by Seth

The Holy Scriptures are here for the benefit of those that will take the time to read, study, ponder, and ask God if they are true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (mistakenly called the ”Mormon Church” by many) teaches the doctrine that the Holy Scriptures have been written and persevered for us today. How blessed are we to have the Holy Bible to provide us the words of the prophets and apostles of those who were on the earth during the time of Jesus Christ and before Him. We have a loving Heavenly Father who is fair and loves all of His children. It is because of this love that we also have the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (a companion book of scripture to the Bible), which is an account of some of the people who lived in the ancient Americas. It was important for us to know that they also had the opportunity to see the resurrected Jesus and to testify that He is the Christ. This book of scripture is not only a companion to the Bible, but also provides important clarifications of doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ which have been lost or taken from the Bible.

Holy prophets and apostles receive revelation for the people during their specific times on the earth. This is important, as God wanted to be sure that His doctrine was taught correctly and His followers were provided the best opportunity to understand all aspects of the gospel. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Doctrine and Covenants 20:12), it seems only logical and necessary that today there is a living prophet to receive the necessary revelation to help guide God’s followers in the world we live in today. This is one of the important doctrinal aspects of the LDS Church that others have a hard time understanding and accepting. Members of the LDS Church are firm believers that Jesus Christ is at the head of His church and leads it through a modern-day prophet.

It was a modern-day prophet by the name of Joseph Smith who restored God’s only true church upon the face of the earth. It was through this same prophet that the Book of Mormon was translated so that we would be the beneficiaries of the teachings of those prophets and people who lived here in the Americas at that time. It was through the Prophet Joseph Smith that we also received the Doctrine and Covenants, which book is also considered scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book of scriptures is a collection of revelations given to the Prophet Joseph and others as they restored God’s church. We are also blessed that the Prophet Joseph Smith translated what is known as the Pearl of Great Price as additional scripture. It is within these three important books of scripture, along with the Holy Bible that all of the doctrines of Jesus Christ can be found and taught.

Many religions utilize some form of scripture to help guide their members, but often times it is left up to the interpretation of men and women who preach and or teach from the bible. It is this interpretation that can lead to confusion, frustration, and even a falling away. As members of the LDS Church strive to live as Jesus Christ and God want them to, they do so in large part by reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures and praying to know that the scriptures are true. They also show their love and support of the modern-day prophet by listening to his guidance and doing their best to follow his example. It is through the prophet, his two counselors, and the twelve apostles where the greatest of all modern-day examples of living as Christ are found. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not only understands but teaches that these men who hold the Holy Priesthood of God are special witnesses of Jesus Christ. As they travel throughout the world and minster to both members and non-members of the church, they teach, preach, and testify that Jesus is the Christ, that His Father is God, and that the Holy Ghost is our comforter.

There is a special spirit that can be felt as one comes to find his or her own personal witness of the scriptures, the prophets, and apostles. It is a witness that comes through feelings in one’s heart. These feelings are the Holy Ghost testifying that what you are feeling is true and is of God. This is how every person who is converted to the LDS Church finds their personal testimony. As one comes to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, he or she will also know that the Book of Mormon is truly scripture. Then individuals will know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is truly God’s church here on the face of the earth today. As it states in 2 Corinthians 13:1, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” Here we read directly from the Bible just how important it is to have multiple witnesses to ensure the true doctrine is taught and not left up to the interpretation of men. What comfort this brings to those who believe.

Additional Resources:

Mormon Beliefs

Request a Free Copy of the Book of Mormon

Mormon View of Jesus Christ

Seth Saunders is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”). He is currently serving as Branch President of the Pembroke Branch.

Written by Richard Childs, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

God the Father Loves Us All

In the Pearl of Great Price (a book of scripture, revered as sacred text by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons”) and in the first chapter of Moses, Moses saw God the Father and he learned two very important things.

