The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints-Our Beliefs- REAL TALK!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Chastity - What are the limits?
If you want the answers...they're all here...Learn them , live them and learn to love living them...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Gratitude for my Savior
As a child of Heavenly Father, I lived my life as many others. I believed in God. I believed Jesus Christ was my Savior. I attended church. I tried to help anyone who may have a need. However, I did not have the "personal relationship" with my Savior and Heavenly Father until hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's pure form. We wander around aimlessly, with good intentions;professing what others should or should not do. Mankind takes the Bible and relies on his intelligence and hours of study to determine his qualification to interpret, then takes his interpretation and relays it to those who will listen. Some of what is said may be right on target, however, some will be way off base. Ultimately, the flock becomes stagnant..because they rely solely on someone else to feed them. This is where the distraction comes in. Our Savior told us he would leave his Spirit to be with us. I want to profess my sincere gratitude for that Gift.
Jesus left the Holy Ghost with us as our comforter, the testifier of truth and our spiritual GPs. He gave us a "spiritual cell phone" to communicate with him, however, most never pick up that phones up because they take the word of someone else (pastor, preacher, priest).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches the Gospel in it's pure form, however, the church also teaches us to accept nothing blindly, petition the Holy Spirit on all matters...We should never take something and rely on our literal interpretation of what we read. We are instructed to get on our knees and ask. Do not ask your preacher, ask your Father. I am so thankful for this gift.
We are also taught the intimacy of our relationship with Heavenly Father and Our Savior is not limited..It is a direct result of our desire.
Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer. I know He died on the cross for me and all humanity. I know He lives. I know He was and is the perfect example for us. I know Heavenly Father granted free agency to allow for unlimited Spiritual growth. I love the peace and joy provided by the gospel and the safety net provided by the Holy Ghost.
I truly want the entire world to know that even though we may not know everything, we know enough to strive to be obedient and all then all else falls into place.
Jesus left the Holy Ghost with us as our comforter, the testifier of truth and our spiritual GPs. He gave us a "spiritual cell phone" to communicate with him, however, most never pick up that phones up because they take the word of someone else (pastor, preacher, priest).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches the Gospel in it's pure form, however, the church also teaches us to accept nothing blindly, petition the Holy Spirit on all matters...We should never take something and rely on our literal interpretation of what we read. We are instructed to get on our knees and ask. Do not ask your preacher, ask your Father. I am so thankful for this gift.
We are also taught the intimacy of our relationship with Heavenly Father and Our Savior is not limited..It is a direct result of our desire.
Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer. I know He died on the cross for me and all humanity. I know He lives. I know He was and is the perfect example for us. I know Heavenly Father granted free agency to allow for unlimited Spiritual growth. I love the peace and joy provided by the gospel and the safety net provided by the Holy Ghost.
I truly want the entire world to know that even though we may not know everything, we know enough to strive to be obedient and all then all else falls into place.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Jesus Mormons believe in
Tonight's topic...
The Jesus Mormons believe in..
Mormons believe in Jesus, who came here willing to atone for the sins of mankind...all mankind..
yes, Kirk Cameron, maybe even Hitler, if he accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We don't know and to assume we do, means we are trying to do something that was only given to one divine being to do.. Jesus Christ...
Do Mormons believe salvation is only found in Jesus Christ?
Absolutely, without the atonement of Jesus Christ to pay our debt, to fill the gap of our imperfections there is no salvation. So, do Mormons believe Jesus is the only way back to Heavenly Father? Yes, we do.
Do we believe that we just throw Jesus name around and it's all good ?
Not exactly, Yes, once you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, it's a done deal.
Eternal life is yours...however, there is more...
The "more" is not there for those seeking glory...
The "more" is not there to say that one person is better than another...
The "more" is not there for Mormons (or those of any faith) to believe just being a member is a sure win for a spot.
The "more" is there for those who truly desire to constantly grow closer to God.
The "more" is there for those who truly strive to do all that is asked of them by
the Spirit.
The "more" is there for those who unconditionally love all those given to Jesus Christ.
The "more" is there for those who are chastised for the work of Christ.
Now, what is the "more"?
Well, if you listen to the average "anti-Mormon" take on the plan of Happiness..
You are informed all Mormons believe themselves to some day become Gods...
The truth of the matter is, based on our desire to serve God ..we will be granted certain things..which equal..more serving of God as he wants us to.
Eternity is unending... and so, what are we all going to do?
Sit around , eat grapes and listen to harp music?
