Why we need a Savior

What would life be like without a Savior? 

Come and See

You may wonder why members of the Mormon faith get so excited about sharing their beliefs with others. After all, there are currently more than 88,000 members of the church who are serving as full-time missionaries all across the Globe. So what exactly is a missionary? "A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel." (Elder David A. Bednar).

My 19 year old daughter is one of those 88,000.  Of her own free will and choice, she made the decision to leave the comforts of home for 18 months to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is serving her mission on the other side of the country and I have not seen my daughter in over 9 months now.  I miss her terribly, but at the same time I wouldn't want her anywhere else.  It has been a wonderful opportunity for her to spend this time devoted to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  She has literally changed peoples' lives! She has brought meaning to their lives and helped them understand their worth as Children of God.  And in the process, she has changed her own life for good as well. Through her weekly emails I have seen the growth that has taken place in her life. She has learned life skills that she probably wouldn't have learned had she chosen to not go on a mission.  But more importantly, her own testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and her relationship with Him has been strengthened beyond measure as she has shared it with others. That is absolutely priceless.

So why did she have such a strong desire to share the gospel with others? I was reading a message from Elder Bednar, one of the 12 Apostles in the church.  He asks and answers the question, "Why are Latter-day Saints so eager to tell me about what they believe and to invite me to learn about their church?"  He says...

"When we invite you to attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not trying to sell you a product.  As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest.  We are not seeking simply to increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not attempting to coerce you to believe as we do.  We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true."

He continues, "Some of you may respond, 'But I already believe in Jesus and follow His teachings.' or 'I am not sure if God really exists.'  Our invitations to you are not an attempt to diminish your religious tradition or life experience.  Bring all that you know is true, good, praiseworthy-and test our message.  Just as Jesus Beckoned two of His disciples to 'come and see' (John 1:39), so we urge you to come and see if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ enlarges and enriches that which you already believe to be true." (Elder Bednar-"Come and See")

I too invite you to "come and see".  This gospel has brought an immeasurable amount of peace and happiness into my life and the life of my family.  This peace and happiness is available to all who sincerely "come and see".  Jesus Christ stands at the door and knocks.  But it is we who have to open the door and let Him in.

Sharing is Natural

Sharing is natural. #ShareGoodness

Posted by LDS Youth on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Do we have a Mother in Heaven?

Do we have a Mother in Heaven? The answer is absolutely YES!  This is what our Church teaches about our Mother in Heaven...

Mother in Heaven

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. This understanding is rooted in scriptural and prophetic teachings about the nature of God, our relationship to Deity, and the godly potential of men and women.¹The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother is a cherished and distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints.²

While there is no record of a formal revelation to Joseph Smith on this doctrine, some early Latter-day Saint women recalled that he personally taught them about a Mother in Heaven.³ The earliest published references to the doctrine appeared shortly after Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, in documents written by his close associates.⁴The most notable expression of the idea is found in a poem by Eliza R. Snow, entitled “My Father in Heaven” and now known as the hymn “O My Father.” This text declares: “In the heav’ns are parents single? / No, the thought makes reason stare; / Truth is reason—truth eternal / Tells me I’ve a mother there.”⁵

Subsequent Church leaders have affirmed the existence of a Mother in Heaven. In 1909, the First Presidency taught that “all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.”⁶ Susa Young Gates, a prominent leader in the Church, wrote in 1920 that Joseph Smith’s visions and teachings revealed the truth that “the divine Mother, [is] side by side with the divine Father.”⁷ And in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” issued in 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared, “Each [person] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”⁸

Prophets have taught that our heavenly parents work together for the salvation of the human family. “We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us,” taught Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.⁹ President Harold B. Lee stated, “We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can.”¹⁰

Latter-day Saints direct their worship to Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, and do not pray to Heavenly Mother. In this, they follow the pattern set by Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples to “always pray unto the Father in my name.”¹¹ Latter-day Saints are taught to pray to Heavenly Father, but as President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The fact that we do not pray to our Mother in Heaven in no way belittles or denigrates her.”¹² Indeed, as Elder Rudger Clawson wrote, “We honor woman when we acknowledge Godhood in her eternal Prototype.”¹³

As with many other truths of the gospel, our present knowledge about a Mother in Heaven is limited. Nevertheless, we have been given sufficient knowledge to appreciate the sacredness of this doctrine and to comprehend the divine pattern established for us as children of heavenly parents. Latter-day Saints believe that this pattern is reflected in Paul’s statement that “neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”¹⁴ Men and women cannot be exalted without each other. Just as we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.

https://www.lds.org/topics/mother-in-heaven?lang=eng#print

What is the Book of Mormon?

