What a wonderful response! Thank you! I have made some comments to what you've written, but because I wanted them to be "in context," I've pasted what you've said that I've responded to . . . so there's repetition here . . . . My original question: How has Mormonism shaped or impacted your life? (Don't feel compelled to go into too much detail. This is kind of a huge question and I am wondering if the professor couldn't have been more succinct. Anyway, don't feel like you have to go take too much time or go into too much detail.) Your answer: If I went into great detail, this would take forever, so I won't. There is a great emphasis on finding out for yourself in this religion. How do we find out for ourselves? By praying. We are given council to develop an understanding of what we believe using the Holy Ghost, who gives us revelation of truth. Upon Baptism, the Holy Ghost becomes a constant companion to guide and direct us. By keeping and developing that relationship with the Holy Ghost, I have also developed relationships with Christ and my Heavenly Father. My life would be completely different without these relationships, and as long as I follow God's commandments, I see the blessings in my life all the time and I only have a desire to continue doing good. My response: As time goes on, I have found that making disciplines part of your everyday life makes keeping to the “straight and narrow” easier and makes seeing God’s work in your life more obvious. I am so sure of God’s work in my life it isn’t even a question, ever. No matter what happens, I know and have faith in God that is beyond reason. It’s like knowing gravity exists—but even more so! It’s wonderful that your faith is as deep as it appears to be at such a young age . . . of course, and I don’t mean to be condescending, it’s much easier to have a strong faith in the “passion of youth.” Sometimes it can be exceedingly difficult when the “cynicism of old age” threatens! As you say, prayer is of the utmost important and I applaud your words.My original question: What are the challenges, if any, of practicing your faith? (Again, this may be a broad question that could prompt the writing of volumes . . . be as brief as you wish.) Your answer: There really aren't challenges that I face that are related to practicing my religion or abiding by the laws or commandments. Since I believe that abiding to my religion is what God wants me to do, I feel no challenge or personal resistance (except when the adversary tries to pry into my life, but that can be countered with faithful prayer). My response: The adversary is cunning and relentless . . . but sometimes I think we are our own worst enemies. I’ve little doubt that Satan laughs at how we do ourselves in sometimes. As you said, prayer is, once again, of primary importance . . . and scripture. Jesus was adept with both weapons and by his grace and power, we will be too. Also, fellowship seems to me to be of great importance. The Mormon church is famed, thankfully in a good way, for its attention to fellowship and a close-knit community. Even its detractors usually agree that this is primary among the reasons many people join the LDS. When other religions are fragmenting and keeping members at arm’s length, those of the LDS are “joining hands.” My original question: What about your faith do you find the most agreeable or appealing? Your answer: Please don't take this answer as something snobby. I have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church on earth and therefore is the only church that contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The thing that I find most appealing is that it is completely true. Once again, I am not trying to be big-headed and I am certainly not trying to force my beliefs on to you. My response: I don’t take your answer to this as “big-headed” at all. If we didn’t believe our faith was the right one, we wouldn’t believe it! I know some people claim to believe all religions lead to the same place (or that all religions lead to the same god or truth), but even these people believe that their inclusive belief is, itself, the right one! I respect someone’s right to believe the grass is purple, even if I know better. And I’m not going to point out what I believe is the “error of their ways.” I think the grass is green (though here in Kentucky, it is sometimes said to be “bluegrass”). I would only add one word of caution. Be wary of “blindly” putting your faith in anything other than the actual word of God. The more “organized” a religion, the more possibility there is of skewed teaching and/or interpretation. Whatever is said, whatever is taught, hold it up to the light of the scriptures and take it under God’s advisement. It may be that one day, you’ll have to question something you’re taught. If you never have cause to question what you’re taught, either you’ve been blessed with the perfect teachers or you’re not looking closely enough at the teaching. This is a messed up world we live in. We need to be vigilant and prayerful. My original question: What about your faith is the most difficult or challenging? Your answer: I don't usually find anything difficult about my religion challenging, but comprehension of doctrine can be difficult at times. This can be solved with prayer, though. Also, sometimes it has been difficult in the past to remember that God is real and He loves me. Sometimes the adversary gets to me and I begin to question my faith, but once again, it can be solved by prayer. My response: Questioning is great. Ask, seek, knock. God will answer (whether we like the answer of the wait for the answer or not!). As I said before, in my case, I’m my worst enemy. Being otherfocused is a great way to get away from me and focus on others and God. My original question: What, in your own words, would you say are the basic or primary doctrines/beliefs of Mormonism? Your answer: It is funny that you say "your own words," because the Articles of Faith (which, if you don't know is a part of The Pearl of Great Price, a book that has been canonized by our faith after being translated/inspired/written by our first prophet, Joseph Smith) put it simpler than I ever could - We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. My response: Do you think there’s anything within The Pearl of Great Price that isn’t covered in some way in the rest of the Bible? I understand there’s additional teaching and history (I’ve read some into it). However, are there any concepts that aren’t, in some way, already covered in the Bible? Maybe I should put it another way . . . . In Biblical times (which is an extremely inaccurate way of saying, “during the time Jesus bodily walked the earth”) someone might have only had a portion, perhaps one letter and one gospel and/or the oral teachings passed on by the disciples or their disciples . . . and this was enough. God’s grace was enough that though the early Christians lacked the Bible as we know it in all its fullness, there was enough to put their faith in Jesus Christ and be saved. Now, of course, we have a huge amount of the Inspired Word of God and you, among the Mormons, have what you believe is an additional inspired work. Does The Pearl of Great Price contain new revelations that add to the existing Bible or revelations that change the interpretation of the existing Bible or teaching that is required before salvation can be received? My original question: Is proselytizing (active witnessing to bring in converts) a part of the Mormon religion? Why or why not, do you think? Your answer: The goal of the primitive church of Jesus Christ was to convert and baptize all nations (Matt. 28:19) and the same goal stands today for His restored Church. It is a gigantic part of our religion. In fact, every able and worthy young man is counselled to serve a mission when he is 19 years of age, and also every able, worthy, and willing young woman when she is 21 years of ago. The entire mission lasts two years (18 months for women) and the majority of the time is spent tracting, which is going door to door to share our faith. Currently there are over 53,000 missionaries that span over the entire world. But proselyting doesn't start or end with the one mission. We are encouraged to be missionaries throughout our entire lives, even though we don't carry the title. I am currently preparing to leave on a mission now, in fact, but I make sure to try to be a good missionary even though I don't have the name tag yet. My response: I think that if Christians of the major denominations took living and sharing their faith half as seriously as the Mormons, there would be far less religious ignorance in the world! It is perfectly clear that we’re not only called to be ready to speak of our faith in Christ, but that we’re called to spread the gospel to everyone! The “great commission” was given by Jesus himself! The most powerful witness, of course, is how we live our own lives . . . and then we’re to seek to share with others out of (at the very least) obedience to his will. One of the things I am impressed with here, with what you’ve written, is your attempt to remain humble despite your great conviction. Humility is often at odds with conviction. I hope you continue to cultivate both wisdom and humility in equal measure. Thank you again for your wonderful, insightful, and detailed answers. In the limited space and time you’ve had to work with, you’ve done a wonderful job. Thank you again. It’s been a blessing reading and “discussing” these things with you. If I might ask one final thing . . . might I have your first name so that, in my paper, I may refer to you by it? If not, that’s okay. Thanks again and may God’s grace be with you.
