Basic Beliefs of Mormons

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 him, along with anyone else willing to tune in, twice a year at General Conference.

We are told numerous times in the scriptures to seek God, seek His kingdom, seek His word and President Joseph F. Smith, the sixth called prophet of these modern times and the nephew of Joseph Smith, Jr., said:

If I have learned something through prayer, supplication, and perseverance in seeking to know the truth, and I tell it to you, it will not be knowledge unto you. I can tell you how you can obtain it, but I cannot give it to you. If we receive this knowledge, it must come from the Lord. He can touch your understandings and your spirits, so that you shall comprehend perfectly and not be mistaken. But I cannot do that. You can obtain this knowledge through repentance, humility, and seeking the Lord with full purpose of heart until you find Him. He is not afar off. It is not difficult to approach Him, if we will only do it with a broken and a contrite spirit, as did Nephi of old. (Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 1899 71)

In essence, knowledge is something we seek after under the guidance and tutelage of the Holy Ghost, whose sole job is to testify of truth. If someone, who has spent their entire life seeking God receives more and more of the mysteries of heaven, it is not his or her job to share that knowledge with the world. But it is, as President Smith indicated, their job to share with us how to gain that knowledge. So this is what I share with you today.

Build a Firm Foundation: In seeking out the kingdom of God and the mysteries of heaven you must first build yourself a firm foundation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To do that you must immerse yourself in the scriptures every day. I recommend the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Within the pages of these books you will find the firmest foundation which can be found. Add to that the words and teachings of both ancient and modern prophets, building upon the foundation, layer upon layer until your foundation is inviolate.

Prayer: Seek the Lord often and fervently in prayer. When studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ it is critical to do so under the power and influence of prayer. Meaning, one thing I always pray for as I began to study each day is the gift of discernment. In other words, I ask for the ability to discern truth from error or outright falsehoods. With this compass, constantly asking for confirmation from the Holy Ghost, I study the words of God conveyed through the writings of His prophets and apostles.

Contrite Spirit and a Broken Heart: When Jesus Christ administered the sacrament to the twelve apostles in the upper room the night before He was arrested He fulfilled the law of Moses. The sacrificial offerings of the unblemished firstlings of every flock were no longer necessary and now the sacrifice God asked of us was a "contrite spirit and a broken heart." In other words, drop to your knees in sincere and fervent prayer and beg forgiveness of your daily trespasses and sins. Acknowledge that eternal life is not possible without the Atonement Jesus Christ so lovingly endured on our behalf. Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the path and the way to eternal salvation. Acknowledge that you need Him every minute, hour and day of your life. Confess your worries, troubles and sins and make a covenant with Him that you will eschew the ways of the world which lead you into misery and sorrow and vow to always seek Him in all things. Realize that He wants you to be happy. He wants you to succeed. He wants you to come home and He wants you to want it as bad as He does. This, I think, is what is involved in a broken heart and contrite spirit.

Fasting: Fasting is a tried and true method of bringing you closer to God. Not fasting for days and weeks on end, but for a mere 24 hours. From the end of dinner on one day, to the sitting down of dinner the next day. During that time, kneel often in prayer and beg the Lord to accept the purpose of your fast, whatever it may be, and have the faith to believe He will grant it to you. Do everything I've listed above during this 24 hours and you will be startled as you begin to learn.

Faith: Lastly, what I would add to this daily regimen would be faith.

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.

But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.

Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God.

Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

. . .

And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.

And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith.

And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.

And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.(Ether 12:6-13,18-22)

What more could I add to this set of scriptures? Faith is the evidence of things hoped for but not seen. As you study the word of God, more and more will be given to you. If you do not study, and do so with faith you shall remain in ignorance of the glory which awaits.

Which path will you choose?

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 religionists, the Book of Mormon has, according to modern-day prophet Ezra Taft Benson, "gone from writer to reader with one step of inspired translation."

Contrary to popular belief amongst friends of other faiths, the Book of Mormon is not about worshiping a prophet called Mormon, nor do we worship Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. Ezra Taft Benson told us:

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion . . . There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of [Jesus] Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony. (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon -- Keystone of our Religion," Ensign, Nov 1986 4)

Keystone in our Witness of Jesus Christ: Much of the Christian world denies the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon provides that much needed second witness of His life, His divinity, His Atonement and His resurrection. He is the Son of God, the second member of the Godhead, He is the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the resurrected Messiah of the New Testament and the only path by which mankind may be redeemed.

