KeithLBrown

Hello Bruce. Welcome to the site.

Hello and welcome to the site.

Jasmine, Hello and welcome to the site. I hope that you enjoy your visits here.

I will be putting together a Thanksgiving letter to family and friends this weekend and some of the things that I will make mention of as far as being thankful are: family, friends, life, health, employment, and my membership in the Lord's true Church - the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am thankful for all things and all blessings, great and small.

Haha! So how do you spell "cojnfess"?

I personally believe that the media does at times tend to blow things out of proportion and make things seem to be worse than they truly are. With that being said, with the outcome of the recent election, being a realist, I believe that there is a certain amount of racial tension on the horizon. There are many radical groups to include the KKK and Skin Heads to name a couple, that would love nothing more to start a major blood bath in this country. These groups are very real and very dangerous. I have read several reports that the number of threats against President-Elect Obama are on the increase. There are many people in this country that are highly upset and offended that a Black man will be the next President. I pray that none of the threats are carried out and that the powers that be will treat each one as a matter of importance and not dismiss any. It is really scary to think what would happen in this country if anything of this magnitude were to happen, but yes, the possibility does exist. I do not think that the media is simply fabricating all of this. All of us as American citizens need to stand a vigilant watch and continue in daily prayer.

Speaking as a Black man, I personally feel that in certain areas of the country racism has always been and continues to be an issue. I do not think that it is as large an issue as it was during the Civil Rights Movement (1955 - 1968), but there are some places in this country that I would not be particularly welcomed simply because I am a Black man. I remember an incident when I was in the Navy. We were in Mississippi. Two of my shipmates decided to go to the bayous to have dinner together. One was White and one was Black. At the restaurant that they went to they were told that the White guy would be served, but they would not serve the Black guy. How sad to think that this type of behavior still exists, but in reality it does. During my 20 years of military service I also served with people who never had the experience of being around Black people and so they only had one opinion of Blacks to go by and that is what they had been taught. In that case I don't think that racism was the real issue, but rather it was "ignorance" or the lack of knowledge. May I also say that a lot of the problems that I see in the world today is not so much that Whites are against Blacks, but in some cases Blacks are against other Blacks. Why? I think that some of it is out of jealousy. There are some people, rather we want to admit it or not, that literally hate to see anybody doing better than themselves. Again, sad, but true. May I add as a final note that I was extremely proud of this great nation and how the outcome of the election was handled. It did not turn into a race issue, although, being a realist, it could very well have. I believe for the most part, race is not so much an issue as it once was, but stereotyping on the other hand is. Too many people are quick to throw a group of people into a category and judge that whole group of people according to the actions of a few. At 50 years of age, I still dream of the day that Dr. Martin Luther King preached about -- when man will no longer be judged by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. When that day comes, I believe that once and for all, we will put the issue of racism to bed. May God speed the day!

Inquiring minds want to know - "What is a Kindle?"

Thank you for posting this and for taking the time to make the videos. I just subscribed to your channel. My user name on YouTube is jwb012335. Thanks again. I look forward to watching your videos. Take care and God bless.

Welcome to the site Bob. I hope that you enjoy your visits here.

Today is Veterans Day. When we think of and thank our family members, loved ones, and friends who are veterans of the current Middle East war, pause to remember that the U.S. soldiers that are currently fighting in Iraq today are there in part because of an event that ended on this date 90 years ago - World War I. This is a day that we set aside to remember and honor the brave men and women who are presently serving in the Armed Forces, have served in the Armed Forces, but more importantly, we pause on this day to commemorate those who valiantly served and selfishly gave their lives to protect those freedoms that we so dearly cherish. All of these brave men and women are true American Heroes. As a 20 year retired United States Navy veteran, I humbly and proudly salute the valiant men and women who daily put their lives on the line so that we can continue to be "the land of the free and the home of the brave". Every flag draped coffin that arrives in a hometown carrying the body of a fallen soldier is a constant reminder that freedom is not free. The freedoms that we so enjoy come with a hefty price tag -- that price tag often being the spilled blood of a family member, loved one, or close friend who unselfishly fought to help keep freedom alive. As we celebrate this Veterans' Day let us pause to say a prayer for the continual safety and well being of our men and women of the armed forces. May God bless each of them and may God bless the United States of America. Keith Lionel Brown Electronics Technician First Class United States Navy, Retired

Thank you so much for this beautiful poem. As a 20 year retired United States Navy veteran I am honored to have served our country faithfully and appreciate those who acknowledge the sacrifices that the men and women of the Armed Forces make to defend the freedoms that we all so dearly cherish.

