mormon.org
Beliefs
FAQs
Contact
What Is a Church Community?
Loading.....

The video player could not be built.

Do you want to chat with a missionary?

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Start a chat or call us at 1-888-537-6600.

Hi I'm Reuben

I'm the town Mormon.

About Me

I'm a husband, a father, a college football fan, a Utah Jazz fan, a lover of food and friends, a business consultant, an accounting professor, a longboarder, a bad golfer, a never-match-my-clothes-and-get-made-fun-of-by-my-wife type of husband, ... and I am a Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

There are many reasons why I am Mormon. The Church is an organization of people with a broad spectrum of backgrounds, but with common beliefs centered in Jesus Christ. We worship together and we have fun together through events, dinners, sports, and so forth. I have truly enjoyed those relationships. However, my reason for being Mormon extends far beyond the social benefits of my membership in the Church. Bigger than the great relationships I have developed with friends in the Church is the relationship I have developed with God—our Heavenly Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ said in His intercessory prayer to the Father that "This is Life Eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) Jesus Christ is the head of this church. All things that we learn and do in it point us toward Him, and help us to know him better. Part of this process of knowing Christ is reading the scriptures of prophets who knew him face to face. In the church we study both the Bible and Book of Moromon for this reason. One prophet in the Book of Mormon states: "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." (Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 25:26) I love my Savior. He has given everything for our sakes. He lived for us, and then He died for us. And, He still lives. He is aware of our trials, and of our needs. He can succor us with empathy because He has borne the pains and sorrows of us all. He truly is our friend, our Savior, our Redeemer, and Master. It's a pleasure to be a part of the church. My life wouldn't be the same without it. And the love in my home and with my family is fuller because of it. The great thing about the blessings of the gospel is that they are free and available to all who choose to seek after them. I would invite you to seek after these things.

How I live my faith

I would hope to say that living the gospel of Jesus Christ is more a natural part of my life rather than a deliberate one. It's about loving others, serving others, following the commandments, and enriching the family. As many others in the Church, I try to fill my life with daily study of the Bible and Book of Mormon, and with prayer. I feel these simple things help me to have a better day, to treat people better, and to remember the ultimate objectives of this time on earth.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Reuben
No. Unfortunately, we are often confused with "Fundamentalist Mormons", which is a misnomer in and of itself. They are not associated with the "Mormon Church"--or more appropriately--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Show more Show less

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Reuben
Nobody is required. Many choose to go based on the positive experience that it is--not only for the missionary, but also for the people that he/she serves. Show more Show less

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Reuben
There is nothing more important than the family. It is so easy for many of us to turn something else, for example our career, into the main focus of our lives. To me, our careers are not our lives—our families are. If I ever get into a situation where I have to choose between my family and my career, I will wholeheartedly choose my family. If I have to take a less prestigious job or take a salary cut in order to meet the needs of my family, I will. Why wouldn’t I? My career will only last so long. I will retire from my career, but I will never retire from my duty as a husband, as a father, as a brother, and as a son of an Eternal Father and disciple of an eternal Christ. Show more Show less

Are Mormons Christians?

Reuben
Yes. The true name of our church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is at the center of everything that we believe and teach. Show more Show less