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. (2 Nephi 25:23-26)

Yes, the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ thousands upon thousands of times. We unashamedly testify to the world of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We shout to the world of His divinity, His pure love for mankind, His devotion to His Father and that He stands as the head of this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons.

Keystone of our Doctrine ? Every precious point of doctrine which was removed from the Holy Bible by the aforementioned methods is restored in the Book of Mormon.

Do you wish to learn about receiving answers to prayer? See Moroni 10:3-5.

Do you want to know more about faith and humility? See Alma 32.

Would you like to understand the heart of an ancient prophet? See 2 Nephi 4:15-35.

Would you like to know more of Jesus Christ's "other sheep have I which are not of this fold . . .?" See 3 Nephi.

Would you like to know more about the proper method of baptism? See Moroni 6.

We believe in Jesus Christ. We believe in Heavenly Father. We believe in the Holy Ghost. We believe in eternal life, therefore we believe Jesus Christ greatly suffered the Atonement, died by way of cruel and vicious crucifixion and the arose on the third day in glorious Resurrection. We believe through Jesus Christ all mankind may be redeemed and that eternal life awaits. We believe families are forever. We believe we lived before, that we earned life and through our actions in life may earn an eternal reward.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is filled with hope, love, learning, strength and happiness. All of this is taught and testified of in the Book of Mormon.

President Ezra Taft Benson said,

As mentioned before, the Lord Himself has stated the the Book of Mormon contains the "fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ" (D&C 20-9.) That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. The Book of Mormon offers so much that broadens our understanding of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious. (Ibid)

Keystone of our Testimony ? What is a testimony? "A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel. (Testimony - Gospel Topics, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, January 2008)

Truer words have rarely been spoken. My personal testimony of Jesus Christ and His eternal role in the redemption of mankind was strengthened by my study of the Book of Mormon. The more I read, pondered and prayed, the more Jesus Christ became real to me. No longer was He a misty figure in ancient history, but a living, breathing God who descended from on high to save us. The fulness of His gospel, provided in the pages of the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants, have given me hope, strength and the sure knowledge of who I am and where I am headed.

And so I close this post with my testimony. He is Jesus Christ and through Him great and glorious rewards await if we will live by the principles, practices and precepts of His gospel. Through Him and the study of His gospel we learn the marked difference between secret and sacred. For when something is deeply sacred, as are covenants made between us and God, they are not be shouted to the world but held quiet and sure in our hearts as a constant reminder of our promises. In so doing, we live our lives patterned after Jesus Christ.

I testify to you that all the promises of the heavens are held within the gospel of Jesus Christ. Great happiness awaits, your heart will be lifted, your spirit will soar as the heavens are opened and the answers to your prayers will come. Oh life doesn't become automatically easy, for the stronger you become in the gospel of Jesus Christ the greater the opposition will be, but you stand not alone.

I testify to you that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration, and the man chosen by God to bring about the fulness of His gospel on the earth once again. I testify that the Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture which is a second witness of Jesus Christ and a companion to the Holy Bible. Hope awaits my friends, will you reach for it?

I've been having long conversations with someone who is not yet a Mormon. He has received a firm witness of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church.) He believes Gordon B. Hinckley to be a prophet of God, the Mormon Church to hold the truth, principles, practices and precepts that Jesus Christ taught in the meridian of time. The Holy Ghost has testified to him of the truthfulness of all these things. But he hasn't prayed about the Book of Mormon yet.

He asked if there was archaeological proof of the Book of Mormon. I told him there was, but that the Book of Mormon is about the plain and precious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not whether the Nephites and Lamanites actually lived.

Elder Russell M. Nelson told Mormons in the last General Conference:

Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was “written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also.” (Mormon 7:9) Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets. ... An angel proclaimed that the Book of Mormon shall establish the truth of the Bible. He also revealed that writings in the Bible available in our day are not as complete as they were when originally written by prophets and apostles. He declared that the Book of Mormon shall restore plain and precious things taken away from the Bible. (1 Nephi 13:40) (Russell M. Nelson, “Scriptural Witnesses,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 43–45)

So what can I say to my young friend? Exactly what I did say. I testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as a book of scriptures. I explained "other sheep have I which are not of this fold," and that the Lord would not deny them prophets and revelation just because they didn't live in Jerusalem or Bethlehem. I explained that the Book of Mormon was a record of some of "those other sheep" on the American Continent and 3rd Nephi, found within the Book of Mormon, was the record of Jesus Christ's visit to America.

