Mormons Are Christians

With the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the news a lot recently and will continue to be in the news because of Mitt Romney(LDS church member) running for President of the United States of America I have decided to post this brief synopsis concerning the LDS church beliefs:

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found at every level of society — in business and charity, education and the sciences, political parties and government, the entertainment industry and news media.
Describing the character of Latter-day Saints, Newsweek magazine wrote: “No matter where Mormons live, they find themselves part of a network of mutual concern; in Mormon theology everyone is a minister of a kind, everyone is empowered in some way to do good to others, and to have good done unto them: it is a 21st century covenant of caring. This caring is not limited to Church members alone, but extends far beyond.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian church in America. More than half of its 14 million members live outside the United States. Yet despite the faith’s growth and presence, survey results continue to show that relatively few people are familiar with Mormon beliefs.
As an institution, the Church has the responsibility to publicly and clearly articulate its official teachings. In turn, reporters can help inform the public by accurately reporting on these doctrines. But in doing so journalists should be aware of some common pitfalls. For instance, reporters pressed for time tend to take peripheral aspects of the faith and place them front and center as if they were vital tenets of belief. Additionally, sincere commentators often overemphasize what others see as “different” about Latter-day Saints at the expense of highlighting the Church’s most fundamental doctrines in their reporting. Unfortunately, as many members attest, this kind of journalism paints a distorted picture of the Church and continues to confuse the public.
Despite these complications, the Church welcomes honest inquiry from all types of media outlets. The Church expects journalists to be accurate and honest and to focus on the faith as it is lived and believed by its members. The Church discourages sensationalized and misleading journalism that accentuates abstract ideas that do not reflect the beliefs, teachings and practices of the Church’s global membership.
What Are the Core Beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, wrote, “The fundamental principles of our religion are … concerning Jesus Christ that He died was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
In addition to the above, Latter-day Saints believe unequivocally that:
1. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of our loving Heavenly Father.
2. Christ’s Atonement allows mankind to be saved from their sins and return to live with God and their families forever.
3. Christ’s original Church as described in the New Testament has been restored in modern times.
1. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of our loving Heavenly Father
Latter-day Saints believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save all mankind from their sins (see John 3:16). God is a loving Heavenly Father who knows His children individually, hears and answers their prayers, and feels compassion toward them. Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are two separate beings but along with the Holy Ghost (Spirit) are one in will, purpose and love.
Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. He is central to the lives of Church members. They accept His grace and mercy; they seek to follow His example by being baptized (see Matthew 3:13-17), praying in His holy name (see Matthew 6:9-13), partaking of the sacrament (communion) (see Luke 22:19-20), doing good to others (see Acts 10:38) and bearing witness of Him through both word and deed (see James 2:26).

2. Christ’s Atonement allows mankind to be saved from their sins and return to live with God and their families forever.

Latter-day Saints believe that God has a plan for His children to return to live with Him and become “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). For members of the Church, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is central to God’s plan for our happiness. Although humans make mistakes and sin, Mormons view this mortal life as an opportunity to progress and learn. By following Christ’s teachings, embracing His mercy and accepting baptism and other sacraments, Mormons believe they are cleansed from sin through Christ’s grace and can return to live with God and their families forever.

3. Christ’s original Church as described in the New Testament has been restored in modern times.

Members believe that Christ established His Church anciently on the “foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:20; see also Ephesians 4:11-14) with “one faith, [and] one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). They believe this foundation of “one faith” was gradually undermined after the death of Christ’s apostles. As a result, the original foundation of authority to lead the Church was lost and needed to be restored (see Acts 3:21). Today, members preach that the Lord has indeed restored His Church with living apostles and prophets, starting with the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith.
Church members understand that families are the most important unit of society. Accordingly, those who follow Christ and keep His commandments are promised to live with their families forever in divinely instituted eternal relationships.

