Why Missionary Service?

Why should we participate in missionary service?

We are commanded by God.
Matt 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Evil men are out there purposefully deceiving.
Many are looking but don't know where to find it.
D&C 123: 12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

It is only fair and just.
D&C 88: 81 (D&C 38:41) Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

So, few laborers for such a big job.
Luke 10: 2 (Jacob 5:70)Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

No more sorrow upon the Earth.
Alma 29: 1-2 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

Helps us Remember the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alma 29:10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Brings salvation to our soul.
D&C 4 and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

Doubling Convert Baptisms, Retention, and Reactivation

The Late Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gordon B. Hinkley challenged the LDS people to double the number of convert baptisms and improve upon our retention of those who have been newly baptized into the church. This past year, our ward and mission as well as neighboring missions have worked to apply the principles President Hinkley gave several years ago and have successfully doubled our convert baptisms as well as increased retention. Here is what we are doing.

First, our bishop has doubled and tripled the number of ward missionaries. Since every member needs a calling, there should be plenty of members who could assist the missionaries. Next, our ward mission leader conducts a missionary meeting twice-a-week. The first meeting, usually held after church on Sunday, the full-time Elders together with the ward missionaries discuss splits/exchanges/teamups, and assign home teachers or ward missionaries to teach new member discussions. After an individual has been baptized into the LDS church, there is still alot to be learned. However, the responsibility of new member discussions has been given to ward missionaries and home teachers which helps the new member form permanent and lasting relationships with members in the congregation and weans them from their temporary relationship with the Elders.

The second missionary meeting is held 30 minutes before youth night activities. In this meeting, the missionaries and a representative from each axillary meet to discuss all the families and individuals that the missionaries are working with. Since, leadership are generally at the church on youth night anyways, this meeting is not difficult for them to attend. With the auxiliaries present as well as a member of the bishopric, home and visiting teaching is assigned, fellowshipping is arranged, rides to church are organized, and new member discussions are planned. This second meeting with leadership from the Relief Society, Elders Quorum, Young Men, Young Women, High Priests, and Primary is amazingly productive. These meetings really help coordinate the ward in taking care of the needs of the families and individuals that the missionaries are working with. At the same time, the leadership can request that the missionaries help them in visiting and assessing the needs of members who may not be actively attending and participating in church.

Just as Pres. Hinkley encouraged, the result of these missionary meetings together with the coordination of priesthood auxiliaries has been a doubling of convert baptisms and an increase in retention and reactivation. These result have been seen throughout our mission and also in neighboring missions in the South East Area

Missionary Letter

Dear Sis. Brosnahan,

I was out with the missionaries this morning driving them around
before work. It was tough to find people awake before noon. I know I
wouldn't be up. There is one lady we visited who was baptized baptist
last year and is interested in the missionaries message about the gift
of the Holy Ghost. She feels obligated to her church because they
helped her out financially and she really feels she has found an oasis
of solace after having gone through the dessert. Many Born-again
Christians really feel this way.

I likened her experience to Nephi in the Book of Mormon. After having
traveled through the dessert and suffered starvation and fatigue they
finally arrived at the land Bountiful. This land on the sea shore was
flowing with milk and honey. I can understand why when God commanded
Nephi to build a ship and cross the ocean, many did not want to leave
Bountiful after what they had just been through. But Bountiful was a
stepping stone on the way to the Promised Land, and after traveling
trough an arid Arabian Dessert, God was still asking them to cross the
expansive ocean before arriving at an even better place.

After talking with this sister, we spoke to a great young couple. The
brother is training in the millitary for a few months. We showed them
the Restoration DVD. The wife really asked some great insightful
questions. She asked if the Joseph in the Bible was related to Joseph
Smith. i said they are different Joseph's but they are connected in
an interesting way.

Joseph in the Bible is one of 12 brothers and sons of Jacob (Israel).
Joseph's older brothers Ruben, Simeon, and Judah lost out on the
birthright because of some mistakes they made. So, the birthright
went to Joseph a younger brother instead of some of the older
brothers. Because of jealously, the older brothers sold Joseph into
slavery into Egypt and told their father Jacob Joseph had been eaten
alive by wild animals. Later, a great drought and famine came and the
family of Jacob and the 11 sons were starving and went to Egypt to
find food. Well it turned out that Joseph recognized his family and
served to save his family from the famine.

