I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I’ve been a member of this church since I was baptized at 8 years old, and I am currently active in this church. My experiences being a member of this church is that you go to church because you want to be more like Jesus, even though you know those around you, as well as yourself aren’t perfect like He is, you still go. I know that it’s here where Jesus Christ can teach me by His Holy Spirit. Its also here where I know I can be given opportunities to serve others like Jesus did when He was alive. This has helped me know I am a child of God, because of the many things I still need to learn about His teachings. This church is undoubtedly centered around Jesus Christ, and I’m glad I’m a member.

The True Spirit of Equality

As we should know, feelings of equality are not for members of the Church alone. Equality when truly cultivated extends far beyond the boundaries of Church membership. True humility and meekness leads to a generosity of spirit that reaches to all of God’s children – everywhere. Also, we should know that equality in our personal character is in many ways based on understanding the true doctrine of Christ. President Boyd K. Packer taught: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” The Savior drew upon the power of doctrinal truth to open our eyes and hearts. As members of the Lord’s Church, we should know that we are a congregation of equals. As in the Church in Alma’s day, the teacher is no better than the learner, the leader no better than those who are served. We each have individual interests and strengths, unique talents and gifts, and we have our share of weaknesses and foibles. The purpose of the Church is to make us better, to give us opportunities to fellowship with the Saints, and ultimately to bring us to Christ. In this regard, we are equal.

Absolutely a great read, I believe and support every word in this study

(BYU Religious Studies Center: Living the Book of Mormon “All Are Alike Unto God”)

The Father’s Opinion on Suicide Matters Most

In Elder M Russell Ballard talk, he said, “I feel that judgment for sin is not always as cut-and-dried as some of us seem to think. The Lord said, “Thou shalt not kill.” Does that mean that every person who kills will be condemned, no matter the circumstances? Civil law recognizes that there are gradations in this matter—from accidental manslaughter to self-defense to first-degree murder. I feel that the Lord also recognizes differences in intent and circumstances: Was the person who took his life mentally ill? Was he or she so deeply depressed as to be unbalanced or otherwise emotionally disturbed? Was the suicide a tragic, pitiful call for help that went unheeded too long or progressed faster than the victim intended? Did he or she somehow not understand the seriousness of the act? Was he or she suffering from a chemical imbalance that led to despair and a loss of self-control?

The late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, expressed what many Church leaders have taught: “Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. … Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord’s; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.” (Mormon Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 771; some italics added.)

Kat Kerr an evangelist whose eye witness accounts on this subject supports my church’s teachings says, “Do those who commit suicide go to Hell or do some go to Heaven? The Holy Spirit gave me the answer, and as always it was so simple, most of us missed it! The world’s definition of suicide is: The act or instance of intentionally killing oneself. There is one more viewpoint no one mentions and that is the Father’s opinion! Here is the explanation I was given. God looks at each case separately and if the person ending their life is a Believer, He does not always call it suicide. If the person had lost control of their normal reasoning; either because of physical, emotional or mental trauma; then he calls it ‘ending their suffering’, not committing suicide. In other words, all those individuals would go to Heaven! This by no means gives anyone the right to end their lives, you could never be sure what the Father’s decision would be concerning you. We must choose Life and not things related to Death and then live your life like you actually believe Heaven is watching.

I think these are encouraging messages from people who care, and a subject that needs to be given more hope, rather than despair. Our Father’s opinion is most important on anything, but this is by far one that we all need to remember.

Standing Up For Truth

Standing up for truth is about always being reminded how much truth there is in living by it. It takes a lot of courage to stand out in any crowd, but especially a religious one. The lesson I learn is that to stand up is to continue asking the Lord for his strength through prayer. Maybe this is why many hesitate, but whatever reason one withdraws from doing so, the Lord does not agree. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light (Luke 11:33). We must remember that to stand out is not to be perfect. The Lord does not call those who are perfect, because there are none who are, but he calls on the weak, that He might make weak things strong” (Ether 12:37). Christ said, ” I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8.12).

Forsake The Things Of The World

Christ died on the cross to give us an opportunity to stay spiritually clean in this life and to go to Heaven. In return he asks us to follow Him. We must choose the Lord over the things of the world to make the Atonement be in affect in our lives, for God will not be mocked.

“In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever had..in spite of those things, we are on the whole an idolatrous people..a condition most repugnant to the Lord.
We are warlike people, easily distracted from our assignment to preparing for the coming of the Lord. When threatened we become anti-enemy instead of pro-kingdom of God.
What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the lord at His word and exercise a particle of faith in Him? Our assignment is affirmative: to forsake the things of the world as ends in themselves; to leave off idolatry and press forward in faith; to carry the gospel to our enemies; that they might no longer be our enemies.”

(Spencer W Kimball, Prophet)

We can all be followers of Jesus as we continue to pray daily to know what that means in our lives, and as we continue to work on ridding the things of the world from our lives, even daily. God bless.

Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin

Although impossible for humanity to love perfectly, Heavenly Father showed us how to love when He sent His Son Jesus Christ (John 3.16) and made it His great commandment to follow His example (1 Kings 8.61). To love is to first believe in Jesus Christ because it’s only through Him we can receive His perfect love. I believe the scriptures help to understand many ways to love others, one being to refuse to take part in the sins of others, and secondly to condemn them from our own lives rather than the lives of others unless we are one given authority to do so. This helps us focus on our own repentance process, in which it shows Heavenly Father we are not taking our sins lightly, and which then reflects Christ like example of love to others. We also love others by being faithful, and showing forgiveness that is available through Jesus Christ. Even though difficult to do, I think a true act of love is treating others with respect and kindness even though they might know we don’t approve their lifestyle and or choices. But, I also believe it is not loving to allow someone to remain stuck, and with careful guidance of the holy spirit, we might be able to encourage one how to unstuck themselves in ways also provided by Jesus Christ. It is not hateful to tell a person he or she is in trouble in matters that involve us, if we can carefully avoid discouraging them from moving forward. In other words, we love the others by speaking the truth in loving ways. We hate the sin of others by refusing to condone it, or take part in it. It’s pertinent that we always pray about any situation we are found in concerning these issues, and if we make mistakes along the way which is inevitable, we can take the advice from Jesus, repent and continue to learn to love others as Jesus loves us. God bless.

Know Thyself

Someone asked, “What would you do if you lost someone because you sabotaged the relationship you had with them; what would you do to get them back?” I would say, know yourself first of which sounds easy enough, maybe that’s why its also easy to overlook, and which could easily be confused with self absorption if not understanding the difference between the two. Also, to understand like with anything else it’s a process, and I believe knowing just that can help one learn to be kind to themselves and to others during the process. The Lord said, ” …that the inner vessel be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.” (Alma 60.23) Well, there’s a lot of hidden meanings to that I think, but that’s what I’d say coming from my ever learning mind and life, anyone else have a take on this?

Listen to the Children

All of us remember the home of our childhood. Interestingly, our thoughts do not dwell on whether the house was large or small, the neighborhood fashionable or downtrodden. Rather, we delight in the experiences we shared as a family. The home is the laboratory of our lives, and what we learn there largely determines what we do when we leave there.

Thomas S. Monson

Kicking it to the Curb

Lucifer will use logic, and rationalizations to destroy. He shades meanings, opens doors an inch at a time, and leads from purest white through all shades of grey to black. He patiently leads people to his only home. (2 Nep 26:22)

All Men Are Privileged the One Like Unto The Other

No race or class is superior than another in spirituality and faithfulness. (2 Nep 26.28,33)