Receiving an Invitation to Learn More

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the "Mormon Church") strive to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with their families, friends and neighbors. This comes from a sincere desire to follow the Lord's counsel when He told His disciples before the Ascension, "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).

Many individuals and families throughout the world have been approached by members of the Church and been offered a Book of Mormon, to attend church meetings, or to meet with the missionaries. These invitations should never be seen as insulting, but rather, as a sign of true friendship. In addition, you should never feel pressured or intimidated to learn more. Mormons believe strongly in the principle of agency. We simply want to share with others the joy we have found in the gospel and leave the decision to learn more or participate with us to the individual receiving the invitation. Choosing not to accept the invitation to learn more will not change the relationship and friendship you have with your Mormon friend or family member.

What is the Purpose of Life? In Other Words, Why So Much Adversity?

Why am I here?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

How can I be happy?

How can I find peace in this life?

How do I overcome trials that I face?

I assume each of us have asked such questions before. I assume we have tried, with varying degrees of success, to answer these questions and to discover (for ourselves) what the purpose of life is. If you have, I am no different from you.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the Mormon Church or the LDS Church, teaches that we are God's children. The Church teaches that as God's children, we are placed here on Earth to learn and grow. Essentially, our life on Earth is a test; to see if we will obey His commandments--namely to love God and love our fellow men. Of course, we all fall short of perfection in keeping the commandments and therefore need the atoning power of Jesus Christ to save us. If we keep His commandments to the best of our ability and have faith that Jesus will save us from our imperfections, we will return and live with God again throughout all eternity. For those who have not received all of God's commandments, or who do not know Jesus Christ, they will learn of Him after this life and will be judged according to what limited knowledge they acquired. God is both just and merciful. He will not condemn those who did not have the privilege of learning of Him while living on Earth.

So, if this life is a test, it is only natural to assume that we will have difficulties thrown our way. All of us, rich or poor, black or white, educated or non-educated, will have trials and afflictions in our lives. Some of these will be for others to see, such as death, disease, poverty, bad choices, etc., and some of them will be in the inner confines of our own hearts, such as depression, loneliness, heartache, guilt, and the painful consequences of sin. As God told us His children, He causes the rain to fall on the unjust, as well as the just. While it is often difficult to see good people going through such horrible difficulties, we must understand that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, allows His children to suffer and overcome so that they might gain experience and grow stronger. God must weep with His children as He watches some go through small trials and difficulties, and others suffering unimaginable pain, loss, and torture.

Another vital aspect of our purpose here on Earth is to choose for ourselves. This principle of agency is essential in our test-taking. Sometimes, we choose wisely, and can greatly assist others. Sometimes, we choose poorly, and can hurt others. God knows this. He knows some of His children will choose poorly and cause tremendous grief and pain. But, He will not take that agency of choice away. We must find comfort that this life is but a short time, and if we endure it well, we can live with God again for all eternity is complete joy, peace, and happiness. Agency is a vital part of God's plan for His children. We must choose wisely.

As we choose wisely and seek to do good to ourselves, our families, friends, and communities, we will find true happiness and joy, not merely fleeting pleasure. True and lasting happiness can only be found in adherence to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel includes serving God and our fellow men. I know that in overcoming adversity and in striving to keep God's commandments, I have found joy, peace, and happiness. In the times when I have chosen poorly and not kept God's commandments, I have found stress, guilt, remorse, anger, and frustration.

Life is difficult. It was meant to be. Through enduring the difficult times, we can better savor the good times. Most importantly, by facing adversity and overcoming, we gain experience and learn to be kinder, more loving, more compassionate, and more like our Savior Jesus Christ. We can become truly happy and peaceful.

For an excellent (short) discourse on adversity, see the following YouTube clip of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin entitled "Come What May and Love It". Fantastic.

Standard Works of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known to many as the Mormon Church, recognizes four books of scripture as the scriptural cannon of the restored Church. These four books of scripture are:


(1) The Bible: A collection of writings from the ancient world regarding God's dealings with His children, principally the children of Israel. The Old Testament covers the time period from the Creation until the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament covers the life of Jesus Christ and the Church's missionary efforts following his death. The New Testament concludes with the revelation of John. The Bible was assembled during the first centuries A.D. and includes many different writers over thousands of years.

(2) The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: A collection of writings from the New World regarding God's dealings with His children, principally Lehi and his seed, who fled Jerusalem around 600 B.C. and sailed to the American continent. The Book of Mormon also contains the history of the Jaredite people who fled Mesopotamia during the building of the Tower of Babel. The Book of Mormon contains the history and prophecies of the prophets (of Lehi's seed) from 600 B.C. until 400 A.D. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from gold plates he found in the Hill Cumorah in Western New York.

