TENANTS OF MY FAITH

Joseph Smith summarized the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in beautiful simplicity in the Articles of Faith. 13 Statements about our beliefs. I once expounded upon them and this is my understanding. If you are a member of my family and have not learned these on your own, I present them to you as worthy of your consideration. For those who are not of my faith, you may find similarities with what you believe. You may find differences. Know that you are my brother and I love you. God loves all of His children more than I could. Perhaps this will lead you to want to talk with me about your beliefs.

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

"We believe" means we must first recognize and then have confidence in.  Recognizing God in all things requires the Holy Ghost who testifies of the Father and the Son.  We must be in tune with the Spirit in order to recognize God at all times and in all places and in all situations.  Without this awareness, it is impossible to good without being told what to do.  

I believe in God and His Son and follow the Holy Ghost to bring me to a greater understanding of their love and plan for me each day as I pray to the Father in His Son's Name.

D&C 58:26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

We are individually responsible for our actions and will reap the consequences of them. The laws, or commandments, keep us from sin that we may be clean and receive the rewards promised through gospel ordinances. It is how we exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

I know that I will not be punished because Adam partook of the forbidden fruit. I will, however, answer to Christ who is my judge for my thoughts, words, and deeds. I know that my sins are real and separate me from God.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 

We believe that Christ has atoned for all sin and pain and by his power, all will be resurrected and live forever. That said, without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved in the kingdom of His Father nor can we receive glory above that which is deserved for God is also just. If we do not obey Christ we will not be exalted as he is. It is through His grace that we are saved after all we can do.

I have faith in Jesus Christ and that through his Grace I may forsake my sins, follow His commandments, and honor my covenants to Him and have received forgiveness in the very hour of my dispair, not once, but each time I have turned from my ways and remembered to try His ways. I know the miraculous power of healing that comes from his perfect sacrifice for sin and from his love for me.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and there is none other. It is comprehensive in that the gift of the Holy Ghost is our guide for all things that we must do in this life to complete our mission and return with honor. We must receive it to hear Him and follow His promptings all our lives.

I am not perfect, the gospel is. I live the gospel as I exercise faith in Christ and repent of my folly. I was baptized and renew all my covenant promises each week when I partake of the sacrament in remembrance of his atonement and I vow to live as He would have me do and follow the Holy Ghost as I am prompted to do good through the week.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

These ordinances are what brings hope to our hearts and keep us on the path which leads to eternal life with our Father in Heaven. Yet, none can assume the priesthood and its authority. It must be bestowed by one having that authority. It is not a position or title, it is a power to serve as the Lord would serve within our responsibilities or callings. No man may exercise the power or work of God of their own valuation.  To do so is priestcraft.  

In the days of Mosiah this was punishable by death. 

Alma 1:12 But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction. 

            13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance. 

            14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law. 

            15 And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious death.

Currently, I am a High Priest and minister in a calling to assist the Bishop and lift the people within the boundaries of my ward to come unto Christ and follow Him. I have been regularly called by prophecy, confirmed by the laying on of hands by those whose authority is passed down directly from the Lord Jesus Christ, sustained by the members of the church, ordained to an office, set apart to perform in that office by His priesthood.  

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 

We believe in Christ and his organization as he sets it up and leads it. He leads that organization personally today through his prophet. And, man, women and children are lay ministers under his direction and serve all God’s children. Our God is a God of order and his church is directed for the perfecting of the Saints. Administrations may change to meet the needs of his people in their hour of need, but the gospel remains unchanged.

Tomorrow I may receive a calling to serve in the nursery, where my status and position would be equal to the calling I am now assigned. I do not aspire to offices nor titles. I am a servant and follow the will of Him who sent me and purchased me through His blood. Even if I had no specific calling I would remain a servant of the Lord, there is much that can be done to serve others and God without a specific calling. I believe all people in the church are to serve one another as Jesus would and do not need a calling to bless others.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

Miracles are again active on earth and are recognized and utilized daily as the work of the Lord, the gathering of Israel, continues. Not only do we believe in these gifts, but we understand that each gift is given to us to exercise within the boundaries of our stewardships to bless others and that there is a purpose for every gift and always they are given to help bring souls unto Christ. God is not dead nor are his works.  Each day there are miracles and the priesthood is active.

I know that through Him I can do all things He needs me to do for I have been blessed by the Holy Ghost with miracles in Christ's service and have witnessed his power many times to strengthen me in my weakness and accomplish His work.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 

These books were written for us and should be used together to dispel all falsehoods and will deliver us from the destroyer as we carefully read, understand, and apply the knowledge we gain in our daily lives. Some have confused passages of scripture in the Bible to mean that the heavens are closed and all of God's words are to be found in the Old and New Testaments.  In the Book of Mormon, the Lord had a few words to say about this. 

