Basic Beliefs of Mormons

Several weeks ago an interesting idea came to mind. Okay, it was probably more like several months ago. Nonetheless, I toyed with the idea for quite some time before I spoke to anyone about it. After a few interesting conversations with friends I called my mother. You see, my mom is always the final source of confirmation for me, just to make sure I don't ever go off the deep end. My mom is one of the straightest shooting people you will ever find. As I explained to her what was, and still is, in my mind I was quite surprised by her answer. I'd expected a quick and painful dropping back to earth rather than what I did receive. She said, "I've been thinking a lot about all these public shootings which have been going on. As I've thought about it I've wondered what I would... Read More

We have so many examples of miracles in the Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. Miracle after miracle, such as: The healing of a leper. (Luke 5:12-13) The healing of a man with palsy. (Luke 5:18-25) The raising of a dead man. (John 11:1-2,5,11,14,43) The healing of a blind man. (John 9:1-12) Just to name a few. But many have said that miracles ended with the Bible. Many say Jesus Christ is not God. They den... Read More

Jesus Christ said, Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. (3 Nephi 27:13) Paraphrasing that scripture, I heard a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormons, paraphrase the Savior, saying, I came into the world, because my Father asked it of Me. This stru... Read More

Thirteen years ago Alvin and I moved into the home we live in now. The ward we belonged to has turned out to be the most astounding group of people whom we have come to love and adore over the years of our acquaintance and friendship. I was called to be the Young Women President within a month of our marriage. I was professional, young and apparently "hip," according to the girls. I wouldn't ever have classified myself as such, but there you have it . . . me . . . hip. There were two particular girls, seniors, who were having personality conflicts with some of the people in the Young Women organization. They decided to give me one chance, on the day I was called and sustai... Read More

Today we received notification of Alvin's transplant surgery. From the moment he was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure seven years ago we have pushed forward with faith, diligence and an astounding amount of courage and strength. My husband has remained unfailingly cheerful and optimistic even when the greatest of trials weighed him down. Me, there were times I shut myself in the bathroom where no one could hear and cried. Nonetheless, the moment is finally here. A chance for my husband to live a life free of dialysis and the innumerable dialysis induced traumas and illnesses. As I have paused amongst the hustle bustle of trying to get everything organized and in place (you cannot imagine the amount of doctors appointments, paperwork, etc. that have be waded through) I have... Read More

The scriptures are filled with examples of what happens when we are obedient, and conversely, disobedient. Noah was commanded to build a boat and gather the animals, male and female, because the Lord was going to flood the earth due to the extreme wickedness. (Good thing He promised to never do that again!) Noah obeyed and because he did, every single one of us is here. Every human being on this earth today is descended from Noah. “A just man and perfect in his generations,” one who “walked with God,” (Genesis 6:9) was the prophet Noah. Ordained to the priesthood at an early age, “he became a preacher of righteousness and declared the gospel... Read More

It's a common question asked amongst the good people of the world, no matter your religion, race or creed: "Why does God let bad things happen?" No one, and I mean no one, escapes suffering in this phase of our eternal existence we call mortality or life. It's just the way it is. We came from heaven, known as premortality, determined to do our best, to prove to our Heavenly Father that we could be more like Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. In heaven we were given the opportunity to make a choice. We could follow Heavenly Father's plan or we could follow Satan's. ... Read More

I have a rather unique mind with a vivid imagination. That's a combination that can get me into trouble on occasion. It also can paint scenarios in my mind that can take me on trips filled with hills, valleys and surprising curves, thus the topic of this blog came about. If I had 30 minutes with Jesus Christ what would I do? Well, first I'd ask Him to stay longer, natch. But in all seriousness there is so much I would want to ask, so much I would want to learn . . . just to bask in the presence of our Lord and Savior, I cannot begin to imagine the incredible feelings which would wash over me. From the time I was a small child I have always turned to the Savior for support when I needed it. I think I would spend at least half that ... Read More

