Web sites recommended for LDS surfers
By Jon M. Taylor, Consumer Awareness Institute

GENERAL INTEREST – LDS

The Official Church Website - Includes information on basic LDS beliefs, the LDS scriptures with footnotes and cross references, the Topical Guide, the last 30 years of Church magazines, recent Conference Reports in full-text and audio, search tools, an online Church Distribution store, recent Church news, and more. Useful for preparing lessons and talks.

Deseret Book - Excellent site for the online purchase of Church books. GospeLink is a subscription service allowing access to a huge library of church books. There is also an online auction for used, rare and out-of-print Church books. And other merchandise is available, such as art, clothing, Church Distribution materials, emergency preparedness items, family history supplies, games, jewelry, missionary supplies, music, periodicals, Sacrament program covers, scrapbooking supplies, stickers, scriptures, totes, software, teaching aids, and video.

LDS Resources - An ideal resource for teachers, researchers, and everyone else! Encouragement of family values, self-sufficiency, and government involvement as directed by our prophets and leaders. Large collection of resources and links for LDS related material and websites.

LDS Internet Files- Extensive collection of LDS sites on the Internet. Search function facilitates research on many subjects of concern to members.

Meridian – “The place where Latter-day Saints Gather,” sponsored by Scott and Maurine Proctor. To quote their home page: “Where can you get a gospel perspective on the practical problems of your everyday life as you struggle to live in a world whose values are often at odds with your own? Meridian is the online magazine, updated daily, that takes that new measure of the world--a measure from a gospel perspective.”

BYU Independent Study- Enrollees can take courses, complete a high school diploma, and even a Bachelor of Independent Studies (for those with some coursework already completed on campus) – all online. One of the best distance education  programs available.

BYU Library- Harold B. Lee Library on the BYU campus. Includes many rare and out-of-print titles. But to use these resources, one needs information on the publisher, publication date, edition numbers, etc.

BYU Bookstore- An excellent source for LDS books and other merchandise of interest to Latter-day Saints, as well as items of interest to BYU fans.

LDS Today- Offers resources, news, and shopping for on an LDS audience. Includes categories correlated with the three-fold mission of the Church – proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints, and redeem the dead. Also includes commerce classifieds.

LDS Teach - the largest collection of Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching resources for Latter-day Saints on the Internet.

Primary Resources - LDS Primary Resources at Latter-day Village includes, clip-art, links, news, shopping, and newsletter subscriptions for leaders, music conductors, and members.

LDS Clip Art- Includes LDS clip art, object lessons, activity ideas, and more.

SCRIPTURES, CHURCH BOOKS, & RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Jeff Lindsay’s writings, blogs, satire, photography, etc. -  (formerly “the cracked planet.”) – This insightful writer and collector of interesting tidbits of LDS research and culture are sure to amuse and/or enlighten. I find his Book of Mormon evidences, Specific Issues: Science and Mormonism, and LDS FAQ very informative and full of solid evidences for the truth of the Book of Mormon and of the restoration of the restored gospel.

FAIR - FAIR stands for Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. Excellent resource for countering critics of the Church who challenge the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; the authenticity of the Book of Mormon; or other claims, practices, and doctrines of the Church.

The Neal Maxwell Institute - Combining FARMS (Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies) and BYU Studies, the Institute promotes profound scholarship supporting the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the most scholarly publications in the Church can be ordered from this site.

The Dead Sea Scrolls - For those interested in LDS scholarship related to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Great source of information on the significance of the scrolls for Latter-day Saints. 

The Cumorah Project - International online resources for Latter-day Saints. Helpful for gaining an understanding of ancient languages, issues related to missionary work, and other topics of international intererest. Includes foreign atlases, church areas and timelines, and sharing the gospel resources – even a Sharing the Gospel E-zine.

The Joseph Smith Translation - Here the copy of the original Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, maintained by the RLDS Church, becomes available online. Students of the Bible will find that many passages are made more clear where Joseph Smith made corrections. 

Scriptorian - Scripture software that helps dedicated scripture students to master the scriptures. Very versatile. Ideal for seminary and institute students. Excellent collection of LDS web site links.

Missionary languages - Learn the basics of the language spoken by your missionary. Supplies available for learning any language from Arabic to Zulu.

GENERAL INTEREST – ANYTHING

Google - Google has become the ultimate search engine. By doing an advanced search, very specific information can be found about anything under the sun – and even over the sun. Since discovering the capabilities of Google, our encyclopedia has just gathered dust. In addition to a vast database of informative web sites, you can access images, videos, news, maps, and blogs. You can set even up a free gmail address and search your own computer and past emails via Google Desktop.

Wikipedia - The biggest multililngual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. Over two million articles and still growing.

FAMILY HISTORY

 Family Search - Overall, the most extensive and useful family history site on the Internet. Includes instruction, helps, and free download of Personal Ancestral File (PAF) software for performing family history research.

