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In my previous post, Romney to Explain the LDS Church in a Speech, I noted that Mitt Romney will be explaining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a campaign speech. It seems he did very little explaining and touched more on the subject of what this country was founded on: freedom. More importantly, religious freedom. Early on in his speech, Romney makes a great point that no one can deny:
Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.
I often thought about the commandments we follow, more specifically keeping the Sabbath holy. A president works twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. How can he follow keeping the Sabbath holy?
This is how.
From what I’ve been learning in Gospel Essentials class, our duty, loyalty and faith comes in the following order: God first…then everything else falls into place (family second, and career third, etc.) Think of the story of Abraham and Isaac and how he put the Lord first.
Romney clearly shows what he puts first:
When I place my hand on the Bible and take the oath of office, that oath becomes my highest promise to God. If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.
He will put God first. He will put his promise to God above everything else.
Like I mentioned earlier, Romney also touched very little on explaining his faith and more about how the country is based on freedom of religion and the important role of religion in the United States. He says:
There are some who would have a presidential candidate describe and explain his church’s distinctive doctrines. To do so would enable the very religious test the founders prohibited in the Constitution. No candidate should become the spokesman for his faith. For if he becomes president he will need the prayers of the people of all faiths.
He is right, no presidential candidate should describe and explain doctrine. That would be missing the entire point of electing someone to the presidential office. He is also right when he says that a president will need the prayers of the people of all faiths.
Mitt Romney also has the same opinion that I have: That most religions are some how derived from one source, which is God.
I believe that every faith I have encountered draws its adherents closer to God. And in every faith I have come to know, there are features I wish were in my own: I love the profound ceremony of the Catholic Mass, the approachability of God in the prayers of the evangelicals, the tenderness of spirit among the Pentecostals, the confident independence of the Lutherans, the ancient traditions of the Jews, unchanged through the ages, and the commitment to frequent prayer of the Muslims. As I travel across the country and see our towns and cities, I am always moved by the many houses of worship with their steeples, all pointing to heaven, reminding us of the source of life’s blessings.
Hearing Romney say these things confirmed to me that this country is built on blessings and faith in the Lord. I’m impressed with Romney – now it’s time to see what he politically stands for and what he can do for our country. 
Click Here for the text of Romney’s Speech.
You can watch the entire speech here:
Mitt Romney’s Speech (part 1 of 4)
Mitt Romney’s Speech (part 2 of 4)
Mitt Romney’s Speech (part 3 of 4)
Mitt Romney Speech (part 4 of 4)
Usually the Sunday following your baptism, in which you were immersed in water, your confirmation follows. It is done during sacrament meeting, before the sacrament ordinance. Confirmation can also be done immediately following the baptism. The confirmation is sometimes called baptism by fire, or the gift of the Holy Ghost:
For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31:17).
With the gift of the Holy Ghost, we receive the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It becomes our lifelong guide that will lead us back to Heavenly Father. It will help us stay on the straight and narrow path, know right from wrong, guide us through tough decisions and provide peace and comfort in all that we do. When Nephi realized that many did not know what to do after their conversion and baptism, he said the “words of Christ,” as communicated by the Holy Ghost, would guide them:
If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:5)
Confirmation is done by someone with the Melchizedek Priesthood Authority, under the direction of the bishopric or branch presidency.
The actual ordinance goes as follows:
- One or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders participate in this ordinance.
- The Priesthood holders encircle you while you sit down in a chair facing the congregation.
- They place their hands lightly on the person’s head.
- Then the person who performs the ordinance:
- Calls you by your full name.
- States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
- Confirms you a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost by saying, “Receive the Holy Ghost.”
- Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs. (one to two minutes)
- Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.
After the ordinance is completed, you stand up and begin shaking hands with everyone in the circle. Don’t forget to take a look at the congregation. They are the people who will be there for you and help you through everything. They sincerely care for you and your family and…
…are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8-9)
Congratulations, you are now a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears in seven videos that have been posted on YouTube addressing common questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints aka “Mormons.”
Are Mormons Christian?
How are Mormon Beliefs Similar to Other Christians?
Do Mormons Worship Jesus Christ in Their Church Services?
How Do Mormon Beliefs Differ From Other Christians?
Does the Church Support Political Candidates?
Why Do People Say Mormonism is a Cult?
Is There Scientific Proof Authenticating the Book of Mormon?
