Today's topic Mormon. Well, with the confirmation that we will have a Mormon as nominee for President of the United States, I feel the need to talk a little about what we believe. Understand that I am not an official representative, am not trying to proselyte, or change minds. I am just giving some information out. Oh, and the above isn't some kind of official disclaimer. I just want to lay out what my agenda is. As ever, I will be frank.
I think that there are so many misconceptions of what Latter-day Saints, Mormons, believe and practice I thought I would give a tutorial of sorts from my point of view. I was thinking about how to cram everything I believe to be true into a short blog post. I don't want to do a mini series so thought that I would go to some of the tenets of our beliefs. They are called the Articles of Faith and can be found in the Pearl of Great Price. I have listed all 13 and will make comments about some of them and will pretty much say anything else that comes to mind. Scripture will appear in blue, non scripture, me, in red.
Before I get to the Articles of Faith I want to make something clear. We do NOT as a church discuss politics from the pulpit. We are encouraged to review the candidates and prayerfully consider and vote for those who best represent our values. From the pulpit you may be encouraged to vote, to support our leaders and military. The Church officials do not endorse any candidate. They may privately do what they will but in their official capacity they maintain a neutral stance. Even though a Mormon is running for President as Mormons we shouldn't vote for him because of his faith. I couldn't in good conscience do so. Just like I couldn't vote or not vote for anyone else related to their race, religion or sex.
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. That is right, we are Christians. We believe in Christ and recognize him as our Savior. There is no other way or means into Heaven but through him. Some think that we try to work our way into Heaven. No, we don't. But we know that even though we are saved by Grace, our Heavenly Father wants to strive to be like Him and our Savior Jesus Christ. Genesis 17:1 1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. So, we try to do what is right, improve upon ourselves because we are commanded to do so. We refer to God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost as the Godhead. They are 3 separate beings. God the Father and Jesus Christ being flesh and bone and the Holy Ghost as a spirit being. They are one in purpose.
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. We must repent of all our wrong doing and be obedient to God's commandments.
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. The need to repent is real. There are steps to repentance. We must recognise the sin, feel truly sorry, stop the sin, and make restitution to those hurt by our sin. That may also have some conflict with the belief of being saved by Grace. We are saved by Grace, but cannot sin and bear no responsibility. That would negate the Atonement. Alma 11:37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. That takes me to the cross. Because we don't wear crosses some think that means we aren't Christian. We are. We have a few reasons for not wearing crosses. 1, Jesus Christ isn't dead, he has risen we don't want to forget he lives. As the literal Son of God he was able to give up his life and take it up again. 2, the death on the cross isn't the only part of the Atonement, don't forget the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he took on the sins of the world, which was so painful, so agonizing he literally sweat blood. Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. He is the Son of God, he wasn't just praying and sweating blood from fear of the scourging and death on the cross. The Holy Ghost has the role of helping us feel the spirit he has many task associated with this. Including helping us to feel comfort, peace and to testify of truth. Moroni 10:5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
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. We boldly claim the authority to act in God's name through the power of the Priesthood. We have no paid clergy. Those called serve do so on their own time. We pay tithes and give offerings. But these are for the building up of the kingdom, to feed the poor and care for those in need.
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. We do believe and study the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. We study them at church on Sundays and in our homes. We have programs for the youth of our church to study the scriptures. We call it Seminary, over 4 years we study each for a school year, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. From there we move onto Institute where we continue to study and learn about our Father in Heaven, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and their love for us and their expectations for us to grow and follow our Savior's example.
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. We believe that Our Father has more to tell us in these last days. I think this scares people into thinking we don't feel the scriptures are enough. The world is troubled and chaotic place. I like to know my Father in Heaven is aware of me, aware of my personal challenges and speaks to a Prophet today. The Prophet is Thomas S Monson who oversees the Church.
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. This a big one. We believe that Christ will come and save His people in person. The second coming will happen and He will personally reign upon the earth.
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. We send missionaries into the mission field to offer anyone who wants to learn about the gospel and practice as we do. Beyond that we are taught to respect the beliefs of others.
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 is the kind of people we are encouraged to be. To be loving, kind and decent. We are to be of service to our fellow man.
I will end with part of my personal testimony. I know God lives. I know my Father in Heaven and Savior love me, know me personally and that Jesus Christ intercedes for me, personally. Even with all the work to be done I matter to them. As do you.
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