Happiness Is Part of God’s Plan

One of the greatest promises of The Church of Jesus Christ is happiness. In fact, one of the central doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ is what Mormons call The Plan of Happiness (this plan is also called the Plan of Salvation and the Plan of Redemption). The Plan of Happiness is the plan whereby God enables the salvation of each of His children. God’s son, Jesus Christ, volunteered to come to earth to live a perfect life so that He could suffer for our sins and make it possible for us to repent and return to Heavenly Father. For Mormons happiness is found in repentance and in the grace of Jesus Christ.

One of the things I most love about God’s plan for us is that its whole purpose is to make us happy. If anyone knows what true happiness is, God does, and He has set forth a plan whereby we can find that happiness that He desires for us. Our happiness is so important to our Father in Heaven, and I find great comfort and peace in that.

Only One Way to True Happiness

The world will tell us that happiness is relative and that we can find happiness in whatever we feel is right. This wishy-washy approach to happiness is a lie from Satan. Sure, all of us may find superficial happiness in certain things, but the only way to pure and everlasting happiness is through Jesus Christ.

The reason Jesus Christ is our only way to eternal happiness is that He is the one who redeemed us from sin and death. In the Book of Mormon (a book of scripture complementary to the Bible and key to The Church of Jesus Christ), the prophet Alma teaches that “wickedness never was happiness” (41:10). No matter how we spin it, we will never be happy when we disobey God’s commandments. God doesn’t issue commandments to be in control or tyrannical; rather, He gives us commandments to keep us safe and because He knows the best way to happiness.

Happiness Is Found in Family Relationships

One of the most important emphases in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ is the family. The family is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and second to redemption through the Savior, is the most important purpose of God’s Plan of Happiness. God designed His plan so that through sacred ordinances we can be with our families for eternity. This is a great and marvelous gift. Marriage and family are key to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and happiness is a crucial purpose of family life.

Because families are so important in the doctrine of Christ, Mormons put special effort and time into building their families. Certainly family life isn’t happy or easy 100 percent of the time, but happiness can surely be found in family life here as well as in the life to come. Mormons place great importance on building family relationships and strengthening their marriages, because for Mormons married in the temple, marriage is for eternity.

Happiness Can Be Found in Trials

For Mormons, happiness certainly doesn’t mean pain-free. In fact, your potential for happiness is increased when you experience adversity in life. Another Book of Mormon prophet Lehi taught that “there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). You can’t know or find true happiness if you haven’t experienced unhappy times.

Regardless of our faith or creed, we will all experience adversity and trials; there is no way to live this mortal life without experiencing pain and heartache. Hardship is part of the package. Even in spite of this truth, we can still find happiness even when things in our lives are hard and difficult. This is where true happiness can prevail. When you root your happiness in Jesus Christ, you can find peace no matter where you go or what happens. The peace offered by the Savior can penetrate any circumstance and affect every person.

Sometimes happiness is hard to find, even with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In these cases, the grace of the Savior can still offer peace, comfort, and the promise of happiness. That’s what The Church of Jesus Christ has to offer: the truth about Jesus Christ and His everlasting and perfect atonement. For Mormons, happiness is peace, truth, family, and endurance–happiness is Jesus Christ.

Taught to Pray—In the Car

In the quiet of the car, I do a lot of praying. Even on short drives, I find myself talking with my Father in Heaven. On longer drives—especially when I’m the only driver—I find myself pleading with the Lord to help us arrive at our destination safely. The scriptures teach us the pray always. One of my favorites is in the Book of Mormon—another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion scripture to the Bible and a record of God’s dealings with some of the peoples who lived in the ancient Americas.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things ye shall be lifted up at the last day (Alma 37:37).

In these times of heartfelt prayer, I have received sweet answers of comfort. One such occurred in the summer of the year that my husband and I were married. I was in turmoil over a very personal issue, and I was driving on the freeway in Salt Lake City. I was crying, praying and asking my Heavenly Father why this event occurred. I looked up at a billboard and it read, in big, bold letters: Let it go. That was my answer. I had never seen that sign before, and I never saw it after that. But I was taught by God in the car that day to let go of the confusion and turmoil and allow the peaceful comfort of the Holy Spirit into my heart. Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church—said:

Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies. … Remember, “God is not the author of confusion, but [the author] of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). [1]

Taught to Listen to the Promptings of the Holy Ghost—In the Car

 I grew up in Indiana but went to college in Idaho and Utah. Whenever my siblings and I went home, we always drove straight through without stopping for the night. I had two experiences during these 24-hour trips that taught me to always listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The first one happened one dark winter night when two of my sisters and I, crammed into the cab of a little Isuzu Pup truck, were driving home. I was behind the wheel, and all of a sudden the thought came to me that I needed to switch lanes. We were driving downhill on the Interstate, and there were no lights on the road. So I switched lanes. As soon as I did, we swooshed past a camper sitting in the lane we had just vacated. We were stunned. There were no lights on the camper, and I would not have seen it until we collided. I was shaken but grateful for the prompting that prevented an accident that dark winter night.

