Christ gives several sermons to the people. One of these sermons discusses works, a concept often misunderstood in other Christian denominations. Christ’s sermon in 3 Nephi 27 explains more about works and how they operate within the grace of Jesus Christ.

Building Christ’s Church

When Jesus visits the Americas, He spent quite a bit of time establishing His church among the people. He called apostles and demonstrated the sacrament. He instructs that the church needs to be in His name:

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Nephi 27:8)

Christ continues to say that “if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it” (27:10). If the people build the church upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, then Heavenly Father will be able to manifest His works through it. If, however, the people decide to build the church upon their own works and ideas, Christ says, “they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire.”

Why is it important that the true church be built on the gospel instead of on the works of men and women? This is crucial because men and women are fallible; the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, however, are perfect. Even though the church will be operated by imperfect people, the strength of the purity of the doctrines will compensate for our shortcomings. A church built upon our own works would fail and lead us away from God.

Our Works Are Important

Some Christian denominations disagree about which will get one to heaven: grace or works.The answer is both. We would have no chance of returning to Heavenly Father without the grace of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself explains His purpose in God’s plan:

And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. (27:14)

So the Savior came to earth so that He can draw us unto Him, but our choices here still make a difference. Jesus Christ can’t save us if we don’t let Him, and the way by which we accept His grace is to pattern our lives after His.

We Accept Christ by Living His Commandments

I have a friend who thought that Mormons’ emphasis on works contradicted the grace of the Savior. She thought that by accepting Him you were automatically saved, that there were no further action to be taken to achieve salvation. This isn’t what the doctrine of Jesus Christ teaches us. When Christ was preaching to the people in the Book of Mormon, he said that “this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do” (27:21).

Christ did suffer for us and did atone for our sins, but that gift isn’t free. If we are to accept His infinite gift, we must do so upon His conditions, which are to live His commandments and strive to become like Him. That’s why our works are so important: our works are what demonstrate to the Savior who we are becoming and to what extent we accept His grace.

Jesus summed up this sermon in a simple sentence: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (27:27). God certainly does not mean for us to earn our way to heaven; that would indeed contradict the plan of redemption. What He does intend, however, is for the depth of our conviction to be made manifest in how we live. This life is one of becoming, and if we are to be saved by Christ, we must accept Him by trying to become like Him. He will know our hearts and know of our intent. If we simply do the best we can, He will make up the rest and shape us so that one day we will be as He is.

The grace of Jesus Christ is amazing because it affects our souls. Christ’s grace is what allows us to change and choose and become. Our works operate in tandem with the Savior’s grace, allowing us to outwardly change and become like Him.

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God” (Articles of Faith 1:8). These words were written by Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith wrote the Articles of Faith to clearly delineate what Mormons believed so as to dispel any misconceptions that people of other faiths might have.

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God.” As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, I, and other Mormons, believe in, follow, and love the Bible just as followers of other Christian faiths. “We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” The Book of Mormon is a book of ancient scripture written by prophets on the American continent and translated by Joseph Smith.  Since it contains revelation to prophets who were commanded to write scripture, the Book of Mormon is similar to and complimentary to the Bible.  The Book of Mormon is not intended to replace the Bible; rather, it supports the Bible. Reading the Book of Mormon has strengthened my testimony of the Bible; there are many passages in the Book of Mormon that speak of the Bible, its prophets, its prophecies, and its truthfulness. The Book of Mormon turns the reader to the Bible, and vice versa.

Another Testament of Christ

The title page of the Book of Mormon, written by Moroni, one of the Book of Mormon writers, explains the book’s purpose: “To the convincing the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” As I read and study the Book of Mormon, my testimony of the Savior grows. Book of Mormon writers all testified of Christ; their words to the people then about the Savior and His Atonement are applicable to me, and to all of us, still today. The words “Christ,” “Jesus,” “Lord,” and other titles for the Savior appear on nearly every page of the book.

The Book of Mormon is evidence to me that God still cares about His people today. We still have the Bible, which is God’s word; however, with many translations through the centuries, some doctrines are confusing, as we can see by looking at the many different Christian churches on earth today. Heavenly Father has given us this sacred scripture, the Book of Mormon, to clarify the doctrine so we can plainly understand His words and commandments. He does not want us to be lost and confused, and wondering what our purpose is on earth. Heavenly Father loves us, and wants us to return to Him, and has given us the Book of Mormon to help us learn and understand what’s really important in life.

My Faith in God Because of the Book of Mormon

Reading the Book of Mormon has done more to increase my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than almost anything else I can do or have done. Combined with prayer, reading the Book of Mormon brings me closer to Christ and strengthens my testimony of Him. The Book of Mormon teaches me what to do to feel the Savior’s love and forgiveness. It testifies that Jesus Christ lives, and that He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children.

The Book of Mormon also clearly teaches the doctrines and principles that Christ taught to his disciples while He was on the earth. These doctrines and principles of faith, repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and the Holy Ghost are taught throughout the Book of Mormon by many prophets. As I read about these important doctrines and principles, I can feel Heavenly Father’s love for His children, and my faith in Him grows.

