What do you know about the Mormons???

(Warning: Longest post ever...sorry. I guess I'm passionate about my religion...what can I say?!)

So, did you know I'm a " Mormon"? Probably. (Most of my friends reading this probably are too.) This is something I'm very proud of, and have never been ashamed to admit. However, I have recently met quite a few new friends that might not understand what that means. So....for many of you, you already know this, but ... I'm going to tell you all about what I believe as a "Mormon". This means that I'm LDS or in other words, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

For more information or details about the Church, please visit the offical website at www.lds.org They have a "study by topic" section if anybody has any specific questions. This website is AWESOME!!!

First off? I'm a Christian. Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ. Nothing upsets me more than to be told that Mormon's aren't Christians. Our Church is completely patterned after Christ's church when he was on the earth. We believe and rejoice in his teachings and strive to follow his example. I know that Jesus Chris is my brother, Savior, and friend. He lived and died for me, so that one day I will live with him and my Father in Heaven again.

So, now let's go back to the beginnng. Have you ever heard of Joseph Smith? Let's first get it clear that we do NOT worship Joseph Smith. We worship God and Jesus Christ, and nobody else. However, Joseph Smith played a very important role in restoring the Gospel in the Latter Days.

When Joseph was 14 he was reading in the Bible (James 1:5) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" so he did. He was curious about which church was true. He was frustrated with how each church interpreted the Bible differently. He went into a grove of trees to pray, and this is where God, and his son Jesus Christ appeared to him. (This is known as the "first vision".) They told him none of the churches were true, because they were teaching incorrect doctorine. Through this experience and many more, The Lord chose Joseph Smith to be a Prophet and restore the Gospel in these Latter Days. I know this to be true. The Holy Ghost has born witness to me of this, on many occasions. If any of YOU lack wisdom or conviction of the truthfulness of what Joseph Smith did, I would tell you to follow James' advice to "ask God". If you do so with a sincere heart and real intent, you will receive an answer to your prayer.

So, that brings me to my next point. The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has not "replaced" the Bible. We actually believe and study it's teachings as well. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is a record of God's dealings with the people who lived in the Ancient America's. Joseph Smith translated these records, which were written upon gold plates, by the Power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is real. The Spirit I feel when I study the Book of Mormon, as well as the Bible, is so strong. I know that these books bring so many to Christ, and for this I am thankful.

I feel so blessed to have the Priesthood Power in my life. The Priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. Only worthy male members of the Church may hold the priesthood, but all benefit from it. I have had many blessings and seen many miracles performed by the Power of the Priesthood.

Like I said before, the Church is patterned after Christ's church when he walked upon the earth. We have a living Prophet (Thomas S. Monson..... below in the red tie) and apostles who serve as witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. I am so thankful for a living prophet to lead and guide us today. How wonderful it is to have Prophets! Don't they look so happy? (The guy on the left in the glasses is Elder Eyring, and people have told James they think he will look like him in 50 years!! See the resemblance?? Funny, huh?! Makes me laugh everytime.)

The following pamphlet is a guideline that the Youth in the church use to help remind them of our standards as Latter Day Saints.

This is where we sometimes "stand out" in the world.

*We don't date until we're 16.

*We don't have sex until we're married. Yes married.

*We don't watch Rated R movies, and stay away from any other entertainment (music, tv, dancing, movies,) that is crude, vile, or inappropriate.

*We don't shop or seek entertainment on Sundays.

*We strive to wear modest clothes! Our bodies are TEMPLES!!! We don't like to have multiple piercings all over our bodies, and we refrain from getting tatoos.

Now, for the modesty issue, I'm not saying we wear long pants and long sleeve shirts all the time, but look at this picture below...

I don't even know these girls in this picture, (thank goodness for google images) but aren't they all SO BEAUTIFUL??? Even without showing the ample cleavage and thighs???! They are truly what I believe is BEAUTIFUL in God's eyes!!!

*We also follow the "Word of Wisdom" that was revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

(This may be another jaw-dropper...)

*We don't drink alcohol, we don't drink coffee or tea, we don't smoke, and we don't do drugs. We try to stay away from anything habit forming, addicting, or harmful to our bodies. (This can be anything from too much caffeine in the Pepsi we drink, to pornography, to eating too much junk food!) We believe in moderation in ALL things!

Besides what we "Don't" use, there are plenty of good things we do need! Grains, fruits, veggies, meat (sparingly), plenty of exercise, and the right amount of sleep!!!! All in all we try to be healthy...is there anything so wrong with that???!

A few more false myths and fact about the Mormon's....

*We don't actually believe in Polygamy!

*We don't have horns!!

*We are usually very happy people.

*We send missionaries all over the world to bring people unto Christ. (All voulantarily, and without pay.)

*We find joy in our families and may tend to have more kids than an average group of people!!

*We are always preparing for the future, (storing food, making 72 hour kits, canning wheat, and planting gardens.)

*We pay fast offerings (money donated to help the welfare program of the church that goes to the poor and needy, or around the world to help in natural disasters).

*We pay tithing (10% of our incomes) for the building of Temples and church buildings.

*We don't get paid for any of our service in the church.

*We spend many hours devoted to different Church callings, from the Bishop to nursery leaders, to the choir director!
*We love feeding people!

*We strive to be self-reliant and work on improving many of our skills such as budgeting, cooking, sewing, etc.

*We attend our Temples to make Covenants with our Heavenly Father, and to do work for those who have passed on before us.

*We believe that being married in the Temple (or sealed in the temple later) allows us to be bound to our Families Forever!!! How awesome is that?! Can you imagine living this wonderful life with your family and children, without being promised to be together after you die? I can't. I'm so grateful for this knowledge everyday!!!! This life can be hard sometimes, but with the knowledge that I have, I know it's worth it.

We need to endure! We need to prove ourselves worthy to our Heavenly Father! We need to stand up for what we believe in. We need to keep the commandments and do our part to bring others to Christ. We need to love others. We need to turn the other cheek. We need to have Faith, Hope, and Charity! We need to have compassion and follow the Savior's example in ALL things! We need to be happy. We need to smile more! We need to serve others!

I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the things I've written today. I KNOW without any doubt this church is true! I know my Savior is there for me when I need him. I know families can be together forever, and I know the Holy Ghost is real. I feel him guide, direct, teach, and comfort me on a daily basis. I love this Church, and I love my Savior! And I say these things in his name, Amen.