Why Are We Called Mormons?

    The word "Mormons" is the word usually used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Where did that word come from? Why are we called Mormons? Well good thing I am here, because I will tell you...
    First of all, I will explain where that nickname comes from. As many people know, us members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe in additional scripture. We absolutely sustain and uphold the Bible as the word of God. But we know that God had children all over the world, not just in Jerusalem. And we know that He loves ALL of His children. He wants all of His children to know His will and to read from the scriptures. The Bible couldn't be posted on the internet or made into millions of copies to be brought throughout the whole earth back in the time of Christ, so the word spread very slowly. So how did God help His other children receive His word? Easy: The Book of Mormon. The proper title actually is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This is a record of God's children here on the American continent. In John, the Savior taught: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." ( John 10:16). The Savior is referring to the people in the Americas. Prophets here also testified of Christ's coming, life, sacrifice and resurrection. The Book of Mormon is a record of those prophets' testimonies and prophecies concerning Christ. That is important because Christ actually came to the Americas and ministered to the people here. He taught them His doctrine, His way and the way we can get back to heaven. He did this here in the same manner He did it in Jerusalem. This book is essential to know whether or not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is really the only true church on earth and that Joseph Smith really was a true prophet called of God.
    Now...why is it called the Book of Mormon, thus giving members of the Church this nickname? Mormon was a prophet. He lived on the American continent roughly 300 years after the coming of Christ. He was the one in charge of keeping all the records of his people and abridging it into a smaller book. He took all the records of his people, most of whom were long dead, and compiled them in a way that God commanded him to. That gives us the Book of Mormon. It is called The Book of Mormon because he was its compiler. Mormon explains in his own words: "But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren." He explains more in detail why exactly he did it in Words of Mormon 1:3-7. He did this for OUR benefit. So we may apply the scriptures to our day. Because of the prophet Mormon's faithfulness, diligence and obedience, we now have another book of scripture to testify of Christ. And this book separates us from any other religion or denomination. I am very grateful for the Book of Mormon and I know it comes from God as more scripture. I invite all to read it and pray about the things it contains.
   

A Land of Promise

   I like to make my blogs appropriate to the time of year or season. Even though I will post this after the holiday, we need not one single day to remember and recognize the greatness and potential this country has. This country was founded on Christian principles. I have done my "homework" on the Founding Fathers and yes, they were all self-proclaimed Christians. They were not just simply "deists" as the school textbooks will say. They were open about their belief in Christ. At one time, this nation had Christian morals...Oh how the times have changed...
   Everything happens for a reason. It was no coincidence that Columbus found this land, it was no coincidence that this land was destined to be free, it was no coincidence that a rag-tag team of American colonists defeated highly trained and far superior British troops to win their independence. God's hand is in all things.  In the Book of Mormon, it talks much of the American continent and the future freedoms it would have. This is only appropriate because America is the actual setting of the Book of Mormon. In Ether 9:23-25, it states:

"Wherefore … it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain–and the work, yea, even work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; …
For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; … for it is built up by the devil. "

This land was meant to be free. And anything that is done to hinder or take away from these freedoms is the works of the devil himself. So why is this country suffering? 2 Nephi 1:7 can tell us:

"  7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

It is only a land of liberty if  we keep the commandments of God. He will maintain this country as free so long as we remember Him. So as long as we keep making everyone work on Sunday, which is supposed to be the Sabbath Day, fall into sin such as alcohol, drugs and fornications, then this land will keep getting worse and worse. But the opposite is true as well, God's hand is over this nation. But He will only bless us and protect this nation if we keep His commandments.

God Needs a Pinch Hitter, Will You Step Up to the Plate?

