Author: Contributing Author

Was God born according to Mormons?

Q:  Was God born according to Mormons?

Not too long ago, Bus wrote an excellent post aimed at answering this very question.  Here is the link: The Origins of God.

We do have quotes from some contemporary prophets that in more words or less say that God was once like man is now.  However, whether he was born, where it all began,  and so on, we just don’t know everything yet.  Nevertheless, we do have the promise from God that in the future all things will be made known (D&C 101:32-34).

Thanks for your question.

How does the baptism process work?

Q: I have not met with any missionaries yet, but after researching the LDS faith then praying about it, I learned it was the truth.  It was such a moving spiritual experience, and I wept with joy when it was confirmed to be to be the truth.  I was overcome with peace and joy.  I purchased a copy of the BOM and have started to read it and listen to it (on my iPod).  I know I wish to be baptized.  I understand that I need to meet with the missionaries and attend church.  I just wondered, that as I already know the truth, and wish to be baptized, how quickly this would happen.  And thank you for your very helpful website.

A: This is absolutely wonderful!  I am so happy to hear that you have experienced that unexplainable joy that a person feels when Heavenly Father answers the sincere prayer to know if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the truth.  And how wonderful to hear that you wish to be baptized, because you know the truth.

You are correct, you do need to meet with the missionaries and attend church.  Also they will teach you a handful of lessons about the fundamental teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They will also ask you to do a few things: commit to live the Word of Wisdom, commit to pay tithing, commit to only having sexual relations with your spouse to whom you are lawfully married (live the law of chastity), and also attend church.

To answer your question specifically, as you already have received an answer to your prayers and desire to be baptized, together you will schedule a day for your baptism as soon as you are ready and meet the requirements in the previous paragraph.  It could be in four or five days (enough time to teach you the lessons), or it could be in a few weeks.  The missionaries will help you to make this decision.

Prior to your baptism you will have an interview with one of the missionaries who will ask you some specific questions about your decision to be baptized and your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your savior and your desire to be one of his disciples. In addition, you will be asked if you are living the commandments you have been asked to live.  You may also be asked to meet with the bishop or branch president of your local congregation before your baptism.

After this interview process, your baptism will occur.  Oftentimes, baptisms are held at a local church where there is a small pool (font) specifically for baptisms.  If you are in an area where there isn’t a font available, the baptism might be held at a local pool, in the ocean, or in a river.  The specific location isn’t terribly important, just as long as there is water deep enough for you to be completely immersed in the water. You and the man who will be baptizing you will be dressed in white.  It is important to note that the man baptizing you will have God’s approval to perform this important ordinance for you and since he has God’s approval to do this, God recognizes your baptism as being legitimate. After being welcomed, there will be a song, prayer, and then a talk given on baptism.  Your baptism will then occur.  After which, there is a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Then one of two things will happen, either everyone will go home and you will be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the next Sunday, or this will occur directly after you are baptized.  This proceeds as follows: a handful of men who have God’s approval to do so, will put their hands on your head and confirm you a member of The Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bestow upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost.  They will stand around you as you sit on a chair.  One of the men will act as voice for the rest of the group.  I won’t repeat here the first part of this ordinance, as it should be held sacred, but the second part is a blessing that is specifically tailored for your needs and comes by revelation from God to the man acting as voice.

After receiving these two ordinances, baptism and being confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, your feet are planted solidly in the strait and narrow way that Christ spoke of that leads to eternal life.  There will be many people along your way to help you, but most importantly, you will have the gift of the Holy Ghost, who will be your constant companion as long as you are keeping Christ’s commandments the best that you can and relying upon Him in all that you do.   The Holy Ghost has many roles, but he will provide you with comfort, he will teach you, he testifies of Christ and truth, he warns you of danger, and much more.

I am so excited for you, please let us know when you are baptized.  Please let us know if you have any other questions.  May the Lord bless you!

Here are some links to other articles about baptism:

Repentance before baptism

What does baptism entail?

Baptism

What is a baptismal service like?

 

Are Mormons Honest?

