In a recent talk to Mormons, Thomas S. Monson, the Mormon prophet, spoke about how God answers both large and small prayer requests. Mormon is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He told of three thousand teenagers, gathered to present the traditional cultural festival program before the Mormon temple in Kansas was to be dedicated to the Lord. This is an important event at each temple. The teenagers from all over the area served by the temple meet in their own congregations to practice their portion of the program. Only on the day of the performance do they all get to have a rehearsal all together in the place where they will perform.

Unfortunately, there were technical issues at the theater that day. The jumbotron was not working. It was a large video screen that tied each performance together and also introduced the next act. The teenagers could not rehearse while it was being repaired. The work went on and on and the technicians could not find the problem. Not only did they miss their rehearsal, but it began to look as though they might not get to perform, either. They informed the teenagers of the problem and the 3000 youth knelt on the hard floor and began to pray for the technicians. They also prayed that they would be able to perform properly even though they had been unable to do a run-through. They had done all they could, but they needed God to make up the difference. Very soon after the prayer ended, the technicians announced the problem had been solved.

President Monson was in attendance—one of the reasons the teenagers were so excited to perform—and by the time he entered, there was no evidence of the trial that had gone on. The performance ran perfectly, with each teenager somehow knowing how to properly enter and exit and how to interact with the other groups, despite never having done so in practice.

An amateur show by a group of enthusiastic teenagers might not seem that important in the eternal scheme of things, but God took time to take care of the problem anyway. He understood that while it might not change the world, it mattered to the world of these young people.

President Monson said:

“I never cease to be amazed by how the Lord can motivate and direct the length and breadth of His kingdom and yet have time to provide inspiration concerning one individual—or one cultural celebration or one Jumbotron. The fact that He can, that He does, is a testimony to me.

My brothers and sisters, the Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us.”

Read the talk:

Thomas S. Monson, Consider the Blessings, October General Conference, 2012

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

The Freedoms Foundation was founded in 1949 to teach people the principles of democracy. Although centered at Valley Forge, PA, they have chapters around the nation. Thomas S. Monson was a member of their board of directors from 1974-1978 and then served several years as a member of their National Council of Trustees.

William O. Perry, chairman of their national Board of Directors noted that President Monson continues to support the mission of the organization. He also recognized President Monson’s status as a veteran at the conclusion of World War II, where he served in the Navy at age eighteen. In addition, Perry drew attention to President Monson’s extensive history of service to those who are poor and in need, and particularly his concern for widows.

During a Christmas devotional in 2000, President Monson offered these thoughts on freedom:

How thankful I feel for political freedom enjoyed by most of our people throughout the world. As we look across the vast expanse of human history, how thankful we feel for the right to worship as we please, to assemble together without fear of oppression, to lift our voices in prayer to the God of the universe, to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

The precious boon of human liberty is really the product of the Savior’s teaching of the dignity of man. He declared the precious nature of every individual soul. We say with the Psalmist, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12).

I believe that human freedom and human liberty are the marvelous fruits of the doctrine of the Christ. Said Paul to the Corinthians, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17). (See First Presidency Christmas Devotional: “My Redeemer Lives,” Thomas S. Monson, December 2000.)

Read more about Thomas S. Monson’s military service.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

President Monson told of a study done in which teens were asked to describe a time when they faced a moral dilemma. Most of them could not remember such a time or they talked about situations that didn’t involve morality at all. It appeared to the researchers no one had ever bothered to teach these teens how to make moral decisions—or even that some situations involve morality. If this is the case, it also appears no one has bothered to give the teens moral values from which to draw.

When we fail to teach our teens to have values and to recognize moral dilemmas, we fail to prepare them for adulthood. It is essential that teenagers go into the world with a firm set of standards they will not violate. They might choose to raise their standards, but they should never be willing to lower them.

While some teach that children should be free to set their own standards, we know that is impossible. They need a foundation for their moral decisions and children and teens do not often have the skills to evaluate the morality of the world around them, particularly in a time of moral relativism. Too many people preach that anything is okay as long as it makes us “happy” without bothering to explain the disastrous consequences of being so “me” centered.