The second time, I didn’t listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. The summer that I graduated from college, my sister Rachel and I decided to visit our oldest sister in Arizona before heading home. As we were driving down an isolated two-lane highway somewhere in rural Utah, we needed to make a pit stop. To our left was a remote rest area, hidden from view of the road by trees. To our right was a gas station. Immediately the thought flashed in my mind that we needed to stop at the gas station. But I didn’t want to feel obligated to buy something, so we stopped at the rest area. I got out and used the facilities first. There was an eerie feeling, but I thought it was just me. Sometimes I have an overactive imagination. But I went as fast as I could, and prayed the entire time that I would be safe and protected and not hurt or killed. I thought it was all in my head until I got to the car and told Rachel it was her turn. She said, “I don’t have to go that bad. Let’s get out of here NOW.” We never found out the reason for those feelings, but I have always felt bad that I didn’t listen. Elder Boyd K. Packer, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, said:

It is difficult to separate from the confusion of life that quiet voice of inspiration. Unless you attune yourself, you will miss it. Answers to prayers come in a quiet way. The scriptures describe that voice of inspiration as a still, small voice. If you really try, you can learn to respond to that voice. [2]

As we turn to the Lord in all things, we are teachable. If we take the time to reflect upon the word of God and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can be taught by God—even in the car.

prophet of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ, Mormon would not want to take any glory, fame or notoriety from the true head of the Church, Jesus Christ Himself. So although many people are more familiar with the name “Mormon Church,” that’s not the real name of the organization. It’s a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Savior’s Church on the earth today. The teachings of Mormonism contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who is Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is a record of the peoples who lived in the ancient Americas and spans about 1,000 years. Mormon lived at the end of that time span. At the age of 10, Mormon was asked by Ammaron (the record keeper at the time) to prepare himself to take charge of the records of the Nephites—an ancient American civilization named after Nephi, another Book of Mormon prophet. In addition to keeping the record of his people, Mormon was a military general who led the Nephite armies from the age of 15 (Mormon 2:1-2). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), said:

If Mormon had merely obeyed that original instruction from Ammaron it would have been challenge enough for any historian, for the story Mormon had to write was the long, terrible tale of the destruction of his people. But Mormon went beyond Ammaron’s admonition and prepared another record, abridging the entire history of his people. [1]

…After nearly a thousand years of Nephite history he was called of God to select and summarize the story of his people. That story tells in part of “peace in the land” and “all manner of miracles,” including the appearance and sermons of the resurrected Son of God.

But the story also contains the terror and depravity of that civilization gone awry, a dispensation concluding “without order and without mercy” in which women were fed on the flesh of their husbands and children were offered as sacrifice to dumb idols. In the end, Mormon’s was a painful and very lonely task. [2]

The Prophet Joseph Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ in modern times, wrote, “It was an awful responsibility to write in the name of the Lord” (Joseph Smith, Jr., History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1:226). And, Elder Holland said, Mormon must surely have felt the weight of that “awful responsibility.”

What is the Book of Mormon?

And now, I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon (Mormon 1:1).

Prophets, both ancient and modern, have said that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

Why is the reading of the Book of Mormon so important to us today? It is because the major writers of the Book of Mormon fully understood that their writings were primarily for the people of a future generation rather than for the people of their own generation. Moroni wrote to our generation, “I speak unto you as if ye were present” (Mormon 8:35).

…Each time we read the book we should probably ask ourselves: “Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today?” [3]

Elder Holland said:

Mormon does not claim his abridgement will give equal time or equal emphasis to all historical events. He was not working at a flat-rate, assessing every event to be the equivalent of every other. For example, an account of war and civil disorder covering just a little over a dozen years is given nearly sixty pages of documentation (Alma 43–62), while the most righteous period in all of Nephite history—the two hundred years of peace and purity which prevailed after Christ’s appearance in the New World—receives less than two pages of review (4 Nephi 1).

Is Mormon, the Nephite soldier, preoccupied with these tragic warring cycles that began so early and were still recurring in his own day? Or is there perhaps something in the war accounts which our generation—or a later one—must learn, prompting Mormon to stress it? [1]

Lessons from the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets for our day. Mormon not only saw our day, but he lived through the destruction of his own people—times comparable to the ones we are in today. He witnessed the mistakes his people made, and through his writings we can see the results of their tragic error of turning away from God.

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon:

I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.

Elder Perry said:

Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret

combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity.

