I'm a Mormon. Part 1

There has been a lot of controversy and criticism in the last few years about the LDS church. As a member, I wanted to give a clear and concise answer to why we do what we do and what we truly believe in. I do have family that is not active or members of the church and would like to give answers from the prophets and teachings as to why we believe in some things.

Who in the world is Joseph Smith?

In the early 1840's a boy by the name of Joseph Smith lived in upstate New York. At that time, religion was large and many religions sent ministers to preach their beliefs to those seeking it. Joseph, a 14 year old at the time, found religion to be something he truly wanted in his life but wasn't sure which religion was true. He listened and attended several services for difference religions, and read a scripture from the bible. -James 1:5 states " If any of you lash wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. So, that's exactly what Joseph did. One morning, Joseph ventured into the woods, what we now refer to as the Sacred Grove, and neat down to pray, asking the Lord which religion he should join. At that time, the Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ descended upon him, and through the Savior, restored the Church as it was when Christ was on the earth. Watch the video 

Whose church is it? Is it Joseph Smiths?

No. Joseph Smith played a large part in the restoration of the gospel, but it is NOT his church. We believe in prophets, people that can guide and lead us in the direction through the counsels of the Lord and Savior. The name of our church,  often referred to as the mormon church, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- so it is the church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was one of many prophets we have had on the earth, but is particularly important to the church because he had the faith and knowledge to pray to the Lord and ask which church to join. Joseph did NOT immediately become a prophet, but through years of faith and obedience was able to receive the priesthood through the Lord and Savior, and restore the gospel on the earth.

Why would the gospel need to be restored, it never left!

Contrary to popular belief, the world was so wicked in Jesus Christ's time, the religion/church was taken from the earth after the resurrection. After all, his own people killed Christ upon the cross. We believe the church was removed from the earth because of its wickedness, and was restored once Joseph Smith asked and truly searched for the true church.
Joseph Smith's Restoration of the church

How do you know Joseph Smith was a true prophet?

Being a 14 year old boy in the 1820's must have been rather difficult.

Why don't LDS people recognize or worship the cross?

This has been the topic of many conversations. The church widely recognizes symbols and does recognize the cross. But to us, we see the cross as a symbol of his death. Although we are very grateful for the resurrection and atonement of Christ, we choose to recognize the life and good deeds of Christ, his service and his faith. Christ was the perfect example and the one person who was perfect in every shape and form. He was kind and generous to all, healing the sick and afflicted, and blessing those in troublesome times. We choose to be like him, and strive to always become better.