While living in France in 2011-2012 a French friend asked about my beliefs and why I am a "Mormon" (the nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I penned the following response to him, knowing that he was an honest seeker of truth and, like me, an imperfect being trying to draw closer to God our Heavenly Father, and his son, Jesus Christ. (For additional information re: Mormonism, see also www.mormon.org and www.lds.org or Encyclopedia of Mormonism at eom.byu.edu)
Dear Friend (name omitted),
I have been
thinking about you a great deal as I am grateful for my friendship with you. You
have asked questions about my religious beliefs. I thought that perhaps one
thing I could share with you during this holiday season is something not
commercial but it has even greater value to me. It is my testimony. Here are
some things I appreciate about my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints:
·
The
restored gospel gives me a proper understanding of the nature of God and his
son, Jesus Christ. When I pray to God, in the name of Christ, I know that I am
praying to someone in whose image I have been created. He is not just a cloud
or an invisible essence, but a God with body, parts and passions. This helps me
to understand not only who He is but who I am—a child of God, our loving
Heavenly Father. While there is much about the heavens that I do not understand,
I feel that God, our Heavenly Father, and his son are not a huge mystery.
Therefore, my daily prayers and practices take on much more meaning. John 17:3
says: And this is life eternal, to know
thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. We also read
in Matthew 22:37-39 that the two great commandments are to love God and to love
our neighbor or fellowman. I can help and serve people I don’t know, but to truly
love someone, I want to know that person. When it comes to loving God, I feel
closer to Him and find it easier to love Him, when I realize that I am created in
His image and thus I know him better. But I would find it very challenging to
love a mysterious essence.
·
The
Holy Ghost is a comforter and friend who can bring peace to my soul. As a member of
the Godhead he can comfort me. He can warn me of imminent danger and teach me
truth, and he can bring spiritual understanding to my mind that can help me
hold fast to true doctrines and principles.
·
The
Bible is a wonderful book and I am eternally grateful for it. I love reading it
and learning about Christ and the original twelve apostles and their followers
and accusers. I am also very grateful for the first men who risked their very
lives to translate the Bible so that the common man could read and understand
it. I cannot imagine my life without the
Bible. However, I am also persuaded there are parts missing accidentally due to
its various translations. I also believe that in some cases some original truths
in the Bible are missing due to conspiring people who decided to remove plain
and precious parts of it to hide them from the world at-large.
·
I
also love the Book of Mormon and am grateful to have it in my life. The
messages are clear and significant. This great book complements the Bible,
fills in some gaps and offers truths on the subjects of Christ’s atonement,
baptism, baptism of children, repentance, forgiveness, life after death and
many other important truths in a manner very powerful and important for my
spiritual progress. It is the keystone of our religion and helps me to draw
nearer to God, more than any other book.
·
I
cannot imagine living life without my having access to the words of a living
prophet. There are so many things about modern society and changing times that make
it imperative, in my opinion, that there be a prophet. The prophet helps us
understand how to cope and how to view societal issues and problems from God’s
perspective. I thank God that He has put his mouthpiece on the earth once again
to lead and guide his children. I worship God, not prophets, but I am grateful that God above has
called latter-day prophets.
·
I
am grateful for the institutional church that has no paid ministry or clergy in
its congregations all over the world. I love how the church allows me to apply
the teachings of the scriptures and prophets by giving me the opportunity to
work side-by-side with people who are different from me in personality and
abilities, but who have the same objective. That objective is to serve my
fellowman and to learn to love and serve God in a way that will allow me to one
day return and live with Him. I consider it a privilege and blessing to contribute tithing, as taught in the Bible, to my church.
·
I
am grateful for temples that exist on the earth where husband and wife can be
sealed to each other for this life and the next, if they live worthy of that
blessing. In the temples their children can be linked to their specific parents
in an eternal family unit. The authority to seal/connect/bind/link spouses to
each other, and parents to children, exists because there is a prophet on the
earth with the proper priesthood authority to delegate that authority to those
who officiate and perform such “sealings” or, in other words, eternal
connections. By similar means, the proper authority to be baptized and receive
the Holy Ghost exists on the earth. I am
thankful to be alive in a time where priesthood power has been restored to man
on earth once again.