In a way, this story in the OT is an allegory that teaches us
something that will happen in the Last Days. Just as the Joseph in
the OT saved his family from the drought and famine then. The OT
foretells in Amos about a future famine, not of bread or of water, but
a spiritual famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Today, we like
the 11 brothers can turn to a modern Joseph Smith to help us escape
this modern spiritual famine.

I hope everything is going well for you. Our ward has a missionary
meeting twice a week on youth night and after church on Sunday which
the ward missionaries attend and arrange splits and new member
discussions. Furthermore, on youth night before scouts and YM/YW,
a representative from all the auxiliaries attends. During this meeting the
missionaries review all their investigators and we plan splits, fellowshipping,
phone calls, and rides to church for each investigator. These meeting have
resulted in a doubling of our baptisms.

Sincerely,
David B.

Curse of the Water

Q. Someone asked me recently why LDS missionaries were not allowed to swim and did this policy relate to LDS believing that the waters had been cursed.

D&C 61:3;14 But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief. . . . Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.

A. The origin of this goes back to the Doctrine and Covenants and the practice of returning missionaries to return home to Nauvoo via paddle boat up the Mississippi and Missouri from New Orleans. Christ told Joseph Smith that He preferred the missionaries to travel by land and not by water so that they could continue missionary work while they traveled. Also, there was mention made of avoiding sin because while the laws of the land applied to the land, it has always been the practice that the laws don't necessarily apply to the water. So, even to this day, paddleboats were used for gambling and brothels up and down the Mississippi.

As far as missionaries not being allowed to swim. This is a policy decision based on a desire to prevent injury. Missionaries are much less likely then their counterparts to be injured or die while on their mission. Missionaries are permitted to travel by boat, or ferry and missionaries get in the water to baptize converts often. Missionaries are also instruccted to bathe daily as well.

The curse of water spoken of in Revelation as part of the 7 trumpets, and 7 vials of the tribulation in the last days over the Seas, rivers, fountains etc and really is symbolic of peoples, nations, and tongues. So, in reality God is concerned with people not the water, and it is the people who are cursed and not really the water itself. This understanding fits perfectly with the reasoning that missionaries were instructed to travel home by land and continue to preach the gospel message instead of traveling by boat while the cursed peoples on the shores perish.

Rev. 17: 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

The Commitment Pattern

I am troubled over a prevalent Evangelical Christian argument against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS seek converts to the church through a very simple process using the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. There is no secret to it. However, many Evangelicals try to characterize what LDS call the "commitment pattern" as some sort of "Jedi-mind trick" or "brain washing." What is the "commitment pattern?" It really is very simple and it comes right out of the Bible.

The first step is love. According to the Bible, any missionary of Jesus Christ must first establish a relationship of trust, and friendship. Sincere, unconditional love for others must be the foundation of missionary work. This relationship can be established on the foundation of a love for Jesus Christ, other common beliefs, and upon charitable service. We should never be friends just to "convert." More often than not, friends ask about and begin investigating the church based on our example alone as we reflect the light and love of the Savior.

1 Jn. 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

The second step is the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ promised to send believers the Holy Ghost in His absence. The third member of the Godhead, which Christ referred to as the Comforter, was promised to dwell in the believer, testify of Christ, and guide him into all truth. So, the next goal is to help others recognize how God has led and guided them by the Holy Ghost all along. While not all people are religious, most all people consider themselves to be people of faith and spirituality. And most people feel guided by God into marriage, or into a particular career path, and to have children. The importance of identifying the workings and power of the Holy Ghost is that the "commitment pattern" is just a continuation of God's divine providence in our lives. The same way people were led by God before, is that same way people can know if the LDS message is true. Jesus Christ promised that the Holy Ghost would testify of Him, His word, and His church.

