I have been hearing a lot of incorrect comments about The Church Of JESUS CHRIST Of Latter Day Saints, both online and on the television. I am a member of The Church Of JESUS CHRIST Of Latter Day Saints commonly called Mormons. I have never run down another persons religion or beliefs in any way on gather. However, fellow gather members have spoken harshly about my religion.
I would like to share some of my beliefs with you. I am not doing this for debate. I just have so many wonderful friends on gather who have been mislead and I want to share some of what I believe with you. Not to change your beliefs, only to give you some correct information on “Mormons”. Please keep in mind that our faith or religion as many call it, is just like any other when it comes to the members. We have some loyal members who are striving to live a righteous life while we have some who are not so loyal and are making many mistakes. However, we all make mistakes so please do not judge me by my mistakes.
We have what is called The Articles Of Faith” which is a quick summery of some of the things that we believe and hold dear to our hearts. There are a total of thirteen articles of faith. If you are interested in reading all of them, you can click here.
These are just two of the articles of faith that I would like to share with you.
The first one is:
“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and his son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost”
Isn’t that what a Christian does? They Believes in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. So knowing that fact, do you still believe that we are not Christians? We do believe in Jesus. We believe that he was born to atone for our sins. I personally believe this with all my heart.
The other one is the eleventh article of faith. It reads like this:
“We claim the privilege of worshipping 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”
I hope you understand now why I would never run down another religion or faith. I believe in my faith. It has given me strength when I need it. This strength comes from reading the scriptures, including The Old Testament, The New Testament and The Book Of Mormon. My strength lies in the words and promises of the Savior Jesus Christ. We use The King James Version of The Holy Bible. I have head others say that we have our own bible. We do not have our own bible. We use the Holy Bible just like most of you do. We also use the Book of Mormon. We use it because it testifies of Jesus Christ just as the Old and New Testament does.
I don’t believe that anyone should be judged on their beliefs alone. I believe that we should be judged on the things we do and say. Is that not how you judge others? It is not our place to judge another’s faith. God will do the judging. I do believe God will judge us by what we say including the passing of rumors from one person to another. I make many mistakes but I try to do better each day than I did the day before. I will continue to make mistakes. I will also continue to do better. If I do not do better today than I did yesterday, then I have failed.
I am a first generation Latter Day Saint. I was raised as a Methodist.
I am not going to prevent comments or ratings on this article, if you feel the need to rate it low, that is your privilege and I think you are allowed to that.
We do celebrate the birth of the Savior on Christmas day.
I do hope that this article does not offend anyone. That was not my intention.
I am not easily offended so if you have something that you have been wondering about my faith, go ahead and ask. I will try my best to answer your questions.
I just wanted to share this with you, my friends on gather. I am a Mormon and I do believe with all my heart that we are Christians.
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Comments: 129
I knew your religious beliefs from other conversations we have had- and I wondered why you converted, but figured it wasn't any of my business. But since you wrote an article all about it, I thought I would ask :)
By the way- we just got back from Florida- I added some pictures and two videos of Buckethead at the beach.
I was raised to go to church each sunday and to wear my sunday best. But I had questions that I was not getting answers to. The response was always "God does not want us to know everything" I felt a stong desire to learn more than I was being taught. When my children was born, That desire became stronger.
When I got married, We moved an hour and a half away from the church that I was attending. So I went looking for a new church in our new neighborhood. We went to one church and I knew more about my neighbors when I left than I needed to know. I never went back there.
The Next sunday, I went to another church. We had no money and this church took up three collections during the first hour. I never went back.
I searched until I went to the Mormon church. I went for months before I joined. I was not going to be talked into anything. I searched for myself and found answers to many but not all of my questions.
Connie- thanks for answering my question.
I went to seminary and graduated with a MA in Christian Education. I firmly believe in studying the Bible and learning. No, we aren't going to know everything (Jesus even says it is not for us to know when he is coming back), but if a minister isn't going to try to answer a person's questions, he isn't worth much.
She is a neat lady and Leslie and I have a great love for her...
