Ben shares his faith about growing up a Mormon in Utah. Contrary to how many feel about growing up a Mormon in Utah he didn’t grow up in a bubble. He saw firsthand the benefits of living the gospel and the consequences for not living it. Ben talks about gaining a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ by applying the principles of the gospel into his life that he had come to learn.
It’s the end of 2011, leading up to a U.S. presidential election, and everywhere you turn, Mormons and Mormonism are in the news. First came the accusation that “Mormons” (actually members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) do not believe in biblical Christianity, because they don’t believe that faith alone is enough to get a person to heaven. They say that as soon as you introduce the necessity for works, then you’re not a biblical Christian — at least that is the stance of Pastor Jeffress, who created the stir. In his view, Catholics are not historical, biblical Christians, either. A little clarification of Latter-day Saint beliefs would help, and we can begin by saying that Latter-day Saints believe that all followers of Jesus Christ, all who call Him Creator and Savior, are Christians.
Latter-day Saints do believe that works are important, that “faith without works is dead” (James 2: 15, 18, 26). Matthew 19:17 says, “…but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Mormons define “works” as repentance, making and keeping covenants, keeping the commandments of Christ, loving God with all our heart, and being charitable. (more…)