Articles of Faith #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"

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe in religious freedom.  We claim that right for ourselves and we don't try to stop anyone from exercising that right for themselves.  There are millions of different religious beliefs and no matter the faith, we, as a church, are accepting.  All are free to "worship how, where, or what they may". 

Now, as a missionary, I have been challenged on this point.  Some accuse me (and other missionaries) of trying to infringe upon that basic right of humanity.  They believe that we want to "force" everyone to believe what we believe.  In this I answer that we are following the example of Jesus Christ.  He did not force anyone to believe.  He did not encroach on any church's right to believe in whatever they wanted.  He simply taught the truth and invited people to accept and act on that truth.  In fact, we as missionaries, are not discouraging people to exercise their freedom of worship but actively and diligently encouraging others to use this freedom.  It is great to live in a society where we, as citizens, can gather all the information we want (scholastically and spiritually) and use that knowledge to act "according to the dictates of our own conscience".  Like Christ, we simply teach the truth and invite others to take advantage of this wonderful freedom that we have.

I know that Christ's church is restored.  I know that His priesthood is on the earth.  I know that God is merciful and will help us when we come to Him in prayer.  I pray that all can exercise their freedom of worship and do just that.

Articles of Faith #7

"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth"

 After baptism, members of Christ's church receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 19: 2-6).  With the gift of the Holy Ghost comes many blessings. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul taught of these gifts:

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 study the whole chapter for further understanding)

In the days of the early apostles these gifts were known and commonly accepted.  With the modern restoration of God's priesthood, these gifts are as readily available as they have ever been.  Just like our talents and abilities, not everyone has the same gifts.  God speaks today and He works miracles among His children!  The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni teaches us that "these gifts ... never will be done away".  The only thing that could accomplish that is "the unbelief of the children of men" (Moroni 10: 19).  

I know that God lives and that "he is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Moroni 10: 19).  I know that Jesus Christ is His son.  I know that the spirit can truly perform miracles in our lives and the lives of others.  I pray that we can all follow Christ's example and seek after these spiritual gifts.

Articles of Faith #6

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's church on the earth!  The church is set up exactly like the church Jesus Christ established when he was teaching on the earth.  (For more on the common organization, see my blog post "The Church of Jesus Christ").  There are prophets and apostles today!  This is possible through the restoration of the priesthood.  Three of Christ's original apostles laid their hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and gave them the authority of God.  (For more on this see, "Priesthood Restoration" from a modern prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley).  

We will have the chance to hear from the current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, at General Conference on April 2nd and 3rd

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints has "the same organization that existed in the primitive church" because the two have the same founder: our Lord and Savior.  They are the same church, led by Jesus Christ and built on His doctrine!

The Articles of Faith #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"

In our church, everybody gets what we call a calling.  It can range from a bishop, the spiritual leader of the congregation, to a music director.  Callings in the church are varied in individual responsibility and difficulty.  But they all have one thing in common, all callings are extended from God.  The apostle Paul said of the priesthood that "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God" (Hebrews 5:4).  This principle applies with all callings in the church.  You'll never see anybody petitioning to be the bishop.  There's no elections to decide church leadership.  The will of God prevails; He leads this church and through His servants, the callings are extended.  

That "authority" mentioned in the fifth article of faith refers to the priesthood.  That authority is necessary for any calling to be extended.  Whether it be the President of the church or a teacher in Sunday school, all positions in our church are "called... by those who are in authority".  These callings are not accepted blindly though, all are encouraged to pray and know for themselves the will of God.  Every child of God has that right.


I know that Christ's church has been restored!  His gospel is on the earth!  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is set up exactly how God wants it to be.  I know that Christ lives and that Thomas S. Monson is His prophet.


For more on the Articles of Faith, see http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/.

Families are Forever

If you know anything about the LDS church, you know that we have a strong focus on family.  Families are essential to God's Plan of Happiness for all of His children.  Families are essential for our spiritual progression through this life.  The world is very willing to teach children all sorts of things.  Many things kids can learn in school or on the playground are not exactly in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Profanity, pornography, and downright blasphemy run rampant through our society today.  Without parents teaching moral values in the home, there'd be nowhere to learn them. 

As important as families are here on earth, God has a much more glorious plan for us as brothers and sisters, parents and children.  When a man and a woman are married through the power of God's priesthood, that family can be sealed to each other for all eternity.  The same precious relationships we enjoy in our earthly life will be continued hereafter.  This can only be done, however, through faith in Jesus Christ and love towards each other.

I know that God lives and loves us.  He has made it possible for us to stay together as a family forever.  I know this to be true.  God's priesthood is restored.

For more on eternal families see http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/c/4E784EC0770935C0/0/0J-_f4oRuWI