“Nearer to God”

Joseph Smith, the man who translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, stated in the book’s introduction: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” Reading the Book of Mormon is great. I feel the Spirit, and I learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. But reading the Book of Mormon doesn’t do me, or anyone, any good unless we apply what it says. When we “abide by its precepts,” doing what the writers instruct and applying the lessons taught, we truly come closer to God. One of the best ways for us to come to know our Savior is by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon.

Scholar details ‘striking’ parallels between Book of Mormon and ancient civilization, R. Scott Lloyd, Church News staff writer, Monday, Aug. 6 2012 4:55 p.m. MDT

Sorenson notes the Book of Mormon has everything a person would expect to find from a book written in the time and place of the Book of Mormon, a record of ancient scripture that Mormons (a nickname sometimes applied to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) hold as a companion to the Bible. “”It is not rational to suppose that mere coincidence can account for similarities of this magnitude,” he declared. “The parallels are too striking and too sweeping to allow that casual explanation.”

The Book of Mormon does not specify where the events in the book occurred. Mormons have as doctrine only that they happened on what is today the American continent. However, scholars have devoted many hours to trying to place events into specific locations. Sorenson, like many others, believes they occurred in Mesoamerica.

“Similarly, Sorenson has correlated Mesoamerican archaeology with Book of Mormon content.

His method was to determine what area best corresponds with the apparent “mental map” Mormon had in mind when abridging the Nephite record known today as the Book of Mormon. In previous works, he settled on this: “The Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico is the narrow neck of land of the Nephites, the highlands of southern Guatemala contained the land of Nephi, the basin of the Grijalva river and adjacent areas in extreme southern Mexico is the land of Zarahemla, and areas immediately north and west of the isthmus are the land northward. This, then, defines the area where it makes sense to look for correspondences between the Book of Mormon and the archaeological/cultural record.”

Sorenson outlines 450 examples in which Mesoamerican culture and Book of Mormon culture correlate, and notes they are only a sampling of the correlations. Included are:

• The construction of sacred towers in both cultures. The Book of Helaman, in the Book of Mormon, refers to a tower used for private prayer and discourse, a usage also found in Mesoamerica.
• The installation of a younger king before the death of the current king, leading to emeritus status for the retiring king
• 380 cultural patterns for religion and ideology found in both the ancient Near East in second and first millennia B.C. and in Mesoamerica. Sorenson suggests the complexity and numbers of correlations are possible only if people from the Near East came to Mesoamerica, an essential aspect of the Book of Mormon.
• The significance of warfare, which today’s scholars see in ways that more closely align with the writings of Mormon, an ancient Book of Mormon prophet, than they did in the days when the Book of Mormon was translated.

This article is by no means an exhaustive description of the chapter but briefly touches upon the importance of the teachings taught within The Book of Mormon and a comparison with The Bible. Chapter 17 in 1 Nephi contains a story of faith where the prophet Nephi is commanded by the Lord to build a ship. His brothers don’t believe it’s possible but Nephi follows the Lord’s instructions and builds the ship so that his family can cross the ocean to reach the Promised Land.

As you read this chapter, I invite you to look at the footnotes and other available resources which help one study the scriptures. A modern apostle of Christ, Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated “We should therefore study with these questions in mind: “Why was this included? How does this apply today and to me?” (“How to Study the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, October 2011 )

Comparing The Book of Mormon to The Bible & My Life

I love comparing the similarities and parallels between The Bible and The Book of Mormon because they both contain eternal truths from the same God (Ezekiel 37:16-17). “Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another (2 Nephi 29:8)”.

God us an unchanging being and is the same God in The Book of Mormon as He was in Biblical times. “For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?” (Mormon 9:9) For example, the Lord fed the children of Israel in Moses’ time (Exodus 16:15) but He also blessed Nephi’s family with great blessings in the wilderness such as living upon raw meat and the women bearing healthy children (1 Nephi 17: 1-2, 12).

Nephi “went up into the mountain, and cried unto the lord” (1 Nephi 17:7) for direction in his life and received the answer to build a boat. In the mountains, Adam built an altar and called upon the Lord (Genesis 12:8), the Lord spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12), and Moses received the ten commandments of God (Exodus 19-20). In modern times, we too can pray to God and receive direction and guidance from Him. Worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ can also enter temples to seek revelation.

I haven’t been instructed to build a boat but God has guided me to attend a school I didn’t plan on attending or move out of the country. I don’t always understand why God may direct me to do something. This is especially hard when it was not my plan or the exact opposite of what I wanted. However, looking back I can see that God has something in mind for me greater than I can imagine and He knows best how to get me there. “After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 17:14) Only after I finished my degree or after I moved back into the country did I understand the invaluable and priceless experiences I had obtained through following God’s plan for me.

Why is this Important?