Are Mormons Christian?
Yes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian church but is neither Catholic nor Protestant. Rather, it is a restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ as originally established by the Savior in the New Testament of the Bible. The Church does not embrace the creeds that developed in the third and fourth centuries that are now central to many other Christian churches.
Latter-day Saints believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save all mankind from death and their individual sins. Jesus Christ is central to the lives of Church members. They seek to follow His example by being baptized (see Matthew 3:13-17), praying in His holy name (see Matthew 6:9-13), partaking of the sacrament (see Luke 22:19-20), doing good to others (see Acts 10:38) and bearing witness of Him through both word and deed (see James 2:26). The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Do Mormons believe in the Bible?
Yes. The Church reveres the Bible as the word of God, a sacred volume of scripture. Latter-day Saints cherish its teachings and engage in a lifelong study of its divine wisdom. Moreover, during worship services the Bible is pondered and discussed. Additional books of scripture — including the Book of Mormon— strengthen and reinforce God’s teachings through additional witnesses and provide moving accounts of the personal experiences many individuals had with Jesus Christ. According to Church apostle M. Russell Ballard, “The Book of Mormon does not dilute nor diminish nor deemphasize the Bible. On the contrary, it expands, extends, and exalts it.”

What is the Book of Mormon?

In addition to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the writings of ancient prophets, giving an account of God’s dealings with the peoples on the American continent. For Latter-day Saints it stands alongside the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as holy scripture.

A Missionary Moment I Never Knew I Had

One never knows when they will have a missionary effort to share the gospel with friends, family, or even strangers.  My time as a member missionary has not gone so well.  My chances to share this gospel that has brought so much joy to my life has not gone so well.  That is until recently, I had a missionary moment and I was not even aware of it until my father told me.  I am going to change the names of people as I do not want to name anyone by their first name.  When I lived at home there was a girl I was dating and her daughter was introduced to the church through me.  We would often talk about the church and everything it has meant to me in my life.  She would attend church with my father a few times (this was during my inactivity), after attending a few times she decided to quit.  Fast forward to present time.  The daughter ran into my father and asked if he still attended church.  My father said yes and offered to take her to church if she would like.  The answer was yes.  Over the course of the last few months she has been attending church and then began taking the missionary discussions.  After gaining a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, she was baptized on March 3, 2012.  I am proud to have her as a sister in the gospel and I know she will be blessed as she begins her new life.  I am returning home in June for a visit and cannot wait to hear all about her journey and attend church with her for a few weeks.  When you least expect someone to accept the gospel, Heavenly Father will throw a curveball your way and someone will accept it.  Do not be afraid to be a member missionary, you never know whose life you may impact.

1 Year Wedding Anniversary

     This blog post is a little bit late, but as the old saying goes, better late than never.  A little over one year ago I married the love of my life Beverli for time and all eternity in the temple.  With one year gone by in our marriage I still say that this was the best decision of my life, to not only marry Beverli, but to marry her in the temple so that we can have each other, and our future children as a eternal family. 
     Every relationship, regardless of what kind it is (marriage, friendship, co-workers) has their ups and downs, but it is how you learn from the downs (or the bad things) and use them to grow as a couple and an individual.  This is what my wife and I have done and continue to do everyday as a couple and it does indeed bring us closer together. 
     I just want to admit, although I am very hard headed and stubborn and have a massive ego and do not like to be proven wrong (then again who doesn't) I want to thank my wife for putting up with me and loving me enough to marry me.  I love you Beverli...1 year down...An eternity still to go!

2012, A Year for Change?

First off with 2011 almost over and 2012 almost here I would like to wish all who read this blog a very Merry Christmas and a safe and joyous New Year.  The title of this update is change.  There are a few changes that I would love to make in my life next year.  Here they are, not in any particular order:

I want to make 2012 one of my final years at Walmart.  I heard a phrase on television once and it has always stuck out in my mind, "When you wake up and you hate your job, you know it is time to leave."  I will continue to look for a new job, rather than stay in this current position and be miserable.  Walmart is not a place that I want to build a career at.  

I want to continue with my education and someday receive my teaching degree(yes I have decided to stick with elementary education, my Primary calling has helped me realize this) so that I may achieve my dream and provide a good life for my family.

