Merry Christmas

Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") observe the Christmas holiday in celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints believe the scriptural account given of His birth as recorded in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. The Savior's birth was a miraculous event to begin the Savior's mortal life and ministry on the Earth.

I am profoundly grateful for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph in raising God's Son. Likewise, the story of Jesus' birth shows Heavenly Father's mercy and love extended to Elisabeth, Zacharias, Anna, Simeon, the shepards, the wise men, and many others. These individuals had their faith and righteousness rewarded by witnessing the ministering of angels and the King of Kings in His infant form.

The Christmas season is the time to give gifts, heal wounds, forgive others, reach out to those in need, and to be charitable in our words, thoughts, and actions. Indeed, it is the time when we can recommit ourselves to being more like Jesus.

Latter-day Saints believe Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God. We believe Him to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. As such, we believe each of us should strive to follow His teachings in loving God and loving our fellowmen. There is no better time than Christmas to try a little harder to be true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dangers of Addiction

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider agency to be one of the greatest gifts of God. The ability to choose for ourselves was given to us when we lived with our Heavenly Father before we were born on this Earth. Because of the importance of agency, it is vital that we do not do anything that would diminish our ability to freely choose for ourselves.

Addiction in any form robs the human soul from the power to freely choose by enslaving us to certain destructive behaviors. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints warns against addictions of any kind. Notably, three types of addiction are often warned against in the Church.

Pornography
Pornography is any material depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in a way that arouses sexual feelings. It is prevalent on TV, in movies, books, magazines, music, and on the Internet. Not only is pornography morally wrong and a violation of God's commandments ("Thou shalt not . . . commit adultery . . . nor do anything like unto it" D&C 59:6; "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" Matthew 5:28), it is also tragically addictive. Like other addictions, pornography robs people of self-control and degrades a person's mind, heart, and spirit. Pornography will destroy a person and their sense of the beauties of life. It tears people down and leads to evil thoughts and possibly evil actions. Unfortunately, it not only destroys individuals, it destroys families. Pornography, in all forms, must be avoided.

Substance Abuse
The abuse of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and even caffeine (when consumed in large quantities) are extremely common in today's society. These substances are both harmful to our physical bodies and destructive of our spirits. The addiction to their use robs us of our ability to function without their influence. The harmful effects of tobacco are widely known as are those of illegal drugs. The inebriating effects of alcohol not only affect a person's physical health, but also diminish an individual's judgment and common sense. Even caffeine, largely seen as non-threatening, can be a dangerous addictive drug when consumed in large quantities such as in energy drinks and the intake of large amounts of coffee and cola drinks.

Gambling
Gambling is extremely common place. State lotteries, casinos, betting, and poker-playing, are all examples of gambling today. Like pornography and substance abuse, gambling can become addictive and (literally) rob a person of that which they hold dear. With gambling, a select few win, but most lose. We should be wise stewards over the finances the Lord has blessed us with. Using hard-earned money in games of chance is unwise and dangerously addictive.

Pornography, substance abuse, and gambling (like many other addictions), can often involve and perpetuate other crimes and illicit behavior. For all the reasons listed above, and many others, addictions should be avoided. If you or someone you love has fallen victim to an addiction, they should seek help. This may require professional help or counseling. Most importantly, however, it will require the strength of the Lord as you plead to Him for help and protection and for the chains of addiction to be broken. It is possible for those who seek to follow Christ. He has invited us, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). I promise you that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Material in this post came from "True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference" and from a talk entitled "Gambling" by President Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the "Addiction Recovery Program" offered by the Church, click here.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that provides us an opportunity to express gratitude to God, our families, our friends, and our employers for the many blessings we have.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all blessings come from God. It is important to acknowledge God's hand in all aspects of our lives. In fact, expressing gratitude is a commandment from God. "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." Doctrine and Covenants 59:7. For those who are thankful, the Lord has promised "[H]e who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious." Doctrine and Covenants 78:19.

All of us should make an effort to pray to God and thank Him for the blessings in our lives. We should also extend thanksgiving not only to those we love but also to those who have treated us unkindly. By blessing our enemies and doing good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us, we will become "the children of [our] Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45.

The Purpose of Life

All of us, at one point or another, are likely to ask questions like, "Where did I come from?", "Why am I here?", and "Where am I going after this life?" Such soul-searching questions often arise during those quiet moments of pondering when we are trying to step back and determine what we are supposed to be doing with our lives.

As the restored gospel of Jesus Christ again on the Earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS Church") teaches that God has a plan for us, His children, to return and live with Him again after this life. The blessing of living with God again depends on our obedience to His commandments while in this life. In a short space, I will do my best to explain the purpose of life as taught by the holy scriptures and God's modern-day prophets and apostles, the leaders of the LDS Church.

Pre-Mortal Life
Before we were born on this Earth, we lived with God as His spirit sons and daughters (Acts 17:16-34). He loved us and taught us. He wanted us to become like Him. However, we were different from Him in two ways: we lacked a body and we lacked experience. In order for us to obtain these two vital things, He devised a plan for us to be born on Earth, gain bodies, gain experience, die, and return to live with Him again (Moses 1:39). This plan is called the Plan of Happiness or the Plan of Salvation. He would give us commandments to live by, which would be a roadmap t0 happiness and peace. God knew that we would be imperfect and that we would make many mistakes. These mistakes, or sins, make us unworthy and unclean because they are contrary to God's will and commandments. This is called spiritual death because it separates us from God. He also knew that we could not return to live with Him in an imperfect and unclean state. So, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. Jesus would pay the price of all our sins; He would suffer on our behalf so that if we repented, had faith in Him, and kept the commandments, we could return and live with God again.