Now it is up to us to study the Book of Mormon and learn of its principles and apply them in our lives. [3]

Christ’s Church is to Bear His Name

The nickname “Mormon” distracts from the true nature of the Church—that it is Christ’s Church. When the Savior was visiting the Nephites, He taught them—or rather, commanded them—that His Church was to bear His name. He said:

How be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church (3 Nephi 27:8).

Thus this is not the Mormon Church—it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the Lord’s Church, restored to the earth in the latter days. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion because it testifies of Christ. We are honored to be called Mormons because of the greatness of the prophet Mormon and his contribution to our day. But, like any nickname, it is not the true name by which we are to be called. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We take upon ourselves Christ’s name at baptism. And it is by His name that we are known.

Additional Resources:

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not fit the definition. There is no secrecy, isolation or indoctrination. Just the opposite is true: Members are encouraged to find out for themselves what is true. The Church openly and honestly discusses its doctrines and teachings, and invites honest seekers of truth to examine its precepts and form their own opinions.

In 1996, then President Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ, was interviewed by Mike Wallace of CBS’s “60 Minutes.” President Hinckley responded to the statement: “There are those who say Mormonism began as a cult. You don’t like to hear that.” President Hinckley said:

“I don’t know what that means, really. But if it has negative connotations, I don’t accept it as applying to this Church. People may have applied it; they may have applied it in the early days. But look, here is this great Church now. There are only six churches in America with more members than this Church. We are the second church in membership in the state of California. We are reaching out across the world. We are in more than 150 nations. This is a great, strong, viable organization with a tremendous outreach. … You will find our people in business institutions, high in educational circles, in politics, in government, in whatever. We are [rather] ordinary people trying to do an extraordinary work.”

Knowledge Comes Through Study, not Coercion

In The Church of Jesus Christ, members are not only free to think for themselves but are encouraged to do so. In The Church of Jesus Christ, members are encouraged to ask questions and find out for themselves if the teachings of the gospel are true.

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (a governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), told parents:

It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way. We can teach them to walk in the light, but that light cannot be borrowed. They must earn it for themselves. They must obtain their own light of testimony directly from the source of spiritual light—God Himself—through prayer and study and pondering. They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become.

The Doctrine and Covenants is a book of modern revelations in The Church of Jesus Christ. In Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9, the Lord tells us how we can know for ourselves what is right.

Behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right; and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.

This is not indoctrination, where people are told what to believe and coerced into action. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ are taught how to find out for themselves. The Lord tells us we can’t just ask and expect the information to be spoon-fed to us—that is not the way. We must do the work by studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets, and then ask in prayer and in faith after we have done our part. That is a very empowering concept.

Message of the Parable of the 10 Virgins: You Can’t Borrow ‘Light’

The Savior taught the importance of acquiring our own knowledge in the Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). When I was younger, I didn’t understand this parable, which tells of 10 virgins who were told to fill their lamps before the bridegroom came. “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” When the bridegroom came, the five virgins who forgot to fill their lamps asked the others for oil. The five who brought oil said, “Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” While the five were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in, and the door was shut. The five who were not ready came late and knocked on the door, but the Lord said, “I know you not.”

At first I wondered why the five wise virgins couldn’t share their oil. But now I understand. The parable is about having your own personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and His teachings. There came a time when it wasn’t enough for me to know that my parents believed and lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. I needed to know for myself that the gospel is true, and I had to decide for myself to live by its precepts. Just as the five foolish virgins couldn’t “borrow” knowledge from the five wise virgins, I couldn’t borrow knowledge from others. After I graduated from college, I did an internship in Ohio. The first Sunday I was there I went to church, and I didn’t know anyone. Only the bishop (the leader of the congregation) came up and introduced himself to me. I met very few people that day. After a few weeks, I thought, “I could stay home from church and no one would know.” But I would know. I was no longer able to live off borrowed light. I knew for myself, and I had to choose for myself. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the divine gift of choice—and that we are responsible for our own actions.

Temples are Sacred, not Secret

Some view the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ as secretive. Before a temple is dedicated, it is open for public tours. After the dedication, however, only members of The Church of Jesus Christ who are in good standing are allowed in this sacred and holy place. And members don’t discuss what happens within those walls. Elder Boyd K. Packer, current president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

There are some things just too sacred to discuss. We know that as it relates to the temples. In our temples, sacred ordinances are performed; sacred experiences are enjoyed. And yet we do not, because of the nature of them, discuss them outside those sacred walls. It is not that they are secret, but they are sacred; not to be discussed, but to be harbored and to be protected and regarded with the deepest of reverence.

Members of the Church must be qualified to enter the temples and participate in the holy ordinances. As I was pondering this, I thought of a calculus class I took the summer between my junior and senior years of college. I tested out of math in college, and my course of study required a foreign language—not a math—curriculum. But my junior year I decided to minor in economics, which required math. I knew I was rusty since I hadn’t taken a math class in years, so I took the summer course. That way, I’d have more time to devote to my studies. I almost failed the class—and the only reason I didn’t was the professor gave us credit for doing the homework. Luckily, it didn’t have to be right.

