Just So You Know

A lot of people don't know or understand what Mormon missionaries do. It's simple really. We teach people. We teach about Jesus Christ, His gospel, and His plan. We ask people to keep commitments such as reading the scriptures or a pamphlet that we give them. We also ask people to read and pray. Read and Pray. Read The Book of Mormon, and Pray to ask God if it is true. We don't want to take away from the truths that people already know, just build upon those truths by adding more truth. Now you know what we're trying to do when we knock on your door, talk to you on the street, or bus stop, ask you how you're doing, offer to do service for you, and other things. All we'd like to do is help you come unto Christ.

Jesus Christ Will Come Again

The "second coming" of our Lord is something that Christians have known for a very long time. Even though our understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ differ from one another, all of us know and agree that He will come again. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory." Psalms 102: 16. Matthew said this in preparation of His coming, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24: 14.  John the revelator said, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" Revelation 14: 6. There are over 55,000 Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) missionaries, and 13,000,000+ members, around the world preaching the gospel of the kingdom, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. What we, as missionaries and members of The Kingdom Of God On Earth, are doing is summed up in the last two paragraphs of the introduction page of The Book of Mormon. -"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.) Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah." The angel who had the everlasting gospel that John the revelator saw is Moroni. The angel Moroni delivered the gold plates (Book of Mormon) to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament Of Jesus Christ together with The Holy Bible (KJV) contain the everlasting gospel. God wants His children to be prepared for the second coming of the Messiah. This is why He restored the Everlasting Gospel to the earth. Pray and ask if the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon is true.

Being Fully Converted

As I have traveled and met people around western NY I have noticed something that I don't really understand. Typically when we meet someone new, whether they are interested in learning about what we know to be true or just want to talk, they usually state what religion they consider themselves to be. They state that they are ________ (religion). I usually respond with, "Thats great that you have a belief in Christ." Then I follow up with the question, how often do you attend church meetings? The responses I most get are I don't or, about twice a year (Chirstmas and Easter).  Not everyone is this way but a lot if not most are. After those responses or similar answers I then ask why they don't go very often. There are a few different reasons, but the most common is the one that confuses me. The reason why they don't actually attend the church they belong to is because they don't believe or disagree with the doctrine that is taught at that church. I find it to be a contradiction to say, "I'm a Mormon but I disagree with what they teach in their church." So I ask whoever may read this, "What do 'you' believe?" I ask this because if what 'you' believe differs from what 'your' church believes, or teaches, then are you really that religion? I believe the answer is no. To those of you who do believe the teachings of your church I have the same request of you as those who do not agree with their churches teachings. Do some soul searching! Ask yourself what you believe! However, you need to make sure that you are not forming your own belief. By this I mean that God has given us what we are supposed to believe in. For example, I can choose to believe that after this life I will be reincarnated as an animal or even another person. Is that the doctrine of God? No. So in your search for what 'you' believe make sure that what you believe is true doctrine of God. Many of the people I have met don't know what they believe. If you don't know what you believe you can easily be manipulated into thinking that you believe something when you really don't. Have an open mind to different beliefs and religions. Study the words of God given through His chosen prophets and leaders in scripture. Most importantly PRAY and ASK God what you should believe in. PRAY and ASK God if the teachings of a person, church, or group is HIS teachings and doctrine. PRAY and ASK God for His guidance in your search. We are His children! He wants us to know His truths! He wants us to worship and believe in Him His way, not man's way. Please be open to learning new things so that you can find for yourself His church and know that it really is His.