Scriptural accounts are replete with examples of men and women receiving miraculous answers to prayer. We may think that receiving answers to our prayers means that the answer has to be showy and dramatic. Those types of answers, however, are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to receiving answers to your prayers. Doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church) says that while all of our prayers are certainly answered, those answers aren’t always easy to discern. More often than not, our answers to prayers come in small and simple ways.

What Does an Answer to Prayer Feel Like?

God answers prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost (sometimes called the Spirit). The Spirit speaks to each of us in different ways, ways that are as varied as we are. What may resonate with one person may not make much of an impact with someone else. We must practice listening to the Spirit so that we can know when and how He speaks to us.

While each of us will feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost differently, there are some consistencies with how He speaks to us. If what you’re praying for is right—if the decision you want to make is in line with God’s will—you will feel at peace. In the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith) Heavenly Father says that “you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right” (9:8) While this “burning” may be hard to describe on paper, when you feel it you will know that it is God’s confirmation of your choice.

Sometimes, though, your answer will be no. In that same section of the Doctrine and Covenants, God says that “if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong” (9:9). This “stupor of thought” will mean that you are still confused and uneasy about the situation you are praying about.

Once when I was in college, I wanted to participate in a study abroad program. I was praying to find the means to go, but I could never decide on the best way to fund my trip. Eventually I realized that I was having a stupor of thought and that if things weren’t lining up, then perhaps I shouldn’t even be going. Once I decided not to go on the trip, I felt at peace and another plan for the summer presented itself to me.

Sometimes Answers Don’t Come Quickly

You may find yourself in a situation where you are desperately seeking for answers and coming up short. This absence of answers doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care about you or that He isn’t listening. Rather, these experiences mean that you have something to learn before finding your answer. In lieu of the answers you seek, Heavenly Father will often send comfort and other blessings to help you in your trial.

Know that eventually God will provide you with the answers you’re looking for. It may take months or even years to receive those answers, but they will always come. Sometimes you need to change your prayer to find answers. Instead of asking for something to happen, pray that you will have the strength to handle the situation. By adjusting your prayers in times of trial, you will find answers that may not remove your trial, but that will make you capable of handling it.

God Wants to Teach Us

Sometimes when we don’t get answers, it’s because God is trusting our ability to make the right choice. Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ, said the following about prayer (I recommend reading the talk in full):

What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.[1]

One of the purposes of prayer is to help us learn to become more like our Savior, and so God uses prayer and the answers to our prayers to teach us how to develop Christlike qualities and make Christlike decisions.

God Uses Other People to Answer Prayers

More often than not, God will not come down to earth to personally answer our prayers, especially if those prayers require a practical and tangible answer. He will often answer our prayers through the actions of others. Many times in my life, I have had a prayer answered through the words of another. Because God uses other people to answer our prayers, we need to make sure that we are in a state wherein we can receive and act on spiritual promptings so that we can likewise be the answer to others’ prayers.

Wherever you are and whatever you face, know that God does always answer His children’s prayers. He hears every one and will, in His time, answer every one as well. Trust in Heavenly Father’s love for you, come to know the Holy Ghost, and you will never be led astray.

Prayer is universally accepted in almost all religious groups as the best way to communicate with God. Prayer has been in religious practice for centuries, dating back to creation. Why is prayer so important? Is there a prescribed way that we should pray? How do I know if I’m doing it right? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church) is a Christian faith that believes prayer is a fundamental application of faith that we can use every day to communicate with our Father in Heaven.

Why Is Prayer Important?

Imagine that you’re leaving home for the first time and that it will be years before you get to see your family again. Imagine that you won’t have access to your family, that you won’t be able to call them to say hi or to wish your sister a happy birthday. Imagine that once you say goodbye you won’t hear from them until you come back home. Wouldn’t that be hard? When we left our Heavenly Father to come to earth, we had to say goodbye for a time. Thankfully, He gave us the blessing of prayer, which is a way that we can directly communicate with Him. We don’t have to dial any numbers or address any envelopes. Wherever you are, you can pray to Him whenever you need to.