I discovered the hard way that I didn’t have the fundamental understanding of the math concepts necessary to comprehend calculus. It is the same way with participating in the ordinances of the temple. If we don’t have the fundamental knowledge and understanding required, we won’t appreciate and fully comprehend the instruction we receive in the temple. Those are the reasons that all who enter the temple doors must have a Temple Recommend—so they are prepared to make and keep the sacred covenants therein. I have had many sacred and holy experiences in the walls of the holy temples. I have found guidance, direction and peace in times of need. I would not have had these experiences if I hadn’t prepared myself for the blessings of the temple beforehand. The temple ordinances are sacred and beautiful—not secret.

Understanding of The Church of Jesus Christ and its teachings dispels all myths that the Church is a cult. Often, it is ignorance and unfamiliarity with anything—teachings, doctrines, churches—that cause us to fear and think poorly of it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not operate behind closed doors or in secret. That is not the way of the Lord. The invitation is extended to all to come and learn of The Church of Jesus Christ and find out for yourself if the teachings are true.

Additional Resource:

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

God Wins Wars

This week as I was studying the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, I came upon a verse in chapter 1 that really caught my attention. Verse 18 is Christ talking, and He says “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Because of the Atonement of Christ, He overcame death and hell within. He is the only one who has done that, and we must turn to Him to overcome it ourselves. We are each fighting our own battles. Satan is surrounding us to try to pull us down to misery with him. I think it is so ironic that in this verse it says that Christ has the keys of hell and death. On the judgment day He ultimately decides who is on Satan’s side. Satan doesn’t even have that power. This selfish, powerful, hypocritical man tries so hard to bring others down with him yet doesn’t even have the keys to his own home. He has no place he can call home. Why then does it seem so hard at times to resist the temptations of the devil? Because he is powerful, he is convincing, and at times it seems easier to give in to his traps than to fight for what we know is right. He uses everything against us simply because he wants us to be unhappy just like he is.

I love what Brother Griffin said, “Satan wins a few battles, but God wins wars.” We know whose side will win. God will prevail, and Satan will be dragged down to Hell. We need to stand against Satan. God needs strong men and women whom He can count on to put Satan in his place and stand up in this world where so many bad things are taking place. The way we do that is by every day taking the small steps of righteousness. Each small step or choice we make on God’s
side builds us a foundation for when Satan blows the big winds of temptation. If we cling to God, we will be able to withstand Satan and his false deceptions. I’m grateful that I know my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that His way is the right way. He will win.

If you are reading this post and have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

With more than a million Gallup interviews as background material, in his new book God is Alive and Well, Newport argues that the aging of the baby boomers, the influx of Hispanic immigrants and the links between religion and health could help usher in an increase in faith in America.

Newport was recently interviewed by Religion News Service and was open and candid in his remarks about his Southern Baptist Roots, why he feels mainline Protestants need to have more babies, and why employees should reward employees who attend church.

First, he stated that he wrote the book because he thinks that religion is important in America today. He further stated that Gallop Poll research has shown this to be true, and he wanted to get empirical data about religion into the hands of people, rather than the usual speculation.

He himself grew up in a religious background, and he says that he has always found it fascinating. His grandfather, Frank Leavell, who was convinced that it is important to reach out to college students, is credited with founding the Baptist Student Union. His grandfather was also one of nine brothers, all of whom were involved in religious service in one way or another – one was a missionary to China, one was a pastor, one was president of a New Orleans Baptist seminary. His father was a Southern Baptist Theologian and Minister. He currently attends a Presbyterian Church in New Jersey and admits that his religious convictions differ somewhat from those of his forebears.

When asked, “What’s the single most important trend in American religion today?” he replied:

One trend that I’m asked a lot about is the rise of the “nones,” about which there’s a huge amount of publicity, but which is often misinterpreted. When Gallup asked the question about religious identity back in the 1950s, almost zero would say they have “none.” People would say “Baptist” or “Catholic” even if they were not particularly religious. Now, 18 percent of Americans, according to Gallup polls, say they do not have a particular religious identity. That doesn’t mean that 18 percent are atheists — only 5 or 6 percent say they don’t believe in God — but people are changing how they express their religiosity. [1]

He went on to make the following remarks concerning the religiosity of America:

If you look at age, the baby boomers are approaching 65-85 years old, which we’ve seen as the most religious age group for decades. It’s a reasonable expectation that the huge group of boomers is going to become more religious, and because they are so big, they’ll make the country more religious in the aggregate.

