Q: What is it you like most about being a Mormon?
Well, there are countless reasons I enjoy being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not only do I know that the church is true, it guides me every day. Now, I'm not only going to make a list of the things I love about my religion, I'm going to make a list of why you consider becoming a member of the church, too.
1. It is family-oriented.
One of my blog friends, Heather, recently told me that one thing she really likes about our church is that it is family-oriented. The purpose of our temples, is to become sealed with your spouse & children. The best part? Marriage isn't til death do us part. It is forever. When you lose a loved one, you will see them again. Families can be forever. And there is no end.
2. You can be forgiven.
A few years ago, I was on a small journey to 'find the religion' that was best for me. This post explains a little bit about my journey. The gospel in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is all encompassing. It is beautiful. There are countless 'chances.' If you read The Book of Mormon, the whole thing is about the Atonement and second chances. Though we don't solely focus on the cross, Jesus Christ died for us. Because of Him, we have countless chances. We can always be forgiven, through proper repentance. The beautiful thing I love about this is if there were people I knew in high school that had trouble with the law or drugs, it is amazing to see them change and become more spiritual and religious people. The gospel really is a powerful place for forgiveness and second, third, infinite chances. Because nobody is perfect.
3. Callings are not paid.
Most religions have paid positions. If you're a pastor, you get paid...well, that is, if I'm right. The wonderful thing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that these callings are not paid. No calling is paid. There are MANY callings in the church - from relief society teachers to the bishop and his counselors. It is all service, just like Christ talk.
8. The church practices Christ-like love through service.
Speaking of service, the church has helped so many people. Countless people. To read more about this, you can view one of my former Mormon Monday posts to see a teensy glimpse of how much the church has helped.
5. When you are baptized and confirmed, you are given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
There is one thing that brings me so much comfort. And that is the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot begin to describe how utterly thankful I am for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost guides me when I'm lost. It's that still small voice that whispers to give me a voice of warning, or to help me make a decision. I truly believe that if it weren't for the Holy Ghost, I wouldn't have known if Mr. Schroeder was the one I should marry right off the bat. The Holy Ghost was nearly yelling at me when he asked me out. "Say yes! Say yes! What do you have to lose?"
6. There is modern-day revelators.
Heavenly Father has given us modern day revelators. We have our modern-day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson who guides us and directs us. One thing a lot of people get confused over is that we do not worship our prophet. We look up to him, we listen to him, and we rely on him for guidance. However, unlike many other religions, our prophet is not someone we worship.
7. The priesthood.
I'm sure many of you have read the news about priesthood. Unfortunately, the news isn't always correct, nor is it always covering happy and optimistic information. Briefly explaining, according to lds.org, the priesthood is the eternal power and authority of our Heavenly Father. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and earth. He gives worthy priesthood holders authority to receive these ordinances and access the power and blessings of the priesthood. Just the other day, I was so blessed to ask myself for a priesthood blessing because I was feeling sick. When I need guidance, same thing, I can always rely on him, my dad, or even my bishop for some guidance.
8. Temple work
I briefly stated on #1 what temples are for. When an individual goes through the temple for the first time, they make covenants with God that they strive to keep throughout their lives. After the first time they go through for themselves, they can go back to the temple to do work for the dead. The first few times I heard this, it sounded creepy to me. But think about it. Not everybody gets the chance to get baptized during this earth time, due to dying early, or not even finding the gospel. Not everybody gets the opportunity to go through the temple and be sealed to be with their spouse for time and all eternity. BUT. The work can be done. Every time I am at the temple, I always imagine the person I am doing the work for reacting on the other side of the veil. How wonderful it must be to be waiting for hundreds of years to receive the Holy Ghost, or to become sealed, and finally, have a member do it for you. Not only this, but the temple allows you to receive guidance for yourself. It truly is a powerful place.
READ: There is room for you at our church.
Do YOU have any questions about the LDS church? Email me at wenserendipity@gmail.com and your question could be featured on future Mormon Monday posts!
2. You can be forgiven.
A few years ago, I was on a small journey to 'find the religion' that was best for me. This post explains a little bit about my journey. The gospel in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is all encompassing. It is beautiful. There are countless 'chances.' If you read The Book of Mormon, the whole thing is about the Atonement and second chances. Though we don't solely focus on the cross, Jesus Christ died for us. Because of Him, we have countless chances. We can always be forgiven, through proper repentance. The beautiful thing I love about this is if there were people I knew in high school that had trouble with the law or drugs, it is amazing to see them change and become more spiritual and religious people. The gospel really is a powerful place for forgiveness and second, third, infinite chances. Because nobody is perfect.
3. Callings are not paid.
Most religions have paid positions. If you're a pastor, you get paid...well, that is, if I'm right. The wonderful thing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that these callings are not paid. No calling is paid. There are MANY callings in the church - from relief society teachers to the bishop and his counselors. It is all service, just like Christ talk.
8. The church practices Christ-like love through service.
Speaking of service, the church has helped so many people. Countless people. To read more about this, you can view one of my former Mormon Monday posts to see a teensy glimpse of how much the church has helped.
5. When you are baptized and confirmed, you are given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
There is one thing that brings me so much comfort. And that is the gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot begin to describe how utterly thankful I am for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost guides me when I'm lost. It's that still small voice that whispers to give me a voice of warning, or to help me make a decision. I truly believe that if it weren't for the Holy Ghost, I wouldn't have known if Mr. Schroeder was the one I should marry right off the bat. The Holy Ghost was nearly yelling at me when he asked me out. "Say yes! Say yes! What do you have to lose?"
6. There is modern-day revelators.
Heavenly Father has given us modern day revelators. We have our modern-day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson who guides us and directs us. One thing a lot of people get confused over is that we do not worship our prophet. We look up to him, we listen to him, and we rely on him for guidance. However, unlike many other religions, our prophet is not someone we worship.
7. The priesthood.
I'm sure many of you have read the news about priesthood. Unfortunately, the news isn't always correct, nor is it always covering happy and optimistic information. Briefly explaining, according to lds.org, the priesthood is the eternal power and authority of our Heavenly Father. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and earth. He gives worthy priesthood holders authority to receive these ordinances and access the power and blessings of the priesthood. Just the other day, I was so blessed to ask myself for a priesthood blessing because I was feeling sick. When I need guidance, same thing, I can always rely on him, my dad, or even my bishop for some guidance.
8. Temple work
I briefly stated on #1 what temples are for. When an individual goes through the temple for the first time, they make covenants with God that they strive to keep throughout their lives. After the first time they go through for themselves, they can go back to the temple to do work for the dead. The first few times I heard this, it sounded creepy to me. But think about it. Not everybody gets the chance to get baptized during this earth time, due to dying early, or not even finding the gospel. Not everybody gets the opportunity to go through the temple and be sealed to be with their spouse for time and all eternity. BUT. The work can be done. Every time I am at the temple, I always imagine the person I am doing the work for reacting on the other side of the veil. How wonderful it must be to be waiting for hundreds of years to receive the Holy Ghost, or to become sealed, and finally, have a member do it for you. Not only this, but the temple allows you to receive guidance for yourself. It truly is a powerful place.
READ: There is room for you at our church.
Do YOU have any questions about the LDS church? Email me at wenserendipity@gmail.com and your question could be featured on future Mormon Monday posts!