Hmmm...Mormons? (Part 2)

HI EVERYBODY.

Honduras is great.  I mean, we haven't had water in like five days, but hey, what's a mission without a little adventure??  ... But seriously guys I miss having water.  Oh well.

SHOUTOUTS:

Ashley, Joy (Your speech is gonna blow MINDS. GO TO GRADUATION MOM.), Nicolle, Steph (I do expect pictures ;)), Lizzie, Brittany, Nanny, Khiabeth, Donny, Kailey, Blythe... You guys amaze me.  Thank you dearly for all you wrote, and I appreciate the time you took to send me a little message.  I love hearing about your lives and you are all just awesome.  ALSO, WAY TO GO GRADUATING CLASS OF 2015!!!  Keep up what you've been doing, and you might be as cool as the class of 2014. ;)  ..... Okay, let's be honest, you are all probably better than us already.  But not cooler. Not yet.... :D

So.... Now the moment has come to finish my thoughts on being Mormon and all.  So.... I'm just gonna jump in.

Imagine we just finished the conversation, in the which we explained the basics of our beliefs to someone of another denomination.  Let's just imagine, then, that they then accept that we don't have totally weird beliefs.  But now....  I want to address again, why do we believe that THIS church is THE church?  Cuz that's a huge claim, right?  So... Let's look at it like this.

Is God divided?

I truly believe that almost all of our beliefs can be supported by the answer to this question.  Let me explain.

If God is not divided, it means one of two things:  Either ALL churches are true, or only one is.  It is simply not plausible to imagine that God will be directing two or three churches at the same time, but not the others, correct?  Because every church has different forms of following.  So, if that is the case, either ALL are currently directed by God, therefore assuming that form and custom are superfluous in His sight, and therefore our claim that Joseph was a prophet wouldn't hurt anyone - cuz if God did call him, all the other ones are still true too, right?  Well, I think we can all agree that not ALL churches are true.  If that's the case, varying forms and degrees of following His commandments are acceptable - which is NOT the case.  Therefore, the only other logical answer is that only ONE is currently directed by Him - because God is NOT divided, and therefore form and custom ARE important in His sight, and if we are not following how He wants, we are not in the correct denomination.

Now, why was it necessary to have a prophet, if we have God's word in the Bible?  Once again, I ask you - is God divided?  If it is written that God is the same, yesterday, today and forever, do we truly believe that?  Because if so, we believe that the order in which God works IS STILL the same as well!  And therefore, if God guided His children through prophets anciently, whenever His children were spiritually prepared again after rejecting the previous prophet, I would guess that He will NOT change that order, correct?  Which would also mean that the manner in which they were chosen and the gifts they possessed would not change either.  Therefore, 1. a chosen prophet would be chosen by a direct visit, as anciently, 2. a prophet would be able to reveal God's will for every given time, seeing as they have always been able to speak with God face to face, having been chosen by Him, and 3. a prophet would have the God given power and authority to use special gifts (such as visions, gifts of tongues, etc.) and to be able to show fruits of said gifts.  IF God truly is not divided, this is what we agree to.  Therefore, if the denomination does not have a prophet chosen in said manner, we are not in the correct denomination. If it so is that God is as He is described in the Bible.

If this is all true, then...  Our claim that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet is not as extreme as some people say.  And in that same point, the Book of Mormon coming forth is not as crazy either.  It makes sense, and it is evidence of the calling Joseph received.  And thus... Our beliefs may even make sense.

But now I'm going a step further.

Why do I know that THIS church is THE church?  Well... Like this.  If we all agree on the points I've listed... Then we need to go to doctrine, one last time.  How do we know that the Bible is true?  Well... Because what is written there has happened.  The prophets in the book therefore must have been called of God... And thus, we know they were true prophets by their fruits.  In this way we discern the false prophets from the true prophets.  Well....  Therefore....  A good number of pastors and prophets today have little to no fruit to show for the truthfulness of their calling.  They all rely on the same book and the same doctrine - the same doctrine which contradicts their claims to being truly chosen by God.  So, for me.... If you want to know if what the Mormons believe is true.... Look at the fruit that only THEY have.  And what is that book?

The Book of Mormon. 

You want to know why I know this church is THE church? 

Because of The Book of Mormon.  And if you want to know if Joseph was truly chosen of God, who received His word and His revelation... Well, try the biggest revelation he could have received.  Because, one last time, if we believe that God is not divided, here's what the Mormons can say:

If the Book of Mormon isn't true, all of our claims are wrong and our church is false.

But.... If the Book of Mormon IS true....  All of our claims are true, and our church is true as well.  Because God couldn't lie. And therefore, He Himself is directing this church today.

And just as a little ending tidbit....  You don't even need to depend solely on the words in the book.  You could truly just ask someone who couldn't lie... The same way that Joseph himself did. And if the Holy Ghost bears witness.... There must be something there.

And remember.... All of our claims, and all of the history we have to show, and really, the coming forth of this book and the supposed restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.... began with a prayer of a 14 year old boy.

Love you all.  I hope that all that I said may touch your hearts, and that in the end, you will depend more on Him than on my words.  I am not perfect, nor do I have perfect understanding.

But He does.  Trust Him - and try the Book.

Talk to you soon.

Elder Kristian Huff