I encouraged him to put Moroni's Promise to the test:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:3-5)

There is only one way to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Read it and then go to a quiet place and with a sincere and pleading heart, ask Heavenly Father if this book be true in its entirety. The answer will come to you. This is a prophetic promise given to you by Moroni.

But if archaeological proof of the existence of cities such as Zarahemla, and peoples such as the Nephites, Lamanites, Jaredites and more is what you require . . . then I recommend going to the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies and reading every single issue. "The Journal of Book of Mormon Studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the Book of Mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the Book of Mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the Old World and the New World. The Journal also highlights new scientific methods and technologies that may aid in Book of Mormon research."

In closing, may I offer my testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is true. Yes, Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Captain Moroni, Helaman and others lived on this continent beginning in 600 B.C. to this very day. They are the forebears of the Native American Indian, as well as other peoples across the oceans. The Book of Mormon was written by prophets during those times to be brought forth in this latter day and serve as a second witness of Jesus Christ. It is to be held, hand in hand, in companionship with the Holy Bible. I testify that within its pages are the plain and precious truths removed from the Bible, and with it you have the complete gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma Chapter 40 teaches of where a spirit goes when someone dies. 2 Nephi Chapter 4 teaches us to rely on the Savior and constantly be reaching forward. Mormon 9 teaches us to "condemn me not for my imperfections," so that we might understand that none of us are perfect and all we can do is get up every day and serve the Lord the best we know how, constantly praying for the strength to be the disciple he needs. Moroni 10 teaches of answer to prayer and gifts of the spirit described abundantly in the Bible. Alma 32 gives us a treatise on faith second to none. 1 Nephi teaches of goodly parents, faithful children and obedience to God.

I testify that these plates were created by early American prophets who painstakingly engraved the things of God on these plates for their posterity. I testify the prophet, Mormon, abridged them, added his own book and then delivered the plates to his son, Moroni. Moroni writes ten brief chapters, but packs each one with gospel principles. We hear no more of this people until 1823 when he appears, as an angel of the Lord, to a 17-year-old Joseph Smith. At this time, Joseph was given the charge to translate these records and deliver the translation to the world. In 1830, the Book of Mormon was published and released to the world. Joseph had fulfilled the sacred charge given him by Moroni, the last prophet of the Book of Mormon. I testify this is truth eternal and if you sincerely ask, you will receive the answer.

Do as young Joseph did, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6) Ask, with simple, pure faith, and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened.

And when armed with this knowledge, what will you do then?

There is a scripture toward the tail end of the Book of Mormon in the Book of Mormon (yes, I know that's confusing,) that has always given me great hope. The prophet Mormon, who is the one who abridged all the plates of the history of his people were written on, wrote something at the tail end of his own book:

Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been (Mormon 9:31.)

A prophet such as Mormon, as great as he was, recognized his own failings, such as they were, and asked us to look past his imperfections and recognize the truths written within these pages.

Even Nephi, also a prophet of God, cried unto the Father:

. . . O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have a trusted. (2 Nephi 4:17-19)

I am certain Nephi's worst sins were thoughts he had of his brothers as they attempted to kill him over and over and over. Nephi and Mormon were both great men of God, devoted prophets of the Lord, and surely their behaviors were above reproach. But still Mormon begs us "not to condemn him for his imperfections."

Within the pages of the Book of Mormon are the plain and precious truths withheld from the Bible. Together they will present you with the complete gospel, of this there is no question. But to me these scriptures tell me not to be so hard on myself about my own imperfections. Do I strive for perfection? Yes. Do I stumble and fall on occasion? Oh yeah. But I am reminded none of us, except the Savior, achieved perfection in this lifetime. So I'm going to keep trying, keeping working and keep striving for that ultimate goal: To be with my Savior and Father once again.

