You have found your way to a content-rich community designed to help each of us navigate the complexities of today’s world while finding personal direction and peace.
I didn’t intend to write a “Magna Carta” for the About Page.
But there is a lot of excellent and worthwhile information about Latter-day Voices provided here so you can get the most value from what we offer.
Latter-day Voices (“LDV”) Defined
What is the meaning of Latter-day Voices? There are two parts. Let’s break it down.
“Latter-day”
Even though no one can know the exact timing, many believe we live in a period of history that will usher in the "Second Coming" of Jesus Christ. Some may also refer to this as the “End of Days,” the “End of Time,” or use other terms.
“Voices”
The word “Voices” refers to the methods those living in these latter days use to communicate.
People can lift their verbal and non-verbal voices in many ways to express their views about today’s world and help others.
All forms of expression count! Writing works. Videos work. Podcasts are great. Graphic arts, photography, and music are meaningful forms of interpersonal communication.
Content originating with a person living in today’s world is a Latter-day Voice.
If you think you must be a great writer or podcaster for your voice to be heard, please think again!
Bringing it together.
The short definition of LDV is “content conveyed in any medium by people who accept this period of world history as the last days.”
Who LDV is For
You may wonder if LDV is only for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The short answer is “No.”
Full Transparency
Further explanation is needed, though.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“LDS”) and am currently the only person creating content on this site.
That means the doctrine and principles of the Church will find their way into much of the content I create.
However, Latter-day Voices was never meant to be about the doctrine of one religion or any particular denomination.
Joseph F. Smith, the sixth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said it best,
“We believe in all truth, no matter to what subject it may refer. No sect or religious denomination in the world possesses a single principle of truth that we do not accept or that we will reject. We are willing to receive all truth, from whatever source it may come; for truth will stand, truth will endure. No man’s faith, no man’s religion, no religious organization in all the world can ever rise above the truth.”
This quote best defines the intent behind creating LDV. That is, to provide a forum to share diverse critical thinking in a respectful, safe environment. That way, we come together to understand truth from any source and promote sound principles to live by.
Ultimately, the goal for Latter-day Voices is to attract content from creators within and outside of the LDS faith.
I think this can best be accomplished by nurturing an open community of diverse opinions and cultures.
After all, our purpose is to curate and openly share the truths we have each discovered along life’s path so all like-minded community members can help each other find purpose, peace, and comfort while responding to life's challenges and living according to our personal defined faith.
Following the prompting of Isaiah, we desire to publish peace, bring good tidings, proclaim salvation, and declare unto Zion that God reigns (Isaiah 52:7).
Whether you are a member of the LDS Church or another denomination or follow your heart, you are welcome in this community.
The Basis of LDV Doctrine and Thought
We strive to keep all content posted on LDV founded on the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ. It is tough to find a better moral standard, whether or not one is a Christian.
We also believe there are doctrines of religion and principles of morality.
While religious doctrines naturally influence our moral values and behaviors, why do we get hung up on our religious beliefs and even actively try to convert others to our ideas?
Sometimes even to the extent of two parties trying to shout the other into submission. That behavior just doesn’t work.
As an alternative, why not agree to have joint trust in a divine plan to bring all of us back into the presence of our creator, to show genuine respect for each individual’s right to religious self-determination while focusing on most points where our personal moral codes overlap?
It is so much more productive to acknowledge differences in religious doctrine and then focus on what we share in common so we may associate and move forward together as free agents.
Then, suppose two parties want to converse respectfully regarding religious doctrines. In that case, they may do so safely with the ability to retreat to the safe, firm foundation of shared values, inclusion, respect, and friendship.
More peace and positive progress will likely be the by-product of this approach.
If you think the same way, stick around and share your thoughts. You have found a safe home here at Latter-day Voices.
The Driving Force Behind LDV
The primary force driving LDV is to promote inner peace for individuals and the collective through a community forum of like-minded people sharing similar personal values and moral imperatives.
The current problem is that good people are being silenced.
