Monday, June 18, 2012

The Articles of Faith.

When I was a young child in the church I was taught the Articles of Faith, of what we believe in, to learn what they mean about our beliefs and know how to teach them to others.  There are 13 Articles of Faith.  They came out during the time of when Joseph Smith was the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  They are put on cards now to be given out to anyone who wants to learn more.  They are simple and basic principles about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  
  1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
  2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
  3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
  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.
  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.
  6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
  7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
  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.
  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.
  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.
  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.
  12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
  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.
Joseph Smith

If interested in learning more about the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contact the missionaries on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.org. 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Fathers Day message.

This Sunday is Fathers Day!  I myself am not a father, though one day in the future I will be a father to my children.   I want to be the best father I can be.  I know that I will not be the best father in the world.   I know that I will make mistakes raising my children.  That I will cheer when they do something good and cry when the choose something that is wrong.  Time will let me play out and see what happens. 
I know that we have a Father in Heaven who sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us so we may live again after this mortal life and take upon our sins.  That we may be able to repent of our sins and one day become like he is.  Being resurrected is a free gift given to everyone regardless of race, sex, religion, color, etc.  We are his children and are glad to be a Child of God.  I know that he loves us so much even when we do wrong he will always love us.  

Fathers Day is just as important to honor all the men in our life; brother, father, uncle, nephew, husband and grandfather.  
Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!  Here is a poem I would like to share with you that I found online.