Conversion is the process of being born of God. “Born of God” or “born again” refers to the personal spiritual experience through which we receive a forgiveness of sins and a witness from God that if we continue to live the commandments and endure to the end, we will inherit eternal life. The scriptures teach that just as each of us is “born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit,” so must we be “born again” of water and the Spirit and be cleansed by the blood of Christ (John 3:5; Moses 6:59).

To be born of God implies a sanctifying process by which the old or natural man is supplanted by the new spiritual man who enjoys the companionship of the Holy Ghost and hence is no longer disposed to commit sin (Colossians 3:9-10; Mosiah 3:19; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51). When we are born again we are spiritually begotten sons and daughters of God and more specifically of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 5:7; 27:25). The Book of Mormon prophet Alma 1 calls this inner transformation a “mighty change in your hearts” (Alma 5:14).”

(Adapted from the article by Ed J. Pinegar in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1-4 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow [New York: Macmillan, 1992], 218.)

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

• Moses 6:59— “That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; . . .”

We must be born again through the grace of God in order to receive the blessings of eternal life. This means that each of us must repent and bring forth fruit worthy of all acceptation of the Lord, thus proving ourselves worthy of returning to His presence.

• Mosiah 5:7— “And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.”

We become the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ because we have made the mighty change and, through baptism, have taken upon us His name. This carries with it a covenant and promise to remember Him and keep the commandments.

• Mosiah 5:2— “And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”

When we are truly converted by the Spirit, we will experience the “mighty change” and we will feel and act differently. We will have the desire to do good just like Enos, Alma, and the Sons of Mosiah.

• Moroni 8:25-26— “And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;  And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.”

We will recognize a true change within our soul. We will start to feel the Spirit and enjoy the fruits of it in our lives. We will be more humble and loving in all things.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

“Conversion must mean more than just being a “card carrying” member of the Church with a tithing receipt, a membership card, a temple recommend, etc. It means to overcome the tendencies to criticize and to strive continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances” (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 355).

“But all that has happened in the past has not, and all that occurs in the future will not change the truth that conversion to Jesus Christ and his gospel is the one and only way; for still it must be said that “there is none other way given under heaven by which men must be saved” (Elder Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, October 1963, Afternoon Meeting 26).  (See Acts 4:12.)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here are some things to remember and do in the process of conversion:

1.   Seek to align your being with the qualities of a truly converted person.

• Be mindful of your baptismal covenants
• Seek to be blameless before the Lord
• Be spiritually born of God
• Be obedient and endure to the end
• Be charitable

2.  Follow daily strategies to retain the spirit of conversion and remain strong in the Church.

• Remember to pray
• Search the scriptures
• Gain understanding
• Remain valiant
• Cultivate the spirit and practice of service
• Build up the Kingdom of God

“The Conversion of Parley P. Pratt” is a wonderful story and a great example of what it means to be converted.  Parley P. Pratt was a leader in the early restored church.

It was early in the morning, just at the dawn of day, I walked ten miles into the country, and stopped to breakfast with a Mr. Wells. I proposed to preach in the evening. Mr. Wells readily accompanied me through the neighborhood to visit the people, and circulate the appointment.

We visited an old Baptist deacon by the name of Hamlin. After hearing of our appointment for evening, he began to tell of a book, a strange book, a VERY STRANGE BOOK! in his possession, which had been just published. This book, he said, purported to have been originally written on plates either of gold or brass, by a branch of the tribes of Israel; and to have been discovered and translated by a young man near Palmyra, in the State of New York, by the aid of visions, or the ministry of angels. I inquired of him how or where the book was to be obtained. He promised me the perusal of it, at his house the next day, if I would call. I felt a strange interest in the book. . . . Next morning I called at his house, where, for the first time, my eyes beheld the “BOOK OF MORMON”—that book of books—that record which reveals the antiquities of the “New World” back to the remotest ages, and which unfolds the destiny of its people and the world for all time to come; that Book which contains the fulness of the gospel of a crucified and risen Redeemer;—that Book which reveals a lost remnant of Joseph, and which was the principal means, in the hands of God, of directing the entire course of my future life.

I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.

As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life. I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation.

I accordingly visited the village of Palmyra, and inquired for the residence of Mr. Joseph Smith. I found it some two or three miles from the village. As I approached the house at the close of the day I overtook a man who was driving some cows, and inquired of him for Mr. Joseph Smith, the translator of the “Book of Mormon.” He informed me that he now resided in Pennsylvania; some one hundred miles distant. I inquired for his father, or for any of the family. He told me that his father had gone [on] a journey; but that his residence was a small house just before me; and, said he, I am his brother. It was Mr. Hyrum Smith. I informed him of the interest I felt in the Book, and of my desire to learn more about it. He welcomed me to his house, and we spent the night together; for neither of us felt disposed to sleep. We conversed most of the night, during which I unfolded to him much of my experience in my search after truth, and my success so far; together with that which I felt was lacking, viz: a commissioned priesthood, or apostleship to minister in the ordinances of God.