Prayer is so important because we need His help, guidance, protection, encouragement, and comfort as we navigate our way here on earth. Our lives can be scary and uncertain, and we can’t do it all on our own. Prayer exists to connect us to heaven and to show us the way to go.

Is There a Specific Way I Need to Pray?

Throughout religious history we see that prayer takes many different forms. For quite some time, Christianity as realized through the Catholic church conducted prayer through official clergyman. The paid clergy were the only means to God. Some sects of Christianity, as well as other religions, sometimes have prescribed prayers with specific wording. It must be hard to navigate all these different brands of prayer to know what is the most pure and effective way to communicate with Heavenly Father.

The most important thing to know about prayer is that you have the ability to speak to God yourself. Unlike what was preached in the early Catholic church (and other churches described in the Book of Mormon, a book of scripture unique to The Church of Jesus Christ), you don’t need a middle-man to connect with God the Father. The best way to pray is with a sincere and humble heart, a heart that is open to answers and the impressions of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer is a very personal endeavor and can take a few different forms. The Church of Jesus Christ has only a handful of prayers with set wording (the sacrament prayers, for instance, never change in their wording and format). Aside from those, prayers are said freely. You should demonstrate respect for God in your prayers. If possible, find a place to kneel; fold your arms, bow your head, and close your eyes. These outward motions are ways that we can show our respect for God and prayer. If you are in a situation where you can’t do these things, you can still pray. Whenever you need prayer, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing, you can reach out to Him, regardless of if you pray vocally or simply in your heart.

What you say in your prayers can be anything. Pour out your heart to God. Tell Him about your sorrows, troubles, and needs, and also don’t forget to tell Him about your triumphs and blessings. Just as your mother would want to know the details of your life, your Father in Heaven wants to hear those things from you as well.

A good way to start off a prayer is by addressing Heavenly Father. A simple “Dear Father in Heaven” is a respectful and intimate way to begin a prayer. Express gratitude in your prayers. Often prayers of gratitude are the most meaningful for me and can result in the clearest answers. Often when you offer your expressions of thanks first, your wants and needs become fewer. Use prayer to ask for guidance in making important decisions; plead for strength and knowledge on how to change un-Christlike attributes; seek methods you need to improve a relationship; confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. Prayer is all about communicating with God the Father, so nothing is off limits. He wants you to share everything with Him.

When you close your prayer, do so in the name of Jesus Christ. This expression seals the prayer and indicates that the Savior approves of you and your supplication to the Father.

How Do I Know If I’m Doing It Right?

When you approach God in prayer with a humble attitude, you will feel the peace of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and is there to facilitate the communication between you and Heavenly Father. In James 1:5 we read that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” The Holy Ghost will communicate the answers that God has for you. You may not receive the answers you seek right away. If you persist in your prayers and continue to cultivate an honest heart, you will feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and come to a knowledge of Their love and power.

God loves you and will reach out to you however He can. He can reach you most effectively through prayer, so prayer is a tool we all need to use, practice, and refine. As we do so we will feel of His love and comfort, because He cares deeply for our happiness and well-being.

Growing up, I was often asked what church I attended. Often when I said, “I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” the person would reply, “I have never heard of that church.” So then I’d say, “It’s the Mormon Church.” And most of the time the reply was, “Oh, I’ve heard of that church.” So I started answering, “I’m a Mormon.” The nickname “Mormon” stems from our belief in the Book of Mormon which is Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a companion scripture to the Bible and a record of God’s dealings with the peoples who lived in the ancient Americas. However, the term “Mormon Church” is a misnomer. This is not Mormon’s church, and, being an ancient

prophet of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ, Mormon would not want to take any glory, fame or notoriety from the true head of the Church, Jesus Christ Himself. So although many people are more familiar with the name “Mormon Church,” that’s not the real name of the organization. It’s a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the Savior’s Church on the earth today. The teachings of Mormonism contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who is Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is a record of the peoples who lived in the ancient Americas and spans about 1,000 years. Mormon lived at the end of that time span. At the age of 10, Mormon was asked by Ammaron (the record keeper at the time) to prepare himself to take charge of the records of the Nephites—an ancient American civilization named after Nephi, another Book of Mormon prophet. In addition to keeping the record of his people, Mormon was a military general who led the Nephite armies from the age of 15 (Mormon 2:1-2). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), said:

