Completing Your Endowment is the third and concluding volume in a series on the LDS temple ordinances. Beginning with Preparing For Your Endowment and continuing in Understanding Your Endowment, this work is aimed at helping members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) better understand their temple ceremonies. Joseph Smith taught that knowledge is the power of salvation. With that in mind, one might wonder: what was the purpose for introducing temple ordinances to the Church? Are they simply arcane rituals to be memorized? Do they have some inherent magic necessary for redemption? Or are they rather intended to help the Saints gain knowledge, particularly knowledge which saves? And if imparting knowledge is their purpose, then what is the Lord trying to teach us? Once we have received the ordinances is that enough or is more required to complete our endowment? This book is an attempt to help the reader answer these questions. It is written in the hope that it will enable the reader to approach the temple with new eyes.
Receiving your endowment, making those covenants with God in His house, is a sacred experience. Careful preparation will help you understand the promises, ordinances, and blessings involved. Using entertaining stories and insightful teachings from the scriptures, this book helps teens and young adults replace their fears and questions about the temple with the faith and confidence they need to make and keep eternal covenants and to experience all the blessings of temple worship.
As members of the Church, we often spend years anticipating the privilege of entering the Lord's temple. But we all know that there are times when temple worship can seem confusing, repetitive, or even boring. In this remarkable volume, Mark Shields, an experienced gospel teacher, casts new light on the symbolism inherent in temple ordinances and provides a wealth of insights that will change the way you worship. By approaching the subject from a scriptural and historical perspective, Mark focuses on specific aspects of the endowment while still respecting the sacredness of the ordinance. With helpful summaries at the end of each chapter, this book provides direction and guidance for all whether you've been attending the temple for years or are preparing to enter for the very first time. Learn to love the temple, understand its purposes, and appreciate the rich symbolism it embodies. Your Endowment is a must-read for anyone looking to get more from temple worship.
Enrich your temple experience by focusing on the context of often-overlooked rites and rituals of ancient Israel. This book is invaluable for deepening your understanding of divine covenants. From name exchanges to terms and conditions of covenants, this book--through the scriptures--sheds light on the culture and customs of biblical times to help you better appreciate the temple as a modern Saint.
The prophet Brigham Young taught the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in a basic, practical way that gave inspiration and hope to the Saints struggling to build a home in the wilderness. Though more than a century has now passed, his words are still fresh and appropriate for us today as we continue the work of building the kingdom of God. President Young declared that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we possess the “doctrine of life and salvation for all the honest-in-heart” (DBY, 7). He promised that those who receive the gospel in their hearts will have awakened “within them a desire to know and understand the things of God more than they ever did before in their lives” and will begin to “inquire, read and search and when they go to their Father in the name of Jesus he will not leave them without a witness” (DBY, 450). This book reflects the desire of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to deepen the doctrinal understanding of Church members and to awaken within them a greater desire to know the things of God. It will inspire and motivate individuals, priesthood quorums, and Relief Society classes to inquire, read, search, and then go to their Father in Heaven for a witness of the truth of these teachings. Each chapter contains two sections—“Teachings of Brigham Young” and “Suggestions for Study.” The first section consists of extracts from Brigham Young’s sermons to the early Saints. Each statement has been referenced, and the original spelling and punctuation have been preserved; however, the sources cited will not be readily available to most members. These original sources are not necessary to have in order to effectively study or teach from this book. Members need not purchase additional references and commentaries to study or teach these chapters. The text provided in this book, accompanied by the scriptures, is sufficient for instruction. Members should prayerfully read and study President Young’s teachings in order to gain new insights into gospel principles and discover how those principles apply to their everyday lives. By faithfully and prayerfully studying these selections, Latter-day Saints will have a greater understanding of gospel principles and will more fully appreciate the profound and inspired teachings of this great prophet. The second section of each chapter offers a series of questions that will encourage thoughtful contemplation, personal application, and discussion of President Young’s teachings. Members should refer to and carefully reread his words on the principle being discussed. Deep and prayerful study of these teachings will inspire members to greater personal commitment and will help them resolve to follow the teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ. If individuals and families prayerfully follow the principles in this book, they will be blessed and inspired to greater dedication and spirituality, as were the early Saints who heard these words directly from the lips of the “Lion of the Lord” (HC, 7:434)—the prophet, seer, and revelator, President Brigham Young.
Up-to-date reference on building endowment, reserves, and enduring relationships in the modern world The Endowment Handbook is a comprehensive overview of endowments and reserves, covering key changes brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the pandemic, and calls for social change which have caused dramatic shifts in donor behavior, market performance, and society's perceptions (good and bad) of endowed funds and the rising popularity of strategic reserves. This new publication reflects these changes and provides examples for attracting new kinds of assets like Cryptocurrency and building relationships that will sustain a cause for the future. Written by Laura MacDonald, Principal and Founder of Benefactor Group and frequent speaker at local, regional, and national conferences, Endowment Handbook covers every aspect of endowments and reserves from preplanning, to identifying, cultivating, and establishing prospective donors, all the way to marketing and measuring success. In this book, you'll learn about: Technical information describing endowments, balanced with some of the emerging critiques of endowments and growing preferences for strategic reserves Effective messaging strategies for endowment funds, such as the “follow-the-leader” effect and citing “donor agency” Use of data screening and AI tools, social media outreach, and behavioral research to increase donor engagement As interest in financial sustainability continues to grow, The Endowment Handbook is an essential resource for nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, universities, and others seeking to leverage the enormous transfer of wealth from generations demonstrating high levels of philanthropy and civic engagement.