Anyhow as to the article... and the articles of Faith...
The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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.
This list was written first in a letter in the 1800's to a Journalist by the President of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter day Saints, Joseph Smith jr and later put into list form for the body of the church.
A few years after his getting out of college, I was informed that he had moved to Utah, married a Mormon girl and had become a Mormon. Isnt that amazing.
I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true...I have read it through and there is NO WAY Joseph Smith wrote it (he just translated it...)...as you read you can tell the different writing styles of these prophets of old in the America's. The Book of Mormon to me is like a journal of these people during the time of Christ or leading up to his birth & resurrection. It is another testament.
I know that Jesus died for me & that each time I am sick, worried, depressed, sinning, etc I am adding onto His pain that he felt in the Garden. He loves us & we need to remember when we are struggling through this life that he has been there...he has struggled. I love Him sooooo much!
The other day we were listening to a talk radio show & there was this caller that felt he knew all about our church by looking things up online....online has the most anti Mormon literature anyone can find! I was getting so angry in the car listening to this ignorant guy & I was telling my husband about how I was mad about it & my boy in the back seat says, "Calm down momma calm down!" haha. Yeah I don't think that guy has ever set foot in our church & cannot make claims if he hasn't fully researched by actually going. ;o) It just really bothers me when people just run their mouths and they don't know anything of what I know to be true. I have been to other churches...my dad grew up Catholic & he had allowed me to visit my friend's church growing up (I think I went twice) I just didn't feel right. I also had another friend that needed to go to another religion (not her own) and she knew that no one else would go with her so she asked me & I was able to go. It was interesting. We went to a Baptist church & it was fun ;o) the people were nice & they actually did a lot of the things we do...They had a Praise Jesus time & that was like our testimony meetings. They also sang some good songs...I will always remember these words haha, "The sun & the stars, Jupiter & Mars ;o). I don't know why I remember that, but I liked it haha. It was catchy I guess ;o).
Like Connie I don't down how other's believe. I think people are free to think as they want & live how they feel best. I wish others would let it be & not be so hasty to judge. :o( It really hurts my heart & I think it would hurt Jesus & God's too. So let's all get along ;o).
(Oh & I know all the bashing of my religion isn't over until all this political stuff is over. It really bothers me that people judge Mitt because of his religion & not for his actual resume ;o).)
So if you live in Virginia, my Son lives in Florida and I live in Texas, and we are all going to California. We are all trying to get to the same place,from a different direction. As long as we all follow the laws and go the right paths we will reach our destination.
So you can be Morman, I can be Baptist and my Son can be Methodist and if we have a personal realtionship with Jesus, repent of our sins, and know that we cannot get to the Father except throug him. We will be with him in Heaven one day.
People just believe what they hear blindly. If they took the time to research the things they hear, a lot of the rumors would stop. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for posting the entire 13 Articles of Faith. I was afraid that if I wrote too much, people would not read what I had to say.
Yes, Victoria is my oldest daughter.
That is so cool. My sister in law claims to be atheist but I dont believe her. :)
(Connie- thanks for the comments on my pictures. I went through and answered your questions- Buckethead's hair is blonde with a red tint sometimes.)
I am getting really tired- so I will be going to bed now.
This is an interesting conversation. I am glad it has stayed so positive.
I do have one QUESTion..... a commenter mentioned the golden plates. What are they, and where are they now ?
Women are respected in our church. My husband still opens the door for me when we get in a vehicle. He treats me like a queen.
Woman are equals in our church but men and women have different roles in Heavenly Father's plan. Women do not hold the priesthood nor will they be running the church. That is the Priesthood's job and the Priesthood is made up of worthy men.
Women can get as far as men in the road to heaven.
Ask anything. I am not offended in the least. I am happy to get a lot of the misconceptions out in the open.
It has always been taught that men and women are equals.
I hope that answered your question. If it did not. Please ask more.