(3) The Doctrine and Covenants: A series of revelations given by the Lord to Joseph Smith and subsequent modern-day prophets to guide and direct the restored Church. The revelations began shortly before the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ in 1830 and they continue today. This book of scripture remains open.

(4) The Pearl of Great Price: A selection of translations, writings, and history of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Pearl of Great Price includes translations of the writings of Abraham and Moses.

These four books are called the Standard Works. They are the scriptural books used by the Church for doctrine and instruction. However, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe that God is finished speaking to man. In fact, we believe God continues to speak to His children today. The President of the Church has been called, ordained, and sustained as a prophet, seer, and revelator. We believe God continues to speak to him as His representative on the Earth. The words of God's prophets and apostles in modern times are considered scripture, just as the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.

Mormons are Christians

I am revisiting an earlier subject that I wrote about last year. The reason for the "recycling" of the subject is because I am constantly asked about it, most recently by a colleague at work.

Yes, Mormons are Christians. 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 and to teach us how to return and live with Him again after this life. Most importantly, He came to Earth as God's Son to 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 Christ's name and He guides it today through His living prophet who is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any attempt by other groups to categorize Mormons as anything but Christian, do so out of a mistaken belief that to be a Christian, one must adhere to ancient creeds defining an abstract God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not subscribe to ancient creeds, but rather, uses the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and modern revelation in defining God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three separate and distinct beings.

Jesus the Christ is God's Son, who came to redeem us from our fallen state. Members of the Church believe that one must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized by immersion by one holding priesthood authority, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in order to be saved.

Most certainly, Mormons are Christians.

To read more about why Mormons are Christians, visit this website.

Who Can Be a Mormon?

(1) Who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS Church" or "Mormon Church") invites all people to learn of Jesus Christ, accept Him as their Savior, and be baptized. The gospel of Jesus Christ is preached throughout the world. All individuals who have faith in Jesus, repent of their sins, accept the LDS Church as the Lord's true and living church, and commit to live a faithful life are eligible for baptism.

(2) What steps are necessary to join the LDS Church?
Individuals seeking baptism into the Church must first take the missionary lessons. These lessons presented by full-time missionaries of the Church teach interested persons about God our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The lessons teach the importance of faith, repentance, the word of God (including the Bible and the Book of Mormon), prophets (including modern-day prophets such as Joseph Smith), prayer, and obedience to all the commandments of God. Once an individual has been taught the lessons and committed to living a Christ-centered life, the person is eligible for baptism.

(3) What happens after I am baptized?
After baptism by immersion, the new convert to the Church is given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding the priesthood. During this blessing, the individual is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gift of the Holy Ghost entitles the new member to feel the influence, and be guided by, the Holy Ghost at all times. New members are expected to attend church meetings, keep the commandments, and serve faithfully in the church.

To request a visit by full-time missionaries, click here. Having previously served a mission for the Church, I promise that the missionaries will be friendly, respectful, and knowledgeable. In fact, you will come to love the time spent with them. Each time I accompany the missionaries in the Boston area, there is always a feeling of peace, joy, and love in our meetings with interested persons.

Education

"The glory of God is intelligence." This cannonized scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS Church" or "Mormon Church") is found in the Doctrine and Covenants 93:36. Here, we come to understand that God's glory is found in His perfect knowledge of things as they really are. As His children, we should seek knowledge and intelligence through education, study, reading, and hard work.

The LDS Church encourages its members (who are sometimes referred to as "Latter-day Saints" or "Mormons") to seek education throughout their lives. Young members of the Church are counseled to excel in school and to obtain higher education. Recently, President Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of the Church from 1995-2008 taught young people, "You must get all of the education that you possibly can. Life has become so complex and competitive. You cannot assume that you have entitlements due you. You will be expected to put forth great effort and to use your best talents to make your way to the most wonderful future of which you are capable. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field."

He further counseled, "You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands . . . The Lord wants you to train your minds and hands to become an influence for good as you go forward with your lives. And as you do so and as you perform honorably and with excellence, you will bring honor to the Church, for you will be regarded as a man or woman of integrity and ability and conscientious workmanship."

Our educational efforts should focus on a broad array of subjects. Proficiency in mathematics, the sciences, the arts, music, sports, government, and technical skills should all be sought after. As we learn and develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, we will be able to better serve our fellow men.