·
I
am grateful for my church’s focus on the family. Our family was not perfect by
any means and I was definitely not a perfect father or husband. But I shudder
to think where I and we might have been if we did not have the teachings of the
church and the guidance of a prophet and scriptures to help me and my family
stay on the proper path in life. By having a vision of the existence of the
family unit in the next life our family has been given something very valuable
to strengthen our desire to cherish that which is good. The church encourages
families to hold a weekly Monday evening family time together called Family
Home Evening. I know that Family Home Evening has helped many families,
including ours. To me, families are (or can be) forever.
·
Christ’s
atonement, including his love for us, as evidenced by his suffering in the
Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, offers me solace and a reason to keep
going during tough times in my life. He suffered not just for my sins but also
for other afflictions, pains or hard times that I may have. Partaking of the
sacramental emblems (bread and water) each Sunday helps me remember my
covenants of baptism (i.e. to always remember Christ in word and deed and to
take upon me His name). The sacrament also reminds me of what Christ did for
me. The emblems of bread and water are taken in remembrance of Him. They are not
truly his body and blood but they are an important means provided to me to stay
close to God, who gave his “only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him
shall not perish but have everlasting life.” While I feel that good deeds (i.e. good
“works”) in this life are vital, I also know that no amount of good deeds on my
part will save me spiritually and eternally. That gift is only possible because
of the love of God and the love, sacrifice and grace of his son, Jesus Christ.The Book of Mormon teaches that notwithstanding all that we can do in the form of good deeds, ultimately we would have NO hope in being "saved" were it not for the grace of Jesus Christ.
·
I
am grateful for the power of the priesthood on the earth, which authority I hold
to help bless my family and others. The priesthood is to be used for serving
and loving and not for any means of personal aggrandizement or for selfish motives. I have been able to baptize my children and confirm them to receive
the Holy Ghost. I have the authority to give them priesthood blessings when
they are sick so that, according to their faith and God’s will, they may be
healed by the power of the priesthood. When my family members have had special
challenges in life I have been able to give them a priesthood blessing to help
them through their trying times. And when I have special challenges that seem
overwhelming I am able to call upon a church member or family member who holds
the priesthood to give me a blessing of comfort and inspired counsel. I did not assign myself to hold a priesthood office. I was asked by those with greater authority and administrative keys to assume this responsibility. Many of us imperfect men in my faith hold similar authority as part of the unpaid clergy that seeks to bless the lives of others.
Again, the priesthood is not for me to use in any selfish way but it is
a blessing to have ready access to it for the reasons mentioned above. It is a
blessing that carries with it a responsibility to use it wisely. My wife does
not covet the fact that I have the priesthood any more than I covet the special
bond a mother can have with her children. I envied that bond with our children,
and am awed by it, but I did not covet her special relationship with our
children, especially when they were young. Modern day prophets have also taught that men who
hold the priesthood should never use it to exercise unrighteous influence. The
powers of the priesthood are to be used through love, gentle persuasion,
meekness and patience. The same scriptures tell me that if I misuse the
priesthood its privileges will be taken away from me.
·
I
love my church because it exists to help the “whole man,” which is to say it
helps me spiritually and also in temporal ways. Its practices, such as fasting
and the law of tithing, help me to overcome selfishness. I am grateful for the
wise manner in which the church uses the tithing money it receives from members
worldwide. Church buildings, temples, missionary work, institutions of higher
learning and other programs supported by church finances are marvelous works
and wonders in my eyes. I happily and cheerfully contribute, for I know that my
meager offerings help others. I know too that by our mutual efforts church
members are blessed in return many times more than the small sacrifice they
make. It comforts me to know that a
portion of my offerings are directly and quickly sent to help people all over
the world when disaster strikes. My
church works directly with the Red Cross, Catholic charities and other such
organizations to accomplish these humanitarian efforts.