Alvin is still in the hospital, and in fact, still in IMC (Intermediate Care.) He's been in the hospital so much over the last two years that he doesn't handle the confinement well. He's getting pretty ancy and so we went for a walk. We found a little balcony and we were able to step out of the hospital atmosphere for just a moment and bask in the late fall sun. We enjoyed it so much, and the simple pleasure of enjoying the warmth God has provided for us, as well as the crispness of the air and the trees turning gold, yellow, orange and red was invigorating. After a few moments Alvin became chilled (there's a new one) and we headed back inside the hospital. We stopped in the waiting area of the 2nd Floor IMC and decided to sit and watch a little television there. Saints at War was on KBYU and we settled into listen to the Mormon men talk about their captivity during World War II and the horrible conditions, even atrocities, they suffered.

As they shared experiences of small kindnesses, the light of the gospel brightening even that dark and dismal corner of the world, finding one another in prison camps and more, something amazing happened. They choked up as they spoke of these things and then each began to speak of that moment in time when they learned Hitler and his armies had been defeated and the war was over.

One sweet man spoke of seeing the white flag with the big black swastika fall to the ground and the American Flag being raised. As Old Glory caught in the breeze, the tears began to flow down the faces of the American soldiers. As veteran after veteran spoke of this moment, joy literally exploded from their faces, smiles wide and tears sparkling. Some raised their arms, reliving that moment of freedom and unrestrained joy. The symbol of freedom, the American flag, made a very real moment more beautiful for men who had paid so much in the fight for freedom.

Imagine, if you can, the day we burst through the veil between this world and the next and we lay eyes on the faces of loved ones, possibly even the Savior. The joy these veterans felt at the surcease of their suffering must be only a fraction of that joy that will envelop us at that moment.

Just for a moment, in a hospital waiting room with my husband by my side, I had an epiphany, an actual realization of what that moment will feel like. I cannot wait to kneel before my Savior, with my husband, and finally be reunited with Him. Can anyone imagine that I would not give my all, everything I say and do, to be treated to that moment of freedom. That moment when I realize I have successfully passed my second estate (“And they who keep their first estate [the spirit estate in which we then were] shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate [this estate where we are, this mortal period] shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.” (Marion G. Romney, “We Are Children of God,” Ensign, Sep 1984, 3) and have returned to the presence of our Lord God Jesus Christ.

Mormons have a number of websites, provided by the Church, which enable us to prepare ourselves for any eventuality. Whether it is the main website which grants us access to all the words of modern prophets and apostles, the scriptures online, information about the Church, music . . . it doesn't matter. For the enterprising Latter-day Saint we can be prepared for anything. I invite you to drop in on any of these websites and enjoy the adventure.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the main website. Here we can find every aspect of the LDS religion and culture. Magazines, General Conference talks, music, temples, images of religious history, visiting and home teaching messages, etc. This is a site I frequent almost every day to find answers to questions or further clarification on points of doctrine. It is a wonderful resource for anyone.

Learn more about Mormons.

At this website every question you would have about the gospel of Jesus Christ will be answered here, or a path provided for those answers to be received.

In addition, there is a complete list of LDS churches worldwide that will enable you to attend a service. It's a wonderful site with basic information that will enlighten your mind.

This is also where you are able to ask any question and chat live with someone who can provide the answer. You will learn all the basics of the truth restored.

The Restoration of Truth

God is your loving Heavenly Father. Does God really know me? Does God really know me?

God is your Father in Heaven (Matthew 6:9). We call God Heavenly Father because He is the Father of our spirits and we are created in His image ( Genesis 1:27).

Learn more about Joseph Smith, Jr. at a website set aside to specifically help people better understand and learn about the prophet of the Restoration.

Provident Living

Welfare services is not only a program of relief for the needy; it is also a principle of the gospel, one of the basic principles. As President Marion G. Romney has said, "Welfare is not a program of the Church. It is the Church." It is the application of the teachings and principles of the gospel. Our purpose here on the earth is to perfect ourselves so that we can return to the presence of our Father in heaven.

Many of the spiritual truths we must learn and actions that must become part of our lives are inseparably connected to the concepts of welfare services. For instance, the first and great commandment is to love the Lord, and the second, which "is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matt. 22:39). How do we show love? "If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me" (D&C 42:29). This is the principle of service. King Benjamin emphasized this when he said, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).

(taken from the Ensign, Sept. 1973, p. 68)

This site is to help you learn these principles, and find opportunities to apply them in your life and in the lives of others.

Mormons learn alot about independence and caring for oneself and neighbors very early in life. I recall many a year when harvest came around. We would can fruits, vegetables, meats, stews and anything else that would sustain our family. I remember my back aching, my neck burning as we worked late into the night trying to get everything done. That food has fed our family through some very difficult times.