I know that applying The Book of Mormon to my life has blessed me in many ways. I love searching the scriptures and finding God’s guidance within them as if He was talking directly to me. “In my judgment, diligently searching to discover connections, patterns, and themes is what it means to ‘feast’ upon the words of Christ. This approach can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir, enlighten our understanding through His Spirit, and produce a depth of gratitude for the holy scriptures and a degree of spiritual commitment that can be received in no other way. Such searching enables us to build upon the rock of our Redeemer and to withstand the winds of wickedness in these latter days (Bednar, 2011. Increase in learning: Spiritual patterns for obtaining your own answers. Salt Lake City: UT: Deseret Book Company, p. 131).”

Additional Resources:

Do Mormons Believe in the Bible?

Visit this site for a free copy of The Book of Mormon.

Visit this site for a free copy of The Bible.

Brief explanation of The Book of Mormon

Do Mormons Believe in the Bible?

Brief Answer: yes. The Latter-day Saints not only believe in the Bible, they love the Bible. They study it and apply it in their daily lives. In fact, it was Joseph Smith’s study of the Bible—specifically James 1:5— that prompted the young farm boy to “ask of God” in faith and humility. The answer that God gave to Joseph’s humble prayer was momentous. (God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to the boy and restored the original Church of Jesus Christ to the earth).

Detailed Answer: It is fair to say that, generally speaking, the Latter-day Saints believe in the Bible more fully and literally than their mainstream Christian neighbors do. While such a bold statement is in no way meant to criticize mainstream Christians in their love or study of the Bible, the statement is nevertheless based squarely on Peter’s sobering words to the ancient Saints. Knowing that he would soon be martyred (2 Peter 1:14–15), Peter warned the early Saints that “there shall be false teachers among you, who shall bring in damnable heresies. . . . And many shall follow their pernicious ways” (2 Peter 2:1–2). Peter clearly foresaw, among these “damnable heresies” and “pernicious ways” that would creep into the Church, that men would attempt to twist or alter the meaning of the scriptures according to their own ways of thinking or for their own selfish ends. Thus Peter declared in no uncertain terms, “Knowing this first, than no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20–21, emphasis added).

These “holy men” of whom Peter spoke were none other than those chosen and ordained like himself—the Lord’s ordained apostles and prophets. In other words, the Lord chose to reveal his doctrine first to his prophets and apostles, and then by means of apostles and prophets, to the rest of his children. In like manner, because scripture came from God to man by means of his chosen and ordained apostles, no man has the right to interpret the scriptures except he be an ordained prophet or apostle of the Lord. Hence, the LDS belief in the Bible is not just based on the individual Saint’s acceptance of biblical teachings; it is based on the testimonies of all of the Lord’s prophets and apostles, whether they were the Lord’s ancient apostles or his living apostles today.

Additional Resources:

Mormons believe in the Bible. Learn more at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

The Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. Request your free copy today.

Visit a local meetinghouse.

Source:

D. Lauritsen, Mormons Under a Microscope, (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2010), 12-13.

Do Mormons Have Scriptures Besides the Book of Mormon?

Brief Answer: yes, three other volumes: the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Detailed Answer:

Doctrine and Covenants
Several years after the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to compile and publish many of the revelations that Joseph had thus far received from the Lord, revelations that Joseph himself had written down or had dictated. In 1835 these revelations were published as the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of the Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”). Each revelation, referred to as a section, is prefaced with a brief description of the date, place, and circumstance in which the revelation was received, as well as the revelation’s general contents. often within a single section are numerous revelatory concepts (for example, sections 76 and 84). other sections are replete with instructions and procedures (Sections 102 and 136). Some sections brim with prophecy (sections 45 and 89), while others are brief answers to specific doctrinal questions (section 77). Several are highly personal (sections 25 and 121). Most of the revelations appear in the order they were received.

Of the 138 sections, sections 1 through 134 and 137 were revealed through Joseph Smith; section 135 through President John Taylor; 136 through Brigham young; and 138 through President Joseph F. Smith. The Doctrine and Covenants also contains two official Declarations: the first, a reaffirmation of the Church’s discontinuance of the practice of plural marriage and the Church’s strict disapproval of any further contracting of marriages that are forbidden by law. Official Declaration 2 announces that all worthy males in the Church are permitted to receive the full blessings of the priesthood and the temple.

Pearl of Great Price

In 1835, Joseph Smith purchased a number of ancient Egyptian artifacts on behalf of the Church, given that Egypt was a key factor in the history of the Hebrews and the Jews (and hence a key factor in the Bible and the Book of Mormon). Among the artifacts Joseph found a papyrus scroll with writings. Because God had granted him the gift of translation (as demonstrated in the translation of the Book of Mormon), Joseph learned that the writings contained previously unknown explanations and elaborations of God’s dealings with the prophets Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and Moses. These elaborations shed greater light and understanding on the biblical accounts of these influential predecessors of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith began publishing these translations in 1842. The title, Pearl of Great Price (referring to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13:45–46) was coined by Elder Franklin D. richards of the Quorum of the Twelve in 1851. In 1880, the membership of the Church voted to add the Pearl of Great Price to the existing canon of the Church—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. In subsequent years, the Pearl of Great Price eventually expanded to include Joseph Smith— Matthew (an extract of the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith in 1831); Joseph Smith—History, (extracts from the history of Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, chapters 1–5); and the Articles of Faith (a statement by Joseph Smith published in the Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842, in company with a short history of the Church that was popularly known as the Wentworth Letter).1

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

Visit a local meetinghouse.