I am sorry that this is happening to you and your family. It should not be happening at all. I think I understand what you are saying. They are not practicting what they know to be right. Integrity is knowing what is right and doing what you know is right. If the Bishop knew that they were forbidding their children from playing with yours just because you are not LDS, he would not be happy and I am sure the Lord is not happy with them. We are not perfect though.
I have been to Provo many times. We used to drive out each summer for CES Conference at BYU.
No, you did not come off as Mormon bashing at all. I understand your concern. It is not right adn it should never be happening. I am sorry that your family is being treated like that.
For more information on the Church and our Beliefs Click here.
Emmett
Fascinating article! I always wondered how the Mormons felt (or feel) about THe Osmonds
On a different note, I wish you could check out my latest article on trying to track someone down. I am not nosy but it was a question asked of me and the guy is semi-famous, a former President's son-in-law. Where is he? No one seems to know. Wouldnt there be records somewhere? It wasn't long ago.
I am scared however, not particularly by mormons, but by every religious group that has fundamentalistic beliefs. I do not believe God is possible to put into such fixed frames and since I have studied and teach religious science I know how religious texts and practices have many more explanations that being whispered directly from God to mankind. I fear that we have made God too small. maybe we have had to to be able to understand something that big?
I do not like how some of the beliefs in ortodox versions of Christians, jew or muslims have this very divided belief in the roles of men and women. I know and am perfectly sure that most honest and devoted men do treat their wives and daughters very well and that it can be a huge relief for women not to have to master it al BUT in every religious group I have looked closer at who has such divisions - there are lots of people who use these rules to hold women down. To me to use God to opress someone is very very bad. One example is how some groups try to drive out disobidience demons from their women.
The last thing that I find hard is the dualism - you either believe and do what we say is the right thing and go to heaven or you go to hell. You're either in or you're out - everything is either right or wrong. Life in every aspect has always been multicoloured for me and I have never been able to handle the "either or" thing.
I do believe that it is very good to be "in" especially if you are a new believer and then the worse sinner you were before the more welcome you are. BUT if you struggle when within the situation is very different in some groups and if you want to leave many groups then break all ocntact.
In the end I guess it is all about whether the belivers are decent persons who enterprete the rules lovingly or misuses them.
I am sorry to hear that you feel your beliefs are being attacked and misunderstood. I would fight for your right to believe what you want and be treated decently.
I think people are seriously misled on the beliefs of the LDS faith. I am glad that you posted this article.
One of my problems is not being able to do certain things on Sundays, I have lived in Utah for 7 years and I still hate it......LOL Sunday is my day to run errands.
Perfect example is today, I am having my daughters birthday party, some kids cant come because its Sunday and they have to stay home. uugghhh!! lol
Book or Mormons, hmmmm, not heard much of this. I have the KJV HOlY BIBLE. My son in fact wants a Thompson Chain KJV for Christmas. Now he is Pentecostal and I have been visiting his church on and off for a few years now. The people are great there as is the Pastor. He is such a nice man as is the rest of his family.
As I grow older, I more and more believe in the Day of Rest. I think we need it for physical and mental health even if putting aside the religious aspect.
LOL on the other hand I do love to be able to buy fresh bread on sundays these days hehehe.
I live in the Salt Lake area but I'm not LDS. Many of my dear friends are. They are as Christian as I am. The people who are saying they won't vote for someone because they are Mormon are nothing less than prejudiced. I have no respect for them. Any congregation that suggests that it's members don't vote for a person simply because the person is Mormon, is also prudiced. I have no respect for that congregation. My God is not prejudiced, so how can I be ? Mormons are as Christian as any other Chritian denomination, period.
Thanks for sharing! Here are my thoughts! I think there is something scary sounding about the word Mormon which is what sets people off from it in the first place. Scary for some people does not equal Christianity, which by the way I think is stupid. I have come to the conclusion about the scary sounding word of mormons based on some discussions that I have recently had with people as your religion is getting a lot of attention in the presidential election. I am so glad that you found the church that fits you best, that is great, and in the long run that is all that counts. I'm also glad that you found a religion that puts you closer to God. Keep the faith! Thanks again for sharing!