He also unfolded to me the particulars of the discovery of the Book; its translation; the rise of the Church of Latter-day Saints, and the commission of his brother Joseph, and others, by revelation and the ministering of angels, by which the apostleship and authority had been again restored to the earth. After duly weighing the whole matter in my mind I saw clearly that these things were true; and that myself and the whole world were without baptism, and without the ministry and ordinances of God; and that the whole world had been in this condition since the days that inspiration and revelation had ceased—in short, that this was a new dispensation or commission, in fulfillment of prophecy, and for the restoration of Israel, and to prepare the way before the second coming of the Lord.

In the morning I was compelled to take leave of this worthy man and his family—as I had to hasten back a distance of thirty miles, on foot, to fulfil an appointment in the evening. As we parted he kindly presented me with a copy of the Book of Mormon. I had not yet completed its perusal, and was glad indeed to possess a copy of my own. I travelled on a few miles, and, stopping to rest, I commenced again to read the book. To my great joy I found that Jesus Christ, in his glorified resurrected body, had appeared to the remnant of Joseph on the continent of America, soon after his resurrection and ascension into heaven; and that he also administered, in person, to the ten lost tribes; and that through his personal ministry in these countries his gospel was revealed and written in countries and among nations entirely unknown to the Jewish apostles.

Thus revealed, written, handed down and preserved, till revealed in this age by the angels of God, it had, of course, escaped the corruptions of the great and abominable church; and been preserved in purity.

This discovery greatly enlarged my heart, and filled my soul with joy and gladness. I esteemed the Book, or the information contained in it, more than all the riches of the world. Yes; I verily believe that I would not at that time have exchanged the knowledge I then possessed, for a legal title to all the beautiful farms, houses, villages and property which passed in review before me, on my journey through one of the most flourishing settlements of western New York.

(Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr., Classics in Mormon Literature ed. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985], pp. 20-22.)

This article was adapted from What We Need to Know and Do, by Ed Pinegar and Richard J. Allen.

Temple Builder Conversion Story

The Conversion of a Former Buddhist Monk

Finding a Home in the Gospel

I heard that Mormons …

Answering Your Concerns about Mormonism

Since Joseph Smith first began telling others about his Vision of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, persecution and misinformation have followed Mormons.  You may have heard things from friends and family, or from ministers vilifying the Prophet Joseph Smith or claiming that the Book of Mormon is false or unnecessary.  Members of the Mormon Church know that they must live surrounded by such false information all their lives, but they have learned the truth about these matters.  Below are several questions that converts to the Mormon Church and others often have.  This list does not include everything, but does include links to other excellent websites that can give you fuller answers.

Scriptures:

• Isn’t the Bible the only word of God?
• Why do we need the Book of Mormon?
• Doesn’t the Book of Mormon contradict the Bible?
• Didn’t the Three Witnesses deny their testimonies about the Book of Mormon?
• Doesn’t the Book of Abraham prove that Joseph Smith was a false prophet?
• Did the Mormon Church change the Book of Mormon?

The Gospel:

• Don’t Mormons worship a different Jesus?
• I’m saved, why do I need prophets and the Book of Mormon?
• Why do I need to be baptized if I have already accepted Jesus as my Savior?
• Should I really rely on “feelings” rather than evidence to know if the Book of Mormon is true?
• I heard Mormons believe you have to work to be saved, but doesn’t the Bible say we are saved by grace?

Prophets:

• Didn’t prophets end with the Old Testament/Bible?
• Was the Prophet Joseph Smith a lazy, immoral person?
• Don’t Mormons worship Joseph Smith?
• Didn’t Joseph Smith make a false prophecy about the Second Coming?

Church Practices:

• Don’t Mormons practice polygamy?
• What about the Mountain Meadows Massacre?
• Did Mormons forbid African Americans from joining their Church?
• Do Mormons really pay 10 percent of their income to the Church?
• What’s this about no sex before marriage?

Temples:

• Why all the secrecy?  Didn’t Jesus tell His disciples to preach all his teachings openly?
• Didn’t Jesus’ Crucifixion end the need for temples?
• Do Mormons wear funny underwear?

General:

• Anti-Mormonism and ExMormons, why all the fuss?
• How can I find the truth in this maze of words and emotions?