When we don’t give children moral values, we also deprive them of the opportunity to stand up for what is right. Standing alone requires courage and when teens learn at a young age to stand for what is right even if they are the only one, it gives them confidence and self-assurance that will benefit them all their lives. This centers them and helps them know more than ever who they really are. It allows them to reach beyond their own small world into the larger one that encompasses not just their own needs, but the needs and well-being of others.

President Monson related a story found in the Book of Mormon, which Mormons use in addition to the Bible. A Book of Mormon prophet who lived in ancient times had a vision in which he saw a wonderful tree with rich fruit. It represented the love of God.

There was a path that took people to the tree and many people followed it. However, some got distracted by a large and spacious building off to the side. It was filled with people in fancy clothing mocking those who were trying to do the right thing. Some people had the courage to ignore the mockers, but others became embarrassed at doing the right thing. They felt that pleasing the well-dressed crowd was more important than making eternally significant choices. They left the path and joined the mocking crowd, anxious to fit in with the “in-crowd.” In the process they traded eternity and true joy for a few years of popularity.

President Monson shared several stories of times when he had to make a choice about blending in or standing up for his faith. In the military, his commanding officer instructed everyone to meet together by religion for services. He called the Catholics, the Jewish people, and the Protestants, one group at a time, to come forward and sent them off to meet. President Monson wondered what he should do. Mormons do not consider themselves part of any of these religious groups. He decided to stand firm and not go with them, regardless of whatever the consequences might be. A moment later he was surprised to discover there were several other Mormons behind him, all of whom had made the same choice. It was certainly easier when there were also others, but he had been prepared to stand alone if he’d needed to.

In today’s world, there are many opportunities to decide whether to hide our faith or to stand for it. The best time to decide what you will do is before you have to do it. Your choice will demonstrate just who you really are.

Read Dare to Stand Alone.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

An important part of self-reliance is to be certain we have the skills to earn a good living. To this end, Mormons, both male and female, are encouraged to get good educations and to train for a career, even if someone hopes to stay at home raising children. They are also encouraged to learn practical life skills that allow them to care for themselves as far as possible. Many church congregations offer classes in skills as diverse as tire changing, cooking, and home maintenance. Many also offer a free literacy program to help those who need it to learn any type of literacy they might need, whether it is academics, learning to write a personal history, or mastering the computer.

Mormons are taught to avoid debt and to live below their means. This cuts their costs, since interest adds a great deal to the cost of things we buy. It also keeps their expenses manageable during difficult times. They are counseled to have savings for emergencies and larger purchases.

Mormons also store food ahead. They store no more than they can actually use up, so how much of each item they store depends on how long it will stay good and how much they will use. They store a supply of foods that can sustain life and have a long shelf life, such as wheat. Then they store the more ordinary foods. They are taught to use their food storage so it does not get wasted. When Mormons shop, they place the new items in their food storage and rotate the supplies. When they need to restock their regular cupboards, they “shop” from the storage. They also store non-food items such as cleaning supplies and hygiene items.

This has several immediate benefits. It allows Mormons to buy items only when they are on sale, since they have plenty of food in their cupboards, and it also means they can buy in bulk when that is less expensive. Mormons reduce their food budget, making it easier to live on a smaller budget.

Mormons use their food storage for many types of emergencies, not just large ones. A family struggling through illness and not well enough to shop has plenty of food in the house. A family that has lost its employment or simply had some unexpected expenses can skip shopping for a while or limit the shopping to the perishables. This reduces cost and increases the likelihood that they will be able to survive the hardship.

No matter how well prepared people are, they sometimes face situations for which they might not be prepared. For instance, a family be prepared to last a full year, but unemployment might last longer, or a serious illness may use up their savings. In these cases, the church is prepared to help its members on a temporary basis. Mormons can fill food orders from a storehouse and receive other types of assistance, although they are never given cash. Since their needs are met internally, this frees up resources at community charities that can be used for others.

They receive more help than an ordinary charity can give. For instance, those who frequent ordinary food banks often receive one or two bags of food meant to last several weeks. This is because the food bank must help so many people they are forced to limit what they offer. Mormons, who help just those in their own congregation, are helping a smaller number of people. They receive all the food they need for the two week period. They first meet with their bishop (lay pastor) to review their budget to ensure they have done all they can do on their own. (It is not considered appropriate to ask for food while maintaining luxury expenses.) They then review the actual needs and make a plan to meet the essentials, not the luxuries, and also to see what the family needs to move forward.

