What now?

So I don't know what to think now that Mitt Romney is out of the race. It took me by surprise when he announced he was stepping aside. Some of you didn't even get a chance to vote yet (like Texas) so I feel bad that part of the country "lost" their voice (at least those in support of Romney). I was counting on Romney becoming the nominee - I don't know what to do now. I guess I could vote for McCain, as a vote against Hillary or Obama...

I'm sad that Romney is out. I think he would make a great leader. I do have to admit that part of my vote for Romney was because he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Being one myself, I know what it means to be a "Mormon." I know what standards we live by - we don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, don't use the Lord's name in vain. We still maintain strict chastity- no sex before marriage and complete fidelity in the marriage. We go to church every Sunday and we honor it as a day of rest. We take the sacrament (communion) every Sunday in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We serve in church positions, with no paid clergy- even the Bishop. We serve those around us and we pay our tithes and offerings to support the poor. We send out missionaries, on their own will and without pay, to spread the gospel. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that by following His teachings, we can return to live with God again, in eternal families. We believe that God is our Father and we can pray to Him anytime, anywhere. We believe in faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe we are saved by grace. We believe God has provided us with prophets today, as He did in biblical times, to guide us in these troubling times. Don't we need a prophet more than ever today? We need God's will revealed to us, and he does that through prophets (Amos 3:7). We need a prophet to proclaim that marriage is ordained of God between a man and a woman and that the family is central to God's plan. We need a prophet to teach honesty, chastity, work. We need a prophet guiding us as the world changes around us. What is so scary about the things that Mormons believe?

Well, what about Joseph Smith, you wonder? So the story is hard to believe... Even Joseph Smith said if he had not seen what he did, he would not have believed it. But he could not deny what he had seen. Joseph Smith was the 1st prophet of the restoration. While he was searching for which church to join, he came across the scripture in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." He took this very literally and went to the woods to pray. While doing so, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. In answer to his prayer, he was told to join none of them. God's church needed to be restored to the earth- the authority to act in God's name was lost (apostasy- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Amos 8:11-12). Joseph became the 1st prophet of the restoration of the gospel. The priesthood authority was later given to Joseph Smith, and he was to organize the Lord's church on the earth again. He later translated the Book of Mormon, from gold plates, that had been sealed and hidden in the earth (about A.D. 421) by the prophet Moroni, whose father was Mormon (hence the term "Mormon").

What is the Book of Mormon?

"The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians. The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." (from the Introduction to the Book of Mormon).

Hard to believe? Search it out for yourself. "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20). Read and pray about it and see the fruits of your faith. I think another thing that is lacking in this world today is faith. Not a faith (a religion), but faith as in a belief in things not seen, which are true. It takes faith and courage to seek the truth, to accept something that we cannot see. It is easier to see the results of faith- the consequences of action. Try out the principles of the restored gospel. How does that make you feel? Evil cannot bring forth righteous fruits- only good can produce good fruit. (This is symbolic of course.)

Anyway, I've gotten carried away, but there has been alot of negative things said about the church lately. During Romney's campaign, his religion was scrutinized and criticized. I've heard some good things, but I've also heard several false statements from the media and other on-line outlets. I'm offended by some of the things I've heard. This has little to do with Romney, and everything to do with defending my religion. I can't just "sit on the bench" - my faith moves me such that I will not be still.

With that said, I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I can say these things with all conviction of heart because I have had the truth confirmed to me by the power of the spirit. I've seen the fruits of the restored gospel- the blessings of priesthood authority in my home, the blessings of a living prophet, the blessings of additional scripture, the blessings of a marriage sealed for eternity in a temple of the Lord. I've experienced the happiness and freedom that comes from living the law of chastity and of staying away from alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances. I've seen how the principles of the gospel has changed me and brought happiness in family life. And I know who I am (a daughter of God), why I'm here on earth (to gain a physical body, have joy, learn and become like God), and where I'm going after this life (return to live with God, with our families). This is all made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This knowledge rings true for me. And no one can dispute that.