·
I
thank God for the inspired Word of Wisdom that helps me to know that my body is
a temple in God’s eyes and I am taught how to care for it properly by
abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and drugs. I am also taught what things are
good for my body. By adhering to this unique church principle I feel that I
gain self-mastery which, in turn, helps me in other aspects of my life.
·
I
am grateful that the church to which I belong is not just a Sunday church. I have respect for other religious
denominations but I know of none that could offer to me the grand opportunities
I have in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the church I can
grow my talents or acquire new abilities by doing such things as:
- gain experience in leadership, music, teaching other people and conducting meetings
- work
on service projects and gain respect for other people by working with them to
serve others. I can also see that these people (my fellow church members) are
willing to help me through my difficulties in life and I can feel their love
and concern. They are willing to work with me even though I have weaknesses and
am not perfect.
- being
taught regularly about my relationship to God, Christ, my fellowman and my
family through weekly Sunday School and other Sunday classes. Repetition helps
me learn because I forget things and because I understand a little better each
time I am taught a principle or commandment or doctrinal truth.
- I
am also taught practical things such as how to set aside food and clothing for
future calamities or other times of great need (i.e. unemployment, worker
strikes, transportation shut-downs), and I am encouraged and taught how to live
within my means and use a budget.
·
I
love the church’s missionary program and efforts and I know of none like it in
the world. There are more than 75,000 missionaries throughout the world, at their own cost, preaching the doctrines
of the gospel or helping in humanitarian ways.
These missionaries return to their homes after 18 months or two years
with renewed faith, determination and leadership abilities, not to mention foreign
language ability and respect for other cultures in many instances. The growth
experiences and enhanced abilities they take back to their homes in France,
Switzerland, Africa, New Zeland, Haiti or the U.S.A. become an essential part of the
lifeblood of the Church. Their fortified faith and increased abilities allow
them to strengthen the Church from generation to generation. To me it is a
marvelous work and a wonder. Mostly they go on missions to help bring people to
Christ through conversion or to render humanitarian aid. But they learn so much
on their missions that the Church is naturally helped by their increased service
within the Church in other ways after they complete their missionary assignment
and become reintegrated into life back home. The wonderful joy that
missionaries feel as they perform their missionary labors is a great blessing
that is difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced it firsthand.
It is also very hard work and they often meet rejection.
·
I
appreciate that the scriptures made available through modern prophets, along
with the Bible, help me to have a clearer picture of what the next life after
this life will be like. By having that understanding I have a greater incentive
to stay on the right path in this life. I can live each day in a more calm and
understanding fashion because I have a high degree of certainty about what
comes after my life on this earth. I believe that individuals lived in a spirit
realm, as spirits, with God before coming to this earth. I also believe and
find comfort in knowing that death is but a birth into another realm—kind of
like going from one room to another. Though being separated from loves ones who
die is seldom easy, there is no lasting sting in death when we understand that
it is simply a birth that we call death.
·
I
love the fact that at least twice a year I can hear the words of living
apostles and prophets in conferences. Because I am human and have weaknesses, I
need frequent reminders to help me stay on the right path. When the prophet and
apostles and other leaders speak they are not loud and overly dramatic, nor do
they speak in mysterious ways that are difficult to understand. Their messages
are calm, reassuring and penetrating. The Holy Ghost has testified to me many
times that what they is true and valid when they talk about how a man should
treat his wife and children, that we should avoid pornography that denigrates
women, that we are to look for ways to serve our fellowman, and how we can
receive answers to our prayers. The messages are down-to-earth and understandable,
as well as inspiring.
My friend,
I just wanted you to know what I personally believe. I would be perhaps remiss
if I did not share this with you. .............This understanding brings great peace to my mind
and heart. I do not expect that everyone will believe in it.