Mortal Life
This is where we are now. Life is essentially a test (Abraham 3:24-25). God provides us with prophets (i.e., Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, etc.) who teach us how we should live and how to return with God. It is our duty to learn these commandments and obey them. When we follow the commandments, we are happy. Unfortunately, many temptations try to lead us astray. These temptations may provide fleeting pleasure or worldly power, but ultimately lead to sadness. We are constantly tempted to act carnally, violently, and foolishly. Our mortal experience is designed for us to learn wisdom by learning truth and obeying God's commandments through loving God and our fellow men. We should repent constantly of our weaknesses and sins and rely on the atonement of Jesus Christ to save us from our transgressions. At the end of mortal life, we all die. We cannot overcome this physical death by ourselves, just as we could not overcome spiritual death without Jesus' atonement.

After This Life
When we die, we return to God. We will await the resurrection of all men and women, when each of our bodies will be reunited with our spirits. Because of Jesus Christ's resurrection, we will all be resurrected. We will then be immortal and live forever. We will be judged of our works, words, and thoughts in the great judgment. God knows each of us individually, and will judge us individually. He knows our trials, temptations, and limitations. He has promised that He will judge us mercifully if we judge others mercifully during our mortal lives. After the judgment, we will be assigned to one of three kingdoms of glory; the Celestial Kingdom (where we will live with God and become like Him), the Terrestrial Kingdom, or the Telestial Kingdom. The glory of each of these kingdoms is as the glory of the sun, moon, and stars (1 Corinth. 15:40-42).

Summary of the Plan of Happiness
We lived with God before we were born. We were sent to Earth to gain bodies and gain experience through living mortal lives. However, we all sin which separates us from God (spiritual death) and we all die (physical death). To overcome both deaths, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and to be resurrected. All of us will someday be resurrected which is a free gift from Christ, but not all of us will repent of our sins. That is a choice we must make individually. After this life, we will return to God to be judged. We are then assigned a kingdom of glory where we will live forever.

To learn more about the Plan of Happiness, click here. In fact, www.mormon.org is an excellent resource for all those with questions about LDS Church teachings, the purpose of life, and how to find peace and happiness.

Author's Note: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have a monopoly on truth. Many readers will discover that the truth about the purpose of life as taught by the LDS Church includes many teachings from their own churches. That is because God, in His mercy, has blessed many individuals and peoples with portions of the truth to bring them joy and happiness. To each of you, the LDS Church extends the invitation to bring all that you have that is good and true, and see if the Church can add to it. The fullness of the truth regarding the purpose of life can be found only in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church and Polygamy

Recently, a colleague at work asked about the Church and polygamy. What is the LDS Church's stance on plural marriage? It is a valid question that deserves a thoughtful answer.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830 in western New York. Because of persecution, members of the Church ("Saints" or "Mormons") were forced to settle in Ohio, then Missouri, and finally in Illinois. During this difficult time, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from the Lord commanding some of the Saints to practice plural marriage. Following the Prophet's assassination in 1844 in Carthage, Illinois, the Saints continued practicing polygamy as they moved west to Utah with Brigham Young as the next president of the Church. It was an extremely difficult commandment to follow for the Saints, and one that was a significant trial of faith. It required constant personal revelation and divine help from the Lord.

Plural marriage was continued in the Church until 1890 when the President of the Church, Wilford Woodruff, announced the end of the practice. Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman. Anyone advocating or living a different standard is excommunicated from the Church.

Many ask why the Lord commanded the early Saints to engage in plural marriage. One reason given by the Lord for plural marriage is mentioned in the Book of Mormon: “If I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall [have only one wife]” (Jacob 2:30; see also v. 27). Like Abraham, Jacob, and other servants of God in the Bible, early leaders of the LDS Church were commanded by the Lord to take multiple wives. I am grateful for the sacrifices of these early Saints in keeping God's commandments and even MORE grateful that the commandment is no longer in force.

I do not understand all the dealings of God with His children. As the Lord told His children in the Old Testament, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." (Isaiah 55:8). Certainly, God has a purpose for all His commandments. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he did what the Lord commanded him to do.

Some of the material of this post can be attributed to the Church's website. To read more about the Church's stance on marriage, plural marriage, and Mormons' early practice of polygamy, click here.

Prayer

Latter-day Saints believe firmly in the power and importance of personal and family prayer. We believe that God is our Father in Heaven and that He loves each of us, deeply. We are His children and He wants us to be close to Him. We can speak to Him and He can speak to us through prayer.

Prayers can be spoken or silent. They can be done on our knees in our bedrooms or standing at a pulpit in church. They can be a few seconds or a few hours. They can be individual or offered up in behalf of an entire family or congregation. They should be personal and heartfelt. They should not be memorized or recited prayers. Instead, we should ponder and think carefully about what we should say beforehand. We then offer up prayers that are the result of careful thought and reflection of the desires of our hearts.

We pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. We begin a prayer by addressing our Father in Heaven. We then thank Him for the many blessings we have. We acknowledge our faults and weaknesses and ask for forgiveness through the atonement of Jesus. We then ask for blessings. These blessings can be big or small. We have been promised that if we ask for blessings, with faith in Jesus Christ, they will be given to us if they are according to the will of God. We then close the prayer in the name of the Jesus Christ.

We are commanded to pray always. This means that we should have a prayer in our hearts at all times. We should kneel in prayer in the mornings and in the evenings to express gratitude for the many blessings we have received. We should also gather our families together in the morning, at meal times, and in the evenings for prayer. This bonds a family together in unity and helps children to know that God loves them and watches over them.

