Peace be unto You Because of your Faith

This week, I posted the scripture Helaman 5:47 on my wall.

"Peace, peace be unto you because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world."

Today in family scripture study, we read about Alma (senior) and his people living peacefully before the Lamanites came and captured them. Someone pointed out that Alma and his people were righteous and listened to the Lord whenever He commanded them to do something. On the other hand, King Limhi's people (the ones who stayed behind when Alma and his followers fled) were sketchy at best.
But both groups were brought into bondage. The good guys and the not-so-good guys.
Why would following God's directions lead Alma's people into bondage?

When I think about the differences between these two groups, a few things stand out.
First of all, because each of these groups was brought into bondage they were motivated and given the opportunity to get back to Zarahemla to join the rest of the Nephites.
Secondly, while the people of Limhi were in captivity many of them died because of the many wars they fought. But the people of Alma were close to the Lord and knew the correct actions to take. When the people of Limhi were finally humbled and converted, they didn't have anyone with the authority to baptize them or receive revelation for them. But the people of Alma were almost all already baptized and close to God.

As we have a foundation of faith, I know we are able to find peace in our trials.

42 Evidences of the True Church of Christ

I just finished this amazing book called "The Greatest Quest" (by Blaine and Brenton Yorgason). It's about a group of college students during WWII (one of whom was an atheist), who look through the Bible to see what elements were involved in Christ's original church. They came up with 15 points at first, but over the years, they found 42 "evidences" that would identify a church that had the same blueprint as Christ's.
Their reasoning for wanting a church that mirrored Christ's from Jerusalem was the principle that Christ is perfect, therefore his church would be perfect. (see also evidence #32)
I really enjoyed following them as they visited different churches and honestly tried to figure out if their teachings went along with the list they'd compiled.
Although this book is a novel, it's based on a true story.

I'm personally going to go through my Bible and highlight the verses they picked out, and identify how my church applies those 'evidences.'

There are many other deep questions, answers, and spiritual discussion, but here are the 42 points they found and the scriptures that supported them:
(Note, I don't mean to violate any copyrighted material, and I don't claim any of this as mine)

1. The Godhead consists of three separate and distinct beings-- God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
*Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22
*Matthew 3:17; 28:19
*Luke 3:22
*Acts 7:55
*1 John 5:7

2. God the Father, as well as his Son Jesus Christ, who is a resurrected personage, both have bodies of flesh and bone and spirit
*Genesis 32:30
*Exodus 33:23
*Luke 24:39, 41-43
*John 20:17; 21:13-14
*Acts 7:55-56
*1 John 3:2

3. Jesus is the Christ, the literal Son of God, the Messiah, and the only perfect person upon the earth-- and not only a great teacher.
*Luke 9:35
*John 17:4-5
*Hebrews 1:6-7
(there are many other scriptures supporting this point, but they only had a few listed(

4. Jesus Christ, as revealed in the New Testament, is Jehovah, God of the Old Testament
*Exodus 3:14
*John 8:58
*Isaiah 43:11
*Hosea 13:4

5. The Holy Ghost is a distinct personage of spirit and is the third member of the Godhead.
*Matthew 3:15-16
*John 14:26; 16:13-14; 20:21-22
*Ephesians 1:17

6. The Holy Bible is the word of the Lord insofar as it is translated correctly. It is the record of the Jews and will be joined with another record in the last days (these days) to relate God's word to his people. This second record will come from a descendant of Joseph.
*Ezekiel 37:15-17
*Isaiah 29:18
*Revelation 20:12-14

7. Jesus Christ is recognized as the head of his Church,
with other officers named, beginning with a foundation of apostles and prophets, and including teachers, saints, elders, evangelists, bishops, deacons, priests, and high priests.
*John 15:16
*Mark 3:14-15
*Ephesians 2:19-20; 4:11-14

8. Officers in Christ's church will be "called of God." They will receive their authority through "the laying on of hands." On cannot call himself to the ministry
a. College degree or license insufficient
b. Royal priesthood will be known as such
c. Bishops and leaders are to marry and to have children
*Acts 19:25
*Hebrews 5:4, 10
*1 Timothy 3:2; 4:2-3

