Now the joy of (Tova) was so great even that (she) was full; yea, (she) was swallowed up in the joy of (her) God, even to the exhausting of (her) strength; ...
Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.
General Conference Thoughts: Becoming a more Disciplined Disciple
Okay, so I have a confession. A few months ago (alright, so around a year ago), I realized I had a problem with self-discipline. I had a hard time controlling desires such as my desire for chocolate, my desire for sleeping in (which I couldn’t do anyway :( ), and my desire to NOT run. At first I ignored it, because that’s what I do when I initially see my weaknesses-- I hide from them. Then I decided it needed to be faced and fixed.
But how do you fix a problem with self-discipline? You need the very virtue you’re struggling with in order to strengthen it!
So I tried a few different things. I tried rewarding myself.
Epic fail!
Whenever I didn’t do what I was trying to do (which was frequently) I had created a whole new battle for myself. “Oh, but I tried.” “But it looks so good.” “I’ll get it now to motivate myself for next time.” etc. etc. etc.
I tried making lists, schedules, and plans. There were some pretty good ones, too. However, there wasn’t the accountability that I was needing.
So this year, for the October session of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had two questions prepared. 1) How can I develop more discipline? 2) How can I become a better disciple? One of the talks that stood out the most to me was by Devin Durrant, "My Heart Pondereth them Continually." In it, he invites us to take a verse of scripture each week, print it out, and put it somewhere where we will see it. Well, one of the aspects of my struggle with discipline has been doing things daily. So, I decided to put my mini-scriptures in my work bag so I could read them and look at my verse during my breaks. The verse I opened up to was in Mormon 9: 28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God. (this is where my jaw drops open) In one scripture, I had my answers. As I "ponderized" the verse, a plan of action came. This plan was unlike my other ones for two reasons. God was in this one, and He wanted me to include my mom and brother. I know that through the spirit I was guided to my answer. God could have given me the plan a year ago when I started trying to overcome my challenge. But I needed to be listening and acting on words of the prophets, reading my scriptures, and showing that I was ready to listen and obey.
Oh my goodness. Talk about divine help. I just finished a long, exhausting day. Got onto my email, and what did I find? A list of more things to do :S.
Also in my email, I found this quote:
"My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel. He wants you to succeed. He gave His life for just this purpose. He is the Son of the living God. And He will help you.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The very presence of the quote in my inbox was a manifestation of His awareness of me. I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit and inspired leaders who are able to send us comfort and guidance.
"Four,"
would be the average response. But about all the unknowns? Two of what
plus two of what? What type of equal are we looking for?
For example, what if the equation was asking for the amount of apples on two apple trees plus two acres of apple trees?
The
world today is confusing, and it's hard to find absolute truth. But
there are absolute truths out there. How do we find them? I thought
you'd never ask...
The
first method is using your intuition; also known as your conscience or
the Light of Christ. Although you can be trained to ignore this voice,
it will always be there if you have the desire to listen. Deep within us
we have a burning will to do what's right, we have a yearning for the
truth. As long as we are humble enough to hear and heed that whisper, it will guide us.
Another guide is the word of prophets, or spiritual leaders. Forms of scripture fall under this category.
Scriptures assist you in fine-tuning your conscience. They offer
experiences of those who've gone before, and words of God. That is
another way to find truth. If it is the word of God, it is true. (Titus
1:2)
The final way to discern truth, is to look at the results. The scriptures say that "… by theirfruits ye shallknowthem."
(Matt 7:20) Hitler is a fine example. He came forward telling the
Germans how wonderful he could make Germany. Did he use true principles?
The "fruit" of his work was Germany in smolders,
and millions of Jews and others inhumanely killed. One the other hand,
Joan of Arc promised the same thing: to save France. Did she use true principles? Her "fruit" was a free France, a stronger king, and an inspiring death.
And
there you have it: use the Light of Christ, the word of God, and try to
see the results. By using those three tools, we can disperse the
darkness that Satan is trying to pull over our eyes. We can see through
the lies of the world, and find those precious truths that our souls
desire so much. Not only that, we can search for our real selves. We can
dig past the lies that we and others tell us, and become the royal
child of God we were made to be.
