Nephi was the second prophet of the Book of Mormon. He foresaw in visions that the time would come when his people would disappear from the earth through their own wickedness. He also knew the record he started, which would come to be known as the Book of Mormon, would survive, hidden away until a future time. The words he and the prophets who came after him would be saved:

16 For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. (2 Nephi 26)

What does this scripture mean? It means that the Book of Mormon is indeed a companion book to the Bible, which would help to testify of the Bible and of Christ.

“. . . A careful reading of this scripture, particularly when read together with Nephi’s explanation, would indicate that the term it ‘hath a familiar spirit’ means that this record (the Book of Mormon) would speak with a ‘familiar voice’ to those who already have the Bible. In other words, Nephi is evidently saying here that the doctrinal teachings of the Book of Mormon would seem familiar to people who had already read and accepted the Bible” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 146, quoted in Institute of Religion lesson manual on the Book of Mormon).

Those who learn about the Bible by actually reading the Bible, rather than simply hearing about it from others, know the contents well. Those who learn about the Book of Mormon by actually reading the Book of Mormon, rather than letting others tell them what is in it, will find that what they read in the Book of Mormon compliments what they read in the Bible.

Too often, people prefer to avoid the actual source. In school, we learned to go to the original source for information, not to get our information from secondary sources. The more layers a piece of information goes through, the more opportunity there is for error to creep in, intentionally or unintentionally. Suppose someone wanted to know what sort of person you are, what you believe, and how you act. Would you want them to go to your enemies, to people who don’t know you very well, or people who have learned about you only through gossip? No, of course not. You’d want them to go directly to you. Who is better qualified to tell someone about you than you yourself?

The Book of Mormon can stand alone. While commentary like mine can help you to notice the messages the Book of Mormon has for you, the best way to learn what is in it is to read it yourself. If you’ve also read the Bible yourself, it will feel familiar to you.

Read with an open mind and heart, putting away whatever you’ve heard from others and just read, opening a communication between yourself and God. Ask Him to guide your thoughts and your impressions, and to reveal to you whether or not it’s true. When you and God read the Book of Mormon together, you will be able to know for yourself it is true. You’ll learn more about the Savior you love, and about your Heavenly Father. You may even learn more about yourself.

Give it a try. You can read it free online, or request a free copy to be delivered to you without obligation.

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25)

This particular scripture, found in the Book of Mormon, has become a point of controversy among those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some religions teach that no acts of any kind are required to receive salvation. The Latter-day Saints also believe nothing at all—not even the act of accepting Jesus as your Savior—is required to be resurrected from the dead. This is a free gift given by God and Jesus to us. However, most of us want to return to God’s presence, and this indeed requires action.

Those who believe in grace alone generally do actually require one act: Accepting Jesus as their Savior. Therefore, most don’t really believe no acts are required. However, the Bible makes it clear more is required than to say the magic words.

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2, King James Version of the Bible)

The Bible teaches us many commandments. From the moment Adam and Eve were created, laws and commandments were given, and consequences for obedience or disobedience were explained. God is a God of order, not a God of confusion. We all understand the chaos and danger that would occur if nations and families had no rules, or if there were rules, but no consequences. God understands this too, being perfect. For that reason, He made laws and required us to keep them. He explained through His prophets the blessings that would come if we obeyed and the consequences that would occur if we didn’t. God’s kingdom is one of order and there must be commandments. This is part of the Plan of Salvation.

The scriptures often tell us that if we love the Savior, we must keep His commandments. Our obedience is one way we show God and Jesus we love Them. Not everyone is motivated by love, however, so again, there are consequences. Every story in the Bible is a story of consequences. Noah built the ark when commanded, so he was saved from the flood. Others refused to listen, so they died. Moses took his people on a very long journey and when they were righteous, they prospered, but when they weren’t, they got lost and suffered.

