Temples

In addition to church buildings where anyone can attend services on Sundays, we have temples. These are more significant than regular church buildings. To watch a brief video called "Why Mormons Build Temples", please click on the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_-TQivCx8

"The House of the Lord, Holiness to the Lord" is an inscription on all 130+ temples worldwide. This is where we worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The usage of temples is found throughout the Bible. 

In short, the temple brings families together. For example, I got married to my wonderful wife in the Seattle temple (see picture above). Thanks to our temple marriage, we are able to remain happily married even after death. As long as my wife and I are faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, this great blessing can be a reality for us. For a Biblical example of Peter having the power to perform eternal marriage (and other sacred ordinances), please read Matthew 16:19.

We know from the scriptures that certain ordinances are necessary to return to live in Heaven. What happens to those who die before learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is there just no hope for them? Thanks to temples, there is hope! Simply put, sacred ordinances (like proper baptism) can be done on behalf of those who were unable to receive those while living. This is called proxy work. God is merciful, and is providing a way for all of His children to learn of His gospel and receive the needed ordinances. Of course, we all have our agency (or ability) to choose whether to accept or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since the temple is so sacred and highly regarded, not everyone can go in. To enter the house of the Lord, people must live by high standards to enter (i.e. honesty, etc.). There are even some members of the church who are not able to enter. Help is available for those who want to repent (change from their sinful ways), and enter the temple. With that said, we want as many people as possible to be eligible to enter, so that the blessings from temple attendance can benefit more and more people.

How did the church start? How can it help people?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only perfect person to ever live on earth, and that He called Joseph to be a modern-day prophet to help bring back the original, pure church of Christ that we can read about in the Holy Bible. Many Christian churches came about by a reformation (changing of what already existed), but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came about through a restoration, or a bringing back of the original church of Christ.

I would like to emphasize why the return of Christ's church to the earth is so important. It's safe to say that at some time, many people wonder about major life questions. For example, people may wonder what the point of life is. Are we here by accident? I can tell you that the answer is no. Some people may also wonder if there are specific things we can do in our lives to make the best out of it. That answer is yes! With Christ's church back on the earth, we can be taught about Christ and his plan of happiness. It has the same direct revelation, or spiritual communication with God nowadays that it did when it was first created. That means that God speaks to all (just like in times past), and that can help people live the best lives possible. There are so many temporal and spiritual blessings awaiting for those who follow Jesus Christ.

Thirteen summaries of my beliefs

The following are known as "The Articles of Faith", and was originially written in 1840 by the first president of the Church and prophet Joseph Smith. A journalist asked the Prophet about the church beliefs, and what he wrote is sometimes referred to as "the Wentworth letter".

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinaces of the Gospel. (Gospel = good news)

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinaces 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.

5. 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.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. 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.

9. 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 worshipping 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.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

In addition to the Bible, which virtually all Christians study, we have an additional book of scripture - the Book of Mormon. In short, the Book of Mormon is a sacred book of scripture, as is the Bible, but it was written in the ancient Americas. The Bible was written on the other side of the world. Their purpose is to help us grow closer to God, by following His teachings, and as a result receive the blessings that He wishes to give us.

Good-intentioned people who believe that any other scriptures besides the Bible are not legit sometimes quote the following from the Bible: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book (Revelation 22:18). It should be noted that similiar scriptures are found much earlier in the Bible (in Deuterononomy 4:2, and 12:32). If the above interpretation is correct, none of the books after Deuteronomy would be of God. That's just not right!

The Book of Mormon doesn't add or take away from the gospel (which means "good news") of Jesus Christ. Rather, it is another witness of His divinity.

To give an example of what I'm saying, imagine you are in court because you were accused of a crime you didn't commit. Let's say there are two witnesses there who can prove your innocence. It'd be weird if after the first witness spoke to prove your innocence, the judge said to the other witness "Sorry, we only want to hear one witness speak."

The Book of Mormon doesn't compete with the Bible at all. It is another witness of Jesus Christ. It has significantly helped me in my life through hardships I have gone through, and it has helped me learn more about why I am here on earth, and other great things like that. For a free copy, you can visit http://www.mormon.org/

Two scriptures that increase my appreciation for Jesus Christ

The first scripture is from the Bible, and the other is from the Book of Mormon.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -John 3:16

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember, that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."  -Mosiah 2:41