I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon.

There.  I said it.  I said it just in case there was any doubt in anybody’s mind.  Maybe you suspected it, but you weren’t quite sure.  Perhaps all those not-so-cryptic messages about The Book of Mormon, Mormon Missionaries, and the use of Mormon terminology escaped you.  I doubt it.  In fact, I seriously doubt it.  But, just in case you didn’t know, I’m here to tell you that I am a Mormon.

Being a Mormon nearly all my life has presented me with some interesting experiences and with some revealing questions.  I have been asked how many mothers I have (one) and how many wives I have (one).  I’ve been quizzed about my magic underwear.  People used to call them secret underwear.  I had thought for a long time that everybody’s underwear was secret, but seeing some of the get-ups that people wear today, I’m not so sure that there is anything secret about underwear anymore.  It is no wonder people have gone to calling them magic underwear!  But no, there is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments that I wear.  I hold them as a sacred reminder of promises or covenants I have made with God and an inward expression of faith.

I have been asked numerous times how I can work all night without drinking coffee.  I have dealt with awkward social situations where alcohol seems to be the center catalyst for making conversation.  I have been denied employment because of my religion and I have been denied career advancement on more than one occasion because of my religion.  Please don’t ever tell me that I do not know what it is like to be discriminated against.

As a Mormon I’ve learned that I am going to hell because of my beliefs; because my beliefs differ from those of mainstream Christianity, even though there is disagreement among mainstream Christian sects as to what the doctrine of Christ is.  There is; however, one thing that most mainstream Christian sects believe and teach, and that is that Mormons are going to hell (even though many members of those sects do not believe that Mormons are going to hell).  By the way, contrary to popular opinion, Mormons do not believe that they are the only ones going to heaven nor do we believe that all Mormons are going to heaven.

I believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost and that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.  I believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.  I believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I also believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.  Yes, I believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.  As part of my belief, I believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.  I believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.  I believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and I believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.  I 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.  I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.  I believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.  I 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”.

(Adapted from Articles of Faith 1:1 - 13)