I know that
many people don’t believe there were prophets or miracles or angels 2,000 or
4,000 years ago and so why should they believe in such things now? In fact, we
read in the Old Testament in Amos and Isaiah that people were annoyed by
prophets and seers and demanded that they stop prophesying or seeing into the
future. It is the same today unfortunately.
I also know
that religion to some people is a nuisance that gets in the way of things they
want to do with their bodies, mind and life in general. I realize that not everyone
wants to be bothered with the thoughts of going to church meetings. Some people
don’t believe in God and so they see religion as a crutch. Some people feel
that there is so much misery on earth that there must not be a God. In my heart
I feel that if God stopped all bad things from happening and intervened on
every occasion we would not need to walk by faith and there would be little
personal growth. We would be like marionettes with someone pulling the strings
and denying us an opportunity to grow spiritually by learning how to use our
agency . I am very
grateful that I have scriptures and prophets and answers to my prayers to help
me better understand why bad things happen to good people and what we can learn
from our trials in life.
Sincerely,
David L. Harris
December
28, 2011
P.S. I realize you may not believe what I believe
but I know you well enough to know that you will not laugh at me or belittle me
because of what I believe.
Note: My friend (age 34)to whom the above letter was addressed, and his mother, were subsequently baptized as members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, not because of this letter but because of their own study and inspiration. (A “saint” as used above, is simply a member of the church who is
trying to improve and become more and more Christ-like. The word saint is used
in our church the same way the Apostle Paul used the term in writing to church
members [i.e. saints] in his apostolic letters that we find in the New
Testament. [e.g. Ephesians 1:1; Ephesians 2:19; 2 Cor. 1:1 ])
*************************
Note: Being Christian in no way precludes my appreciation and respect for friends and acquaintances who are Jewish, Muslim or non-believers.
Note: I am aware of most or all the attacks on my church and faith. I think I have read the pros and cons associated with all of them over the years. When I speak of attacks I am not talking about honest disagreement over doctrinal issues. While I don't have responses that would totally satisfy every critic or attacker, I have not been dissuaded from my core beliefs. In the New Testament the followers of Christ were referred to as a "peculiar people." (I Peter 2:9; Psalms 135:4) There are those who (often for reasons of self interest) refer to Mormonism (nickname due to belief in the Book of Mormon) as a cult or non Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite often (but not always) the critics have never attended an LDS church meeting and have not read a substantial portion of the Book of Mormon. It's like the old game of Gossip or the notion that if you whisper something people will believe it. Most of the criticisms are a combination of misinformation, disinformation, lack of information, etc. As stated earlier, I don't expect that everyone will automatically believe in the tenets of my faith, but I hope they will see us as followers of Christ who are trying to make the world a better place for all.
***********************
There are thirteen Articles of Faith indicating some core beliefs of the LDS faith. While these do not constitute a credo per se, they spell out in brief form some of the salient beliefs of "Mormonism" (i.e. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
1 We e in , the Eternal Father, and in His , Jesus Christ, and in the .
2 We believe that men will be for their sins, and not for transgression.
3 We believe that through the of Christ, all may be , by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and of the Gospel are: first, in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ; third, by for the of sins; fourth, Laying on of for the of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be of God, by , and by the laying on of by those who are in , to the Gospel and administer in the thereof.
6 We believe in the same that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, , , , , and so forth.
7 We believe in the of , , , , , of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the to be the of God as far as it is translated ; we also believe the to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has , all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal of Israel and in the restoration of the ; that (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be and receive its .
11 We claim the of worshiping Almighty God according to the of our own , and allow all men the same privilege, let them how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being to , presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in , honoring, and sustaining the .
13 believe in being , true, , , virtuous, and in doing to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to all things. If there is anything , , or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith.
******************
My Declaration
“I’m part of
the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the
line, the decision has been made- I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look
back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my
future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving &
dwarfed goals.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is
reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have
stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach
till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He
will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.” (author unknown--has been attributed to at least two different people)
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Being Christian does not in any way preclude me from having a great appreciation for my friends and acquaintances who are Jewish, Muslim or athiests.
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