Unfortunately, not all individuals (and members of the Church) have the same access to education. Many members of the Church in third-world countries do not have the means to obtain higher education. Therefore, in 2001 the Church unveiled a new program whereby members in less-affluent countries could take out small loans to fund their higher education. This program was called the Perpetual Education Fund ("PEF"). When the students finish their studies and begin working, they pay back their educational loans through PEF. To date, the PEF has helped tens of thousands of young LDS Church members obtain their dream of higher education and gainful employment. With those dreams fulfilled comes a higher self-esteem and fiscal independence.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also operates institutions of higher education such as Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), Brigham Young University-Idaho, formerly Ricks College (Rexburg, Idaho), Brigham Young University-Hawaii (Laie, Hawaii), and LDS Business College (Salt Lake City, Utah). Faithful members of the Church can enroll in these private universities to obtain excellent educations at lower costs since the Church heavily subsidizes the education.

Even church meetings on Sundays for men, women, and youth are education based. Together, members of the Church study, ready and discuss gospel-centered topics. Altogether, the Church places a heavy emphasis on both religious and secular education for all men and women. In becoming more knowledgeable and intelligent about the world around us, we become more like God--whose glory is intelligence.

President Hinckley's quotations were taken from an article in the New Era magazine entitled, "Words of the Prophet: Seek Learning" from the September 2007 issue.

Journals

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS" or "Mormons") are encouraged to keep a daily journal. These personal journals serve numerous purposes. A few of these purposes are:

(1) In writing down daily activities and experiences, the blessings of God are more readily apparent in our lives. Also, when we take the time to write our feelings, thoughts, desires, and dreams, these special experiences and feelings can be recorded for own edification and remembrance. It is amazing how in later trials, one can look back to previous experiences for strength and comfort.

(2) Journals are a great venue for organizing thoughts and ideas. In organizing our ideas, we can establish goals and a vision for our lives.

(3) Our posterity can use our personal records in their family history work. Knowing one's ancestors is a key to knowing and understanding ourselves. In my own family, my ancestors' journals and records are of immense value to me. It is fascinating to read of their strengths, weaknesses, commitment to God and family, afflictions, and experiences.

Repentance

According to Latter-day Saint beliefs, repentance is a key principle of salvation. Because each of us are imperfect, and fall short of God's perfection, we must constantly repent of our sins. If we do so, God will forgive us because of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, because Jesus Christ already suffered for our sins, and paid the price for them in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross, we do not have to suffer for them if we repent. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, are baptized by immersion by someone holding the correct authority, and receive the Holy Ghost, we can be saved in the kingdom of God. However, this salvation only comes after we have "endured to the end" and remained faithful to God's commandments, repenting when we fall short.

Repentance is not a casual, or hands-off, process. Rather, it is a process that takes faith, humility, and determination. Repentance denotes a change. Not just a change in behavior, but a change of being. An individual who repents of a sin not only abandons the sin, but abhors the sin and commits never to do it again. An individual who repents sees himself as God sees him, as a child of God. True repentance changes one's heart and changes the way one sees himself and those around him.

Is there a formula to follow for repentance? Sort of. The scriptures provide us with certain characteristics and behaviors of those who wish to repent of their sins and become "born again."

(1) Recognition and Sorrow
First, we must recognize that we have sinned. Usually, this is quite evident through feelings of shame and guilt. However, occassionally it requires the understanding of God's commandments. Once we recognize we have sinned, we must be sorry that we disobeyed God's commandments. This is not a shallow sorrow for being caught, but rather, a deep sorrow that we have separated ourselves from God and caused our Savior Jesus Christ to suffer on our behalf, because of our deviant behavior. Paul states that "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10).

(2) Abandonment of Sin
Of course, in order to repent of sin, we must stop sinning. If one is repenting for using coarse language or taking the Lord's name in vain, he must stop using such language! Not only must we strive to abandon a particular sin we are repenting of, but we should strive to abandon all sin.

(3) Confession
We should confess all sins to God through prayer. We should acknowledge our errors and ask His forgiveness. Additionally, we should confess sins to those we have wronged. If one has stolen a candy bar, he should confess his sin both to God, and to the person he stole from. Forgiveness should be sought from both parties. Finally, when a sin is of a serious nature, such as adultery, fornication, other immoral behavior, theft, etc., we need to confess our sins to God's representatives. In the case of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one needs to confess to his bishop or branch president. This individual will help the sinner on the road to repentance.

(4) Restitution
Finally, once we have recognized our sin, felt sorry for the error, abandoned and confessed the sin, we must do all we can to rectify the problem. In the example of the stolen candy bar, the sinner should return the candy bar or pay for its replacement.