John 15: 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

The next step involves experimentation. There is no blind obedience in the LDS faith. Believers are expected to try all of God's word. But to experiment upon the word involves committing to live it. This is the "commitment" part of the "commitment pattern." God won't answer prayers if He knows your heart is not in it. If He undeniably reveals His will to you and you don't follow it, you are accountable (Rom. 5: 13, Rom. 4: 15). So, the way you show your faith, and real desire to know the truth is to live or try whatever good principle that you want to know the truth concerning. If you want to know if God wants you to be honest, then try it and be honest. If you want to know if God wants you to pray and read scripture daily, then try it and see what happens. Let God prove His word to you.

John 7: 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
James 2: 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

The last step is to ask in prayer to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave the example to pray to Our Father in Heaven just as He prayed on my many occasions. Christ encouraged us to, "ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you." While God probably won't appear to you or hit you over the head with hammer, God has promised to answer prayers when it comes to testifying of truth. And how does God answer prayers? God answers them the same way He helped you know who you should marry, what career path you should take, and when you should have children. This is a very individual knowledge between a person and God. However, the Bible does give a few descriptions of the operation of the Holy Ghost in a persons mind and heart. The Bible describes His influence as a "still small voice," a "burning in the bosom," or simply as peace of mind and peace in the heart.

Matt. 21: 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
1 Kgs. 19: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Luke 24: 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Acts 2: 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

So, what should you pray about? The LDS Church invite those wanting to know more about the LDS faith to become acquainted with the Book of Mormon. What is the Book of Mormon? The LDS believe the Bible to be the word of God 100%. But we also believe that God has given other scripture not found in the Bible. These other books of scripture are contained in the Book of Mormon. How could God have other scripture other than the Bible? Well, think about it; if God is the God of the whole Earth, and Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole human family, then wouldn't it make sense that God could have another chosen people other than the few million Jew in Israel? Well, He did have other sheep, and these sheep lived in Ancient America, and they believed in Christ, and Christ appeared to them after His resurrection. The writings and revelations of prophets who lived in Ancient America are contained in the Book of Mormon.

John 10: 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Matt. 18: 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Ezek 37: 16-17 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
Isa. 29: 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

Why pray about the Book of Mormon? Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ or Latter-day Saints called the Book of Mormon the "key stone" of our religion. Why the "key stone?" Because if a person investigates the Book of Mormon and learns from God by the Holy Spirit that it is true, then it means that everything else associated with the LDS message is true together. This is because if the Book of Mormon is God's word, then Joseph Smith who was blessed to translate and bring the Book of Mormon forth was God's prophet, and the Church that Joseph Smith was instructed to organize and name the very awkward and long name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, is Christ's church on the Earth. By the way, Joseph wanted to name the Church "The Church of Christ." That would have been shorter but when Jesus Christ tells you to do something, you do as your told. And yes, it is important to investigate and experiment and test every point of doctrine, but having received direct revelation from God through the operation of the Spirit of Truth is a sure foundation upon which to build.

Matt. 7: 24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matt. 16: 18 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (revelation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Now if there are anyone worried about Revelation's warning about adding and subtracting (Rev. 22: 18-19). These verses are in the singular and apply to the Book of Revelations itself. These verses say man should not add or subtract to the "book of this prophecy." However, the Bible is many books and many prophecies. Additionally, the Book of Revelations was just arbitrarily put at the end of the Bible. John the Apostle wrote his Epistles after writing Revelations.God doesn't change and He never intended that prophets and scripture should cease. And while it is never good to add or subtract to any of God's word, the purpose of the Book of Mormon is not to add, but to clarify. God promises, through His church, to bring us to a unity of the faith. Yet, ambiguous Bible translations, have led to thousands of Christian denominations and non-denominations. Conversely, the Book of Mormon clarifies the correct interpretation of the Bible and leads the true believer of Jesus Christ to Christ's true church.

Amos 3: 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Eph. 4: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

2 Ne. 33: 10 hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

Even though this missionary and conversion process comes right from the Bible, it seems there are some who try and attack it. They consider the whole thing a from of "mind control" or "brain washing." But the truth is that the "commitment pattern" is just that--a "commitment pattern" for the making of "commitments" to read the Book of Mormon and to pray and ask God. LDS intentionally do not refer to this process as the "conversion pattern" because we have nothing whatever to do with "conversion." Conversion is a personal experience between an individual and God. Only God can truely convert and change someones heart. Missionaries serve as witnessing participants only.

