I'm a Mormon

I live in Utah, and yes, I'm a Mormon.  

"Mormon" is a nick-name for "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."  The name, "Mormon," comes from our book of scripture, "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ."  It is a record of the ancient American people, who knew of Jesus Christ, and lived His gospel.  They had prophets who kept the records and passed them down from one generation to another.  Mormon, is the name of the prophet who compiled and abridged all of the records into the Book of Mormon that we have today.

How did we get this book?  It was given to a young man named Joseph Smith, who translated it by the gift and power of God.  This Joseph Smith became the first prophet of our dispensation, or era of time.  And since Joseph Smith, we have had prophets on the earth, who lead us.  Our current prophet is President Thomas S. Monson.

Are Mormons Christians?  Yes!  Our 1st Article of Faith says, "We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

Do we believe in the Bible?  Yes!  The Bible and the Book of Mormon support and clarify each other.

Do we practice polygamy?  No!  It was practiced in the early days of the church, but not any more.

There are a lot of crazy things said about our religion.  Like, we're a cult, or Mormons grow horns, or we abuse our children, or even kill them in the temples.  Those things are not true!!!  If you want to know what someone believes, ask them, not people who know nothing about us.  

In the Bible, James 1:5, it says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God."  That was the scripture Joseph Smith read, which led him to ask God, which church to join.  That is something anyone can do.  When you have a question about religion, ask God.  We can pray, and get an answer from God, through the Holy Ghost, who fills us with peace.

God, our Heavenly Father, loves us and wants us to be happy.  He gives us rules, or commandments, that help us to have a happier life.  Even when times are hard, we can feel at peace, when we are doing what our loving Heavenly Father wants us to do.

Here's a link to our Articles of Faith, which is a 13 statement outline of our beliefs. 

If you want to know more, go to the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.