The Book of Mormon

You've probably heard of the Book of Mormon. No, not the Broadway show. It's the scriptural work that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Hereafter to be mercifully abbreviated LDS) use as the foundation of the church's claim to be the True Church.
You may have heard a bunch of things about the Book of Mormon, some of them true, some of them false, some of them maybe a little of both, probably a lot misleading. So, I hope I can clarify a little and help foster some understanding. Again, I speak only for myself: These are not the official opinions of the church, nor are they necessarily endorsed by the church. However, if you should happen to continue to investigate the faith (please do), you will find that most, if not all, are compatible with church teachings.

Anyway, here's are a few things that the Book of Mormon is NOT:

• It's not a replacement for the Bible.
• It's not the only scripture that Mormons hold sacred.
• It's not complete.
• It's not very long.
• It's not hard to read (so please do!)

Many people call the Book of Mormon the "Mormon Bible;" This is not true. The writings themselves concern a group of people that you might call Biblical people, emigrants from Israel just prior to the Babylonian Captivity. They travel around for a while, eventually ending up somewhere in the Americas. Over time, their faith waxes and wanes, just as does that of the Israelites, and eventually, the tale climaxes with a visit from Jesus Christ, post-resurrection. There's a bit more to it than that, but that's for later...

Anyway, the claim that their were Caucasians in America before the Vikings and Columbus kind of stirs up a hornet's nest of people who say that there were no such people and that renders the Book of Mormon false.

I'll deal with that some other time. Suffice to say I believe the Book, rather than the naysayers. I have my reasons and I will share them in a later post.

Anyway, the Mormons do NOT regard regard the Book of Mormon as the only Holy Scripture. Besides one called the Pearl of Great Price, which is a small collection of various pieces that didn't quite fit elsewhere, there is the Doctrine and Covenants, which is revelation given to Joseph Smith and a few others that is written in scriptural form that helps form a large part of the way the church operates.

There is also this thing the Mormons read a lot called the Holy Bible. Usually the King James Version. The only caveat here is that the belief in the Bible is only "so far as it is translated correctly," per the Articles of Faith. There are numerous examples of things in the Bible that were not translated quite correctly, or where the meaning has been lost over the years, That's not opinion, that's documented fact. I'll deal with some of that in a later post, as well.

As for not being complete, that's written in the Book itself, as well as stated in the Mormon Articles of Faith. We believe that revelation is not yet complete, that there are still amazing and wondrous things yet to be revealed to the world. Which is a pretty cool thought, if you think about it.

The Book of Mormon is also not very long: a quick reader would make short work of it. But, like the Bible, repeated readings will render new perspectives to the reader and continued study is encouraged. It's also written in King James style writing. Why? I think God wanted it to be compatible with most available contemporary text at the time it was revealed. It's not hard to read, though, and the stories are interesting.

You can get a copy for free from any Mormon missionary, or at Amazon.com. They are also available free for download from LDS.org. If you want to shell out the big bucks, (like 2 or 3 dollars), look for the Complete LDS Scriptures at Amazon. That link will take you right there.

So, I will try next time to talk a little about what the Book of Mormon means, and its significance to the church.

A Brief Testimony

I guess I should start off with a little about myself and how I became a Mormon.

I am a stroke survivor. Four years ago, I had an aneurysm at the base of my brain that should have killed me. I spent Three weeks in Intensive Care in the Cleveland Clinic, followed by four weeks in a rehab facility.

I remember very little of my time in the Clinic. Most of what I do remember is hazy and filled with pain. However, there is one bright, shining vision that still stands out clearly to me, even if I don't remember all the words spoken there. It has been a guide to me, and the Spirit has let me know when I am on the right path.

I saw My dad, who had died in September that year, as well as my uncle, who had died in August the previous year. They were in a bright, happy place, in good shape, smiling and laughing. My dad spoke to me, while my uncle did not. What I retained from the experience was a sense that Paradise is real, and that I should look to find a church and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

I'm a procrastinator, so I really didn't look all that hard. But I grew up Catholic, and had been to services of MANY different denominations. I NEVER thought I would walk through the door of one of those crazy LDS churches.

 Then, last year, I met a woman who introduced me to the Book of Mormon. I thought it was interesting at first. Then I read Alma 40:11-12. It spoke of Spirit Paradise, and when I read, the Spirit yelled at me, "DO YOU REMEMBER!?!" and I thought, "I've BEEN there!" I knew then that I was going to be a Mormon. Though, doctrinally speaking, I'm actually just returning to the Church!

I attended my first Sacrament meeting on June 2, 2013 and I was hooked. Everything I learned about the Church confirmed things I had believed even before I had investigated. I was a Mormon and didn't know it!

I prayed about the Promise of Moroni, and as an answer, I lost 40 pounds in three months without even dieting or being sick.

On 23 November 2013, I was baptized and I have to say, I love being a Mormon as much as I hated being a Catholic. To me, Catholicism was a dead religion, where God had stopped talking to us 2000 years ago. Mormonism teaches that God speaks to us today, that we can ask him for help and guidance, that he loves us and takes an active role in our lives if we will let him.

I love that.

The Spirit has guided me and comforted me along the way. The Adversary fights for our souls every step of the way and he has made my life very difficult since I have found Christ's Church, but I have the Liahona that is the Book of Mormon, as well as the Molten Stones provided by the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price and, of course, the Holy Bible to give me direction and find my way.

This is a Church unlike any other. I accept and believe that the Book of Mormon is True, and accepting that requires that I believe Joseph Smith to be a True Prophet of God, which leads into believing that the Church he set up is the true restored Church of Jesus Christ with all that entails.

These things I know to be True, and I will try to share some of my insights and thoughts with any who would like to discuss.

In the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The New Guy

Hi!

I'm a recent convert to the Mormon Church. I've been a member for a little over ten weeks now, and I've really had a good time of  it. It's not necessarily easy, but I've finally found the church I've spent my whole life looking for.

I've been looking for ways to share my new church with others in a way that allows them, perhaps, to find the beauty in the church that I have found, and to maybe answer some questions about those "weird" things Mormons do.

So, if you'r LDS-curious, or just looking for an interesting read, feel free to read, leave comments, and interact. Perhaps we can all find a way to grow, together.

I'd like to note that this blog is not officially connected with the church, itself, and represents my own opinions on all matters. I was just hoping for a forum where the doctrine and beliefs can be discussed informally. So, let 'er rip!