   If you have spent at least 5 minutes around me, you know I love sports. Especially baseball. I love them because there are so many parallels to life lessons in every sport. It's so easy to turn them into analogies about life. So here is my attempt to make one...
   The bases are loaded, in the the bottom of the 9th inning, you are down by 1. You have been sitting on the bench all game waiting for a chance to prove yourself and get in the game. The coach decides to put you in as a "pinch-hitter" which means he will substitute you in the game for whoever was supposed to bat at that time. So you will hit in the place of that person. But the person you are hitting for happened to be the best hitter on the team. The coach just wanted you to have a shot at success. So now it's up to you. You are up to bat, the bases are loaded in the 9th inning. The question is...can you deliver?
   God, our Heavenly Father, is our coach. He tells us what we need to do in this life to be successful and return to Him. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is our exemplar. He came to earth and established His church by His authority, the priesthood. This priesthood he also gave to his disciples to act in His name. As He gave them this authority, He told them "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19). They were to act in His name as they preached the gospel and establish the church. He chose them to do it. Jesus Christ is the "best hitter on the team." God has restored that priesthood on the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That priesthood is given to every worthy man. This priesthood is the ability to act in the name of Jesus Christ to do such things as perform baptisms, heal the sick, give blessings, and preach the gospel. Since we are acting in the name  of Jesus Christ as holders of the priesthood, we are, in a sense, pinch-hitting for Christ as we minister to the sick, guide the Church, baptize, and preach the gospel.
   "Many are called, few are chosen" as the scriptures say. We could change that into "many are on the team, few are chosen to play." When we receive the priesthood, we are called into the game. We are the pinch-hitter in that tight spot. Acting in the name of Christ. He needs us to deliver. Will we be ready to step up to the plate? When the "coach" motions in our direction to go into the game, will we come through in the clutch? Or will we strike out? Anyone can play, so long as they are worthy. God has restored His priesthood, His Authority to the earth and given it to men once again. We must honor and cherish that privilege. We must do our duty: minister unto the sick and poor, bless our families, guide and lead the church as well as preach the gospel. That is our call. Let us all be ready to be called on when the game is on the line. Let's drive in that winning run instead of strike out. Let us all magnify our callings in the priesthood. God calls to us: "arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;" (2 Nephi 1:21). God needs a pinch-hitter, will you step up to the plate?

Dad: My Example and My Friend

      In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" given in September 1995 by the President of the Church of the time, Gordon B. Hinkley, it states:
"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families."

   This decribes the fundamental duties of a father in the home. God intended for men, husbands, and fathers to fulfill this role. Sadly, in today's world, many men shy away from such responsibility towards children, work or family as a whole. My father, however, does not fall into this category...
   In the Book of Mormon, there was a man named Lehi. He was a prophet. He had 4 sons: Laman, Lemuel, Nephi and Sam. Two of his sons walked with him the ways of the Lord. Nephi and Sam were righteous and obedient to their father. The other two, Laman and Lemuel, were rebellious and constantly fighting against their father Lehi. Lehi was saddened by the wickedness of his two wayward sons. He feared for their lives and their salvation as they drifted farther and farther from the ways of God. In 1 Nephi 8:37, Lehi encourages them, almost begs them with "all the feeling of a tender parent" to listen to him and stop their evil ways. That scripture has always touched me. Lehi was so persistent yet loving with his children. He set the example for that family.
 My father has been the ultimate example to me of how to be a man, a father, a husband and in the Church, a worthy priesthood holder and leader. He, like Lehi, strongly encouraged me "with all the feeling of a tender parent" to stay on the right path. Unfortunately, I didn't always listen to my father. And whenever I didn't, I paid for it. He knows best.
    I love my dad. He has taught me everything I know today. I learned how to work in the church, how to be a man and how to treat women. I have very fond memories of my dad. I cherish all the times we sat down together and just watched a game on TV or when he would take me to baseball games. We just enjoyed each other's company and talked about the game. Perhaps this is why I have such a deep passion for sports, is because it reminds me of my dad and all the great times we have had. Everyone who sees me and my dad says the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I look at that more in depth than just in appearance. If someone were to tell me I am just like my father in work ethic, in serving the church, in how I raise my children and treat my wife, I would consider that a compliment. If I can be the priesthood holder my dad is, the husband and father he is, the hard worker he is, I would consider my life to be successful.
   I look up to my dad in every way. He is a great example of how men should be. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said this in his latest address in April: "Not always but often it is the men who choose not to answer the call to 'come join the ranks.' Women and children frequently seem more willing. Brethren, step up." (The Laborers in the Vineyard, Jeffrey R. Holland, May 2012). This does not describe my father. He answers the call, he has stepped up, and I hope I can serve a mission as well as he did, be a man, husband and father like he is. I love my example, my friend, my dad.

Always On My Toes

   Though I am sad to leave South Carolina, I am excited for the adventures that lay ahead for me here in Orange Park, FL. The only thing that is constant in life is change. Change happens constantly. The Lord seems to know when you start to get complacent and throws you into another challenge to keep you on your toes.
   See, God doesn't want us to get complacent. Because we become idle. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, "By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." Elder Ian Ardern of the Seventy (I posted his talk last week) said that "the poor use of time is a close cousin to idleness." We musn't get complacent with where we are. We must always look for opportunities to grow and to progress in life. Progression is an eternal principal.
    2 Nephi 31:19-20 states:
     "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
    Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
  
   Once we are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost, all is not done. We can't get complacent. Just like how I cannot get complacent with an area I am serving in. I always have to be on the move, stretching myself. Making myself grow. That's how we become stronger in this life.
   I heard a story once of a man who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT. It stretches from the bottom of California all the way to the Canadian border near Washington. It takes 4-6 months to complete this hike. He said that along this trail, there are little shelters with beds for each hiker if they wished to stop and rest a bit. He said that as he traveled, he saw many hikers enter those shelters to rest, and then become slothful and idle and stay there longer than they need to. Because it was comfortable. An easy way out. He then told us many of those hikers ended up quitting before they completed the 2,663 mile hike. They became complacent and comfortable with where they were. They wanted to be comfy and take the easy way. How many of us do that in life? We must always stretch ourselves and look for opportunties to grow. Don't be satisfied. Your muscles don't get stronger unless you stretch them out and push them to the limit. There's a saying that the Marines use to keep their troops on their toes....Complaceny Kills.

