Mormon Beliefs

Mormon Beliefs: Beliefs about Competition

byustudent — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:30:10 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: Beliefs about Competition

Hey Dad,

Remember how we talked on the phone the other day about competition? You said you had some realizations that solidified your belief that competition is not ordained of God. We were talking about how your patients sometimes decide to go to your competitor physicians for their surgeries. I thought about that when reading Helaman 6:17 for my Book of Mormon class. It says, “They began to seek to get gain, that they might be lifted up one above another”. This is when the Lord had blessed the Nephites so long “with the riches of this world” that their prosperity was turning into pride and eventually wickedness (pride cycle). I believe you when you say that one of the hardest trials in this life can actually be prosperity because it is so hard to stay in check and remain humble.

Anyway, I admire how you stopped to realize that having patients go to your competitor physicians for their surgeries shouldn’t have made you frustrated. It must be hard to lose patients even when you know the other surgeon will do a good job. But the perspective you shared that the issue shouldn’t be about competition at all, but about serving the Lord’s children the best you can was inspiring for me to hear. You are a great example to me, Dad.

Helaman 6:17 also reminds me of a variation on a premortal theme. Satan’s plan was to have one above another. He wanted to be ruler and have us forever below him. Heavenly Father’s plan, on the other hand, was created so that we could all be like Him someday. I think it is incredible that the almighty being of the universe wants His creations, Him being the Father of our spirits, to have all that He has. What a selfless God to dedicate Himself to such a purpose.

There was a BYU Devotional last semester called Our Eternal Education that changed my perspective of competition. Here is the excerpt I find applicable:

Education as a Race

As teachers we try to encourage growth in our students, not just winning. Is the student or athlete trying to improve his own learning and understanding or is he only trying to beat someone else? We want students to feel that their personal improvement is a victory and that working hard is the way to improve.

In our eternal education we should remember that we are not in competition with others. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a living apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, has spoken about how the success of others does not diminish our efforts. He stated:

Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those. [“The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign, May 2012, 31; emphasis in original]

From a spiritual perspective, are we in a race for eternal life? Elder Neil L. Andersen, a living apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, addressed this issue in his April 2012 conference talk:

Jesus’s call “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22) is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition at all but an invitation to all. Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In truth, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world. . . .
Wherever you now find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road, the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one another in the great and important days ahead. [“What Thinks Christ of Me?” Ensign, May 2012, 112]

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2085

Dad, you can see that the above reference supports and amplified those things you and I talked about. Thank you for sharing insights that change my perspective on gospel truths.
I think you raised your “spiritual bar” when you were called as Bishop, and it makes me want to be better! Thank you for that. I think of you when I read Doctrine & Covenants 90:22. A bishop. A man of God.

I love you!
Eliza Jane

A note to the reader: If this has struck a chord with you, I would welcome your questions or comments.

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Mormon Beliefs: Don’t Worry About the Future

byustudent — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:17:20 +0000

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

Mormon Beliefs: Don’t Worry About the Future

Sometimes I worry about my future. A whole lot. I worry about whether I am headed in the right direction. If I’m following my proper path. I wonder if I will be happy with my decisions, or if I will regret them someday. Stepping into the unknown is terrifying. It’s uncomfortable. I am so blessed that I don’t have to do it completely alone and completely blind. And as it turns out, no one does.
In Acts 16, Paul and other disciples were traveling and preaching. One night, Paul had a vision that instructed him to travel to Macedonia.
“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us, for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia… and we were in that city abiding certain days” (Acts 16:10-12).
The Lord told Paul where to go, but He did not tell him how to get there, or what to do once he arrived. And although Paul responded immediately to God’s instruction, God did not immediately respond to him. “we were in that city abiding certain days.” The answer as to exactly why the Lord had called them there didn’t arrive right away. But it did arrive.
God doesn’t always tell us exactly where to go or what to do. But often, he gives us the next step. And sometimes that step is a pretty big leap of faith. But when we do as Paul did and immediately obey, we will only be blessed.