Nope..we will continue to grow (Spiritually), learn, ultimately progressing throughout eternity becoming more able to take on the tasks our Father would have us do.
Sound weird?
How so?
Jesus came here as our Savior..He was the word made flesh...His life and ministry were the perfect examples of giving all to Heavenly Father (his father, which he spoke of many times) ... He also made a point after his resurrection of having people touch him. They touched a tangible body..not a ghost like body. He taught that we would some day be resurrected and be united Spirit and flesh... He taught of the Holy Ghost as our guide once he left us. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who was ordained before birth to carry out that task. Yes, we believe Jesus is God of the Old Testament... the one who all things were created by and through..which was a task granted to him by his Father..... We also know that Jesus came here, became man and spoke of his Father. Jesus wasn't schizophrenic..so, he was speaking of and giving glory to his Father (someone other than himself). So, Mormons do believe that all things were made by Jesus Christ, who was given that task by his Heavenly Father. Jesus did all things to give the Glory to his Father.
Many...take that concept of "Jesus and Satan being brothers" and run to a place that makes no sense. We are all Spirit children of our Heavenly Father (God). Jesus Christ is our brother, Lord, Savior and first Spirit to proceed from his Father. He is the Son of God, who willing agreed to take on the task Heavenly Father wanted done. Satan, also a son of God..(as is Hitler, Judas, Charles Manson) wanted all to be given to him..yet,Satan had other things in store.
He wanted to take on the task Heavenly Father wanted done..but, wanted to the Glory for himself, not to glorify his Father. We know from the scriptures that Satan rebelled against God and a third of the hosts (Spirit children) chose to follow Satan and were cast out...never to obtain a body, have a mortal trial and progress to that example Jesus gave us of a resurrected body, Spirit and flesh.. immortal and perfected. Scripturally..it's all there..it's all in the Bible. So, what is the big deal about Jesus being the brother of Satan? Does that make Jesus any less than the loving son of Heavenly Father, who took upon himself the sins of the world, gave his blood and died on the cross for us so that we may return to Our Father in Heaven?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Jesus and his greatness cannot be tarnished by the sins of his Spirit brother, Lucifer. Just as he is not tarnished by the many SINS WE COMMIT.
The Jesus Mormons believe in is the most loving, sacrificing, perfect example to ever walk this planet... He loved. He taught love. He did not teach people to run around judging one another. He did not teach people to run around bashing other faiths. He did not teach people to build a ministry of contentious arguments. He commands us to preach his gospel to all. Preach does not equal judge.
Preach does not mean condemn. Preach does not mean debate. Preach means..LOVE FIRST and TEACH his Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect.
We can tell the goodness of the tree by the fruit it produces.
Stop, check out tree and see what it has produced.
The Jesus Mormons believe in..
Mormons believe in Jesus, who came here willing to atone for the sins of mankind...all mankind..
yes, Kirk Cameron, maybe even Hitler, if he accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We don't know and to assume we do, means we are trying to do something that was only given to one divine being to do.. Jesus Christ...
Do Mormons believe salvation is only found in Jesus Christ?
Absolutely, without the atonement of Jesus Christ to pay our debt, to fill the gap of our imperfections there is no salvation. So, do Mormons believe Jesus is the only way back to Heavenly Father? Yes, we do.
Do we believe that we just throw Jesus name around and it's all good ?
Not exactly, Yes, once you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, it's a done deal.
Eternal life is yours...however, there is more...
The "more" is not there for those seeking glory...
The "more" is not there to say that one person is better than another...
The "more" is not there for Mormons (or those of any faith) to believe just being a member is a sure win for a spot.
The "more" is there for those who truly desire to constantly grow closer to God.
The "more" is there for those who truly strive to do all that is asked of them by
the Spirit.
The "more" is there for those who unconditionally love all those given to Jesus Christ.
The "more" is there for those who are chastised for the work of Christ.
Now, what is the "more"?
Well, if you listen to the average "anti-Mormon" take on the plan of Happiness..
You are informed all Mormons believe themselves to some day become Gods...
The truth of the matter is, based on our desire to serve God ..we will be granted certain things..which equal..more serving of God as he wants us to.
Eternity is unending... and so, what are we all going to do?
Sit around , eat grapes and listen to harp music?
Nope..we will continue to grow (Spiritually), learn, ultimately progressing throughout eternity becoming more able to take on the tasks our Father would have us do.
Sound weird?
How so?
