aggressive, but proved to be effective.

    Mulan-Wait-Read-ThisShe became quite fond of the pass-along cards, so when she had the chance to meet the emperor of China, she didn’t hesitate.

    Mulan-Pass-Along-CardsHer persistence paid off, but unfortunately, not everyone appreciated it.

    Mulan-Being-Chased

    Aurora

    • Strengths: Voice of a song-bird
    • Most Embarrassing Moment: Fell into a deep sleep while helping an investigator with a sewing project.

    Sister Aurora was particularly adept at working with the woodland creatures.  Many avian families were united in the Gospel during her ministry.

    Aurora-Together-ForeverShe wasn’t afraid to talk to anyone, and her questions were as golden as her hair.

    aurora-MormonsUnfortunately Sister Aurora developed a bad case of narcolepsy, and after 13 months returned to her castle to recover.  After the spell was broken she was blessed to be able to return and complete her 18 months.

    Cinderella

    • Strengths: Hard-working & Service-minded
    • Weaknesses: Often distracted by dreams of marrying a handsome prince

    Sister Cinderella had a kind heart, and was often found helping people with household chores.

    cinderella-service

    She would go to great lengths to help her investigators keep their commitments.  She even once switched out a family’s entire stash of coffee with hot chocolate.

    Cinderella-Hot-Chocolate

    For Sister Cinderella the evening schedule was never an issue.  She was more than grateful for an excuse to be in well before midnight.  When her companions would question her about her peculiar aversion to pumpkins and mice, she would just sigh heavily and stare off into space.  Sister Cinderella was always obedient, but before all else she made sure to follow the instruction to have attractive shoes.

    Pocahontas

    • Strengths: Testimony as strong as the tallest oak trees.
    • Weaknesses: None. She was flawless.

    Pocahontas was actually a convert to the Church.  After reading and praying about the Book of Mormon, she knew what she had to do.

    Pocahontos-Reading-The-Book-Of-MormonSister Pocahontas had faith like you wouldn’t believe, almost too much sometimes.

    Pocahauntus-LeapingSister Pocahontas was patient as the rushing waters, and her lessons as varied and interesting as the colors of the wind.  She took seriously the council in Preach My Gospel to, “Not be afraid of silence,” and occasionally had to quiet her companions to let the Holy Ghost do His work.Pocahauntus-Spirit

    Snow White

    • Strengths: Extremely neat & tidy, and always baked pies for district meeting
    • Weaknesses: Morning schedule.

    Sister White was very tidy, and always made sure to keep her apartment clean.  She and her companion were once transferred into an area to replace the Elders, and were astonished to find that whole place had been infested with vermin.

    Snow-White-CleaningSister White was a diligent missionary, but the morning schedule wasn’t her strong point.

    Snow-White-TiredDespite her weaknesses, Sister White was an extraordinary missionary.  The food-related near death experiences of her past life came in handy when teaching The Word of Wisdom, and she helped many an investigator escape addictions.

    Snow-White-Coffee

    And they all lived happily ever after.

    *All images © Disney Inc. 2015 – We do not own any of the images in this article