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Reuben
The priesthood is open to all races. It is important to note that the priesthood does have restrictions, however. For example, one who holds the priesthood should be baptized and be worthy. Additionally, there is an age restriction. To receive priesthood, a boy must be at least 12 years of age. Why are there so many restrictions on the priesthood? Simply, because there always have been restrictions. The priesthood is the Lord’s power delegated to man. It represents the authority to act in His name. The Lord takes the bestowal of such a privilege seriously—allowing only a few to bear it. In the days of Moses we know the priesthood duties in the tabernacle were limited to certain individuals—“no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron shall come near to offer incense before the Lord” (Numbers 16:40). It was the sons of Aaron and the Levites who had the priestly duties. Why wasn’t it given to the other tribes? Why not to the good men of the tribe of Gad, for instance? So strict were such restrictions that Uzzah, with seemingly safe intentions to steady the Ark of the Covenant, was smitten for touching the ark without permission. Why wasn’t Uzzah allowed to touch the ark? Well, we do know that there is an order in all things that the Lord does—especially the most sacred of things. And if we are patient, we see that the Lord is no respecter of persons. Later in the New Testament we see more restrictions—and then a lift on the restriction. As it seems in those days, the priesthood—and even the gospel as preached by Christ—was initially intended for the Israelites. The Gentiles, as they were called, were not yet appointed to be taught the gospel save it be they were converted to Judaism first. This very well may be why Christ told his twelve Apostles: “Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 10:5-6) The scriptures support that the gospel was to be first preached to the Jews and second to the Gentiles. That was the order of things. That order was to remain until it was revealed otherwise. It was later revealed to Peter that he should not restrict himself from any man: “…but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common … Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:28;34) This, albeit strange, was a new truth to Peter and also to many others. Peter had to explain this new paradigm to the apostles and other disciples, and they received it well: “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:18) And thus began the preaching of the gospel to the gentile nations. Likewise, in 1978, the late President Spencer W. Kimball, the Lord’s prophet at the time, who had prayed fervently to know the Lord’s will in our day, received a revelation and confirmation that the priesthood should be given to all men who are worthy to receive it—regardless of race or color. I have known and associated with many of all races within the church. Many of them have been my church leaders, key influencers, and my friends. Show more Show less

Who wrote the Book of Mormon?

Reuben
The Book of Mormon was written by several different prophets who lived in the ancient Americas. The span of these writings ranges from about 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. Show more Show less

What blessings can we receive through the gift of the Holy Ghost?

Reuben
The Holy Ghost helps us discern between truth and error. Allow me to share an example. I have found C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” to be a very good book of study. In some way—either by inspiration or by careful thought—Lewis has captured in his storyline, characters, and imagery some very profound principles. One of those principles is in regard to truth and error. The four children have entered Narnia in a similar fashion to our entrance into this earth. They are not in Narnia for very long before they start to question whom they can trust. Narnia is not only new to them geographically; the culture, life, relationships, and politics are all novel to them as well. Upon entering Narnia, Lucy is quickly educated by a Fawn about the evil White Witch. As Edmund enters the land, he is quickly educated by the evil Witch about the lack of credibility of the Fawn. Once Peter and Susan arrive to Narnia they are educated by Mr. Beaver about the Witch and the Fawn. Who were they to believe? Could you imagine being completely new to a scene and not knowing whom you can trust? I believe we find ourselves in this dilemma even today. There are many who “are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.” This is a remarkable teaching of our Savior. We need to know how to recognize truth. People all over the globe are asking: “Where is truth? Who of all these parties are right or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” The answer is found very simply in the symbolism of the C.S. Lewis’ text. The Witch flatters Edmund and entices him through his appetites, pleasing the carnal man. Edmund never finds peace in her words, but finds pleasure in his heart. Edmund never questioned whether or not he could trust the Witch because he didn’t care at that point. The puffery was too pleasing to him to be a wrong. Peter, on the other hand, converses with the Beaver, and soon asks the Mr. Beaver how he can validate the veracity of his words, Mr. Beaver replies in essence: “Let me give you a token.” Mr. Beaver then provides to Peter the token—Lucy’s white handkerchief. By this token Peter knows that Mr. Beaver’s words can be trusted. It is by a similar methodology that the Lord speaks truth to us. This order is the order of heaven. On a day-to-day basis, the token he provides is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost brings to us peace, warmth, understanding. We will feel alignment in our mind and in our heart. Peace is the key to divine knowledge. It is a token of truth. Another token of truth is alignment with the words of our Savior. These simple tokens will guide us on our way to truth. Show more Show less