A Christ-Centered Life

One of the most common misconceptions about Mormons is that we are not Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Book of Mormon is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" and in it one prophet declared, "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 Ne. 25:26). "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). Thus, for Latter-day Saints Christ at the center of our lives, not just for our eternal salvation but for happiness and peace in this life. As Elder Richard G. Scott, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church put it:

“Our Father in Heaven wants each of us to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. Our Master, Jesus Christ, and His prophets have taught how to have that peace and happiness, even in a world that is ever more challenging, with increasing conflict and an intense concentration of alluring temptations….

"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord's time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours....

"Peace and happiness are the precious fruits of a righteous life. They are only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

Read the article here, Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, p. 41.

Personal Testimony

As a follow-up to my first post and my most recent post on "religious freedom" it is important to note that no one is admitted into the LDS Church or forced to join unless they have had a personal experience with the Spirit of God resulting in a personal testimony of the truthfulness of the message of the restored gospel. Such an experience cannot be forced upon others, it comes in the Lord's time based on the desires of the individuals to know and embrace sacred truths.

"For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term testimony is a warm and familiar word in our religious expressions. It is tender and sweet. It has always a certain sacredness about it. When we talk about testimony, we refer to feelings of our heart and mind rather than an accumulation of logical, sterile facts. It is a gift of the Spirit, a witness from the Holy Ghost that certain concepts are true.

"A testimony is the sure knowledge or assurance from the Holy Ghost of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work in these latter days. A testimony is the “abiding, living, [and] moving conviction of the truths revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Marion G. Romney, “How to Gain a Testimony,” New Era, May 1976, p. 8; emphasis added).

"When we bear testimony, we declare the absolute truth of the gospel message. In a time when many perceive truth as relative, a declaration of absolute truth is not very popular, nor does it seem politically correct or opportune. Testimonies of things how “they really are” (Jacob 4:13) are bold, true, and vital because they have eternal consequences for mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we declared the message of our faith and gospel doctrine as negotiable according to circumstances. Our firm conviction of gospel truth is an anchor in our lives; it is steady and reliable as the North Star. A testimony is very personal and may be a little different for each of us, because everyone is a unique person. However, a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:

• • God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.

• • Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.

• • Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.

• • The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

• • President Gordon B. Hinckley, his counselors, and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the prophets, seers, and revelators in our day.

As we acquire a deeper knowledge of these truths and of the plan of salvation by the power and the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can come to “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

" Read the entire article here: Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Power of a Personal Testimony," Ensign, Nov. 2006, pp. 37-38.

Discipleship and its Price

Here are two great quotes on being a disciple of Jesus Christ from the late Pres. James E. Faust, former second counselor to Pres. Hinckley.

"True disciples are those who go beyond simply believing. They act out their belief and follow the Divine Master. Their actions are in harmony with their beliefs. They know who they are. They know what God expects of them. They mirror inner peace and certainty concerning the mission and resurrection of Christ. They hunger and thirst after righteousness. They know that they are here on this earth for a purpose. They understand life after death."

Read the full article here, James E. Faust, "The Resurrection", Ensign, May 1985, p. 30.

"For most of us . . . what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one's life. . . .

"Many think that the price of discipleship is too costly and too burdensome. For some, it involves giving up too much. But the cross is not as heavy as it appears to be. Through obedience we acquire much greater strength to carry it."

Read the full article here, James E. Faust, "Discipleship," Ensign, Nov. 2006, p. 22.

Religious Freedom

It has been said that Mormons are only interested in "converting" other people to their religion. While the LDS Church is certainly a proselyting faith, taking literally the Savior's injunction to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), we hold religious freedom as one of the greatest of God-given liberties and inalienable human rights.

"We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul" (Doctrine & Covenants 134:4).

"We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy" (D&C 134:7).

The Prophet Joseph Smith warned the Latter-day Saints that "We ought always to be aware of those prejudices which sometimes so strangely present themselves, and are so congenial to human nature, against our friends, neighbors, and brethren of the world, who choose to differ from us in opinion and in matters of faith. Our religion is between us and our God. Their religion is between them and their God. There is a love from God that should be exercised toward those of our faith, who walk uprightly, which is peculiar to itself, but it is without prejudice; it also gives scope to the mind, which enables us to conduct ourselves with greater liberality towards all that are not of our faith ..." (History of the Church, 3:303–4).

While the world is increasingly full of religious contention and intolerance, Latter-day Saints loudly proclaim that the freedom to worship (or not worship, for Atheism is also a religious choice) is extended to all and includes the beliefs and practices of those who believe differently than we do. In short, "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" (Articles of Faith 1:11).