If Mormon had merely obeyed that original instruction from Ammaron it would have been challenge enough for any historian, for the story Mormon had to write was the long, terrible tale of the destruction of his people. But Mormon went beyond Ammaron’s admonition and prepared another record, abridging the entire history of his people. [1]

…After nearly a thousand years of Nephite history he was called of God to select and summarize the story of his people. That story tells in part of “peace in the land” and “all manner of miracles,” including the appearance and sermons of the resurrected Son of God.

But the story also contains the terror and depravity of that civilization gone awry, a dispensation concluding “without order and without mercy” in which women were fed on the flesh of their husbands and children were offered as sacrifice to dumb idols. In the end, Mormon’s was a painful and very lonely task. [2]

The Prophet Joseph Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ in modern times, wrote, “It was an awful responsibility to write in the name of the Lord” (Joseph Smith, Jr., History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1:226). And, Elder Holland said, Mormon must surely have felt the weight of that “awful responsibility.”

What is the Book of Mormon?

And now, I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard, and call it the Book of Mormon (Mormon 1:1).

Prophets, both ancient and modern, have said that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

Why is the reading of the Book of Mormon so important to us today? It is because the major writers of the Book of Mormon fully understood that their writings were primarily for the people of a future generation rather than for the people of their own generation. Moroni wrote to our generation, “I speak unto you as if ye were present” (Mormon 8:35).

…Each time we read the book we should probably ask ourselves: “Why did these writers choose these particular stories or events to include in the record? What value are they for us today?” [3]

Elder Holland said:

Mormon does not claim his abridgement will give equal time or equal emphasis to all historical events. He was not working at a flat-rate, assessing every event to be the equivalent of every other. For example, an account of war and civil disorder covering just a little over a dozen years is given nearly sixty pages of documentation (Alma 43–62), while the most righteous period in all of Nephite history—the two hundred years of peace and purity which prevailed after Christ’s appearance in the New World—receives less than two pages of review (4 Nephi 1).

Is Mormon, the Nephite soldier, preoccupied with these tragic warring cycles that began so early and were still recurring in his own day? Or is there perhaps something in the war accounts which our generation—or a later one—must learn, prompting Mormon to stress it? [1]

Lessons from the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets for our day. Mormon not only saw our day, but he lived through the destruction of his own people—times comparable to the ones we are in today. He witnessed the mistakes his people made, and through his writings we can see the results of their tragic error of turning away from God.

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon:

I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.

Elder Perry said:

Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret

combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity.

Now it is up to us to study the Book of Mormon and learn of its principles and apply them in our lives. [3]

Christ’s Church is to Bear His Name

The nickname “Mormon” distracts from the true nature of the Church—that it is Christ’s Church. When the Savior was visiting the Nephites, He taught them—or rather, commanded them—that His Church was to bear His name. He said:

How be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church (3 Nephi 27:8).

Thus this is not the Mormon Church—it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the Lord’s Church, restored to the earth in the latter days. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion because it testifies of Christ. We are honored to be called Mormons because of the greatness of the prophet Mormon and his contribution to our day. But, like any nickname, it is not the true name by which we are to be called. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We take upon ourselves Christ’s name at baptism. And it is by His name that we are known.

Additional Resources:

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) define the term “priesthood” as the eternal power and authority of God. It is through the power of the Priesthood that God, our Heavenly Father, created and governs the universe. And, it is through the power of the Priesthood that He redeems and exalts His children, thus fulfilling His Divine purposes, or in other words, His work and His glory, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39.)

Priesthood power and authority is bestowed by God upon worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ beginning at the young age of 12 years. With that power and authority, they are able to act in His name for the salvation of His children. Those honorable bearers of the royal priesthood are imbued with power to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances necessary for salvation, and govern the Kingdom of God on earth.