Luke 1 26 And in the sixth month the aangel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a avirgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among awomen.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, aFear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name aJesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the aSon of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the bthrone of his father cDavid:
33 And he shall areign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no bend.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I aknow not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The aHoly Ghost
shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the bSon of God.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Matt 1
18 ¶aNow the bbirth of Jesus Christ was con this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick aexample, bwas minded to cput her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a adream, saying, Joseph, thou son of bDavid, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the cHoly Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his anamebJesus: for he shall csave his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 aBehold, a bvirgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his cnamedEmmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his awife:
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all athe world should be btaxed.
2 (And this ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his aespoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the binn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord.
12 And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.
15 And
it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us.
16 And they came with ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard itawondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and aponderedthem in her heart.
20 And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the acircumcising of the child, his name was called bJesus, which was so cnamed of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her apurification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the awomb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of aturtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And
he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in
the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A alightbto lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is aset for the bfall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall apierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a aprophetess,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age,
and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with afastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for aredemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Matt 3
1 Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 aAnd when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he bdemanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou aBethlehem, in the land of bJuda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a cGovernor, that shall drule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When
they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they
saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 ¶And
when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and afrankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a adream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And
when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his
mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:
for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of aEgypt have I called my son.
16 ¶Then Herod, when he saw that he was amocked of the wise men, bwas exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and cslew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the dcoasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by aJeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In aRama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great bmourning, Rachel weeping for her cchildren, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 ¶But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a adream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the aland of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the aroom of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a bdream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called aNazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was bspoken by the prophets, He shall be called a cNazarene.
I had the chance to attend a "Best of EFY" meeting a year or so ago, and one of the speakers was Brad Wilcox. He talked about how the church is different from other churches. He help us remember by spelling the word GOSPEL, like so: Godhead Only True Church Spirit Priesthood Everyone Living Prophets
Godhead: We know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate beings. (examples of this in the Bible can be found in Acts 7:55-56, and Jesus' Baptism) We also know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have physical bodies.
This was revealed in the latterdays through Joseph Smith's 1st Vision.
Some people argue that Joseph Smith just lied about the first vision. Well, let me quote The Trickster's Queen "If I was going to lie to you, I'd want to to believe me." Back then, the idea that the godhead was made up of 3 SEPARATE beings was unheard of! So why would Joseph try to get people to believe him with something as outrageous as that?
Others say that he wasn't lying, he was just crazy, and having a hallucination. Bro. Wilcox shared that when people have hallucinations they are things that they know about. ie, If you've never seen an elephant you can't imagine you see one/have a hallucination about one, because you don't know what it looks like.
Only True Church: There can only be one true church. Because all of the churches say different things. Like it says in "Fiddler on the Roof": "You are also right"(-Tevye) "He's right? and he's right? They can't both be right." "You are also right" :)
How can you tell which church is true? That is what Joseph Smith wanted to know. That is why he went to the Sacred Grove and prayed to Heavenly Father to know. I'm sure he didn't expect to actually SEE God and Jesus Christ, but he did, and they told him that none of the churches on earth were true. Later, others appeared to Joseph Smith, and helped him organize Christ's church on the earth.
The way that YOU can find out is the same way: pray. I suggest that you read the Book of Mormon. It is really an amazing book. It has comforting words, it has battles, and people dying for the truth. If you read it and pray about it, I'm sure that you will feel the Spirit telling you that it is true.
Spirit: Soon after you are baptized a member of the church, you are Confirmed-- given the gift of the Holy Ghost (or the Holy Spirit, whatever you want to call it), who will guide you and comfort you through life. You can still feel it, even if you aren't a member. But this is how Brad Wilcox described the difference: When you feel the spirit, it's like blowing up a balloon, you feel full and happy. If you haven't been confirmed, the air just wooshes right back out. But if you HAVE been confirmed, then it's like tying th knot on the balloon.
Priesthood: The LDS church has the Priesthood authority. Think about this situation Bro Wilcox gave: Suppose you were driving down the road, and you saw a kid on a bike. The kid 'pulled you over' and said "You were speeding, here's a ticket." Would you think the kid was serious? (say "no") Why not? Because the kid doesn't have the authority to pull you over and give you a ticket! That's what it's like with the priesthood. The priesthood is the right for all worthy men on earth to act for Heavenly Father. In the church we have the Aaronic Priesthood, which is given to male members at 12 yrs. and the Melchezidek Priesthood, which is given when boys turn 18.