Prayer is essential to our relationship with God. The Bible Dictionary included in the LDS publications of the King James Version of the Holy Bible states, "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. the object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others, blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

For an excellent webpage on prayer and its meaning in our lives, click here.

A Few Basic Facts About Mormons

I am revisiting an earlier post because I think it is important to correct any misconceptions as to who Mormons are. The following statements are largely taken from a post I made in July. I have made a few revisions and additions to clarify certain points.

To best understand the beliefs of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is important to know some basic facts about the Church and its members.

1. “Mormon” is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as “Mormons,” “Latter-day Saints,” or “LDS.” The term “Saint” means “member.” When Paul wrote to the members of the Church in the New Testament, he referred to them as "Saints." The use of "Latter-day Saints" in the name of the Church is to distinguish between the restored Church of Christ in modern times with Christ's original church in ancient times.

2. The Church was restored in 1830 in western New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Most members of the Church, under the direction of Brigham Young, the second prophet and president of the Church, relocated to Utah in 1847 to escape persecution. Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with Thomas S. Monson as the present prophet and president of the Church. He is assisted by two counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Church in modern times has the same organization and authority as the Church in the time of Christ.

3. There are now over 13 million members in 176 countries and territories. About 6 million of these members are in the United States, making it the fourth largest Christian denomination in America.

4. Local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions. Every member is given a "calling" or a responsibility in the Church.

5. Members of the Church are encouraged to receive a good education. Members serve in high and trusted positions throughout the world in business, medicine, law, education, media, sports, and entertainment. Mormons are also well-represented in politics and government (in the United States, 16 members of Congress, from both political parties, are practicing Mormons).

6. Certain aspects of Mormon practice include the paying of tithing (10 percent of a member’s income), the Word of Wisdom (health code that prohibits the use of tobacco and drugs and the drinking of alcohol, coffee, and tea), and the law of chastity (which proscribes abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after marriage).

Taken from a General Conference address of the Church by Elder M. Russell Ballard in October 2007. For the full address, click here.

Growth of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Recently, I have been asked by friends why the LDS Church is growing so fast. To what can we attribute the world-wide growth of the Church? This post will briefly examine the recent growth of the LDS Church and explore why such growth has occurred and why it will continue to occur.

Growth of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ was restored on the earth on April 6, 1830 in Western New York. The Church was organized with six individuals. In 2008, just 178 years after its incorporation, church members now number more than 13 million people in all parts of the world. Countries with the most members of the Church are the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and the Philippines. However, Church congregations and temples can be found throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and Australia. The Church is now the fourth-largest denomination in the United States. A majority of members in the United States are in the Western states, although, church congregations are found throughout the U.S.

Why has the Church grown so fast?

There are likely numerous reasons why the Church has enjoyed such a miraculous growth rate. A few of these reasons will be noted here.

First, the Bible prophecies of the time when God would again restore His Church on the earth in preparation for the Second Coming of His Son. It was prophesied that this gospel message would be preached throughout the world and that all nations would hear the "good news" of Jesus Christ. "I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder . . ." (Isaiah 29:14). In large part, the dramatic growth of the Church can be attributed to the miraculous dealings of God with His children. In His infinite mercy and love, He has restored the kingdom of God on Earth and He is gathering His children into His Church. In the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel prophesied that the restored gospel in the last days would be like a little stone cut without hands, rolling down the mountain until it will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:34-35).

Second, Christ commanded his followers to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:20). The Church takes this missionary charge very seriously. There are now more than 52,000 full-time missionaries of the Church in the world teaching the gospel and baptizing those who have faith in Jesus Christ and who repent of their sins. These missionaries pay their own way to preach the gospel. They share with others their testimonies of Jesus and His restored Church and invite others to "come and see" for themselves. We invite everyone to find out for themselves if the Church is true by (1) studying the scriptures and learning the teachings of the Church, (2) pondering and praying to know if it is true, and (3) living the teachings of the Church to see the change in their lives.

Third, in my opinion, people are yearning for something more to life. The current mores and standards of the world are "anything goes" and "do what feels good." I am sure that I am not alone in asking such questions as "Who am I?", "Where did I come from?", "What am I supposed to do in life?", and "What happens after this life?" In searching for meaning and order in life, many turn to religion to see if they can find an answer to life's mysteries. In coming across The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they find something special and different. We expect something out of our members--every member in the Church has a calling. We have commandments from God that must be strictly observed. We fellowship, serve, and love one another. We have a Prophet and Twelve Apostles who guide the Church under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ. We "seal" families together for all eternity. We believe that because of the atonement of Jesus Christ and through our obedience, we can live with God again, and indeed, become like Him in the eternities to come (Romans 8:16-17; Luke 12:42-44; Psalm 82:6).

Future of the Church

The world is in commotion, but the Church will go forward and continue to spread out across the Earth. The LDS Church invites everyone to have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Church will continue to grow and build temples where faithful members can make sacred covenants with God and seal families together for all eternity. The Church welcomes everyone who desires to follow God and to learn more of Him. This requires faith, discipline, humility, and love. But for those who make the journey into the The Church of Jesus Christ, it is worth it! My life has been blessed more than I could have imagined because of my association with the restored Church.

Financial Stewardship

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that individuals and families must be wise financial stewards. Self-sufficiency and modesty in our wants and possessions are not only "good advice," but are actually sound gospel principles that Mormons are taught.

