faith

My Faith

The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

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 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 prophesy, 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, prophesy, 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 Gos 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 thing.

Do "Latter-Day Saints" believe that they are perfect? Absolutely NOT. There was only one perfect man to walk the face of this Earth, and that was Jesus Christ. We believe that perfection is attainable, however, because Christ taught that we must be perfect. Certainly we cannot attain perfection in this life alone, but we can eventually gain perfection. Perfection is that state in which we have knowledge and live by that knowledge. It is having integrity. It is being a person who is constant and dependable in all things. It is being completed. We believe that through the atonement, we may receive a remission of our sins, as Christ taught, through repentance, and that after repenting, we must move on. Latter-Day Saints believe that Jesus Christ was telling us the truth about our nature, our potential, and what we can do to achieve that potential. We believe that achieving our potential is the fulfillment of the measure of our creation, and that it is through fulfilling the measure of our creation that we find true happiness and joy.

Ours is a practical religion. We are taught how we can achieve a measure of temporal security and spiritual peace, here in our mortal lives, and how to practically apply the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to enrich our lives, our relationships, our dealings with men, and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Certainly, we are taught how we may emulate God the Father and Jesus Christ, that we may attain Eternal Life (that is, God's life, as His name is Eternal) and Exaltation. We are taught how to repent, and how to become like our Father in Heaven.

No, Latter-Day Saints are not perfect, but we are trying to become perfect, line upon line, precept upon precept no matter how long it takes.

I invite anyone who is interested in learning more, to visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Background Picture: Nauvoo Temple, Nauvoo, Illinois.
Click HERE for clear picture.

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Lord, He is my Savior. I believe in Him. I know that what He says is true. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the restoration of the church which Jesus Christ, himself, organized when he lived his mortal life upon the earth. I know that every person can know for himself or herself whether these things are true. I tested the promise, and though I had to prove my sincere desire to know and show a commitment to strive to live the Gospel as best as I can as a mortal full of faults and weaknesses (letting the atonement of Christ make up for the rest), I was not disappointed, and in surety, I received a witness for myself, by revelation from God.

Test the promise (Moroni 10:3-5). If you're sincere, you won't be disappointed, either. If you are humble and teachable, God will answer your prayers. Just don't try to project your ideas of what He is or how He behaves on Him. Let Him show you who and what he is, Himself. Let Him reveal Himself to you. Let Him speak His words to your heart and to your mind through the medium of the Holy Ghost. Believe that what Heavenly Father says is true. Believe what Christ said is true. I bear this witness before you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

My Sacrament Meeting Talks

"On Holy Ground -- Attending the Temple"

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