No man receives this power unto himself. This power is conferred upon him by one who is a worthy priesthood holder who is authorized to lay his hands upon the recipient of the priesthood and ordain him to an office in the priesthood. For as the Apostle Paul taught in the epistle to the Hebrews, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4.) Modern day revelation as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) gives further instruction on ordaining a man to the priesthood. In D&C 42:11 the Lord gives this counsel to the Church:

Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.

It should be noted that although the power of the priesthood is bestowed upon worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ, the blessing of the priesthood is available to all members of the Church – men, women, and children.

Power in the Priesthood

H. Burke Peterson once stated, “Power in the priesthood, the power to bless and guide and teach, the power to forgive and forget, the power to give positive direction to a family comes through righteousness. The laying on of hands we all received is not enough. Priesthood power comes to those prepared to receive it as a result of the righteous patterns of their lives. (H. Burke Peterson, Prepare the Heart of Your Son, Ensign, November 1982, p.43.) J. Reuben Clark, Jr. once said, “The Church is the organized Priesthood of God, the priesthood can exist without the Church, but the Church cannot exist without the priesthood” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Educating Zion - The Charted Course of the Church in Education, October 1950.) And it was Elder Bruce R. McConkie in his April 1982 General Conference address, delivered during the Priesthood session, titled The Doctrine of the Priesthood who taught, “The doctrine of the priesthood is known only by personal revelation. It comes, line upon line and precept upon precept, by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who love and serve God with all of their heart, might, mind and strength.” In that same address, he stated, “Priesthood is power like none other on earth or in heaven. It is the very power of God himself, the power by which the worlds were made, the power by which all things are regulated, upheld, and preserved. It is the power of faith, the faith by which the Father creates and governs. . . . Faith and Priesthood go hand in hand. Faith is power and power is priesthood.”

Further clarification concerning the priesthood being used only in righteousness is recorded in scriptures which reveal modern day revelation. In D&C 121:41-46 are recorded these words of instruction:

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

15 May 1829 – Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Imagine if you will, what a wonderful experience this restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood must have been for Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when John the Baptist spoke to them. Here, standing before them, was a man who had lived upon the earth more than 1,800 years earlier. He was speaking in English to two young men while he held his hands upon their heads. His was a resurrected body. Theirs were mortal bodies. They felt his hands and understood the words that he spoke. This tells us that resurrected beings are tangible, that they can move and act, and that they can speak and be understood.

Among other things, he told them, that while the authority that he had given them authorized them to baptize, it did not include the authority to bestow the Holy Ghost. He indicated that another order of the priesthood was necessary for this, and that it would subsequently be given them by Peter, James, and John.

That marvelous event did take place when the Melchizedek Priesthood [the greater priesthood], or the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God was restored. We do not know exactly where the event took place, but we learn from the description given in D&C 128:20 that Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery “in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna River.” We do not know the exact date that this event took place; however, by piecing together various accounts and bits of history, we may assume that it occurred in June 1829.

In D&C 27:12-14 we are given some insight concerning this greater priesthood. We read these words:

And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them; Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.

The Fullness of the Everlasting Gospel Has Been Restored

The Priesthood was restored upon the earth, and today everyone has the privilege and the opportunities to partake of the many blessings of the Priesthood. Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commented on one of the Lord’s reasons for endowing mortal men with the power and authority of the priesthood:

In a revelation given in 1831, which has become Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the preface to that book of revelation, the Lord set forth one of the great purposes for the restoration of the gospel in this the dispensation of the fullness of times. He said that, among other reasons, the gospel was restored so that “every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:20.)

It does not say that every man shall speak in the name of God the Lord. The meaning is that every man may speak, provided he is worthy and receives the priesthood. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Priesthood Restoration, Ensign, Oct. 1988, 69)

In his address given during the 154^th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, then serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest presiding group within the LDS Church), proclaimed to the congregation:

Be it known to all men, let it be proclaimed by the very trump of God, let angelic choirs sing of its wonders and glory, let all the hosts of men stand in awe as the voice from heaven declares that God has in these last days restored the fullness of his everlasting gospel.

