The truth is, my membership in the Church is the greatest blessing of my life. It has filled my life with love, friendship, nurturing, faith, hope, peace, light, and grace. Because of the Church, I grew up in a community of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who were not related to me, but loved me like family. I learned to read, interpret, and apply scripture to my life; to thirst for light and knowledge. I learned to pray, to forgive, to serve, to set goals. I learned how to be a better sister, daughter, friend. Most importantly, I developed a relationship with God.
Like most church-goers, my faith makes me who I am. So, I want to share some basic information about my church (and, thus, about me):
Facts
- “Mormon” is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes members of the Church are called “Mormons,” “Latter-day Saints,” or “LDS.” The term “Saint” means “member" (not the same as the Catholics use of the word "Saint").
- Church was restored in 1830 in upstate New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Today the Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with President Thomas S. Monson as the current prophet.
- The are over 13 million members worldwide, with more members outside the U.S. than in.
- Many members of the Church volunteer (at their own expense) to serve 18 mo.-2 year missions worldwide. I served a mission in Durban, South Africa, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
- Church members are geographically organized into congregations called "wards." Each ward is led by a bishop, a volunteer ward member who leads and counsels the rest of the ward. Usually about 8-10 wards make up a stake, which is a larger geographical location led by a stake president, another volunteer from a local ward.
- The Church has the largest women's organization in the world called The Relief Society. Organized in 1842, the Relief Society focuses on helping women develop physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually and helping the poor and needy in the community.
- I believe that God is the Father of our spirits, that we lived with Him before we were born on the earth and that He loves every single one us with unconditional love.
- God wants us to be happy and to succeed in this life. He also wants us to return to live with Him after we die. This is why, from the beginning of the world, He has chosen prophets to teach us commandments so that we may know how to live with love and integrity. However, God knew that we would not be perfect, and so he provided a Savior.
- I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Messiah prophesied about the Old Testament. He paid the price for all our sin through his death and suffering. Because of this, we can change and learn from our mistakes without being condemned by them.
- I believe the original church that Jesus Christ established when He lived in Jerusalem was lost and has been restored again--through the prophet Joseph Smith. With this restoration also came the priesthood, or the authority given to man to act in the name of God, apostles and a prophet, as well as all necessary ordinances of salvation (baptism, etc.).
- I believe in the importance and power of the word of God or scripture. I study the Bible as well as Book of Mormon, which is another testament of the ministry and divinity of Christ.
- I believe in on-going revelation. God speaks today just as much as He did in ancient times. I believe that I can receive personal revelation from God regarding my life through prayer. I pray, and God gives me answers through ideas in my mind and feelings in my heart that come through the power of the Holy Ghost. I also believe that God continues to speak to a prophet, President Monson, who can receive revelation for the whole world.