First Presidency Message

Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon
By: President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet

Many years ago I stood at the bedside of a young father as he hovered between life and death. His distraught wife and their two children stood nearby. He took my hand in his and, with a pleading look, said, “Bishop, I know I am about to die. Tell me what happens to my spirit when I do.”

I offered a silent prayer for heavenly guidance and noticed on his bedside table a copy of the triple combination. I reached for the book and fanned the pages. Suddenly I discovered that I had, with no effort on my part, stopped at the 40th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I read these words to him:

“Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, … are taken home to that God who gave them life.

“And … the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:11–12).

As I continued to read about the Resurrection, a glow came to the young man’s face and a smile graced his lips. As I concluded my visit, I said good-bye to this sweet family.

I next saw the wife and children at the funeral. I think back to that night when a young man pleaded for truth and, from the Book of Mormon, heard the answer to his question.

From the Book of Mormon come other precious promises, including promises of peace, freedom, and blessings if we “will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).

From its pages comes the promise of “never-ending happiness” to “those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual” (Mosiah 2:41).

From its pages comes the promise of “incomprehensible joy” to those who become “instrument[s] in the hands of God” in rescuing His precious sons and daughters (Alma 28:8; 29:9).

From its pages comes the promise that scattered Israel will be gathered—a work in which we are engaged through our great worldwide missionary efforts (see 3 Nephi 16; 21–22).

From its pages comes the promise that as we pray unto the Father in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our families will be blessed (see 3 Nephi 18:21).

From a study of its pages comes the fulfillment of the prophetic promise that “there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”1

And from the pages of the Book of Mormon comes Moroni’s promise that through prayer, real intent, and faith in Christ, we may know the truth of these promises “by the power of the Holy Ghost” (see Moroni 10:4–5).

With other latter-day prophets, I testify of the truthfulness of this “most correct of any book on earth,”2 even the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. Its message spans the earth and brings its readers to a knowledge of the truth. It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon changes lives. May each of us read it and reread it. And may we joyfully share our testimonies of its precious promises with all of God’s children.

We are Christian...

With all the mis-information and mis-understanding of what The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints is all about and what we teach, I feel it is my responsibility to share what I believe to be true of the "Mormon" faith!
First, We Believe in God, the eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. (The same Christ and God as ancient Christianity believe in. There is only one God and one Jesus Christ)
Second, We Believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
Third, We Believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by the obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Fourth, We Believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance, Third, Baptism by immersion for the Remission of Sins, and Fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Fifth, We Believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
Sixth, We Believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth.
Seventh, We Believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
Eighth, We Believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also Believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
Ninth, We Believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we Believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
Tenth, We Believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the new Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
Eleventh, We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
Twelve, We Believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying , honoring, and sustaining the law.
Thirteenth, We Believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say as we follow the admonition of Paul-We Believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and we hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

These are the 13 Articles of Faith as written by Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration of the ancient Church, NOT the founder! Jesus Christ is the founder of our Church, hence is name being in the Title of our Church. We believe in a modern day prophet and that he is the Lord's mouthpiece on earth. He receives revelation for all people, and we invite all to come unto Christ. We do not dwell on the crucifixion, which is why we do not use the cross as a symbol. We glory in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promised blessings brought to us through his atoning sacrifice, that we can be sealed together to our family for time and all eternity. I have read, and re-read the Book of Mormon many times, and know of the truthfulness of its words. It coincides and clarifies teachings taught in the Holy Bible and is another Testament of Jesus Christ! Temples are sacred, not secret. The Lord said, "Let no unclean thing enter into my house", you must strive to be morally clean and keep the commandments of God to enter. We do offer visitation to non members during Open House(s) of a new Temple before dedication. We believe in the sanctity of marriage between man and woman, and the sacred institution of the family! I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my entire life. I have been through many tests, trials and tribulations, that have tested my faith and testimony, but I KNOW , without a shadow of a doubt that this Church is true! I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe that through Him all things are possible. I believe that everyone should have the right to worship how, where or what they may. I believe in religious tolerance, something our Founding Fathers fought for and built this country on!
I hope and pray that we can all be more understanding and tolerant of each other and our beliefs and not use poisonous words or slander, this only makes us weak as a society and nation! Thank you and if you would like more information on The Church of Jesus Christ and its teachings, you can visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.