In 1838, Choying Tobden Dorje, a Buddhist yogi-scholar of eastern Tibet, completed a multivolume masterwork that traces the entire path of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism from beginning to end. Written by a lay practitioner for laypeople, it was intended to be accessible, informative, inspirational, and above all, practical. Its twenty-five books, or topical divisions, offer a comprehensive and detailed view of the Buddhist path according to the early translation school of Tibetan Buddhism, spanning the vast range of Buddhist teachings from the initial steps to the highest esoteric teachings of great perfection. Choying Tobden Dorje’s magnum opus appears in English here for the first time. In Foundations of the Buddhist Path, which covers the first ten of the treatise’s twenty-five books, the author surveys the scope of the entire work and then begins with the topics that set the cornerstones for all subsequent Buddhist practice: what constitutes proper spiritual apprenticeship, how to receive the teachings, how to make the best use of this life, and how to motivate ourselves to generate effort on the spiritual path. He then describes refuge and the vows that define the path of individual liberation before turning to the bodhisattva’s way—buddha nature, how to uplift the mind to supreme awakening, the bodhisattva’s training, and the attainments of the paths leading to supreme awakening.
The real-world guide to successfully funding your nonprofit program The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management is the comprehensive handbook for successful fundraising, with a practical focus that applies across the nonprofit sector. With a focus on planning, self-assessment, continual improvement, and high-payoff strategies, this book provides more than just ideas—it shows you the concrete, real-world actions that make it all happen, and gives you the tools you need to bring these concepts to life. This new fourth edition features the latest information about social media campaigning, internet fundraising, crowdfunding, and more. Timelines, checklists, and forms help you streamline management tasks to focus on effective development, and updated sample reports and budget information help you begin implementing these approaches quickly. The nonprofit world is becoming increasingly competitive in terms of funding, and fundraisers are being asked to perform miracles more than ever before. This book offers a time-tested framework for fundraising success, with step-by-step guidance through the entire process from prospect to program. Understand and apply the major principles and best practices of fundraising Manage information, resources, development, and volunteers Adopt new approaches to relationship-building and prospect identification Write grants and fundraising materials that make a rock-solid case for support There is never enough funding to go around. To survive and thrive, nonprofits must revitalize interest and generate more support. Gone are the days of door-knocking and bake sales; strategy is critical, and execution must be top-notch. The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management shows you the real-world strategies that get your programs funded.
Because the LDS presence is spreading and being felt throughout the world in both economic and political venues that affect all facets of human life, the purpose of this book is to reveal to the world at large, and most significantly to the LDS people themselves, the exact meaning of the endowment, and to unfold all of the mysteries and hidden symbolism that pertain to it. In so doing, the non-LDS mind will come to an understanding of its extraordinary beauty, wonder, and glorious message. But more significantly, through its exceptional clarity and plainness, this profound and original explanation will allow the LDS people the opportunity to become aware of exactly what they are symbolically doing when performing the endowment. This insight will help them gain a better eternal perspective and understanding of the hidden mysteries of God they do not yet understand. In being made aware of its true purpose and intent, LDS members and their leaders might come to acknowledge the insignificance of this ordinance with regard to the salvation of a soul, and at the same time, reveal to all people its paramount significance in teaching the mysteries of the plan of our mutual Creator. The beauty of the temple endowment is that it is meant for everyone upon earth regardless of gender, race, or religious creed.
Praise for Endowment Building "This comprehensive work shows how endowments can provide multiple opportunities for donor involvement when the solicitation program is well designed and integrated with other fund development and program goals. Emphasizing the critical ethical issues inherent in marketing and structuring endowment gifts, it is an excellent reference manual and training guide." --Joanne Scanlan, PhD, Senior Vice President for Professional Development Council on Foundations, Washington, D.C. "Endowment Building provides both practical, hands-on advice and a philosophical, inspirational framework to guide novice and experienced mission-based organizations. Given the demographic opportunities and challenges facing the nonprofit world, this book is a must-read." --Nancy Herrold Strapp, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Buckhorn Children & Family Services, Louisville, Kentucky "A comprehensive guide on how to start, grow, and maintain an endowment. It shows how to put theory into practice with numerous real-life examples and success stories." --Joe Bull, Director of Planned Giving, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio "After you read this book, you will know what to do and how to do it. It is a wonderful tool for new and emerging community foundations!" --Kay M. Marquet, President and CEO, Community Foundation Sonoma County, California "Endowment Building is an insightful, succinct, easy-to-read resource on building successful endowment programs. It's a well-organized guide containing practical suggestions and reminders of things development professionals know but some-times forget." --Jeff W. Smith, Vice President and Trust Counsel, Baptist Foundation of Texas, Dallas