 

In addition, the country’s increasing Hispanic population tends to be more religious. Religion has been correlated to health, so more people may seek out religion because it’s good for them. And Americans are migrating to states that are more religious, which tends to make (the travelers) more religious. [1]

His overall conclusion is that  if America were to become more religious, it would become healthier.

Using all of this as a backdrop, how does Mormonism, one of the fastest growing religions in America, fit into this new trend of religion in America? Is there an increase in the number of Mormons in America? And, if so, how is the increase impacting the way people view religion in general?

Even with the recent “Mormon moment” which occurred mainly as a result of Republican Candidate, Mitt Romney, a devout Mormon, campaigning for the office of President of the United States, many Americans still know very little about the Mormon faith. They have learned a little more, but still some of the basic “understandings” remain as “misunderstandings” at best, and many views of the religion continue to be skewed, exaggerated or flat-out wrong.

One question in particular that continues to remain at the forefront of discussions is whether or not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly referred to as the Mormon Church) are Christians. Mormon theology does differ from mainstream Christian theology in several key teachings — including the Godhead, revelation, and the use of additional scriptures. Mormons, for example, do believe that the Godhead consists of God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They further believe that these are three distinct personages, and that they are one, but one in purpose and in mission, not one in the same.

Latter-day Saints also use an additional volume of scripture called the Book of Mormon which they testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. They further testify that the Book of Mormon does not detract from the teachings of the Holy Bible, but indeed enhances their understanding of the sacred scriptures. Latter-day Saints believe and teach that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of the love that the Savior has for each of us and His purpose and mission.

The Bible, particularly the King James Version, is part of Mormon canonized scripture, along with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The Bible is used in classroom discussions, quoted in sermons and is essential to the worldwide missionary outreach.

The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Jesus Christ is the center of Latter-day Saint devotion, belief and practice. They believe and teach that He is the Christ – the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

Another big misconception about The Church of Jesus Christ is that some people believe that all Mormons live in Utah. While the Beehive State is indeed densely populated with Mormons (62 percent), some neighboring states are as equally populated. Still, Latter-day Saints are spread across the United States in small pockets of believers and congregations. There are also members living in more than 100 countries, and their numbers are increasing rapidly in Latin American countries and in Africa. In fact, there are more Mormons outside the United States (8.2 million) than in it (6.2 million). Therefore, worldwide, there are only about fourteen million Mormons. That’s fourteen million among a global population just reaching seven billion.

So, why is so much attention being drawn to this one religion in America? Politics and pop culture are perhaps two of the main reasons that Americans have become so intrigued by the Mormon Faith.

Mitt Romney and John Huntsman were in pursuit of the White House. Glenn Beck was among the nation’s most controversial news commentators. Stephenie Meyer had written the astonishingly popular Twilight series about vampires. Matt Stone and Trey Parker had created the edgy South Park cartoon series–which included a much- discussed episode about Mormons–and then went on to create the blatantly blasphemous and Saint-bashing Broadway play The Book of Mormon. It has become one of the most successful productions in American theater history.

 

Meanwhile, more than a dozen Mormons sat in the US Congress, among them Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader. Mormons led JetBlue, American Express, Marriott, Novell, Deloitte and Touche, Diebold, and Eastman Kodak. Management guru Stephen Covey made millions telling them how to lead even better. There were Mormons commanding battalions of U.S. troops and Mormons running major U.S. universities. There were so many famous Mormons, in fact, that huge websites were launched just to keep up with it all. Notables ranged from movie stars like Katherine Heigl to professional athletes to country music stars like Gary Allan to reality television contestants and even to serial killers like Glenn Helzer, whose attorney argued that the Saints made him the monster he was. The media graciously reminded the public that Mormon criminals were nothing new, though: Butch Cassidy of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame was also a Mormon, they reported. [2]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints has reached sufficient numbers–permeating every level of American society on the strength of its religious values. Prominent politicians, authors, athletes, actors, and newscasters are the natural result of the fruit of the organic growth of the Mormon religion.

In a span of 10 years, LDS membership exploded from 4.4 million to 11 million. This may be the reason why in 1998 the Southern Baptist Convention held its annual meeting in Salt Lake City. The Mormons–a misguided cult in the view of most traditional Christians (Baptists in particular) –had to be stopped. However, they were not stopped. In 2002, four years after the Baptists besieged Temple Square, the Winter Olympic Games came to Salt Lake City. The Mormons were once again in the spotlight, waving to the media cameras, and appearing as the media described them — “normal.” The LDS Church capitalized on it all. It made sure that every visitor received a brochure offering an LDS guided tour of the city. Visitors from around the world read these words: “No other place in America has a story to tell like that of Salt Lake City–a sanctuary founded by religious refugees from within the United States’ own borders. And none can tell that story better than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” [2]

Why has the Mormon faith become such a popular and newsworthy religion in America?