That God was his father, and that His work and glory are to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. From Moses’ experience we also learn that the Father has a physical body, just like we do, or rather we have a body just like His. This knowledge of the nature of God is evidence that he is our father. We as His children resemble Him, just as a puppy resembles a dog, or a kitten a cat. Moses was taught that God’s work and glory is the salvation of men. The knowledge that God is our father and that his whole work and glory is to bring about man’s happiness brings me comfort and peace. From Moses’ experience I have learned that God the Father loves us, that when I pray to the God I am praying to my Father in Heaven, an eternal being who doesn’t just love me but loves me like a son. With this knowledge I have prayed more seriously, and sought to get to know my Eternal Father, as any son would try to get to know his dad. Moses’ visitation by our Heavenly Father testifies of our divine nature. Understanding our divine nature has not only affected my relationship with God it has affected my relations with everyone. We are all children of God and as such have great value to Him. I have often taken for granted the knowledge that he loves everyone when I become frustrated with others. When I remember that we are all creations of God the Father and that he loves us all, I am filled with a new respect and love for all those around me.

Additional Resources:

Meet with Mormon Missionaries.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. Read a Mormon’s testimony of this truth.

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, comparable to the Bible, request a free copy today.

Written by Josh Lloyd, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

We can All Become Like God the Father

Reading the first chapter of the book of Moses, found in a book of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, is a remarkably good experience for those who need a model of a solid, personal relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. Moses’ experiences give us some of the most basic and useful insights for building our own relationships with Heavenly Father. If we learn what Moses learned in this chapter, we will find ourselves in possession of key bits of knowledge that, if applied correctly, will lift our hearts and mind and propel them toward an everlasting inheritance.

The first thing that Moses learned from his experience was that “man is nothing.” We have to be careful how we define “nothing” here because we might be led to believe that we do not matter to God the Father, that we are insignificant. That is not what Moses learned. What Moses learned in his moment of physical weakness (and what we ought to learn if we too are children of God) was that we, provided with only our own power, cannot bring to pass any degree of righteousness in the world; or, defined slightly differently, we can only learn and accomplish the things which God the Father has given us power to do.

Our energy and ability to accomplish even the slightest tasks are given to us by the power and grace of God. Without the Father we become pathetic and truly devilish creatures. This truth, if understood correctly, will lead us to walk more humbly and give us desire to pray more earnestly for the gifts of the Spirit and grace of Jesus Christ (See the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 4:11-12). This is why Moses worshipped God. I, personally, would much rather be on the good side of the Almighty and see the grandeur of his power than, by my ignorance and pride, feel the wrath of his vengeance.

Another one of the important facts Moses learned about his relationship with God the Father was that the two of them were alike. Moses was created after the image of the Only Begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ. They had arms, hands, eyes, noses, etc. What we can take from this is that God is not some foreign object or abstract entity. God is real, and certain things about him are comprehensible by our mortal minds. However, the most important part of this principle that Moses understood and that we ought to as well is that if we are like him in body then we can become like him in character. Despite the massive difference in glory and power, becoming like God the Father is a legitimate and even an encouraged goal. So let’s not give up.

Moses also learned of the tools that God, as a good Father, has given us to help us in our mortal sojourn. In Moses 1:15, Moses mentions that the Spirit is what showed him the difference between God and Satan. Moses learned the difference between glory and darkness through the power of the Holy Ghost. We would be wise to learn the same principle that we ought only truly learn through the power of the Holy Ghost rather than be taught by the wisdom of men, lest we be deceived.

There is another principle Moses learned from this same moment. He learned the difference between the circumstances that God the Father and Satan enjoy – glory vs. darkness. We don’t have to learn it just the way Moses did, but we ought to be acquainted with the dynamics of eternal progression. Let us understand that an individual can either reach as high as the heavens or as low as hell, and our destination is determined by our decisions.

Moses also learned about prayer. Moses was spared from an awful experience, seeing the bitterness of Hell (See Moses 1:20), because he had the courage to pray. Similarly, we ought to learn to go to our knees before our decisions bring us to our knees.

