I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the L.D.S. church, or the "Mormon" Church. (The nickname "Mormon" is derived from our belief in The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.)
I've included this as one of the main points of my blog because what I believe is a HUGE part of how I handle day-to-day challenges, choices, experiences, and life in general. I attribute my happiness, strength, peace, understanding, and hope, to my faith in and knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
There are thousands of profiles available on mormon.org for viewing in order to find out more about us, who we are, and what we believe.
We believe in Jesus Christ. We refer to ourselves as LDS (Latter-day Saints), but others have nicknamed us "Mormons" because we believe that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, similar to The Bible. We believe in continuing revelation - even today we have a living prophet on earth.
But, most importantly, we believe that we as individuals can pray directly to a loving Heavenly Father and receive answers to our prayers - personal revelation - through feelings of peace, joy, love and strength, to confirm truth and provide understanding and guidance.
I have received answers to my own prayers. As a young girl I prayed to know if The Book of Mormon is true, if it is the word of God. I vividly remember the sweeping feelings of peace and warmth that immediately surrounded me as I prayed. I was 11-years old. This experience changed my life - forever.
And reading and studying The Book of Mormon continues to change me - my heart - and bring me closer to my Savior - every time I open it.
Many say our religion demands too much, requires too many things from the members. I do not feel that way, as I recognize the great multitude of blessings we receive every day because of all that we give. I am beyond grateful for the knowledge and happiness I derive from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I've included this as one of the main points of my blog because what I believe is a HUGE part of how I handle day-to-day challenges, choices, experiences, and life in general. I attribute my happiness, strength, peace, understanding, and hope, to my faith in and knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
There are thousands of profiles available on mormon.org for viewing in order to find out more about us, who we are, and what we believe.
We believe in Jesus Christ. We refer to ourselves as LDS (Latter-day Saints), but others have nicknamed us "Mormons" because we believe that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, similar to The Bible. We believe in continuing revelation - even today we have a living prophet on earth.
But, most importantly, we believe that we as individuals can pray directly to a loving Heavenly Father and receive answers to our prayers - personal revelation - through feelings of peace, joy, love and strength, to confirm truth and provide understanding and guidance.
I have received answers to my own prayers. As a young girl I prayed to know if The Book of Mormon is true, if it is the word of God. I vividly remember the sweeping feelings of peace and warmth that immediately surrounded me as I prayed. I was 11-years old. This experience changed my life - forever.
My mother decided to return to attending church once she and my father had their first child. My father was not a member of the church, but he finally gave in to her insistence. She wanted us to learn one thing at church: that God loved us. I loved Primary, the organization for children, and developed at a young age a love for every word I learned at church. I began to read The Book of Mormon after I was baptized at the age of eight and received a copy as a gift from one of my aunts. I recognized quickly how good I felt when I read it, and continued reading it every day. I eventually finished the book when I was eleven-years old. I remember vividly the night that I read the last chapter in The Book of Mormon. I read Moroni's promise and decided to kneel and ask Heavenly Father if all that I had read was true. As I prayed by my bedside, I felt an amazingly feeling come over me. I felt as if I were receiving an embrace, like a warm comforter wrapped around me, full of the purest and greatest love possible. I started to cry because I felt so wonderful inside; I knew without a doubt that The Book of Mormon is a true book, a testament of Jesus Christ, even the word of God. I immediately began re-reading the book again, and have read it almost every single day of my life since that night. I could never deny the power, peace and love that I feel every single time I read from The Book of Mormon. During my lifetime, it has been my continual study of The Book of Mormon that has sustained me, guided me, and strengthened my love for and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
And reading and studying The Book of Mormon continues to change me - my heart - and bring me closer to my Savior - every time I open it.
Many say our religion demands too much, requires too many things from the members. I do not feel that way, as I recognize the great multitude of blessings we receive every day because of all that we give. I am beyond grateful for the knowledge and happiness I derive from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
