Mormons Are Christian.

“We Believe in God, The Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” (Articles of Faith 1:1)

I've had quite a few conversations over the last week with several different people (some of whom are very close to me) about whether or not I am a Christian.  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...this is something I have never questioned about my faith.  It is something that I've found surprising that others do question.

The first thing I needed to do was to define Christian.  To me, a Christian has always been someone who is a follower of Christ.  Webster defines "Christian" as "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ."  Do I try to follow Christ's example and work to some day return to His presence?  Yes.  Do I believe the teachings of Jesus Christ from the New Testament?  Yes.  Therefore - I am a Christian.

But many tell me I'm not.

It is both confusing, and heart-breaking at the same time.

I've been told that it is the LDS doctrine that makes me un-Christian.  That it is the cannon of Scripture (The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price) that we read in addition to the Bible that makes me un-Christian.  I've been told that it is a historical significance that makes me un-Christian.  I could go into each one of these things, but honestly - to me, they are not the issue.  You see, I've been told a lot of things.  What I've never been told is that my unwavering faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Divine Son of God and Savior is what makes me un-Christian.

That is never the issue.

Never once have I been told that I was not Christian because I believe in Christ.

So, are Mormons Christian?  Absolutely.  Do we share exactly the same beliefs and doctrine as other Christian churches?  No, there are many differences that make us who we are.  In fact, there are differences between the other faiths that distinguish them individually.  However, we believe we are all sons and daughters of God.  That Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God and the Savior of the world.  On that fact we can certainly all agree.  To tear down one's sense of faith because it does not match your own, to me that is not a Christian quality.

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Mormons are not weird.  We are Christian.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. He Is Risen.

Happy Easter Sunday.  Today’s post is the final in the www.facebook.com/mormon (www.mormon.org) series discussing the week in Christ’s life before Easter. 

Today, John Chapter 20 – He is not here, for He is Risen. 

I’ve learned so much from this week, and it has been an amazing blessing to share it with each of you.  I hope you have enjoyed your Easter week, and was able to spend some time today with your families. 

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Eight.

From www.facebook.com/Mormon

Jesus’s body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside.

As Christ’s body lay in the tomb those days, many wept.  Some may have had doubt.  Some feared that they’d be persecuted for following Him.  Some had hope.  Some had faith.  Some waited patiently.  As Latter Day Saints, we believe that the people in the Americas experienced three days of darkness and mourning. (3 Nephi 8)

Another word on Easter.  Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  I just finished dying eggs with the kids, and am preparing to stuff the plastic eggs after the kids go to bed.  But first – we’ll be reading the Easter story to them and discussing the significance of the day.

I actually enjoy the commercial aspect of Easter.  I enjoy the commercial aspect of Christmas too.  There are a few reasons – the joy I see on my children’s faces is unmatched, for one thing.  Mostly, however I enjoy the many teaching opportunities I have during these two seasons to point out the significance of the symbols used in celebrating.

Eggs, for instance, represent a new life.  Easter Lilies are white and represent purity – just as Christ was Pure.  The Lamb is representative of the Lamb of God.  The Easter Dress, or the wearing of new clothes is also a symbol of new life.  The rabbit or bunny represents abundant new life, a symbol that Christ’s victory over death can be shared abundantly.  The giving and receiving of gifts can represent the gift He gives us all. 

I do not personally believe the commercial aspects of any holiday are bad in their entirety.  Anything that causes my children to think about something in a different light, or enables them to ask questions and seek truth are not bad things. 

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost, Ye may know the truth of all things.”
Moroni 10:5.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Seven.

From www.facebook.com/Mormon

Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. His disciple Peter denied he knew Him. Jesus was then questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by King Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph of Arimathæa laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.

I think this day is the hardest of all for me to express my thoughts.  Every year of my life, and as far back as I can remember – my parents used to sit us all down to watch Ben Hur.  And every year of my life, as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a hard time viewing the scene where Christ is marched through the streets in a crown of thorns, carrying His cross.  The whole scene makes me very emotional – and just picturing it in my head now is bringing uncontrolled tears to my eyes.