“If people could really understand what the Book of Mormon is, they would cherish that book like their lives depended on it,”

“Prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses were men called by God to teach truth in the Holy Land,” the video explains. “But did God only speak to people in the Holy Land? At that same time, there were people in other parts of the world, and the Book of Mormon is proof that God called prophets to help them as well.”

What is the Book of Mormon? Watch this short video to find out!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618837/What-is-the-Book-of-Mormon-Video-created-by-3-returned-missionaries-answers-the-question.html?clear_cache=1

Marriage between a Man and a Woman

Marriage between a Man and a Woman: Thoughts from an Apostle 

"Marriage between a man and a woman is fundamental to the Lord’s doctrine and crucial to God’s eternal plan. Marriage between a man and a woman is God’s pattern for a fulness of life on earth and in heaven. God’s marriage pattern cannot be abused, misunderstood, or misconstrued. Not if you want true joy. God’s marriage pattern protects the sacred power of procreation and the joy of true marital intimacy. We know that Adam and Eve were married by God before they ever experienced the joy of uniting as husband and wife.

 

In our day civil governments have a vested interest in protecting marriage because strong families constitute the best way of providing for the health, education, welfare, and prosperity of rising generations. But civil governments are heavily influenced by social trends and secular philosophies as they write, rewrite, and enforce laws. Regardless of what civil legislation may be enacted, the doctrine of the Lord regarding marriage and morality cannot be changed. Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God!

 

While we are to emulate our Savior’s kindness and compassion, while we are to value the rights and feelings of all of God’s children, we cannot change His doctrine. It is not ours to change. His doctrine is ours to study, understand, and uphold.

 

The Savior’s way of life is good. His way includes chastity before marriage and total fidelity within marriage. The Lord’s way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. His way brings sustained comfort to our souls and perennial peace to our homes. And best of all, His way leads us home to Him and our Heavenly Father, to eternal life and exaltation. This is the very essence of God’s work and glory."

 

Elder Russell M. Nelson-"Decisions for Eternity" November 2013 Ensign

God and Human Suffering

Is human suffering proof that God doesn't exist? Some believe that if there is a God, and God is good, he would not permit unjust suffering, so therefore there must not be a God. Is this a logical and accurate conclusion?
 

This 5 min. video from "Prager University" gives an interesting perspective on the subject of God and suffering.

 

"If there were no God, there would be no absolute standard of good...We can talk meaningfully about suffering being unnecessary or wrong only if we have an underlying belief that a standard of right and wrong objectively exists; and if that... standard really exists, that means there is a God."

 

Who are the Mormons?

Check out this great info-graphic which gives a quick look into the Mormon church.
And for a little Mormonism 101, click on the link for answers to some frequently asked questions such as...

Do Mormons believe in the Bible?
Do Mormon women lead in the church?
Do Mormons believe they will get their own planet?
Do Mormons practice polygamy?
Why do Mormons baptize for the dead?
Are Mormon's Christian?
Do Mormon's believe in the Trinity?
What is the position of the church in regards to race relations?

For these and other FAQ, click on the link. Mormonism 101:FAQ

Mormon Temples

Are you curious about Mormon Temples? What do they look like inside? What is the purpose of Temples? What goes on inside a Temple? This is a fabulous video which will answer these questions and more. I hope you will watch it.  The Temple is a holy and sacred place where I am able to feel nearer to God and to my Savior Jesus Christ. The Temple has been a tremendous blessing to me and my family. 

 

The Purpose of Life

Where did we come from?

Why are we here?

Where do we go after we leave this life?

Another Mormon Myth

This is an excerpt from the new book, "Mormons: An Open Book".  This is one of the many myths about our church: