Word of Wisdom

There are many differences between Latter Day Saints and other Christians. One of them is our belief in something called the "Word of Wisdom". The Word of Wisdom is, in a sense, our health code, explaining what is helpful and harmful for the body. This was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in a revelation back in 1833. He had been contemplating the use of tobacco during there meetings, so he prayed to God to find out what should be done about it. Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 is the result of the answer to his prayer.

The Lord promised us, that if we follow this Word of wisdom that we will, "...receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint" (D&C 89:18-20). What this tells us, is if we follow God's commandments (like how Daniel followed the health code when he was subject to King Nebechadnezzar) we we be blessed. What particularly is written in this Word of Wisdom? Why does it matter?

Specifically, we have been warned not to partake of: alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, tea (non-herbal), and coffee. First off, most of these items are very addictive in nature. I can't express how many people I know that suffer headaches or other withdrawal symptoms if they don't take their morning cup of coffee. It is not good to be addicted to any substance. Being addicted to something takes away our agency (agency is the ability to choose for ourselves, like free will). When a person partakes of alcohol, their judgment gets clouded, and they may do things that they would not have originally done if they were sober, thus their agency has been impaired. Also, the items listed are not very healthy, and have some damaging affects to the body. The easier ones to see are alcohol on the liver, and tobacco on the lungs and mouth. Other things that also fall into this category are the taking of illegal drugs and abusing prescription drugs. Both of these can be very addictive, and have bad effects on neurotransmitter release and the post synaptic terminal.

On the plus side, things that are good for the body are: vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat. Again, all of these things should be used sparingly. The Lord is trying to teach us moderation, and not to be consumed with anything. It would be just as bad to be a glutton over food as it would be to smoke cigarettes. Both are harmful to the body. Now, I realize that nobody is perfect, but this is what we are striving for. To live the Word of Wisdom, to not partake of what the Lord has asked us not to do, and to eat other things in moderation. 

I know that I have been blessed in this regard. Before joining the Church, I used to drink on occasion. I never really got into the hang of it, but I slightly enjoyed having my inhibitions loosened. However, when I would look back at what I had done while I was drinking, I was not proud of the actions I had taken. I did not like that drinking had changed my mindset, and had let my moral compass slide on standards that I had held sacred. While I was drinking, I could not choose for myself what I wanted to do. My mind was clouded, and I was easily swayed. Without alcohol, I can fully weigh both the positives and negatives of a decision, and make a prayerful choice. I have been healthier since I decided to follow the Lord's standard, and I have been blessed.

Please don't get me wrong, many of my friends and family members partake of some of these substances, and I am not judging you. I believe that people need to make this decision for themselves, and to pray about it. I will never stop loving or caring for a person if they decide to partake of the substances that I abstain from. (It reminds me of something that Paul wrote about in one of his letters, dealing with, "if someone needs to abstain from meat, that is fine, but you don't need to, if you don't believe it is necessary). It is something that someone who I hold in authority has asked members of the Church to follow, and since I am in that Church, I will continue to follow it. I believe that it can benefit the lives of others.

Best shirt ever, and definitely true of me :)

Lessons learned from the Hill Cumorah Pageant

Let me start off by saying that the Hill Cumorah Pageant was truly amazing! I know that the word "amazing" gets over used a lot, but in all reality, the Pageant was full of so much Spirit and wonder.

I drove to the Pageant with my YSA group, and we marked off some chairs. I had the great opportunity of meeting up with some friends who were in the Pageant: Tiffany Clarkstone and Garrett Hawkins. The size of the stage for the Pageant is so immense, and all the costume actors know all their parts spectacularly well. It was so unreal to be in an atmosphere where so many people believed the same thing were gathered together. I have gotten a lot of slack over the months for the decision that I have made, in joining this church, and it was great to be around people who have also understood the truth.

Since we got to Pageant wicked early, we did a little bit of sight seeing in the area. We were able to go to the bookstore, where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were published. Outside of the bookstore, I saw my first set of protesters. It really saddened me to see them. They do not understand the awesome message that the Book of Mormon gives, and how everything in it, the prophets and all, sincerely point to Christ. I mean, Christ told his disciples in the New Testament that He has other sheep to visit that they know not of. These other sheep definitely included the people who lived previously in the Americas. It was really interesting learning of how the book got published and all the steps that it took.

Fast forward to the evening: from 7 to 9pm the cast came out and shared the message of Truth and Restoration to those in the audience. It was very humbling to have the actors who would portray Nephi (from 1 Nephi) and Alma come to my group and share a message with me. They challenged me to think of a name of a person who could benefit from the message of the Restored Gospel, and I actually came up with one! Being surrounded by so many LDS people (700 in the cast, and many thousands watching that evening), gave me a snippet of what Heaven will be like. The Spirit was so strong there. I have experienced spiritual moments before, even before joining the Church. However, this was one of the times where the Spirit was so palpable for such an extended period of time. It gives a better understanding of how the Holy Ghost witnesses of the truth in all things, and the Holy Ghost was so evidently witnessing of all the truth that was being portrayed. It was like basking in a glorious light, with a perpetual sense of peace and calmness. So amazing, so inspiring!

The Pageant itself tells 10 stories from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The  first scene deals with the Prophet Lehi, and his warning the people in Jerusalem to turn from their sins and repent, or Jerusalem would be destroyed. The people reject him, and Lehi takes his family from that area.

The people in Jerusalem

The second scene deals with the visions of Jesus Christ. Lehi and Nephi (his son) get visions from God dealing with Jesus Christ, and what will happen to the Savior of the world.

Lehi's vision of the tree.

Nephi's vision of the birth of Jesus.

Nephi's vision with Jesus getting baptized.

Nephi's vision with Jesus ordaining his 12 Apostles.

The third scene deals with Nephi and others building a ship that will be sailed to travel to the Americas. The Lord directs him to do so, and Nephi gets some persecution from his brothers, Laman and Lemuel, in the process.

Nephi building the ship.

Nephi tells his brothers to touch him not or they will become like unto a dried reed.

Scene four is the voyage to ancient America. Lehi's family begin sinning, and Nephi tries to correct them. Laman and Lemuel with some others don't like this, and they tie him to the mast of the ship. A terrible storm occurs, and it is only through repentance to God that they are saved. Once in the Americas, Nephi begins to write of his history on golden plates, that will be passed down through the generations. After a while, a fraction occurs, and those that follow God through Nephi are called the Nephites, and those that ignore God are called the Lamanites.

The families on the ship to the Americas.

Nephi recording the history on the plates.

The Nephites (bottom) and Lamanites (top) did battle much.

Fifth scene deals with the burning of Abinadi. Many hundred years have passed, and the Nephites have become wicked. Abinadi, a prophet, preaches repentance and faith in Jesus Christ who is to come. The people don't believe him, and the evil King Noah have him burned. Alma does believe the prophet, and leaves the service of the king to follow after God.

Abindai preaching faith in Christ alone.

Abinadi's death.

Alma preaching.

Scene six deals with Alma's ministry in the wilderness. He teaches the people the correct doctrine, baptizes people. King Noah gets captured and is burned alive, as Abinadi had prophesied.

Alma baptizing.

King Noah burned alive.

Scene seven deals with the prophecy by Samuel, a righteous Lamanite, about the birth and death of Jesus Christ, and various signs that will be present during that time in the Americas. When Christ is born, there will be no darkness, and when Christ dies, there will be great destruction followed by 3 days of darkness. People don't believe the signs, and about 5 years later, the night sky is lit up by a new star.

Samuel, having things thrown at him, while he prophesies on a wall.

The eighth scene deals with Christ's crucifixion, the darkness that overshadows the land in the Americas for 3 days, and then Christ's ministry among the Nephites and Lamanites. After Christ ministers, organizes His Church, ordains Apostles, heals the sick, and many other miracles, He ascends back to His Father in Heaven.

Christ's condescension to the ancient Americans.

Christ ordaining His Apostles.

Christ with the little children.