Jesus came here as our Savior..He was the word made flesh...His life and ministry were the perfect examples of giving all to Heavenly Father (his father, which he spoke of many times) ... He also made a point after his resurrection of having people touch him. They touched a tangible body..not a ghost like body. He taught that we would some day be resurrected and be united Spirit and flesh... He taught of the Holy Ghost as our guide once he left us. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who was ordained before birth to carry out that task. Yes, we believe Jesus is God of the Old Testament... the one who all things were created by and through..which was a task granted to him by his Father..... We also know that Jesus came here, became man and spoke of his Father. Jesus wasn't schizophrenic..so, he was speaking of and giving glory to his Father (someone other than himself). So, Mormons do believe that all things were made by Jesus Christ, who was given that task by his Heavenly Father. Jesus did all things to give the Glory to his Father.
Many...take that concept of "Jesus and Satan being brothers" and run to a place that makes no sense. We are all Spirit children of our Heavenly Father (God). Jesus Christ is our brother, Lord, Savior and first Spirit to proceed from his Father. He is the Son of God, who willing agreed to take on the task Heavenly Father wanted done. Satan, also a son of God..(as is Hitler, Judas, Charles Manson) wanted all to be given to him..yet,Satan had other things in store.
He wanted to take on the task Heavenly Father wanted done..but, wanted to the Glory for himself, not to glorify his Father. We know from the scriptures that Satan rebelled against God and a third of the hosts (Spirit children) chose to follow Satan and were cast out...never to obtain a body, have a mortal trial and progress to that example Jesus gave us of a resurrected body, Spirit and flesh.. immortal and perfected. Scripturally..it's all there..it's all in the Bible. So, what is the big deal about Jesus being the brother of Satan? Does that make Jesus any less than the loving son of Heavenly Father, who took upon himself the sins of the world, gave his blood and died on the cross for us so that we may return to Our Father in Heaven?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Jesus and his greatness cannot be tarnished by the sins of his Spirit brother, Lucifer. Just as he is not tarnished by the many SINS WE COMMIT.
The Jesus Mormons believe in is the most loving, sacrificing, perfect example to ever walk this planet... He loved. He taught love. He did not teach people to run around judging one another. He did not teach people to run around bashing other faiths. He did not teach people to build a ministry of contentious arguments. He commands us to preach his gospel to all. Preach does not equal judge.
Preach does not mean condemn. Preach does not mean debate. Preach means..LOVE FIRST and TEACH his Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect.
We can tell the goodness of the tree by the fruit it produces.
Stop, check out tree and see what it has produced.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Missionaries
Tonight...I'd like to touch base on something. Whether you cross paths with two LDS missionaries, a group of Jehovah Witnesses (or) missionaries of any faith, the Christlike thing to do is be polite to them. (Hiding from them is perfectly ok..haha) Being polite doesn't mean you have to agree with them or let them into your home. It doesn't mean you have to debate them to prove you're right. Being polite means you kindly tell them you respect the time and effort they take to try to share whatever message they have and if you don't want to hear the message, politely tell them you are happy where you are and wish them well. Missionaries of most Christian faiths are not out there for quotas. They're out there because they love the gospel of Jesus Christ and they want to share it with their brothers and sisters.
It saddens me to hear stories of missionaries (of all faiths) being spat at, cursed at, degraded and belittled. I once had someone tell me how a family member "laid out the Mormon missionaries" and that Mormons don't believe in the same Jesus they do. Well, at first , I thought, "yes, we do".. then I thought, "maybe, Jesus is not to them what he is to me, because the Jesus I love did not teach us to do that."
Keep in mind, they're not out there making money. They don't get paid. They don't get to see their family for 2 years and only get to speak to them on special occasions. Their days are spent spreading the gospel and studying scripture, no television watching allowed. They have a curfew to adhere to. They give their time doing service projects for those they encounter. Finally, remember, they're someone's daughter, son, sister, brother, grandchild, niece, nephew, mother, father or grandparent ..and consider how you would want any who may encounter your loved one to treat them. They're wonderful people who love the gospel with strong conviction.
I am very thankful they do what they do.
It saddens me to hear stories of missionaries (of all faiths) being spat at, cursed at, degraded and belittled. I once had someone tell me how a family member "laid out the Mormon missionaries" and that Mormons don't believe in the same Jesus they do. Well, at first , I thought, "yes, we do".. then I thought, "maybe, Jesus is not to them what he is to me, because the Jesus I love did not teach us to do that."