Let every eye see, every ear hear, every heart be penetrated – for the voice of God is heard again. Angels again are coming from the courts of glory to declare eternal truths to mortal men. The gift of the Holy Ghost is being poured out upon the faithful, and thousands again shout praises to the Holy One of Israel (Bruce R. McConkie, The Caravan Moves On, Ensign, November 1984.)

What then, are the end result, blessing and objective of the priesthood restoration? President Lorenzo Snow once stated, “The object of the priesthood is to make all men happy, to diffuse information, to make all partakers of the same blessings in their turn.” (JD, 9:22.) President Brigham Young stated, “The priesthood of the Son of God is the law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue forever and ever. It is that system that brings worlds into existence and peoples them, gives them their revolution—their days, weeks, months, years, their seasons and times by which they are rolled up as a scroll, as it were, and go into a higher state of existence.” (JD, 15:127.)

Additional Resources:

What Mormons Believe

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church), more than once I have heard, “Isn’t Mormonism a cult?” My response is always, “No.” When I hear the word “cult,” I think of an abusive leader who cunningly isolates his followers and coerces them to practice horrific rituals—like Charles Manson. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines a cult as “a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices, or beliefs.” Cults are marked by secrecy and isolation, and members aren’t allowed to think for themselves. Often, you don’t hear about cults until one or more of the members have been arrested for criminal activity or some other heinous act has occurred.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not fit the definition. There is no secrecy, isolation or indoctrination. Just the opposite is true: Members are encouraged to find out for themselves what is true. The Church openly and honestly discusses its doctrines and teachings, and invites honest seekers of truth to examine its precepts and form their own opinions.

In 1996, then President Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ, was interviewed by Mike Wallace of CBS’s “60 Minutes.” President Hinckley responded to the statement: “There are those who say Mormonism began as a cult. You don’t like to hear that.” President Hinckley said:

“I don’t know what that means, really. But if it has negative connotations, I don’t accept it as applying to this Church. People may have applied it; they may have applied it in the early days. But look, here is this great Church now. There are only six churches in America with more members than this Church. We are the second church in membership in the state of California. We are reaching out across the world. We are in more than 150 nations. This is a great, strong, viable organization with a tremendous outreach. … You will find our people in business institutions, high in educational circles, in politics, in government, in whatever. We are [rather] ordinary people trying to do an extraordinary work.”

Knowledge Comes Through Study, not Coercion

In The Church of Jesus Christ, members are not only free to think for themselves but are encouraged to do so. In The Church of Jesus Christ, members are encouraged to ask questions and find out for themselves if the teachings of the gospel are true.

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (a governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), told parents:

It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way. We can teach them to walk in the light, but that light cannot be borrowed. They must earn it for themselves. They must obtain their own light of testimony directly from the source of spiritual light—God Himself—through prayer and study and pondering. They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become.

The Doctrine and Covenants is a book of modern revelations in The Church of Jesus Christ. In Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9, the Lord tells us how we can know for ourselves what is right.

Behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right; and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.

This is not indoctrination, where people are told what to believe and coerced into action. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ are taught how to find out for themselves. The Lord tells us we can’t just ask and expect the information to be spoon-fed to us—that is not the way. We must do the work by studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets, and then ask in prayer and in faith after we have done our part. That is a very empowering concept.

Message of the Parable of the 10 Virgins: You Can’t Borrow ‘Light’

The Savior taught the importance of acquiring our own knowledge in the Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). When I was younger, I didn’t understand this parable, which tells of 10 virgins who were told to fill their lamps before the bridegroom came. “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” When the bridegroom came, the five virgins who forgot to fill their lamps asked the others for oil. The five who brought oil said, “Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” While the five were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in, and the door was shut. The five who were not ready came late and knocked on the door, but the Lord said, “I know you not.”

At first I wondered why the five wise virgins couldn’t share their oil. But now I understand. The parable is about having your own personal knowledge of Jesus Christ and His teachings. There came a time when it wasn’t enough for me to know that my parents believed and lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. I needed to know for myself that the gospel is true, and I had to decide for myself to live by its precepts. Just as the five foolish virgins couldn’t “borrow” knowledge from the five wise virgins, I couldn’t borrow knowledge from others. After I graduated from college, I did an internship in Ohio. The first Sunday I was there I went to church, and I didn’t know anyone. Only the bishop (the leader of the congregation) came up and introduced himself to me. I met very few people that day. After a few weeks, I thought, “I could stay home from church and no one would know.” But I would know. I was no longer able to live off borrowed light. I knew for myself, and I had to choose for myself. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the divine gift of choice—and that we are responsible for our own actions.