You See It Everywhere

      As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have a very deep understanding of the gospel, or doctrine of Jesus Christ (or at least we should). When we say the "gospel" do we really know what that means? The Gospel of Jesus Christ has 5 components: faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost and enduring to the end. 
    First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything starts with faith. When we say we have faith in Christ, we are saying we follow His teachings and trust in Him and His Atonement. Because we have faith, we come to church. Because we have faith we read our scriptures and pray. If a farmer didn't have faith that the seeds that he planted would grow into crops, would he plant seeds in the first place? No. Faith "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Faith brings that hope that keeps us going. It all starts with faith. Faith leads us to change to be more like Christ.
   Second, repentance. Repentance is changing our lives in a way that will bring us closer to God. We all sin. We are all imperfect.  Repentance brings a peace and joy and freedom from the bondage of our sins. In 3 Nephi 7:24, it says, "Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water." So in order to fully repent, one must be baptized for the remission of sins.
   Third, baptism. Baptism is a commandment of God. But the important thing is to do it by the proper authority. In the book of Matthew, we read that Jesus sought out John the Baptist to baptize him. Jesus knew that John had the proper authority to baptize. He couldn't just walk up to any man and ask him to baptize him. We also know that one must be baptized by immersion. In Matthew 3:16, it says that when Jesus was baptized, he "went up staightway out of the water.." (see Matt. 3:16).
   Fourth, the gift of the Holy Ghost. In John, Jesus says that a man must be born of water "and of the spirit" to inherit the kingdom of God. To be born of the Spirit means to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift completes the baptism. The baptism of water and the spirit go hand in hand, one cannot be without the other. The Holy Ghost is given to be a companion, a guide and an influence in our lives. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth, it teaches us through our feelings and thoughts.
  Fifth, enduring to the end. In 2 Nephi 31:14-15, it says:

  

 "But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

  And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." 

In order to be saved in the kingdom of God, we must endure to the end. Which means coming to church and participating in the sacrament, reading our scriptures, praying sincerely, and repenting constantly. If we do the first 4 steps and don't endure, our journey is meaningless.

   You see these 5 steps prominently in the scriptures. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a pattern of living. It's not a one time thing. Be aware of these 5 components of the gospel as you read the scriptures and learn and grow in the church. You see it everywhere.

Let God Help

   I have been very blessed to see a lot of success in Ridgeland, SC. The miracles seem to pour in unceasingly. Every time I see someone get baptized, it strengthens my testimony of the reality of this gospel. This past Sunday, Melissa was baptized. She is a great example of faith. I have never seen anyone who wanted a remission of their sins as badly as she did. She left so much behind and left so much at the mercy of the Lord. She truly trusts in her Heavenly Father. I have never seen anything quite like it.
   Trusting in our Heavenly Father is something we can all do more. How much do we rely on ourselves? Nephi in the Book of Mormon teaches us that it's better to trust the Lord than the "arm of the flesh" (see 2 Nephi 4:34-35). We as humans are very prone to only trust ourselves and in our own  abilities. This is especially true in men. We tell ourselves "I don't need help. I'm fine. I can handle this on my own." Don't lie to yourself. Be humble enough to get on your knees and ask your Almighty Father for help. He will help us. He is so willing and ready to help us...but we need to ask Him.
    We need to trust in Him even when it seems all is working against us. Think of the story of Job. He lost his house, his family was killed, he was afflicted with all sorts of physical ailments, and he lost his property. Yet he said  "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." (Job 13:15). We can talk to Him about anything. Our prayers are supposed to be sincere and from the heart, not anything memorized or without feeling. Talk to Him as you would talk to your best friend about your problems. He will listen. He wants to help. All you have to do is let Him...
   Prayer is an amazing gift from our Heavenly Father. It is a direct communication with Him, there is no middle man, you don't have to wait to get signal. You always have signal with Heavenly Father. You are never roaming alone. All you have to do is ask the Father in the name of Christ in faith, and "whatsoever ye shall ask...it shall be given unto you." (3 Nephi 18:20). Let God help, ask Him in prayer for anything. He always answers, He never rejects or ignores your call. He listens. He knows you, He loves you, and He wants to help. Let Him.