Meet Some Mormons
Have you ever met a Mormon? We've collected stories from some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and posted them. Come meet a Mormon!
I am going through a divorce, shattered my foot a week ago--had surgery which resulted in a titanium plate and five screws--and just had my largest client let us go due to the economy. So in a matter of 30 days, I was alone, injured, and lost 70% of my income. And then the final straw after using every ounce of energy to keep myself together--my ex-wife called just to re-iterate how I have destroyed five peoples' lives.
And as I broke into a billion pieces wondering if I could endure all these trials, an angel called. Out of nowhere a true friend felt the promptings of the Spirit to call me for some reason. He built my soul back up and restored my walls of faith in overcoming trials. The last time we talked was over five months ago. I know God hears and answers prayers--especially pleas for help.
Then, amongst the pain of getting around--I mustered up the energy to go to church and exercise my faith. During the sacrament meeting, a speaker discussed Proverbs 3:5-6--an answer to my prayers.
God lives--He loves each and every one of us, and I bear witness to this.
-Brandon
Prayer is a way for us to talk to our Father in Heaven. we are His children and He loves us. It may seem hard to believe that He exists because of the way the world is now. But I know He loves me.
I have prayed and talked to Him. I have told Him about my worries for my job and my family and my ability to care for them. After my prayer, I felt peace, I felt hope for my future. I know that Heavenly Father loves me.
-Jeremy
Q: Do Mormons ever think for themselves? Don't they always blindly follow their leaders?
A: Some people do think that we Mormons are like sheep--mindlessly following our leaders. That is not the case for a number of reasons.
If I have strep throat and go to a doctor, she will prescribe the appropriate medicine. If I were to go to a different doctor, that doctor would prescribe the same medicine for my sickness. Are those two doctors "blindly obeying" the textbook or are they acting the same based on the knowledge they each personally gained?
Imagine an un-anchored sailboat on water. Now imagine a flock of sheep following a shepherd. Which is more free? Which has more power over what happens to them?
The sheep are walking along in a field. The shepherd leads them to food, to water, around the pasture. The sheep choose to follow the shepherd because they trust him.
Now picture that sailboat on the water, now caught in a violent storm. Waves crash against the boat. Wind pushes the boat this way, waves beat it back the other.
Which is more free--the sailboat or the sheep?
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught that they should study issues out on their own (see here, here, and here). Joseph Smith, the founder and first Prophet of the Church in modern days, taught that the Church teaches correct principles and lets its members govern themselves (quoted here). This is the real power of the Church. Members learn what the leaders teach, learn the consequences of actions, and then make their own decisions.
And that is why I am a member of the Church. I have decided that I want to follow the Shepherd. Turns out that He knows the way.
Q: Do you really think that God speaks to us today?
A: We sure do. We believe He speaks to us through direct personal revelation (usually through prayer, scripture study, and church attendance) as well as through a living prophet. A person can receive revelation about personal issues--what to study in school, where to live, when/whom to marry, etc. God reveals to individuals things that help their personal lives.
Besides revealing things to individuals personally, God has followed a pattern throughout time of revealing important truths to prophets. Prophets preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lead Christ's church through revelation. Just as Christ called prophets and apostles while on earth, He has called men to serve as prophets and apostles in our time.
One of the best ways to follow Christ is to listen to and follow His chosen prophets and apostles: This Saturday and Sunday is the 178th Semiannual General Conference of Christ's church. At this conference, the modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson, will address the world, as will the twelve apostles and other church leaders.
Their talks represent what the Lord wants to teach us at this time.
(Want to listen? click here. Want to watch? click here. Want to read what they said last conference? click here. Want to chat online with a church representative? click here)