A person who has lost employment can receive help writing a resume and learning to conduct a job search. If literacy or language is an issue, the church can help with that. Often a person who has the skill this person lacks is asked to coach the person.

When the church storehouses have surplus food, they send it to the community food banks and they also frequently loan their canneries to local charities.

This charitable assistance is provided through a unique program called “Fast offerings.” Once a month, Mormons who are physically able to do so go without food or drink of any kind for twenty-four hours. They donate the money saved to care for members of their congregation who are in need. By going hungry for a day, they can prevent someone else from being hungry for a long time. Those who receive the help are asked to do volunteer work to “repay” a portion of what they receive.

Self-reliance, from a Mormon standpoint, has two aspects—preparing to be self-reliant, and helping those who are in need of a little assistance to get back on their feet.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

I asked the teacher who the prophet was now and was told there wasn’t one. God didn’t talk to us through prophets anymore. She suggested I could just pray myself if I wanted to tell Him something, but I thought that if that was enough, there would only be one church, because I presumed all those ministers I’d met were praying. I tucked it away in my heart and kept my eyes open for a prophet. There had to be one somewhere.

When I found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes nicknamed Mormons, I had a head start. I already believed many of their teachings, not just the mainstream Christian beliefs, but also some of the more unique teachings. I was sixteen now, but still searching for the prophet I knew had to be out there somewhere.

Until this point, I had been looking for a prophet in a generic sort of way. The Bible talks about prophets and even says God’s church must be built on a foundation of prophets and apostles. It says God will do nothing without first revealing it through his prophets. But I wasn’t entirely sure how people in the Old Testament had known  these men were prophets. The people in Noah’s time had entirely rejected their prophet, with deadly results. Moses’ people accepted him as their prophet but tended to ignore what God told him to say when the teachings weren’t to their personal liking, which, to my mind, suggested they weren’t entirely convinced he was a prophet. I didn’t want to be one of those people who bumped into a prophet and didn’t recognize him for who he was.

Soon before I got invited to attend church with a Mormon, I became aware of a famous women who was called a prophet. Her predictions were published in the newspaper every New Year’s Eve and she got a lot of attention for them. They were interesting predictions, but they were too often on unimportant things, such as celebrity gossip. I didn’t really see God caring to announce through a prophet who was going to win a big award that year or even which movie star would get divorced. I started a list of what I wanted in a prophet—I love making lists. The first thing was that the prophecies had to matter enough for God to announce them. That was pretty much all that was on my list. I wasn’t sure what else went there.

When I began learning about Spencer W. Kimball, the current prophet of the Mormon people, I wondered how I was supposed to know if he was a prophet. Learning to believe in prophets had been easy; recognizing that prophet was not. I knew from reading the Bible that prophets didn’t have to be perfect. Some in the Old Testament had made some big mistakes in their lives. As I learned about President Kimball, I saw that he lived a more Christ-like life than many of the Old Testament prophets had. If behavior belonged on the list, President Kimball passed the test.

I started reading the things he taught. He was especially fond of talking about the need for repentance and the blessings that came from it. He never watered down doctrine or said what was popular. He was firm in his teachings. I felt those things were to be expected in a prophet. Most of the things God had taught in the Bible had been unpopular, but true. I was pretty sure a false prophet would be more inclined to tell people what they wanted to hear and to make the gospel easy. In the Bible, it wasn’t presented as easy.

I began to learn how the Holy Ghost teaches us. I learned that if I lacked wisdom, I could pray and God would tell me what I needed to know. (See James 1:5 in the New Testament.) I began praying for things that couldn’t be answered by actions, such as causing me to remember a forgotten test answer, and praying for new informationI learned to study an issue out spiritually and intellectually, make a choice, and then pray to know if my decision was correct. . In time, I learned to recognize the calm, peaceful feeling that told me the Holy Ghost was there with me, approving the decisions I had made.

In the end, this was how I came to know Spencer W. Kimball was a prophet. I my lists, my studies, and the other methods I used were part of the preparation process, but the only way I could actually know he was a prophet was by asking the only one who knew for certain—God. Anyone else could be wrong. The Bible held the answer to my question when it instructed me to ask God and promised me He would answer. I prayed, he answered, and I knew.