The Savior promised, along this same pattern, that those who kept the commandments (works) would receive the right to return to God’s presence. Those who chose not to obey would indeed be resurrected, and receive a wonderful eternity, except for a very few who have committed crimes so horrible they lose the right to be in heaven, although they still will live. But they can’t be with God. God can’t be where evil is. We will be in Heaven the same person we are now, and if we’re in God’s presence, we must be worthy to be there. If those who choose to live self-centered lives are with God, Heaven will be no different than the life we live right now, surrounded by both good and bad people. Will God spend eternity with those who willfully choose to defy his commandments and who refuse to respect Him?

Nearly everyone, including those who don’t believe acts matter, do believe at least one act is required—that of accepting Jesus as their Savior. However, can they really accept Jesus as their Savior and then do nothing He has asked? Certainly our works, done with the proper spirit, and not one of hypocrisy, are an outward demonstration of inward faith.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6)

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. (2 Nephi 25)

This is one of my favorite scriptures. It could be a one-sentence summary of the church’s purpose. Although it is often erroneously called the Mormon Church, the Church is rightfully named “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Notice that the Savior’s name is right in the center of the name of the church, signifying the place of the Savior in the Church itself.

The Book of Mormon makes it clear that the church, to be the Savior’s Church, must be named after Him:

“And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” (3 Nephi 27:6-10, Book of Mormon)”

(This is discussed in more detail in an earlier article: What Should Jesus’ Church Be Named?”)

The Church’s history begins with what is commonly known as the First Vision, when God and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith. So, from the first moments of the church’s story, the Savior has been there. Pictures of the Savior adorn the church buildings and even the youngest children are taught to love Jesus. In their classes, young voices sing, “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” and “If the Savior Stood Beside Me.” It’s long been said that if you want a child to believe something, you must teach it to him at a very young age, and so our littlest children are taught to love, honor, and serve the Savior.

If you really want to know what the “Mormons” think of Christ, ask a Mormon. Visit “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” and begin getting acquainted with the Savior the Mormons know and love.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (2 Nephi 19 and Isaiah 9)

There have been many who didn’t recognize the Savior as the Savior or believe He did what He came to do because, although He was called the Prince of Peace, there has seldom been peace on earth, and certainly none today in his homeland. Those who deny the Savior his glory for this reason misunderstand what He promised. He wasn’t a politician, working to bring a political peace through treaties and negotiations. What He promised us was a spiritual peace if we live the gospel.

Certainly, if everyone chose to follow the Savior, there would be the other kind of peace. Who can love God and start a war against another righteous neighbor, or rob, or abuse? However, we’re not required to wait for the entire world to be converted in order to find the peace the Savior has promised us.

Let’s look at what the Savior Himself said on the subject of peace to understand what He meant.

“34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10, King James version of the Bible.)

Satan doesn’t want us to have peace, nor does he want us to find the gospel. He places many stumbling blocks in our way, and tries to distract us through the taunting of the world. This can temporarily disturb our peace. Even our own personal search for truth can disrupt what we once thought was peace, as we battle past Satan’s interference and make the eternally critical decision to covenant with God to live according to His will.

The Savior explained that His peace was not what we often think of as peace:

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14)

Notice that He doesn’t promise that we will never be troubled or afraid, only that we don’t have to be troubled or afraid. Fear is a choice. The Savior promised to fill our hearts with a personal peace, a gift just for us from Him, but only if we accept the gift and make the choice to trust Him completely.

By doing so, we can have the peace the Savior promised us. He truly is a Prince of Peace, but of a personal peace that comes from knowing you’re doing God’s will and living as God and the Savior want you to live, that you’re in His most capable hands, and therefore safe from danger—not worldly danger, but eternal and spiritual danger.

