I want to start off with 3 different scenarios:
1. You are Mormon. You live a good LDS life. You strive to follow the Gospel as close as possible. You die suddenly. There is no God. You don't get to go to Heaven. You are dead in a box. Okay so you are dead, you don't know that is was a waste to believe and live a good life! -Only a benefit-
2. You are Mormon. You live a good LDS life. You strive to follow the Gospel as close as possible. You die suddenly. Turns out that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wasn't the only true church. That it didn't matter what denomination you went to. You go to heaven because you lived a dang good life. -Only a benefit-
3. You are Mormon. You live a good LDS life. You strive to follow the Gospel as close as possible. You die suddenly. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of God. You lived a life that Jesus and God wanted you to, so you go to the Celestial Kingdom. -Only a benefit-
Okay so there are a lot of objections on why you wouldn't want to be Mormon. I want to address a few that I have heard while here on my mission. :)
We don't get to drink alcohol, do drugs, drink tea, drink coffee. I have been asked multiple times why anyone would want to be constricted to a life like that. Well my question, is what benefit do you get from those things? None. If you don't believe me, Google it! :) In fact, if you stay away from the items listed above, you will have a healthier life! And who doesn't want that? -Only a Benefit-
We live a law, called the Law of Chastity. The Law of Chastity is pretty simple, we don't have sexual relations outside the legal bonds of marriage. We believe in complete fidelity after marriage. We don't have sexual relations with the same sex as our own. We avoid pornography. Okay so that sounds old fashioned right? WRONG! How amazing is it when you know you have the love of your life to only yourself. When you are able to express your love in an intimate way. When you and the love of your life are able to procreate. How wonderful of a gift that is to us. We need not take it lightly! Therefore your family is a strong unit and a place of love and joy. -Only a Benefit- We don't watch or look at pornography. How great of a blessing is that? Pornography is addicting and destructive. So staying away from it is what? -Only a Benefit-
We believe in work and self-reliance. We know we need to work hard. By being hard workers, we are able to gain so much in this life! It makes is possible to live. By working hard and being self-reliant you are able to set goals and progress. -Only a Benefit-
Latter-Day Saints believe in getting an education. It is how you are able to actually do things in this life. You are able to open opportunities for success and joy. -Only a Benefit-
The importance of families is stressed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How important is your family to you? Your family teaches you principles. They give you companionship. They give you love and support you need. It is important to strengthen your family and that is something our church help you accomplish. -Only a Benefit-
A lot of people say that there are no longer Prophets and Apostles on the earth right now. Don't we read that "God is the same, yesterday, today and forever? So Why wouldn't it be logical that there would be Prophets and Apostles on the earth right now? Plus they guide us and give a revelation from God. So having them is -Only a Benefit-.
I hear time and time again that Mormons are not Christian. Well define Christian. Most simply it is someone who follows Jesus Christ in their lives. That is exactly what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes! Following Jesus Christ is the way to have everlasting happiness. -Only a Benefit- Now I do say this, that just because we believe so strongly and teach following Jesus Christ, we are all only human and we make many mistakes. But as we are constantly TRYING (trying be the key word here) Jesus Christ's grace will make up our differences.
I heard earlier today that The Book of Mormon is Satan's book. All I can say it read it and find out. Because The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. If it was Satan's book would it talk about Christ so highly as it does? Would it teach people to follow Christ? Would it support the bible? No. But The Book of Mormon does do all of these things. The Book of Mormon has made many things I read in the Bible make even more sense! I love it! -Only a Benefit- Having an additional whiteness of Jesus Christ in our lives, is true happiness and CANNOT be from Satan.
Many people think that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day looks down upon women because women cannot hold the priesthood. Being a woman I think the exact OPPOSITE! I have NEVER felt looked down upon in the church. I feel exalted in fact! Men are supposed to treat their women with respect. Think about all the hate that the Priesthood holders receive. Us women get to do so many things that men can't do. Men and women are different and have different roles in life. But when those roles are combined together, it creates an incredible refuge of joy. Men and women are equal in the Church with different roles and responsibilities, to make things run smoother. -Only a Benefit-
Okay so obviously I am very passionate about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Many have told me that I am only this way because I don't know anything else and so I am basically brainwashed. Well that is so not true! As much as my parents had to kick my butt out the door to get me to church as kid, I still chose to actually learn SOME things. When I was a teenager, going through what ever that stage is, I had to decide for myself if I was going to follow the Church and what I was taught as a kid. Well, the choice took several years, but I made it. I didn't just decide that I liked the church and I wanted to be a member still, but I had to pray, really hard. I had to read the Book of Mormon, a lot. I had to go to Church, and pay really close attention. Then finally I knew for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true Church. It is restored by a true prophet of God. God hears and answers our prayers. The Book of Mormon is TRUE!!!! The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest way that God has shown us that he loves us. We can be forgiven for all of our sins because of Jesus Christ. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God who guides us today. I know all these things because I put in the effort.
Don't go trying to find out about the Mormon Church by looking stuff up on the internet. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray and ask God. Go to a Church service. Study with the missionaries. After you have done all of those things with a sincere heart and a contrite spirit, then you can tell me that you don't want to be LDS.
But for me, I love this Gospel. It is -Only a Benefit- in my life. I am so grateful for it. That is why I am on a mission. I want to share this Gospel with others. I want to share this joy I have. I want to share Jesus.
Go to this website to answer questions, and if you want, have missionaries like me come to your house and bring you a free copy of the Book of Mormon! http://www.mormon.org/
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