September 17, 2011

I am Mormon...hear me ROAR!

Okay...so I accidentally posted this half way through...if you had a chance to read it (or got it e-mailed to you) disregard that post and read this one.   :)

I am woman Mormon, hear me ROAR!  I don't think I have ever made my religion "unknown" especially on this blog.  I find it comforting that those of you who do not share in my faith are still here....that you're not afraid of me...or the horns I have tucked underneath my mangy mess of red curls....he he he....

The fact is, we Mormons tend to get a pretty bad wrap.  I don't know why our church seems to be attacked far more than any other...but we do.  It stinks...but it is what it is.


As I was preparing for a Sunday school lesson I am teaching tomorrow on Baptism, I was reminded of the very basic truths we believe, the very fundamentals of our religion, the same ones that existed in Christ's church when he, himself, was here on the earth, and realized that maybe, just maybe, people would feel differently if they understood us a little better.  So,  I thought I would spend a few minutes to clear up some of the confusion.

Things commonly believed of Mormons that are NOT true:
#1  That we are not Christians and worship Joseph Smith instead of Jesus Christ
#2  That we do not believe in, or follow the teachings of the Holy Bible
#3  That we continue in our practice of polygamy  (yeah...as if I would share my husband with another woman...right)
#4  That we are a cult

Oh...how about some funny ones....

This first one is my favorite...I heard it from a neighbor who became one of my very best friends (Love you Lacy)...
#5  That every person we "convert" on earth will be our "spiritual babies" when we get to heaven.  ("WHAT?!" he he he...we had a good laugh about that one...after I recovered from choking on my own spit.) 

#6  That we have horns hidden under our hair...like I said earlier (dude my husband is practically bald...no horns...I promise)
#7  That somehow our Book of Mormon is combustible upon contact with the skin of someone who is not Mormon (courtesy of Lacy as well)....well, I don't know if that is what she really thought, but she was terribly afraid to touch it....still makes me laugh....(Lacy...you need to move back here...like soon!)
#8  That you have to like green jello and know how to make several varieties of it (even with carrots...ugh).

I know there are many more rumors floating "out there" about us.  Do you know any others?  If so, I would be happy to hear them.  Some are very funny...some are not...but still good to know about anyway.  

Now, 

I thought I would share the basics of what we DO believe....

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
 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.
 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.
 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
 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.
 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.

Here are some other interesting facts about Mormons:
*We all hold "callings" (kinda like a job/assignment) and dont get paid for them.  Nope...not one of us.  Everything is done on a volunteer basis...from our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, to our bishops, to our Gospel Essential teachers (Me), and to those who are assigned to wipe the noses and feed snacks to the 18 mo-3 year old crowd (also known as Nursery Leaders).  We hold these "callings" for a few years and then are released and assigned some other task (usually in an area where we need growth).  Of course, we have the right to either accept or decline these assignments, but rarely do because we believe they come directly from the Lord.

*We believe that families are the single most important thing we have on this earth (we believe it...sometimes it's just hard to remember it when your kids are whining and complaining.  he he).  We protect them and love them at all costs.  We believe that we can be together far beyond "til death doth [us] part"... but for eternity.

*We willingly give 10% of our earnings to help build and maintain churches, temples, and other building, help the missionary program, run church education programs, print and distribute teaching materials, provide operating funds for stakes, wards and other units of the Church, and help in family history and temple work...to name a few things.  **Because of this, the LDS church is run independently.  100% debt free.  100%.  That's crazy talk.

*Twice a year (the first weekend in April and October) our church broadcasts worldwide what is known as "General Conference".  For two days we are instructed by our Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders, who give inspired messages directly from the Lord for us to hear and follow.  It's truly an amazingly edifying experience (when my children are quiet enough for me to listen, that is) and I look forward to it every year (two weeks and counting)

So there you have it. 

Mormonism in a nutshell.

Have questions?  I would be most happy to answer them.  If I don't have the answer...I will find it or refer you to someone who does.  :)  Just shoot me an e-mail:  melaniesmethodicalmusings at gmail dot com.

May God bless you....
forMMM
 DON'T FORGET TO CLICK-Y!
Vote for me @ Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory

3 comments:

Sheri said...

Nice Mel! I like this. Entertaining and informative.

DancingPrincessDesigns said...

Love it, Mel!

Rebecca (aka: Messy Musings) said...

Shock!!... No horns? Not sure if we can be friends now!! I too am soooo looking forward to Conference! I'll be there on Saturday - look for me when the cameras pan the congregation (heh heh heh)!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...