Friday, June 6, 2014

What I Believe

I haven't posted anything about my religion on this blog except for in my Blogger profile, but I've been feeling like I need to share this. 

In my profile, it says I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We're more commonly known as Mormons. We believe that in the spring of 1820, a fourteen year old boy named Joseph Smith went to the privacy of the woods to pray to know which church was true. There, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision and told him that none of the churches were true because they had been altered after Christ's death. Joseph told people about his vision, but he was only mocked. That night, an angel named Moroni visited Joseph in his bedroom and told him where to find the gold plates, a record of what was happening in the Americas before Christ's birth, during his ministry, and after his death. Joseph translated the gold plates through the power of God into what is now the Book of Mormon. We believe that our church is the only true church in earth, because once Christ and his apostles were killed, the priesthood was gone from the Earth and church's decisions weren't guided by God. The church and the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith. 

The Book of Mormon and the Bible go hand in hand, we love both books. The Bible tells of what was happening in the Middle East, while the Book of Mormon tells what was happening at the same time in the Americas. 

We also believe that we lived with our Heavenly Father as spirits before we came to Earth. We believe that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. We believe that families can be together forever, not just "till death do we part." We believe in baptizing children when they're eight, when they're old enough to be accountable for their sins. We don't baptize babies because they are to little to be accountable for their sins, and Adam and Eve only will be punished for the fall. We believe in marriage between a man and a woman. We don't hate gays, exactly the opposite, in fact. We just don't agree with their lifestyles. We believe in saving physical intimacy for marriage. We believe that revelation is still received today. We don't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea, and we don't smoke. 

This is the most important part: Mormons are Christian. We have faith in Christ, we believe in Christ, we love Christ. 

Please, please, please don't write any hateful comments to me about this. My religion is as dear to me as yours is to you. I completely respect your beliefs. I would love to answer ANY questions you have about this, if you comment them. 

Thank you for listening. If you want to know more, visit mormon.org or lds.org. 

Love, Leah

13 comments:

  1. That was very interesting, and I believe that you can practice any religion you want!

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  2. That was really interesting. I'm not a Mormon, and most of the things that I heard about Mormon religion was from my parents, and leaders from our church (I'm a Presbyterian), so I haven't really heard the Mormon religion from a Mormon, if that makes any sense :P
    And by the way, when you said that you though that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were three separate beings, do you still believe that they're one God? That part wasn't completely clear to me ;)
    ~Carli

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    1. Yeah, I totally get what you mean!

      We believe that they're three different personages. Instead of the Trinity, we believe that they each have their own body (except not the Holy Spirit) and they all have different responsibilities. We call them the Godhead. They're the most important. Does that make sense?

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    2. Ah, I see. Oh yes, that sense :)
      ~Carli

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  3. That was really interesting to read :) I personally am a Presbyterian. I actually really enjoy reading about other religions, seeing the other side, if you get what I mean. I don't really know much about Mormons, though. What do you believe happens after death?

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    1. Thanks!! I really like reading about other religions too.

      We believe that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, and that we will be resurrected one day, as Christ was. We will be blessed according to our works and faith on earth, and through the grace and goodness of Christ. We also believe families are forever. Hope that made sense! :)

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  4. hi! I don't have a religion but I would love one. the only problem is that I totally disagree with all the main religions that I have heard about. anyone know of other religions that dont include god and jesus and the bible and that stuff?
    (sorry if I have offended anyone but if I did can you tell me how?)

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    1. I don't think there's a religion without those things.

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    2. @Anonymous: Some of the "Eastern Religions" do not follow The Bible, but from my understanding there is still a godhead or godlike figure at the helm. Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Kabbalah, etc. As you continue reading and educating yourself with different religions in the world you will find your spiritual path.

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    3. thankyou for answering so quickly!
      I guess I will just stay with being an atheist for now.

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  5. Leah, this is a wonderful post. I think it is wonderful that you share this - your faith with your readers. You will do well when you get to your Mission.

    I work with a Mormon and he was gracious enough to supply me with a copy of The Book of Mormon. We have had discussions about it too. I'm Lutheran, we have some different beliefs, but that's okay. Our country was founded on the right to religious freedom. Worship on, Leah! Thank you for sharing this.

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  6. I'm not a Mormon but I used to have neighbors who were and I actually used to play american girl with their dolls and my dolls

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Don't cuss. It's not ladylike.