When Mary learned she was to have a divine Son, she was instructed to name him Jesus. Long before Mary knew He was to be her child, however, the Savior had been given many names—Jehovah, the Lamb of God, the Savior, the Redeemer. In His lifetime, He taught that He was God’s son. The Old Testament and Book of Mormon prophets knew of His coming long before He was born, and knew many of the names by which He would be known:

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (2 Nephi 19 and Isaiah 9:6)

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called Mormons, use many of the Biblical names to describe their Savior. They are taught from a young age to use His name with respect, never using it as a swear word or a slang expression. The Savior is reverenced, and so His name is also reverenced. His name is given center space in the name of our church, because He holds the center spot in our religion and our hearts. His church, we teach, must contain His name. We are not, as commonly believed, The Mormon Church, because that would signify the church belongs to Mormon. No, it’s not Mormon’s church. He was a prophet, but not our Savior. Our church belongs to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and so it bears His name.

Because we worship Him, we teach our children—and our adults—not to take His name in vain.

“The desire and work of Satan is to mislead and corrupt. He seeks to frustrate the gospel plan by which God has provided the opportunity of eternal life for His children.

Satan seeks to discredit the sacred names of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, the names through which their work is done. He succeeds in a measure whenever he is able to influence any man or woman, boy or girl, to make holy names common and to associate them with coarse thoughts and evil acts. Those who use sacred names in vain are, by that act, promoters of Satan’s purposes.” -- Dallin H. Oaks, “Reverent and Clean,” Ensign, May 1986, 49

Too many people today try to remove the divinity from Christ, reducing Him to a mere teacher. Even some Biblical translations in modern times have sought to do so, changing the scriptures about a virgin birth for the Savior to mean He was merely born to a young woman. This reduces our Savior’s birth to an ordinary one and helps people to rationalize their trivialization of the most sacred event that had ever occurred on earth.

When we refer to Jesus by His own name, or by a title that reminds us of His divinity, we are better able to live by His teachings and honor His gift and sacrifices for us.

We know Jesus Christ was born in a miraculous manner, the literal Son of God. We know He redeemed us from our sins, died on our behalf, and rose again when such a thing was clearly impossible in scientific terms. We know He is our Savior and we choose to honor Him in many ways, one of which includes treating His name with respect.

The Book of Mormon frequently quotes Isaiah, beloved by a number of Book of Mormon writers. In the following verse, found in 2 Nephi 16 of the Book of Mormon, and quoted from Isaiah 6, we find a clue as to how God wants us to study the gospel and to make spiritual decisions.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me.

9 And he said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed. (2 Nephi 16)

Too many people approach the scriptures with a red pencil and an academic mind. While God is supportive of academic learning, when used correctly, it is not the best way to study scriptures or religious material if you are trying to find out truth.

Have you ever done a science experiment to find out if some scientific law was true? Perhaps, as a child, you grew flowers in a dark closet and more flowers in the sunshine, in order to prove sunlight is needed for proper plant growth.

When you’ve done this type of scientific research, you can share it with the world. If they trust your research, they needn’t repeat it themselves, but can rely on your work. We all accept many scientific facts based on the research of others that we have never repeated on our own.

When it comes to the gospel, however, scientific research isn’t sufficient to help us achieve our eternal potential. One can easily race through the Bible with the above-mentioned red pencil and say things like, “Angels—not scientifically possible, so the Bible is false.”

But, of course, the Bible isn’t false. The fact that we can’t scientifically prove the existence of angels doesn’t mean they don’t exist. So why, when we can’t scientifically prove angels—and in fact, portions of the Bible seem to actually contradict science—do we still choose to believe the Bible to be the word of God?

We believe it because matters of faith require a different type of science experiment. The spiritual type of research requires us to see with our eyes, hear with our ears…and understand with our hearts, as Isaiah made clear. It’s the part about understanding with our hearts that sometimes stops people from gaining a testimony.