I am a daughter of God. As such, I believe strongly that there is much I have to do in this life to prove to my Heavenly Father that He was right to send me to this earth that I might prove myself in this phase of eternity. Mortality. The Plan of Salvation tells us we lived before we came to this earth. No, I am not speaking of reincarnation, which is a false doctrine, but of premortality, that phase of eternity where we lived as spirit children of our Heavenly Father. It was there we learned abo... Read More

When we fully come unto Jesus Christ, are we born again? Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith. Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a quiet miracle. Angelic visitations and other spectacular occurrences do not bring conversion. Even Alma, who saw an angel, became converted only after he "fasted and prayed many days" for a witness of the truth (Alma 5:46). And Paul, who saw the resurrected Savior, taught that "n... Read More

Each of us comes into this world with gifts, talents and skills. Society holds the actress/actor, singer, writer, athlete or politician high as a standard of talent which has been groomed and perfected. But there are other talents, not as evident, which are of greater value in the world. God gave all His children talents that, if developed and utilized properly, will aid Him in bringing all the children of God back home . . . where He anxiously awaits our return. In the book of Matthew we read of a group of men who were given the same number of talents and then we learn what each did. Some grew their talents, others buried them in the earth to protect them. Guess which ones the Master was happies... Read More

Today, as my husband and I were driving home from the gym, I heard Rush Limbaugh ask his listeners to think of the things about America that made us proud. I've had time to contemplate that throughout the afternoon. My father, Fritz, was born in Amsterdam and was four-years-old when Hitler's armies filled the skies and streets of Holland. He remembers, at four years of age, awakening to the sounds of the bombers overhead and soldiers goose-stepping through the cobblestone streets. There began year after year of unmitigated hell in my father's life. He vividly recalled the lines for food, hours upon hours of waiti... Read More

In the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, in the book of Mosiah 4:2-3 we read, And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a... Read More

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said; (D&C 109:7,14) How I long to sit at the feet of the prophet, currently Thomas S. Monson, and simply listen as he teaches and instructs me in all the things of God. This, of course, will never happen. Although I am privileged to listen to... Read More

One of the most precious things given to us, I believe, is the knowledge of who we were before we came to this earth. Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, tell us: "Being subject to law, and having their agency, all the spirits of men, while yet in the Eternal Presence, developed aptitudes, talents, capacities, and abilities of every sort, kind and degree . . . As the ages rolled, no two spirits remained alike. Mozart became a musician; Einstein centered his interest in mathematics; Michelangelo turned his attention to painting. Cain was a liar, a schemer, a rebel who maintained a close affinity to Lucifer. Abraham and Moses and all of the prophets sought and obtained the talen... Read More

Joseph Smith, Jr. is the prophet of my heart. What I mean by that is I have studied the prophets, from Adam forward, and have come to love each in my own way. But with Joseph Smith I spent two solid years, fourteen hours a day, studying his life and times. When I say I picked his life and the time he lived in apart, I mean I really picked it apart! On the matter of faith this beloved prophet said: “God ruleth all things after the counsel of his own will. My trust is in him. The salvation of my soul is of the most importance to me forasmuch as I know for a certainty of eternal things. If the heavens linger, it is nothing to me. I must steer my [ship] safe, which I intend to do. I want you to do the same. Your... Read More

Mormons are encouraged, from birth, to educate themselves as much as possible. Elder Orson F. Whitney, an apostle of the Jesus Christ, said: It suffices me to know, and to testify, that this people are the friends, not the foes, of education; that they are seekers after wisdom, lovers of light and truth, universal Truth, which, like the waters of earth, or the sunbeams of heaven, has but one Source, let its earthly origin be what it may. "Truth is truth, wher'er 'tis found, On Christian or on heathen ground," and worthy of our love and admiration, whether far or near, high or low, whether blazing as a star in the blue vault of heaven, or springing like a floweret from t... Read More