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Mormon Beliefs: Armor of God

byustudent — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:50:56 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: Armor of God

This week we read all about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites. In the end, the Nephites win even though they are outnumbered by a lot. The first way they make up for that is by using armor. In Alma 43:19, it says that Captain Moroni “prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing.” Because of this, the un-armored Lamanites “were exceedingly afraid of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.” This is a lot like our situation today. You and I have a lot of challenges and struggles to go through, not just to do what’s right but also to do well in school and in all the other things we do. Our problems outnumber us by a lot, just like the Lamanites outnumbered the Nephites. But we can be a lot stronger by preparing ourselves. In the New Testament, Paul writes about putting on “the whole armor of God.” We need the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, and other pieces of armor. The Nephites won not just because they had physical armor, but because they had this spiritual armor too, like Helaman’s stripling warriors. None of them died in battle because they were all righteous and faithful. If we can be strong like that, we’ll be able to defeat all of our “enemies” too.

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Mormon Beliefs: Mothers are Important

byustudent — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:45:47 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: Mothers are Important

Dear Mom,

This week Book of Mormon class was amazing as usual. The thing that stuck out most to me was Brother Griffin’s discussion on the mothers of the stripling warriors. The reason these young men were so strong was because their mothers taught them. They were taught that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. They were right! I think that today Satan tries to make the world disregard women because they are a great strength to their children and the world. Satan uses his forces of evil to increase divorce rates and tell women that their careers are more important than having a family. This leads to women spending less time with their kids or not having kids at all. This makes me very sad. I don’t know where I would be without you, Mom. You have taught me that I can put a smile on my face and be happy in trying times. You have also taught me how to be organized and disciplined. These traits will benefit me greatly on my mission. I know that when I teach a mother and her children the gospel in Ohio, I will want them to experience a taste of what a strong mother in the gospel gave me. Mothers give their children support, love and the strength to carry on. The Church needs more women who are always looking out for others like you ALWAYS do. You are inspirational, Mom! I’m so proud to be your stripling warrior! I know that if I trust in the Lord and do not doubt, I will be delivered and blessed.

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Mormon Beliefs: An Analogy for the Atonement

byustudent — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:40:58 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: An Analogy for the Atonement

Growing up, there was a rule in my house that I should not hit my sisters. I remember as a small child finding this rule very hard to obey as my anger and frustration would build up when something did not go my way. I also remember breaking the rule, and as a consequence being sent to my room for a timeout. There was a rule, and it was broken, so there had to be a chastisement. Like this, there are God’s laws, and if they are broken through sin, there must be a punishment.

My parents do not want to see me cry, suffer, hurt, be lonely, or be in any negative situation. They love me, and seeing me cry when they sent me to my room was not a thing that pleased them. Yet, my parents love me so much, they are willing to inflict a penalty to satisfy the broken rule and aid me in my learning. In similitude, our Heavenly Father loves us dearly. He does not want to see us suffer, but, as my parents, He knows that if I break one of His commandments there is a need for a punishment to satisfy justice.

But what happens if the final punishment were to be an eternal one? A miserable one, where I would be cut off from my Father in an endless state of woe? Even if I had been temporally punished and sorrowed over my mistakes, justice would still have his claim on me. In order for justice to exist, the punishment for the breaking of the law must be carried out; so how am I, always imperfect, to ever be given the chance to start over again and try a little harder to be a little better? That’s where the atonement comes in.

The only way for us to be saved is for someone else to rescue us. We need someone who can satisfy the demands of justice—standing in our place to assume the burden…and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ has always been the only one capable of making such a sacrifice. (LDS.org, Atonement of Jesus Christ)

Jesus Christ, by paying the temporal and physical price for our sins, our breaking of God’s commandments, has given us the opportunity to time after time start over again. It’s as if He were the sibling that I hit, and He turns to my parents and says “Don’t chastise her, punish me in her stead.” Because He atoned for my sins, your sins, and their sins, mercy can play her part in this plan. She can step in and save us. Christ has made it so justice and mercy can work simultaneously in our lives.