To know if a spiritual teaching is true, we must approach it with our hearts instead of our intellect. We must study it out in our minds and come to a conclusion on our own. This is the eyes and ears part of Isaiah’s teaching. But then we must take it to God, the source of all truth and knowledge, and ask Him if we’ve chosen well. This is the understanding with the heart part of the teaching. It must be done by each person individually. You can read the testimonies of others, but only your own "research" can convert you.

Only God knows what is true. Science can’t tell you. People can’t tell you. God can. Once you know how to listen to God for your advice, you can seek out all knowledge. He can tell you who to trust and what to believe.

Would you dare trust your eternal life to anyone less knowledgeable than God? Understanding with the heart, and not just the intellect, is the proper path to our Father in Heaven.

Anyone who has seen a temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (incorrectly known as the Mormon Church) has seen the impressive statue of a man with a trumpet that tops most temples. This man is actually an angel named Moroni. A close-up view of the statue makes it clear angels don’t have wings.

So what are we to make of the seraphim described in the Bible, in Isaiah, chapter 6, and quoted in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi, chapter 16? Here are the scriptures in question, taken from the Book of Mormon version:

1 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar;

Frequently, visions seen by the prophets in both the Book of Mormon and the Bible are highly symbolic. Buildings, rivers, trees…many common things are used to symbolize something else. The symbolism is understood by those who use the Spirit of God to understand, while others are unable to comprehend and so, aren’t held accountable for a higher level of knowledge.

In these verses, the seraphim are angels who have wings but appear somewhat human. They are shown to praise and worship God and to interact with people—in this case, Isaiah. The wings in the vision are symbolic. They represent the ability of these beings to move rapidly through space.

We know seraphim existed in Heaven before the earth was created. We don’t actually know if they are related to the angels who have come to earth periodically to deliver messages from God.

The scriptures and church history record many instances of angels appearing to people on earth, including the angel who told Mary about the forthcoming birth of her child. It was an angel—the Angel Moroni mentioned at the start of this article—who came to teach and prepare a young Joseph Smith to participate in the restoration of the gospel.

As Mark E. Peterson, a former church leader said, “Many people no longer believe in the ministry of angels. But God does! He has used this means of communication from the days of Adam. Is there any reason why He should not continue the procedure in our day?” Mark E. Petersen, “The Angel Moroni Came!,” Ensign, Nov 1983, 29

Those who deny the truthfulness of the restored gospel based on their unwillingness to believe God might send angels to people today do God a great disservice. Sending angels in the early days was not a mistake to be repented of. It wasn’t something God did and got tired of doing. He sent angels whenever He had a message or when Heavenly work needed doing. Why wouldn’t He send them to us today? Can we believe God has nothing more to say to His children or that He sees no need to help us through His angels today?

Certainly not. And so, angels came to the prophets and people of the Bible, and they have come again in modern times to bring the blessings of Heaven to generations living in the time of the restoration.

Angels are here…but not with wings.

I've had good occasion of late to spend a lot of time considering the value of being a powerful example of Jesus Christ in these last days. On some days it brings huge rewards, and others, not so much. It brings to mind the struggles and trials many prophets, through the ages, have undergone. It helps me to stop, breathe and reassess what I do. When all is said and done, I am still a daughter of God, standing for His Son, Jesus Christ and willing to proclaim Christ's Gospel to the world.

Looking back on the words of Joseph Smith, Jr. as he proclaimed to the world:

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. (Joseph Smith History 1:25)

Once truth has been made known to a son or daughter of God, as it was to Joseph Smith, Jr. it behooves that person to stay the course. And Joseph Smith did. No one can say he didn't suffer terribly for his knowledge and testimony of God. No one can say he didn't get up every single day, put one foot in front of another, and continue that steady, unfailing course toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I draw on the example of Joseph Smith often in my life. That I might shake off my struggles and worries and remember the most important thing: Jesus Christ lives and that He is my Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, and only Him, will I return to my heavenly home and greet my Father in Heaven with great joy. And I often think to myself, I have not suffered (nor even come close) as Joseph Smith suffered and I am grateful for my challenges, trials and worries for they come nowhere to close to what this beloved prophet of ours suffered.