What Moses learned about his relationship with Deity gives us some of the most fundamental building blocks for developing our own personal relationship with God the Father. Without a correct understanding that we are in the similitude of the Only Begotten of the Father, we would not feel particularly attracted to this omnipotent figure. Without knowledge of where our power to move and act comes from, we would proceed in a blasphemous, disrespectful and disobedient manner because of our own pride in what seems like “our” accomplishments. Without the most basic tools for communication with God the Father, we are blind in an ever thickening fog; prayer and the gift of the Holy Ghost will give us access to the powers of heaven and allow us to develop this, the most divine relationship, the way it ought to be developed. To clarify, by prayer we can actually talk to God our Father and by the Holy Spirit He can talk back. In this manner we can, in a way, spend “quality time” with our Father in Heaven.

Additional Resources:

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Request your free copy today.

Read/Watch/Listen to a living apostle testify of the reality that God is our Father.

God’s plan of happiness brings great comfort, peace an hope to life. Read a “Mormon’s” testimony about this truth.

Alan grew up in Johannesburg, in a Christian home. While in his youth, he had two brothers die in a car accident. He was concerned about their spiritual welfare because of the inconsistent teachings that he was taught in his church—this troubled him. Later, he met a friend who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; this friend introduced Alan to the Church and there he found encouragement, hope, and a new understanding of the meaning behind the experiences we go through in this life. The Atonement of Jesus Christ (the doctrine of redemption) became more personal to Alan as he was able to apply it to his specific situations. The message of Alan is a message of found hope through the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Watch his message below:

Additional Resource:

Learn more about Mormon beliefs.

Alison is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has to develop their own testimony at some point. My testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet came when I was 15 years old through the Spirit. I know Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he saw the angel Moroni and obtained the gold plates. I know he translated the words on those plates for us today. I’m grateful for the sacrifices he made to bring us another witness of our Savior.

I am grateful to have the witness of Christ through the Book of Mormon. I’m grateful for the continuing revelation Joseph Smith and other latter-day prophets have received for our time.

Many years ago, when I was still a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I took a trip with my eleven-year-old brother from Indiana to New York. The purpose of our journey was to witness the Hill Cumorah Pageant and visit the Sacred Grove, a site with special significance to the Latter-day Saint community as the location where Joseph Smith received the glorious First Vision of the Father and Son.

The power of the pageant is impressive: the volunteers practice and prepare so faithfully that the public is able to view the power of God through their performance. When the destruction scenes come with thunder and lightening, the special effects seem beyond the skill of man as if the Lord is providing his own fireworks.

My first visit to the Sacred Grove was no less impressive, though not accompanied by such a thunderous display. Instead, the power was simple and personal.  I proceeded to look for the place where Joseph received the marvelous First Vision of our dispensation. Somehow I missed the signs leading to the guided path and I accidentally entered the Grove by another way. I enjoy walking in the woods, especially when it is green and the sun is shining. There is unmatched peace in such a setting but this day was even more remarkable to me.

As I walked further into the Grove, I came to a particular spot where I stopped completely, feeling a spirit of peace and calm that testified to my soul that I had reached the place where Joseph had knelt in prayer and God had in fact answered this unpretentious farm boy. I knew without any man telling me, without the benefit of sign or marker, that this was indeed the place that God and his Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith. I was no more convinced when I found the posted signs leading to the exact location.

I received an impression much stronger in my soul and my heart than any manmade sign could give. It was the witness of God through the Holy Ghost, the residue of the presence of divine beings in that sacred spot. I will never forgot the feeling I had those many years ago. What God writes into the heart of man is not so easily erased as speculations, conjectures, and theories. When spirit speaks to spirit, there is no doubt or confusion.

In the days of Christ and his apostles it was common to see the gifts of the Spirit and of the Priesthood of God in action. In fact, it was so powerful and impressive that Simon approached the Lord’s chosen representatives in an attempt to buy their same power. The result, of course, is that he was told his money will perish with him because the power of the priesthood is not for sale at any price.