9. Members of Christ's church will be "workers," and will be called "saints." In addition, women will be included in activities and leadership.
*Proverbs 12:4
*Romans 1:7
*Ephesians 4:12
*1 Corinthians 11:7
*2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

10. There will exist within the church separate entities for each of the groups of members. Adult and youth organizations will exist. This point stands to reason, if Christ is concerned with helping each individual from that person's own level of understanding.
*Ephesians 4:11-14

11. Christ's church will believe in the "virgin birth" of Jesus Christ but will not believe in the "immaculate conception" of Mary.
*Isaiah 7:14
*Matthew 1:19-20, 23
*Luke 1:26-31, 42

12. Christ's church will believe in immortality and eternal life, and in a heaven and a hell. After the resurrection, we will be assigned to different places according to the judgement. The first resurrection will be fore the righteous and will commence 1,000 years before the second resurrection.
*John 3:16-17; 5:28-29; 14:2
*1Corinthians 15:20-22, 40-42
*1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

13. The Savior's church will honor Sunday as the Sabbath, with the understanding that the resurrection transpired Sunday morning, the first day of the week-- and thus replaced Saturday as the Sabbath.
*Hosea 2:11
*Matthew 28:1
*John 5:18
*Acts 20:7
*1 Corinthians 16:2

14. Officers as well as members of Christ's church will receive continuous revelation from God.
*Amos 3:7
*Matthew 16:13, 16-19
*Ephesians 1:17

15. Members of the Lord's church will be payers of tithes and offerings
*Malachi 3:8,11
*Luke 11:42
*Hebrews 7:4-5

16. Members of the church will regularly partake of the Lord's supper. The sacrament represents the flesh and blood of Christ and is partaken of in remembrance of him.
*Matthew 26:26-28
*Acts 20:7
*1 Corinthians 16:1-2

17. Members of the Lord's church will experience miracles, such as visions, tongues, and prophecies. In addition, the church will practice divine healing. When members of the church are sick, elders of the church will anoint them with oil and heal them.
*Matthew 9:18
*Mark 6:5; 16:17-18
*Acts 5:12, 16
*James 5:14-15

18. Church leaders will teach that the resurrected Jesus Christ will come again to the earth in the last days. This "second coming" will be greatly anticipated.
*Job 19:25-26
*Matthew 24:30
*Acts 1:11; 3:19-21

19. Members of the Lord's church will be persecuted for their beliefs.
*Matthew 5:10-12; 24:9
*Luke 6:22-23

20. The church as a whole, as well as its members, will be recognized for their "fruits"-- as will the prophets who lead them. The church will esteem honesty, virtue, and wholesome activity.
*Proverbs 15:4
*Luke 6:43-44
*2 Corinthians 9:10
*Philippians 4:17
*Hebrews 13:18

21. The church must provide salvation for all of God's children, not just those who receive the gospel while living on the earth. It will practice baptism for the dead.
*Mark 16:16
*John 3:1-8
*1 Corinthians 15:29

22. The church will build temples similar to the one Solomon built, which was destroyed and built again at the time of Christ. These temples will have unique purposes, including baptism and other ordinances. Temples will also be holy places, contain the Holy of Holies, and be used by members as places of worship.
*Isaiah 2:3
*Malachi 3:1, 7

23. Christ's original church was organized by him and named after him, and his church today will also be named after him.
*Acts 4:10-12
*Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-14; 5:23-24

24. Specific authority to function in the administration of the church is called "priesthood." It is obtained through ordination by one having the power to so ordain.
*1 Samuel 13:9-14
*Mark 6:7
*John 7:16; 20:21
*Acts 19:2-5
*Hebrews 5:4-6, 8-10

25. A higher priesthood authority is required to bestow the Holy Ghost than to baptize
*Matthew 16:19
*Mark 1:7-8
*Acts 8:15-18; 19:2-6