Good Links

• Jeff Lindsay: Excellent site by a Mormon living in Wisconsin who has many articles and responses to common questions and concerns.
• FAIRLDS: A resource for friendly scholarly research on Mormonism.  Very extensive and thorough, covering virtually every conceivable topic relating to Mormonism.
• SHIELDS: A site for scholarly and historical information about Mormonism.
• Mormon Converts:  Learn about the experiences of other converts to the Mormon Church
• Light Planet: A resource for everything Mormon
• FARMS: The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies.  A very scholarly site devoted to studying Mormonism and Mormon scripture.
• Mormon Central: A list of the best LDS site on the internet.
• LDSsearch: A search engine that return good information about the Mormon Church
• Spreading the Word: An article about Mormon Missionary work at PressDemocrat.com.

Mormon Temples and Temple Work

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Mormon Church is its temples.  Mormon Temples are sacred buildings, set apart from the world.  They are not ordinary church buildings like chapels.  Mormons have both churches and temples.  In temples, Mormons perform sacred ordinances that strengthen us in this life and prepare us for the life to come.  Also in temples, families can be sealed together for all eternity and faithful Mormons can perform ordinances like baptism for those who died without the opportunity. The Holy Endowment One of the most sacred and defining moments in the life of a member of the Mormon Church comes when he or she receives his or her endowment.  An endowment is a gift; in this case it is a gift of knowledge and spiritual power from God.  Jesus referred to an endowment of power when he commanded his disciples to “tarry [...] in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).  Endue is an older form of the word endow.  In the endowment a person learns more about his place in the world and his relationship to God and the Savior, Jesus Christ. In the endowment, a person is first symbolically washed and clothed in white to symbolize becoming a new creature through Jesus Christ’s atonement.  Secondly, through a serious of symbolic presentations, a person learns about the purpose of this world and the mission of Jesus Christ.  A person then makes covenants to live righteously and according to God’s will, and receives a promise of eternal life.  A covenant is a binding promise between two people, in this case the covenants are between God and man. Finally, a person enters the Celestial Room which symbolizes salvation and God’s presence.  In this room, which is reserved for quiet prayer and meditation, a person can feel the power and spirit of God’s presence more than anywhere else in the world.  Many people return time and again to pause and pray here seeking for answers to their problems.  As a symbol of the covenants made in temples, Mormons wear sacred undergarments for the rest of their lives.  This garment serves to remind them of those promises and covenants which they have made. Celestial Marriage and Sealing For Mormons, one of the highest goals is have their family united forever through Celestial Marriage, which takes place only in temples.  This ceremony is called a sealing.  In a sealing ceremony a couple is married for time and eternity.  Time refers to the duration of this life and eternity to the life to come.  A family that knows they can and will be together forever becomes stronger as they realize the importance of their ties to one another.  This eternal perspective allows us to tolerate and express patience toward one another’s shortcomings.  (See The Family in God’s Plan). Family History and Temple Work The prophet Malachi wrote the following prophecy from the Lord: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).  This promise has been fulfilled.  On April 3, 1836, the prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13-16).  He gave them power to seal families and generations together.  Without this power and the strength it gives to families, the Lord says that the earth would be struck with a curse.  Everywhere you look today, you can see the misery that comes from broken families. Not only should our families be united together, but past generations can also be brought closer to the Lord.  Through genealogy, sometimes called family history, you can find out who your ancestors were.  In Holy Temples, there is a place provided where living persons can be baptized on behalf of deceased persons.  This is called baptism for the dead.   The Apostle Peter taught that Jesus visited the souls of people in spirit prison:

“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; By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:18-20).

In the next chapter, he explains the purpose of Jesus visiting these souls:

“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).

All those who have ever lived and died without a knowledge of the Gospel will be taught it in the Spirit World, and they will have the opportunity of either accepting or rejecting this baptism done for them in the temples.  Mormons believe this is one of the most supreme acts of service since we do something for others that they cannot do for themselves.

Do Mormons really pay 10 percent of their income to the Church? (Tithing)

Yes, and with joy, and often they give much more than that.  In addition that ten percent, called tithing, there are fast offerings, and other donations made to charitable causes to help sustain the Mormon Church’s missionary program and its humanitarian work throughout the world.   That does not even take into consideration the countless hours that Mormons donate to the Church through service projects and Church assignments.  Unlike most churches, the Mormon Church has no paid clergy for its congregations, so every job from being a bishop, who presides over each congregation, to Sunday School teacher, to vacuuming the chapel on Saturday is done by the members.

Tithing is a free-will offering made to help support the Church.  Since no clergy is paid, the money goes to help build chapels and temples and other places like visitors’ centers.  Tithing money also goes to help print copies of the Book of Mormon and other Church educational materials, much of which is distributed either free or at cost.  With a membership of 12 million, it can be expensive to build chapels, repair old ones, and print materials in dozens of languages for members throughout the Globe, but tithing is the main source for that income.