Temples are Sacred, not Secret

Some view the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ as secretive. Before a temple is dedicated, it is open for public tours. After the dedication, however, only members of The Church of Jesus Christ who are in good standing are allowed in this sacred and holy place. And members don’t discuss what happens within those walls. Elder Boyd K. Packer, current president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

There are some things just too sacred to discuss. We know that as it relates to the temples. In our temples, sacred ordinances are performed; sacred experiences are enjoyed. And yet we do not, because of the nature of them, discuss them outside those sacred walls. It is not that they are secret, but they are sacred; not to be discussed, but to be harbored and to be protected and regarded with the deepest of reverence.

Members of the Church must be qualified to enter the temples and participate in the holy ordinances. As I was pondering this, I thought of a calculus class I took the summer between my junior and senior years of college. I tested out of math in college, and my course of study required a foreign language—not a math—curriculum. But my junior year I decided to minor in economics, which required math. I knew I was rusty since I hadn’t taken a math class in years, so I took the summer course. That way, I’d have more time to devote to my studies. I almost failed the class—and the only reason I didn’t was the professor gave us credit for doing the homework. Luckily, it didn’t have to be right.

I discovered the hard way that I didn’t have the fundamental understanding of the math concepts necessary to comprehend calculus. It is the same way with participating in the ordinances of the temple. If we don’t have the fundamental knowledge and understanding required, we won’t appreciate and fully comprehend the instruction we receive in the temple. Those are the reasons that all who enter the temple doors must have a Temple Recommend—so they are prepared to make and keep the sacred covenants therein. I have had many sacred and holy experiences in the walls of the holy temples. I have found guidance, direction and peace in times of need. I would not have had these experiences if I hadn’t prepared myself for the blessings of the temple beforehand. The temple ordinances are sacred and beautiful—not secret.

Understanding of The Church of Jesus Christ and its teachings dispels all myths that the Church is a cult. Often, it is ignorance and unfamiliarity with anything—teachings, doctrines, churches—that cause us to fear and think poorly of it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not operate behind closed doors or in secret. That is not the way of the Lord. The invitation is extended to all to come and learn of The Church of Jesus Christ and find out for yourself if the teachings are true.

Additional Resource:

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

by Alexis Jergensen

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

God Wins Wars

This week as I was studying the book of Revelations in the New Testament, I came upon a verse in chapter 1 that really caught my attention. Verse 18 is Christ talking, and He says “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Because of the Atonement of Christ, He overcame death and hell within. He is the only one who has done that, and we must turn to Him to overcome it ourselves. We are each fighting our own battles. Satan is surrounding us to try to pull us down to misery with him. I think it is so ironic that in this verse it says that Christ has the keys of hell and death. On the judgment day He ultimately decides who is on Satan’s side. Satan doesn’t even have that power. This selfish, powerful, hypocritical man tries so hard to bring others down with him yet doesn’t even have the keys to his own home. He has no place he can call home. Why then does it seem so hard at times to resist the temptations of the devil? Because he is powerful, he is convincing, and at times it seems easier to give in to his traps than to fight for what we know is right. He uses everything against us simply because he wants us to be unhappy just like he is.

I love what Brother Griffin said, “Satan wins a few battles, but God wins wars.” We know whose side will win. God will prevail, and Satan will be dragged down to Hell. We need to stand against Satan. God needs strong men and women whom He can count on to put Satan in his place and stand up in this world where so many bad things are taking place. The way we do that is by every day taking the small steps of righteousness. Each small step or choice we make on God’s
side builds us a foundation for when Satan blows the big winds of temptation. If we cling to God, we will be able to withstand Satan and his false deceptions. I’m grateful that I know my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that His way is the right way. He will win.

