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.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
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.
Monday, October 13, 2008
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.
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.
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