Having served an LDS mission; I can tell you that those persons who felt they received an answer to prayer from God, gained a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon, and were converted to the LDS faith, never did so when I or any other missionaries were present. Missionaries help investigators commit to read and pray, but only after diligent individual study and prayer, did the answers come. We just heard about their marvelous revelatory experience second-hand and after the fact. If this process involved "brain-washing," then the conversion could only take place while the missionaries were present and actively manipulating the situation. In the event anyone out there thinks that those investigating the LDS church think they got a revelation from God just to please someone. Please realize that no one going to feel the need to impress two 19-year-old teenagers.

1 Cor. 1: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Elder Bednar and Praying to Act

Elder Bednar during the Sunday afternoon session of LDS General Conference invited the membership to change the way we pray. I like his point that we need to stop praying to God that the missionaries be led to the honest in heart or those searching for the gospel. That is our job. Missionaries are the teachers and we are the finders. In a way, we have been praying all this time for someone else to do our work for us. We need to start praying to God to help us find the honest in heart and those searching for the truth and help us to prepare them to listen to the missionaries. Elder Bednar gave many other examples where this principle applies to how we pray.

Preach By the Spirit

The scriptures suggest that the true gospel of Jesus Christ be taught in a simple manner. Jesus Christ commands that his gospel should only be taught by the Spirit of truth.

After the ascension of Jesus Christ, believers were promised the gift of the Holy Ghost or Comforter. Christ himself describes the purpose of the third member of the Godhead. Christ taught that the Holy Ghost's mission is to testify of truth and that Jesus is the Christ.

The Scriptures recount many instances of prophets feeling and responding to the promtings of the Holy Spirit. Elijiah on Mount Horeb felt the "still small voice" of the Lord. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus felt their "hearts burn" within them as they heard Christ read to them from the scriptures and the prophecies of Christ.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is to be spread by the Spirit of Truth. Accordingly, LDS missionaries are able to have success by simply declaring and testifying of the truth. These 19- and 20-year-olds aren't professional orators, they cannot overly depend on logic or reason. They can only rely on the Spirit to testify to the hearer the truth of their words. Similarly, in the Church of Jesus Christ, our sacrament meetings aren't designed to be entertaining. The simple music is inspirering but not rousing. The preaching is straightforward but not overly analytical on the one hand and is usually not overly emotional on the other.

Paul teaches that the Spirit can be identified by the presence of it's fruits. LDS meetings try to be Christ-centered by testifying that Jesus is the Christ. Accordingly, there the congregation enjoys the quiet feelings of love, joy, peace and faith. By feeling and recognizing the Holy Spirit, seekers of truth can know that the Church of Jesus Christ is Christ's true church on Earth. Remember, the scriptures teach how to discern truth from fiction: "by their fruit ye shall know them" (Matt. 7: 16, 20).

D&C 50: 17-20 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God.
John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15: 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
D&C 50: 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.
1 Kgs. 19: 12 [Elijiah stood] upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice
Luke 24: 32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures
Gal. 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith

Why Do Mormons Preach To Other Christians?

Many wonder why Mormons would waste their time trying to convert other Christians who feel that they are already "saved." When the boy Joseph Smith prayed to know which of all the churches was true, he beheld a heavenly vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. During that first visitation, Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith to join none of the churches, "for they were all wrong; and . . . all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof” (JS-H 1: 19)(Isa. 29: 13)(Matt. 15: 8)(Mark 7: 6).

Later after Joseph Smith was commanded to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ stated in the Doctrine and Convenants that the LDS Church "is the the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (D&C 1: 30). When Christ was on the Earth he established a church with Apostles and Prophets (Eph. 4: 11)(Luke 11: 49)(Eph. 2: 20)(Eph. 3: 5). That church fell into Apostasy and the world into a spiritual and temporal Dark Age. But now God has re-established (Acts 3: 19-21) his true church on the Earth and invites everyone to "Come and See" (John 1: 39, 46).