The ninth scene deals with how the Nephites and Lamanites split once more after many years of peace. Most people reject the message of Jesus Christ. The prophet Mormon writes some of the history onto golden plates and gives them to his son, Moroni. Moroni then deposits the plates in a stone box at the Hill Cumorah.

Moroni receiving the plates from Mormon.

Moroni with the golden plates.

The tenth and final scene deals with the restoration of the Church. In September 1823, near Palmyra, NY, a young man named Joseph Smith prays in a grove of trees about what church to join. He is told not to join any, in a vision where he sees Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Four years later, Joseph Smith receives the plates from the Hill Cumorah as directed by the angel Moroni. Joseph Smith translates the plates, and publishes it as the Book of Mormon. Now the Book of Mormon goes forth throughout the world.

Joseph Smith receiving the golden plates.

Joseph Smith with a copy of the printed Book of Mormon.

I learned a lot out in Palmyra. I learned that I am part of a larger group of believers than I thought possible, and that I can get strength from knowing the truth of it all. I learned that the Spirit definitely manifests the truth of all things taught, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I learned that nobody can change my mind on that fact, and that I am even more convinced of its truthfulness day by day. And that we should share this message with all those around us. Go to Palmyra, if you get a chance, you will definitely be blessed!

About God and Jesus Christ

It is sad to me when I hear other Christians call Mormons not Christians, or hear that we "worship another god". The reasoning behind this viewpoint is our view of the Godhead. In most Christian churches, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are seen as one, a trinity. Although, there are numerous times in the Bible when the Beings are referred to separately, that is still the prevailing belief. Under the heading of LDS, we believe that they are separate Heavenly Beings, but one in purpose, hence the term Godhead. There was an excellent talk given in the April 2013 General Conference by Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. of the Seventy that I will refer to heavily in this blog post. His talk was entitled, "The Father and the Son" (pgs 99-101 of the May 2013 edition of the Ensign).

'The importance of this most fundamental principle [correct understanding of the Father and the Son] of the gospel of Jesus Christ is confirmed by the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1820. The Prophet wrote: "I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"'

As can be seen by this first point made by Elder Golden, the young Prophet Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ and God the Father as two separate Beings. Okay, well, some people may not believe in this first part, because it is the basis for the LDS church, and is highly controversial. How about a look into the Bible then, because all Christians believe in that.

'In the New Testament, for example, we read of Stephen's final testimony at his martyrdom. Said he, "Behold, I see the heaven opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:56)' Now, how could the Son of God [Christ] stand on the right hand of God, if they were both the same Being? Continuing in Elder Golden's talk, 'While in mighty vision on the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle John sees the "Lord God Almighty" (Revelation 4:8) as well as the Lamb of God, who "redeemed us...by [His] blood" (Revelation 5:9).' There are many other examples as well, take the baptism of Jesus Christ in Matthew 3, where all three personages of the Godhead appear at the same time (God=voice from Heaven, Jesus Christ=physically in the water, and Spirit=descending in the form of a dove); when Christ is transfigured in front of his disciples, Peter gets a little concerned, offers to build a shelter, and then God speaks directly to them (Matthew 17:5). Plus, there is also the creation account in Genesis 1 which has God making mankind (verse 26), "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." This again refers to more than one Being for which mankind is being made.

Jesus and God work together. The way that they are able to go about this, causes a oneness of mind, a oneness of spirit. Referring back to Elder Golden, 'Every time our Lord refers to His Heavenly Father, He does so with the utmost reverence and submissiveness. In saying this, I hope there will be no misunderstanding. Jesus Christ is the great Jehovah, the God of Israel, the promised Messiah, and because of his infinite Atonement, he is our Savior and the Redeemer of the world. Of Him the Apostle Paul declared, "Then cometh the end, when [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when [Christ] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24).' Paul is suggesting that at the end of time, Christ will give up His kingdom back to God, meaning that Christ was ruling it for a while, and then, like a faithful son would, returned it back to his loving Father.