Here are a couple videos that have to do with the priesthood:
"The Power of God:
African-Americans/Africans are able to get the priesthood.
Everyone: Once there were a couple of missionaries. They were spreading the truth of the gospel. They met a woman one day, and started to talk to her. She asked them "So you claim that your church is for everyone?" "Yes" the missionaries said. "Well, what about the people who have died? How do you bring your gospel to them?" the woman asked "I've asked this question of many religious leaders, and not one has answered me. But when someone DOES answer it, I'll know their church is true." The missionaries were overjoyed "We do take our gospel to the dead!" and they explained how in our temples, we do saving ordinances (like baptism) for those who have died, and then the spirits of those people can choose whether or not to accept the gospel. This woman was sooooo happy to finally find the true gospel, and was baptized, and one day, she probably went herself into a temple to do some saving ordinances.
Living Prophets: Here is a story that demonstrates the importance of having living prophets.
"In January of 1975, on a dark,
rainy night in Tasmania, a 7,300–ton barge smashed into two piers of the
Tasman Bridge, which connects Hobart, Tasmania, with its eastern
suburbs across the bay. Three spans of the bridge collapsed. An
Australian family by the name of Ling were driving across the bridge
when suddenly the bridge lights went out. Just then a speeding car
passed them and disappeared before their very eyes. Murray Ling 'slammed
on his brakes and skidded to a stop, one yard from the edge of a black
void' (Stephen Johnson, "Over the Edge!" Reader's Digest, Nov. 1977, 128).
"Murray got his family out of the car and then began warning oncoming
traffic of the disaster ahead. As he frantically waved his arms, to his
horror, a car 'swerved around him and plummeted into the abyss' (p.
128). A second car barely stopped in time, but a third car showed no
sign of slowing down and crashed into the Lings' car at the edge of the
bridge.
"Suddenly a loaded bus headed toward Murray, ignoring his waving
arms. In desperation, risking his very life, he 'ran alongside the
driver's window. "There's a span missing," he yelled' (p. 129). The bus
swerved just in time and came to a halt against the railing. Dozens of
lives had been saved.
"I am grateful for these Brethren whom we sustain as prophets, seers,
and revelators who forewarn us of bridges not to be crossed"(Spencer J. Condie)
The scriptures tell us that God is unchangeable. To finish up with prophets, this is a poem Sophie wrote expressing appreciation to the prophets of today:
What have the prophets done for me? They have spoken for God. All of my questions they're answering 'Bout how to hold on the rod.
I wonder "What's truth? And how do I know? When I find it what's it like?" Why look, here's a talk that perfectly shows Everything. Now I can hike.
But, I think I'm worthless. I'm not important. Why should anybody like me. But then I read stories, and words of a chant. And now I know who I'm to be!
If you should ask what the prophets have done, I will just smile and say. They've spoken for God, and, with the sun Have helped me to start a new day. -Sophie
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
These gifts are some of the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit come in many forms, and are part of your character. There are some examples in this article of faith. Here are some others (from 1 Corinthians 12 KJV) Wisdom Knowledge Faith Working of Miracles Discerning of Spirits
Here are more, from D&C 46 To know Jesus Christ is the Son of God To believe the words of the scriptures To know differences in administration (I'm not sure what this one means, but maybe you do :)) Have faith to be healed
D&C 46 also says that (11) All have not every agift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
So you won't have every gift, but you do have one or more.
Elder Ashton mentioned a few more:
Let me mention a few gifts that
are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important . . . :
the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and
using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of
avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding
vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift
of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the
gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of
being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a
mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost --Ashton
What are your gifts? You can probably work on some. Just because you don't have one doesn't mean you can't ever have it.
I really like these gifts because there are so many, and they're so unusual, and specific.
#4-- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, bptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fouaarth, laying on of hands, for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm going to split this statement up into 4 parts to talk about.