After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, God commanded Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread . . ." (Genesis 3:19). That commandment remains in effect today. Latter-day Saints are taught to obtain all the education they can and to find employment that provides their families with (at a minimum) the basic necessities of life. This economic self-reliance provides individuals with self-respect, satisfaction, and happiness. In addition to economic self-reliance, individuals must also strive to be socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically self-reliant. Where individuals cannot meet these needs, they can turn to family (first) and the Church (second).

In order to be truly self-reliant, the Church teaches that families should (1) avoid debt, (2) maintain a financial reserve, and (3) attain a year's supply of food. To assist families in accumulating food storage, the Church owns canneries around the world where members of the Church can purchase and package food in bulk. In doing so, families will be prepared for the "rainy days" that inevitably come. In addition, by avoiding debt and having a healthy savings account, families will feel peace and security during times of distress and uncertainty in the world.

Our responsibilities do not end with ourselves and our families. Not only must we be self-reliant, but members of the Church must also care for the poor and needy. One of the ways Latter-day Saints care for the poor is by donating to the Church a "fast offering." Once a month, Church members are asked to abstain from eating or drinking for two meals (or 24 hours). The money they saved from fasting (and any additional generosity) is then donated to the Church for assisting in helping the poor and needy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes seriously the charge to care for those who are in need. Many additional resources such as employment centers, welfare plans, educational loans, food, and basic necessities are provided to those in need. All of the Church's welfare is done with the goal of helping others "help themselves" by becoming self-reliant.

The Church maintains a website, www.providentliving.org with resources, lessons, statistics, and services in temporal and spiritual welfare. For additional information on the Church's teachings on welfare, click here.

Citizenship and the Role of Government

Latter-day Saints believe that it is the duty of members of the Church to be good citizens wherever they live. The twelfth article of faith of the Church states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Members of the Church are expected to be law-abiding citizens and to serve their fellow countrymen for the good of society. Citizenship entails participating in the political process, serving the community, nation, or world, raising a righteous posterity, seeking an education, obtaining gainful employment, and being hard-working and honest in one's labors and pursuits. Latter-day Saints believe in the value and necessity of hard work and sincere efforts in the workplace, the home, and in the community.

In addition to the twelfth article of faith, the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church also discuss the role of government. "We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. . . ." (D&C 134:1).

Latter-day Saints believe that God gave men freedom and that such freedom should be protected by the government. With this God-given freedom comes responsibility. We, as citizens, are responsible for electing wise and righteous leaders who will preserve our freedoms and enact laws to protect individuals, families, and society. Such an effort requires both education and action on our behalf. We must learn and study the issues of the day. We must seek to know who the candidates are and what ideals they represent. We must become active in civic affairs and to make the world a better place to live. Most importantly, we must seek to maintain our freedoms, our families, our rights of worship, and encourage our government leaders to do the same.

We must do this on our own--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not choose political candidates or parties for us. The Church is neutral when it comes to politics--but it does strongly encourage its members to get involved. The Church website makes clear in this statement that the Church avoids weighing in on political matters when at all possible. "The Church does not endorse political parties or candidates, nor does it permit the use of its buildings for political purposes. The Church does not participate in politics unless there is a moral question at issue, in which case the Church will often speak out." Most recently, the Church has spoken out against legalizing same-sex marriage in order to preserve the sanctity of the traditional family.

To read the recent letter from Church leaders to members of the Church on political participation, click here. To read the Church statement on "The Divine Institution of Marriage" (why the Church opposes same-sex marriage) click here.

Atonement of Jesus Christ

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and as our Savior and Redeemer.

We believe that Christ came to live on Earth to (1) provide a perfect example of how to live, (2) atone for our sins, (3) die for us, and (4) live again through the resurrection.

Jesus of Nazareth lived a perfect and sin-free life. He taught us how to love God and our fellow men. He instructed us to keep the commandments, serve and love others, and to forgive others their faults. He lived these teachings and showed us by example how we should live and how we can return and live with Him and the Father again after this life. But He is more than a great teacher and perfect example--He is also our Savior from our sins.

In order to return and live again with God, we must be completely free from sin ("no unclean thing can dwell with God" 1 Nephi 10:21). Unfortunately, none of us are free from sin. We are all imperfect. Therefore, without a Savior to pay the price for our sins and make us clean, we cannot return to live with God. Jesus Christ is that Savior.

He suffered for all our sins, weaknesses, sicknesses, and faults (Alma 7:11-12). He paid the terrible price for us. This occurred as Jesus suffered and died on the Cross at Calvary. All that He asks in return is that we believe in Him and follow Him. This requires that we have faith, repent of our sins (i.e., changing our sinful ways), be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost, and keep all His commandments. This is not always easy, but with God's help, we can do it.

If we have faith, repent, and keep his commandments, then will his grace save us from our sins. We can be made clean and feel peace and love in our hearts, knowing that we will be saved from both sin and death. I testify that His mercy is abundant and will fill our hearts with immeasurable joy. He is waiting to extend His grace and mercy to us, if we will but have faith and repent of our sins.

To learn more about the atonement of Jesus Christ, click here. The painting used in this post of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane is used courtesy of http://www.lds.org/.

God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost

The first Article of Faith for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

Latter-day Saints believe that although one in purpose and unity, the three persons in the Godhead are distinct and separate from one another. God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ have physical bodies of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, which allows him to dwell in our hearts and witness the truthfulness of the gospel.

Each member of the Godhead has specific roles. The Father and the Holy Ghost bear witness of the Son. Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost bear witness of the Father. The Holy Ghost bears witness to us of the truthfulness of all things. All three in the Godhead are "one" in purpose. Just as the Godhead are "one" in unity, we too may be "one" with them. When Christ prayed to the Father in John 17, He prayed that all those who believe in Him would "be one, as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us." (John 17:21).