True, there are also references in the Bible to Christ and God sharing a oneness, like in John 17:20-22, which reads, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." This oneness, that the Apostles are told to be imitating, is a oneness of purpose. Christ mentioned the relationship of himself to His Father, and their oneness in purpose, in Spirit, and in Truth, but separate in personal existence.

Elder Golden has a good way of explaining it, 'The Father and the Son are distinctly separate beings, but They are perfectly united and one in power and purpose. Their oneness is not reserved for Them alone; rather, They desire this same oneness for everyone who will, with devotion, follow and obey Their commandments.' We get this oneness with God and His Son through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost witnesses to the truth of all things, is a comforter, and witnesses of Christ, among other wonderful things.

So, what is the purpose of all of this? Why does it matter? Other than me just trying to fully assert that I am still a Christian. Because, having the Godhead as three separate Beings, means so much more to me than having one Being who changes form when it seems appropriate. This makes my whole relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit much more personal. I know that I have a Father in Heaven, and also a perfect older Brother. This falls in line with God's continual focus on the family unit. Knowing that Christ atoned for my sins, because His Father asked Him to, and therefore I should do whatever it is that my Father asks me to. The road may not always be easy, and I cannot always see the end that God sees,  but I know that if I continue to follow God, as best as I can, that I will be blessed. 

I bear my testimony that I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are separate individuals, and that my life has been, and will be continually blessed as I seek to follow Them. It is important to seek the truth, and to have the Holy Ghost bear witness to all things that point to Christ, and to the truth in other areas of life. Only by seeking the truth, have I come to this realization. My God is a very real, very personal, Father in Heaven, who cared enough to send His only Begotten Son to atone for all the sins of the world. I end this blog post, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

On Faith and Works

Frequently, the question of salvation comes down to one of either faith or works. And, by looking into the Bible, it seems to give us both "you are saved by faith alone" and that "faith without works is dead". Now, I have to admit that when I had recently thought about this question, I wasn't quite sure where the truth lay. Thankfully, I've been reading this wonderful book called "Following Christ" by Stephen E. Robinson, and I will be taking sections out of his book in this blog post.

Many Protestants believe that faith is all that is needed for eternal life. Basically, they just say the "sinner's prayer" and then, they are good to go. They don't need to change things in their life, and they don't need to do good works. (Now, I am not saying that all Protestants believe this way, but a good amount do). LDS people, on the other hand, have been accredited with taking too much emphasis on works, some people even asserting that we are trying to save ourselves. Neither of these extremes is a good idea, or what the people in the Bible taught.

Let me compare two passages, one out of Romans and one out of James. Romans 3:28, "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." James 2:14 and 24, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith alone." So, is Paul right, or is James right? In actuality, they are both correct. The one big difference is their definition of the word "faith". 

To quote Stephen E. Robinson, "James defines faith as most modern readers would-as mere belief. Thus he points out that the devils also believe, and tremble. That is, they believe, but they're still going to be damned-mere belief won't do them any good. On the other hand, Paul clearly understands faith to be more than just believing. For him faith still retains its Old Testament meaning of "faithfulness" or commitment to the gospel" (pg 83). This commitment to the gospel means that we need to keep our covenants, keep the commandments, to change our lives, and to follow after Christ. If we only believe, but don't change our attitudes or our actions, I would risk it to say that the person hasn't truly had a change of heart. Now, again as mentioned before, the converse also isn't good. There is no way that we can "earn" our way into heaven. However, by accepting the free gift of salvation that Christ has so willing given to us, we must also do the things that the Lord has required of us. To use a more colloquial phrase, we must both "talk the talk and walk the walk". Walking the walk suggests that we change our minds about things that we may have previously enjoyed, but instead fix our eyes on Christ, and work on developing more Christ-like attributes. Dying to our sinful nature and becoming one with Christ. (I mean, that is the plan since we do use the term 'Christian', right?)

And from page 84 of Robinson's book, "Now, if we use Paul's definition of faith as faithfulness to the gospel covenant, then we find that Paul's formula in Romans 3:28 is correct: Faith alone (commitment to the gospel) will justify us to God, even without living the law of Moses. On the other hand, if we define faith as James does-as mere belief-then James' formula is also correct: Mere belief or affirmation without good behavior is insufficient by itself to justify us before God. If we use James' narrow definition of faith, then James' formula is correct. If we use Paul's broader definition of faith, then Paul's formula is also correct. Both apostles teach the truth. Where we get into trouble is in combining James' definitions with Paul's formula or vice versa." Meaning if we were to say that faith (mere belief) alone will save us, that is incorrect, and also if we were to say that we can do enough good works to earn our place into the kingdom, that is also wrong.

So, what is the point to all of this? The point of this is to understand that we need to have work (service, missionary work, changing lifestyle, etc) alongside with our belief in Jesus Christ, and following his commandments to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Now, of course it won't always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

I want to bear my testimony to you, that if you actually strive to follow the commands, to help others out, to study the Scriptures, pray, and attend church, that you will grow closer to Christ. You will start to emulate Him more in your daily activity. This is such a great thing to observe. Just, keep strong, and follow through, and you will succeed.

Elder Beames, Elder King, and I after doing yard work at the Cannons.

Baptism by Proper Authority

Today I was working through "Preach My Gospel" which is a book that is used by missionaries of the church. I have been working through the different lessons that are taught, in preparation for my own mini-mission that will be starting in just under one month. Lesson 3 is entitled, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" and it works through the tenets of the gospel that are necessary for salvation. These are: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance of sins, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. When I was reading the sections dealing with baptisms and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, certain things jumped out at me, which I thought were note worthy.

Under the section of the gift of the Holy Spirit, I read, "baptism by water must be followed by baptism of the Spirit, or it is incomplete." This means that the individual must both be baptized by immersion by someone who is holding the Priesthood (direct authority from Jesus Christ), and then also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Otherwise, it is incomplete. 

In Matthew 3: 13-17, it says, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

From this passage, it clearly shows that the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God) descended onto Christ after he came up from the water. By the dove landing on Him, Christ was baptized by fire. This same idea is repeated in John 3:5, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Once again, Christ succinctly explains this idea to Nicodemus, exhorting him to be baptized by both water and the Spirit. Now, that leads to the question of, how does one get the gift of the Holy Spirit, which God showed was necessary, and Christ repeated as well.

Acts 19: 1-6, "And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? and they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." This passage in Acts shows how anyone receives the gift of the Holy Ghost; it is through the laying on of hands by those who hold the proper authority. The men that Paul was speaking to had been baptized, and that was all fair and good, but the baptism was not yet complete, since they hadn't received the Holy Ghost. Since Paul had already been ordained, he could confer the gift of the Holy Ghost via the laying on of hands. That is how the Holy Ghost was conferred in Biblical times, and that is how it is conferred today. But why does the person who is doing the baptizing and conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost need to hold the Priesthood, and thus be worthy?

In Hebrews 5: 1-6, "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer up sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Baptism is a crucial element for showing that we have entered into a covenant with God, so that Jesus Christ will atone for our sins. Since this deals with sins, this covenant can only be entered into with someone who is worthy, and as seen by the italicized section of the verses, that person needs to be called of God. That individual needs to receive the Priesthood, unto the order of Melchizedek, to be able to perform the necessary ordinances of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have the restored Priesthood. The same Priesthood that was in place during the times of Christ, re-established on the earth today via the Prophet Joseph Smith. That is why people who join the Church, like converts, need to be baptized again. They may have been baptized before, but the baptism had not been done by the proper authority, and was not complete because there was no receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. And the basis for all of this is in the Bible. It's really interesting to see what one can learn, like myself, when being guided during studies.

My baptism: October 20, 2012

Are Mormons Christians?

During Sacrament meeting today, I was really impressed upon the necessity of answering this question. Since joining the church, I have received many questions regarding my new beliefs and standards. I have done my best to answer them, and I hope that the Spirit has been able to speak through me, because the Spirit can convey the message so much better than I could ever hope to do.