The Doctrine and Covenants, which contains the revelations of God to modern Prophets explains tithing very clearly:

And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.  And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 119:3-4).

The scriptures further promise that those who pay their tithing with be greatly blessed.  Abraham paid tithings to Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:20), and Moses commanded the Children of Israel to pay tithes as part of the Law (Numbers 18:24).  The prophet Malachi in the Old Testament compared not paying tithing to robbing God:

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts (Malachi 3:8-11).

Jesus Christ commanded the payment of tithing.  When he was rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for hypocrisy, he noted they were careful to pay their tithes, but neglectful of the more important things like faith and mercy.  Nevertheless, the says that they should do both:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone (Matthew 23:23).

Fast offerings are given whenever you fast which means to abstain from food and water for a set period of time (usually 24 hours).  Most Mormons fast once a month and give a fast offering at least equivalent to the cost of the food they would have eaten.  People are encouraged to give much more.  The money from fast offerings goes strictly to help the poor and needy.  It helps pay for food and clothing which the Mormon Church distributes to others.  Members can also donate money to other worthy causes in the Church such as supporting Mormon missionaries, humanitarian projects, and so forth.

Mormons do not view these as burdens, but as blessings.  Mormons believe that everything belongs to God and that He allows us to use it, so whatever we have is in reality a blessing from our Heavenly Father.  Since everything is His, we give a small portion of it back to help run His Church and to bless the lives of others.  The way Mormons pay their tithes and offerings is different than in some churches.  There is no collection plate or box.  Instead, envelopes are provided in every chapel.  To pay tithing, you simply take the envelope, put the money or check in it, fill out the form in the envelope so they know whether it’s tithing, or for humanitarian work, and then finally seal the envelope and give to the bishop of the local congregation.

Do Mormons Practice Polygamy?

Mormons practiced polygamy from the 1840s to the year 1890, when a revelation from the God commanded them to stop.  This is one of the most controversial practices in Mormon history and continues to trouble people nearly 120 years later.  President Gordon B. Hinckley, late prophet, seer, and revelator to the Mormon Church said:

I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.

If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. An article of our faith is binding upon us. It states, ‘We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law’ [Articles of Faith 1:12]. One cannot obey the law and disobey the law at the same time.

There is no such thing as a ‘Mormon Fundamentalist.’ It is a contradiction to use the two words together.”

Despite this, many people equate Mormons and Polygamy.  Mormons believe that those who now practice polygamy are violating God’s law and federal law, since God has now commanded that Mormons no longer practice it.

Critics claim that polygamy is condemned by Christian values or the Bible, or that it oppresses women, and some even claim that the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy outright and hence Mormons must be hypocrites.  No biblical or Book of Mormon passage speaks against polygamy.  In fact, several prominent Biblical prophets including Abraham, Jacob, and David had multiple wives.  In the case of David, the prophet Nathan said to him:

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things (2 Samuel 12:7-8).

Here, Nathan, a prophet, is speaking and quoting a revelation from God about David in which God declares that He gave David these wives.  David later committed a serious sin when he had an affair with Bathsheba, but that does not mean that his earlier marriages, here approved by God, were not condoned.

The Book of Mormon clearly explains that sometimes God commands people to practice polygamy, and other times He forbids it, since only very righteous people can it practice it properly and righteously.  A Book of Mormon prophet named Jacob teaches:

Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; for I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.  Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.  For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things (Jacob 2:27-30).

According to Jacob, only when God commands it can people practice polygamy and He will do so in order to raise more children.  The Mormons practiced polygamy as commanded by God and did so for a limited time until God commanded the Prophet to end the practice.

Did Mormons forbid African Americans from joining their Church?

From the 1850s until 1978, persons of African descent could (and many did) join the Mormon Church, but Blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood or certain positions within the Church.  This has led to charges of racism and prejudice by the Mormon Church and its leaders.  Never at any time have Blacks been denied membership in the Church and there were black Mormons in the early days of the Church, many of whom crossed the plains with the other Mormon pioneers and settled Utah.  Also, Blacks have never been segregated from the white membership of the Church.  Still, this practice continues to draw criticism.  To understand why this practice came about, it is important to understand a little about the Mormon Church.

