Strenghtening New Members

The original reason I was making this blog was to share the gospel and participate in the world wide web --- Using it as another way to proclaim the gospel and share my beliefs with anyone who would listen. However, over the past few months a new reason has emerged and I think it could be a really big blessing in my life and the lives of new members throughout the world -- if not just the few friends I have here in my home ward. Becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is like becoming a whole new person, in a foreign land and speaking a foreign language. Not only can the doctrine be different than what they were used to, but everyday living has changed. The gospel of Jesus Christ is daily being a disciple (not just a Sunday activity for a few hours). The words and phrases we use can be confusing. The abbreviations, traditions and opinions of church members can be new to us. My new plan is that each Sunday I will sit and write about a topic. Then if friends have questions I will try to answer those questions to the best of my ability. Each week, the little message I write about should help you understand or more fully know the culture and typical traditions of our religion. THIS WILL DEFINITELY be a opinion based blog. It is coming from me -- a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - as I have been taught and raised. I will bring in quotes and scriptures but overall, this is just my answers based on my knowledge. I think it will be beneficial since I have been raised Mormon and because I have been taught from my parents and great leaders throughout my 31 years of living. I love the gospel. I have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of it and it is my desire to make your transition into the church more comfortable and easier.

To begin -- I know that we must first always strengthen the spiritual testimony we have. The Holy Ghost provided us with the feeling and prompting to know that this is truly the Church of Jesus Christ. This is His gospel on the Earth in the Last Days. Our testimony must be a testimony of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We can enjoy the friendships and fellowshipping of the members -- but our testimony or our belief is in the gospel. People are imperfect. The church members have flaws and make mistakes or sin. Maybe the people are not as friendly or do not reach out the way you know Jesus Christ loves and reaches out to you. Do not base your testimony on the Bishop or the missionaries or people you have met that are really cool! Our testimony or belief should be built upon the foundation that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. He lived and died for us. We are God's children. He loves us and we love Him. We have a great work to do! We know the Bible and Book of Mormon are His words and we should read and study them and strive to become like our Savior and be disciples. Then, in church we may meet people who are great example to us. We may be great examples to someone else we are in connection with. The Lord will use us to accomplish his work and answer prayers. We can be instruments for the Lord. We can love our leaders and those we work with in the church! We should be kind and loving and thoughtful. We should as true Christians bare one another's burdens and love one another! This is a great church. There are many great people. But the truth is in the gospel itself . The words of prophets and apostles. The teachings of the Holy Scriptures. We can know the truth of all things through the Holy Spirit. We are blessed to have Him (the Holy Ghost) as our companion. We are blessed to have prayer and know where to turn for help and strength. We are blessed to have the words of a living prophet, even Thomas S. Monson. I am thankful for the gospel. I know Jesus lives and loves each of us and hopes we will turn to Him and follow Him.


read the post below -- this is the Message from Pres. Uchtdorf this month! It goes so nicely with what I just wrote about!! I thought it was great!