The truth lay within Mormonism itself. What the Saints had achieved in the United States was what Mormonism, unfettered and well led, will nearly always produce. This was the real story behind the much-touted “Mormon Moment.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had risen to unexpected heights in American society because the Mormon religion creates what can benevolently be called a Mormon Machine– a system of individual empowerment, family investment, local church (ward and stake level) leadership, priesthood government, prophetic enduement, Temple sacraments, and sacrificial financial endowment of the holy Mormon cause. [2]

 

Plant Mormonism in any country on earth and pretty much the same results will occur. If successful, it will produce deeply moral individuals who serve a religious vision centered upon achievement in this life. They will aggressively pursue the most advanced education possible, understand their lives in terms of overcoming obstacles, and eagerly serve the surrounding society. The family will be of supernatural importance to them, as will planning and investing for future generations. They will be devoted to community, store and save as a hedge against future hardship, and they will esteem work as a religious calling. They will submit to civil government and hope to take positions within it. They will have advantages in this. Their beliefs and their lives in all-encompassing community will condition them to thrive in administrative systems and hierarchies–a critical key to success in the modern world. Ever oriented to a corporate life and destiny, they will prize belonging and unity over individuality and conflict every time. [2]

Mormon doctrine is inviting. The community that it produces is both enveloping and elevating. The lifestyle it encourages is empowering in nearly every sense. Mormons rise in this life because it is what their religion calls for. Achieving. Progressing. Learning. Forward, upward motion. Success, visibility, prosperity, and influence follow. Management, leadership, and organizing are the essential skills of the faith. This is what has attracted so many millions, and has enabled Latter-day Saints to have such a tremendous impact upon American society and the world.

Additional Resources:

Mormonchurch.com

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Understanding Mormonism

Elder Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained the central beliefs of Mormonism with the very center being the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of Mankind.  Elder Holland explained that the Church of Jesus Christ is not part of the Christian reformation that sought to reform the abuses and missteps of Christian orthodoxy, but is instead the complete restoration of lost power and authority that used to reside with Christ’s original apostles.  He emphasized that this is the only Church on earth that has that power and authority, and that it has come from Christ Himself through heavenly messengers.

That some do not consider Mormons Christians, Elder Holland acknowledged.  He stated that Mormons believe in the Christ and Heavenly Father of the Bible and not of the Christian councils (like the Athanasian Councils) that redefined the Godhead into an incomprehensible being.

“What brings me to you today is not a message of reformation but of restoration,” he said, “the restoration of that church Christ established by His hand in the meridian of time and which He has reestablished by His hand in this present time.”

“We are not considered ‘Christian’ by some, I suppose because we are not fourth-century Christians, we are not Athanasian Christians, we are not creedal Christians of the brand that arose hundreds of years after Christ,” he said. “No, when we speak of ‘restored Christianity’ we speak of the Church as it was [before] … great councils were called to debate and anguish over what it was they really believed.  So if one means Greek-influenced, council-convening, philosophy-flavored Christianity of post-apostolic times, we are not that kind of Christian.  Peter we know, and Paul we know, but Constantine and Athanasius, Athens and Alexandria we do not know.  (Actually, we know them, we just don’t follow them.)

Thus, we teach that:

• God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are separate and distinct beings with glorified bodies of flesh and bone.  As such we stand with the historical position that “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the [New Testament]”[15]  We take Christ literally at His word—that He “came down from heaven, not to do [His] own will, but the will of him that sent [him.]”[16]  Of His antagonists He said they have “hated both me and my Father.[17]  These, along with scores of other references, including His pleading prayers, make clear Jesus’ physical separation from His Father.  However, having affirmed the point of Their separate and distinct physical nature, we declare unequivocally that They were indeed “one” in every other conceivable way—in mind and deed, in will and wish and hope, in faith and purpose and intent and love.  They are most assuredly much more alike than They are different in all the ways I have just said, but They are separate and distinct beings as all fathers and sons are.  In this matter we differ from traditional creedal Christianity but agree with the New Testament.

• We also differ with fourth and fifth century Christianity by declaring that the scriptural canon is not closed, that the heavens are open with revelatory experience, and that God meant what He said when He promised Moses, “My works are without end, and . . . my words . . . never cease.”[18]   We believe that God loves all His children and that He would never leave them for long without the instrumentality of prophets and apostles, authorized agents of His guidance and direction.  The Book of Mormon and other canonized scripture, as well as the role of living oracles, witnesses to the fact that God continues to speak.  We agree enthusiastically with the insightful Protestant scholar who inquired, “On what biblical or historical grounds has the inspiration of God been limited to the written documents that the church now calls its Bible . . . If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today . . . about matters that are of significant concern?”[19]