26. The church that Christ originally organized did not baptize infants since the prerequisite for baptism was (1) a capacity for repentance of past personal sins, and (2) a personal belief in the divinity and teachings of Christ.
*Mark 10:14-15; 16:16
*Acts 2:38; 8:12

27. The church is to send out missionaries (in twos), to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
*Mark 6:7
*Luke 10:1

28. The church will have a welfare system to provide for the poor and the needy within the church. Members are to provide for themselves and their families first, and then receive help from the church.
*Deuteronomy 15:11
*Psalm 9:18
*Isaiah 14:30
*Mark 10:21
*Luke 18:22
*Romans 15:26

29. The church will have a law of health. Alchoholic beverages will not be used by members of the church.
*Ephesians 5:18
*1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10

30. The church will be one that is restored to the earth. Christ's original church experienced a great apostasy or falling away, but his church will be returned or restored again in the last days.
*Jeremiah 31:31-34
*Acts 3:19-21
*2 Thessalonians 2:1-13
*Revelation 14:6-7

31. Christ's church will believe in being saved by the grace of Christ through exercising faith in him. In other words, it will teach that when we repent of our sins and forsake them, the atonement of Christ will cleanse our sins.
*Matthew 7:21-29
*Mark 16:15-16
*Luke 6:46-49
*1 Timothy 4:10
*James 1:22-25; 2:14-26

32. The church will preach only the true gospel of Christ, with no variations. It will neither add to the meaning of Christ's teachings nor takeaway from them--even though current revelation will provide insight into them.
*Matthew 5:19
*Galatians 1:6-9
*Ephesians 4:5
*Hebrews 13:8-9

33. Christ's church will espouse a pre-earth life, or a pre-existence, such as that taught by the Orthodox Jews. Included in this teaching will be the doctrine of fore ordination and not predestination. God the Father will be recognized as having created the individual spirits of all people.
*Genesis 1:26-31
*Job 38:4-7
*Ecclesiastes 1:4-5
*John 17:5
*Ephesians 1:4-5
*Hebrews 12:9

34. The church will believe in the "original sin" of Adam. Nevertheless, it will teach that Christ atoned for Adam's sin, and that we will be punished for our won sins, as Adam's sin has already been atoned for.
*John 1:29
*Acts 24:14-15
*Romans 5:6-19
*1 Corinthians 15:21-23

35. Christ's church will teach that the gathering of Israel, in the last days, will be literal.
*Isaiah 5:26-30; 11:12-13; 35
*Jeremiah 3:14-18; 31:10

36. Members of the true church will respect the beliefs of others and will allow all people to worship as they choose.
*Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
*2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

37. The church will be subject to the laws of the land, regardless of the type of government in power in that land--thus rendering to Caesar that which is his, and to God that which is his.
*Matthew 22:21
*Mark 12:17
*Luke 20:25

38. Is should be recognized that, while perfection is to be sought by each member of Christ's church, the members will have human failings and will make mistakes, and they will thus need to grow and learn--line upon line, precept upon precept.
*Isaiah 28:10
*Ephesians 4:11-14, 28, 32

39. After repentance, baptism by immersion is essential, as is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. A person performing these ordinances of baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost must be duly authorized to perform such ordinances.
*Matthew 3:13-15
*John 3:5
*Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16

40. The Savior's church will have an unpaid ministry. This lay ministry will be called "by revelation," even as the apostles called new members to their quorum following the resurrection of Christ.
*Amos 3:7
*Micah 3:11
*John 10:13
*Acts 1:22-26
*1 Corinthians 9:18
*1 Peter 5:2

41. Satan is a real spirit being and not a figment of people's imagination.
*Job 1:6
*Matthew 4:10
*Mark 1:13; 8:33
*Luke 13:16; 22:3, 31
*John 13:27
*Acts 26:18

42. The Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of the Savior's plan, when it is presented. This is the one sure way of knowing which, if any, of the churches belongs to the Savior.
*John 16:13-14
*1 Corinthians 12:4-12
*Galatians 5:22-26
*Ephesians1:17

What do those crazy Mormons believe, anyway? (part 4)

#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.

*The priesthood authority. More on that, later.