Why I am a Mormon

"Mormon" is a word borrowed from "The Book of Mormon." It is most often used to refer to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This blog entry came about after I saw a book ad by famous LDS on why they are Mormons. Although we much prefer to use 'Latter-day Saints', we are known more by this nickname.

Why am I one? Why am I a latter-day Saint? Why am I a Mormon?

My being a Mormon did not start when my parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1975.

My being a Mormon did not begin when I was baptized on Feb. 12, 1977 at age 8. It did not start when I fully read the Book of Mormon as a teenager and felt its truthfulness. 

Not even when I served a full-time Mission 1993-1995 in Cebu, Philippines for 18 months.

It starts every day of my life as I wake up in the morning. Like faith, love and loyalty, being a Mormon is a decision.

I believe in my Saviour Jesus Christ. His atonement is real for me. He died that we may live again.

It is my decision to take upon myself the name of God, and always remember Him, keep His commandments and endure to the end. That is my Faith.

Like Love, it is a decision to stay in love amidst the hardships and joys of being married. I chose him, he chose me. We love each other.We are sealed through time and eternity. Together we decide which way to take, what goals to make. Love is a decision to keep with you at all times, a source of refuge when times gets harder to bear. Like Love, being a Mormon is key to my survival.

Loyalty. I decide to stay true and firm amidst the turmoils of life. To keep my faith, to abide in the teachings of the gospel and to stay in the side of truth. I used to be bothered by all the negativity hurled to my beloved faith. Now I don't give them my time. I am fiercely loyal and I will protect when the need arises.

Just this morning I nursed a nervous feeling again. This is when I let confusion set in a bit too long. I did my normal routine of reading the news when I stopped and thought: "why not see what the Prophet has to say for me". I have faith that I will be enlightened.

Lo and behold:

There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!
      - Pres. Thomas S. Monson  for me on January 13, 2012  9:14 am

Being a Mormon, enables me to read, hear and feel the Saviour’s words through His chosen servants the Prophets. My being a Mormon is comforting for me. Like warm blanket on a wintry night.

Indeed why am I a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Why am I a Mormon?

God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are real. I wouldn’t have a close personal relationship with them if I have not accepted the gospel and live it in my life.

I have a strong testimony of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. He was a true Prophet. I hold the Book of Mormon close to my heart. I read it and the Bible together with the other Latter-day Saint Scriptures. I am a Mormon because of the beauty and sacredness it has brought to my own life. I specially hold the biggest soft spot of my heart for the Temple. The closest to being in heaven is inside these sacred walls. There I can feel that indeed the promise of me having an everlasting life with my family rings true.

I attend my church services and visit the temple because I want to keep my faith. I believe that keeping it strong and steady will enable me to find my way to the eternities with my loved ones. My Mormon faith tells me my Family is indeed forever. Comforting thought for me and my siblings who have recently lost both our parents and eldest brother.

My being a Mormon is a personal revelation. I have recognized the voice of the Holy Spirit and hearkened to its words: I am a Child of God. That I am loved, that help and guidance are within my reach when needed. That everyone is there to cheer me up. The same ones who will mourn, weep and sit with me when the going gets tougher. And though at times I may think and feel so, I know I am never alone.

As a Mormon, I get to be the answer to others’ prayers. I get to give, teach, serve and share my talents with promised blessings in return. I get to develop them as I selflessly share. Being a Mormon is a BLESSING.

Being a Mormon is not a decision I take lightly. It is a conscious, constant decision to live a latter-day Saint full of peculiarity life. But this is my decision and I stood firm on this choice.

Being a Mormon, I draw strength in my testimony and I am always at peace.

My being a Mormon continues and flows. Sometimes smoothly sometimes a bit bumpy. When my prayers for blessings like food, safety and good weather comes, when aches and pains are relieved with Priesthood blessings, when fears and sorrows melt away as I pray and cry myself to sleep, when families are reunited here and at the temple, when long-lost friends says hello, when I hear love ones laugh, when the hymns sang on Sundays are just the message I needed to hear, when after a heavy heart I am able brush away hurtful words and feelings, when I partake of the sacrament and know that I am forgiven and made whole again. The feeling of peace after reading a scripture, same feeling when we visit old friends and share simple meals like soup, when I hold hands with my honey in the temple and he smiles at me, when I hear the peaceful sweet, still, small voice telling me this is true. These are just some of the reasons as to why I am.

I am a Mormon because this is where I belong. The decision was made long before I came to earth.

I was a Mormon before. I am a Mormon now. I will forever be.

It might not be easy, but for me - it is worth it.

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