Note:

1. See History of the Church, vol. 4, 535–41.

Source:

D. Lauritsen, Mormons Under a Microscope, (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2010), 139-140.

Holy Bible: Controlling Our Tongue

Throughout the ages man has had the ability to tame various wild animals. He has also been blessed with the knowledge and ability to control such things as airplanes as they glide through the air, and large ships as they cut through the waters, directing each of them in the way they are to go. However, he has not necessarily been successful in learning how to tame and control his own tongue.

As the old adage says, “First we think it, and then we say it.” Therefore, it becomes necessary to feed our minds with wholesome and useful information in order to be able to control what we say. In the Holy Bible, a testament of Jesus Christ, it says, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (Bible: James 3: 7-8). James, an apostle of Jesus Christ, also exhorts us, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3: 9-10).

Holy Bible: Being a Encourager Or A Discourager

In this life we will find those who are considered to be encouragers and those who are considered to be discouragers. Encouragers always seem to have a kind word to say or thought to share. Their objective is to build up and strengthen others – to heal, not to wound. They use the words that they say to empower and inspire people to be the best that they can be, to never quit, and to endure to the end. Discouragers, on the other hand, never seem to have a kind word to say or thought to share with anyone. They are always full of negativity and find every opportunity to dishearten those whom they come in contact with. Their objective is to belittle, degrade, demean, berate, insult, and hurt people. They always look for the worst in people and do not hesitate to point out what they perceive to be a person’s flaws. Whenever people speak with them they walk away feeling defeated and as though they are of no worth or in some way inferior. Discouragers are the ones who continually poor salt on already festering wounds.

Again, in the Holy Bible, we read of what Solomon, a great king who received wisdom from God, counseled: “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. . . . Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy” (Proverbs 12: 18, 20). Jesus Christ’s apostle James also says: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

 We are all guilty of saying hurtful things in a moment of anger or frustration. On the other hand, we feel good about ourselves when we encourage people and so do they. And so, each of us has the power within us to be an encourager or a discourager. We can build up or we can tear down and destroy with our words. Let us not make excuses for losing our temper and saying hurtful things, but let us take the time to confess our sin to God and apologize to the person(s) whom we have hurt. Remember the words of James in the Holy Bible:

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom (James 3: 11-13).

Holy Bible: The Tongue Has Great Potential For Good and Evil

Before closing, I would like to share this little story that I came across today that was shared in a local newspaper. The story did not have a title, but the points that it makes are valid for our discussion nonetheless. The story is as follows:

Once upon a time, a king decided to test the wisdom of his chief adviser. He pondered a long time on the best kind of test and eventually decided on a meal. The king believed that a meal shared with friends was one of the greatest pleasures on earth. So he ordered the adviser to prepare the finest meal he could think of for a palace celebration. The adviser did not hesitate for long. He loved ox tongue with its rich sauces and trimmings.

On the chosen evening, the king and his guest sat down to a mouth-watering, sweet smelling dinner of tongue. At the end of the meal, all agreed that the adviser had proven himself a very gifted cook. The company had never tasted so excellent a meal. The king, however, insisted on knowing why the adviser thought this choice of menu was best.

“What could be better than tongue?” ask the adviser. “In life, with the words of the tongue we greet and name each other, speak and tell others where we are, share joy, bring hope, comfort and support, retell stories of the memories of the ancestors and fashion the dreams of the time that is still to come. Nothing is so fine as the gift of the tongue.”

This answer greatly pleased the king. There was only one final test to prove the wisdom of his chosen adviser beyond doubt. “Tomorrow,” he said, “I want you to prepare the worst meal in the world for the company.” Again, the adviser showed no hesitation and began to prepare the menu.

The next evening, the company gathered around the table again. The smells from the kitchen seemed familiar and when the meal was set on the table they were all surprised because it looked and tasted exactly like the meal of the previous evening. All cut the meal carefully, examined it, chewed it slowly, but none could find any difference.

“Have you not served that delicious meal of tongue again?” asked the king. “It is not possible that it can also be the worst meal in the world. Privately, the king was disappointed. He had been so confident in the wisdom of his adviser after the first test.

“What can sow doubt and confusion more skillfully than the tongue?” asked the adviser. “There are very few other things that can spread so much evil. It can lie and deceive, stir up hatred and anger, play the coward, abuse and terrify and, most often of all, is empty and hollow, using many words to say nothing at all. A tongue can be the worst instrument in the world.” The wisdom of the answer silenced the king. He found that he had much to ponder.

