Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Yes, I AM Christian

I have been pondering this letter for quite a while. The decision finally came after a recent newspaper article about a couple who were told that they could not volunteer with their child's scout group at a different church because they belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and as such, were not Christians. How wrong they were. How can one question our belief in Jesus Christ when the very title of the church in which we attend is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"? Yes, we believe in Jesus Christ. We believe in the same Son of God as prophesied in Luke, "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall cope 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 Son of God" (Luke 1:35). We believe in the same Jesus who was baptized by John, "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22). We believe in the same Jesus who chose twelve apostles, "And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles." (Luke 6:13) . I think that is sufficient, but please know that we believe in the same Jesus throughout the scriptures in the Holy Bible. Therefore, WE ARE CHRISTIAN. In addition to the Holy Bible, I also believe in the Book of Mormon.  It does not take place of the Bible, it is in addition to, thus the official name "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ". The Book of Mormon mirrors teachings in the Bible. We also have the Doctrine and Covenants, modern teachings that aid and encourage us to be better followers of Christ and better people. I really don't care if you think Joseph Smith was not a Prophet of God. I do and dear people, that is my right, after all, this beloved country was founded on the desires of people to have religious freedom.  I will tell you this, in my life I have had many challenges and have made many mistakes. I am grateful that I have a loving Father in Heaven and a Savior who allowed me to overcome those mistakes and continues to give me the guidance and direction I need to be a better person. Does it hurt you in any way to have someone who is "Mormon" as your child's scout leader? Your child's coach? Or someone who might be a friend? It does not. I strive to be a better person. I want to be kind and compassionate, doing good deeds for other and live a more Christ like life. I want to be able to teach my children that as well. I am quite satisfied with the Christian life I have chosen.  And at the end of my earthly sojourn, when I meet the Savior again, I will not have ANY regret if he were to say "The church in which you attended was not my true church, however, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.'"  I will have lived my life knowing I tried the best I could to be a follower of Christ. I AM CHRISTIAN and, quite frankly, I am tired of people telling me I am not!

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