The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages every member to prepare for the worst and expect the best. The Provident Living website takes you through different aspects of becoming self-reliant and preparing for the worst, such as the fires burning across the state of California, or ice storms in Virginia where utilities are lost for up to two weeks at a time, or in Florida where hurricanes ravage the coast with great ferocity, or tornadoes tearing through the heartland. We never know when disaster will strike, whether it is natural or man-made, like the loss of a job or ill health. Those who are prepared need not fear. That is the mantra of the LDS people, and it's a good one to have.

Family History is a crucial part of Mormon life. Commanded to "redeem our dead," which means to seek them out, go to the temple and perform, by proxy, the saving ordinances which they didn't have access to in life. Heavenly Father desires a solid chain from Adam down to each person living on this planet we call Earth. Family Search is the largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world. Check out the Genealogy section of this site to learn more about how to do your genealogy.

Also, I invite you to drop by our Technology section to read reviews Moira is doing of different LDS related sites and blogs. She'll be starting those soon, so check back often.

These are just a few of the sites that help people around the world learn more about us. Please visit any of them. We welcome you and all your questions.

Where did I come from?" is a common question asked by those seeking for something greater than the bright, shiny and often destructive things the world has to offer. Mormons actually have the answer to this question, or rather, the gospel of Jesus Christ provides the answer.

In premortality, or the place in which we lived prior to this life of mortality, we were spirit children of our Father in Heaven. We lived, we loved, we laughed, we learned and we grew. We grew as far as we could in our spirit state. Elder Neal A. Maxwell, an Apostle of Jesus Christ from July 24, 1981 to July 24, 2004, said,

"Early in the Restoration, by translation and revelation, numerous plain and precious truths appeared in fairly rapid succession. This occurred through Joseph Smith, the “choice seer.” (2 Nephi 3:6.) As when dinner guests arrive nearly all at once, Joseph, as host, received, welcomed, and duly noted each truth. Only later was there time and matured perceptivity to see their relationships and the antiquity of their credentials.

"Among these plain and precious truths was the doctrine of the premortal existence of mankind. (See 1 Nephi 13:39, 40.) Early on, Joseph received much concerning this truth, but just as the revelations concerning it came incrementally, so did Joseph’s understanding.

One of the “plain and precious things” long ago “kept back” or “taken away” (1 Nephi 13:34, 40), this enormously important truth did not reach the Holy Bible in an abundant degree, though it is surely there. (See Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4–5; 2 Timothy 1:9.) It was briefly extant after the original Apostles. Alas, however, just as Paul foresaw, the time soon came when Church members did not “endure sound doctrine,” including this one. (See 2 Timothy 4:3.)

With the later disapprovals of councils, the doctrine of premortal existence demonstrably was not a doctrine which could have been reestablished by research. The doctrine does not abuse logic, for “truth is reason,” especially “truth eternal”, but is more than logic alone can fully support. (See Hymns, 1985, no. 292.) It could only come from restoration by modern revelation. It was certainly not abroad in the land of America until Joseph Smith’s articulations. (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Premortality, a Glorious Reality,” Ensign, Nov 1985, 15)

We did not come from nothing. Order and truth eternal dictate the heavens, for God would not be God if He broke eternal laws. And so we lived before we came and now is the time of our mortal probation. We had grown as far as we could grow . . . and now, here we are.

Do the fruits of your labors show you to be a son or daughter of God? Are you a true disciple of Jesus Christ in thought, action and voice? Do you fan that divine spark within you into a flame or have you completely blown it out? That divine spark can be reignited, Jesus Christ paid the price for that to be so through the Atonement.

President Spencer W. Kimball said,

"Celestial life may be had by every soul who will fill the requirements. To know is not enough. One must do. Righteousness is vital and ordinances are necessary." He went on to teach, "[the gospel] is a way of life, the plan of personal salvation, and is based upon personal responsibility. It is developed for man." (Teachings of the Presidents, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2006 1)

In the New Testament, in the Epistle of James 2:17-24,26 we read,

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

-and-

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James lays it out very clearly. In order to be saved, in other words redeemed by the price our Savior so handsomely paid, faith is not enough and neither are works.

The two must work hand in glove, as must man and woman, in order for redemption to be attained.

