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Hi I'm Nathanael
I am the oldest brother of four kids. I like astronomy, arts, and Martial Arts, and I'm a Mormon.
About Me
I am a 19 years old. I am now in the MTC preparing to go to Brazil, Fortaleza and learning Portuguese. I have gotten my GED (High School Diploma), I have gotten my Eagle Award in scouting, and my Gold and Trust awards in Venturing. I have also recently gotten my Ranger Award for Venturing aswell.
Why I am a Mormon
I am a 2nd Generation Mormon, my mother and father were converted to the LDS Church. My Dad's mother was looking for a church that promised something for her and her family, and they found the Mormon Church. Later my father met my mother who ended up joining as well, they both served missions. My father in Frankford, Germany and my mother went to Mexico. I have looked at other religious and how they act, preach and what they teach and none have come close to this Gospel.
How I live my faith
I live my faith by doing what is asked of me. Fufilling my callings, obeying the commandments, and listening to the Prophet.
Is it true that Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection according to the Book of Mormon?
Nathanael
Yes, it is true. It is described in 3 Neiph in the Book of Mormon.
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How can we stop the spread and influence of pornography?
Nathanael
I can see it going away once we do what President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said which is “A return to the teachings of God will do more than all else to keep our ship of state on a steady course as she sails into the third century a nationhood. Here is the answer to the conflicts the best us. Here is the answer to the evils of pornography.” Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, pp. 18
Speaking on the civic responsibility of those opposed to pornography, President Hinckley also said “The building of public sentiment begins with a few earnest voices. I am not one to advocate shouting defiantly or shaking fists and issuing threats in the faces of legislators. But I am one who believes that we should earnestly and sincerely and positively express our convictions to those given the heavy responsibility of making and enforcing our laws. The sad fact is that the minority who call for greater liberalization, who peddle and devour pornography, who encourage and feed on licentious display make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority. We are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for. Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort.”Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley.
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What do Mormons believe about "eternal life?"
Nathanael
We believe that eternal life is a gift from God, our Heavenly Father, the he promises us if we are faithful to him, and love one another. He also promises that we will have eternal life with the ones we love, so long as they are faithful themselves as well.
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What are some things that tell to you there is a God?
Nathanael
The things that tell me that there is a God, is by the feelings i get when i read the Bible and Book of Mormon, when I listen to the Prophet, and listen to the Hymns of the Church.
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Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?
Nathanael
The only reason why Mormons are aloud in a Mormon Temple is that it is sacred, not secret, and only Mormons understand what goes on. Not only that, but we were baptized and authorized by the proper authority to be able to go into the Temple. If you asked a Priesthood holder in our church, he can tell you who blessed him with to receive the Priesthood and the Holy Ghost, all the way down to Joseph Smith the Prophet, and to the ones that blessed him, which are Peter, James, and John.
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Do Mormons practice polygamy?
Nathanael
No we do not practice polygamy. President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement in 1998 about the Church’s position on plural marriage:
“This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church.... If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.”
There were very few who practiced polygamy, they did not ask for it, some did not even want to, but the Lord said they had to practice, and only those who were authorized, could do polygamy, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood.
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How does the Church finance its operations?
Nathanael
The Church finances its operations through Tithing. A member takes 10% of all his earnings and pays his/her tithe offerings with a tithing slip, which is given to either the Bishop or his counselors. They then use this money for Church purposes.
There are also other donations for the Church on the tithing slip, such as: Fast Offerings, Book of Mormon Fund, Missionary Fund, and other.
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Why do some call Mormonism a cult?
Nathanael
Because they confuse the word occult, this is pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies. With cult, which really means a gathering of a religious organization, or some other organization, like a football team, “an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult,” or in this case, “a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.”
(quotes from the dictionary.com)
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What is faith?
Nathanael
Fait is "not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye bhope for things which are cnot seen, which are true—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye bhope for things which are cnot seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21) Faith is not seeing something, but is beleiving in something that is not seen but is there.
Inorder to have faith in the Lord you need to show your faith, obey the Lord's commandments, help those in need of your help, etc.
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What is the First Vision?
