* All About Mormons Newsletter *
February 1998
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*In this newsletter:
*Focus This Month: We Believe: The 1st Article of Faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
One of the basic beliefs of the Latter-day Saints is belief in God, Our Heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ, Our Savior, and in the Holy Ghost. These three glorious beings are known to Latter-day Saints as the Godhead. We believe that they are united in a single purpose: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).
We believe that Heavenly Father is literally the father of our spirits and wants us to return to live with Him someday. I know that through prayer, we can develop a personal relationship with Heavenly Father. We pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ—to thank Him for blessings, to ask him for things that we need, and to praise Him. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers to Him, even if sometimes the answers are "No," or "Wait a while." I know that Heavenly Father loves us and is interested in us as individuals. He cares about how we are feeling and what we are doing. He wants to hear about our goals, our relationships, our sorrows, our joys, our concerns—including mundane things like math tests or that we feel like we don’t have any friends at work or school. I know that through prayer, He can become our best friend.
We believe that Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God the Father, both spiritually AND physically. He is our Elder Brother, who loved us so much and wanted us to return to Heavenly Father’s presence that He died for us. He made repentance and resurrection possible, blessings for which I am very grateful! He showed us the path that leads to eternal life and now we must follow His example. One of my favorite Primary songs from when I was a child is called, "I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus." Even though I am older, I am still trying to be like Jesus. I want to show that much love, to help that much, and to truly say, "Father, not my will, but thine be done."
We believe that if we are living righteously, we can have the Holy Ghost with us—to teach us, to help us make decisions, to help us understand things, and to comfort us. The companionship of the Holy Ghost is wonderful blessing. When we have it, we feel closer to God. We seek to have the Holy Ghost with us at all times—to never chase Him away by doing things that we should not do.
So, when people ask me, do Latter-day Saints believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Ghost, my answer is a profound yes.
*Object Lesson: CONFERENCE OF THE CARPENTER’S TOOLS
One day, the carpenter's tools had a conference. Brother Hammer was in the chair. Upon bringing the meeting to order, he said he understood that there were complaints among his fellow tools and he thought it would be good to discuss it openly together.
"Yes, Brother Saw, what is your complaint?"
Brother Saw stood up and said, "It's that little Bro. Pencil. He gets on everyone's nerves, he is so small. He can't be found when he's needed and when he's doing service, he is so blunt at times that he makes very bad impressions. He certainly needs to be sharpened up a bit around here if he expects to be of any use!"
Little Brother Pencil slowly rose to his feet and said "All right, perhaps I am a little blunt at times. It's only when I spend too long a time in service that I'm like that, but at least I'm not like Brother Drill and his family of small bits. They are always going around in circles, and really, Bro. Drill seems just a bit boring."
Brother Drill and his family of small bits stood up and replied, "Yes, I know we have a reputation for going in circles, but at least we are not like Bro. Plane. You really have to push him to get him to do anything at all. And then, all of his work is on the surface. There certainly is no depth to his work like there is to ours."
All eyes turned to Bro. Plane to see what he would say. Quickly Bro. Plane spoke up.
"Brothers, I guess I'm not the only one around here that has to be pushed to do anything or that has no depth to his service. Brother Sandpaper is worse than I am."
Brother Sandpaper was somewhat new in their midst. "Besides, look how rough he is. I just can't stand being next to him. He just rubs me the wrong way. How he could accomplish any good in his service being so rough, I'll never know."
That remark made Brother Sandpaper really angry. "Brother Plane is just jealous, that's all! And while everyone is complaining, I'd like to complain about Brother Rule. He makes me grit my teeth; always measuring others by his standards as though he's the only one who is right around here. How about Bro. Level? He is so exacting! And there's Brother Compass and Brother Tape Measure and that Brother Punch doesn't finish what he starts most of the time."
Well, the tools were really getting hot. Their tempers were flaring. All seemed to have legitimate complaints against one another, but just then, when some were even getting ready to walk out of the carpenters hall, some thinking that they were not useful or needed, who should walk in but the Master Carpenter from Nazareth. He had come to perform his work for the day. His Father had asked him to build a house that they could both dwell in and he was now almost finished with it. He put his work clothes on and started to finish the work his Father had given him to do. He used every tool.
Now someone else appeared on the scene. It was the carpenter's Father. How thrilled and pleased He was to see what His Son had accomplished. "How did you do it, my Son?" asked the Father.
"I put to good use all of the tools that I bought and how I love every one of them. I paid a high price for them, Father, but they are well worth it. See the hammer over there? He is so useful for both the work of tearing down and building up. He is very effective in service because he really hits the nail on the head. He's a very solid worker, I must say. Then there is the saw. He's really pretty sharp and puts his teeth into the work, constantly going back and forth in one area at a time for very effective service. I am certainly happy to have my pencil. Although he's not very big and I have to sharpen him from time to time, just like some of the other tools, he is very useful in the correcting and marking work.
"Father, here is another tool I just couldn't be without. Big drill and these small bits of his family. They are all so good at reaching deep into the heart and are always leaving the way open for additional work. And just look at this plane. He is so handy to have around in service. He's such a smooth worker and doesn't bite off more than he can handle at one time. He is certainly good at overcoming obstacles as well. And do you see Brother Level over there? He has a good eye for balance and is very levelheaded. And although little Bro. Punch is very small, with the assistance of Brother Hammer, he does an excellent job of driving his point home. Although Brother Tape Measure is small in size, he is always extending himself to meet various circumstances and, like Brother Rule, is accurate in his statements. Even my new tools, like Brother Sandpaper, I wouldn't want to do without him. Although there is a certain roughness, he will wind up with smooth results. So you see Father, I’m thankful because I have this variety of tools. With their service, I will finish your house. Let me show you around the rest of the building."
