Message for Youth

                                      (Inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer)

With all that is going on in the world, with the lowering of moral standards, the multiple wars being fought, and the struggling economy.  You may feel uncertainty and insecurity in your lives.  You young people are being raised in enemy territory.

The gospel plan is “the great plan of happiness.” The family is the center of that plan, as was stated in, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” The Proclamation states that first of all, every human being, both male and female, was created in the image of God, and that marriage is only between a man and a woman. 

We all make mistakes; none of us is perfect, or even close to being perfect.  Some of us will make serious mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit. This promise applies to all members of the Church. 

To those who have made such mistakes, there is a way out, and that is through repentance. 

Repentance is first, you feel true remorse and guilt for what you have done.  Then, if your sin affected anyone, or it was serious, then you talk with whoever you have affected, and/or your bishop.  Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, your sins will be washed away and you will be made whole again. 

Here are some words of what you can do to help you get through enemy territory:

-          Dress modestly

-          Listen to clean and uplifting music

-          Help those in need, do good deeds and care for others

-          Avoid addictive and harmful substances

-          Avoid piercings and body jewelry (directed towards men.  For women, have one set of earrings)

-          Avoid tattoos; your body is a temple.  Would you spray paint a temple?

-          Choose your friends carefully; they will play a big part in how your future turns out

-          Listen to the Holy Ghost.

Do these things, and you will be able to navigate through enemy territory, and live a long and prosperous life. 

Who Is Jesus Christ

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer)

Jesus Christ has many titles; The Son of God, The Prince of Peace, The Bread of Life, Alpha and Omega, The Light and Life of the World, The Savior, The Redeemer, The Good Shepherd, The Beginning and the End, The Mediator, etc.

Jesus Christ was the only Perfect being that ever lived.  Because of his perfectness, he was the one who sacrificed and atoned for the sins of the world, and for every being that ever have and will live.   He spent his whole life teaching both the apostles and people, he performed miracles for thousands, he walked for miles at a time, he has done much work for his Father in Heaven.

Because of the amount of Jews that believed in Jesus, the Pharisees, members of a religious group who believed strictly in the Law of Moses, and avoided the Gentiles, to hate Jesus, and many times they plotted to kill him.   Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's apostles, would later betray Jesus to the Pharisees for thirty pieces of silver.  He later hung himself from overwhelming guilt.
Jesus was spat on and slapped by the Pharisees while they were waiting to turn him to the Romans, (the Romans conquered Israel)  to punish Jesus for his "crimes," and not once did Jesus cry out, nor complain at all.   When Jesus stood before Pilate, (ruler over Jerusalem) many Jews bore false witness, saying that Jesus spoke of blasphemy and committed crimes.  Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews.  Jesus answered, "Thou sayest."  When Jesus as accused by the priests and elders though, he said nothing.

At this time, the Jews were celebrating the Passover.  The Romans would release a prisoner, one the crowd wanted released.   Pilate asked the Jews who should he release, the Jews shouting, "Barabbas!"  The priests and elders among the Jews started crying out for Jesus to be crucified, and the rest of the Jews shouted that out as well.   Pilate washed his hands, saying that he is innocent of the blood of this just person.   The Roman soldiers scourged Jesus, and later crucify him.  Jesus told his Father to forgive the soldiers for they know not what they do.   He said several other things, then died.
Jesus was buried in a tomb, and three days later was resurrected.  Through him, the bonds of death was broken, and we are able to be resurrected just like him.

Read more about him on the LDS Church Website.  Click this link.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer )  

Many investigators and curious non-members wonder about what the Church believes and teaches.  This article will explain to the best of it's ability about the Church.

First off, is how the Church got its name.  When Jesus Christ visited the America's, the people there asked Him what they should call their church, because of arguments and contentions deciding the name.  Jesus told them that they should name the church after Him.  If it was Moses' church, it would be the church of Moses, same thing with others.  Jesus told them to name the church after Himself.  That is how the Church got its name, 'the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'  The "Latter-Day Saints," was added when the Church was re-established through Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830.  It fulfilled a prophecy in the Bible that the Church would be restored in the latter-days, hence the last part of the name.

The Church has four books of doctrine: The Bible, The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It depicts of Prophets and civilizations in the America's and includes information of events like the destruction of the Nephites and Jaredites, the signs of the Birth of Christ and the signs of the Death of Christ, the journeys and works of many Prophets, etc.  Because of the Book of Mormon, the Church and its members are usually called the 'Mormon Church' and the 'Mormons.'  It is a title they don't resent, but it is not accurate.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a historical account of the Prophet Joseph Smith, his works, and revelations he received during the restoration the the Church.
The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of the Church. These items were produced by Joseph Smith and were published in the Church periodicals of his day. 

Latter-day Saints (members of the Church) follow the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Ten Commandments.   They are taught by Church leaders to love one another, to love and serve God, to fast, pay tithing, and to follow the Prophet's and Apostles teachings.

Many people say the the Church isn't Christian.  Quite the contrary, no other Church follows the teachings and doctrine more closely, completely, and thoroughly than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Church does believe in the crucifixion of Jesus, but unlike other churches, the LDS Church believes more and finds more important, the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus. 

Learn more about the Church at its website.  Click here to go to the site. 

Mormonism: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

In Mormonism, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strongly believe in the Atonement of Christ.
The Atonement of Christ started in the pre-earth life, when both Jesus and Lucifer offered to be the savior.   Lucifer wanted power, and did not care about the plan.  Jesus loved the people and did not want power like Lucifer.  God chose Jesus instead of Lucifer, which on a side note caused Lucifer to lead a third of the Lord's children away from Him.
Later, after Jesus was born and raised, he preached to the people, established and ordained disciples, and later on, while Judas Iscariot went to the Priests to betray Him, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, and went through excruciating pain, bleeding out of every pore, and feeling every sin that was ever committed.  He did not want to do this, saying to the Lord, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."  He loved us, and he atoned for everyone's sins.  He sealed this and the prophecies of the prophets by dying on the cross.  He was able to overcome physical death and spiritual death, and allowed everyone a chance to come back to him and Heavenly Father, our God.

Mormonism: Before the Old Testament

In Mormonism: In the Pre-Earth life, everyone lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  The earth wasn't created yet.  
In a particular time, Heavenly Father gathered us around, and told us that we will go into a world and be tested.  He needed someone to be the one to atone for every one's sins. (no unclean person who sinned, even once could come back to Heavenly Father unless someone atones for the sins)  One of His son's, Lucifer, said that he will be the one.  He will force everyone to be perfect, and make sure that everyone will come back.   Lucifer only wanted Heavenly Father's power, he did not care about the others.   Another one of His sons, Jesus Christ, said that he will atone for their sins, and allow everyone to have free agency.   Heavenly Father chose Jesus to be the one.  Lucifer was angry, and stirred many souls to join him.  Heavenly Father had to cast out Lucifer and his followers, around 1/3 of His children.  Today, Lucifer is known as Satan, and he and his followers were cursed by not allowed to enter earth with a body of flesh and blood.  They work endlessly, trying to ruin and destroy Heavenly Father's Plan. 
Jesus Christ, instructed by Heavenly Father, created the Earth and the Heavens in six "days." (probably much longer in human time)

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