King Solomon, in the Holy Bible, taught us many valuable lessons concerning the power of the tongue. Two of those lessons are worth noting at the close of this discussion: (1) “Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23), and (2) “Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense” (Proverbs 17:28). Some very wise counsel indeed. Counsel that I pray we all will heed.

I leave these thoughts with you humbly in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.

 It was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons,”),  Franklin D. Richards, who once said, “Life is God’s greatest gift to man, and what we do with our life is our gift to God.” (LDS Conference Report, April 1971, p. 38.) Stephen L. Richards, another prominent LDS leader taught, “Life is a mission and not a career.” (Quoted by Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1988, p. 54.) And it was President Boyd K. Packer, apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, who taught, “No matter what citizenship or race, whether male or female, no matter what occupation, no matter your education, regardless of the generation in which one lives, life is a homeward journey for all of us, back to the presence of God in his celestial kingdom.” (Ensign, May 1987, p. 24.)

On Friday evening, 17 October 1958, at approximately 10:17 PM, a baby boy was born to John Wallace Brown and Frances Mae Harmon. He would become the second child born to the proud young parents, as John was only 23 years of age, and Frances had just barely turned 21 years of age on 24 September 1958.

Having already begun raising a now one year old son, these young, but still rather new parents, welcomed their newborn into the world with both joy and with the realization of the challenges in being the best parents that they could possibly be to him and his older sibling. Throughout his early childhood, and well into his early adult years, these loving parents would nurture and instruct their son in the way that he should go. They had their own hopes and aspirations of what he would one day become, but at the same time, like his brother before him, they had dedicated his life into the hands of the Lord, and they were confident that as long as he never let go of God’s unchanging hand and was obedient to God’s will for his life, everything was going to be alright.

Hugh Nibley, Mormon scholar, once said, “No matter where we begin if we pursue knowledge diligently and honestly, our quest will inevitably lead us from the things of earth to the things of heaven.” And it was President David O. McKay, late prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ (inadvertently called The Mormon Church by friends of other faiths) who taught, “Knowledge comes through personal effort. Its acquisition involves labor. Exact and definitive knowledge comes to us in exact ratio with the amount of diligence, moral courage, and perseverance we put into the active search for it.”

At a very early age this son became a seeker of knowledge and truth. He developed a love for books and learning, and even during his elementary school years was fascinated by the treasures of knowledge that were found within the pages of not only his school textbooks, but other volumes that were available to him as well. Whereas most young boys tend to have a desire to get actively involved in some type of sports activity, he was more of an academic and preferred spending time in a library or looking through the encyclopedias and books at home to glean any morsel of knowledge from them that he could. However, even with his new found discoveries, he never seemed to be fully satisfied. There was still a hunger and a thirst to know even more.

In school, he devoted many hours to his studies, always wanting to do his best to achieve academic excellence. As he moved from elementary school into Junior High and High School, he became an even greater seeker of knowledge. Oftentimes he would be found studying different subjects on his own, outside of the subjects that he was taught in the classroom. He soon learned that he had a special passion for learning anything to do with mathematics and foreign languages. By the time that he graduated High School he had successfully passed one year of Latin and five years of Spanish. In fact, he had participated in a national Spanish exam in his senior year of High School and tied for fifth place. He was not a straight ‘A’ student, but he always managed to keep most of his grades in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ range and his name was very often found amongst the list of names of students who were on the honor roll. It was also in High School when he discovered a love for the English language and thoroughly enjoyed writing essays, short stories, and research papers. Oddly enough, some of his least favorite subjects were history and the sciences, although he enjoyed chemistry class mainly because of the mathematics involved in solving and balancing formulas and equations.

His quest for knowledge did not end with his graduation from Wicomico Senior High School in Salisbury Maryland in June 1976. At the young age of 18 years, having a love for learning new things in mathematics, he became interested in computers and how they functioned, and so he enrolled in a local community college and began his studies in Data Processing Technology. While working full time as a dishwasher in a local family restaurant, he pursued his studies at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown Delaware, completing all of his requirements for graduation two weeks ahead of schedule, and graduating with an A.A.S. degree in Data Processing Technology in June 1979.

LDS (“Mormon”) leader and scholar, Hugh B. Brown once said, “Every landing field is also a runway for a new take-off. We must resist the temptation to abide upon arriving at an intermediate goal. There can be no loitering on life’s airfield. One must get on the plane or be left behind.” (Address, Brigham Young University, May 24, 1962, p. 3.) After graduating from Delaware Technical and Community College he decided to put further traditional classroom training and learning on temporary hold and continued working full time in the local restaurant. This; however, did not put an end to his quest for knowledge. He continuously pondered what he would eventually do with his life and began setting goals for some of the things that he hoped to accomplish. Perhaps he would become a teacher or even a preacher of the Gospel, as he also loved reading and studying the scriptures, and at the young age of 21 years had already read the Bible several times in its entirety.