• Lastly, for today, we are unique in the modern Christian world regarding one matter which a prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called “our most distinguishing feature.”[20] That is, divine priesthood authority to provide the saving sacraments—the ordinances—of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The holy priesthood, which has been restored to the earth by those who held it anciently, signals the return of divine authorization.  It is different from all other man-made powers and authorities on the face of the earth.  Without it there could be a church in name only, and it would be a church lacking in authority to administer in the things of God.  This restoration of priesthood authority eases centuries of anguish among those who knew certain ordinances and sacraments were essential, but lived with the doubt as to who had the right to administer them.  Breaking ecclesiastically with his more famous brother John over the latter’s decision to ordain without any divine authority to do so, Charles Wesley wrote:

“How easily are bishops made

By man or woman’s whim:

Wesley his hands on Coke hath laid,

But who laid hands on him?”[21]

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we can answer the question of “who laid hands on him” all the way back to Christ Himself.  The return of such authority is truly “the most distinguishing feature” of our faith.

 

 

*Read the full transcript of Elder Holland’s Talk.

*Listen to the Audio of the Question and Answer Period.

Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints define the priesthood as “the eternal power and authority of God.” Members of the Church undeniably profess that through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth, and that it is through that power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

President John Taylor, the 3rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught:

[Priesthood] is … the principle and power by which [God] regulates, controls, dictates and manages His affairs, His worlds, His kingdoms, His principalities, His powers, His intelligences, and all things that are underneath Him and above Him, and with which He has to do.

The power manifested by the priesthood is simply the power of God, for he is the head of the priesthood … ; and it is upon this principle that all the works of God have been accomplished, whether on the earth or in the heavens; and any manifestation of power through the priesthood on the earth is simply a delegated power from the priesthood in the heavens, and the more the priesthood on the earth becomes assimilated with and subject to the priesthood in the heavens the more of this power shall we possess.

Latter-day Saints believe that the Biblical miracles performed by prophets and apostles were performed by the power of the priesthood. These include the miracles of Jesus, who holds all of the keys of the priesthood. They further believe that the same priesthood power and authority which existed in Biblical times exists on the earth today. Therefore, Latter-day Saints believe the priesthood to be the power and authority of God, and that wherever that power and authority (and keys) are present, there is the priesthood. Hence, in modern times, the priesthood provides the authority for a priesthood holder to act as a leader in the Church and to perform sacred ordinances. Latter-day Saints further believe that acts (in particular, sacred ordinances) performed by someone holding priesthood authority are recognized by God and are binding in Heaven, on earth, and in the afterlife.

This principle is set forth in the scriptures as recorded in Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Modern day revelation as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants, section 128, verse 8 provides further clarification to this teaching:

Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.

In the New Testament book of Revelation, in Revelation 1:6 are recorded these words, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Who are these “Priests” who comprise this “royal priesthood“? Modern day revelation found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 76, verses 54 through 60 gives some insight to help answer that question:

They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things— they are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; and are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God— Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. And they shall overcome all things.

In Matthew 22:14 are recorded these words, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that in order to exercise priesthood power or authority a person must (1) be called by God, (2) be ordained or endowed with priesthood power by one having proper authority, and (3) receive the necessary priesthood keys, either through ordination to an office or through being set apart.

God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. Male members of the Church may begin their Mormon priesthood service when they reach the age of 12. They begin by holding the Aaronic Priesthood, and they later may qualify to have the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred on them. Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth. As they prepare themselves to receive different responsibilities, they hold different offices in the priesthood, such as deacon, teacher, or priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and elder or high priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The fifth Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states, “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.” And in the Bible, Hebrews 5:4 reminds us that, “no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” Therefore, in order for a male member of the Church to hold the priesthood, it must be conferred upon him by an authorized priesthood holder who in turn ordains him to an office in that priesthood. This is further clarified in modern-day scripture as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants, section 42:11, “Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.”

It should well be remembered and understood that although the authority of the priesthood is bestowed only on worthy male members of the Church, the blessings of the priesthood are available to all—men, women, and children. Everyone benefits from the influence of righteous priesthood leadership; therefore, everyone has the privilege of receiving the saving ordinances of the priesthood. The most important exercise of the priesthood takes place in the family. Each husband and father in the Church should strive to be worthy to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. With his wife as an equal partner, he presides in righteousness and love, serving as the spiritual leader of his home. He leads his family in regular prayer, scripture study, and Family Home Evening. He gives priesthood blessings for direction, healing, and comfort. And, realizing that salvation is a family affair, he works with his wife to teach their children and help them prepare to receive the ordinances of salvation.  Mormon women perform priesthood ordinances in the temples of God, and the covenants they make in those same holy temples promise an eternal priesthood to every worthy woman in the Church.