Moroni, the last prophet to write upon the ancient plates of the Book of Mormon, deemed his life was quickly coming to an end. To this end, he wrote of the most important precepts and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Of faith he wrote:

40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen (Moroni 7:40-48.)

There is no question what this ancient prophet is saying:

Faith ? Hope ? Meekness ? Charity -- all these things are required if we hope to gain the Celestial Kingdom, the highest kingdom in the order of heaven.

And so we see, if we wish to be redeemed as the Savior wishes us to be, we must live our lives in a matter befitting disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. " . . . by their fruits ye shall know them," should be the motto we live by.

His Atonement is the most transcendent event that ever has or ever will occur from Creation’s dawn through all the ages of a never-ending eternity.

It is the supreme act of goodness and grace that only a god could perform. Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation became operative.

Through it are brought to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Through it, all men are saved from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment. -- Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign, May 1985, 9

The best book I've read about this momentous event in the history of Heavenly Father's children was Tad Callister's "The Infinite Atonement".

Several years ago I was drowsing in my bed on an early Sunday morning. As I dozed in and out I was suddenly brought to complete awareness when these thoughts on the Atonement poured into my head.

The overriding principle of the Atonement is an all encompassing, neverending love. The story is quite familiar to all, Heavenly Father granted unto mankind the life of His only begotten Son. This Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah of all creation, was diligent in His constancy in obeying the commandments of His Heavenly Father and lived His live in an exemplary and perfect way.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior knelt pleading with Heavenly Father to release Him from this burden, but bowing in all humility said, “Thy will, not mine, be done.” As he suffered for the sins of countless worlds, Jesus Christ bled from every pore, His very spirit shaking and trembling with the load of sin, pain, illness, weakness and wickedness. For this very pure spirit, this very God of the world, was touched by wickedness weighing His spirit down for the very first time. There are no words in any language on earth to describe the pain our Savior suffered.

The Atonement is for those who weep and sorrow, it is for those who sin, it is for those stricken with illness, it is for pain, it is for all who carry burdens seemingly too difficult to bear. The Savior stands in the heavens, at the side of each child of God who offers a broken heart and contrite spirit. While He cannot personally be with every person, his emissaries are. Each of us is granted ministering angels which provide comfort, love, support, guidance, and protection throughout our lives. President James E. Faust said:

I would like to say a word about the ministering of angels. In ancient and modern times angels have appeared and given instruction, warnings, and direction, which benefited the people they visited. We do not consciously realize the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives. President Joseph F. Smith said, “In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” Many of us feel that we have had this experience. Their ministry has been and is an important part of the gospel. Angels ministered to Joseph Smith as he reestablished the gospel in its fulness.

In meetings of import, we are not left alone. On the fields of competition we are not left alone. In the halls of governments, we are not left alone. We have only to ask in humility and gratefulness and the heavens will be opened unto us and blessings, inspirations and love will pour out. This does not guarantee success in all endeavors, but guarantees that we will handle trials, obstacles, and failures more efficiently and with more strength.

Prior to the Atonement, mankind was trapped in their sins and in a state that prohibited them from ever gaining the presence of the Father again. Adam and Eve had to fall that man could be . . . Jesus Christ had to pay the price, both in Gethsemane and on Golgotha, so that we could fulfill the measure of our creations, eternal life.

We live in a crazy world filled with daily pressures that change on a dime. Each time I stumble I look to the scriptures or church history for the strength I need to continue. I remember to kneel in prayer and offer sincere humility in requesting forgiveness for my daily trespasses. But there is a a passage of scripture known as Nephi's Psalm (2 Nephi 4:15-35) that speaks so deeply to my heart that I am emboldened each time I read it.

2 Nephi 4: 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

As I open the pages of the scriptures, I feel the strength and power of the men and women who sacrificed all they had so that these revelations from God could be here for me today. My spirit recognizes truth and rejoices in it. It is at this time, as I read the scriptures and ponder as Nephi pondered, when I ask my questions and convey my thoughts in prayer, that further truth comes.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

Nephi, a prophet of God, followed every command given him of the Lord.
When he was commanded to return to Jerusalem and retrieve the record of the Jews and the family genealogy from Laban, he did so, regardless of personal cost. When he was commanded to build a boat he simply asked where to go to get the materials. When his father, Lehi, preached of visions and dreams, new revelation received from God, Nephi went to Heavenly Father himself and asked to see what his father had seen.

