I know that God (our Heavenly Father) lives, that Jesus is the Christ (the promised Messiah), that Joseph Smith is/was a prophet of God in our dispensation and that President Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today.
I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us called the Plan of Salvation. That plan started before we were born when all of us lived as spirit children with our Heavenly Father. Every one born into this world accepted this plan, that we would come to earth to receive our physical bodies, learn through experience to control these bodies and follow the teachings of our Heavenly Father, eventually die and be able to return to live with Him again.
I know that Jesus is the Christ, our promised Messiah. Every person will eventually die and every person will sin (make mistakes). Jesus Christ was born of his mortal mother (the virgin) Mary but his father is our Heavenly Father. From his mother Jesus inherited the ability to die; from his Father he inherited the power over death. As the only sinless man to ever walk this earth He was the only person who could perform the atonement, a payment for the sins of all men and women who will believe and accept him as their savior. Jesus was then taken by wicked men and crucified on Calvary's Hill; 3 days later He rose from the dead and broke the bands of death for all mankind. Because of His supreme sacrifice every man, woman and child will be resurrected and live again. Salvation comes to everyone because "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ." However, the condition forgiveness of sins depends on our own willingness to accept the teachings of Christ and the plan of salvation.
I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us called the Plan of Salvation. That plan started before we were born when all of us lived as spirit children with our Heavenly Father. Every one born into this world accepted this plan, that we would come to earth to receive our physical bodies, learn through experience to control these bodies and follow the teachings of our Heavenly Father, eventually die and be able to return to live with Him again.
I know that Jesus is the Christ, our promised Messiah. Every person will eventually die and every person will sin (make mistakes). Jesus Christ was born of his mortal mother (the virgin) Mary but his father is our Heavenly Father. From his mother Jesus inherited the ability to die; from his Father he inherited the power over death. As the only sinless man to ever walk this earth He was the only person who could perform the atonement, a payment for the sins of all men and women who will believe and accept him as their savior. Jesus was then taken by wicked men and crucified on Calvary's Hill; 3 days later He rose from the dead and broke the bands of death for all mankind. Because of His supreme sacrifice every man, woman and child will be resurrected and live again. Salvation comes to everyone because "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ." However, the condition forgiveness of sins depends on our own willingness to accept the teachings of Christ and the plan of salvation.
Joseph Smith, as a boy of 14 years, was called to be a prophet of God in our day. God has always had prophets through which He gives inspiration and guidance. In the old days some of these prophet's words were written down and preserved from generation to generation. We have a small collection of these writting in our book known as the Holy Bible. However, each generation faces different challenges and a loving Heavenly Father would not abandon His children so He calls new prophets to lead and guide His people. It is no more difficult for you and I to believe that God talks to people today as it was in the times of Moses, Abraham or even in Jesus' day. The message always sounds fantastic to the people who first receive it. But those who accept it find their lives are blessed out of proportion to their ability to give heed to the words of the Lord's chosen leader. Joseph Smith is such a man, such a prophet. He saw God (our Heavenly Father) and Jesus Christ and was chosen to do a very important work - to restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
That prophetic mantel has been passed to other righteous men and now rests on the shoulders of our current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Jesus said that "by their fruits ye shall know them" and we can see the fruits of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through out the world. While any individual member will still make mistakes, the church is seen helping people change their lives, become better people, and make a difference in communities around the world.
This blog has been established so that I can share my thoughts, feelings, ideas and testimony. I can make no claim the absolute knowledge and truth but I can share the things that I know to be true. Just as any true religious leader will tell you, find out for yourself if these things are true. God is no respecter of persons and He wants everyone to return to Him. He will answer your prayers if you are sincere in your desire to know AND you are willing to accept what He tells you in your heart (through changing your life, thoughts and ideas).
I have not seen God nor have I seen any of His angels. However, I have felt His undeniable witness that these things are true. The Holy Ghost was whispered to my heart that these things are true: God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is/was a prophet of God, and Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today.
(Pictures courtesy of LDS.org)
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