To start off with, what is a Christian? According to the Bible dictionary: "Christians: A name first given to believers in Jesus Christ in Antioch in Syria, about A.D. 43 (Acts 11: 26). It was perhaps given contemptuously, but was accepted by followers of Christ as a fit title." Christians are those that follow Christ. They accept His commandments, accept His offer of salvation, and try to live their lives emulating His.

What do the Mormons believe in? To answer that question, let me refer to the 13 Articles of Faith:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
    All that is written here shows that Mormons are following Christ, God's only Begotten Son. We only worship God and His Son, and nothing else. Doing anything else would be heresy. We do not worship Joseph Smith, nor any of the other Prophets that have been called in this dispensation. We do listen to their counsel, because as Prophet they act as mouthpiece for God (more discussion on that topic will be saved for a later post).
    One question that I love being asked by people is, how has your faith changed/improved since you have joined the LDS church? The answer to that question: by leaps and bounds. I feel like I have so much more direction and focus in my life. I understand the Scriptures so much better than I ever have before. I read out of the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants almost daily. I pray so much more now, than I ever have before. I now have a deeper connection with my Creator, who knows me personally. I have sought more specific advice on matters at hand, and I know that I have received direct answers to the questions I have asked. My love for the Savior of the world has increased more than I ever thought imaginable. That is why I am a Christian, that is why I will always be a Christian.
    Another good way to sum it up is with a Scripture verse: 2 Nephi 25:26, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." That is how I try to live my life.
    And, I am excited to let you know that I will be doing a mini-mission (hopefully) from July 9-August 3!!! I am super excited!! I will be in a tri-companionship with two other Sister missionaries currently out serving. My guess is that I will be placed in the PA Pittsburgh Mission, since that is where I am currently living. I would greatly appreciate your prayers during this time. And, if anyone wants to get my mission updates, send me your email address, and I will add you to the list.
    
    Elder O'Laughlin, Elder Low, Elder Allred, Me, Elder Glover, and Elder King at the Erie Zoo.
    
    

    
    
    
    

Importance of Mission Work

I am a product of missionary work: both by some great return missionaries and some excellent full-time current missionaries. I think of my life before and after I got baptized, and so many things have changed. I'm not saying that my life was full of sin and strife before, and that I was a horrible person, but my outlook has definitely improved. My priorities have been changed. Take Sundays, for example. I used to study on Sundays, but now I do my best to keep the Sabbath day holy, and to not do any work or cause others to do work on Sundays.

Missionary work is one of the main facets of the Church. I believe that every member of the Church should be active in doing missionary work. Now, that doesn't mean that everyone needs to, or is able to serve a full-time mission, 24-7, but we still need to be "serving a mission" with how we interact with others. Since I finished my first year of medical school, I have been helping out the local missionaries teach, tract, and interact with less-active members. It has been a really great learning and growing experience. To be able to sit down, with the worthy Priesthood holders, and to learn a lesson, to feel the Spirit of God so strongly, and to be able to use that Spirit for good, it's just amazing! 

Interacting with these missionaries has encouraged me to try something: to serve a mini-mission. What this means, is that I would be paired with some Sister missionaries, and would help them teach, study, and tract, for a period of time. I have always wanted to be a missionary, ever since I was young. I have understood the necessity of spreading God's Word, and that everybody needs to hear it; now I have the opportunity to do it. I've been praying about it, and I believe it is something that I need to do. It is something that will further strengthen my testimony, help me to answer the tough questions that will be asked of me, and to better myself and others in so many ways.

And, because I really love temples, let me quickly segway to one other thing: temple work. I know I have already written about temples once before, but the work that members of the Church perform in the temple is a form of helping with missionary work as well. Because God loves us so much, He provided a way to allow those who did not hear the Restored Gospel to hear it again, after they die and are in the Spirit world. If they choose to accept the Gospel (and it really is a choice, because of our God-given free will), then they need the ordinances done. However, these ordinances can be done only by those with a physical body, hence the importance of temple work. Names are submitted to temples, and then people can come and and do the work in their honor. It is an amazing way for everyone to give back. Plus, standing and ministering in one of the Houses of the Lord, is truly wonderful.

Erie 2nd Ward youth at the Palmyra Temple