 Mormon Missionaries and The Book of Mormon

Even with his vast knowledge and study of the Bible, he felt that there was still much more that he needed to know. There were many questions in his young mind that seemed to be left unanswered. And so, one day while watching television he saw a commercial for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and at the end of the commercial they offered a free Book of Mormon. Having no knowledge of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and having a curiosity as to what The Book of Mormon might be about, he sent and asked for a copy.

About a week later two young men dressed in suits and riding bicycles arrived at the door of his parents’ home where he was living at the time. They introduced themselves as missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and said that they had The Book of Mormon that he had requested. Wanting to learn more about the Church and The Book of Mormon, he invited them in. This was in October 1980, and shortly after he had joined the Navy under the delayed entry program. Leaving home and traveling the world while serving his country was one of the goals that he had set for himself. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “Goals are good. Laboring with a distant aim sets the mind in a higher key and puts us at our best.” (Regional Representatives’ Seminar, April 3, 1974.) And as Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “To reach a goal you have never attained, you must do things you have never before done.” (Ensign, May 1990, p. 76.)

He met with the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ (nicknamed, “Mormon missionaries” but truly ambassadors of the Savior) on numerous occasions over the next 6 months, and even began reading The Book of Mormon. Finally, in March 1981, he thanked the missionaries for the things that they had taught him and promised that he would continue investigating the Church and reading The Book of Mormon at a later date. For now his mission in life was to be in the Navy serving his country. He did not realize that his mission would actually become his career.

During his military service he was blessed with the opportunity to travel to many foreign lands that he had only read about in books. He also continued his quest for knowledge by continuing to take courses in different subjects. He even enrolled in Bible College in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Theological Seminary while stationed in Norfolk Virginia with hopes of someday becoming a Baptist minister. He only had a chance to study in the Seminary for a little over a year, and during that time again realized that there was so much more that he wanted answers to. It would not be until 1997, some 17 years after his initial investigation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons is a nickname for its members, but this is the full name of the Church), while stationed in Keflavik Iceland, that he would finally find the answers that he had been seeking when he again began reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with the missionaries. On Tuesday evening, 10 March 1998, in the little LDS (Mormon) Chapel in Reykjavik Iceland he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the rest as they say is history.

My name is Keith Lionel Brown. I am that son of whom this narrative refers. The first 52 years of this journey called life have been truly amazing. There have been many mountain top experiences, as well as, many valley experiences. Nevertheless, all of the experiences have helped to mold me into the person that I am today. Truly I stand all amazed at the love that the Savior Jesus Christ offers me.

In a  short 52 years I have been blessed to travel all over the world, meet influential and interesting people from all walks of life – entertainers, authors, movie directors, actors,  and producers, a former President of the United States, and General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”). I have also been blessed with many wonderful opportunities – things that as a young boy I could have only imagined.

My two goodly parents were indeed right in their humble estimation that as long as I hold on to God’s unchanging hand and do what His will is for my life, everything is going to be alright.

I do not know what tomorrow may bring, but I do know the Lord Jesus Christ–the One who holds all of my tomorrows in the palms of His hands. He never sleeps and He never slumbers. He is always right there beside me and has promised never to leave me alone. I don’t have to worry or be afraid. I know that I can make it. In Him I know I can stand. For no matter what may come my way, my life is in His hands, even the hands of Jesus Christ

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Activity Day Girls (Latter-day Saint Youth) Search the Scriptures for Answers to Life’s Questions

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, The Mormon Church) each serve within the Church today just as the Saints in the meridian of time did during Christ’s ministry. Latter-day Saints are likewise called of God through inspiration, and are set apart to their respective callings.

Currently, I have a spiritual responsibility–or inspired calling–in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  to support family and Church efforts to teach the gospel to young girls between the ages of eight and twelve years old, and to help them see the hand of the Lord in their lives as they apply its amazing precepts and discover their missions to know and to glorify Him.

These are very formative years and these girls come from a diversity of Latter-day Saint (nicknamed “Mormon”) families.  I’ve grown to love them as we have met bi-weekly to share everything from cultural arts’ nights, microwave-cake-cooking demos, mini-talent shows to intimate conversations about the Savior, Jesus Christ, eternal marriage, motherhood, real beauty and spiritual makeovers, loyalty in friendship, and more.

Together we have experienced and shared babysitting; caroling; serving the needy; making sandwich wraps; weaving bracelets; praying with and for one another; learning etiquette; diving into the scriptures and diving into the pool; using telescopic lenses to observe the sun (while discussing the “Son”, the Light of the World); attending patriotic concerts; writing letters of gratitude…. We’ve enjoyed making a Sweetheart’s dinner for our Bishopric (lay leaders of our ward or congregation, called of God, consisting of a Bishop, overseer or pastor, and his two counselors) and their spouses, visiting holy LDS temples, taking photos together, stuffing s’mores down, baking cookies for unexpected deliveries, learning chinese jumprope, sharing testimonies, and many other activities–building unity, life-skills and a love for gospel living.