This belief differs from Protestant and Catholic teachings, who believe that the persons in the Godhead are not separate--but instead, are three persons in one. We believe that the true nature and character of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost was one of the principles lost during the Great Apostasy (the falling away of the truth following the death of Christ and His apostles). The truth regarding the Godhead was revealed in latter-days primarily through the visitation of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1820.

For further reading on this important doctrinal topic, click here for a message by President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008), former President of the Church.

The Priesthood

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by Jesus Christ through apostles and prophets. These are righteous men who are called of God and given the priesthood. Not only are leaders of the Church given the priesthood, but all worthy male members of the Church may receive the priesthood by proper ordination by the laying on of hands by one who has authority.

The priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name for the salvation of His children. Through the priesthood we receive the ordinances of salvation. The priesthood can also be used for blessings of comfort, healing, and counsel.

There are two priesthoods in the Church today, the Aaronic Priesthood (or preparatory priesthood) and the Melchizedek Priesthood (or higher priesthood). Although the priesthood was lost following the death of Christ and His apostles, the priesthood was restored in 1829 when John the Baptist appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. Peter, James, and John later conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood, which they had received from Jesus Christ. This priesthood, directly from Jesus Christ, is the priesthood in the Church today.

It is a tremendous blessing to be a man who receives the priesthood. He enters a covenant to fulfill sacred duties, serve others, and help build up the Church. Exercising the priesthood should only be done in love, righteousness, and patience. Through the power of the priesthood, men may bless and serve their families.

I am grateful to hold the priesthood of God. It is a sacred responsibility to be able to act in God's name for the benefit of His children. It has blessed my family and I in countless ways.

The painting used in this post depicts Christ's ancient apostles--Peter, James, and John, conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Use of the image is courtesy of www.lds.org. To learn more about the Priesthood, click here.

Worship Services

Sunday worship services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are open to all individuals and families. Visitors are welcome to attend any services of the Church, regardless of their religious background or faith.

Latter-day Saint worship services are three hours long and are roughly divided into three one-hour segments. The first hour is the sacrament service. This meeting is the most important of the three and is centered on the taking of the sacrament. This sacrament (or communion) is the eating of bread (representing Jesus' body) and drinking of water (representing Jesus' blood) to remember the sacrifice and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Following the partaking of the sacrament, speakers from the congregation address the audience on specific doctrinal topics that were previously assigned to them. There are only lay ministers in the Church. Therefore, there is no paid clergy that regularly address the congregation. Every member of the Church is expected to help contribute to the services.

The second hour is Sunday School services. Sunday School classes for youth and adults focus on teaching from the scriptures. Teachers are "called" to assist in leading the conversations. Members of the Church share experiences, insights, and testimony to uplift and teach one another.

The third hour is divided between the Relief Society and Priesthood meetings. The Relief Society is the womens organization of the Church. It is focused on serving others and building charity, love, and sisterhood. The Priesthood meetings are for all adult and youth males of the Church. Priesthood groups focus on service to promote love, self-reliance, and assiting men on becoming better husbands and fathers. During the third hour, the men and women separate to attend their respective meetings. These meetings discuss how the organizations can serve others in need and on discussing the teachings of the modern-day prophets.

For children, Primary and Nursery classes are held during the second and third hours of church services. In these classes, children sing, play, learn about Jesus, and conduct fun activities.

Members and visitors dress in their "Sunday best" when attending church services. This typically means suits for the men and dresses or skirts for the women. Although everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their apparel.

In addition, music is an integral part of our worship. Hymns are frequently sung by the congregation to help us remember and feel of the love of God and to remind us of our obligation to love others and to obey God's commandments.

To locate a Latter-day Saint worship service near you, click on the link here. My family and I have been greatly blessed from our church attendance. We love the feeling of unity within the congregation and the feelings of peace and love that come from worshipping God and His Son with fellow members of the Church and visitors in attendance. I invite everyone to "come and see" Latter-day Saint worship services for themselves.

To learn more about what to expect at LDS worship services, click here. The photo used in this post is of the Cambridge Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cambridge, MA. Courtesy of http://www.lds.org/.

Families

Latter-day Saints believe families are ordained of God. We believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. We are encouraged to get married, have children, and to rear our children in love and righteousness.

Latter-day Saints believe in abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity during marriage. During marriage, spouses are equal partners and should always treat each other with care, love, and respect. Both husbands and wives have responsibilities in the family and are obligated to help one another raise a family. As families, we should teach our children the commandments, teach them to be good citizens, and work, play, worship, and laugh together. Families are the fundamental unit of society, and should be protected by government leaders, employers, educators, and society at large.

Families enjoy a unique role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons believe that families are not only important to our development here on earth, but that God has prepared a way for families to live together forever throughout all eternity.

This doctrine of "eternal families" teaches us that if we keep the commandments of God and receive special ordinances in the holy temple, we can live together in heaven as families. The sacred ordinance binding families for eternity is called the "sealing" ordinance. Any member of the Church in good standing (is worthy) may go to the temple to receive this gospel ordinance.

I am grateful for my own little family and the love and strength they give to me. Unspeakable joy and happiness come through raising a family and facing life's difficulties together. I believe that we will be together forever because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

To read the full statement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' doctrine on families, click here. To learn more about how families can be together forever, click here.

The Word of Wisdom

Most people know that Latter-day Saints abstain from alcohol and tobacco. But many may wonder where this "health code" comes from and what else it may contain.

The Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation in 1833 that instructed the Saints regarding food and drink. This revelation is called "The Word of Wisdom."

Although the Word of Wisdom is best known for its prohibition against alcohol, tobacco, narcotic drugs, tea, and coffee, most of the revelation instructs the Saints what they SHOULD eat. These instructions include "wholesome herbs", "every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof", "flesh . . . of beasts and of the fowls . . . to be used sparingly", "all grain", and "the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground". In modern language: herbs, grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat (to be used sparingly).

The Word of Wisdom includes great promises, both physical and spiritual, to the individuals who adhere to its teachings. These promises can readily be seen in the lives of practicing Latter-day Saints. An individual's health and body can be directly linked to their spiritual welfare. A healthy lifestyle increases one's well-being and helps us achieve all that our Heavenly Father wants us to.

It is remarkable that this Joseph Smith received this revelation in 1833, long before the detriments of tobacco and alcohol were understood.

To learn more about the Word of Wisdom and the importance of physical health in general, click here.

What is a Prophet?

Latter-day Saints believe the only way to salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

But how does the Lord inform us of these things and of what we must do in order to return and live with Him again? How does He communicate to us of the difficulties facing us today, as in times past?

The Lord has always used prophets to convey the gospel message to his children throughout the ages. Indeed, the prophet Amos taught, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). We can see this pattern throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the beginning, the Lord revealed his gospel to Adam. Later, this same gospel was revealed to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). After hundreds of years of bondage in Egypt, the Lord again called a prophet, Moses, to lead the children of Israel to freedom and to teach them the commandments of God. This pattern of calling prophets continued with Samuel, Nathan, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, Peter, and many others. Each of them received revelation from God on what the people were supposed to do. Their duty was to then teach the people. The people were free to accept or reject their words. When they accepted the prophets and kept the commandments, they prospered. When they rejected their words, they did not prosper. Often, these prophets wrote down their teachings and prophesying. These teachings can be found in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.

And so the pattern continues. God continues to call prophets in our day to reveal His will unto us his children. They are mediators between God and man and reveal God’s word to His children. As discussed in an earlier post, God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet in recent times. The Church was restored in 1830 by Joseph Smith and has had a continuing succession of prophets ever since. Today, the prophet is Thomas S. Monson. He is the prophet to the whole world and the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His duty to receive the word of God, teach the word of God to the people, lead the Church, and to act as a warning voice of spiritual dangers in the world.

Prophets are a necessary step in learning the gospel and developing faith. If the Lord appeared and told us directly of the gospel message, faith would not be necessary because we would have a perfect knowledge of God. By listening to and obeying the counsel of the prophets, the Spirit testifies in our minds and hearts that God exists, that he sent his Son to die for us, and that He has restored the gospel in its fulness on the earth today.


The picture of President Thomas S. Monson is courtesy of www.lds.org.

The Holy Bible

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes the Bible to be the word of God. In fact, the Holy Bible is first in our canon of scripture, which includes, the Bible, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These four books are the canon of scripture recognized by the Church as the word of God. However, we do not believe God's revelations stop there. We believe God continues to reveal His word unto His prophets and apostles--just as He did in ancient times. As the Lord instructed the prophet Amos in the Old Testament, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7).

Some of our fellow Christians, because of their genuine love of the Bible, have criticized the Church for accepting other books of scripture outside of the Holy Bible. One of the arguments used in their defense is that scripture passages in Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19 forbid adding or detracting from the Bible. There are a couple of problems with this argument.

First, there is overwhelming evidence among all biblical scholars that the warning in Revelation applies only to the Book of Revelation, and not the entire Bible. There are two reasons for this: (1) Scholars acknowledge a large number of New Testament books were written after John's revelation on the Isle of Patmos was received. These books include the books of Jude, the three Epistles of John, and probably the entire Gospel of John itself. The New Testament was not compiled in chronological order. For example, the letters from Paul are compiled by length, not by date. (2) There is even a more simple reason why the warning in the Book of Revelation does not apply to the whole Bible. That is because the Bible as we know it was not compiled until centuries later. For centuries after John wrote the Book of Revelation, the Bible as a compilation of a collection of texts bound in a single voulme did not exist. Instead, individual books of the New Testament were in circulation alone or sometimes grouped with a few other books, but almost never as a complete collection. The New Testament as we know it today was not compiled until 1000 A.D.

Second, Deuteronomy 4:2 commands that "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it." Does that mean that every book of scripture written after Deuteronomy is "adding" to the word of God? If so, then every book in the Bible following Deuteronomy is violating this commandment. Certainly, we know the Bible is the word of God and that the prophets writing after Moses were inspired of God. Therefore, this warning in Deuteronomy most certainly did not apply to the Bible as a whole. The fact of the matter is that virtually every prophet of the Old and New Testaments has added scripture to that received by his predecessors.

Third, the Bible mentions many books of scripture as authentic and the word of God and yet they are not compiled in the Bible. These "lost scriptures" include the book of Samuel the seer (1 Chr. 29:29), the book of Gad the seer (1 Chr. 29:29), the book of Nathan the prophet (2 Chr. 9:29), the prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chr. 9:29), the book of Jehu (2 Chr. 20:34), and many, many others. If they were ever to be found, I would hope that they would not be rejected for the mere fact that they are not compiled in our traditional Bible.