It is hard for me to watch.

Why?

The treatment He endured was unkind, and inhuman.  It was cruel and torturous.  No man should have to endure such pain, mockery and humiliation.  It would be hard enough He was just an ordinary man, a common criminal of the day led to his execution (as that is what they did with criminals) but He was no ordinary man.  He was no common criminal.  He is Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, and He is my brother.  And, He did this willingly.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Six.

Via: www.facebook.com/mormon

Passover started and Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. He then introduced the sacrament to them. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and pray mightily to God. Angry priests and townspeople came to arrest Him. The disciples fled in fear.

Images of this day – the Third day before Easter…The Last Supper.  Gethsemane.  The Betrayal.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Five.

When I first started this project I thought it would be a good way for me to study, engross myself in my scriptures, and write down my thoughts as I learn.  I had no idea that the journey would lead me to a place of self discovery that I had before thought already existed.

This week as I started posting the series from www.mormon.org – the week before Easter – Christ’s week – I began to really search introspectively.  I’ve found myself thinking a lot about His sacrifice, His last weeks, His thoughts, His moments.  He knew what it all was for.  He understood.  He was willing.  And He did it all for me.

So today when I went to search for the post on Mormon.org and prepared to share it with all of you, I was not prepared for the rush of emotions that came with reading the following line:

Although the scriptures don’t say what Jesus did on this day, we can imagine He spent the day with His disciples, perhaps telling the parable of the ten virgins. See Matthew 25:1-13.

He had to have known the end of his ministry on this Earth at that time was coming to an end.  He had to have known what was coming.  So what exactly what was this day spent doing?  Cherishing time with friends and family.  Teaching a few more important lessons.  Time in study and in prayer.  Just time.

How exactly does one prepare for something like suffering for the sins of the world?  Did He prepare his family?  What did He say to his mother? We know that at one moment in Gethsemane He asked that if possible remove this cup – but not as I will as Thou will…did He think about the possible suffering that He would endure during this Fourth day before Easter?  Did He know just how short His time was?

Did He know that one day, we’d all be sitting here – reading a blog on the internet wondering if what we do from day to day is enough to honor His sacrifice.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Four.

Via Mormon.org: On the Fifth day before Easter, Jesus taught in the temple, and on the Mount of Olives. He taught by parable that if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. And then, Judas – one of his disciples betrayed him for 30 silver coins.

30 Silver coins.

I realize that was a lot of money then. In fact, it’s a lot of money even now. I also understand the betrayal was part of the grander plan. But to think about it, even in the simplest terms – 30 silver coins to betray a friend, let alone the Savior of the World…it just doesn’t seem enough.

I’ve been thinking a lot this past week about who I would be in Jesus’ story. Would I be like Mary who doubted Him not, would I have been in the multitude listening to His teachings, would I have been one of the persecutors?

It’s easy in these times for me to say that I would have defended Him. I would have hoped to gather at His feet. I would have learned of His teachings. I would have loved Him then as I do now. It’s easy for me to say that, knowing what I know to be true of Him. But when I take a look at my life today – how would I react to the Savior, the Son of God? How DO I honor His teachings, His sacrifice… Would I be there to wash His feet, or would I turn him over for 30 silver coins.

I suppose the answer lies in how I do live my life. Each day do I try to live as a disciple of Christ would live? Do I help a stranger when I see the need? Do I carry his image in my countenance? Do I think of Him in everything I do? Do I forgive others? Do I make amends? Do I live my life in a way that would make Him proud?

I try to. I really do.

There are many things that could amount to 30 pieces of silver. I could betray my beliefs. I could give up on living the Word of Wisdom. I could do things that I know are not in line with my beliefs or standard set forth by the teachings of the church. I could. But, that to me would be exactly like selling my friend, my Brother – for 30 pieces of silver.

I have made a promise, a commitment to hold true to these standards, hold to the rod, and to seek Him in all things. I’ve been taught to always keep my promises. I try to teach my children the same thing. Keeping promises made to a loving Father in Heaven just as you would keep promises made to a friend is not weird. I don’t even think it’s peculiar.