What a great country we live in, this great United States of America, that we have the freedom to practice our religion.
"Freedom of religion is a guarantee by a government for freedom of belief for individuals and freedom of worship for individuals and groups. It is generally recognized to also include the freedom not to follow any religion. Freedom of religion is considered by many in many nations and people to be a fundamental human right."
-The freedom of religion as stated by Wikipedia
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Sunday is a day of rest from our weekly schedule of work. Today is a day that we reserve for worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As this week is Christmas, I feel it is only fitting that I share the principles of our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Initially, I'd like to share that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel.
Only faith that is followed by repentance is faith that saves.
Heb. 11:6
Paul writes to the Jewish members of the Church on faith, about A.D. 60
"But without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
2Nephi 31:19
Nephi writes, between 559-545 B.C.
"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you , Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save."
A great relative of mine, President Spencer W. Kimball said,
"Signs will follow them that believe. He makes no promise that signs will create belief nor save nor exalt. Signs are the product of faith. They are born in the soil of the unwavering sureness. They will be prevalent in the Church in about the same degree to which the people have true faith."
Do you think that all people saw the new star in the east when Christ was born? Not likely. There were probably few who were faithful, who listened to the prophets of their times, who knew the signs of Jesus birth.
Would you know the signs of his second coming? Do you see them? Do you have faith, or are you exploring your spiritual nature at this time?
Many things are happening on this planet that make it easy to confuse our spiritual nature and almost silence that part of our birth right from our listening ear. If you use time to study, ponder, meditate and pray on spiritual matters, you nurture your spirit and that nature becomes stronger. With that increased spiritual strength will come an increased understanding of your true being, where you came from, who you want to become, what you want to leave behind.
For more information on spiritual topics there are many resources. However, may I stear you toward two spiritual resources this day...
...the source of my quotations..."We Believe" by Rulon T. Burton
...and LDS.org Click Here
May you have a safe and happy holiday.
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