Saturday, February 2, 2013

Mormonism: Power of the Book of Mormon

Mormonism: Power of the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon possesses a great spiritual power to its readers. Mormonism is derived from the Book of Mormon and is an additional testament of Jesus Christ and His mission in our eternal salvation. Just as the Bible possesses great insight and histories among God's children in the Eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon contains God's teachings to the people in living in the Western Hemisphere. The spirit of the Holy Ghost testifies of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon being an additional book of holy scripture. 

Helaman, a Book of Mormon prophet, writes of the purpose of preserving these ancient records to bring souls to salvation. Helaman teaches that God 'shows for His power in them (the Book of Mormon records), and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.' God preserved the writings of His prophets no matter where in the world they lived. Because of God's preservation we have both the Bible and the Book of Mormon to study and ponder God's words. This is part of what Mormonism encompasses.

I love reading the Book of Mormon! I read it every day. I feel a special power when reading this book of scripture. I feel both peace and strength when I read in the Book of Mormon. Over time and devotion to its study, I've learned I can rely on this book of scripture to give me strength amidst all my struggles in this life. The Book of Mormon is a source of strength and Godly power that I can count on to bring me peace and keep me focused on the things of God.


A Book of Mormon Story

God's Words Never Cease


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Mormonism: Faith and Trials

Mormonism: Faith and Trials


Mormonism has a different perspective on trials than general understandings. Mormonism teaches that trials help us develop our personal integrity and inner strength by requiring each individual to exercise faith in Jesus Christ through their  challenges.

The Book of Mormon states, "Learn of me (Alma); for  I know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. ... I have been supported under trails and troubles of every kind, in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, learned this for himself through many trying circumstances. His faith didn't keep him from suffering great affliction, yet in the end, he testifies of God sustaining and delivering him!

It's taken me a long time to accept that God doesn't prevent trials, but He does deliver us...eventually... from them. To be honest, I'm still learning to accept it. For most my life, I believed that if I did everything I could possibly do that was right, that my life would turn out as I planned. I haven't been able to control the outcome of my life at all... God allows me to have trials so I can grow and strengthen my faith in Christ instead of having my life go smoothly and as planned.

Mormonism teaches that believing in God requires faith while choosing fear is following the Adversary in life. We must choose faith instead of fear in order to choose God. Mormonism provides additional examples of choosing faith rather than fear in the additional testament of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon have great stories of people's lives of trials where faith was required in order to gain greater faith and knowledge and personal testimony of God's love for them. We, too, must choose faith while in our trials in order to gain knowledge of God's love for us!



Trusting in the Lord
Trusting the Will of God

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Mormonism: After Baptism

Mormonism: After Baptism

Mormonism teaches us through the Book of Mormon about baptism and our personal obligation to God after baptism. One section of scriptural reference states, "Follow me (Christ), and do the things which ye have seen me do. ... I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism -- yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost: yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost..." 

Following baptism the Book of Mormon states, "...ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Nephi 31)

'Feasting upon the words of Christ' means Christ's words we have in books of scripture... the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants. Jesus Christ has spoken to numerous prophets throughout the history of the world; we are lucky and blessed that to have their writings. Not only to we study and feast on Christ's words, but we  follow them by applying them to our lives.
'Pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ' means exercising faith and hope in Christ, His teachings and His promises... through all types of struggles that come to us in this life. I know for myself, that I can read and read the scriptures and yet still need them again each time I read them. I think this is because life doesn't stop bringing challenges and trials. 
This concept seems simple, yet remembering it and doing it is difficult; again, that's why continually feasting upon Christ's words is so important.


My Duty to God -- Awesome Story!!
Followers of Jesus Christ

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Mormonism: The Holy Ghost

Mormonism and the Holy Ghost

Mormonism teaches that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead (after God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ). While the Father and the Son each have a resurrected body of flesh and bone, the Holy Ghost is still a being of spirit. This way the Holy Ghost can enter our hearts and silently speak to our minds.

The Holy Ghost witnesses to our souls the things that are eternal truths -- especially of Jesus Christ and His mission on this earth. The Holy Ghost witnesses (lets us know) who are God's true messengers (prophets) on the earth. Before baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, people experience the power of the Holy Ghost. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given to a newly baptized person by a man who received the priesthood (the power of God) by the laying on of hands by one who possesses the priesthood himself. The priesthood holder lays his hands gently on the recently baptized's head and reverently blesses that individual with the Gift of the Holy Ghost which is an ever-present companionship as long as that person is obeying the baptismal covenants they made.

Mormonism preaches about the Holy Ghost and how it helps each person individually to receive the guidance they each need. All of us go through our lives and struggle to make the choices that will help us progress well. Many times we feel lost in knowing what direction to take. Having the companionship of the Holy Ghost to help us truly is a gift in our lives.

The New Testament tells us how the Holy Ghost feels in Galations 5:22-23... "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." The feelings of the Holy Ghost are always positive and good... All things of God feel that way. The Holy Ghost is our director to help us discern between right and wrong, good and bad, helpful or hindering, etc.


Voice of the Spirit
Being Saved in Enemy Territory

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Mormonism: Repentance

Mormonism: Repentance

Mormonism is saturated with the principle of repentance. Repentance is the second (first is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ) principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All people anywhere in the world or living at any time in history have need for repentance. We have weak bodies and spirits and make minimal mistakes on a daily basis. And, of course, sin is the breaking of God's commandments. The Book of Mormon tells us that no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven, thus repentance is crucial to our salvation. The New Testament teaches in several verses that Jesus knows our thoughts, even our thoughts can condemn us and we need to seek forgiveness for our thoughts. 

Only Jesus Christ lived without sin or transgression; He is our perfect example for us to emulate, so I am thankful to Him for His Atonement which enables us to repent.