One of the lessons taught today in church was about honesty.  It came from the Gospel Principles book.  This book contains very succinct teachings, structured in lesson format, about the major doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As I was listening to the lesson, there were several principles of honesty that stood out to me that I need to be better at, or had never thought about.

Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to be honest in all things.  Occasionally I do hear stories of how some church members have been dishonest.  I apologize if you have been wronged or lied to by one of our church members.  No one is perfect, so please don’t let the actions of an imperfect person cloud your view of our church.

I would encourage you to read the lesson by clicking here, but here are some excerpts that really stood out to me.

Lying is intentionally deceiving others. Bearing false witness is one form of lying. The Lord gave this commandment to the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). Jesus also taught this when He was on earth (see Matthew 19:18). There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest. . .

Jesus taught, “Thou shalt not steal” (Matthew 19:18). Stealing is taking something that does not belong to us. When we take what belongs to someone else or to a store or to the community without permission, we are stealing. Taking merchandise or supplies from an employer is stealing. Copying music, movies, pictures, or written text without the permission of the copyright owners is dishonest and is a form of theft. Accepting more change or goods than one should is dishonest. Taking more than our share of anything is stealing.  .  .

We cheat when we give less than we owe, or when we get something we do not deserve. Some employees cheat their employers by not working their full time; yet they accept full pay. Some employers are not fair to their employees; they pay them less than they should. Satan says, “Take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor” (2 Nephi 28:8). Taking unfair advantage is a form of dishonesty. Providing inferior service or merchandise is cheating.  .  .

People use many excuses for being dishonest. People lie to protect themselves and to have others think well of them. Some excuse themselves for stealing, thinking they deserve what they took, intend to return it, or need it more than the owner. Some cheat to get better grades in school or because “everyone else does it” or to get even. . .

These excuses and many more are given as reasons for dishonesty. To the Lord, there are no acceptable reasons. When we excuse ourselves, we cheat ourselves and the Spirit of God ceases to be with us.

It was a good reminder to me how easy it is to be dishonest in our world today and that I need to watch myself in everything I do and say.

 

Question Box: faith or works

Q:  Are we saved by works or faith in Jesus Christ?

Thanks for your question.  I will preface by saying that this is a common question that we receive on this website.   I understand that there are different opinions and beliefs about this topic  and we needn’t proceed to a large debate about how Mormon beliefs don’t fit in perfectly with other Christian denominations beliefs.

Mormons believe that all people can be  saved  through the Atonement of Jesus Christ by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Article of Faith 3 ).  And the basic laws  and ordinances that bring about salvation through Jesus Christ are:  first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Second, repentance of our sins.  Third, baptism by immersion in water.  Fourth, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Article of Faith 4).

So, we are saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ and we gain access to it by faith in Him and by obedience to his commandments.

Here are some other articles dealing with this topic.

The Saved Little Toaster

Works and Grace

Salvation (There is a pretty in-depth conversation on this post  in the comments)

Question Box: Plastic Surgery

Q: How do Mormons feel about plastic surgery?

I am unaware of any church statement on using cosmetic plastic surgery simply to “improve” one’s appearance.  I am certain, that there are a multitude of opinions from Mormons for and against cosmetic plastic surgery, but let it be understood that these are simply their own opinions.  However, I don’t know if undergoing a breast enlargement, or having a face lift simply to attract more people’s attention is the most appropriate thing to do.

We do not shun the use of modern medical technologies, including plastic surgery.  There are definitely circumstance where plastic surgery is appropriate.  Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a now deceased leader of our church, used the example of a young man undergoing nine plastic surgeries on his disfigured lips “so that others can hear the gospel from his lips, undistracted.”  Obviously, Elder Maxwell,  thought this was an appropriate use of plastic surgery.

In addition, there are  plastic surgeons who are Mormon.  At one time in medical school, I was contemplating a career in plastic surgery myself, but for whatever reason, I didn’t feel it was the right thing for me.  Plastic surgery is a enormous blessing for some people–those that have been disfigured due to disease, cancer, and all form of accidents.  It can restore their confidence in themselves and reduces the “stare” that they often receive while in public.   I know that I would definitely want to be making a visit to a plastic surgeon if I found myself in such a situation.

Thanks for your question!