Keep in mind, they're not out there making money. They don't get paid. They don't get to see their family for 2 years and only get to speak to them on special occasions. Their days are spent spreading the gospel and studying scripture, no television watching allowed. They have a curfew to adhere to. They give their time doing service projects for those they encounter. Finally, remember, they're someone's daughter, son, sister, brother, grandchild, niece, nephew, mother, father or grandparent ..and consider how you would want any who may encounter your loved one to treat them. They're wonderful people who love the gospel with strong conviction.
I am very thankful they do what they do.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Rewind
Why does a person join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormons)?
It amazes me to hear the explanation of those of other faiths with regard to people who convert to Mormonism. I hear words like cult, brainwashing, trickery. I've read articles on how to combat the Mormons when they show up at your door. I've seen videos of "preachers" supposedly "laying out the Mormon missionaries". I've realized most people honestly have very little to no understanding of what being Mormon really is.... Mormons are Christians..just as Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, etc... We believe in Christ. The same Christ as everyone else. The Christ prophesied of in the Old Testament and documented in the New Testament.
Mormon is just a nickname the world has given us.
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation on which the was church formed, during the restoration of the gospel as directed by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, through revelation to Joseph Smith. The world has turned that story into many things....... for those who want to know the real story..I suggest this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySyv1I2e9RE
So, rewind to 2001...and my story...
I was a practicing Catholic. My mother's family deeply rooted in Catholicism for generations. My father a convert to the Catholic church prior to marrying my mother.
Church was an absolute must on weekends and church designated Holy Days of obligation.
I had no intention of ever leaving the Catholic faith. I did have a dear friend who was LDS and had given me a copy of The Book of Mormon per my request, yet after attempting to read it , I placed it in a drawer for safe keeping. My friend did tell me about latter day saint missionaries and how they go out into the world, at the expense of their family on money set aside especially for that purpose. I really thought it was remarkable for young men to take time out to share the gospel, at an age when their peers are into partying.. even if I didn't know exactly what the church was about or if I agreed with what they taught. My friend never pushed the LDS church on me. Like I said, the book was given to me upon my request and never did my friend ask if I read the book or what I thought.
Spring 2003-
Working as a home health nurse I would travel from town to town seeing patients. I love the elderly. Driving from house to house always gave me time to think and enjoy the beauty around me. I can't say I saw a LDS missionary that I was aware of during the 39 years I lived thus far. One day in April, I was riding around in a town about 25 miles away, trying to locate a patient's home. I turned onto a street and as I approached the stop sign, I noticed four young men, suits, white shirts, ties and name badges. I thought, "oh my, can't be". I'm sure they thought I was crazy and I wish to this day I had their names. I stopped my car, jumped out, asked them if they were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and one of them responded politely, "yes ma'am, we are".....I was so excited to see real missionaries. I guess my enthusiasm came from never seeing any before. I told them I thought it was really admirable for them to take time out of their lives at such a young age to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I explained to them I was Catholic, loved being Catholic, planned on staying Catholic..but, I thought what they did was great. I tried to give them some money for lunch, yet they refused. They did give me a "pass along" card. I told them goodbye and went on my merry way. Over the course of the next few weeks, it seemed as if in every town I went to , I ran into missionaries. I ran into missionaries at Wal-Mart in one town, at the hospital getting x-rays in another. I ran into a senior missionary couple at the doctor's office. I ran into missionaries everywhere...each time a different set of missionaries. I always tried to give them money for lunch, they would refuse and give me a pass-along card and I would give them my same speech about being Catholic... NOT ONE SET OF MISSIONARIES EVER ASKED ME IF THEY COULD VISIT MY HOME OR INVITED ME TO CHURCH... (I guess they didn't want my soul, haha) .... One day as I was riding through the countryside, in the middle of nowhere.. I crossed a set of two missionaries on bikes. I hit the brakes, pulled over....scared them to death....jumped out of my car, walked toward them.. I remember giving them the same speech about having an LDS friend, about thinking what they do is remarkable, about me being Catholic and staying Catholic.. I know they gave me a pass along card ..
but, what I remember most is ........
as I turned to walk back to my car....
this overwhelming, yet calm voice commanded me to give them my name and number and to
ask them to come and tell to me about their message.....
That is the first time in my life....
I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost...
I was not contemplating the LDS faith on any level.......and at that point, I still wasn't...I just knew I was commanded to do something and did it.