Only God can grant the powers the apostles possessed. The majority of contemporary Christendom has no concept of that power, nor do they readily accept the fact that it has been restored to the earth with the Lord’s one true church in this last dispensation. Therefore, they do not share in the joy and blessings that are the result of its presence among the believers.

Among the powers that were shown by the priesthood anciently was the power to heal the sick. That is restored again today. I have personally been the instrument of the Lord’s will in the healing of many people. Some have been relatively undramatic and others have been nothing less than miraculous.

Many years ago I and a missionary companion were urgently called to the home of a young woman possessed by an evil spirit. We knew that the person before us was in no way the same girl that we had previously been introduced to. We saw in her eyes a true resentment that was aimed at us. She seemed like an animal backed into a corner but attack might in an instant. After sitting her in a chair, we laid hands upon her head and I began pronouncing a blessing upon her promising that the spirit would depart. As these words were spoken, my companion felt a charge of electricity rush up his arms as the spirit withdrew from the girl. In seconds, she was again the girl we knew. She related how she was aware of the hatred that the evil spirit had felt for us and that she felt as if she were unclean and unworthy in our presence.

Another time, one of my own sons was stricken with a bout of asthma so severe that his chest nearly collapsed. I called a man who was not only a friend, but the home teacher assigned to our family. We laid hands upon my son after anointing him with consecrated oil. I then pronounced upon him a command that the affliction would leave him and he would begin to breathe again. As we finished, the attack left him totally and he, then ten years old, comforted his frightened mother with the assurance that he had felt it in his very bones that he was now all right.

Fairly recently I was asked to help give a blessing to a woman who was not a member of the Church, but is of the lineage of Israel. I trusted her faith; my eldest son and I proceeded to bless her with the Lord’s will. I had just found out that she had cancer and was due to have her bladder removed. In the blessing I was prompted to tell her that the cancer would begin from that very time to reverse and would then disappear altogether. My son said he felt the presence of at least two others in the room, although we could not see them. He felt the hand of one of them on his shoulder. The power in the room was so intense that I was barely able to speak the words of the blessing. Ten days or so later, my son called me to announce that she had just returned from the doctor and that he had pronounced her free of cancer.

The power of God is real and faith is a genuine scientific principle. I bear my personal and sincere witness that it is true and that the ancient priesthood of God is again on the earth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with its accompanying powers and blessings among the faithful.

I gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon by reading it for myself. There is no other way to really know for yourself. When I read the Book of Mormon I learn things about the Lord I never knew before. I learn how much He loves us. I learn how He works. I find answers and solutions to the questions and problems I have in my life. I feel greater resolve to be better, to defend the cause of righteousness, to draw closer to the Lord as my Savior and Redeemer. These are all things that come from reading the Book of Mormon. Most importantly, however, after I read, I can kneel down before my Heavenly Father and ask Him if it truly is the word of God, and He will confirm that it is. every. single. time. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It testifies of my Savior Jesus Christ and because it does, so much better can I. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Christ. Is the only name by which we can be saved. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is literally The Church of Jesus Christ, again restored to the earth. These things I know and testify to all who read in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

When i was nineteen years old, i met missionaries. They told me about eternal family and my heart just felt something special feeling going through my whole body. They asked me to pray to know the truth. I was kind of afraid that because i was a Buddhist and i didn’t want to deny my god at that time;however, i took their advise and i did kneel down and pray with all my heart. The tears were coming out from my eyes when i said my prayer. I did know the Book of Mormon was true and Joseph Smith was the true prophet of God at that time. After two years, i served my mission in Hawaii Honolulu Mission and i returned home with honor. After many challenges in my life, i finally got married with my sweet heart last April. I know the Lord blesses his children in different ways and i am really grateful for many blessings i have been received.

I love music. I love how closely the spirit is tied to it. I believe in Christ. I know that He died for us and He is risen. I’m grateful for the atonement and I know that His sacrifice makes all things possible. He is the way to return back to our Heavenly Father and He has shown us the way. I’m grateful for His love, His example, and the knowledge that the gospel principles are eternal. What joy this brings to my heart!

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

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