First of all, I don't feel that it was insensitive for you to send the post that your little brother received. You were stating your stand on an important issue and in such cases my counsel would always be to stand your ground and defend what you believe in. By the virtue of the fact that your little brother is a part of your "list", he has to realize that there may be some things that are posted that he may not agree with. I don't feel that you need to apologize for that or stop posting your stand on certain issues because of that. As long as you have done your best to make your brother understand that it was not a personal attack against him, and more importantly, as long he knows and understand that you love him, then all you can do is to keep loving him. Realize that sometimetimes people's feelings are going to get hurt because they may not agree with us, but at all costs, we must always choose the right and stand for what we believe.

Thank you for this insightful post. Today is my 50th birthday and it is interesting to know that things happened on this day in Church history.

Congratulations on receiving your mission call.

I would just like to add my two cents to this. First, I have never heard of a group called Sensational Saviors and I am very surprised that a search engine as powerful as Google has not heard of them either. Second, I am totally shocked, especially being a member of a Bishopric, that two devoted LDS, as you say, who are Bishops, would even put together such a group using such a name as "Sensational Saviors". Think of the connotations the name alone gives. Third, I don't believe that records are made any more, nor are cassette tapes, so the medium would have to be CD at least. Fourth, it is my understanding that copyright laws on music include the totality of the song involved and that includes the lyricsas well. Fifth, the ideal of playing the record backwards is what was once known as "backward masking" and was also considered to be Satanic. And finally, the part about being able to hear the chant of angels when the supposed record is played backwards is not in the least bit humerous. In fact, I for one find it offensive and on the line of being blasphameous. Personally, I think that this whole conversation should be dropped before it turns into something that is neither doctrinal nor edifying. Just my two cents.

I was born and raised Baptist. At one time I attended Bible College and was preparing to enter the ministry as a Baptist Preacher. Please take a moment to read my conversion story which I actually used as a Sacrament talk in April of this year. You can find the talk by going to "In The Lord's Due Time". I have to admit that the first time that I read from the pages of the Book of Mormon I thought of it as nothing more than an interesting book with some interesting stories. Having been raised on the principles of the Bible, I felt that there was really no need for any additional Scriptures. After all, I was always taught that the Bible contains all that we ever need to know about God. As I studied to enter the ministry, there was something inside of me that kept asking the question, "Is this all there is?" I began to wonder if it were not possible that there could be more than just what I had been taught in Bible College and in my years prior. Well, to make a long story short, to date I have now read the Bible 6 times in its entirety (currently reading it for the 7th time) and I have read the Book of Mormon 7 times in its entirety (currently reading it for the 8th time). For me, each time that I read the Scriptures I learn things that I never realized before. Perhaps some of the reason for that is that I am older, have experienced more, and have gained more knowledge and wisdom about some things. That is the beauty of the Scriptures for me personally. They never grow old. Through my reading and personal study I have gained a strong testimony that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the Word of God. The Book of Mormon does not take away from the Bible, but enhances our understanding of the Bible. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are indeed Scripture and both testify of the love that our Savior has for each one of us.

First, keep attending your Church meetings and doing those things which you know are right and true. Second, continue to be a righteous example in your home. Don't let what your parents have decided to do with their lives discourage you. Keep the faith. Keep praying that one day your parents will realize the error of their ways and return to that which they know is true. I know that it must be hard being in a situation like this, but it is your parents that must once again experience that mighty change of heart. Continue to do your part and leave it all in the hands of the Lord. You may be the shining light that your parents need to help them return to the path that leads to life eternal. God bless.

Congratulations!!

I was born on 17 October 1958 and according to Billboard Magazine the number one song in the USA at that time was "It's All in the Game" by Tommy Edwards.

Hello Nenad. Welcome to the site!

Misshalfway I think that you have very eloquently summed up what Elphaba was saying as well as what I was trying to say and emphasize as a Black member of the Church and from that perspective. Yes, I do agree that we are all children of God and there should be no emphasis placed on one race over another. But, the fact remains that there are still those in the Church today who in some cases don't feel quite as welcome because of their race. I personally pray for the day when race is no longer an issue in any area of life. A day when, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so beautifully expressed it, "All men will be judged by the content of their charcater and not the color of their skin." Please understand my comments were in no way meant to sound prejudice. But, I am a realist. And, as a Black member and a member of a Bishopric, I perhaps see, hear, and understand things from a different perspective. Let us keep in mind that people such as President Thomas S. Monson (our beloved Prophet, Seer, and Revelator) would not be so much in favor of groups/organizations such as Genesis if there were no real purpose for such a group. You asked if perhaps we are talking about two separate issues. No, I don't think so. The issue is alive and well in the Church as well as in society as a whole. I will say and agree that as the Church continues to grow and more and more people of all races become members, the whole issue of race becomes more transparent. I do fully understand what you are saying and what Elphaba has said and appreciate both of your posts. You make excellent points. Please try and understand where I am coming from as a Black member of the Church and where I sit on this issue. I agree that we are all learning about Church history and it is all of OUR history. I will further agree that our testimonies should not rest nor rely upon any particular event or character in that history. I truly believe that this is the Lord's true Church. I truly believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. But, my testimony of the glorious Gospel is based on my faith and my reliance upon my Lord and Savior, my Redeemer, my Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the grand scheme of things, it is His Story that I am most interested in. My eternal salvation rests in Him and Him alone. Everyone, regardless of race, played a significant role and I personally feel that there just needs to be more of a harmonious balnce. Let the entire story be told and let ALL of the charcaters in the story be named just as you have said. Maybe, just maybe, when we do that, everyone will have a fuller understanding and there will no longer be a need for such organizations as Genesis or websites like Why This Web Site :: Blacklds.org. And, as both of you have pointed out, on that day, people will no longer care what race is represented on the front cover of a magazine, but the only thing that they will see on that front cover is a member, one who is representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May God speed that day.