2 Nephi 29: 7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

    8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

    9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

    10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

    11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

    12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.

    13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

We believe all the words of God wherever they are found.  In literature, songs, scriptures, conference talks, ancient writings, answers to prayer, words of our ward leaders, scout handbooks, etc.  We can do this because we have the Holy Spirit to testify to the truthfulness of all things.

I know these two books to be of God and read them. I love the spirit I feel when I do. I love the understanding of things I get when I study them. I believe that they have the power to heal individuals, societies, nations, and indeed the world if we will abide by the words of the Lord as written by his prophets.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Yes, there is more, the revelations given to Joseph Smith and the succeeding apostles and prophets contain many of these things. There are also records that we look forward to receiving as the Lord sees fit to reveal them. The sealed portion of the golden plates and other testimonies from each of the tribes of Israel as they are presented.

I attend the temple to receive revelation in my own life and to know the mysteries of God. I know there are more writings that will be revealed as we prepare ourselves for them through obedience to the word that we have already been given. I know that God will not withhold knowledge from me if I seek it and live by it. I believe in due time, if I don't give up, I will be able to learn all things.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

We are preparing and preparing our children for the restoration of Zion.  In fact, we are helping to bring it to pass through missionary work, perfecting the saints, and redeeming the dead.

Prophecies related to the second coming of the Lord will indeed all be fulfilled, but in God's time and according to His understanding and not the imaginations of men. We may speculate personally, and in fact, we are encouraged to study our questions out in our mind and ask God for knowledge, but the truth will be revealed by God through his prophets and the Holy Ghost will confirm these things to our hearts. They will not come by a scholarship of man or through a man claiming to know of himself.

I am personally called to prepare those I come in contact with to know what they must do to build Zion in their hearts, families, communities, and our nation in preparation for Christ's return and reign. I believe there is a great work that is needed and it will engage all the willing to accomplish it.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We do not discount people’s beliefs. We seek to rejoice in those areas where we are similar and live together in harmony, regardless of another’s differences. We believe in the liberty God gave all people. Worship is important in all cultures and in diversity God created our world.  As people worship in truth they will be led unto Christ. All men have the Spirit of Christ to judge between good and evil. Moreover, we have been instructed not to exclude others, but to include them in our daily lives regardless of their beliefs.  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are living the Gospel are the most open, caring, friendly individuals on the planet.

I seek to be open and listen to people of all backgrounds and encourage them in worshiping God and, when asked, share the light Christ has given me. I will fight for the freedom they need to worship as they chose and have taught my children the gospel and yet they are encouraged to work out their faith personally and act for themselves according to their conscience. I have faith that all knees will bow and confess Christ, but I honor all who are learning and following their own conscience regardless of faith traditions.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

This does not mean that we do not seek to throw off tyranny. We seek to protect the rights of a free people, for God made us free. Governments that do not uphold basic liberty or that place their populations in bondage and servitude will receive their just compensation from God. We seek to uphold righteous and just rulers who will serve the public with honor and uphold just laws and due process. It is our duty to fight for those freedoms when abused. D & C 134 is very clear to our relationship with temporal governments and our support of them.  That section is also explicit in how we should conduct ourselves in spreading the gospel.  Any young man preparing to leave on a mission should know section 134 very well.  To summarize would not be appropriate and to read the entire section here would ensure slumber.  I challenge you to read it today.

I support the constitutionally limited government of this land and am blessed to live in Texas where we stand for the God-given liberty proclaimed by the declaration of independence and honor the memory of so many who have bled and died to protect it. I denounce abuses as I see them and encourage all to come together regardless of political divisions to uphold those freedoms. I look for win-wins when others want to make one side lose. I believe it takes all of us to choose good over evil, liberty over tyranny, free trade over governmental or monopolistic interference to fight the progressive encroachment of those who seek power over us and our liberties. I believe people in the United States do not have to be victims and can choose good if they are not deceived and I support those who seek to make the truth known and I resist propaganda from all parties.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. 

These are acts of true Christians.  If we are thinking, speaking, and living according to only what is good.  Others will delight in our company.  Our testimonies will be born in every action.  Others will know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a living Gospel and will want to be partakers with us.

I humbly seek to act according to these standards in my personal life when no one is looking and in my public life when others may try to smear my reputation. God knows I am imperfect, and I do not pretend to be any better than any other person, yet I will do my best to be my best regardless of what others think. I recommend a daily review of these standards each night. I have made covenants in the holy house of the Lord with God to obey his commandments and I renew them each week as I partake of the body and blood of Christ.

These statements guide much of who I am and are foundational to what I believe. You too may come to know, as I do, that they are true as you exercise faith in Jesus Christ and earnestly seek to join His saints in this marvelous work and a wonder. I testify this is true by His name, Jesus Christ.