From the Question Box:
Q. Can [Mormons] have TV?
A. Yes
Q. Can the girls have Barbie dolls and the boys have video games?
A. Yes
Q. Can they have radio?
A. Yes
Category: choice
To Sing a Song of Redeeming Love
There are times in my life when feelings are particularly poignant towards my Savior. I read the scriptures, I pray and and I try the best I can to do His will and I ask myself, as Alma once asked, “if [I] have experienced a change of heart, and if have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can [I] feel so now?.” (Alma 5:26) The answer at times may be yes or no. I certainly try to keep that feeling to sing a song of redeeming love concerning my Savior. It is difficult, yes, but the rewards are infinite in scope and value.
The price to pay for these rewards is ourselves. Our Heavenly Father asks us to be humble and penitent toward Him and to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. When we give ourselves, our will and our lives, to Christ, He gives them right back to us in a purer condition and also with His blessings. These might be spiritual blessings such as peace in one’s heart or also blessings of prosperity and success. It is important to realize that He allows us to retain our freedom even when we give ourselves to Him.
This is diametrically opposed to the manner the world sees it and how the world operates. Many things petition us for our time, energy and will that will enslave us and will never set us free willingly. I have seen families destroyed by abuse of alcohol and individuals reduced to nothing because of all kinds of destructive habits. There is no real freedom there.
The power to free us remains in Christ. We must choose Him to become free spiritually. “But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son.” (Alma 12:33) That mercy will allow us to break the chains that hold us down and to destroy habits that enslave.
All can be free through Christ. It truly is a glorious prospect, and not one that comes easy. It takes a sincere desire to change one’s being, from thought to action, and, more importantly, the humility to understand the powerlessness one has in a current situation. But where there is a lack of power and ability, Christ makes up the difference. “But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” (2 Nephi 1:15) From binding chains to arms that embrace is a reality that does happen. I know it does. I have seen it, I have felt it and I can’t imagine a better way to show my appreciation for it than by sharing it.
Do Mormons ever have questions about what they believe?
In the course of my journey as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, there have been numerous times where I have questions come up that challenge my faith. I can’t speak for all Mormons, but I would assume that we all go through these cycles from time to time. I picked this topic to write about, because I want others who are not of our faith to know that I do have questions and from time to time finding answers to these questions causes spiritual turmoil. However, it is during these times that I grow the most spiritually.
The foundation of my belief is rooted in Joseph Smith’s testimony that he was in fact visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. This visit came in response to Joseph’s prayer to know which church he should join. They gave him specific instructions — he was to join none of the churches, because none of them were right (Joseph Smith History 1:1-20). What followed next in Joseph’s life is phenomenal: through him Jesus Christ re-established his Church, the Book of Mormon was translated, the authority to act and perform ordinances in God’s name was given to man again, and the list could go on. I will always remember the day that the truthfulness of this man’s testimony was written upon my heart by the Holy Ghost. I feel much the same as Joseph did: I know it and I know that God knows it and I cannot deny it (JS-H 1:25).
However, even though I know Joseph Smith’s story to be true, from time to time, something will come up that causes me to wonder. For example, polygamy, or how the priesthood was distributed prior to 1978. These challenges of faith, no matter how big or small, cause me to reflect and evaluate. Sometimes, they cause me to think, “how could God’s prophet do this, or say that?” I learned a long time ago that there is a reason; however, in these times I have yet to discover the puzzle piece that makes the picture complete. Often I have to go back to the basics that I know to be undeniably true–that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he did in fact translate the Book of Mormon. In other instances, I have to sit down and think about other confirmations that I have received from the Holy Ghost about a particular piece of doctrine, whether it is prayer, fasting, scripture study, marriage, or the priesthood for a few examples. As I do this and ponder my question throughout the day or weeks, eventually someone will say something, or I will have a thought that comes to me, always accompanied by another confirmation through the Holy Ghost. Then I can clearly see what I was missing.
These experiences strengthen my faith and further buttress my basic testimony of God. In this way I have been able to move from truth to truth and from grace to grace, learning about God and the grand plan that He has designed for our eternal happiness. I am grateful that there is a God and that He loves me perfectly (as He does all of us), even if that means that from time to time I have to struggle in my faith, because it helps me to grow stronger.
Consistency
It has been difficult for me to come up with a topic to write on this month. There has been a lot of change in my and my family’s life in the last month. Change always brings adjustment for me—adjustment to a new schedule, new places, new activities. Interestingly, it is during these times that it is hardest for me to be consistent in those things that provide a solid foundation in my life, namely scripture study and prayer. However, it is consistently doing the right things in life that brings the richest of experiences and the greatest of blessings. By and large, one cannot experience the complete blessings of a commandment or good activity until it is done consistently.
When one is consistent at exercising for an extended period of time, exercise becomes an integral part of that person’s life. Sure, one may miss a day here or there, but consistent exercise over time brings benefits that can only be known and felt by that person. In the same manner, consistently adhering to God’s commandments, whether it is studying the scriptures daily, or being meek and lowly of heart continually, will bring blessings, peace, and joy that only that person can know.
If you don’t know what I am talking about, or have yet to experience the sweet fruit of consistency, pick a commandment that you could polish a little, or a good activity, like exercise, and live it daily. Do it consistently for a week, then a month, then 3 months, then a year. You will look back on that time and realize that you have truly changed, because something good; something God-like has become an integral part of you. In some small way you will have fulfilled Christ’s commandment to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 6:48).