31 Days of Faith {We Believe 3...}

"We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."

My husband grew up in another faith, and he says that he doesn't remember really ever hearing about the Atonement even though it is accounted for in the New Testament.  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints focus on the Atonement. Atonement can be broken down as "at one."  Christ was at one with us in the Garden of Gethsemane as he bled and suffered for our sins, sorrows and trials.  It is through the Atonement that we can be forgiven of our sins and ultimately saved.  There is so much more than just believing that contributes to being "saved". As a truly converted follower of Christ we will WANT to do good and kind things for others:  helping the needy, giving of our time and sustenance, giving comfort. Also, practicing forgiveness ourselves towards others who have wronged us. When we emulate the Savior in our lives, we can more fully partake of the Atonement. We do not believe that good works gets us to heaven, His grace IS sufficient.

I often see bumper stickers and church signs in the area where I live that say, "If you can earn it, then why did He die." That is a common misconception about the LDS faith. As stated above we do not believe we can earn it but only that we should be doing as much good as possible to spread the love of God.  We are his helping hands here on this Earth.

**I am not an official spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

If you would like to read our official doctrine concerning grace, you can go here.**

31 Days of Faith {We Believe 2...}

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins 

and not for Adam's transgressions...

Many religions believe in "original sin". Meaning that in order to be cleansed from the sins of Adam and Eve an infant must be baptized. Since we don't believe we are accountable for a sin committed by someone else, babies are born into this world fresh from the arms of their Father in Heaven in full innocence.  Therefore, we do not believe in infant baptism or in "original sin.".  Instead we bless our babies at a couple of months old asking for blessings from the Lord be upon them.




Holding a new born infant in my arms in all their innocence just confirms my belief in this second tenet of the LDS church. The Lord is merciful and I believe would not require them to obtain such an ordinance at such a helpless age.  I had someone tell me once, from another faith, that if I didn't get my babies baptized soon after birth, and they died, they would go to hell.  Holding my sweet baby with tears in my eyes, I knew they were wrong. That just never sat right with me.  I know my Father is a merciful and loving God.  

**I am not a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but the following information comes from an official church website on the topic of infant baptism**

"Immersion is symbolic of the death of a person’s sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of God and His children. It is also symbolic of death and resurrection. (SeeRomans 6:3-6) Little children are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. They are “alive in Christ” and cannot sin. They do not need baptism until they understand the difference between right and wrong"

31 Days of Faith {We Believe 1...}

"We believe in God the eternal Father 
and in his Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost..."

Some common misconceptions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that we aren't Christians and that we don't believe in God. The first tenet of our faith is professing our belief in God and Jesus irregardless of the official name of the Church. One difference is that we believe members of the God head are separate beings but one in purpose   This is bothersome to some thinking that we believe in many gods, or polytheism. I just look to the scriptures and read the account of Christ's baptism in the River Jordan. After he had come up out of the water, Heavenly Father declared from Heaven, "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."

We pray to one God, with Christ making intercession for the Father.  We begin our prayers quite formally, "Dear Heavenly Father, or Dear Father..."  and they typically close "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  Or perhaps, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, Amen." Of course everything else in between is perhaps what we are grateful for, those we are praying for and things that we may need.

**I am not a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

If you would like to know more about the God head, you can go here.**  

31 Days of Faith {Miguel's Missionary Moment}

Dear Family,

I have a new nickname; the kids at the basketball court call me "Church Shoes."  So we showed up to a park and were shooting around, and we were in ties.  When I asked theses black kids if I could play with them, they thought I was kidding.  But I went off and played the best I ever had it was crazy! hahahaha and they were all freaking out calling me "Church Shoes" It was awesome! Afterward, twelve of them gathered around and I taught them how the true gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored to the earth it was amazing! Now every time I come biking by, they say, "Here comes Church Shoes, here comes Church Shoes! He's gunna take us to Church!"

2 Nephi 2:25 "...Men are that they might have joy."

31 Days of Faith {Weekends}

Emily at Chatting at the Sky does a series called for your weekend.  She is such a sweet, passionate writer.  May I say that for your weekend, I hope you enjoy the beauty of the changing season, warm pots of soup, mugs of cocoa to defrost the evening and may the Word of God fill your soul with faith, love and happiness.