by melborupchandler | Nov 18, 2012 | About Mormons
When I was a young man, about ten years old, I was enamored with the Book of Mormon. One of the defining features of the Book of Mormon is that the ancient prophets and warriors wrote records on metal plates. Actually, the Book of Mormon is a translation of some of those records. (See Exodus 28:36; Exodus 39:30; Mosiah 28:11; Mosiah 8:9.)
I was at a book store and I saw a small pocket-sized book with a seal and a key. I did not want my parents or my pesky brothers or sisters reading my record. I also fancied myself as a secret agent. I was intrigued at making my own secret ink and made a pen with a quill from a crow’s feather. I even carved a stylus with my pocket knife and made plates of clay, but it did not work out so well, because they broke, and besides it was hard work. The “key idea” resonated with me, because it was so easy. I did not know the process was called journaling. For me it was just something fun to do. In those days only girls kept diaries, the idea of a “diary” seemed effeminate, but record keeping (journaling) was fascinating and manly. (more…)
by Keith L. Brown | Sep 12, 2012 | Black Mormon
There are many people who know very little, if anything, about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church), and quite a bit of what they do know about the LDS Church and its teachings and beliefs has come from critics of the Mormon religion. One of the main issues that critics of The Church of Jesus Christ tend to focus on is the relationship that exists between Blacks and Mormons, and whether or not the LDS Church is racist.
The fact that Latter-day Saints of African American descent were not permitted to be ordained to the Priesthood for a long period of time has triggered, and continues to trigger, uncertainty in the minds of some people, in particular, those of the Black race, who view this action as a sign of prejudice or racism on the part of the LDS Church. This one fact becomes even more complex for some to understand and accept as there has never been an official statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as to why those of African American descent were not permitted to be ordained to the Priesthood, which in turn also restricted them from participating in the sacred ordinances of the Holy Temple. (more…)
by | Nov 29, 2011 | About Mormons, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values
By Eric Kotter, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon“). A student at BYU-Idaho studying communications, and freelance writer.
When Jesus Christ was on the earth He gave bread and wine to His twelve apostles and said, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20).
Holy Communion: A Symbol of Jesus Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”) I participate each week during worship services in an ordinance called the sacrament. The sacrament is similar to Holy Communion which many other faiths participate in. One difference between the Holy Communion that Mormons participate in, and Catholic Communion, is that we do not believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation, which is a belief that the bread and wine literally turn into the blood and body of Jesus Christ as the person partakes. We believe that Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament, the bread and wine, to represent His body and blood, which were given to us as a sacrifice to lift the burden and judgments of our sins, trials and weaknesses as we follow Him. We partake of the sacrament as symbols of what He did for us. Partaking of the sacrament is a blessing Jesus Christ gave to His followers so they can renew their baptismal covenants to follow Him that they might become clean from their sins.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of modern revelation given by God, the Lord gave us the purpose of the sacrament. The Lord said, “And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:9). (more…)
by brady | Nov 18, 2011 | About Mormons
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”) are most importantly, devoted followers of Jesus Christ. As a people we believe in “in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men” (Articles of Faith 1:13). We believe in following the Savior Jesus Christ’s example in word and in deed.
Mormon beliefs include a belief in continuing modern revelation through living prophets and apostles of God just as there was in Biblical days. Living prophets and apostles speak the Lord’s will and His gospel to us. The Church of Jesus Christ, as it was when Christ was on the earth, has been restored to the earth through a living prophet, Joseph Smith, whom God called by revelation. By the power of God, Joseph Smith brought forth an ancient record of scripture titled, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, that gives an account of God’s dealings with people who lived in the America’s anciently.
In this talk given by a prophet of God, who has since passed away, President Gordon B. Hinckley addresses some of the questions that many people have about Mormon beliefs. He gives clarifications, explanations, and helps clear up misperconceptions about the Church. (more…)
by Karen | Jun 22, 2011 | About Mormons, Mormon Beliefs: Christian Values
A living apostle of the Lord’s true Church (which as a friend of another faith, you may know as the “Mormon” Church but more accurately is The Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Saints), spoke to the heart of our belief in
tolerance and love, in a worldwide gathering of members and friends known as General Conference:
I have been impressed to speak on the subject of tolerance—a virtue much needed in our turbulent world. But in discussing this topic, we must recognize at the outset that there is a difference between tolerance and tolerate. Your gracious tolerance for an individual does not grant him or her license to do wrong, nor does your tolerance obligate you to tolerate his or her misdeed. That distinction is fundamental to an understanding of this vital virtue.
