This is the beginning of a blog dedicated to
answering and
discussing topics related to the Doctrine and Practices that the "Mormons", The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe in. I am not hired by the Church, nor have I been asked by the Church to run this Blog. I do this of my own free will and mainly because there are ALOT of misconceptions about the Mormon church. I know that many have 'heard' or 'seen' things about the Mormon people or the Church as a whole, and while some of these things are true, there are regrettably many that are not. One of the
best ways to find out whether these things are true, is to ask a practicing Mormon. The Church has a website: Mormon.org where you may find out about the Doctrine and Beliefs of the Church as well as ask questions to a missionary (See the 'Ask a Question' link on the top of the mormon.org website). So in addition to that option, I hope to run this blog so that if there be any who would like to ask a member in a spirit of curiosity or clarification, that is why I am here.
The best way to begin would be to let you know of our core beliefs. These are called the Articles of Faith and came about because "The Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor, in response to Mr. Wentworth's request to know what members of the Church believed. They were subsequently published in Church periodicals. They are now regarded as scripture and included in the Pearl of Great Price" (lds.org).
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
I have been taught these things my whole life, but amazingly, I continue to grow in my belief of these Articles of Faith the more I strive to live by them. One can only truly know of the truth of these things by 'trying it out', living by it. This is what Christ Himself taught during His Mortal Ministry in John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." The only way to know of the truth of a principle or doctrine, is to 'do' it, live what it says. This shows God that you are willing to exercise your faith in something that you do not have proof of and we have His promise that He will let us know. I have personally experienced the wonderful gift of receiving an answer from God. It is one of the most prized gifts we can hope to attain. A Heavenly answer from a Loving Heavenly Father to one of His children. He knows us by name, and as Christ said in Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered", He knows us even more than we know ourselves. The God I am taught to believe in and worship in this Church is a very Real, Loving, Kind, Just and Merciful God. He actively hears my prayers-every single one that I offer to Him, and He will answer if we are sincere, have faith and real intent- meaning that we intend to act upon the answer we receive whether that be to go to Church, repent, read the scriptures more; that we will put actions to our words (James 2:17-20).