Tuesday, April 8, 2008

What you want to know, but are afraid to ask

Alright, so I'm sure most of those who read this know that our little family is Mormon. Anyways, if you know us you know that yours truly is a convert (5 years and 6 months). I used to be one of those people who thought that religious people were a bit freaky and pushy. Well, I still sometimes think that. I don't want to be either freaky or pushy, but I feel the need to state what it is to be Mormon. There are unfortunately many things people think they know about our religion which are not true. There is a quote from President Hinckley that I love which says:
" We recognize the good that every other church in the world does. We have no quarrel with other churches. We do not argue, we do not debate, or anything of the kind. We simply say to people not of our faith, 'You bring with you all the truth that you have, and let us see if we can add to it.' "
So for all those who want to know but are afraid to ask:
"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 build upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical 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."
Joseph Smith. The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp.535-541.

I heard about the Church from a friend. I felt good and happy about these things that I heard. I was a HUGE skeptic. I learned about the Church and was baptized in a week.

If you read this and learned something that you didn't know before or had some things cleared up then I have accomplished what I set out to do. And if you have any questions, ASK!

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