Dear Kind and Faithful Christian Friends,
Madame L is discouraged to read that the hate-mongers are at it again, and all in the name of "True Christianity." An article in the Jan. 14 issue of the New York Times explains the "theological unease" that impels some ministers to go around the U.S., and even around to other countries, "explaining" why Mormons are "not really" Christians.
Please, if any of you reading this blog has any further questions about this, post them in the "Comments" section or write an email message to Madame L at [ellemadame] at [gmail.com], and Madame L will do her best to answer your questions with love and understanding. However, Madame L will refrain from arguing about issues that some others may want to argue about. Madame L likes to discuss spiritual matters in a spiritual manner and finds that swerving from spirituality to engage in arguments and name-calling detracts from the love we all share as Christians.
Meanwhile, Madame L would like to discuss here the last four Articles of Faith, which explain more about the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
10. Do you believe in the Apocalypse, the Gathering of Israel, a restored Zion, and other scriptures of the Last Days? Yes, we do.
Tenth Article of Faith: We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
Expanding on this belief, Elder L. Tom Perry wrote:
"Article 10 tells of our belief “in the literal gathering of Israel,” that Zion will be built again and Christ will return and “reign personally upon the earth.” It was in June of 1830 that Samuel Smith, the brother of the Prophet, embarked on the first missionary journey to proclaim the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Thus began the gathering of Zion. The word went forth from Mount Zion to the peoples of the earth that the gospel had been restored. Today the work of uniting our Father in Heaven’s children continues as we prepare for His ultimate return, for His millennial reign over the earth. We are anxiously and personally engaged in that great literal gathering when we profess His everlasting gospel to our friends, our neighbors, and the other peoples of the earth."
11. Do you believe in freedom of religion for all people, or just for people who believe the same things you believe? We DO believe in freedom of religion and worship for all people.
Eleventh Article of Faith: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. Do you believe that your religious beliefs supersede your social and legal obligations? No, we don't.
Twelfth Article of Faith: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
About the eleventh and twelfth Articles, Elder Perry wrote: "The 11th and 12th articles profess our belief in religious liberty, tolerance, and agency. Agency is one of the great gifts of God to His children. It allows all men and women the right to choose for themselves and to earn their own individual salvation. Also declared is our belief in secular governments and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” of the land."
13. Do you have any other beliefs that show you are part of "mainstream Christianity"? Hmm, that sounds like a loaded question. Since we believe the Bible to be the word of God, as explained earlier, of course we fit in with "mainstream Christianity." But what I like about the Articles of Faith if how they expand upon and illuminate such scriptures as the one in the New Testament that this may remind you of:
Thirteenth Article of Faith: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Again, Elder Perry wrote about this article: "The 13th article provides a special insight into how we should conduct our lives and present ourselves before the peoples of the earth. It reads: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Elder Perry also pointed out, "The Articles of Faith were not the work of a team of scholars but were authored by a single, inspired man who declared comprehensively and concisely the essential doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They contain direct and simple statements of the principles of our religion, and they constitute strong evidence of the divine inspiration that rested upon the Prophet Joseph Smith."
Best Wishes,
Madame L
Madame L is discouraged to read that the hate-mongers are at it again, and all in the name of "True Christianity." An article in the Jan. 14 issue of the New York Times explains the "theological unease" that impels some ministers to go around the U.S., and even around to other countries, "explaining" why Mormons are "not really" Christians.
Please, if any of you reading this blog has any further questions about this, post them in the "Comments" section or write an email message to Madame L at [ellemadame] at [gmail.com], and Madame L will do her best to answer your questions with love and understanding. However, Madame L will refrain from arguing about issues that some others may want to argue about. Madame L likes to discuss spiritual matters in a spiritual manner and finds that swerving from spirituality to engage in arguments and name-calling detracts from the love we all share as Christians.
Meanwhile, Madame L would like to discuss here the last four Articles of Faith, which explain more about the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
10. Do you believe in the Apocalypse, the Gathering of Israel, a restored Zion, and other scriptures of the Last Days? Yes, we do.
Tenth Article of Faith: We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
Expanding on this belief, Elder L. Tom Perry wrote:
"Article 10 tells of our belief “in the literal gathering of Israel,” that Zion will be built again and Christ will return and “reign personally upon the earth.” It was in June of 1830 that Samuel Smith, the brother of the Prophet, embarked on the first missionary journey to proclaim the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Thus began the gathering of Zion. The word went forth from Mount Zion to the peoples of the earth that the gospel had been restored. Today the work of uniting our Father in Heaven’s children continues as we prepare for His ultimate return, for His millennial reign over the earth. We are anxiously and personally engaged in that great literal gathering when we profess His everlasting gospel to our friends, our neighbors, and the other peoples of the earth."
11. Do you believe in freedom of religion for all people, or just for people who believe the same things you believe? We DO believe in freedom of religion and worship for all people.
Eleventh Article of Faith: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. Do you believe that your religious beliefs supersede your social and legal obligations? No, we don't.
Twelfth Article of Faith: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
About the eleventh and twelfth Articles, Elder Perry wrote: "The 11th and 12th articles profess our belief in religious liberty, tolerance, and agency. Agency is one of the great gifts of God to His children. It allows all men and women the right to choose for themselves and to earn their own individual salvation. Also declared is our belief in secular governments and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” of the land."
13. Do you have any other beliefs that show you are part of "mainstream Christianity"? Hmm, that sounds like a loaded question. Since we believe the Bible to be the word of God, as explained earlier, of course we fit in with "mainstream Christianity." But what I like about the Articles of Faith if how they expand upon and illuminate such scriptures as the one in the New Testament that this may remind you of:
Thirteenth Article of Faith: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Again, Elder Perry wrote about this article: "The 13th article provides a special insight into how we should conduct our lives and present ourselves before the peoples of the earth. It reads: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Elder Perry also pointed out, "The Articles of Faith were not the work of a team of scholars but were authored by a single, inspired man who declared comprehensively and concisely the essential doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They contain direct and simple statements of the principles of our religion, and they constitute strong evidence of the divine inspiration that rested upon the Prophet Joseph Smith."
Best Wishes,
Madame L
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