Yesterday, my co-leader and friend, Teresa, and the girls gathered in our local clubhouse for our meeting. Our theme was Digging for Gold: Treasures in The Book of Mormon and The Bible.  After the rounds of hugs, news minutes and highlights, prayer and catch-up, the girls and us settled into a circular gathering on the couches and floor.  We talked about the everyday challenges and questions that surface in their lives–Math, homework, confronting bullies, having confidence, learning to balance (swim meets, karate, school, Church, homework, their Faith in God program wherein they grow spiritually by studying, reading scriptures, praying, serving), etc..  Then, we testified that what matters to us matters to the Lord, citing a recent story shared in a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ just a few days before (This LDS or Mormon Conference is magnificent global gathering of members and friends of all faiths who are interested to hear the words of living prophet and apostles, and other inspired Church leaders, male and female).

The LDS (“Mormon”) General Conference story referenced was of a tired man biking home, hungry and with little in his pocket; he asked the Lord if he might find a quarter that he might eat something and arrive home pleasantly to meet the needs of  his loved ones there. Submissively, he waited on the Lord, and was willing to accept a “Yes” or a “No” in response to his specific request.  Just as he arrived at the door of Kentucky Fried, and directly across on the road, his eyes caught sight of a quarter. He picked up the coin and was able to purchase, as he tells the story, one piece of chicken, which he gratefully and slowly savored. In similar fashion, we bore witness to these sweet LDS girls, that Heavenly Father knew each of their hearts and concerns and would respond to their prayers. One way they would receive such answers, we testified, would be as they dug for gold in His word–a virtual spiritual treasury filled with “precious jewels of truth” as Elder Scott, apostle of Jesus Christ, declared recently.

Next, Teresa and I shared passages–real flecks of gold, real nuggets, from The Book of Mormon and The Holy Bible that opened our eyes and helped us deal with real life issues. Teresa spoke of the principle of “fleeing” when peer pressure becomes great, just as Joseph in Egypt did, rather than lingering to see the outcomes when we are placed in situations that are compromising us spiritually or emotionally.

We shared a few other personal examples from the Word–including The Bible and The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  I mentioned that the Lord can even address a snowstorm concern in His word!  Who would have thought we’d even find that word in the scriptures!  He knows all, even something as simple as my wonderment while sitting on my bed waiting for a family member to return home in a blizzard; this loved one was coming through an area where an accident, mentioned on the news, had just occurred, involving scores of cars.  I prayed for peace and then happened to pick up the set of scriptures close by, on the nightstand. I flipped open to a verse in Proverbs about a virtuous woman –the words struck me unexpectedly–didn’t I already have this chapter memorized?–how had I missed this verse?–

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household.

“If the Lord would find a way to answer that question for me,” I testified, “He will do the same for each of you.” “And how much more will He provide for larger questions about life, about God, about bearing and balancing your demands? ”  I spoke of their homework, their desires to balance, the stresses of school, and asked if that was unlike The Book of Mormon passage that described others who had “burdens on their backs” (Mosiah 24:14). There’s more to the backpack than papers; there are expectations, challenging classes, desires to learn what our talents are, how we might use them.  We then expounded that scripture–what did the Lord do for those so burdened in ancient America?  He “eased the burdens on their back” so that they could not feel them.  Surely this was a delectable nugget that the girls could take in, enjoy, and hold onto in their lives. He cares about their burdens, their spiritual and physical backpacks.

We were now ready for an exercise in faith. We invited each girl–Megan, Amelia, Ahlia, Sadie, KK, Mia, Sarah, Camree, and Julia–to think of a question they had for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Each came up with their own. I marveled as I heard these young girls share their questions:

Why is there a living prophet?

Did Jesus Christ die again after His resurrection? Or was that the last time?

Are there more scriptures that were written besides The Bible and Book of Mormon?

How can I increase my confidence?

Was Lehi the only one who partook of the fruit of the tree in his vision of the Tree of Life?

How many years did the Savior live?

We guided each girl to the Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, and Book of Mormon Index. They prayed that Heavenly Father would help them unlock their treasures, help them find the gold nuggets, tailored for them. They searched as we assisted. They read various passages and within twenty minutes or so of engaging in this exercise, each girl had received a personal answer from the scriptures to her question.

We went around the circle, and each one shared their responses, citing a scripture that had now become their own treasure. The words of the living apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Richard Scott in  the October 2011 LDS (Mormon) General Conference witnessing that the scriptures can be and are the repository of verses that will become our treasured and “enduring friends,” spiritual gold that will not fade or “be weakened with the passage of time,” had been borne out in a cozy clubhouse room with a group of wonderful 9-12-year old girls known by God and Jesus Christ.

We love you, girls. We love you, Jesus Christ. We invite all who read this to seek His Word and to come unto Him, and to learn about His re-established Church.

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Mormon Beliefs: Adversity, Getting Through Life’s Storms

Some people may find this author a little bit strange, but I actually love thunder storms. I enjoy listening to the roaring sounds of thunder, watching lightning dance across the sky, and the gentle, soothing sound of the rain as it falls.

