Questions I get asked . . .

When did I start seeking answers to life’s questions?

The day I was born. Man is always searching for Happiness. Knowledge comes from learning and experiencing various tests in life. The word “Test”, is the first part of the word, testimony!

When did I read the Book of Mormon and put it to the “TEST”?

When I was 13-14 years old. Yes, I was raised by a "Mormon" Family, and I heard my parents tell me it was true, but, I needed to read and determine for myself whether The Book of Mormon was true. I read it thoroughly and put it to the “Test”. (Moroni 10:4 (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.)
When I asked through prayer, if this record was true… I received a spiritual experience that I will never forget … that it was True!

Of all the Churches today, why the “Mormon Church”?

Why Not? The “Mormon” Church is NOT the Church of the prophet who was named Mormon, who abridged the original records. Yes, he was one of the ancient leaders and writers of the book. We may be called "Mormons" as a nickname... but, the true name of the Church is the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"! This religion makes sense and answers real questions about life.

A Prophet named Joseph Smith

At the age of 14, an unlearned but sincere young man named Joseph Smith asked a powerful question to God above with faith asking, “Which Church is Right?” “Which Church should I Join?” These are questions that we all will ask. He got an answer! Not only did he hear God speak, but he saw Him and the Son of God, Jesus, in a vision of light!

Did it really happen? Yes. He was led to where the gold plates (records) were buried and was given tools to interpret and translate these ancient records and bring to pass the Book of Mormon, another Testament (besides the Old Testament and the New Testament) for our day. Joseph Smith did NOT write the Book of Mormon. It was a collection of ancient records that had been recorded by Prophets of that time and handed down and compiled by a man named Mormon.

He was persecuted for what he believed and was eventually murdered for his testimony of The Book of Mormon and the First Vision.

Who Am I? Why am I Here? Where Am I Going?

We all ask these important questions. My response= Don't You Remember? We all were taught this in the pre-earth life! Yes, our memory was taken away as this life is to test us to see what we will choose. Good or Evil!.

The Plan of Life?

Pre-Existence – Yes, we lived before. We didn’t just evolve. There was a Plan!

God had many spiritual offspring (us) and wanted us to realize the “full measure of our creation”. Just like seeds, we needed to become like our Creator. God offered and presented the “Plan of Life” in which we could get a body of flesh and bones, as well as a “saving grace” plan to make sure that there was a place for those who succeeded and for those who failed life’s tests. In order to be just and fair, we would NOT remember our pre-life experiences and teachings once we came to earth and gained a body. We would be tested and would have communication with God via the Holy Spirit. Yes, some would fail and would need to have a “Savior” come to earth to teach them, and show them “The Way” back home.

Jesus, a son of God, stepped forward and offered to go to earth and teach God’s children about Him and show them “The Way” back home, should they be lost, and that the Glory be to God.

Satan, known as “Son of the Morning” because of his brightness, also stepped up and said, “I will go down and make sure that everyone gets back to Heaven… but, I want the glory for doing so!

Jesus’s Plan was accepted!

Satan reacted negatively to this and cursed God. He riled the Spirit Children in heaven and convinced 1/3 of them to follow him! Satan and his 1/3 of the hosts in heaven were kicked out of Heaven and thus they lost their rights to even have a body of flesh and bones! (Remember?)

The Family

“God’s Seed”

We, being the “Seed of God”, the Children of God, in order to be able to reproduce and become like Him, and fulfill the measure of our creation, we needed to have a body of flesh and bones like God, and experience life with the freedom and the power to choose between Good and Evil. A seed, when planted, becomes a plant. A pony becomes a horse. A child becomes like his Parent / Creator!

Marriage and Children

Why?

This was God’s plan of happiness. It was only made possible through the union of a man and a woman so they would be able to produce more seed… (children). This was sacred and needed to be an authorized vow and we promised to be “true and faithful” to each other as husband and wife throughout time and all eternity so that the children that would be born would belong and be sealed forever to their parents.

Death

What’s next?

Death was the sure way to stop the process of life and to evaluate or judge the works of God’s children. Based upon their learning and understanding, and their choices that they made… they would all face a judgment day.

A “Judgement Day”

This would be after earth life and, by God and our Lord Jesus Christ, would determine which reward or kingdom in the afterlife each spirit would be assigned. For those who sinned and then accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, He, having been crucified and died for our sins, would redeem them before God.

Name and Characteristics of the TRUE Church?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If I were looking for the “true” Church today, I believe that it should be like the original Church and bear the name of Jesus Christ!

Same organization that existed in the primitive Church.

I would look for and recognize a “pattern” of organization that Jesus Christ himself set up when he was living and organized His Church. I should be similar to the Church of Jesus Christ of former-days…namely having: a prophet, apostles, teachers, etc. who bear His authority (priesthood) and could teach, administer and heal others.

Prophets

Throughout time and in the other Testaments (The Old and the New) Prophets were always there to lead and guide the people. The true church today would have such a person.

Scriptures

There have always been writings and spiritual recordings (scriptures) throughout time made and recorded by Prophets. The Book of Mormon was written by such Prophets who with their families left Jerusalem at 600 B.C. and traveled to the American Continent. These writings were spiritual and historical that tells of their wars and blessed times with interaction and spiritual moments reminding the people of God’s commandments. It records that Jesus Christ even appeared to these people before He ascended into heaven! Why? His message to them was that they too, were His children and He was also their Savior. That there is “One Fold” and “One Shepherd”. That He was the way to be forgiven of sins and the only name upon which to get back to Heaven! These records, The Book of Mormon, are referred to as "Another Testament” of Christ, and go hand in hand with the Old and New Testaments! The true Church would have this!

Faith …the first principal of the Gospel.

The Scriptures tell us that “Faith” without works is dead.  The true church would support this principle. "The living reality of Christ associated with the Restoration of His gospel and its message 'that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth' (Book of Mormon introduction).

"This spiritual confirmation by the power of the Holy Ghost is given on the Lord's conditions to anyone who is willing to ask in faith, believing that an answer can come by that power. It starts by listening to the voice of the Lord, His servants, His prophets and apostles, and it continues by giving heed to their words. Spiritual knowledge of the Restoration is a matter of faith."

Repentance

The Church of Jesus Christ would be based upon Christ’s teachings and allow sinners through Jesus Christ to repent and become of His fold /Church.

Baptism

Baptism as taught by Jesus Christ needs to be performed by one who has been called of God and has the authority to do so. The authority to Baptize would be a necessary requirement for the True Church.

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) This, too, is a Gift and must be received by authority and the laying on of hands as in Christ’s day.

A Living Prophet today

There have always been Prophets on the earth to prophesy and lead God’s people. Where are they today? The True Church should have a Prophet!

I have found these answers with the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints and
that’s why I am a “Mormon”!

What does my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints mean to me?

It means everything. It influences,
enlivens, permeates, and gives purpose and meaning to everything in life
that is important to me: my relationship with God, my Eternal Father, and
with His Holy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It teaches me that through
obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel, I will find peace
and happiness in this life and be invited to live in God's presence,
with my family, in the life that surely will follow mortality, where His
mercy will satisfy the demands of justice and encircle me and mine, and you
and yours, in the arms of safety."