We live in a time of increasing confusion. Traditional ways and methods are being shouted down. Voices of light are silenced through bullying and intimidation. Inherently evil people demean humble people in exchange for money, power, and some demented perception of their own increased personal self-worth. Good people, once comprising most of the population and probably still do, are pushed to the side and marginalized by angry actors promoting a dark and unyielding agenda.
The good news is you are not alone! There are millions of GOOD people just like you. Our combined voices of good report can provide a community of light and peace of mind. Each of us simply needs to speak up. Our united voice will push back the darkness so we may walk through our lives together, safe and confident we are part of a moral majority.
The LDV Solution
Latter-day Voices is intended to be an emotionally safe place for each of us to tap into the wisdom of the group when we may be confused about any spiritual issue and trying to find our way. We aim to:
Gather and promulgate positive stories, insights, observations, knowledge, and practical wisdom from life’s experiences.
Reconcile cognitive dissonance.
Provoke thought, stimulate intellectual curiosity, challenge beliefs, and focus on what we share.
Help each other develop healthy thought patterns to cope with today’s social environment with faith and confidence instead of fear and shame.
You will discover how to question your beliefs sincerely and meaningfully so you can tie your beliefs to the principles and doctrine you choose.
Join us in our movement to find genuine inner peace and draw close to God in the way you want to.
Then, spread the light as a Latter-day Luminary and “child of light.”
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
-Edith Wharton
LDV Vision and Mission
Our Vision:
A community where each member will enjoy unconditional love, genuine encouragement, peace of mind, and fellowship while living the gospel fully without giving up personal sovereignty.
Our Mission:
We have no other object except the everlasting welfare of our individual and collective souls.
That may sound familiar to you. Our mission resembles Father Lehi's personal mission recorded in 2 Nephi 3:30.
LDV Core Community Beliefs and Values
The core beliefs of this community are founded on values derived from sound principles. They are ideals my associates, and I strive to live by. Many values are on the list, but those provided below are the few we consider our core values.
More than some simple platitudes, defining core values and beliefs at this point provides the foundation of the relationship and interaction you and this community will enjoy in the future. So please review and think about what is stated below.
If you find yourself thinking along the lines of, “Yes! That’s pretty much what I think and believe too!” then we have a similar moral imperative and can move forward in a positive mutual manner.
On the other hand, if any of these stated values and beliefs cause any negative emotions, please punch out now, and we will each respectfully travel our respective ways.
Here are our core values in no particular order.
Faith
The opposite and replacement of fear, a primary tool in the devil’s workbelt, along with shame and coercion.
Hope
The fruit of faith and expectation that all things will work out and God will prevail.
Charity
Manifests God’s unconditional love for others by placing their needs above our own and knowing with absolute certainty there is complete reciprocity, but not to the point of relinquishing our agency. To have patience and not take offense where none is intended or internalize the misbehavior of others.
Loyalty
Be true, steadfast, and immovable in our relationships with God, Family, and Freedom. To remember our spiritual DNA as God’s children and then “Be loyal to the royal within.”
Integrity
Be courageous, stand up, and do the right thing despite possible negative consequences. To be honest, forthright, and true to our word.
Respect
Mutually honor and defend the rights of others even when we disagree.
Truth
Always seek an understanding of reality and never be afraid to do the hard work of learning. Challenge our beliefs regularly, then have the courage to change as new information is revealed. Seek facts and avoid operating on assumptions.
Tenacity
Keep pursuing something you believe in. Have the courage to work hard and keep fighting even when it looks like you may be whipped. You may lose a battle, but the war is never lost until you surrender and quit.
Sovereignty
Personal sovereignty is a fundamental premise in God’s plan for our happiness. He granted unto us the right of free choice to act for ourselves. Our quest is to bend personal will to God’s will and allow Him to prevail in our lives. No man has the right to steal that agency. Our duty is to claim, exercise, and defend our sovereignty.