When I was a young boy growing up, whenever it would begin to storm, my mother would go around the house making sure that everything was unplugged. Once she was sure that everything was unplugged, she would gather us kids together and have us sit quietly in the living room until the storm had passed over. She would not so much as answer the telephone if it rang during the storm. She would tell us that it was God’s work taking place and that we should be still, be quiet, watch and listen. If a storm were to arise during the night when everyone was fast asleep in their beds, my mother would get up from her sleep, go around the house making sure that everything was unplugged, and then light a candle or storm lantern for light and sit alone quietly on the living room couch until the storm had passed over.

Finding Happiness Amid Life’s Circumstances

How wonderful and marvelous are the sunshine days of our lives. When everything seems to be going along smoothly, we tend to be the most happy and content with our lives. Even the small bumps in the road along the way tend to be of little significance. It is during the sunshine days of our lives that we feel more comfortable, more confident, more willing to press on. It is during those hours that our faith and determination seem to be the strongest. It is as though nothing could stop us or turn us around. However, our lives will not always be filled with days of sunshine. In our lives we will also experience many storms that may occur at any given time. There will be times when the storm clouds will begin to gather, the thunder will begin to roar, and lightning will begin to dance all around us. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ  (Mormons) believe that opposition is essential to growth, that without tasting sickness, we could not enjoy health; without resistance, we would not improve. Latter-day Saints have a unique and helpful perspective regarding trials. So, the question for each of us becomes: When those strong winds of adversity begin to blow, do we find that our level of faith, trust, and confidence are the same as during the sunshine when all appeared to be well? During those times of storms do we choose to continue on with our business as usual hoping that the storm will soon pass over or do we take the time to be still, be quiet, watch, and listen?

The Bible and Adversity: Mormon Beliefs

Adversity enters into the life of every individual at various times and in various forms. It may be caused by the willful disobedience to the laws of God; however, those who with righteous desire seek earnestly to learn and strive diligently to do God’s will also experience adversities in their lives. Adversity in the lives of the obedient and faithful may be caused by disease, accidental injury, ignorance, or the influence of the adversary. The Lord also at times permits the righteous to suffer the consequences of evil acts by others. Some may respond to such adversity with resentment, anger, bitterness, doubt, or fear. Still others, with a knowledge and testimony of the divine plan of salvation, often respond with faith, patience, and a hope born of that “peace … which passeth all understanding.” In the midst of storms and adversity in our lives, the Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The Book of Mormon: Jesus Christ Consecrates Afflictions for our Gain

Similarly, in the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ, we are given wisdom and counsel concerning the trials and adversities that we will face in life by ancient prophets in America. One such prophet was Lehi who assured his son Jacob with these words as recorded by the ancient prophet Nephi in 2 Nephi 2:12:

And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my first–born in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. Nevertheless, Jacob, my first–born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

In that same volume of scripture another example of how we should handle adversity in our lives is given to us through the lives of the sons of Mosiah, a king in ancient America of a people known as the Nephites who inhabited the ancient land of Zarahemla. The account is recorded by Alma the younger, a prophet and “chief judge” of the Nephites.

We learn that Mosiah’s sons in the course of their missionary labors, “had many afflictions … both in body and in mind … and also much labor in the spirit.” (Alma 17:5). Partly because of such experiences, they became “strong in the knowledge of the truth; … men of a sound understanding … [who] searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God” (Alma 17:2). They had also “given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3). Because of their positive response to the adversities that they faced they were able to grow spiritually.

We further learn that in the time of Nephi, son of Helaman, “the more humble part of the people … [suffered] much affliction”; but they fasted and prayed frequently and became “stronger in their humility, and … firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation” (Helaman 3:34-35).

From these examples, we learn how to deal with storms and adversities in our own lives. As did they, in times of storms and adversity, we too should look to the Savior for Divine assistance. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 4:14-16:

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The storms that come into our lives can be compared to my mother’s observation of thunder storms in that as she believed that during a storm God is speaking and busy performing His work and it is at the times of storms in our lives that God is speaking to us and wanting to perform a work in us. To be able to hear what He is saying to us, and to see the things that He wants to do for us, we have to do away with those things that would otherwise distract us and divert our attention from Him. Just as my mother would make sure that everything was unplugged during a storm, when storms arise in our lives we need to unplug from the world, be still, be quiet, watch and listen. And just as the light from the candle or storm lantern that my mother lit gave light to the room, if we will be still, be quiet, watch and listen, the light of Christ will enter in and teach us those things which He needs us to learn.

Some storms are more severe and last longer than others. Perhaps, at times, God needs more of our time and attention. But, have you ever stopped to take notice that even during the midst of a storm, the Son still shines, and at the end of every storm the darkness rolls away and the sun does shine again? I have learned to appreciate the storms in my life because it is during those times that I unplug from the world and allow the Light of Christ to radiate more brightly. It is during the times of storms that I can still hear my dear mother’s counsel to be still, be quiet, watch and listen.

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