When President Kimball died, I felt I needed to start over again, studying and praying. I did, but what I realized was that if I belonged to the true church, God would make certain it was led by a true prophet. I didn’t need to pray about every individual doctrine once I knew I had found the gospel. Of course, from time to time I would learn of a doctrine I just didn’t feel sure about. Then I was encouraged to pray again to know whether or not it was true. To my surprise, my leaders and teachers told me I must never take their word for it. I must only trust God. That was certainly something I’d not encountered before. Everyone wanted me to take the word of an infallible human in the other religions I’d studied. Knowing I was to find my own answers gave me confidence. In time, a new prophet could be sustained and I could raise my hand to support him even without praying—but I could pray if I wanted to.

I was certain that was how God would want it to be.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Mormon is only a nickname, one which can be properly applied to the members of the church but not to the church itself. The proper name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons generally refer to themselves as LDS (Latter-day Saint), not Mormon.

Jeffrey R. Holland, whose proper title is Elder Holland, is an apostle. When Jesus Christ established his church, he called twelve apostles to assist Him with His work and to testify of Him. Today, a prophet heads the earthly church since Jesus is no longer on the Earth, but Jesus Christ is still considered the head of the Church. You may recall that in Old Testament times a prophet always led God’s people. Since the Bible states that Jesus’ church must be built on the same platform as established by Jesus Christ Himself, the Mormons have a prophet and apostles to lead them.

Elder Holland began by describing the origins of the church, which began when a fourteen-year-old boy was confused about which church to join. When he read James 1:5 in the Bible, he knew he had found a solution—ask God when you need wisdom on a subject. As he prayed in the grove near his home, he received a visit from God and Jesus Christ, who told him none of the churches had the complete truth and so he must not join any of them. Later, when he was a few years older, an angel named Moroni came to tutor him in preparation for restoring the complete gospel.

There has been no question that doctrine altered and changed over the centuries and that people are in disagreement over very basic principles. Throughout history, church members would disagree over a point of doctrine and one group would leave and start a new church that operated on their own beliefs about how the Bible must be interpreted. This led to thousands of churches even within the Protestant tradition. As the Second Coming draws near, it is clear there is a need for a definitive voice and in the Bible, we learn that this voice must be that of a prophet of God. The Bible does not say there would be no further prophets after the Bible ended. It says, in fact, that God will do nothing except through His prophets.

Early in church history, there was a Protestant reformation. Many good people saw that corruption and misunderstanding had arisen in the existing church. These leaders were not prophets and never claimed to be. They were good men doing the best they could in a time of apostasy. They fought hard for their beliefs and helped to pave the way for freedom of religion in modern times, and for this, Mormons celebrate them. However, Mormons teach that a mere reformation is not enough. A restoration of all things must occur in order to get God’s church back on the proper path, and this is what the Mormons offer.

Elder Holland addressed the accusation that Mormons are not Christians with a straight-forward explanation of the topic:

“We are not considered “Christian” by some, I suppose, because we are not fourth-century Christians, we are not Athanasian Christians, we are not creedal Christians of the brand that arose hundreds of years after Christ. No, when we speak of “restored Christianity” we speak of the Church as it was, not as it became when great councils were called to debate and anguish over what it was they really believed. So if one means Greek-influenced, council-convening, philosophy-flavored Christianity of post-apostolic times, then we’re not that kind of Christian. Peter we know, and Paul we know, but Constantine and Athanasius, Athens and Alexandria generally we do not know. (Actually, we know them, we just don’t follow them.)”

A careful study of the complete Bible, not just selected verses, will demonstrate that many parts of modern Christianity are not found in the Bible. When one does not believe God is still speaking and clarifying, one must rely only on the Bible for information about truth. However, to use one common example, the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Nor is the formal definition of Trinity. This was added later in the fourth century councils to appease certain aspects of the growing religion and derived from philosophers, not the Bible. The Bible has too many instances in which it clearly demonstrates that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are entirely unique beings, unified in purpose, not physical aspect.