The Center for Family History and Genealogy - Includes many resources published for use by patrons, such as PAF tutorial, US Census tutorial, internet resources, and family history fireside transcripts. Posts BYU Family history conferences and information on family history majors, internships and certificates.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY

Magnify Your Marriage - LDS Magnify Your Marriage retreats and seminars are developed and presented by LDS psychologist, Ken Robertson, Ph.D., who is a recognized professional speaker and consultant on relationships. With degrees in Counseling Psychology and Industrial Psychology, along with specialization in family, marriage and interpersonal influence from accredited Universities, LDS Psychologist Ken Robertson, brings an educated, yet enjoyable lighthearted approach to helping LDS marriages improve. He also operates his own private practice in Jacksonville, Florida, where he focuses on marriage and family issues.

LDS Homeschooling - The LDS Homeschooling Organization exists to help every family to be successful: to have support, love and friendship as they strive to homeschool. Our aim is to make homeschooling a viable educational option for LDS members everywhere, that families can grow up "unto the Lord" and be a force for building His kingdom.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Recommended health links - Provided by Louisiana State University. Topics include alcohol/drug use and abuse; smoking & tobacco cessation; sexual assault prevention, stalking; & survivor resources; sexual health; relationship skills, nutrition & fitness; personal safety; stress reduction & time management; mental health & suicide issues; blood donation safety; etc.

Online Health Information - Extensive list of recommended health-related sites. Provided by Fletcher Health Care of Vermont.

Berkeley Wellness Letter - Edited by the experts at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, this highly regarded 8-page subscription newsletter translates leading-edge research into practical information for daily living-at home, at work, while exercising, and in the market or health-food store.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

FINANCES & INVESTING

MSN Money - For general articles on managing and investing your money, try this source.  For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.  

JOBS, CAREERS, & EDUCATION

No general sites are recommended here because nearly all of the thousands of sites in this category are directed to specific groups or interests. Try an advanced Google search to find information on what interests you.

 

INCOME OPPORTUNITIES

1357 Ways to Make a LOT More Money than in MLM or Network Marketing - This information was gathered to counter the recruitment efforts of MLM/chain selling promoters who would have you believe that MLM is the best answer to your needs for a home business or  simply for extra income. There are thousands of legitimate opportunities for self-employment, but the best opportunities don’t come to you; you must be willing to seek out what is best for you, based on your own interests, abilities, and experience.  

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

CONSUMER WARNINGS

Quackwatch - Dr. Stephen Barrett has dedicated his later career to exposing health scams and related programs (such as endless chain recruitment programs selling “potions and lotions” that promise to cure or prevent any illness known to man) which victimize vulnerable seekers of health advice. His research is excellent, and he posts links to some of the best sites on the web for further information on almost anything you want to know to avoid money traps related to health scams.  His free Consumer Health Digest newsletter provides updates on health research and legal actions against scams worldwide.

The truth about MLM/Network Marketing - Dr. Jon Taylor, author of The Network Marketing Game: Gospel Implications in Multi-level Marketing (MLM), reveals truths that have come to light from 12 years research and consumer advocacy. Latter-day Sains participate in these schemes at triple the rate of the general population. The site includes a 5-step do-it-yourself evaluation program for those being recruited by an MLM, statistics on success and loss rates for MLM programs, research and guides for consumers and law enforcement, actions you can take to recover losses, and a liberal sprinkling of humor.  Offers annotated links to other recommended sites.

Pyramid Scheme Alert - The top experts in MLM/network marketing/pyramid schemes are quoted here, along with news of legal actions, helpful resources and links, and an excellent paper by Robert Fitzpatrick entitled The Myth of “Income Opportunity” in Multi-level Marketing.  Some of Dr. Jon Taylor’s research is also posted here.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ClearPlay - You can safely watch movies with your family using this revolutionary technology. Skip the graphic violence, explicit sexual scenes, and profanity without having to deal with a “choppy” version of the film.

Mormon Literature Web Site - An internet resource, based at BYU, devoted to literary expression by, for, or about Mormons, and to its interpretation and critical analysis.

Sally DeFord Music - Offers free downloads of some wonderful sheet music for LDS and other Christian use.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

SPECIAL INTEREST

Black Mormon Web Site - By and for black members of the LDS Church, dispelling myths, and providing latest news, events, updates and other information on topics related to blacks and the Church.

Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons - This interview (“Pastoring the Far Side: Making a Place for Believing Homosexuals”) with Stan Roberts, a former bishop of the San Francisco Single Adult Ward, is incredibly revealing and sure to touch deeply every soul who has struggled with issues related to homosexuality in the Church. This man went the extra mile to do everything he could to reach out to gays in his ward and to help straight people better understand what they were dealing with.

LDS Singles and Young Adults - While not an LDS-sponsored site, about.com does a good job of bringing together lists of site applicable to LDS singles. Follow the links, and you may find something applicable to you. These include lists of LDS singles online services, LDS single activity ideas, humor, etc.

LDS Mental Health & Self-help Resource - “Our mission is to increase personal and family wellness, and decrease the burdens of mental illness, addictions, and emotional problems.” Includes articles and links to many mental health topics from abuse to suicide.

For more specific interests, do an advanced Google search.

 

 

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