I am a member of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and despite the
adopted class definition of Christian, my church and
I are Christians. I will discuss my Church and I as
one belief or in other words my belief and that of
the church are same and have no differences as far as
I understand.
The LDS (short for latter day saints)
church believes in most of the basic ideas of modern and
pre-modern Christianity with some differences which we
believe make all the difference. The Church believes that
God Created the Universe and all things therein. In the
preexistence (before earth life) God presented a plan to
all his spirit sons and daughters about how they could
become like him. This is the ultimate concern, to become
more like him. Jesus, our older brother who is referred
to in the Bible and Book of Mormon chose to follow God’s
plan. God our father knew that it would be very hard for
us to be perfect on earth and knew that someone must
sacrifice for the sins of all men. Christ being the only
begotten of the father full of truth and light was the
only person who was capable of saving the souls of men.
Lucifer or the Devil was jealous and decided he didn’t
want to agree to this plan. He and one-third the hosts of
heaven or one third of the spirits left god’s
presence and were cast down to earth to temp men.
Two-thirds the host of heaven agreed to God’s plan
and allowed Christ to suffer for our sins. Adam and Eve
were the first two people on earth and were sent to
multiply and replenish the earth. We as spirits sons and
daughters came down to earth in our own due time to run
our test and try to be as good as we could to enable us
to return to god one day.
So now that we are on earth what must we do? Earth is a
trial place in which we are tested to see if we could
become like god one day. All men are not perfect and have
sin. Christ is the only person who was born and lived
without sin. Therefore Christ was the only one who could
atone for our sins. Our life is based around the concept
to follow Christ and God’s teachings that way we
might become like them one day. Otherwise if we do not
follow Christ and accept him as our savior we will be
damned. When we die we will be judged for our good and
bad things we did in life then it will be chosen where we
will go. Our Religion teaches in three kingdoms, heavens
or glories in which we can go to. Our religion also
teaches that in able to attain the highest of these three
glories we must perform certain saving ordinances. These
are first Baptism, Conformation, Endowments and Marriage.
Baptism is performed by immersion as Christ was in the
river Jordan and represents a renewal or rebirth. This
and other ordinances must be done by a member of the
priesthood. After being baptized the person is then
conferred and given the gift of the Holy Ghost or gift of
being able to chose right from wrong. Marriage and
endowments are ordinances that need to be done in the
temple. Temples are special places where worthy members
can go to become closer to god and are much like the
temple of Solomon in purpose. We believe that when two
people are married they are sealed for all time and
eternity. In order to attain the highest kingdom we must
have all these ordinances performed. Latter Day Saints
believe that all people should be able have to
opportunity to be saved. This is one reason we work so
hard on missionary work. The church also has the biggest
genealogical organization in the world. One reason for
genealogy work is to get the names of people on this
earth that have died. In temples we can do the temple
work for those who have died. For example if my
great-great-great grandpa were not baptized I would be
able to do the saving ordinances for him in the temple
that way he may “live with god again” or attain
the highest kingdom.
In addition to performing the saving ordinances one must
also be perfect in this life by following all the
commandments. This could be considered a way of attaining
the sacred. The basis of all commandments is to teach us
to be better friends and neighbors and to have faith in
Christ and follow him. I would say this is probably the
ultimate reality, to have a full love of Christ. Many
religions believe that all you really need to do is have
faith in Christ and you will be saved. This is not true
because Christ once said, “If ye love me, keep my
commandments.” Faith and Works are the basis for
eternal life along with both modern and olden day
commandments. The most well know commandments are the
Word of Wisdom, which forbids Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and
Hot Drinks or Coffee and Tea. Another well-known set of
commandments follows the basis of morality. We believe to
be morally clean one must be clean before marriage and
stay loyal during marriage. Breaking these moral
commandments is only second to killing of talking the
life of someone or yourself. Other commandments call for
paying of tithing, which is a trial of faith and helps
support the poor and the building of buildings and
temples. The commandments can be found in the Bible, Book
of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ), Pearl of
Great Price (books of Moses and Abraham) and modern
Doctrine and Covenants.
The church follows bible teachings which state that there
will be a following away of faith and a great apostasy in
which everything true will fall away. This great apostasy
took place after all of Christ’s apostles died.
Through modern day revelation and the help of Joseph
Smith who was the first modern day prophet we have
restored the church of Christ back to the earth. Joseph’s
story can be found in the beginning portion of The
Doctrine and Covenants. Joseph restored the church of
Christ back to the earth through the help of angels and
the church was officially started on the 6th of April
1830 with six members in the beginning (as needed by NY
law). The church has since grown and become a world
religion. We still have a prophet and guidance from god
this day. President Gordon B. Hinkley is a chosen leader
for this day and has already guided the church through
many trials and hardships.
Our church has clean ethical teachings, which encourages
the members to help all people of the world. During major
crisis our church is one of the first on the scene to
help the relief efforts. We have done much for the good
of the community both in times of peace and times of
hardship. We as individuals do our best to make this
world a better place by helping others in the world. I
spend about two hours a week on average, often much more
helping others in need without expecting anything in
return. Our church does not promote any political
candidate or party but the church does teach the ethics
for members to be able to chose wisely and in teaching
and harmony of the church and Christ.
I know this church to be true and I testify it to anyone
who reads these words. I have seen too much to ever in my
right mind deny it. There have been to many miracles.
There is to much correct and to little wrong to ever deny
it. There have been to many people who died for it and so
many people who gave their lives. I know that Christ
lives and we have a modern prophet today on this earth to
enable us to return to live with god again someday. In
the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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