Elder Holland offered the following examples that demonstrate that God and Jesus Christ are separate beings:

“We take literally at His word that Christ ‘came down from heaven, not to do [His] own will, but the will of him that sent [him]’ (John 6:38). Of His antagonists Jesus said, they have ‘hated both me and my Father’ (John 15:24). And along with scores of other references, including His pleading prayers, Jesus repeatedly subordinated Himself to His Father, saying regularly in one way or another, ‘My father is greater than I’ (John 14:28). However, having made the point of Their separate and distinct physical nature, we declare unequivocally that They were indeed and are ‘one’ in every other conceivable way—in mind and deed, in will and wish and hope, in faith and purpose and intent and love. They are most assuredly much more alike than They are different in all the ways that I have just said, but they are separate and distinct beings as all fathers and sons are. In this matter we differ from traditional creedal Christianity, but we do feel we agree with the New Testament.”

Elder Holland concluded his talk by outlining some of the basic principles Mormons believe are part of that restoration, including the knowledge that we are sons and daughters of a loving God, that God planned for the atonement in order to make it possible for us to repent and to return home someday, and that what we do in our lives matters.

“Lastly, this plan, this divine course outlined for us—including the fortunate Fall in Eden and the redemption of Gethsemane and Calvary—is universally inclusive. All are children of the same God and all are included in His love and His grace. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Everyone is covered, though it remains to be seen whether everyone cares. But if there is a failure to respond, it won’t be because God didn’t try and Christ didn’t come. That is at the heart of what I have been introducing to you as the restored gospel.

Read Elder Hollands Address

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God and of Mary. They have no doctrine on how this parentage came to be and rumors concerning Mormon beliefs on this subject are not true. It is considered unimportant to our eternal salvation. What is important is that this duel mortal and divine heritage allowed Jesus Christ to do things we could not do for ourselves. While His mortality allowed Him to experience and understand the challenges and temptations we face, His divinity allowed him to overcome death to be resurrected. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took on all the sins ever created, an extraordinarily selfless and painful act, one that required the ministering of angels to get through. Then he suffered on the cross, another painful experience. However, after three days, He rose from the dead and broke the bonds of death for all of us.

What do these events mean for us? Mormons believe that justice required that we live perfect, sinless lives here on earth. This, of course, would be impossible for anyone but Jesus Christ. Fortunately, God loves us so much He chose to balance justice with mercy. He authorized a proxy ordinance in the form of the atonement, which means that Jesus Christ would suffer for our sins and atone for them in a way we could not. His atonement, death, and resurrection made it possible for us to be saved.

To a Mormon, being saved means more than making a one-time statement of faith. It is an ongoing process. The idea that being saved is a way of living and not just an act derives in part from the following scriptures in the Bible and the Book of Mormon:

Bible:

Not every one that saith‍ unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth‍ the will‍ of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Book of Mormon:

24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen (2 Nephi 10:24).

What this means is that Mormons believe we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and be baptized. But if we simply stopped there, going on to live any life we wanted without regard to the commandments, we would be demonstrating that our statement of faith was false and without commitment. Our lives must be an outward demonstration of our internal faith. God gave us commandments and like any good parent, He expects us to keep them, as shown in the Biblical scripture above. The greater our faith, the easier it is to keep the commandments. For those with perfect faith, obedience is not a burden.

We might remember that in the Bible a young man came and asked Jesus what he should do. Jesus mentioned several commandments and the man said he’d been doing all those things since he was a child. Jesus raised the bar—he challenged the man to give away all his possessions and to follow Jesus. This the young man was not able to do. His possessions were more important to him than Jesus Christ at that time. His choices and his acts demonstrated the validity and depth of his conversion.

Mormons understand that although we must keep the commandments, keeping them alone is not enough. A person cannot make a list of commandments and then work down the list without an inner commitment. The commandments must be kept for the proper reason—not to receive a reward but as a natural outgrowth of our deep faith in and love for Jesus Christ. Only when our hearts and motives are pure are we doing exactly what Jesus Christ asked of us when he said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Mormons believe that because of the atonement, everyone will rise from the dead and live forever. We each have the right and ability to repent, something not fully possible prior to the atonement. At baptism, we understand that we are saved, but that we must do our part and live a Christ-like life. Then, when we have done our part, the part Jesus Christ personally required of us during His mortal ministry, He will do His part—a part we cannot possibly do for ourselves. We are saved only through Jesus Christ because we could not have saved ourselves had He chosen not to come to Earth and atone for our sins. Our eternal salvation is a partnership of love between God, Jesus Christ, and ourselves.