In the Bible, in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 2:9 are found these words, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” As priesthood holders – the “chosen generation” of the “royal priesthood”, the Savior gives this gentle reminder as recorded in the Bible, in John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Additional Resources:

 Mormon Temple Ritual

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Blacks in the Mormon Priesthood

Mormon Families

We Are All Children of Our Heavenly Father

During Moses’ visitation with God on the mountain, found in a scriptural account known as the Pearl of Great Price, he learned many truths that were completely unknown and almost incomprehensible to his time. He first learned as he stood face to face with God, that mortals physically resemble him. He also learned that we are Heavenly Father’s children as he heard God say, “thou art my son” (Moses 1:4). But when the presence of God withdrew from Moses, and he lost all of his strength, he realized another key point in our relation to God: “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” (Moses 1:10). This humbling experience gave Moses the confidence he needed to withstand the deceptive powers of Satan that soon followed because he knew that nothing was comparable to the greatness of God, including Satan himself. God then visited Moses again and revealed another great truth: although God has created an infinite universe and has all power, all of his work is done in order “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39).

President Uchtdorf (a member of the First Presidency in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) addressed this very story when he stated, “This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God” (General Conference October 2011). He continues by saying, “We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.”

The truths that Moses learned in the mountain can profoundly affect our relationship with God. By realizing that we are Heavenly Father’s children, we also realize our potential to some day be like him. This in turn affects many of our daily decisions as we make choices based on our desire to be exalted, not our humanly urges of temporary satisfaction that Satan tries to tempt us with. These momentary things mean nothing compared to the eternal happiness we have been promised. And by understanding that we are nothing compared to him, we also know that we conquer anything with his help.

Knowing that he is our Father and that he cares about us also helps us to feel his love. Being conscious of God’s love gives us confidence that he is watching over us and that he hears our prayers. We then submit to his will because we know that “all these things shall give [us] experience, and shall be for [our] good” (D&C 122:7). The knowledge of Moses’ relationship with God affects everything about our relationship with Heavenly Father because we can finally understand it for the simple reality that it is: although we are nothing compared to him, we are everything to him. Since we are the center of his purpose in the heavens above, his will should in return be the center of our purpose here on earth. As we make this our objective, our relationship with the Father will only strengthen, and we will continue to draw closer and closer unto him until we have reached the ultimate goal of becoming one with him in the eternities above.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about how you can strengthen your relationship with our Heavenly Father at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

What Do Mormons Believe about Life, Happiness, and Jesus Christ?

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon or Bible–both testaments of Jesus Christ.

God the Father Has a Body Similar to Ours

In a book of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, Moses chapter one, we learn that Moses is the titular character makes a number of discoveries regarding the Jesus Christ, the Universe, and where his place was within it. As a person who accepts the Book of Moses as a reliable source, his early discoveries have had a profound impact on my own life and belief system.

Moses’ first discovery is fairly straightforward – he was able to speak to the God the Father face to face (Moses 1:2). The implication there is clear – if the Lord has a literal face, we can conclude that He also has a physical body. It is glorified and perfected, but nonetheless apparently fairly similar to Moses’ own mortal body with a face and hands and vocal cords.

Moses’ next discovery is along a similar vein – he is God’s son (Moses 1:4), and in similitude of the Lord’s only begotten, Jesus Christ (Moses 1:6). God the Father tells Moses that he has work to do, which implies that the Lord has known Moses for much longer than Moses’ life on earth. He is then able to view the entirety of the God’s creation before the Lord’s glory withdraws from him and he is left unto himself, musing about the nothingness of man (Moses 1:7-11).

Shortly after that occurs, Satan appears, hoping to tempt Moses into worshiping him. Because of Moses’ new found knowledge, he knows that Satan is not worthy of worship. After Moses banishes Satan three times, Satan finally departs

As an individual, many of these lessons are small, but nonetheless profound. If God had a physical body when Moses saw Him, it means that He has had a physical body like Moses’ and like mine. It further implies that at some point, our mortal bodies will have the capacity to be glorified and perfected like unto His

I can also conclude that I myself am a daughter of the Father, and in similitude of the Savior (broadly speaking, at least). If the Lord was aware of Moses, and had a job for him to do, then the same must be true of me, as well.

Finally, I am left to wrestle with the tension between my own nothingness, and my own unlimited potential, just as Moses did. Although he felt that man was nothing in comparison to the greatness of the Lord, he was able to successfully banish Satan, exercising power over him. Satan is often portrayed as an immensely strong being, but he cannot withstand the power of a righteous human being. Therefore, it stands to reason that human beings (including myself) have the potential to likewise banish Satan and become more akin to the Lord. By claiming and honoring my divine heritage, I can one day become perfected and live with God the Father for eternity.

Additional Resources:

Learn about basic Mormon beliefs.

Visit Mormon.org to chat with LDS missionaries right now.