Hello and welcome to the site! As a 20 year retired United States Navy veteran I humbly salute your husband for all that he does in serving and protecting this great nation of ours. I am sure that you will make many new and wonderful friends here.

Being a member of the Church for the past decade and being Black and currently serving as a member of the Bishopric (First Counselor), I perhaps view this story in a different light. First of all, please understand that this brother is the first Black Bishop to lead a Delaware congregation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he is not the first Black bishop of the Church. Brother Joseph Freeman, who currently resides in Utah, was the first Black to be ordained to the Priesthood after the 1978 Revelation and he also served as a Bishop for a time. Now, as far as the organization kown as Genesis, I personally feel that it serves a very worthwhile purpose for both Black and White members of the Church. You may be interested in knowing that President Thomas S. Monson was one of the people that was very instrumental in getting that organization started. In fact, it was he (then Elder Thomas S. Monson) who was a part of the sealing ordinances in the Salt Lake Temple for Brother Joseph Freeman and his family. Further, there are several White members that are a large part of the organization Genesis. I am a friend and have email contact with one of them. She is the author and producer of the movie "Jane Manning James: Your Sister In The Gospel" which is based on the true story of a Black sister who was a member of the Church and lived for a time with the Prohet Joseph Smith and Emma. She personally knew every Prophet from Joseph Smith to Joseph F. Smith and in fact, Joseph F. Smith spoke at her funeral. Now, I ask you, how many members have ever heard of Brother Joseph Freeman, or Jane Manning James for that matter? In my opinion the Genesis organization is necessary in teaching both Black and White members about the Black history of the Church and the fact that there were indeed many Black pioneers that played a significant role in the early Church. Unfortunately, you will not learn these facts in any of our regular Sunday meetings. I personally feel that these facts are equally important for all members to know, As far as the 30 year celebration of the 1978 revelation, there again I take a different stand. As a Black member, this is a very significant event in the history of the Church. Think of all of the Black males that were denied holding the Priesthood even though they were worthy to do so. To finally be told that the Lord has spoken and now all worthy males, regardless of race, could now hold the Priesthood was indeed a reason to celebrate. In a sense, I believe that Revelation helped to ease some of the preconceptions by Blacks that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was prejudice against its Black members. Again, in my humble opinion, a reason to celebrate.Keep in mind as well that Blacks did hold the Priesthood during the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. One name that comes to mind is Elija Abel. The Lord knows my true heart and intentions so please understand that as a Black member it is sometimes refreshing to hear about the Black pioneer heritage instead of just hearing about -- for lack of a better way to put it -- the White history of the Church. Be honest and try to imagine if you were a Black member. How would you truly feel about all of this? This is the Lord's Church. We are all His children -- Red, Yellow, Black, or White -- we are all precious in His sight. Therefore, we should have a harmonious balance of learning about and from each other. Let us come together and reason together says the Lord. Personally, I would love to see a fireside about Black Mormon pioneers and their role in the Church. I think that it would be an eye opener and a great learning experience for all members. Finally, the website that you refer to Why This Web Site :: Blacklds.org in my humble opinion is another outreach in educating the entire membership pf the Church. I personally don't see it as trying to make the Black members stand out in any way. You may also be interested in knowing that the site was originally started by two White members (husband and wife) of the Church. I hope some of my rambling makes sense. I love all of my Brothers and Sisters. Not a single one of them is more important than another regardless of race. We are all members of one family and we need each other. There is so much that we can learn from one another. Again, the Lord says, LET US COME TOGETHER AND REASON TOGETHER.

Mailis, the naming system of the sons and daughters is stilled used in Iceland to this day. Children are the "son" of someone or the "daughter" of someone. Actually, it makes it very easy to identify the family line. The names are quite interesting and some are very hard to pronounce. Unfortunately in the year that I was there I never learned much of the language. Our Conferences were all done through translation. It was interesting to hear the missionaries trying to keep up and translate what was being said.