Well, upon their leaving, all of the carpenter’s tools started rejoicing because each received compliments from the Master and saw how pleased his Father was with what they all had accomplished together.
Brother Hammer now again rose in the midst and said, "Brothers, I perceive that all of us are needed. For although we all may have our weak points at times, and we do not do things exactly the way others think we should, whether we are old or new, large or small, we are all important tools in the hands of the Master Carpenter."
*What’s New on All About Mormons?
LDS Humor is continually expanding. Thanks to all those who have contributed so far! Keep on sending us your funny stories, jokes, etc. We want our humor to be enjoyable to all of our visitors, members and non-members alike, so please use discretion when choosing which ones to send. Our Other Good Stuff section is especially for non-religious humor. Laugh With Us!
All About Mormons now has even more information to keep you in touch with the Church, including Church related web sites and internet services, Church phone numbers, and magazine information. Check it out on our Welcome page!
For links to the following articles, check out our What’s New page.
The article Is it true that Mormon identification with Christianity as a whole is relatively new? has been updated.
The Dating and Marrying Nonmembers article has been updated to include some very detailed comments from President Hugh B. Brown.
Michael T. Griffith and Kenneth W. Godfrey answer the question: How can you explain the resemblances between Masonry and the LDS temple?
Michael T. Griffith answers the question: Is the Bible inerrant and complete?
Milton V. Backman, Jr. answers the following accusatory question: Do the various accounts by the Prophet Joseph Smith of his first vision demonstrate the validity of that event, or do they cast doubt on the Prophet's integrity?
Have you ever wanted to see inside an LDS Temple? Here's your chance. Take our Virtual Tour. You can see pictures of major rooms in many different temples.
In Changes to the Book of Mormon, W. John Walsh, Robert L. Matthews, Van Hale, Stan Larson discuss the relative insignificance of changes made to the Book of Mormon text in various printings.
In B. H. Roberts's "Study of the Book of Mormon", John W. Welch discusses how critics have used certain writings by Elder Roberts to try and discredit the Book of Mormon.
In an update to The Seer and Journal of Discourses article, W. John Walsh and Gerald E. Jones discuss the unauthoritative nature of certain historical material
In Is God a Spirit?, W. John Walsh, William O. Nelson, and Stephen E. Robinson explain how we reconcile the passage "God is a spirit" with God's being a personage of flesh and bones.
The article on Passionate Kissing has been updated.
*Response of the Month: How can I strengthen my marriage?
Go on dates. How did you fall in love and decide to get married in the first place? Probably you did things together, enjoyed each other’s company, and had time to talk. If it worked before, it can work again.
Remember your manners. Remember to say thank you, please, you’re welcome, etc. Thank your spouse for the little things that they do—making dinner, taking out the trash, doing the dishes, picking up the kids from school, writing a letter to the family, etc. Maybe you agreed a long time ago that was your spouse’s responsibility, but everyone likes to feel appreciated—even for things they’re supposed to do!
Do little things for each other—especially in secret! Make his favorite pie, sweep the floor as a surprise, send flowers, buy a card, shine his shoes, sew on a button without being asked, write a love note and pack it in his lunch or place it under the milk in the fridge, dust a room, have her jewelry cleaned for a special occasion, etc. When they discover it, it is so fun, especially when they remember their manners and thank you for it!
Make time to talk and to be with each other. This is not a time to worry about the kids or do the bills or decide what to do about the roof. This is a time to enjoy each other’s company and talk about your relationship. How are you doing? What goals would you like to set? How are you doing in the goals you already have? Are both of your needs being met?
Develop hobbies together. While it’s nice to have your own time and space, it is easy to grow apart in marriage unless you continue developing yourself in areas that the two of you can share. Learn to paint, to garden, do karate, fix up the house, cook, bowl, dance, etc. together. Then, when you have a date, you might have something that both of you would like to do (besides just going out to eat and seeing a movie) and talk about (besides kids, bills, house, etc.).
Sacrifice for and serve your spouse. Put your spouse first. Of course your needs are important, but if both of you put each other first, you’ll both get your needs met. If your spouse does not currently put your needs first, that might be because he or she has some pressing needs. If you help with hose needs, you can be taken care of, too. Remember the commandment Jesus gave his disciples:
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)
Is it harder to die for your spouse, or live for your spouse? Giving service is a way to give your life for your friend. ~ Jenny
I'd like to answer that question from the perspective of a member married to a nonmember. The Gospel was written for everyone....member and nonmember alike. While my husband doesn't subscribe to the doctrines of the Church, he DOES agree with certain things concerning our marriage. For example, he and I date EVERY Friday night. If we can't date on Friday, we try for Saturday. But he agrees with the Church that husbands & wives should have a time each week set aside just for the two of them. We have no children together, so we do not have family home evening. But when invited by others to participate in their FHE, he won't object. He doesn't pray the same as we do (he's a Religious Scientist), but likes to hear me pray ... so we pray together and I say the prayer. He's as active in his church as I am in mine, so we support each other fully in our respective beliefs. If something is happening in his church, we attend. If it's happening in mine, we attend. This helps us to strengthen our marriage by being together and showing support for each other. Like I said, he doesn't believe in the Church's doctrines ... but he DOES agree with anything the Church says about strengthening our marriage, becoming closer, loving each other more, and becoming a family unit forever. Gee, isn't that what the Church is all about anyway??? ~ SistaSaint
*Question of the Month: What do I do if I or my child is assigned inappropriate material to read for a school assignment?
Let us know what you think. We want your wisdom and input!
Reader responses will appear in the next newsletter. E-mail responses to mormon@mormons.org
See you next month!
John and Jenny Walsh