In Mormonism, Priesthood represents God’s power and authority which He delegates to men on earth in order to lead God’s Church and perform ordinances like baptism.  While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, the first prophet and founder of the Mormon Church, read about priesthood.  He and another early member of the Mormon Church went out into the woods to pray about it.  An angel appeared to them and gave them this power.  He said:

UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1)

Later, through the visitation of other angels, they received more Priesthood power and were able to establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830.  This all occurred in New York and Ohio, but soon after, the Church began to move to Missouri and then to Illinois where they were driven because of persecution.  The Mormon Church grew and many thousands joined it, including some blacks, some of whom were former slaves.  Over the next few decades, and no one knows when for sure, it became policy not to ordain black men to the Priesthood.  To complicate matters, some members of the Mormon Church, including some leaders, made racist comments similar to those made by others in America at the time, though other Mormon leaders were very much opposed to racism, and most Mormons were adamantly opposed to slavery.

Since racist attitudes were common in America and European countries in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, such practices attracted no attention.  Over time, as America began to confront its racist past, this practice attracted more and more attention.  As early as 1900, Lorenzo Snow, then President of the Mormon Church, said he could find no scriptural justification for the ban, but nevertheless, he continued the practice.  In 1954, then President David O. McKay and the Apostles of the Mormon Church studied the matter.  President McKay was very concerned about the African people and their status and so he prayed about it, but according to his own accounts, the Lord told him the time had not yet come, though in 1962 he attempted to send missionaries to Nigeria, only to have the government deny them entry.  In 1973, President Harold B. Lee fasted for three days and nights while praying about the issue, but received the same answer: the time had not yet come.  Finally, in 1978, while gathered with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Spencer W. Kimball announced that he had received a revelation ending the ban.  Since that time, hundreds of thousands of Blacks have joined the Mormon Church and been ordained to the Priesthood in the United States, South America, and Africa.  Two temples have now been built in West Africa.

No leader of the Mormon Church has explained why this ban was in effect, though many tried to understand the reasons.  There was much disagreement as to its origins.  In 1949, the President of the Church issued this statement:

The attitude of the Church with reference to the Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.

It is important to note that while Blacks were denied the Priesthood, the Mormon Church nevertheless taught that they, just as everyone else, could be saved in heaven through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Many explanations have been given to explain the ban, most of them based upon speculation, and a few members of the Church have continued to spread rumors and untruths about this ban.

Testimonies and articles about Blacks and the Priesthood:

All Are (Really) Alike Unto God?   Personal Reflections on the 1978 Revelation by Marcus H. Martins
Blacks and the Priesthood, by Marvin Perkins
Dispelling the Black Myth, by Renee Olson

Websites about Black members of the Mormon Church:

LDS Genesis Group, the official organization for Black members of the Mormon Church, established in 1971
BlackLDS.org, an unofficial website featuring archives, history, and testimonies of black members of the Mormon Church
Timeline of Blacks and the Mormon Church, from BlackLDS.org

What’s this about no sex before marriage?

(Mormon Chastity)

Mormons believe that it is important to be clean physically and mentally.  Part of this cleanliness is the Law of Chastity.  In today’s world, teaching absolute abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage is considered by many to be out of date or unrealistic.  However, Mormons believe that this is God’s standard and that it will never change.

The Law of chastity is really very simple and straightforward, though people are always trying to find loopholes and excuses.  The Law of Chastity simpy states that sexual relations are allowed only within the legal bonds of matrimony.  Jesus put it very simply in his Sermon on the Mount when He said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).  We must strive to avoid lust and becoming preoccupied with sex.  Within marriage, sexual relations are good and proper, but because sexuality is such a powerful and important force in our lives, it can be a dangerous thing to trifle with.  Sexuality is such an important thing, because it is the way that God provides bodies for His children here on earth.  In 1995, Gordon B. Hinckley, late president and prophet of the Church issued a proclamation called “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”  It says,

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

The Proclamation says further that, “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”  Only by obedience to the law of chastity can children be raised in stable homes.  Many problems in our society such as the raise in crime, high drop out rates in school, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and other ills would drop significantly if there were more stable families who honored the laws of chastity and fidelity in marriage. Not every problem would be solved, but many would.  Imagine the problems that would be averted if more people could grow up in happy, stable homes where parents loved and respected one another and were faithful to one another.  This does not mean that single parents are bad – most of them work very hard, but it is difficult to work full time and raise a family without help.

Obeying the law of chastity means maintaining total sexual abstinence before marriage and being completely faithful within marriage.  It means shunning pornography and other movies, TV shows, books, magazines, and music which trivializes sexuality and encourages illicit sexual behavior.  It means avoiding being overly preoccupied by sexual thoughts and controlling one’s sexual desires.  Part of controlling one’s sexual desires means staying away from heaving petting, making out, touching the sexual organs of another, and avoiding masturbation.  Also, since God has commanded that marriage be between man and woman as part of His plan to create bodies for His children here on earth, homosexual activity is likewise forbidden.  While many people may find this law overly strict, it is in fact liberating.  By controlling one’s sexual appetites and setting boundaries, a person can be free to enjoy the company of others without sexual tension and with the worries and fears about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and the shame that can can accompany illicit sexual behavior.

