What do Mormon's Believe?

As I listened to MPR this morning (I know I have crossed over), I heard comments about why people would not vote for Mitt Romney; mostly because he is a Mormon. Then they continued to comment that they couldn't vote for someone who didn't profess Christ in their lives. I am not saying who I am going to vote for during the upcoming election, but I would like to share that Mormons do believe and profess Christ in our lives. 

I was also inspired by an article found on our Church's website. Elder M. Russell Ballard (a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles), on December 15, 2007, he encouraged BYU-Hawaii graduates to use "new media" resources, such as blogs to share information about the Church. He said that we shouldn't sit by and let others tell about what we do and do not believe in, that we should share what we know, without bitterness or argument: "We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including critics attempt to define, what the Church teaches." (http://newsroom.lds.org) Also, he gave a wonderful talk this last General Conference, October 6, 2007; teaching how to share the gospel. I will share some of the things that he suggested we teach.

So, if you are reading this blog and are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please read on, learn about what we as "mormons" believe. 

"Facts:

* First, 'Mormon' is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as 'Mormons,' 'Latter-day Saints,' or 'LDS.' the term 'Saint' means 'member.'

*Second, the Church was restored in 1830 in upstate New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with President Gordon B. Hickley as the present Prophet.

*Third, there are now over 13 million members in 176 countries and territories. About 6 million of these are in the United States, making us the fourth largest Christian denomination in America. As one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in the world, we complete a new chapel every working day. Members pay a tithe, which is 10 percent of their income, making this and other programs possible. (emphasis added)

*Fourth, local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions.

*And fifth, Mormons are well represented in politics and government. (In the United States, for example, there are 16 members in Congress, from both political parties.) Members also serve in high trusted positions throughout the world in business, medicine, law, education, media, sports and entertainment.

Faith:

Next people need to know something of our faith as committed Christians with strong traditional values...(emphasis added)

* We believe in the eternity of the soul, that God is the Father of our soul, that God is the Father of our spirits, and that we can return to Him after death.

*We believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and we try to model our lives after Him and His teachings. We commemorate Christ's atoning sacrifice in our Sunday worship services, similar to taking communion in other churches. We accept as fellow Christians all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind. Many Christians do not understand that we have much common ground with them. Joseph Smith taught that Jesus Christ is the core of our belief, and everything else is an appendage to it (see Elders' Journal, July 1838, 44).  The name of the Church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.(emphasis added)

* We believe the original church that Jesus established was lost and has been restored again in our day. The priesthood, the authority given to man to act in the name of God, with apostles and a prophet to lead us, has been restored as have all necessary ordinances of salvation.

*We believe in and use the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments.

* And we believe in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture which support and authenticate the Bible and testify of the ministry  and divinity of Christ and of God's on going revelation to man. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ.'

Family:

* Mormons place particularly strong emphasis on family as the basic unit of the Church and of society. We have a deep commitment of marriage (defined as a union between one man and one woman). Polygamy, a limited practice in the early pioneer days of the Church, was discontinued in 1890, some 117 years ago.

*Families and individuals, whether members of our faith or not can attend Sunday services in our chapels. Here we worship together, instructing one another form the scriptures.

*Latter-day Saint families are encouraged to hold family home evenings weekly, usually on Monday nights. This provides a regular and predictable time for parents to teach values to their children and to have fun together. We invited those not of our faith to adopt this practice with their own families.

*The Church has auxiliary programs for women, youth and children as a support to the family. These programs provide such things as religious instruction, opportunities for Christian service, sports, drama, music and Scouting.

*And there is also much focus on extended family, genealogy, and personal family history, providing young and old with a stronger sense of roots, identity, and belonging. The highest and most sacred ordinances of our faith relate to our families, both the living and dead, and some of these ordinances take place in our temples.

Fruits:

...the Savior said, 'by their fruits ye shall know them' (Matthew 7:20).

Here are a few examples based on United States statistics. But these would be similar throughout the world among practicing Mormons. (by which we mean those who attend church and the temple regularly):

*One of the fruits is a longer life. Studies show that practicing Mormons are healthier and therefore live longer than the national average. In 1833 the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the Word of Wisdom, which is the way to live in order to enjoy a long and healthy life.

*Second, those who are married in and attend the temple regularly have a divorce rate far below the national average.

*Third, we achieve an educational level that is higher than the national average.

*Fourth, over 70,000 members volunteer at their own expense to serve for 18-24 months in humanitarian efforts, Church services assignments, and full-time missionary service throughout the world.

*And fifth, we place a strong emphasis on self-reliance and a solid work ethic. We encourage active involvement in our communities and in providing service to others. The Church continues to donate substantial money, goods, and services to humanitarian causes, around the globe, including untold hours of labor donated by members to assist in disaster cleanup and relief." (Ensign, November 2007, 25-27).

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would like to share with you that I know that this is the true Church of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that by reading it you will come closer to God, you will feel His guiding influence in your life, and you will become better and come to know and understand our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the Book of Mormon there is a promise, that if you read it, and pray about it, you will know of its validity. I encourage you to try it,  pray to see if the Church is true. Heavenly Father will answer your prayer if you pray in faith!