Action
We put forth our very best effort as we exercise our agency to act and not be acted upon. When unsure what to do, get to work and start moving, having faith the right path will be revealed.
LDV Community Discussion and Interaction Guidelines
Overview of LDV Community Interaction
When Adolph Ochs bought the New York Times in 1896, this is what he wanted to accomplish:
”It will be my earnest aim that The New York Times give the news, all the news, in concise and attractive form, in language that is permissible in good society, and give it as early if not earlier, than it can be learned through any other reliable medium; to give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or interest involved; to make of the columns of The New York Times a forum for the consideration of all questions of public importance, and to that end to invite intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion.”
That’s a good representation of what we hope to do in this community.
We strive to separate valued honest thoughts from the overwhelming white noise created by today’s talking heads seeking nothing but market share and clicks.
This forum is not meant to justify individual personal beliefs, values, or behaviors and recruit others to any particular “side.”
The idea is to not dwell on the few specific beliefs where we differ but focus on and remember the many principle-based values we share in common, where our moral imperatives overlap.
None of us need to buy into another’s beliefs. It seems there is so much good in people that it is often overlooked or even rejected when there are only minor points of disagreement. Shouldn’t we still buy into the person’s intrinsic value even if we disagree with only a few unimportant issues?
While everyone has their own style, we are each expected to adhere to guiding principles as we interact. Here are a few thoughts:
Make positive comments that build up and not tear down. As promoted in the song “Accentuate The Positive” by Johnny Mercer:
You’ve got to accentuate the positive,
Eliminate the negative,
And latch on to the affirmative.
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between.
Let’s unite to stimulate intellectual curiosity and celebrate our shared values!
Following are Some Specific Standards of Community Interaction
Be courteous and respectful
Express your views politely without insults, name-calling, or personal attacks. We welcome diverse perspectives but ask that you engage thoughtfully and with consideration for others.
Keep it constructive
Offer thoughtful contributions that move conversations forward. Avoid overt negativity that derails the productive exchange of ideas.
Encourage each other’s growth and learning. Celebrate successes and offer support during challenges.
Show empathy and care
This is a shared space - be mindful of others’ feelings and experiences. If you disagree, do so in a respectful way that builds understanding.
There is no reason or need to “call out” another person or organization. We all have plenty to work on for ourselves.
Inclusivity and diversity
Embrace diversity, acknowledging the value of different perspectives. Be open to learning from others and considerate of varying viewpoints.
No hate speech, bullying, harassment, or threats
This includes but is not limited to slurs, abusive language, aggressive posturing, intimidation, and any other provocations. These behaviors have no place here.
No spam
Avoid flooding the community with repetitive content. Self-promotion should be thoughtful, limited, and consistently on-topic.
Privacy and Safety
Do not share others' personal information without consent or permission for details people prefer to keep private.
Report any threats, harassment, or harmful behavior to moderators immediately.
Stay on-topic
Keep posts and comments relevant to the original topic so conversations stay focused.
Use discretion
Some topics can become emotionally charged. Tread carefully and be prepared to pause or withdraw from inflammatory exchanges.
Final Thoughts on Community Guidelines
By embracing these guidelines, we will create a welcoming, open, and caring community where people feel safe, supported, and engaged. Our diversity makes us stronger when exchanged with empathy and care.
This is our community! Let's connect, share, and grow while fostering mutual understanding.
LDV Publication Sections
Latter-day Voices was first published in March 2022. With time, it became apparent that the publication could support many related topical sections. That brings us to the current structure.
There are now three sections.
LDV Classic
A continuation of the “Classic” Latter-day Voices publication, familiar subject matter presented in the past is now its own section.
Short Description: Faith-promoting content for Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other like-minded individuals to help each other build enduring faith in Jesus Christ and thrive despite living in turbulent times.
Typical Topics Include: Come Follow Me Insights, Gospel Principles, Apostasy, Character, Family, Godhead, Plan of Salvation, Priesthood, Restoration, and Revelation.