"First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." * What is faith? Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. (Alma 32:21) So faith is when you hope for things, but you can't see them. So can you have faith in leperchauns? Not really. Because faith is also things that are true. To summarize: Faith is when you hope and trust in things that you can't see, but that are true. * Why do you need faith? Well, have you seen Christ? Or God? Have you seen heaven? Then how would you know if they were there? You'd have to have faith that they were there. You'd have to believe in something that you didn't see. So we believe that the first thing you need to learn in order to best understand the Gospel is faith.
"Second, Repentance" Without repentance, we could not get to heaven. We are all sinners. We have all sinned. It may be big, it may be small, but we've all sinned. Alma 40:26 ... for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God... Since we are all 'unclean', how can we get to heaven? We need to "wash up" :). But who can do that? Jesus could, and He did. That is what the Atonement did, it made it so we could repent, and be washed clean. (for more, see "What do those crazy Mormons believe in, anyway (part 3))
"Third, Baptism by Immersion for the remission of sins." aka Being baptized (immersion = completely covered with water) to lose our sins. Wait! We can lose our sins? All we have to do is be baptized? No... well, sorta. After you are baptized (with a sincere heart, and with the proper authority*) your sins so far are forgiven. Then, after that, repent, and take the sacrament each Sunday, and that will be like being baptized again. We believe that you should be baptized when youare 8, because then you are old enough to realize that you are responsible for your sins. Before that age, we believe that you aren't accountable. You just don't know about it. (Note: Buddhists sort of do this, too. They begin to teach their kids about meditation when they are 8 years old). Of course, you can be baptized when you are older, and you are accountable for your sins from since you were 8 (unless you didn't know they were sins) When you are baptized, you make certain covenants (exchange of promises) with Heavenly Father. These are found in Mosiah18:8-10 8 ...(A)s ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? Did you catch the covenants? You promise to help other people, and to come to God, keep His commandments, and be a witness of Him. He, in return, promises to redeem your sins (when you repent), save you a place in heaven, and give you the Holy Ghost to guide you. Does this seem unfair? Well, the Holy Ghost will be with you always, even if you are not always with God. Heaven will last forever, that's right, never ending happiness. What's this short time of 70-100 years (at the longest) of keeping a few rules designed for your happiness compared with a never ending state of happiness? Now that's food for thought :). For more on baptism, click here and here
(Last one:) "Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."This is also called 'confirmation', and is usually coupled with baptism, because it happens shortly after (either the same day, right after, or the next Sunday in Sacrament Meeting). When you are confirmed, you recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost, to be with you always. The Holy Ghost is the 3rd member of the Godhead (God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost). It is a spirit, so it can enter us and give us comfort and counsel. This may sound a little eerie, but trust me-- if you don't want the Holy Ghost to come, it wont come. You have to want it, among other things. When it says 'laying on of hands' it means this:
This girl is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Worthy men holding the proper authority* are blessing her. Here are links with words from Church Leaders about the Holy Ghost.
Elementary, my dear Watson.
We believe that a man must have more than one wife in order to get to heaven (we call this mormigamy, often confused with polygamy).... Or not.* :)
To answer these questions, I am going to used 13 statements called "The Articles of Faith". These explain mormon's beliefs.
Statement #1: We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Pretty simple, right?
Some people have supposed that Mormons aren't Christians. Well, check our name. No, not "Mormon", that's a nickname. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". People who think we aren't Christian either get us confused with Muslims, or are just confused, period.
Not only do we believe in Christ, Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost, but we also believe that they are separate beings. How would we know this? Simple.
When Jesus Christ was batized, He was in the water. The Holy Ghost desended on Him in the form of a dove. The Holy Ghost was in the dove, not the water. The voice of God was heard from Heaven. God was in Heaven, not in the dove, nor the water.
Another example: Acts 7:55-56 (KJV) 55 But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
The Holy Ghost was in Stephen, God was in heaven, Jesus was also in heaven, but He was next to God.
That is the first statement of belief.
*(There was once a time in LDS history when the men were getting killed off at a stunning rate, leaving many women uncared for. God spoke to the latterday prophet of the time, Joseph Smith, and told him to use polygamy to take care of all of the women. Only certain men were chosen for this, and later God revealed that the time came for mormons to stop using polygamy. But this has stuck with the reputation of the mormons ever since.)