Bold statements seem to be coming up everywhere that:
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not Christian.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in a different God.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in a different Jesus.
Here are my thoughts based on simple facts:
Definition of Christian:
Dictionary.com defines Christian as:
of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.
We believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the son of God and that only through him we can be saved.
Your God, Our God:
Through personal testimony, we know that the Book of Mormon restores the full gospel to men today. We also believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. How can it be said that we believe in a different God and Jesus? The Book of Mormon writes of the same Jesus and God as in the Bible Old Testament and Bible New Testament. The same God that created our Earth. The same Jesus that suffered on the cross for our sins. Just another testament.
Simplify your View:
Liken your hearts to a child. Go back to the basics. Realize that God, Heavenly Father, loves you so much. Being a perfect being, he is fair and just. It does not matter and we do not have to argue about the Trinity of the Nicene Decree. The point is, he is our Lord God. He is our Heavenly Father. He gave his only son. His son gave himself for us.
Agency & Diligence:
In the eleventh article of faith it states:
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
It is up to yourself to decide what you believe is right or wrong. Just make sure you are informed. Make sure you are informed by gathering all the facts. Make sure you ask the right questions. Look at the Church History: the good and the bad. I realized that the Church, even though divinely inspired and restored, is ran by man–the son of God. We are not perfect beings, but we are striving to be.
Look at the successfulness of the Church today. How can anything built on a lie ever prosper to the magnitude of this Church has reached in such a short amount of time? It is now, because it is true.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20)
How It All Ties Together:
With that being said, when investigating the Church, it helped to realize that God, being a perfect being that loves us all, would give us a fair chance. What he wanted us to do is exercise some faith, have sincere intentions and to find out personally.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (Matthew 7:7-10)
I asked for bread from my Heavenly Father. I prayed about it. Sincerely. Afterwards, I received my answer without a doubt. I was fed good. I was given the truth.
Conclusion:
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christian. We base our lives on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in God. If your father was a police man, but someone else called him a constable or a peace officer, his function is still the same.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in Jesus. He is the begotten son of God. He died for our sins. Through him we are saved.
The foundation of my newly found faith lies in receiving answers to three critical questions that we are encouraged to ask when investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Is the Book of Mormon true?
- Was Joseph Smith a true prophet of God?
- Is this church the right and true church?
Very simple questions that yield very powerful results. In my opinion, answers can come in many ways:
- Feeling the Spirit.
- A thought that just clicks and makes sense in your mind.
- An event that happens and triggers a sense that you just received your answer.
- A faint whisper in your ear.
- It could be anything, actually.
It could be very obvious. It could very subtle.
The best way to receive an answer is to prepare yourselves to be more attentive.
- Pray often and throughout the day.
- Study. Read the Bible and Book of Mormon often. At least once a day. Before studying, pray to Heavenly Father that you may understand the things you will read. After reading the Bible and Book of Mormon, pray again to know if the things you have read is true. Specifically ask if the Book of Mormon is true. Specifically ask if Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. Specifically ask if the church you are investigating is true. Wait, listen.
- Attend Church.
- Ask any question that comes to your mind to your missionaries or Mormon friends. (ALL questions are welcomed and there is an answer for EVERYTHING!)
- Fast and Pray.
- Begin obeying the Words of Wisdom.
In the New Testament of the King James Bible, the book of James, Chapter 1, Verses 5 through 7 state:
“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.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:5-7)
What the above verses mean is that if you ask Heavenly Father with absolute faith, believing you will absolutely receive an answer, and that you sincerely intend to act after receiving an answer then you will receive one. It seems easy enough but it was difficult for me. Only through prayer, sincere study, and honestly wanting to know the truth; was my answer received.
In the Book of Mormon, the Book of Moroni, Chapter 10, Verses 3 through 5 state:
“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)
These wise words changed my life.
I admit, I tried a few years prior, but maybe for a few days and I also had my doubts as well. The next time I tried, I studied, I prayed and I had patience to kept at it.
One night after studying what the missionaries have given me, my wife and I got on our knees and I prayed. I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I prayed to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I prayed to know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the true church and the right one to join. After the prayer, I waited. About five seconds later I had the chills, a feeling of overwhelming happiness and I began to cry.
Without a doubt, the Holy Ghost just gave witness to me of the things I asked.
This testimony is the foundation of my faith. All other things are built upon the fact that I asked and received an answer.
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