The Doctrine & Covenants is a fascinating book of revelations given to Joseph Smith, Jr. during his sojourn as Prophet of the Restoration. The very beginning of the Doctrine & Covenants, known as the D&C, says this: The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. Although most of the sections are directed to members of ... Read More

Andrew C. Skinner, noted theologian and history, said: A broken heart and a contrite spirit are a perfect likeness or similitude of Jesus' atoning experience, and He undoubtedly wants us to comprehend the nature of that atoning experience. The word contrite comes directly from a Latin root meaning "to grind." To be contrite is to be crushed in spirit. (Andrew Skinner, Prophets, Priests and Kings, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book 2005 13) Indeed, when one has committed a sin then the repentance process begins, and only begins, when one recognizes that action as sin. Having been one who has not lived a perfect life, I recall specific times when I have undergone the re... Read More

According to my genealogy I am descended of Joseph of Arimathaea. Yes, he is the man, the Sadducee, who begged Pontius Pilate for the body of the Savior and laid Him to rest in the tomb he'd prepared for himself. Was Joseph a follower of Jesus Christ? Certainly. According to the Talmud, he was the younger brother of the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He was her uncle and the Savior's great-uncle. Joseph, like many of early Christian history, have been sainted by the Catholic Church. Then He was rumored to have brought the Holy Grail from the holy city of Jerusalem and was then written into the Arthurian legends. Much of his life has been mixed with legend until it is difficult to know what is truth and what is legend. ... Read More

There are those who say Jesus Christ survived the cross, therefore was not resurrected on the morning of the third day. They are wrong. This line of thought actually denigrates and denounces one of the greatest and most wonderful sacrifices in the history of all of Heavenly Father's children. For indeed, too many witnessed the nailing of our Savior's hands and feet to the cross, the crown of thrones jammed onto His head, piercing His skin, causing blood to run in streams down His beloved face. Weeping eyes saw Him raised up between two thieves and mocked as the King of the Jews. Broken and mourning ... Read More

By the time Jesus Christ came into the world the Jews had been captured, freed and captured again with quite regularity. Indeed, as they drew further and further away from the teachings of God their captivity extended over decades, centuries and millennia. By this point in Jewish History it was firmly entrenched in their minds that the Messiah would come as a great and powerful king who would free them permanently from their captors. He took on the attributes of great generals in history and it was cemented in Jewish minds that he would restore the Davidic royal line and take his rightful place on the throne. Jesus Christ, descendant of King David and rightful heir to this mortal throne, came into the world in a meek and lowly manner. The ... Read More

Looking back over the history of the world, we see one shining moment in history that changed the course of man forever. Before Jesus Christ came into the world Adam and Eve were commanded: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. (Abraham 5:13) Adam and Eve did put forth their hands and partake of the "fruit of that tree" and man fell from immortality and the Garden of Eden into our mortal probation. In previous blogs I have disc... Read More

It is not often that I stop to consider the absence of hope and its effect on the human spirit. But I have done a lot of thinking on the topic as of late. Sometimes it seems as if life is so overwhelming that to go on one more day is beyond one's capabilities. This is where Jesus Christ comes in. At times when life is as a midnight sky whose brilliant stars are obscured by clouds or pollution, it seems as if those pinpoints of light in our lives are no longer visible. But this could not be further from the truth. When the weight of sorrow, grief and stress seem too heavy to bear, that is when it is important to s... Read More

It is truly astonishing to Mormons how much is misunderstood about us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a video with Hall of Fame quarterback, Steve Young and former Miss America, Sharlene Hawkes. First we are shown the misconceptions believed about Mormons and our faith, and they are astounding. Then we are shown the truth. You may watch the video: Mormon Myths & Realities by clicking on the link. This site, currently, does not allow embedded objects. Are we Christians? Do we practi... Read More

Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, said of the Book of Mormon during a meeting with the twelve apostles: . . . 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 aiding by its precepts, than by any other book. (History of the Church, 4:461) While the Bible has been through untold numbers of copyists, translators and corrupt reli... Read More