Recently, as I sat in church with a new Catholic friend ...who so graciously agreed to come and meet me at church one Sunday... he leaned over and whispered..
"I know the Catholic church has it's issues, but I don't understand what makes a person actually leave the Catholic church and convert."
The response came from my mouth without any thought..... I whispered back..
"The Spirit does"
(to be continued)
It amazes me to hear the explanation of those of other faiths with regard to people who convert to Mormonism. I hear words like cult, brainwashing, trickery. I've read articles on how to combat the Mormons when they show up at your door. I've seen videos of "preachers" supposedly "laying out the Mormon missionaries". I've realized most people honestly have very little to no understanding of what being Mormon really is.... Mormons are Christians..just as Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, etc... We believe in Christ. The same Christ as everyone else. The Christ prophesied of in the Old Testament and documented in the New Testament.
Mormon is just a nickname the world has given us.
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation on which the was church formed, during the restoration of the gospel as directed by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, through revelation to Joseph Smith. The world has turned that story into many things....... for those who want to know the real story..I suggest this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySyv1I2e9RE
So, rewind to 2001...and my story...
I was a practicing Catholic. My mother's family deeply rooted in Catholicism for generations. My father a convert to the Catholic church prior to marrying my mother.
Church was an absolute must on weekends and church designated Holy Days of obligation.
I had no intention of ever leaving the Catholic faith. I did have a dear friend who was LDS and had given me a copy of The Book of Mormon per my request, yet after attempting to read it , I placed it in a drawer for safe keeping. My friend did tell me about latter day saint missionaries and how they go out into the world, at the expense of their family on money set aside especially for that purpose. I really thought it was remarkable for young men to take time out to share the gospel, at an age when their peers are into partying.. even if I didn't know exactly what the church was about or if I agreed with what they taught. My friend never pushed the LDS church on me. Like I said, the book was given to me upon my request and never did my friend ask if I read the book or what I thought.
Spring 2003-
Working as a home health nurse I would travel from town to town seeing patients. I love the elderly. Driving from house to house always gave me time to think and enjoy the beauty around me. I can't say I saw a LDS missionary that I was aware of during the 39 years I lived thus far. One day in April, I was riding around in a town about 25 miles away, trying to locate a patient's home. I turned onto a street and as I approached the stop sign, I noticed four young men, suits, white shirts, ties and name badges. I thought, "oh my, can't be". I'm sure they thought I was crazy and I wish to this day I had their names. I stopped my car, jumped out, asked them if they were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and one of them responded politely, "yes ma'am, we are".....I was so excited to see real missionaries. I guess my enthusiasm came from never seeing any before. I told them I thought it was really admirable for them to take time out of their lives at such a young age to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I explained to them I was Catholic, loved being Catholic, planned on staying Catholic..but, I thought what they did was great. I tried to give them some money for lunch, yet they refused. They did give me a "pass along" card. I told them goodbye and went on my merry way. Over the course of the next few weeks, it seemed as if in every town I went to , I ran into missionaries. I ran into missionaries at Wal-Mart in one town, at the hospital getting x-rays in another. I ran into a senior missionary couple at the doctor's office. I ran into missionaries everywhere...each time a different set of missionaries. I always tried to give them money for lunch, they would refuse and give me a pass-along card and I would give them my same speech about being Catholic... NOT ONE SET OF MISSIONARIES EVER ASKED ME IF THEY COULD VISIT MY HOME OR INVITED ME TO CHURCH... (I guess they didn't want my soul, haha) .... One day as I was riding through the countryside, in the middle of nowhere.. I crossed a set of two missionaries on bikes. I hit the brakes, pulled over....scared them to death....jumped out of my car, walked toward them.. I remember giving them the same speech about having an LDS friend, about thinking what they do is remarkable, about me being Catholic and staying Catholic.. I know they gave me a pass along card ..
but, what I remember most is ........
as I turned to walk back to my car....
this overwhelming, yet calm voice commanded me to give them my name and number and to
ask them to come and tell to me about their message.....
That is the first time in my life....
I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost...
I was not contemplating the LDS faith on any level.......and at that point, I still wasn't...I just knew I was commanded to do something and did it.
Recently, as I sat in church with a new Catholic friend ...who so graciously agreed to come and meet me at church one Sunday... he leaned over and whispered..
"I know the Catholic church has it's issues, but I don't understand what makes a person actually leave the Catholic church and convert."
The response came from my mouth without any thought..... I whispered back..
"The Spirit does"
(to be continued)
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