How I See It

Following the dominant offensive performance by Lutheran Tuesday night, I was introduced to a number of students. They were very interested in two things about me. Firstly: Are you actually gay? Secondly: Are you really a Mormon.

The first question was very quickly answered. “No, I’m not. However, I am rather in touch with my feminine side, and was invited to go homecoming dress shopping, thus becoming a ‘Gay Friend.’” By the way, ladies, gay guys are not accessories, but people. They should not be every girl’s new addition to their Coach Bag and mini poodle. Treat them like people, please.

The second question was initially answered even easier. “Yes, I am.” The follow up questions, however, seemed to have no end. I was asked the standard high school guy questions “Can you have 16 wives?”, ”Can you masturbate?”, ”Do you get to drink?”, “Have you seen the South Park episode?”, and the like. There was one fellow, a more collected and seemingly mature young man, asked a more respectful question. “So, what makes you guys different from Christians?”

This is a question I had been asked many times in the past, and one that is always a little awkward to answer. “Well, we are Christians.”

This always gets a brief laugh, and then the more intense questions begin. So here is what I believe, as written in the Articles of Faith, a collection of 13 short statements that abbreviate our beliefs, much the same way the 10 commandments was a succinct collection of commandments. However, following each article, I will give my own beliefs regarding it.

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

                I believe that I am literally Heavenly Fathers spirit child, and that everyone is a child of God. He loves each of us beyond our comprehension, so much so that he sent his only begotten son on this earth, Jesus, for us (to be explained in Article Three), and gives us the ability to have the Holy Ghost to guide us in our lives.

Two: We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgressions.

                When we are born, we are not born with original sin. We will be judged for what we have done, with knowledge. Child, being completely ignorant, cannot be held accountable. Those who have been taught the Gospel are held more accountable than those who have not, and we will be judged based on our decisions with relation to our knowledge.

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

                It is only through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and God’s grace that we are able to repent of our sins and return to Heaven. We will be fairly judged, and how we lived our lives, practiced faith, and honestly repented will determine our salvation.

Four: 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.

                In order to be converted, we must first have a faith in Christ, a working faith that will guide our decisions. Next, we must repent of the sins we have committed, and absolve ourselves with Christ. We must then be baptized, fully immersing ourselves under water, and rising up, symbolic of our death and rebirth through Christ. Last, we are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost, a constant companion of those that are worthy that can guide and direct us as we go through this world, speaking to us in a still, small voice. This is the process of true conversion, and by continuing to heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can lived a righteous life.

Five: 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 the ordinances thereof.

                All those that are ordained to teach and direct in the Church are called of God through prayer. These people have been appointed by those that have authority, who ask God for guidance.

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

                Our church is organized the same way that Christ had organized his church when he was on the earth. We have a Prophet, responsible for the world wide church and every person on the earth. He is supported by Apostles, local authorities in Stake Presidents and Bishops who work with members in more and more local areas, teaching, guiding, and assisting all those that are under their care.

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

                Through the gift of the Holy Ghost and through the Priesthood, we have the power to be inspired to understand languages we do not know and be understood by those who do not speak our language. We can also receive revelation pertaining to our authority (Mothers for their family, the prophet for the Church, Bishop for his ward, etc.).
Eight: 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. 

                The Bible was written by Prophets of God, and we read and study it as doctrine. Te Book of Mormon is also written by Prophets of God, and testifies of His glory and Christ’s sacrifice for us. These writings work together to teach and guide us in our lives.

Nine: 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.

                God has given us personal revelation through prayer and fasting, and also authorities that can receive revelation pertaining to our lives that can direct us to paths of happiness and righteousness.

Ten: 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.

                All those who accept the Gospel are adopted into the Abrahamic Covenant made in the Book of Genesis. We will receive and inheritance of the Kingdom of God, and shall be blessed. In the last days, we shall be gathered and Christ will return, brining about a time without temptation when Satan will have no power upon the earth.

Eleven: 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, and what they may.

                In the US, we have been blessed to live in a country where we have freedom of religion. Though we believe heartily in missionary work, we respect those that wish to worship otherwise. When I leave on my mission, I will be working every day to LEARN the Gospel, so that I can TEACH the Gospel. The better I understand it, the better I will live my life. I will not be working on conversion rates, but on teaching others, and listening to their questions so that I can help make my world better.

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

                We live in this world, and follow the laws of the land. We do not speed, murder, import cocaine, etc.

Thirteen: 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.

                We attempt to live our lives that best exemplify the example set by Christ, working toward perfection each day so that we can have as happy and blessed a life we can here and in the afterlife.
 These are just the bare basics of the principles of my beliefs. There is so much more that I strive to learn and know, and so much I fall short in.