It is important to note, however, that those who have been the victims of a sexual assault such as rape or molestation have not committed anything wrong, but are victims who need the love and support of their family and friends.  They should not feel guilty about what happened, because they have done nothing wrong.  Like any victim, they should be helped and strengthened.  It is the perpetrator of the rape or the molestation who is guilty.

Several years ago the Mormon Church published a pamphlet called “For the Strength of Youth” which contains excellent articles and insights about modesty, sexual purity, and dating.

Mountain Meadows Massacre

In attempting to discredit both the members and leaders of the Mormon Church, critics and opponents frequently refer to a tragic, isolated incident in the history of Mormonism which they claim proves that Mormons are violent and ready to kill any who oppose them.  This incident, the Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred in early September, 1857, in Southern Utah.  Contrary to the sensationalist and angry words that have been thrown at the Mormon Church and at Brigham Young, second Prophet and President of the Church in particular, this heartbreaking massacre of a wagon train had little to do with Mormonism or even with religion.  Instead, it was the tragic and inexcusable act by a handful of frightened settlers who believed, right or wrong, that their lives were danger.  They acted independently and rashly, but sadly their deeds remain in our memories.

To understand why this massacre happened, a little background is necessary.  The Mormon Church was founded in 1830 in upper state New York, but persecution drove them to Ohio and then to Missouri.  Much of this persecution centered on Joseph Smith, the Prophet and founder of the Church, because of his claims to revelation and visions.  Mormons also tended to be communal and work closely with one another, which worried their neighbors who feared Mormon political and economic dominance.  In the late 1830s, the Mormon Church was severely persecuted in Missouri and thousands of its members were driven from their homes by mobs or massacred.  Eventually the surviving members fled to Illinois, where for a short time they had peace, but the same problems arose.  In 1844, Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob, and in February 1846, the Mormons were expelled from Illinois.  Brigham Young, successor to Joseph Smith, led the Mormons out west to Utah Territory, where they established their own cities and hoped to be free of mob violence and interference, and for approximately ten years they were.

By 1857, only 27 years after its founding, the Mormon Church had over 55,000 members, many, if not most, living in Utah.  In 1852, the Church had announced its practice of polygamy, or plural marriage as they called it, which caused further tensions with the U.S. Government.  In 1850, U.S. President Millard Fillmore had appointed Brigham Young as territorial Governor.  The federal government also appointed many officials in the territorial government.  Some of these federal appointees clashed with the Mormons and other officials in the territory.  They returned to Washington and told U.S. President James Buchanan that the Mormons were rebelling against the United States, a report that turned out to be totally false.  The new president immediately cut off all communication to Utah and appointed a new governor, Alfred Cumming, without informing Brigham Young.  He also ordered federal troops to escort Cumming.  When Mormons and other travelers crossing the Great Plains to Utah reported the rumors about this army, the Mormons in Utah, unsure as to its purpose, prepared for the worst.  Many of those living in Utah had vivid memories of being driven by mobs and armies in Missouri and Illinois and determined that this time they would not go.  This mostly bloodless conflict became known as the Utah War.  News of this army’s approach arrived in late July, 1857, very close to the time that a beloved LDS Apostle, Parley P. Pratt, was murdered in Arkansas.  In August that year the Baker-Fancher wagon train entered Utah on their way to California.

The Baker-Fancher train consisted of approximately 120 emigrants from Arkansas and Missouri.  At first they camped just outside Salt Lake City.  They marched south through Utah.  At first there were no problems, but farther south Mormons started reporting comments from the wagon train about how some of them had participated in the Missouri persecutions of the Mormons or how an army was coming to wipe them out.  Added to the tensions of the approaching army and the isolation caused by the government cutting off all communications, the incidents with the wagon train, which were really minor, acted like a spark.

In September of 1857, the Baker-Fancher train camped near Cedar City, Utah, in a place called Mountain Meadows.  The heightened anxiety brought on by rumors swirling about the train, the advancing federal troops, the drought that many had suffered through for the year, and the memories of violence in Missouri and Illinois all combined in an explosive atmosphere, yet the residents were unclear on what action they should take.  Some counseled together, other went as riders to Salt Lake City to ask for advice.  Another group, led by John D. Lee met with the local Paiute Indians.  While the Mormons in Cedar City decided to wait until word came from Salt Lake City and tempers could mellow, Lee arrived at Mountain Meadows with a band of Indians.  It is unknown why or by whom the first shot was fired on September 7, but at any rate, the battle began.  During the attack the Baker-Fancher train sent men to Cedar City to ask for help against the Indians, but unfortunately some unknown white men attacked them and forced them to return.  The Mormons in the area were hysterical and worried that if the Baker-Fancher party made it to California, they would send back an army to attack the Mormon settlements.  So, on September 11, 1857, the John D. Lee and several other men massacred the remaining adults in the wagon train.  Only seventeen children under the age of eight survived.  Riders from Salt Lake City rushed to the scene to tell the locals not to interfere with the wagon trains, unfortunately the riders arrived on September 13, two days too late.