I want to become a father(enough said)

I want to continue to learn and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and apply his teachings to my life and use them on a daily basis to help build myself and my testimony.  This includes reading my scriptures and saying my prayers on a daily basis.

I want to learn and grow in my new calling(whatever this may be).
I want to call home more often and spend a lot of time with my family whenever they come to visit me this summer.

I want to become a better person than I am now and to be a better husband to my wife and a better person to my friends and family. 

I think 2012 will be a great year for myself. 

Reflections

     I have been thinking a lot these last several days about how much my life has changed in the last few years(hence the title of the blog post Reflections).  I know that my life has changed 100% for the better.  First off I met my wonderful wife online, and then 6 months later we met in person and after that meeting I made the decision that would ultimately change my life forever...I decided to move to Alaska. 

     The decision to move to Alaska was not an easy one to make.  It meant that i would have to leave my home in Pennsylvania.  I would have to leave the place and people that I grew up with.  I would have to leave my "comfort zone" and spread my wings to a whole new place, to a whole new world of opportunities.  When I made the decision to leave my family, my job, my friends and move to Alaska I did after much prayer.  Besides, who better to ask for advice than Heavenly Father? 
    
     The only person I knew really knew in Alaska was the woman who would eventually become my wife.  Moving to Alaska has allowed me to become a much better person than I was before.  I work for Walmart and I am a department manager there, something that I never knew I could do back at home.  My faith in Heavenly Father and my religion has strengthened so much.  I have a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have made several new friends, from co-workers to church, to people who were already friends with my wife(A shout out to you Libby!)  Most of all, I have an amazing wife who I got sealed to for time and eternity in the temple(http://www.lds.org/temples) on January 8, 2011.  I also have a new amazing family whom I all love and care for very much.  From my wifes parents(who are both simply amazing) to all of my brother and sister in-laws.  They are all amazing people will always hold a special place in my heart.

    
     I miss all of my family and friends back at home in Pennsylvania.  I know that I can always go back home and visit.  My heart is wherever my wife is at, and currently that place is Alaska.  I have truly gained so much since making the decision to move to Alaska 2 year ago.  My life has been so greatly blessed becasue of it.  As I sit here typing this and reflecting on the past, I cannot help but also reflect on what the future will bring me.
   

An Apostles Visit

   
     One of the Lord's apostles is coming to Alaska and I cannot wait to see him in person.  Jeffrey R. Holland(http://lds.org/church/leader/jeffrey-r-holland?lang=eng) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is coming to Alaska to speak at a special Stake Conference on November 6.  I have never seen an apostle of the Lord in person and this could be my one and only opportunity so as the days draw closer to the impending date I am becoming more and more excited or what could be this once in a lifetime opportunity.  My wife and her family have seen apostles before and I am extremely jealous, so this is my chance.  I do not know what Elder Holland will be speaking about, but I know from listening to talks from him in the past that the talk he will be giving at this special stake conference will be a very good talk.  I know that Elder Holland is a true apostle from God on the earth today, just like in days past and I look forward with anticipation to seeing this true and living apostle in person on November 6.

Pennsylvania will have a temple

     President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Philadelphia, PA temple on September 17, 2011.  I will say that this is a day that I have been waiting for a long time now ever since this temple was announced in the October 2008 General Conference.  Even though I am not from Philadelphia, I have been waiting for my home state of Pennsylvania to finally have a temple of it's own.  In 2014 this will come to fruition once the temple is finished and dedicated. 

       A lot of church history happened in my home state.  Emma Smith is from Pennsylvania, the Priesthood was restored in my home state, and parts of the Book of Mormon were translated there, along with some early convert baptisms along the banks of the Susquehana River.  Pennsylvania is a state rich with church history and in the coming years to come more history will be made with the building and the dedication of the state's very first temple. 

     Who knows, maybe someday when the temple has it's open house I would love to fly back to Pennsylvania and go through it.  I have never been to an open house of a temple.