If you are reading this post and have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Twice each year, in early April and early October, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often inadvertently called the Mormon Church, holds a general conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The conference consists of five two-hour sessions and is broadcast all over the world, having been translated into many languages.  Modern technology also takes it to the internet and the written page very quickly.  During general conference Mormons are blessed to hear poignant and timely messages from prophets, seers, and revelators—their prophet, apostles, and seventies—all witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Instructions for Good Living

At the April 2013 general conference, Elder Stanley G. Ellis, of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke regarding the instruction that God has given us to live, learn, and marry, among other things.  Elder Ellis began by explaining his role as a “seventy” in The Church of Jesus Christ.  A seventy is especially tuned to doing missionary work: “to share the word of the Lord as we receive it from the apostles and prophets and from the Spirit and to be especial witnesses of the name of Christ in preaching the gospel in all the world, in building up the Church and regulating its affairs” (see D&C 107:25, 34).

Elder Ellis then cited his experiences as he matured, which taught him how to follow God’s commandments and instructions for good living.  As a farm boy from Idaho, he learned to work hard, to work smart, to honor the Lord’s timing, to do what is most needed, to be direct, and to do things simply.

We can apply those sound principles to our own lives, whether we live on farms, or not.  Elder Ellis counseled members of The Church of Jesus Christ to find The Way (Jesus Christ) and follow the path to eternal life, all the while using our talents and gifts to build God’s kingdom on earth.

Who Are We? How Then Should We Live?

Elder Ellis explained that we know who we are.  We are sons and daughters of God.

He is our Heavenly Father, who knows us, loves us, and wants us to return to Him. Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, who through the Atonement made it certain we will overcome death and live again and possible for us to be exalted and have eternal life. The Holy Ghost is our comforter, revelator, teacher, testifier, and guide.

Because of the fact that we are directed from heaven, we have a sure guide, as long as we are willing to listen and follow.

God has the way to live,  to love, to help, to pray, to talk, to interact with each other, to lead, to marry, to raise children ,to learn, to know the truth, to share the gospel, to choose wisely what we eat, etc.

The Lord’s way is that we hearken to our leaders’ teachings, understand correct principles, and govern ourselves.

We can find out the Lord’s way by reading the scriptures and other wise church publications, hearkening to our leaders, and praying for specific direction.

Especially in the work of salvation, we learn that “in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way” (Ether 12:11). The doctrine of Christ “is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 31:21).

Elder Ellis spoke not only of the confusion and sin in the world, but the hastening of Christ’s work on the earth, as well.  It is more important than ever to be able to discern the voice of the Lord in the din of the world, and to discern our role in helping to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

I witness the Lord has the way! Our Heavenly Father knows us, loves us, and wants to help. He knows best how to help. We are not spiritual orphans!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; see also Alma 38:9). His way is based on eternal truth and leads us to “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Additional Resource:

Learn more about Mormons

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Old Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the Old Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

Mormonism: The Savior

Wanna read a good story that you probably don’t read all that often? Read Hosea.

Here it is in a wrap.

Hosea is a prophet. He is commanded to marry Gomer. Gomer is a harlot.

Even though we choose to leave Him sometimes, the Savior is always willing to accept us again.

They have children. Their children’s names mean: “sow or gather, spread, scatter”; “no mercy”; and “not my people.”

Gomer says – I will return to my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. Say what? Your lovers will give you bread? And water? Bread – symbolic of the Bread of Life? of Jesus Christ? Your lovers can give you that?

Gomer breaks her covenant and goes to her former lovers. Can I just say how when I read this – it hurt. I was legitimately so angry with Gomer. Hosea married you when you were a harlot. And you leave him for your former lovers who you think can give you bread?

But Hosea doesn’t give up on her. Hosea lets her go for a season. Then he goes after her.

He “allures” her into the wilderness and “speaks comfortably” to her. He cleans her up.

And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt (Hosea 2:15).

At first I thought Hosea was crazy. How could he let her come back?

And then, as my teacher so tenderly pointed out, I realized . . .  This is my story. This is an object lesson for the Savior and me. Sometimes, I go to other places for my flax and wool. It can be hard. I learn from my trials. But Christ comes back for me and he forgives me.

