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 #1

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

This is the first fundamental belief of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   That God lives, that Jesus is the literal son of God, and that the Holy Ghost testifies of the divinity of our Savior and our "Eternal Father".

God is our Heavenly Father.  We are actually His children.  He loves each of us.  Nowhere is this love shown more than in the words in the book of John "For God so loved the world" (John 3:16-17).  God loves us so much that He sent His son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  He is the son of God.  He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).  He is Jehovah of the Old Testament.  He is the Messiah.  He has suffered for our sins.  He has died on the cross for us.  He has risen from the tomb and He still lives!  He is the Christ!

Concerning the Holy Ghost, the Lord has revealed that "the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.  A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon him and not tarry with him" (Doctrine and Covenants 130: 22-23).  The Holy Ghost's role is to teach us truth.  As God's children, we are to try as hard as we can to have the Holy Ghost with us.  We do this by living worthily and through much sincere prayer.  The Holy Ghost also teaches us truth and comforts us (see the Savior's words recorded in John 14:26-27).

I know that Jesus Christ lives.  I know that His church is restored.  I know that God reveals His word through living prophets.  And I know the peace obedience to that word brings.

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

"If Ye Love Me"

Christ lives.  I know that.  Through living prophets, He has restored His church to the earth.  Along with that church were restored some of Christ's "plain and precious" doctrines that were lost to the world (1 Nephi 13:40).  These were not lost all at once but over time, after God's priesthood authority was lost.  One of these deals with obedience.  Obedience is key to fulfilling God's purposes.  God knows what will make us happy and he gives us commandments to help us.  He gives us these commandments through prophets (See Amos 3:7).  When we follow the commandments we see the blessings God has promised us and we please our Father in Heaven.

This Principle can be seen in earthly laws.  When driving up to an intersection you could ignore the legal traffic restrictions and drive right past a stop sign.  But in doing this you're taking the chance of a hefty fine, costly damage to your vehicle, and even bodily harm to yourself or your passengers.  The laws are there to protect us.  God's laws are the same way.

  I know obedience is essential to fulfilling God's will for us.  I know He loves us and gives us commandments for a reason.  I beleive the words of Christ when He said "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).