The Bible is the word of God. The Latter-day Saints study the Bible and seek to adhere to its teachings. The Book of Mormon is not a replacement of the Bible. Instead, it is an additional witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would think that all of us as Christians would rejoice to receive additional witnesses of God and of His plan for His children. Why would any of us despise more of God's word, instead of embracing it? Continuing revelation does not discredit previous revelations. After all, the Old Testament does not lose value because of the New Testament. Likewise, the Bible does not lose value because of the Book of Mormon; in fact, it is enhanced by additional testimonies and witnesses of its veracity.

Much of the content for this post was taken directly from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's address at the April 2008 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints entitled "My Words . . . Never Cease."

The Restoration of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of Christ on the earth today. The restored Church has the same authority and organization as The Church of Jesus Christ in New Testament times. "Latter-day Saints" is added to the name of Christ's church only to differentiate the Church today from the ancient church as established by the Lord Jesus Christ while He was living on the earth.

Jesus Christ organized His Church originally with twelve apostles (Peter being the senior apostle and Peter, James, and John comprising a presidency of the twelve), seventies, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and so on (Ephesians 4:11). However, following the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord, many of the church leaders were persecuted and killed. Many of the "churches" scattered around the Mediterranean region "fell away" from the truth and many clear and plain principles of the gospel were lost. Eventually, the Church of Jesus Christ was no longer found on the earth. The organization, doctrines, and gospel truths were lost or distorted over time. This falling away is known as "the great apostasy."

After many centuries, faithful individuals attempted to reform the church and to return to the church Christ established. The Reformation paved the way for the full restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the spring of 1820 in western New York, a young farm boy named Joseph Smith was confused as to which church he should join. He read in the Book of James that if any man lacked wisdom, "let him ask of God" (James 1:5). Having faith he would receive an answer, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his house and prayed. In answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him. They instructed him not to join any of the churches, and that in due time, the Lord would restore His Church through Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith would later be visited by the angel Moroni who would instruct him where to find the metal plates that would be translated into the Book of Mormon. In addition, Joseph Smith received the priesthood (the authority to act in God's name) from John the Baptist (appearing as an angel) and from Peter, James, and John (also appearing as angels). He was called as a prophet of the Lord and was instructed to restore The Church of Jesus Christ on April 6, 1830 in Fayette, New York.

Now, this all might sound a bit fantastic to many readers. Knowing this, I will add a couple of my own insights to perhaps be of assistance.

First, why would God choose a young farm boy to restore His Church? Why not the President of the United States or some rich and powerful figure? In the Bible, we find that one of God's patterns is that He often chooses humble servants to do His work. David was a shepard boy. Samuel was still a young boy when called by the Lord. Matthew was a tax collector! Many of the other New Testament apostles were fishermen. Some of the most precious miracles in the Bible involved widows and children. With very few exceptions, the Lord chooses those who will be humble and obedient--which is rarely the rich and powerful.

Second, if miracles occured in Old and New Testament times, why not today? If the Lord appeared to Moses, why could He not appear today? If angels were sent to deliver special messages, why could they not deliver them today? If God could work miracles and wonders millenia ago, why could He not do such wonders today?

I testify that He does. His work continues in our day--for we are just as important to Him as His children of ancient times.

The painting of the Savior and of the First Vision used in this post are by Del Parson.

Temples

A temple is literally a house of the Lord, a holy place of worship where sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel are performed by members of the Church and also in behalf of deceased persons.

Temples are not a recent invention. The Lord has often commanded His people to build temples. The Holy Bible records various times when God commanded the children of Israel to build temples for sacred ordinances and worship. These temples include Moses' tabernacle in the wilderness (a type of portable temple), Solomon's temple (later rebuilt by Zerubbabel), and Herod's temple.

Once again, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. As of July 2008, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 128 temples in operation around the world. While chapels are used for members of the Church for Sunday worship services and church activities, and are open to visitors at any time, temples are unique in their purpose and symbolic nature.

Only members of the Church in good-standing can enter into the temples (in ancient Biblical times, laws of purification were required for those seeking admittance to the temple). Temples are used for sacred ordinances and for instruction on the purpose of life. Among the ordinances performed in temples is the sealing of families for all eternity. In the temple, members make special covenants with God and receive the temple garment, which is a symbol and reminder of those covenants entered into and which is to be worn at all times. These ordinances and covenants are considered sacred and are not the topic of casual conversation.

Far from being secret, all are encouraged to prepare themselves to enter the temple. Once an individual has been to the temple and made special covenants for himself, he is invited to return often and perform these same covenants on behalf of his ancestors.

For further reading on the purpose and ordinances performed in temples, click here. The top photo used in this post is of Herod's Temple in Jerusalem, finished in 64 A.D. The bottom photo is of the Boston, Massachusetts temple, finished in October 2000. Photo is courtesy of lds.org.

Missionary Work

Perhaps you have seen missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints walking down the street or riding their bicycles to an appointment. Perhaps they have knocked on your door or stopped you on the sidewalk to talk to you. Or perhaps you have even invited them into your home and they have shared a message about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In any case, you may have wondered, who are they and what do they do?

The Church takes seriously the charge given by the Savior to his apostles when he said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Missionaries of the Church voluntarily serve at their own expense to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Generally, these missionaries are young men or young women. However, many retired couples who desire to serve are also called as missionaries. As of April 2008, more than 52,000 missionaries are currently serving throughout the world.

When an individual desires to serve a mission for the Church, he or she fills out an application, speaks with their ecclesiastical leaders, and submits an application to Church headquarters. That individual can then be called to serve virtually anywhere in the world. After receiving a call from the President of the Church, the new missionary attends a missionary training center for a short time before reporting to their missionary assignment. The next 18 to 24 months are spent proselytizing, conducting humanitarian efforts, assisting in genealogy work, or other church assignments. This is all done at the expense of the individual serving. Their personal lives are put on hold as they dedicate their entire time to helping others come unto Christ. Following their mission, young men and young women resume their careers or university studies, and have the opportunity to get married and start families.