It may seem arrogant to believe we are right while everyone else is wrong. It reminds me of how Joseph's brothers felt when Jacob showed the younger Joseph favor by giving him the coat of many colors. I'm sure it seemed downright conceited for Jeseph to tell his brother of his dream which foretold of his elder brothers bowing in reverence to him. For that, Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt for 20 pieces of silver. But according to the foreknowledge of God, Joseph was able to save his family from starvation during the famine. The events of Joseph and his brothers are a prophetic type and shadow whch is being fulfilled in the Last Days. The world has gone through a great spiritual famine(Amos 8: 11) and can come to a Latter-day Joseph to learn of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. This Latter-day Joseph is Joseph Smith.

The LDS church does not believe all non-Mormons are doomed to Hell. Actually we believe most people are going to heaven. We believe that there is much good and true in most faiths and in most people. Most christian faiths teach that heaven will be a place of glory and freedom from pain and sin. Also, that believers will be servants of Jesus Christ forever. And those churches will deliever on that promise. However, the Bible teaches that there is more. Paul saw the "third heaven" or "Celestial Kingdom" (2 Cor. 12: 2)(1 Cor. 15: 40). Through the grace of Christ, some will merit ressurection to the highest degree of heaven which is compared to the glory of the sun. In the Celestial Kingdom, family relationships will last forever and the faithful will not only recieve salvation but also exaltation (Rom. 8: 17)(Matt. 23: 12).

So, as members of Christ's true church we invite all to come unto Christ, especially other Christians, that they may "come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved" (1 Ne. 15: 14). We invite all to bring everything good with you and "see if we cannot add to it" (Pres Hinkley). I yern to share the fullness of Christ's gospel with my Christian friends because I feel they are missing out on the blessings Christ is waiting to give them.

Here is a brief list of blessings I feel other Christians are missing out on:
1. The Gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift offers the constant companionship of who Jesus refers to as "the Comforter" (John 15: 26).
2. The Melchesidek Priesthood. The power and authority to act in God's name and enter into the Abrahamic Covenant (Heb. 5: 10).
3. Apostles and Prophets. The LDS church is led by direct revelation through living Apostles and Prophets (Matt. 16: 18)(Eph. 4: 11)(Luke 11: 49)(Eph. 2: 20)(Eph. 3: 5).
4. Additional Scripture. The bible fortells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the "Stick of Joseph" that will be joined with the "Stick of Judah" and "shall be one in [thine] hand" (Ezek. 37: 16, 19) (Isa. 29: 11).
5. The Temple. The Bible clearly foretells the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of the temple ordinances in the Last Days (Isa. 2: 2-3)(Micah 4: 1-2).
6. The Word of Wisdom. A latter-day law of health that protects the Saints from unhealthful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee.
7. Law of Chastity. Modern prophets have counseled us to be modest in dress and grooming, to not date until 16, to not "go steady" until college, to shun pornography, and to practice abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after marriage (Matt. 5: 28).
8. Eternal Families. Knowing family relationships can endure beyond the grave makes seemingly "irreconcilable differences" much more reconcilable (1 Cor. 11: 11).
9. Answers to the Great Questions of the Soul: Where was I before I was born? Who am I? What is my purpose in this life? What happens after I die?
10. A Community of Caring. Christ church is organized such that members care for one another so that there is "no poor among us." Many wounderful hours are devoted by LDS members visiting each other, making dinner for a new mother, throwing a baby shower, arranging play dates, or babysitting exchanges (James 1: 27)(Deut. 15:7)(Heb. 12: 12)(Matt. 25: 40)(John 13: 34-35).
11. Perfect Church Organization. There is no professional clergy. A newly baptized member could be called as a bishop. Every member can be a missionary. There is no competition between congregations. All congregations are geographically designated and equal with respect to temporal and spiritual blessings.
12. Preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Joseph helped Egypt prepare for the years of famine. The Church of Jesus Christ has helped me prepare temporally and spiritually for the day of tribulation leading up to the Millennilal reign of Jesus Christ.