Belief: Families can be together forever
We believe that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, families can be together forever. One of the best things about this gospel is the focus on families. We all have a family, whether it is us with our parents, our siblings, or our own husbands and children. We each have a family and a posterity. In the LDS church we believe that we can live with our families forever. When Mike and I were married in the temple we were sealed for eternity which means that in this life and after we will always be together. Always. Forever. Also, our children and their children and so on will be sealed to us as well. Likewise, we are sealed to our parents through their eternal marriages. And so it goes, in one big happy web of family, as long as we are faithful and stay true to the promises we made to each other and the Lord in the temple, we will all live together with God after this life.
Why I believe:
In looking at my family and at my love for Mike and my future children, I don't understand how it could last for any less than forever. When death comes it isn't the end. This life can't be it or else why would we be here? We came from somewhere and we are going somewhere after we die. Through the plan of happiness, Jesus Christ has made it possible to live with our families forever. My family is the most important thing to me. This short life is not enough time with them and that is why I believe. This church teaches us how to live with our families forever.
Belief: God created the Universe
We believe that this world was created by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He created the sun, moon, and stars. He created all the land and all the water. He created all the living animals. And he created each of us. All of us were made with a purpose and a plan. And God doesn't make mistakes.
Why I believe:
I believe this because I live on a beautiful earth. I am surrounded by beauty every day. I believe this because the sun is shining outside. I believe this because of the miracle of just one tree. It starts as a tiny seed and grows to a giant, thick tree that can make food for itself and make clean air for us. It's a miracle. I believe this because I've learned about the brain and the heart and each part of my body and I believe that without a perfect creator, the body would not function how it does. An explosion in a printing shop could not produce a dictionary.
Belief: God Lives
We believe that Jesus Christ lived on the Earth and that He died as a remission for all of our sins. We believe that He was resurrected and that He lives. We believe that he provides guidance to us through scriptures, the Holy Ghost, and through living prophets on the Earth.
Why I believe:
If we are to return to our Heavenly Father to live with Him through eternity, we must be able to be forgiven of our sins. Jesus Christ paid for our sins so that we can be fully forgiven. Jesus Christ suffered every pain and affliction so that there will always, ALWAYS be someone to turn to in times of despair and sickness. He will always know what we are going through because he suffered everything. We cannot fully forsake our sins without His help. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we CAN return to live with Him again and we CAN be forgiven of our sins. I know that God lives because I believe that after creating such a well-thought out plan and a detailed world and people, He could not forsake us. He could not send us here and allow us to fend for ourselves without guiding us back to Him and providing a way that we might return. We are His children and He loves us with an unconditional love. We are all His children and He wants us to choose Him. He wants us to return to Him someday. Every person on that has ever and will ever live on this earth was created by a loving and all-knowing Heavenly Father and He wants to see us succeed.
Belief: Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet
We believe that Thomas S. Monson was called by God to lead His people in the right way. President Monson receives revelation from Jesus Christ in how to lead the people of the world.
Why I believe:
I believe this because I know that Jesus Christ must give us guidance. I am always thankful for the guidance in my life because I don't know how I would live my life if I didn't have a way to do it that makes me happy. I believe this because we have to make choices every day. Where do we want to go to school, what do we want to study, who should we marry, when should we have children, how do we help our children be happy and choose the right. Big decisions come in our life every day and I believe in revelation and prayer because I wouldn't be able to make these decisions on my own. The world is a confusing place with different opinions and beliefs coming from all over. I believe that there must be a person we can turn to for the truth and I believe that this person on the earth is Thomas S. Monson.
Belief: The Book of Mormon is real. It is another testament of Jesus Christ
We believe in scripture. We believe that the Bible is the word of God and we believe that the Book of Mormon is also the word of God. We believe that the Book of Mormon was written by the prophets that lived in the Americas in times of old and we believe that Joseph Smith was led to the gold plates where the record was kept by an angel. We believe that he translated this book for our day and that the scriptures and wisdom found there help us daily.
Why I believe:
In reading the Book of Mormon I have had many times of comfort and guidance. The feeling that comes to me while reading it and that stays with me throughout the day can only come of God. I know that one man couldn't have written this book.
This testimony of mine is the result of asking questions, praying, recognizing promptings, and pondering the things I have been taught. It comes from feeling a witness through the spirit, which comes to me as a burning in my heart and tears in my eyes. My testimony is one of many. There are many people who share these beliefs with me, but for YOU to believe you must ask, you must pray, you must LISTEN, you must welcome the warm feelings of the spirit telling you that it is true.
It is true. I KNOW this. I know that you can know this too. It has brought many blessings to my life and I cannot imagine where I would be without this knowledge.
Feel free to ask me any questions about these beliefs or visit www.mormon.org to find out more of what we believe.