Learn more about whether or not Mormons believe in being saved by grace.

Thomas S. Monson, the current Mormon prophet, has spoken often on Easter. Following is one testimony he shared of the very first Easter:

“Next week the Christian world will celebrate the most significant event in recorded history. The simple pronouncement, “He is not here, but is risen,” was the first confirmation of the literal Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The empty tomb that first Easter morning brought comforting assurance, an affirmative answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”^…

With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’” May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen.” (See I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Ensign, May 2007, 24, 25.)

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Connie:

Mormons (a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) believe that baptism is a necessary ordinance for exaltation. It is the gate, if you will, by which one enters into God’s kingdom. In John 3:5, Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

However, there have been many people who, without fault of their own, have lived on the earth without being baptized. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are, therefore, baptized on behalf of deceased persons who never had that ordinance performed while they lived on earth – believing that everyone needs the opportunity to choose to enter God’s kingdom. Those deceased persons are then able to either accept or reject that baptism.

Mike:

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when I have a Christian question, I often refer to the scriptures for guidance. For example, I have referred to the King James version of the Bible for scriptural reference to work for the dead performed in ancient days. Then, I have referred to a simple explanation given by a leader in the Mormon (LDS) church, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, on the matter of work for the dead. You may also refer to the recent blog submitted by Gargantuan with LDS.net at through this link Blogs » Doing for Our Kindred Dead What they Cannot do » LDS Social Network., Blessings, Michael

Christian (Biblical) references to Work for the dead and Baptism for the dead, and Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s explanation for Baptism for the dead.

1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1Cor 15:29
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

Doctrinal notes were taken from the book Mormon Doctrine, Elder Bruce R. McConkie;Bookcraft, first and second editions, 1958 and 1966.

“Based on the eternal principal of vicarious service, the Lord has ordained baptism for the dead as the means whereby all his worthy children of all ages can become heirs of salvation in his kingdom. Baptism is the gate to the celestial kingdom, and except a man be [is] born again of water and of the Spirit he cannot gain an inheritance in that heavenly world. (John 3:3-5) Obviously, during the frequent periods of apostate darkness when the gospel light does not shine, and also in those geographical areas where legal [priesthood] administrators are not found, hosts of people live and die without ever entering in at the gate of baptism so as to be on the path leading to eternal life. For them a just God has ordained baptism for the dead, a vicarious-proxy labor. (Doctrine & Covenants 124: 28-36; 127; 128; and 1st Corinthians 15:29.)

Baptisms for the dead were not performed in pre-meridian dispensations. But since our Lord preached to the spirits in prison, organizing his kingdom among them, these and other vicarious temple ordinances have been performed. The dispensation of the fullness of times [or present time] is the great era of vicarious ordinance work, a work will continue during the millennial era until it has been performed for every living soul entitled to receive it.” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2 pp.100-196.)

Terrie

When Jesus was baptized, He set the example for everyone else. Even though He had no sins from which to repent, He still understood one must be baptized to be saved, and so He insisted His cousin baptize Him. In John 3:5, Jesus Christ said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5). Clearly, baptism is not optional for those who want to be saved, just as accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior is not optional for salvation. However, there are many people who lived and died never having heard of Jesus Christ, who died prior to Jesus’ ministry (including many of the Biblical prophets) or whose lives were such that they never had a real chance to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ.

Mormons believe strongly that God is loving and fair. We see Him as our Father in Heaven, and a loving father would never intentionally set up a child to fail or punish him for something beyond his control. After all, it is God who chose when and where we would be born and what experiences we would have in our lifetime. What kind of father would place a child in a situation where he couldn’t possibly be saved? God loves us too much for that. But if you must be baptized and baptism can only happen on earth, what hope does a person have who didn’t get the opportunity in this life?

The Bible gives us the answer in a verse many scripture experts have admitted to not understanding and that many other skip over.

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29) Paul asked this question in the process of trying to convince his listeners of the truthfulness of the resurrection. He didn’t bother to explain the term, which demonstrates that everyone already knew what it was. He logically asked them why they were doing baptisms for the dead if they didn’t believe there was a resurrection. The fact that they carried out the required ordinance proved they did believe in the resurrection, but were, for whatever reason, denying they did.