Or, let us look to Jonah, that ancient prophet of old. He was commanded by Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ, to journey to Nineveh and preach repentance to the people else they would be destroyed. Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh, he didn't believe they were worth saving for they had killed his family. Jonah argued with the Lord and in an act of direct disobedience, set sail for Tarshish. All on that ship suffered greatly until Jonah drew the short end of the proverbial stick, was tossed overboard and swallowed by a whale. Yuck.

Eventually, after a hasty discharge from the belly of the whale, Jonah took that 3-day journey to Nineveh and preached repentance to the people or destruction would be visited upon their city after 40 days. And Nineveh repented.

Jonah, on the other hand, went and set himself on the side of a mountain overlooking Nineveh and waited for their destruction. It didn't happen and he was so angry. Those who had killed his family did not, in his heart, deserve to live and Jonah was not willing to accept the declaration of Jehovah that Nineveh had repented and been spared. (See Jonah 1-4)

What is the lesson I take from this biblical story? No matter what we know or what horror has been visited upon us we must stop, listen and accept the Lord's judgment. It is not my job, or yours, to judge because we cannot know another's heart. Oh, we think we might, but we cannot. God knows all things, we do not. It serves no purpose to argue with God, Jonah, as you will see in Chapter 4, paid the price for bucking Jehovah on the redemption of Nineveh. Worms, unforgiving sun, and harsh winds were visited upon him and still Jonah did not want the people of Nineveh to be forgiven. It ends with the Lord asking, Jonah:

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (See Jonah 4:11)

And so I ask, cannot I spare those who have done a disservice to me, for those who have perpetrated such hatred upon me are also children of God whom He loves dearly.

So yes, these examples of these prophets teach powerful lessons which would be wise to internalize, for I am attempting to do that very thing.

In the Book of Exodus, God gave Moses ten commandments, detailing the least that is required of us to be worthy of our place in Heaven. The seventh commandment might appear to us to be out dated—out of touch the reality of modern day life.

The seventh commandment is the law of chastity. That commandments teaches that we must practice chastity before marriage and fidelity afterward. However, we have all heard renowned modern-day psychologists say that such old fashioned standards as chastity, virtue and marriage aren’t relevant today and that it’s impossible to live up to such standards

Don’t believe it.

The value of virtue and chastity are perhaps more relevant today than they have ever been. In his talk, “What Is Real Love and Happiness?,” Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons,) taught six ways that being chaste in todays world can bring you closer to happiness in this and in the world to come (New Era, Jun 1992, 4.)

1. When you choose to follow the Lords’ commandments, you will be in harmony with Him. Your relationship with Him will be preserved and enriched, helping you to retain his Spirit.

When your thoughts are virtuous, your confidence will “wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45.)

2. You will discover and retain the blessing of deserved self-esteem. By understanding your own worth, you will be able to truly love your neighbor. “Let every man esteem his brother as himself” (D&C 38:24.)

3. Sin deadens our senses. In these last days, the capacity of man to love will “wax cold” because of iniquity (see Matt. 24:12.)

4. You will be free from the heavy burden of guilt. “Despair cometh because of iniquity” (Moro. 10:22.) Free from guilt, you are not turned inward with self-pity.

5. You will be kept from a very real harm. Reports indicate that “as many as 43 million Americans may have acquired incurable sexually transmitted viral infections” (Deseret News, 7 Oct. 1991, p. 7A).

Such diseases, including AIDS, make clear medically what has always been clear spiritually: the only safe pattern of physical affection is within the bounds of marriage—especially a marriage of two consistent commandment keepers. Abstinence from sin is better than moderation or even repentance. Prevention is better than any cure!

6. You will develop a personal wholeness and serenity, which will greatly bless you in both courtship and marriage and in all of your life. The one you choose to love will be respected by you as an individual and not merely as an object of physical attraction and gratification. Your relationship can be as deep, rich, and broad as eternity.