No it is not the caffeine. It is other things that is in it. The chuch has never taken an official position D&C 89:9. Are Other Drinks Forbidden by the
Word of Wisdom?
What about cola drinks, kava, some health or sports
drinks, or other drinks containing stimulants? An
official statement by the Church's leaders reads:
"With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never
officially taken a position on this matter, but the
leaders of the Church have advised, and we do nowÿÿÿon sodas.
Mean?
Some of the early Brethren explained what was
meant by this phrase. Hyrum Smith, brother of the
Prophet, wrote: "And again, 'hot drinks are not for
the body, or belly;' there are many who wonder what
this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or
not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee." ("The Word
of Wisdom," Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, p. 800.)
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "I understand
that some of the people are excusing themselves in
using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said
'hot drinks' in the revelation of the Word of
Wisdom. . . .
"Tea and coffee . . . are what the Lord meant
when He said 'hot drinks.'" (In Joel H. Johnson,
Voice from the Mountains [Salt Lake City: Juvenile
Instructor Office, 1881], p. 12.)
D&C 89:9. Are Other Drinks Forbiddenby the
Word of Wisdom?
What about cola drinks, kava, some health or sports
drinks, or other drinks containing stimulants? An
official statement by the Church's leaders reads:
"With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never
officially taken a position on this matter, but the
leaders of the Church have advised, and we do nowspecifically advise, against the use of any drink
containing harmful habit-forming drugs under
circumstances that would result in acquiring the
habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients
harmful to the body should be avoided." (Priesthood
Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 4.)g
You can read this in more detail by going to LDS/CES Institute Manual.
Joseph and the other Priesthood were meeting. The priesthood was using tobacco and were spitting it on the floors. Emma (Joseph's wife) had the job of cleaning the meeting room up after the meetings were over. She ask Joseph if he could inquire of the Lord concerning this practice as it was hard to clean up.
Joseph did pray and ask the Lord for guidance. The answer to his prayer is now written as D&C 89
Postum is what Roger drinks. He drank coffee until he joined the church. Then he quit cold turkey.
Concerning the question of The Golden Plates
In ancient days in America, the Prophets wrote on plates of medal. The plates had the appearance of gold. There is no evidence of them being pure Gold. These plates were handed down from one generation to the next. Each man who received them were instructed to write on them. These plates are what the Book Of Mormon was translated from.
I hope that answers your question. If it does not, just ask me your questions again.
We do not drink coffee or tea. We do drink Pure herbal tea.
We also do not use tobacco in any form.
How is that different from men not being able to give birth to a child?
We each play different roles in life as well as in the gospel.
Women can and do receive revelation.
Men do hold the priesthood but they cannot give themselves a blessing. They can only use the Priesthood to help others. It is impossible to use it to help yourself.
I had a friend who dated a Mormon in high school, so I learned a bit about it. Of the there of us, I was the only one with a car, so I spent a lot of time talking to his family while the "love birds" visited. They weren't too happy about him dating a Catholic, but they were always pleasant and responsive with my questions.
I have learned more since I got into Genealogy. My respect for your traditions and teachings has grown so much.
I feel that having any faith is a good thing. Whatever makes you happy and gets you through the good times and bad is a gift. I have pulled away from my Catholic upbringing, but there are times that I wish that I hadn't. I see people get so much comfort from their faith in times of need. I wish that I had that.
I am glad that you took the time to read and learn more about what Mormon's really believe. There are many rumors out there about our faith. If you want to know the facts, just ask a Mormon.
Thanks for stopping in.
I am glad I was able to answer your question. If you have any more questions, just ask.
Why do men and woman have to wear the Mormom underwear, and is it true that it designed so that intercourse can take place without undressing?
Mormon can have a civil wedding just like anyone else. No ritual is performed any different. However if the couple desire to get married in the Temple. It is a sacred ceremony. The ceremony consists of covenants made. The men and the women do this.
Momon underwear??? LOL I have never heard them called that before. LOL They ae only worn by members who have made covenants in the Temple.