For us to be able to utilize the atonement Christ has made for us, we must repent of our sins. We must be truly sorry for what we have done wrong. We must express our sorrow and regret to Heavenly Father for having disobeyed Him. As we do these things, we will allow justice’s claims on our sins be turned over to Christ, and mercy can scoop us up in her loving arms and rejoice at our spiritual progression through this life. Go a little further: Read Alma 42:22-24. Or the whole chapter if you want. Or the whole book.

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Mormon Beliefs: Faith is Knowing

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:50:43 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: Faith is Knowing

“Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day. Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray. Faith is like a little seed; if planted it will grow.”

This is from a short sweet simple primary song I used to sing when I was little. As I remember the words to this song I find so much meaning in them. Faith is knowing, knowing something WILL happen. Faith is so much more than I thought it was when I used to sing this song. If planted it will grow and will become a strong testimony. It is the first principle of the gospel; faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know that we will have trials throughout our lives, we can allow those trials to make us bitter or they can make us better. Having faith through our trials can help us choose to allow them to make us better. As we have faith we can push back the forces of darkness and bring forth light.

A great example of people who had immense faith is that of the two thousand stripling warriors, warriors written about in The Book of Mormon, a companion testament of Christ to the Bible. This was a group of young men whose fathers had made a covenant with the Lord to never take up arms in war again. So when their enemies came against them the young sons who had not entered into the covenant went to fight and protect their families.

Helaman their leader calls them his sons. In Alma chapter 56 they have been running away from the army of their enemies, the Lamanites, and they now have the choice to turn around and fight. In verse 44 Helaman asks, “what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?” And they answer saying in verses 46 and 47, “Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone;..Now they never had fought yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers then they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.”

They had complete faith that God would protect them. They knew that if they did the right thing by protecting their families then everything would work out in the Lord’s way. They let their faith overcome their fear. And these boys knew that God was with them.

Elder Richard G. Scott said of faith in trying times:

“Who does not have need of assurance in times of uncertainty and testing? Who is so self-confident that there is never want for a stabilizing influence in life? A fundamental purpose of earth life is personal growth and attainment. Consequently, there must be times of trial and quandary to provide opportunity for that development. What child could ever grow to be self-supporting in maturity were all the critical decisions made by parents? So it is with our Heavenly Father. His plan of happiness is conceived so that we will have challenges, even difficulties, where decisions of great importance must be made so that we can grow, develop, and succeed in this mortal probation. 1 Gratefully, in His perfect love, He has provided a way for us to resolve those challenges while growing in strength and capacity. I speak of the sustaining power of faith in times of uncertainty and testing.”

Faith is a true power. I know that faith is a small thing but through this small thing great things will come to pass. I know that faith will drive away evil and will bring us light each day.

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Mormons and Christ

Mormon Beliefs: The Afterlife

byustudent — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:46:15 +0000

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” BYU students take nearly a semester of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.

Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.

Mormon Beliefs: The Afterlife

Death is something that no person can ever be prepared for. No matter how many people you have lost in your life, the pain of losing a loved one is indescribable. Many people believe that there is nothing after this life, and with that ideology, the experience of death becomes that much more difficult. However, I know that there is life after death, and God does not take anyone whose time has not been fully satisfied on earth.

Although it wasn’t the predominant theme in chapter 1 of the book of Helaman (a prophet who lived anciently in America), there is something to learn about death. The Nephite people are struggling to vote on a chief judge since they had just lost one of their respected judges, Pahoran. He had done so much good for the people, and to them it seemed unfair that he had been taken before his time. As humans, I don’t think we will ever see death come at a convenient time, no matter what the circumstance. However, Joseph Fielding Smith (a latter-day prophet) said, “No righteous man dies before his time”. Time is what is created by man, and because God does not work in the confines of time, He knows when a person should be called back to Him.