I can truly testify, from my own personal experience, that “despair cometh because of iniquity” (Moro. 10:22.) There is no downside to choosing the right.

Choose the right, keep yourself clean. The Book of Mormon tells of a people who all strove to stay clean before God: “And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Ne. 1:16.)

I pray that you and I can also be examples of righteous living and in doing so, obtain a happiness that fills our hearts, now and forever.

The Fourth of July is one of our family’s favorite holidays. It includes a pancake breakfast in the mountains, a parade, a barbecue, homemade ice cream and a “Driveway of Fire” with the family. The celebration is inspiring and meaningful. It is spent with people we love. Across the country, it is what founding father John Adams expected it to be.

“It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).

Our children love the parade. They love the ice cream and the fireworks. I am glad they love these things. But there is more to love. I want them to love the American heroes who showed true leadership through endurance and sacrifice. I want them to love the liberties of their country and understand how they are “…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence).

I want them to know that God and Country are inseparable and that their righteousness matters for the good of the United States of America. As John Adams pointed out:

“This pursuit of happiness of man, as well as his dignity consists in virtue.” (Thoughts on Government, John Adams)

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (known as the Mormons) we believe that the founding of America was inspired and authored by God the Father through the work of these “wise men.” (D&C 101:77-80)

These men are heroes I want my kids to know and appreciate, not because of their great talents and skills (although they have many). I want my children to know their work because they all saw God's hand in their work. They acknowledged that their "inalienable" rights came from Him. They knew that only a righteous, virtuous society could enjoy the blessings of liberty.

Forget the basketball players or pop stars. These are the real American Idols I want my children to know. They are described well in the inspiring words of America the Beautiful:

“Oh beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!” (America the Beautiful, Katherine Bates, Samuel Ward)

If our children get to know these American heroes, they will be more likely to follow the counsel of Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture for President Eisenhower and 13th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He said:

“We must…inspire in the lives of our children a love for eternal principles and a desire to seek out honorable men – the best possible – to stand at the head of our political governments, local, state, and federal. Only in this way can we safeguard the liberties which have been vouchsafed to us as our inalienable rights. Unless we do so, we may very easily lose them because of our indifference, because of our failure to exercise our franchise, because we permit men who are unworthy to rise to positions of political power.” (God, Family, Country, Benson, Deseret Book, 1974)

This summer, I want my children to learn the stories of these wise, steadfast, and talented men and women - true American Idols. I want them to study the scriptures that refer to the founding of this great nation. As their knowledge grows, so will their love for country, their gratitude for their Creator, and their desire to preserve the freedom they enjoy.

Does this sound familiar to you?

“Moreover, the Lord saith: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet—“

This certainly seems to describe the women—and the men—of today, but it was actually first said by Isaiah in chapter 3, verse 16, and was quoted in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 13:16.

Billions of dollars are spent to make women fit the description Isaiah offered, and he wasn’t complimenting the results. The stretched-forth neck denotes a haughtiness of attitude unbecoming a woman of God. Overly made up eyes, mincing steps, and tinkling feet all suggest a world in which shallowness has become a substitute for substance. It’s faster and easier to apply a lot of make-up and jewelry, and to dress provocatively, than it is to strengthen our minds and build our characters.

God doesn’t apply standards of dress only to women. Both men and women should dress in ways that demonstrate who they are—children of a Heavenly Father with an eternal purpose.

“We hear that some young men not only request a pair of new shoes for school, but another for sports, and another for church. But not just any athletic shoe will do. They must have special designer label or be a special advertised brand. Your jeans have to be “501s” or “Guess” or “Calvin Klein.” Have you fallen into a trap of peer pressure that requires a certain look for you to be included in the “in” crowd, whether or not your parents can afford such demands?