Is it too late after death? Jesus apparently didn’t think so. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19).” Jesus personally taught the gospel to those who had died without accepting it. He must have seen a reason for doing so. What was that reason? “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit (1 Peter 4:6). The reason, Peter explains is so they can be judged in the way those still alive are, even though they are only spirits at the moment.

When Jesus took our sins on Himself and died for us, He carried out a vicarious, proxy ordinance. He demonstrated proxy ordinances are acceptable to God. Baptism for the dead is a vicarious or proxy ordinance. A living person who has previously been baptized can be baptized for a dead ancestor.

It is critical to note this does not make the person a Mormon. Mormons are very strong believers in agency, the right to choose. In fact, agency was an essential part of God’s plan and taking it away from us was an essential part of Satan’s proposal. For that reason, accepting the gospel must be a personal choice. It is not a second chance–if the person had a legitimate chance on earth, God will not accept the vicarious baptism. However, we are not permitted to judge who did or did not receive that chance–we can’t know if the spirit ever really testified to the person. So we do this work for all our ancestors, as a gift to them. When the work is done, the dead person, who has been learning the gospel in Heaven (think of it as an orientation course) is permitted to choose whether or not to accept. Sadly, even knowing it is true, as they will then, many will still choose to reject it for various reasons, just as people have always chosen to reject things they knew to be true. If the person rejects the gift, it is as if it never happened. Mormons do not list the people for whom ordinances are done as members, because we do not know who accepted and who rejected.

I asked my non-Mormon father if I could do his work after his death. He said that if it was all false, it wouldn’t make any difference at all that it was done because God would ignore it, as He ignores anything false. However, if it was true, he’d be desperate for the opportunity, so he felt he had nothing to lose. Without the ordinance, his agency would be taken from him.

Baptism for the dead is a gift of love from one family member to another and it is one of the reasons I knew the church had to be true. It assured me God really does love all His children, not just the ones fortunate enough to be placed in the right place at the right time.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Although the prophet, his two counselors, and the twelve apostles (the counselors are also apostles) serve full-time, they do not receive a salary. This is due to biblical warnings about priestcraft—the ability to become wealthy doing the work of the Church. Since most who serve in these positions are older, they often have pensions or other sources of private income, even though they can no longer hold outside employment. Those who do not receive a modest stipend which allows them to live at a reasonable standard of living, but not to become wealthy. While most religions pay their ministers and many leaders of popular churches become wealthy, a Mormon leader can only achieve wealth prior to his call to full-time service. No matter how much money the Church makes, leaders do not personally profit from that money.

Due to privacy, the church does not reveal who is receiving financial help from the church, whether it is an ordinary church member receiving charitable assistance or a leader receiving a small stipend. Thomas S. Monson became an apostle at the age of 36, an unusually young age for such a call. (He was also an unusually young bishop.) Prior to his call, he had worked in the printing industry as the General Manager of Deseret News Press. It is possible he receives a stipend, due to how young he was when he gave up paid employment, but it’s also possible his children and other relatives support him instead. He may even have savings invested that support him. How he supports himself really isn’t important. However he does so, he does not receive a paycheck or a share of the money brought in by the church.

 If a stipend is given, it does not come from tithing money. Unlike many churches, which count all their businesses as part of their ministry, the Mormons operate a for-profit arm for their businesses. These businesses pay taxes at the same rate as any other businesses. They are operated under a holding company. It is the for-profit arm that provides the stipend, so that the money donated by members is not used for salaries. The prophet does not own these businesses, nor does he receive a share of the profits from them. The profits are used to fund church work, including things like salaries that must not be paid from tithing funds.

Mormons love being part of a volunteer system. It allows them to serve God entirely unselfishly. They don’t accept service to gain a paycheck; they accept it entirely because they love God and want to serve Him and to be a part of His work. There are, of course, rewards that go far beyond anything a paycheck could provide.

Mormons normally don’t choose their callings. When a leader of an organization needs someone to fill a position, he or she considers possible names of people she knows or who might be available. She then evaluates those names, praying for inspiration, and then chooses one. She prays to find out if this name is acceptable to God and if it is, she submits it to the bishop for approval. This is done because he knows more about the person and whether or not that person is actually available for the position. When everyone has prayed and is in agreement, the chosen person is invited to accept the call. Knowing it is from God, most Mormons will accept even if they feel unqualified for the position. Of course, if there is information he or she might have that is pertinent, such as a serious family situation requiring priority, the person will ask to have that considered.

