What I choose to believe

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the fullness of Jesus Christ's gospel. I know that I have a Father in heaven who loves and supports each one of his children. By divine design, I also have a Mother in heaven who knows me, loves me dearly and cheers me on as struggle through the highs and lows of motherhood.

There is often negative attention put on my religion, and I believe it will always be that way. It doesn't matter. It makes me sad when I see members of our church get involved in heated discussions with members of other faiths over differences of opinion in doctrine. I appreciate and love my friends who accept me as a member of my church, just as I accept them in their own beliefs. Many of my friends and acquaintances are good Christians, who are equally striving to live fulfilling lives that follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Plural marriage? There are many "defenses" I could take, but there's no need. It has not been practiced in my church since 1890, so any practicing polygamist groups are not members of my church. A recent article I read was interesting (found HERE). It stated that when many Mormons are explaining their beliefs, they change their language and tone to suggest they are expecting to be criticized. I have found that I do this at times. I will try harder to make future discussions focus on my belief in my Savior, and my desire to follow his counsel.

Proposition 8? I don't believe it was handled perfectly, but I believe it was the right thing for the LDS church (and many other denominations) to take a stance. With a new movie in theaters about how Mormons reacted to Proposition 8, there is more discussion lately. It is what it is. Since the world began, it has been a commandment for man to "cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24 as well as many other places in the Bible). I don't condemn homosexuals for pleading their cause. They have just as much right to protest against my beliefs as I do to protect my beliefs. That's the wonderful thing about America.

I have always loved how my church responds to criticism. That doesn't mean that our church members always act appropriately. One of my favorite quotes is from Joseph Smith, the first Prophet of our church in this dispensation. In his own words: ". . .it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation" (JS-History 1:24-25).

I have not seen my Heavenly Father while in my earthly body, but that doesn't deny the fact that I have repeatedly felt the presence of my Heavenly Father. I could never deny those feelings and answers. My relationship with my Heavenly Father is personal and real.

No one is forcing or guilting me into being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have no question that my parents will always accept and love me regardless of my religion. I have true friends that would also accept and love me if I did not follow the doctrines of the LDS church. I am a member of the LDS church because I choose to be; it gives me hope, it helps me feel true happiness and joy, and I believe fully in its doctrine and teachings.