For those who travel the well-worn, but difficult, road of repentance, there is the promise from the Lord that his sins will be forgiven and forgotten! There is no greater promise and hope than cleanliness from sin and a new beginning through the mercy and love of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Lord pleads with all of us to "come unto him" and repent of our sins. For all those who are weighed down by sin, guilt, and the frustrations of the world, Jesus said, "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). This invitation is for all of us.

When we decide to repent, we can rest assured that we can be forgiven and be clean again. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18). I know the promise is true.

The Prophet Joseph Smith

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Church"), also known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, asserts that God has again called prophets and apostles to guide his church in modern times, just as in ancient times. As we learn from the Bible, prophets are righteous men called of God to be a spokesman for God to the world. Prophets teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ, guide the Church of Christ on the earth, and warn us of the dangers of sin and rebellion.

Following Christ's death and subsequent resurrection and ascension, Peter and the other apostles sought to guide the Church of Christ through revelation from God. However, because of the wickedness of the people, the persecution of the saints and apostles, and the distances of the saints and lack of reliable communication, the Church of Christ fell into a state of apostasy. The apostles were killed and the priesthood authority (the power to act on God's behalf) was lost.

Centuries of darkness, warfare, and religious domination and confusion resulted. Many noble and righteous individuals sought to reform the church in order to return to New Testament principles. These brave individuals should be praised for their dedication to serve God. However, God did not restore the fullness of His gospel on the earth until the nineteenth century.

In 1820, a 14-year-old boy in Western New York was confused about religion. His name was Joseph Smith. There was a religious movement in the area and many denominations were seeking adherents to their faiths. Young Joseph did not know which church to join, and so, knelt and prayed to God for guidance. In response to this humble prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and told him not to join any of the denominations. They told him, that in time, the true Church of Jesus Christ would be restored.

Following this remarkable vision, Joseph received other heavenly manifestations, including that of an angel named Moroni. Moroni was an ancient prophet who had lived on the American continent around 400 b.c. Moroni told Joseph of an ancient record that had been abridged by Moroni and his father Mormon. This record told of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and their teachings and testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ. It had been buried by Moroni in a nearby hill in New York. He led Joseph to the record ("the gold plates") which Joseph translated into the English language by the gift and power of God. This book is known as "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ." It serves as a companion scripture to the Holy Bible.

Following the publication of the Book of Mormon, God instructed Joseph to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. On April 6, 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith was called of God to be the prophet and president of the Church.

The Prophet Joseph Smith was a remarkable man. He led the Church in very difficult times. He was persecuted his entire life for his beliefs. He was often separated from his family as he preached the gospel, visited the members of the Church, and falsely jailed by those who disagreed with him. The early history of the Church is both a glorious and sad history. The Church prospered as the gospel message of the great restoration was preached in America, Canada, and Europe. This message would eventually be taken to the whole world. However, the Church members were persecuted, hated, and driven from state to state for refuge. The Prophet, himself, was tarred and feathered, jailed numerous times, threatened on multiple occassions, and often suffered for his testimony of Jesus. Through all of this, he maintained his faith and his trust in God in leading the Church.

He diligently kept God's commandments, led the Church, and built cities and temples for God. But, his persecutors were never far behind. In June 1844, while falsely imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois, a mob came and killed both Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Many thought that the death of Joseph Smith would be the end of the Church, but it was only the beginning. God called another prophet, the senior apostle, Brigham Young, to lead the Church. Brigham Young led the members of the Church ("Saints") to Utah where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The Church has grown and prospered ever since as a testimony to the divinity of the work. Each time the prophet dies, the senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next prophet, just as Peter became the prophet following Jesus' ascension.

And yet still, today, many persecute the Prophet Joseph Smith. They call him a fraud, a false prophet, a delusional man. While it is certainly true that Joseph Smith was a man with weaknesses, foibles, and prone to make mistakes like the rest of us, the "fruits" of his labors leave no doubt that he was indeed a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the millions of testimonies of average citizens, are all fruits of the Prophet Joseph Smith's work on the earth. God always uses the weak and simple to accomplish His work.

Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. He did just that. While many detractors continue to attack his character, they can never attack his legacy of faith. The Church stands today as a monument to the Prophet's faith and devotion. Members of the Church do not worship Joseph Smith (he was, after all, only a man), but we revere him as a prophet called by God to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. I am grateful for the Prophet's faith, perseverance, righteousness, and willingness to keep all of God's commandments.

Photos are courtesy of www.lds.org.

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/.