All prophets from Adam to our current day must teach faith on Jesus Christ and repentance in order to partake of Christ's Atoning Grace. If we do not repent throughout our lives, we cannot be redeemed by Christ. The act of repenting helps our hearts be converted towards God... it's a spiritual exercise that is needed for personal strength just as physical exercise keeps our muscles from atrophy.

In Matthew 11:18 Jesus Christ "commands all men everywhere to repent." Repentance is not an option if we want to follow Christ and the path back to our Heavenly Father. At times, God allows great suffering for us because we are prideful and stubborn, unwilling to be humble and repent of whatever our wrong-doings are.

There are other blessings before eternal life which we receive when we are repentant. We are released from the burden of shame in our lives when we repent. We not only have greater confidence among our fellow beings, we possess greater confidence before God! We have greater self-control. We also enjoy a greater sense of happiness and peace in our daily lives. Furthermore, we can share our lessons learned and personal growth with others and help inspire and lift others so they can enjoy the peace we have gained!



The steps of Repentance:
  • Recognize the sin and feel sorrow
  • Forsake or abandon sin and all connections to it
  • Confession to proper priesthood authority and/or God
  • Make restitution when applicable
Reclaimed... a smart message!

Learn More About Repentance & Mormonism:

Qs&As about Mormonism: www.mormontopics.org

What other Mormons say about Repentance: www.mormon.org

Search "Repentance" for innumerable articles: www.lds.org

Read about Repentance in the Book of Mormon: www.mormon.org/book-of-mormon

Chat with a Mormon missionary about Repentance: www.mormon.org/chat




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Mormonism: Fasting

Mormonism: Fasting

Mormonism teaches fasting to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Fasting is going without eating food or drink at one's own will. Mormonism teaches that fasting is done in order to develop spiritual strength. When we deny ourselves physical gratification of eating, our spirit must provide needed strength to sustain us. It's like exercise for our spirits. 

There are frequent references to fasting in the latter end of the Old Testament and throughout the New Testament. Mormonism possesses additional scriptures containing more references to fasting. True believers in God fast for spiritual strength. People fasted for reasons of sorrow, repentance, religious ceremonies, and personal sacrifice before God.

Today, Church members are to fast once a month on the first Sunday of each month. Mormons fast for personal reasons of healing, comfort, spiritual guidance, and other blessings. When our physical body is weak, we can be more sensitive to things of the spirit; therefore, Church services include the sharing of testimonies of God on the first Sunday of each month. We can strengthen each other by sharing this wonderful spirit along with beautiful truths of God. 

Mormonism teaches that when a person fasts they are not to show their sacrifice to those around them... like in a martyrdom fashion. Instead, keep the fasting to oneself as it is a form of worship to God -- personal between the faster and God. Also, one is encouraged to more fervently study the scriptures during a fast, and to pray more. Again, while fasting, a person's spirit is more effective to understand, experience, and receive things of the Spirit of God. Fasting, along with prayer and scripture study brings us closer to God.



A Prophet's Testimony of Jesus Christ

Learn More about Mormonism and Fasting Practices:

Q&A about Mormonism: www.mormontopics.org

Mormons and their Beliefs: www.mormon.org

Search "Fasting" at the Official Church web site: www.lds.org

Your own Free Book of Mormon:  www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

Chat live about Mormonism and Fasting: www.mormon.org/chat



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Mormonism: Prayer

Mormonism: Prayer

Mormonism has many examples of prayer in every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, most people pray to the God in which they believe -- not just Christians or Mormons.

What is prayer? 

Prayer is the way we humans on earth communicate with deity. Mormonism teaches that deity is God, our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Mormonism also teaches that we pray to Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ's name. In other words, Jesus Christ is our connection to our Heavenly Father.

How do we pray?

Mormonism provides a simple guideline or format:

  • Dear Father in Heaven,
  • I thank thee...
  • I ask thee...
  • In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
We are commanded in the scriptures to be thankful in all things. Expressing gratitude to Heavenly Father for all we have (even our trials) helps us be humble and aware of God's love for us.
We can also read in the scriptures that God wants us to pray over all we have and all our needs... so we ask our Father for help. This helps us build trust in Him more than trusting in things or people in the world.
We close all prayers in Christ's name because Christ is our Mediator with our Heavenly Father. None of us can get back to our Father except through Jesus Christ... even with prayer.

When and Where do we pray?

We can pray any and all times of the day or night. Mormonism teaches a prayer every morning and night without any distractions. (I always say these prayers at my bedside.) Mormonism also teaches people to have a prayer in their hearts at all times. (I often pray while I'm driving.) Some people consider meditation a part of prayer in which they quiet themselves and listen, waiting for personal inspiration through God's spirit. Listening is a very important part of prayer to include. For me, it's the hardest part of prayer for me to develop -- I'm still working on my listening skills when it comes to prayer.

Why do we pray?

We pray to maintain a close relationship with God. We pray so we can feel God's presence in our lives and know that we are not alone here on earth. We can also pray for knowledge, understanding, solutions to problems, and for comfort.


The First Step with Prayer for a young man from the Czech Republic

Learn from a humble woman's example about Prayer

Learn More about Prayer and Mormonism:

www.mormontopics.org to read Qs&As about Mormonism

www.mormon.org to read of Mormons and their Beliefs about Prayer

www.lds.org to search endless articles about Prayer

www.mormon.org/book-of-mormon to read about and order a free Book of Mormon

www.mormon.org/chat to chat live with a Mormon missionary  

I know that God is aware of me. Many times I sense the spirit when praying, yet I'm still not good at listening for specific answers. Like all relationships, it takes work, time and patience. I will continue to pray the rest of my life and hopefully get better at discerning answers to my prayers!
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