Do others set your standards—what you will wear and what you will do—and not do? Believing young men and women with standards and values make these decisions for themselves and let others follow. Why aren’t we, as Latter-day Saints—with our high ideals—the examples, the peer leaders setting the standards and criteria that others follow?

The brand of clothes and the shoes you wear, and the gadgetry, probably not affordable by your parents, has absolutely no bearing on what you will eventually become. Our actions, our personal behavior, and our attitude determine our character and future.” (David B. Haight, “A Time for Preparation,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 36)

When we dress modestly—both in the cost of our clothing and in what it covers—we demonstrate that we have eternal priorities. We accept that our bodies are gifts from God given to us for very specific purposes and must be treated with respect and dignity. Showing them off inappropriately in order to invite immoral thoughts is not an appropriate use of a gift from God. Nor is it appropriate to adorn them in expensive finery. It suggests our bodies, created by God, are lacking, and need more than ordinary clothing to be acceptable.

When we think of our bodies as sacred gifts from a Heavenly Father who loves us, it becomes easier to adorn them simply and respectfully, showing God that we consider His gift enough.

What does membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the LDS Church) mean for the disciple of Christ? Is it possible to be a disciple without membership? The most basic answer to the second question is yes of course. Anyone who realizes how important Jesus Christ is to them can begin a new life as His disciple. Emulating Jesus Christ is the best goal for anyone in this world. In fact, it is the primary purpose of our time on earth.

As we’ve discussed many times, discipleship is a growth process that allows us to be a little bit more like the Savior every day. The disciple of Christ truly desires to follow Christ, to carry His name, and serve those around him in the best ways he can. That process starts from wherever we find ourselves.

But, there is another factor involved in becoming a disciple. The disciple of Christ carries the Spirit of Christ within his heart and nature. It whispers guidance, assurance, peace, and understanding. It testifies of Jesus Christ and the eternal truths He taught. The disciple of Christ recognizes and embraces truth.

Because you are reading this blog, I know that you have had some dealings with the LDS Church. That may mean you are a life-time member or someone making a casual inquiry. Either way, the first question each of us found in this place, at this time, is: What do I believe about Jesus Christ? Then, after we’ve looked inside of ourselves and pondered our answers to this basic question we can move forward.

A belief in Jesus Christ is a foundation in good. It is the best place to build up a lasting part of ourselves. What we accomplish on this foundation carries the greatest value both here and in heaven. When we have established where we stand in our beliefs and love for Christ, we can move on to the next valuable question: What am I willing to do in His name? How can I best be His disciple? Again, these answers are individual.

The one thing that every disciple needs to keep in mind, both with their own dealings with their fellow man and in the way they view an organized religion of any type is: everything in the Church of Jesus Christ is about pleasing the Lord. Everything. Not politics, not station, not money, not prestige, not anything else.

Because of the light within me, because of my own desires to be a dedicated disciple, I recognize the truth that permeates The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but more importantly I recognize its focus. Everything in the LDS Church is about pleasing the Lord. That’s why this disciple chooses membership in a “peculiar” religion.

I have friends in many different religions. I hear their heartbreak as they watch members of their own congregations forget the most basic principles of discipleship. I do not pretend that there are no problems within our congregations. We are still human, but I think there is a very basic difference in how we operate and how many others do. We take our discipleship very seriously. We make covenants associated with our belief in Jesus Christ. We willingly enter into binding promises with our God to serve and honor Him. If something is happening that is contrary to the basic mission of pleasing God and supporting His doctrines it can, should, and will be corrected.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a source of truth but most of all it is a source of commitment. I came because of Jesus Christ; I continue because of Jesus Christ, I try to please the Lord. If you’re ready to take your discipleship to the next level, let your heart look more closely at the truths that can be found here. It gives every member/disciple a chance to actively move closer to Christ in every way. It’s the best home I’ve found for the disciple of Christ.

Everything in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about Jesus Christ.