Brigham Young and the rest of the Mormons in Utah up north were too concerned with the approaching army to deal with the massacre.  Ultimately the army marched peacefully in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young stepped down as governor and Alfred Cumming took over.  When President Buchanan learned that there had been no rebellion, he issued a general pardon to the citizens of Utah, which Cumming interpreted to include the massacre.  Local Mormons distrusted the Federal Government and so would not cooperate with any attempts to investigate the matter.  Finally, the Mormon Church excommunicated those shown to have been involved, and in 1877, John D. Lee was executed for his part in the massacre.  Other attempts to bring the other leaders to justice failed for lack of evidence.

Critics of Mormonism try to claim that Brigham Young ordered the massacre or that Mormon doctrine and practice inspired a murderous rage against non-Mormons.  However, this can easily be shown false.  Mormon doctrine does not teach violence, but follows the teachings of Jesus Christ to turn the other cheek and to love one’s enemies.  If anything, these men committed these acts despite being Mormons, not because of it.  The Mormons had been driven time and again in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio without killing their opponents.  Moreover, the wagon train and many hundreds of others passed peacefully through Utah during the same time period.  This particular incident arose from a tragic series of events.  Likely, if no army had been on the march to attack them, the Mormons would likely have permitted the wagon train to pass just as they had all the previous ones.

Every large community is bound to have its troubles, and the Mormon Church has never claimed that its message is based on the perfect conduct of its members.  In the history of religion, many different groups at various times have acted contrary to the peaceful teachings of most religious founders.  One need only look at the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the support of slavery by many southern preachers prior to the U.S. Civil War.  Likely no religious community is without such incidents as these, and when studying someone else’s faith, it is important not to compare your best with their worst.  Mormons and the Mormon Church condemn the Mountain Meadows Massacre, but also deny attempts to pin its responsibility on the Mormon Church itself, which tried, unsuccessfully, to stop it.

Excellent Articles about the Mountain Meadows Massacre:

Shining New Light on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, by Gene Sessions

Background on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, from LDS Defense

The website of the Mountain Meadows Association, a joint effort of descendant of both sides to memorialize the tragedy and bring healing

Find the Truth

It can be difficult to know what is true.  In this age of satellite TV and broadband Internet, we are bombarded with more information than we can really process.  Our senses are overloaded with information.  There seems to be no more room for faith or for God.  So, how does one begin to believe?  There is no scientific method that leads a person to faith in God, but the scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon give us some hints.

Paul said, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  Sometimes, to gain faith, we must begin by hoping that something is true.  In the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Alma gave a sermon on how to develop faith.  Faith, Alma said, is to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21, pg 289).  To begin to have faith, we must first be humble.  To be humble means to recognize that we are imperfect or that we have made some mistakes.  It means to recognize that we are unable to solve all our own problems and that we need another’s help.  We need, in fact, God’s help.

We must experiment with faith.  Alma says, “Behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words” (Alma 32:27, pg 289).  To try this experiment, we must first find something we can believe in.  If we can hope to believe in something, like God, Jesus Christ as Savior, and so forth, then we can “experiment” as Alma put it.  How do you experiment with a belief?  First, you must study about it, read the scriptures.  Read the Book of Mormon, especially 3 Nephi 11 (p 427), where Jesus Christ visits the people.  Ponder the meaning of the words and what they would mean for you if true.  For example, ponder what it would mean if Jesus Christ really died for you and was resurrected.   What would that mean for you, how would it affect your life?  Ponder about the Book of Mormon.  How would your life change if the Book of Mormon were true?  Would you join the Mormon Church, would it change the way you live your life?  How do feel when you think that God knows you personally and cares about you?  Would that change your life?

As you ponder about all these things, you should pray and continue to study the scriptures.  How does a person a pray about a questions.  Paul said, “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).  Our prayers should not be memorized phrases, but a true conversation with our Heavenly Father.  To pray:

• Address God (for example:  Dear Heavenly Father, Our Father in Heaven)
• Thank Him for your blessings (food, family, safety, etc)
• Ask Him for what you need, ask Him questions
• Close in the name of Jesus Christ and with Amen

Through prayer we can find the answer to questions, if we let the Holy Spirit influence us.  Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit leads to truth (see John 14:26).  As we ponder and study the teachings in the Book of Mormon, we will the feel the power of the Holy Spirit.  It will bring ideas to your mind, give you clarity of thought, and bring peace to your soul.  When you feel this, you will know that the message you are studying is true, but to continue feeling this peace and love, you must act.  Alma, continuing his speech about experimenting with faith said:

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves–It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.  Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.  But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow (Alma 32:28-30, pg 290).