Two summers ago, my grandfather passed away. He was the first person that I was close to who had died. I had never before experienced the death of a close family member or friend. The initial sorrow was almost unbearable, and I was afraid, because I didn’t know how long it would take for the sorrow to go away. My family and I prayed together, and the prayer that my mom said will always stand out in my mind. The first thing she said was that she was thankful for the knowledge we have of the afterlife and the hope and joy that knowledge brings to us and others who have experiences with death.

Since he died, Mom and Grandma often talk about my grandpa, and they feel that God wanted him to come back home to Him at that time. My grandfather was going through a lot of physical ailment and pain, and now he is free of that. Although sadness is inevitable, I’m so grateful to know that my grandfather is watching over me, proud that I can continue to live and try to do what is right. God knows and loves each one of us, and He will never call us home before our time.

If these reflections helped you, or if you have any questions, I would love to hear from you.

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Mormons and Christ

Mormon Beliefs: Remembering Christ

byustudent — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:42:49 +0000

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Mormon Beliefs: The Power and Necessity of Remembrance

Letter to my wife

Greetings Katie,

This week I studied Helaman chapters 5 through 12 in the Book of Mormon. I wanted to take a few minutes and share with you my thoughts about what I learned and what stood out to me. Helaman is the son of Helaman, who was a captain of one of the Nephite armies. After Helaman had been chief judge for awhile, he retired, and his son, Nephi, filled the judgment seat. The people again grew wicked and Nephi and his brother, Lehi, decide to spend the remainder of their day preaching the word of God to their brethren in hopes that they might repent and live righteously. I love how this section of scripture starts off with Nephi and Lehi recounting words that had been spoken to them by their father Helaman. I personally think these words came as a result of a father’s blessing given to them when they were younger. In the blessing he told Nephi and Lehi that they should “remember”. This is significant to me, because all too often we as humans have the tendency to forget. It is like the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Sometimes, if I am not constantly reminded of the trials I faced in the past and how I got through them, I find myself going back down the same path and end up in the same place–miserable. Helaman tells his sons specifically to remember four things.

Behold my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God…. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. (Helaman 5:6)

To recap, the four things he tells them to remember are as follows: 1) Remember to keep the commandments of God, 2) Remember their names, 3) Remember their namesakes, 4) Remember that their namesakes were good.

Having named our son after me, being named after my dad, who was named after his dad, who was named after his dad, makes this verse of scripture stand out more to me. Helaman named his sons after men that he admired in hopes that they would be righteous like unto them and do good things. Having a family line of namesakes encourages me to live my life righteously, so my son will want to pattern his life after mine in a righteous manner. This leads me to ask the question “How do I want to be remembered?”

It reminds me of the song you wrote, “The Dash”. For those who are reading this that don’t know the lyrics to this song, I will give you the gist of it. When we all die, we will have two dates on our tombstone representing our life from birth to death. Between those dates lies a dash. This dash represents what we did with our time while on earth. The song brings this concept to life and causes us to reflect on our lives and what our dash will represent. I love that analogy! Helaman wanted his sons to remember those who went before, what they went through, what they learned, and how they were good in spite of the wickedness around them. He further adds in the following verses, that they should always remember Jesus Christ. He mentions three things specifically about Christ:

1) There is no other way to be washed clean of sins and return back to the presence of the Father than “through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” and to “remember that he cometh to redeem the world.” (Helaman 5:9)

2) Remember that Christ comes not to redeem [men] “in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins”…because of repentance (Helaman 5:10). Then his third point is prefaced with two remembers.

3) “…Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation…” (Helaman 5:12) These three points are crucial to remaining good like their namesakes. We must build our foundations upon the teachings of Jesus Christ in order to withstand everything the devil throws our way.

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ! I know it is only through Him that we can be saved from our sins. I know that if we strive to keep his commandments and always remember Him, like we committed to do when we were baptized, that we will be led by His spirit to make righteous decisions and one day return back to live with Him. I love you! I hope you have a great day and I look forward to seeing you tonight!

Love, Jeremy

If this letter to my wife helped you, or if you have any questions, I would be happy to hear from you.

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