LOL NO you cannot have intercourse without undressing. LOL
I hope this answers your questions
I think every religion is about going to heaven. Dont we all want that?
Mormon's want the same thing as everyone else. We want to go to heaven when we die. However we do believe that there are different degrees of "heaven"
Do you think it is fair for a person who has lived a rightous live all their lives and a person who commented sins until a week before they died, to be in the same area of heaven?
We believe that our position in heaven is earned by liveing each day as rightous as we can.
Picture a mountain in your mind. At the bottom of the mountain is peole who are sinning a lot. As people try harder not to sin, they start the hike up the mountain. Each day that they live more rightous than they did the day before, they take more steps up the mountain.
The mountain has a sign one third of the way up. After you have reached this point and start a bit higher, you will be able to get in a higher place in heaven.
This process continues until you reach the highest point of the mountain.
We all sin so it is impossible for us to be perfect but that is where the atonement of Christ comes in.
Thus the person who lived a rightous life until a week before he died has not made it very far up the mountain. Our status in heaven will depend on our personal hike up the mountain, so to speak.
I hope that explains it
Mormon religion. I stand firm for The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. I joined in 2002 and do believe it is the best
thing that has happened to me!! I still have much to learn about
D&C, I am reading the KJV of the Bible ask questions in Church if
there is something I don't fully understand. Thanks again.
That is your history. I don't worry about it but felt that it had to be pointed out.
The history of black membership is The Church Of JESUS CHRIST Of Latter-Day Saints can be divided between the era from 1830-1978 and the period since then.
Through few in number, blacks have been attracted tothe church since its organization. Early converts (such as Elijah Abel) joined during the 1830's, others such as Jane Manning joined after the Saints moved to Illinois. Among those who came to Utah as pioneers were Green Flake, who drove Brigham Young's wagon into the Salt Lake Valley, and Samuel Chambers, who joined in Virginia as a slave and went west after being freed. Throughout the twentieth century, small numbers of blacks continued to join the Church, such as the Sargent Family of Carolina County, Virginia, who joined in 1906; Len and Mary Hope, who joined in Alabama during the 1920's; Ruffin Bridgeforth, a railroad worker in Utah, converted in 1953, and Helveccio Martins, a black Brazilian buisnessman, baptized in 1972 (he became a General Authority in 1990) These members remained committed to their testimonies and Church activities even though during this period prior to 1978 black members could not hold the Priesthood or participate in Temple Ordinances.
The Reasons for these restrictions have not been revealed. Church leaders and members have explained them in different ways over time. Although blacks were ordained to the Priesthood in 1830's, there is no evidence that Joseph Smith authorized new ordinations in the 1840's and between 1847 and 1852 Church leaders manintained that blacks should be denied the priesthood because of their lineage, According to the Book Of Abraham (Now part of the Pearl Of Great Price) the decendants of Cain were to be denied the priesthood of God (Abr. 1:23- 26) Some Latter Day Saints theorized that blacks would be however, Brigham Young said that the "time will come when they will have the priviledge of all we have and the priviledge of and more" (Brigham Young Papers, Church Archives, Feb. 5, 1852) and increasingly in the 1960's, Presidents of the Church taught that denial of entry to the Priesthood was a current commandment of God, but would not prevent blacks from eventually possessing all Eternal Blessings.
Sorry, Connie, but it was about the racism of the church that it happened. It wasn't about God. It was about man's feelings toward other men, period.
I have every reason to trust your account of how it changed but please don't insult my intelligence. Romney has to explain his relationship to this history. He was a young politician in 1978. Just what were his beliefs and how has his evolution changed those beliefs? or have they?
Because LDS membership do not idenify race, it is impossible to measure accurately the growth of black membership, except in area where people are largely or exclusively of Aftican decent.
I was not insulting your intelligence. I am sorry if you thought that. I was just explaining what happened. I am not proud of the fact that Blacks were not permitted the Priesthood and I know many people must be hurt over this but it happened and it is over now.
I do appreciate you giving us an opportunity to share what we know about the revelation of 1978.