It didn't matter what the Lord asked of him, he did it. He suffered with wicked older brothers who attempted to kill him numerous times, certainly beat him numerous times and still, he served the Lord.

And this valiant prophet of God proclaims, "O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. This gives me strength. If even a prophet of God is worried about his behavior, then I can get up and keep moving forward.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

Indeed, if the natural man craves wickedness, although I really can't imagine that Nephi did anything all that terrible, it is to God we must turn. In this passage we learn that the Lord is the antidote to those cravings. If we will only turn to the heavens in fervent prayer we will find such knowledge, recognition and beauty that the desire to sin will begin to fade. If we continue to immerse ourselves in the ways of God rather than the pale and deceitful imitations of the world, peace will permeate our souls. In Nephi's words, "Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."

Awake and remember who you are. You are not simply Jack, Joe, Jane or Emily . . . you are children of a divine God who loves you. This mortal probation is your time to shine. It is your time to conquer and triumph over the weaknesses of the flesh and to stand tall as a son or daughter of God. It is your time to emulate your Savior and bring as many brothers and sisters home to the Father as you can. Not with coercion, but with the love, using Jesus Christ as our Exemplar.

Jesus Christ descended from His heavenly throne in order to be born into mortality. His mission: ". . . to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39)." You mattered so much, that He willingly paid the price for all mankind that we might gain the ultimate eternal reward, if we were only willing to work for it. He hung on that cross atop Golgotha and stayed there until it was whispered to Him, "It is finished." The heavens wept. The price was paid, at a great cost to Him whom we all dearly loved, but it was paid. Death no longer had power over the children of God. Sin was no longer a permanent imprisonment. We could now return to our Father in Heaven in all righteousness, if we so chose. Because of this, we can now be held in the arms of our Savior and hope to hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

Yes, Nephi . . . yes, to every child of God, He will. But you have to ask and then you have to act.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I bask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

I can promise each one of you, if you will do as Nephi has done and trust in the Lord and NOT in the arm of the flesh, then yes, He will protect you.

Does it mean nothing bad will happen to us? No. Does it mean we will bear these burdens better, that the load will be lighter and that we are strengthened by the Savior? Oh yes, that is precisely what it means.

Nephi's Psalm (2 Nephi 4:15-35) hangs on the wall of my office to remind me to constantly keep my eyes turned heavenward and to trust that the Father knows best.

Since Joseph Smith, Jr. translated and published the Book of Mormon in 1830, a great hue and cry arose across the world and it has not lessened. As a second testament of Jesus Christ it is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas.

It does not threaten or replace the Bible. It a companion and witness to the Bible.

The very first page of the Book of Mormon, known as the Title Page reads:

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites — Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile — Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation — Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed — To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof — Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile — The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven — Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever — And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations — And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.
First English edition published in 1830

What in that could ever be threatening to any Christian? It is a powerful testament of Jesus Christ.

In that day, the Lord knew that people would need more than Joseph Smith's word that the plates of gold did indeed exist. And so he gave permission to three men, and eventually eight more men who all held and examined these plates.

Testimony of the Three Witnesses and Testimony of the Eight Witnesses . . . Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come . . .

The Testimony of Joseph Smith, Jr. ? "On the evening of the . . . twenty-first of September [1823] . . . I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God . . . .

Within the pages of the Book of Mormon you will not only find this witness of Jesus Christ as the Eternal God, but you will also find the plain and precious truths removed from the Bible through the centuries of mistranslation and wickedness. I testify to the truthfulness and validity of the Book of Mormon. Within these pages you will find the answers you have long sought.

Moroni, the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon, was at war and facing the extinction of his people due to their slothfulness and wickedness. He wrote,

1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

This Moroni, who wrote these words between 400 and 421 A.D., is the angel who appeared to Joseph Smith to deliver the location of the ancient records which he had written and carried with him until he buried them in that mountainside, which location was hidden by God until September 21, 1823.

In the very last chapter of this ancient book of scripture, Moroni beseeches all readers of the Book of Mormon:

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I took Moroni up on his promise and I know the Book of Mormon was written and preserved for us in this latter day. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God. I know the writers of the Book of Mormon were inspired men who faithfully recorded the revelations given them by God and because of them we now have this second witness of Christ (Ezekial 37: 16 and 19).

You may request a free copy of the Book of Mormon here.

You may request a free copy of the Holy Bible, King James version here.