We must water this seed by keeping the commandments of God and by continuing to fast and pray to God.  Faith comes through the Spirit as a gift to those who hope and pray to God.  Paul describes what the Holy Spirit feels like when it testifies to us that something is true: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).  The Spirit fills us with love, peace, and faith, and helps to love others more fully.  As we feel this influence in our life, we will know that choices we are making are the correct ones.  There may be fear at starting something new, but there is also peace at knowing we are doing the right thing.  In his epistle to the Hebrews, Paul wrote the following the comfort new converts to the faith:

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Hebrews 10:32-36).

Every new convert to the Mormon Church will face obstacles.  Sometimes these come to test our faith, or to give us opportunities to grow spiritually.  Trials come to everyone.  We must press on with faith in Jesus Christ, trusting that He will save us when we do what he commands us to do.  The promise is, that if we trust in Him and seek to keep his commandments, that he will help us with His grace and will ultimately give a place in heaven with Him and His Father.

Anti-Mormonism and ExMormons, why all the fuss?

When you begin learning about the Mormons and the Mormon Church, no doubt your friends, relatives, and neighbors will be shocked or amazed.  They may tell you rumors they have heard about the terrible things Mormons do, or else try to convince that Mormons really aren’t Christians.  From the very beginning, Mormons have been followed by rumors, misinformation, and even lies.  Joseph Smith said that when the angel Moroni first appeared to him, the angel informed Joseph Smith, “that [his] name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people” (Joseph Smith-History 1:33).

That prophecy has come true, and faithful Mormons know that they must always confront such misinformation.  Fortunately, persecution today does not include the mobbings and murders of the nineteenth century, but many people face huge obstacles when joining the Mormon Church.  Families and friends may oppose you.  You may find it difficult to change some habits and to repent of some past mistakes.

You must remember that it is never easy to follow Jesus Christ and it never has been.  The early Christians of Paul’s time faced tremendous hardships.  Many were murdered or driven from the homes, just as members of the Mormon Church were in those days.  Paul told the new converts to Christ,

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Hebrews 10:32-36).

We must always remember not to “cast away [our] confidence” in Jesus Christ, for once we know that Jesus is our Savior and that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God, then we must be prepared to endure and be patient.  We cannot know the answers to everything; only God knows everything, but we can know through the power of the Holy Ghost what is true and what we must do.  The key and the anchor to our testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Book of Mormon.  Once we know that the Book of Mormon is true through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know with surety that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, and that Joseph Smith was His prophet here on earth because he (Joseph Smith) translated the Book of Mormon for us.  Once we know this, we can know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s Kingdom here on earth and that we must join ourselves to it through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

Just as in Jesus’ and Paul’s time, many people oppose Christ’s Church today.  Some of these people are called Anti-Mormons or Ex-Mormons because they seek to attack the Mormon Church and its teachings.  Not everyone who disagrees with Mormonism is an anti-Mormon; only those who prefer to use insults, innuendo, and scare tactics are really “anti-Mormon.”  These people like to use quotes out of context or compare isolated verses from the Bible and Book of Mormon and portray the Book of Mormon as if it contradicts the Bible, which it does not.  They want to destroy faith and scare people into thinking that the Mormon Church is somehow evil or conspiring to deceive people.  Simply ask any faithful member to learn the truth about these things.

Being a Mormon is not just believing a particular thing, it is living a certain way, too.  Mormons believe in working together and helping one another as an essential part of following Jesus Christ.  Mormonism also has many traditions and customs which differ somewhat from other denominations.  Because of this, joining or leaving the Mormon Church can be difficult, since it means changing one’s whole way of life.  This leads some anti-Mormons to say that Mormonism is a cult.  This is untrue and unfair.  Any time a person changes his or her deeply held beliefs and makes the lifestyle changes that follow, it can be difficult, but this does not mean that their first life-style was a cult.

The important thing to remember when reading anti-Mormon and ex-Mormon hate literature directed at the Mormon Church is that they are written unfairly.  They play up every failing of a Church leader or find obscure quotes that do not pertain to the Gospel to discredit Mormons.  Prophets are not perfect, and when they comment on things like science or history they do so according to their own knowledge, just as everyone does.  We must remember that only God knows everything and that we should trust in Him to lead us by His Holy Spirit.  Remember, you know what you know.  Trust in what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you and seek to understand the things you do not understand.