People generally change positions every few years. This allows them to serve in a wide range of positions over the years and to gain many skills. It also improves their understanding of the organization of the church because they see it from many different viewpoints. There is no promotion, so a person might be the president of the children’s Primary one week, and helping a toddler nursery leader the next and not consider it a demotion in any way. It is simply another responsibility.

The skills learned through church service often force people outside their comfort zones. A shy follower may find herself asked to lead a large women’s organization. A man who doesn’t feel organized might be asked to be the secretary—a position requiring extensive organizational skills. A person new to the church can be asked to teach a class, even though she will first have to learn the doctrines she will be teaching. As people accept positions they would never have volunteered for, they become more than they imagined they could be. Mormons believe God knows them perfectly and knows all they are capable of becoming. When He chooses a calling for them, He is often putting them into a situation that requires the growth needed to become the person God knows they can be.

From a practical standpoint, some church-learned skills later become job skills. A teenager who discovers she has a knack for teaching might decide to major in education. Someone invited to teach literacy may find it very rewarding and go on to major in adult literacy or decide to volunteer to teach it in the community once it is no longer her church work. Many who gain public speaking skills or leadership skills in church go on to become leaders in business or government. This too is part of God’s plan to help us create the life He wants us to lead.

Mormons at all level of the Church serve God happily and lovingly, thrilled to be a part of His gospel.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

The name of the report demonstrates the basic results of the study: Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society,” Mormons in the study showed some concern over how they are viewed. They don’t want to be just like everyone else, but they do want their beliefs treated with dignity and respect.

To this end, as the title suggests, many Mormons are unsure of their acceptance in society. Half felt evangelical Christians were usually unfriendly to them. 54 percent felt media portrayals were damaging to their faith and 62 percent felt Americans don’t know much about them. Although two-thirds of Mormons don’t believe most Americans see them as part of the mainstream, 63 percent feel that their level of acceptance is improving.

The other part of the study’s title reveals that Mormons themselves have very sure testimonies of their beliefs. 97 percent of Mormons describe their religion as a Christian religion. 74 percent were raised in the Mormon faith and 65 percent have current temple recommends. This last statistic is important because a temple recommend requires a member to have belonged to the church for at least a year and to have a strong testimony of several key doctrines. In addition, they have to be living a moral and spiritual lifestyle. As a result, it is one indicator of a person’s commitment to his or her religion.

Deseret News, which summarized the lengthy report, said:

“In terms of religious beliefs and practices, the survey makes it clear that Mormons are highly religious — again, not a big surprise. Eighty-two percent say that religion is very important in their lives, and 77 percent say they believe wholeheartedly in all of the church’s teachings. Fully 83 percent say they pray every day, 79 percent say they donate 10 percent of their earnings to the church in tithing and 77 percent say they attend church at least once a week. According to Pew, “Mormons exhibit higher levels of religious commitment than many other religious groups, including white evangelical Protestants.”

Looking at basic, core religious beliefs, 98 percent say they believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 94 percent believe the president of the LDS Church is a prophet of God, 95 percent believe that families can be bound together eternally in temple ceremonies, 94 percent believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate, physical beings and 91 percent believe that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets.

Clearly, Mormons are believers.” (See ‘Mormons in America’ Pew survey explores beliefs, attitudes of LDS Church members, By Joseph Walker, Deseret News; Published: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 10:00 p.m. MST.)

Despite facing the ordinary trials of life, 87 percent of Mormons say they are satisfied with life, a figure higher than that of the general public. However, they also feel a strong responsibility to help others achieve better lives. 73 percent said that helping the poor was an essential element of Mormonism.

The study, and previous Pew studies in which Mormons were ranked against other religions, demonstrate that the Mormons are doing something right. The religion creates a high level of faith and morality. Mormons are well-known for their commitment to living clean, moral lives and for being happy while they do it. In a world that claims we can’t enjoy life without being immoral, Mormons are proving that morality is rewarding and joyous.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.