And a Christian.
The other day, Ross and I listened to Jeffress say over and over again that we were members of a cult and could not be considered Christian. Yesterday I stumbled over to Sheena's blog, The Little Red House. And read the most beautiful post where she shared her testimony of Jesus Christ as a Latter Day Saint. I was immediately inspired to follow suit, and share my testimony on my blog. Any little attempt to clear things up for some, or even one.
But then I starting sifting through her comments and saw how even while she shared such a tender testimony of HER relationship with the savior, and explained her own beliefs, on her own blog, people still wandered over to tell her she was wrong. I was shocked. So then I decided I'd better keep my little blog quiet. I've experienced that blog debate before, and it's never fun.
BUUUUTTTT....... then I slept on it, read some more and thought maybe I actually learned something from all of her comments and felt better because of it, and maybe I could pass that along.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints and I have a testimony of Jesus Christ.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and in that sense, my elder brother.
I believe that He lived on the earth and performed miracles.
I believe He is loving, kind, merciful, and perfect. I have my very own, and very personal relationship with Him and am constantly striving to strengthen that relationship.
I believe that He atoned for my sins and suffered and died on the cross so that I could be forgiven for my weaknesses and have the chance to return to live with my Heavenly Father.
I believe that it is ONLY through his mercy and grace that anyone can be saved.
I believe he is literally our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Lord.
We teach our children of Him. We pray in His name. We worship Him. We learn of him and try our best to follow his example in our lives. We send our sons and daughters all over the world to spread His gospel and share His teachings.
I believe the Bible to be the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly. I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
I believe it is another testament of Jesus Christ written by prophets in Ancient America. Just as the bible is written by and about the people in the land of Israel and surrounding areas, the Book of Mormon contains the history and God’s dealings with the people who lived in the Americas between approximately 600 BC and 400 AD.
After reading through Sheena's comments, I actually understand the words of Jeffress and feelings of a lot of orthodox Christians better. Clearly there are differences in our faiths. They are right about that. I don't feel as offended as I was when I first heard his words. Luckily, our goal is not to have our understanding of Christ be identical to that of Christian orthodoxy. But I certainly do not believe that makes us un-Christian. I realize now, some people do.
(Read THIS article in the Washington Post about that. It's great.)
But hopefully with so many testimonies being shared, and so much being written about our faith, people will realize that “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 25:26).
And I guess if they don't, we'll be ok. :)
11 comments:
Thanks for sharing your testimony publicly.
I saw Sheena's post, too, and commented, but it didn't come up. Then I saw your comment this morning and thought... I need to blog about this. But since my blog is private right now no one would see it. Or maybe the few of you that do would see it.
I'm glad you shared your thoughts and testimony and especially your better understanding of what others might feel. My thoughts have become a bit more gentle about all of it, too. I still think it's important to share what we know is truth.
Well said, Lillie. This kind of banter and persecution is supposed to happen to the true Church of Jesus Christ. It was prophesied. THEY are just allowing prophecies to come true :). It's great to belong to this Church. My testimony gets stronger daily when I hear others bash us. P.S I follow your blog...my daughter's name is Sofia too, but with an "f"...the Mexican way.
Loved your post. I recently came across this and think it's so powerful. But I could be biased because I just adore Elder Holland. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STgqgEAypAg&sns=fb
Thank you for sharing this! This particular issue of Mormons & Christianity really gets me worked up (and for the record I am a baptized and practicing Catholic). I just cannot understand how any person can justifiably tell someone who believes in Jesus, follows Jesus' teachings and tries to live their lives by His example, closes every prayer with "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen", (etc etc!) that they are not actually Christian. I find that kind of judgment super offensive, and, frankly, unChristian. Thank you for being strong and thank you for standing up for what you believe!
I am baptist, and before any of Jeffress' comments were in the media, I wanted to understand the differences in Baptist Theology, and Mormon Theology. I know there are so many difference, but I know that in the end the only thing that matters is faith in Christ's saving sacrifice. I am excited to be able to call you a sister in Christ. Thank you for sharing.
Good for you- that was a really well written and beautiful post :)
Heartfelt and beautiful, Lillie.
Thanks for sharing Lillie, I've admired your writing since you were very young:)...it's fun I've known you since before you graduated from high school... And with your testimony coming up and everything, Andrew is getting baptized in November (can you believe it??? I hardly can!). Would you e-mail me your testimony for Andrew, I just re-read the one you gave me to include in Zach's baptism book, you are such a great writer. May God always bless you and yours. All my love!
I came across your blog, and am so glad I did. Thank you for sharing that which is so important to you. It takes a lot to be so strong and I am touched by it. It is encouraging to see other mormons proclaim their testimony so that we might all grow from it. Thank You.
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