Self-reliant Living
Short Description: This section presents principles of self-reliance and sovereignty to level up your “personal strategery” to create your self-defined legacy of success at home and work.
Typical Topics Include: Self-reliance, Critical Thinking, Personal Finance, Personal Skills, Physical Health, Mental Health, Occupation, and Micro-business Strategies
Mental Meandering
Short Description: This section is the nexus of personal attention deficit, entertainment, and principle-based informed content.
Typical topics Include: Anything. Really, anything! Mental Meandering is my outlet for free writing and expressing my inner latter-day voice.
The fun thing is you never know what topic may surface next!
Think of this category as “Russell without borders.”
You can unsubscribe from a section at any time!
All the content you receive from Latter-day Voices is solution-based, actionable, and has value.
Controlling the amount of content is easy! You may unsubscribe from any LDV section without unsubscribing from the entire publication.
Here is how:
Navigate to your Settings page > Under Subscriptions, click on the publication with sections you'd like to change > Under “Notifications,” toggle the switch next to each section you want to receive or turn off.
Here is a link directly from Substack, our platform provider, for more precise instructions.
Three Ways You Can Help Support Latter-day Voices
First and Foremost
Your participation is a “soft” price you are invited to pay when you are comfortable doing so. Constructive subscriber interaction is the lifeblood of a vibrant and valuable community.
I am introverted by nature. I bet a lot of you are too!
But I know quiet, unassuming people possess valuable thoughts, ideas, understanding, wisdom, and opinions.
YOUR VOICE DESERVES TO BE HEARD!
Please summon your courage, engage with the community, and share your wisdom. If a shy introvert like me can speak up, so can you!
Second, Create and Add Your Own Content to the Library
Ultimately, Latter-day Voices aims to attract content from creators within and outside of the LDS faith.
I think this can best be accomplished by nurturing an open community of diverse opinions and cultures.
After all, our purpose is to curate and openly share the truths we have each discovered along life’s path so all like-minded community members can help each other find purpose, peace, and comfort while responding to life's challenges and living according to our personal defined faith.
If you would like to contribute your articles for publication, please contact me by clicking on “Reply” to this or any post. Be sure to include your message or question along with any contact information you think I may need. Your email message will come straight to my inbox, and I will reply.
Finally, Subscribe as a Donor.
I hope it is now clear that EVERYONE enters this community as a “Free Subscriber” with full access to all of the content and benefits of the Latter-day Voices platform.
Pulling this off requires a lot of effort, tools, and overhead.
If you feel moved to support this work, we’ve made it easy to help keep Latter-day Voices content free for everyone.
Ongoing benevolent donor support is more than just a contribution; it's a partnership in spreading insightful perspectives and uplifting voices. Here's what your donations can help achieve:
Keeps our digital community welcoming and up-to-date.
Equips us with the research and writing tools tools for deeper dives and online courses.
Funds in-depth stories and learning experiences that resonate and inspire.
Flexible Donation Options
While the Substack payment portal says “Subscription Plans,” think of them as “Support Tiers.” Here, every dollar counts, and every dollar is put to meaningful use.
Choose from:
$5/month: For the price of a fancy beverage each month, you're fueling quality content.
$50/year: Be a pillar in our community of insightful readers.
Or subscribe as a Founding Donor: Lead the charge in deep, investigative storytelling. The $150/year is only a placeholder. As a Founding Donor, you are free to input any amount you choose over $50/year. Every bit helps us grow and thrive. That is a positive action you can feel good about!
Final Thoughts
Have you ever found yourself nodding along to an article you found on Latter-day Voices or sharing it with a friend? That's the kind of engagement we aim to continue, and with your help, we can.
Join the tribe and engage for solutions.
Be part of our community of people who share your interests and values.
You are important. Your ideas have value. You may have thought about heartfelt issues or solutions for decades, yet continue to wait for someone else to do something about it.
Or worse, give up hope that things will ever change. It is time for your latter-day voice to be heard.
See you around the campfire!
Russell Anderson
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