I know that I’m not perfect, that I sometimes get wrapped up in things that I shouldn’t get wrapped up in. I forget Him. But, I want so desperately to follow my Savior. He comes back for me. He is waiting for me, with open arms. He is my Savior. I am nothing without Him. And He loves me.

Following Him is more than just believing in Him and then going and doing whatever I want. Gomer just went back to her lovers, and yeah, she messed up and came back.

But what does coming back consist of? Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; repentance; baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; and enduring to the end living a continuous Christian lifestyle.

I am so grateful for my Savior.

Additional Resources:

Mormon Beliefs

Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.

Mormonism: The Love of Christ

Letter to Friend Kelsea

Kelsea,

I wanted to write you again because this last week in New Testament we covered Romans 8. To be honest, I had never really read this chapter really focusing on what it said, but this week it really hit me strong and I think you should go and read it. It’s amazing! Two different parts stuck out to me. The first is verse 26. This past semester when I was going through a hard time, I distinctly remember a couple of times when I would kneel on my knees to pray at night and I didn’t even have words to say. I would just sit there and cry. I don’t know if I ever came up with words to speak to my Father in Heaven. I love this verse! It says “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” When life is tough, and you don’t even know what to say to Heavenly Father, other than to just cry, He knows what we are saying. He knows the thoughts of our mind and the feelings of our heart. The Spirit will carry those feelings.

God and Jesus Christ loves us and are always aware of what we are going through.

The next part I love is at the end of the chapter. Verse 35-39. It starts with “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” It then goes on to name things that could potentially separate us from God’s love for us, and then in verse 37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” I love verse 39, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I know there are things in my life that get in the way of me seeing how much God loves me. It is easy to get caught up in life, school, work, dating, finances, trials, etc, where we forget to take a step back and realize God’s tremendous love for us.

Kelsea, I know that Heavenly Father loves you more than you can comprehend. Through everything you have gone through in the past couple of years, He is aware of you. He knows how it feels, and Christ suffered for you. He knows you and He loves you. There is nothing that He doesn’t understand, so please turn to Him. Pray to Him, even if you just kneel down and cry. He will understand and He will comfort you.

Thank you for your example and for being the amazing woman that you are. You really strengthen my testimony. I love you!!

Love,

Alexis

Additional Resources:

Mormon Beliefs

The following article was written by an anonymous student currently attending Brigham Young University.

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” BYU students take nearly a semester of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.

In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelite who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names. We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)

Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.

 Mormon Bible: The Veil Is Not Far

The stripling warriors may be one of the most famous and favorite stories from the Book of Mormon. It is a story of about 2,000 young men who go to war to defend their families because their parents have made a covenant with God to not take up arms against their enemies. These families were taken in by a group called the Nephites who went to war to protect them. When the Nephites began to suffer great loss, however, the parents wanted to step in to help. Afraid of the consequences their parents’ might suffer for breaking their covenant with God, these young men rise to the occasion.

Professor Griffin’s insight on their background was eye-opening for me and made me think a lot of their upbringing. He taught that many of the boys grew up without their fathers, which made me think of where their fathers were while they were fighting. I pictured them looking down from heaven being as proud as a father could be of his son. I pictured them being so close in spirit with the veil so thin. It seemed beautiful to me to imagine protection, comfort, and aid from the stripling warriors’ dads.

 Obviously I can’t know if these warriors’ fathers were looking down on them, but I do have a testimony that those who have passed away are still with us. They want to share our lives, especially in times of distress, celebration, happiness, or need. I can feel their comfort and help and have faith that they are there burning within us because of their love for us. Brigham Young (a Latter-day Saint “Mormon” prophet) told us that if we could see clearly, heaven is right in front of us.

 I like to remember my ancestors because their lives impacted mine and allowed me to come to earth at this time. I am very fortunate for those who came before me. All have played a role in who I am today, regardless if they were involved with me while I was growing up.

 Look to those who love you so deeply. Most of all, this is our dear Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Even when you feel most lonely and as if you have no friend in the world, they are always rooting for you.