Each day I realize more and more how important building relationships are in our life. This is an area I hope to focus on more closely. Learning to love especially those that are sometimes difficult to love. I know that everyday I have an opportunity to learn from my experiences if I choose to do so. I believe we came to earth to learn from our experiences.
We believe in The Articles of Faith, which were written by the prophet Joseph Smith--thirteen total: I will share the first one.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
They are three distinct and separate persons in the Godhead, but are one in purpose. God the Father and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, are personages of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit, whose purpose is to testify of the divinity of our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for this knowledge and my personal relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost testifies the truthfulness of these things to my heart and soul.
Another great reason to live in Lubbock, Texas, it is the home of Texas Tech Red Raiders! I enjoyed watching yesterday's game as the Red Raiders beat the number one seated University of Texas Long Horns. It certainly was an exciting game to watch as Tech scored a touch down with one second left to play! I am not much for football, but this was a game to remember! Also the weather was perfect for a winning score 39 to 33!
Hello Friends,
I wonder and ponder about many things pertaining to life? One thing I especially wonder about is why people settle for less in their spiritual life.
We have all heard the saying, “Don’t sell yourself short”, or “take the car out for a spin before you buy it”. As consumers we are reminded to check things out carefully, research, and compare. Also we are taught to ask questions, and not be afraid to have inquiring minds. As parents we want the best for our kids especially in their learning, schooling, and life experiences. In college we are taught to be critical thinkers and avoid narrow-minded ideology. When we go to the doctor we ask questions about our diagnosis and even go online to get more medical understanding and knowledge. We want the number one product, the best services, and will make time to seek out information when making decisions that are going to impact our family financially, educationally, and medically. We want what is right! So why then do many settle for less when it comes to religious beliefs and convictions?
I can’t tell you how many times, I have heard someone express that it really doesn’t matter what church you go to because we all believe in the same God. People in general are socialized to believe that any church will do, or if you are not happy where you are attending, find a preacher that you like better down the road. Or others believe that the nearest church or neighborhood church will suffice as to where to worship. Yet others are motivated by either social class or status as to where they choose to attend church services. Then there is the group that only goes to church to see how many people they can recruit as clients for their new business and increase sales. Well, the list is endless and it goes on and on. In essence, God and his true gospel principles are no longer a basis for choosing where to worship but altogether are taken out of the equation.
What is most amazing to me is that many do not take time to learn what their church beliefs and doctrines contain. For many, spiritual life is not anything to think too deeply about. For example questions as what is the purpose of life, where did we come from, where do we go after we die are quickly shunned. Most will shrug their shoulders and simply say, “Oh, well, nobody really knows”. Have you ever truly contemplated such a response? Or would you ever apply the same mentality to other major life questions? But this is how we have been socialized to think about religion. The tragic part to this line of thinking is that it will circumvent the most important question of all, “Which church is God’s true church?”
The Holy Bible teaches that one day we will be judged. Why would there be need for a Judgment Day unless we should be held accountable for what we did or did not do in this life? A loving God did not bring us to this earth to flounder, live in a maze or state of confusion, or keep us in the dark. However, He has given us a mind and heart with which to think, feel, reason, and search Him out! How is your search going? We invite you to search our website and rekindle your deepest thoughts about God and life. We promise you God has given us answers to all these questions and waits with arms outstretched to teach us if we but prayerfully approach him with sincere desire to learn of Him, His gospel, and true Church!
God does not want His children to settle for less or second best when it comes to his true Church and doctrines. “Seek, and ye shall find” (Matt 7:7) is my sincere plea.
The Holy Order of God
And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.
Alma 7: 23-25
In our Church we celebrate “Mormon Pioneer Day” in July—it is one of my most favorite. We revere our Mormon Pioneer Saints, who valiantly endured hardships, sacrifices, and persecutions. They traveled across the country in harsh weather conditions, with minimal supplies at times—many died before they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. The journey took a great toll on their lives and others died shortly after arriving due to weak health and suffering. I am ever so grateful for their perseverance, dedication, and profound testimonies of their faith.
One of my favorite quotes comes From Francis Webster of the Martin Handcart Company: “We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church because every one of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.”
See also The Pioneer Story: http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/pioneerstory.htm
The Panama City Panama Temple has experienced a wonderful response from visitors during the open house, which was opened to the public! We now have a total of 127 temples worldwide. A recent article in the LDS Church News reported “More than 5,000 people passed through the temple in just the first two days."
Our temples are sacred. The main reason John and I moved to Lubbock was to have the privilege of living near a temple. We are very blessed to work and serve in our Lubbock Temple and receive great joy in doing so!
FYI
See Article: http://mormontimes.com/WC_aroundChurch.php?id=1561
Purpose of Temples: http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html
We would like to thank Mark for posting his comments on our GUESTBOOK in reference to the article published by our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, distinguishing Mormons from the FLDS group in Texas.
A primary reason for our blog is to help eliminate the confusion that exists and often times perpetuated by the media. Thank you, Mark, for opening the discussion on this new thread. We wish to state unequivocally that we are not associated or connected in anyway to the FLDS group in Eldorado, Texas, or any other polygamous groups. Those belonging to the FLDS group are not Mormons! We believe in participating in the communities we live in and do not segregate ourselves from the world. We encourage others to learn of us and invite them to attend our meetings.
We take opportunity to personally define ourselves and share our beliefs through our blog and invite you to ask questions and welcome your comments as well. We are not about attacking anyone else’s beliefs but instead sharing our own beliefs and dispelling misunderstandings. We encourage you to read the article in helping you with your comments. Please see the article link below:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-seeks-to-address-public-confusion-over-texas-polygamy-group
Sincerely,
John and Sue
I love attending church on Sundays! It makes the rest of my week go so much better! If I am sick and unable to go, I tend to feel out-of-the-loop for that week. Sunday worship gives me spiritual fuel and strengthens my resolve to do better in my life. In class, I love to learn and join in discussions of gospel principles! On the first Sunday, during the first hour, which is our Sacrament Meeting, we are given the opportunity to bear our testimony of Jesus Christ to everyone. Sunday is a special day in my life and very uplifiting! If you have never attended, please feel free to attend wherever you live. We are listed in the phone book!
Happy July 4th! Today I pondered the many struggles our nation's founding fathers must have experienced--both personal and political. Drafting the constitution was a painstaking process, which layed the foundation for the words "We the people". Bitter warfare and the courage of thousands defined the words, "We the people". The dedication of political giants wove the American tapestry of
"We the people". Even though they were not perfect, they were quietly prompted by the Lord's Spirit to endure and to proceed. Through their diligence and the dedication of thousands, who gave their lives in defending the constitution, we have the opportunity to experience personal freedom. Us, "We the people."
I was thinking today, what a blessing to live in the good ole’ USA! I am grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy each day that too often we take for granted. The 4th of July is a special day indeed. I am thankful to live in the United States of America—the Promised Land. I also know that as American people we have a huge responsibility in protecting our freedoms and Constitution. I believe our founders were inspired men of God. We live in a day when threats to erode our rights and principles upon which we were founded are becoming a reality. We were founded upon Christian principles and when we as a people turn away is no wonder the rampant moral decay and corruption that has permeated. However, these are the greatest days to live upon the earth, just the same, because of all the miracle wonders of technology, medical breakthroughs, new opportunities and developments like never before. God bless America where opportunity and freedom rings!
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