Nathanael
The First Vision is the Vision that happened first in the Latter Days. Joseph Smith had it at age 14, when he went into the woods to ask God which church he should join. When he "retied to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of his heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power, which entirely overcame me, and had such astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which has seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself - not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being - just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy, which held me bound. When the light rested upon me, I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time had never entered in my heart that all were wrong) - and which I should join. I was answered that i must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach from doctrines that commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:15-19) There were in fact many things God told Joseph at that young age of 14, but he could not "write them at this time." There were many other things the Lord sent Joseph's way, but you will need to ask the Lord if it is true or not, just like Joseph did.
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How can I know Mormonism is true?
Nathanael
The only way is if you asked the one who runs the Church, which are God and Jesus Christ. You need to go somewhere were you will be alone, no one to disturb you, no thing to bother you. Get on your knees, and ask for yourself.
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Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?
Nathanael
No, we do not worship Joseph Smith, we worship Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. The reason we talk of Joseph Smith so much, is because he was the first Prophet in these Later-Days and is looked up to by many members and Prophets themselves today.
Gordon B. Hinckley said
“We do not worship Joseph Smith the Prophet. We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ. But we acknowledge the Prophet we proclaim him we respect him we reverence him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth the ancient truths of the divine gospel, together with the priesthood through which the authority of God is exercised in the affairs of His Church and for the blessing of His people” Gordon B. Hinckley, “Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant,” Ensign, Dec 2005, 2–6
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What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?
Nathanael
We hate the sin, not the person. We believe, as Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, ““We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the Lord “The Family A Proclamation to the World”.
“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.
“We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71.
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Why do Mormons baptize their new members?
Nathanael
We baptize our new members because we have the propor athourity from God to do so. If you ask any male member of the Church where he got his authority he can trace it back all the way back to Joseph Smith who got his authority from Peter, James and John.
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What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?
Nathanael
The role of the husband and the wife in the family is to raise their chilrdren in the Gospel. "A home that is safe, where children can grow mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, requires faith and the best efforts of the parents working togetherA home that is safe, where children can grow mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, requires faith and the best efforts of the parents working together." I was raised in the Gospel and homeschooled, my parents made sure we stuck to the Gospel by bring us to Church in the mornings even when we didn't want to, by doing Family Homeevenings, and reading the scriptures together. I loved every minute of it and love my parents that they made me get up every morning to the point where I now get up before them so i can go to Church early and do my Preisthood duties. My little brothers are in that same zone, my younger brother has his licences and takes himself and my youngest bropther to Church every morning so they can bless and pass the sacrement. I love my parents for foursing us to get up in the mornings and going to Church and would not have it anyother way.
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How are modesty and chastity related? How can parents teach their children to be modest in dress, language and behavior?
Nathanael
Modesty and chastity are related because Jesus once said that our bodies are Temples and we should treat them as such. Being modest reflects on who you are and your strength in the Gospel, and treating your bodies as Temples makes you respect yourself more and others. Paretns can help their chirldren to obey this law by teaching them when they are young and being an example. My parents have taught me to be modest in language, dress, and obey the law of chasity and you will have the spirit to be with you to guide and influince you to do the right thing. Many people will respect you for you dedication to be modest. I am still just 19, but I know if paretns teach there child while they are young, and help make them do the right things, even if it means your children will hate you for it, they will eventually love you for it. My dad always said abhout raising children in the Gospel, "Make them fear you first, they will hate you for it, but eventually they will love you for it." I believe in that and love my parents for their stricness they had on me and would not have it anyother way.
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Why do Mormons believe in the Bible?
Nathanael
We believe in the Bible because the Bible are records of the prophets in Jrelusalem, while the Book of Mormon are records of prophets in the Americas. The Bible also contains the ministry of Jesus Christ and his teachings.
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Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?
Nathanael
The Church has said this, "Principles compatible with the gospel are found in the platforms of all major political parties. While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are urged to be full participants in political, governmental, and community affairs.”Principles compatible with the gospel are found in the platforms of all major political parties. While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are urged to be full participants in political, governmental, and community affairs.” The Church does not endorse any party, but lets you choose and urges you to "participait in the political, governmental, and community affairs.” political, governmental, and community affairs.”
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