The missionaries who proselytize teach individuals and families about the gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored church. They answer questions, invite individuals to attend church meetings, and act as ambassadors of Jesus Christ in helping individuals make changes to become closer to Christ. For me (I served a mission from 2000-2002 in Belgium and France), it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

For a more detailed explanation regarding the Church's missionary program, click here. The photo used in this post is courtesy of lds.org.

What is the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It serves as an additional witness to the Holy Bible of God's love, His plan for His children to return and live with Him again, and the divinity of His Son Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth, life, atonement, and resurrection.

The Book of Mormon begins in Jerusalem around 600 B.C. with a prophet named Lehi. The Lord commands Lehi's family to leave Jerusalem prior to the capture of Jerusalem under Zedekiah's reign. The Book of Mormon details the family's flight through the wilderness, crossing the ocean, settling on the American continent, and their history, wars, preachings, and their near ultimate destruction. This history was written on metal plates by the prophets. Moroni, the last prophet among the people, buried the plates in a hill in western New York around 400 A.D.

The climax of the Book of Mormon is Christ's visitation on the American continent following his resurrection and ascension. Here, you see the loving Savior minister among the people, organize His Church among them, and teach them what they must do to return and live with God after this life.

In 1823, this same prophet Moroni, as a resurrected angel, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and instructed him where to find the plates. Joseph received these plates and translated them into the English language by the gift and power of God.

The Book of Mormon is an additional witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. It testifies of the doctrine of Christ and helps us understand that God loves all His children in the world and desires all to come unto Him and be saved.

To read the Book of Mormon online, click here. To request a free copy of the Book of Mormon to be delivered to your home, click here.

Are Mormons Christians?

Absolutely. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer.

We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. He was sent to the Earth to provide us a perfect example, teach us how to return and live with Him again after this life, and suffer and die for us so that we could repent and be forgiven of our sins. He is the only way we can be saved. Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).

The restored Church bears His name and He guides it today through His living prophet who is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and I love and revere Him for what He has done for me. He has changed my life. Because of His atonement, I have found peace and joy in my life, and look forward with faith to living with Him again.

For a more detailed look at why Mormons are Christians, click here for a recent address given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the General Conference of the Church in October 2007.

What do Mormons Believe?

A brief summary of the beliefs of Latter-day Saints (i.e., Mormons) is outlined below. Further explanation and inquiry into these beliefs will be explored in future posts.

1. We believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. These three beings are separate and distinct, although one in purpose and unity.

2. We believe that all individuals may be saved by the atonement of Jesus Christ. Such salvation comes by grace after we are obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel (e.g., faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, and reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands).

3. We believe in the eternity of the soul. We believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that because of it, all individuals will be resurrected and live forever with a perfected physical body. Whether or not we live forever with God is dependent upon our faithfulness.

4. We believe in the same organization that existed with the Church that Jesus organized while on the Earth. We have a Prophet, Twelve Apostles, Seventies, Patriarchs, Bishops, Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacons, and so on. All of these individuals are called of God, by the laying on of hands, and serve as unpaid clergy.

5. The current prophet of the Church receives continued revelation from the head of the Church, Jesus Christ. We believe the current prophet is a prophet in every sense of the word, just like Adam, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, or other prophets of the Bible.

6. We believe the Bible is the word of God. We also believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Book of Mormon was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith from golden plates in 1829. It is a record of God's dealings with the people of ancient America.

7. We believe that families can be together forever. Families can be sealed together and live together as families for all eternity. This sacred sealing ordinance takes place in temples.

8. We believe in performing saving ordinances for our ancestors. Many who have lived on Earth did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that we can act as proxies for our ancestors in the ordinances of baptism and reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost. These ancestors will have the opportunity to accept our work for them in the spirit world. These sacred ordinances take place in temples.

9. We believe in being good, upstanding citizens in whatever country we live in. We obey laws, participate in local and national elections, serve in the military, receive public and private educations, support the arts, play sports, and live virtually everywhere in the world.

The official Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be read here. The photo of Christ used in this post is from a painting by Heinrich Hoffman entitled "Christ and the Rich Young Ruler."

A Few Basic Facts about Mormons

To best understand the beliefs of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is important to know some basic facts about the Church and its members.

1. “Mormon” is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as “Mormons,” “Latter-day Saints,” or “LDS.” The term “Saint” means “member.”

2. The Church was restored in 1830 in western New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Most members of the Church, under the direction of Brigham Young, the second prophet and president of the Church, relocated to Utah in 1847 to escape persecution. Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with Thomas S. Monson as the present prophet and president of the Church.

3. There are now over 13 million members in 176 countries and territories. About 6 million of these members are in the United States, making it the fourth largest Christian denomination in America.

4. Local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions.

5. Members of the Church are encouraged to receive a good education. Members serve in high and trusted positions throughout the world in business, medicine, law, education, media, sports, and entertainment. Mormons are also well-represented in politics and government (in the United States, 16 members of Congress, from both political parties, are practicing Mormons).

6. Certain aspects of Mormon practice include the paying of tithing (10 percent of a member’s income), the Word of Wisdom (health code that prohibits the use of tobacco and drugs and the drinking of alcohol, coffee, and tea), and the law of chastity (which proscribes abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after marriage).

Taken from a General Conference address of the Church by Elder M. Russell Ballard in October 2007. For the full address, click here.