I’ve heard you’re a “Mormon”. Is that true? What does that mean?

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and through His Atonement, all mankind may return to live with God and be sealed together with their families for time and all eternity. “Mormon” is a nickname for members of the church given to us by non-members. It’s similar to other nicknames such as “LDS” or “Latter-day Saints” or “Saints”. The nickname is in reference to one of our books of scripture titled “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ”. However, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the full name of the church when referring to their religion.

How did you come to be religious? Why do you continue to be?

Really, for me, it all comes down to my testimony. That is, my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Christ’s love for me.

Though I grew up in a family which were members of and attended services held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don’t think I gained a true testimony of the doctrines taught in the church until I read “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ” when I was in High School, which taught me of God and Christ’s divinity, love, and Plan of Happiness, which allows all of us to grow, learn, and ultimately be reunited with our families for the eternities…

Honestly, I do not think I would still be here if I hadn’t read it.

I do not think I would still be functioning if I had not read it. Through the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in which I read His precious words, Christ has saved me more times than I can recount.

By reading “The Book of Mormon”, I learned for myself that Jesus Christ lives, that He loves you and me, and that He performed the Atonement so that we could also live again in an eternal happiness with our families forever. I know that He knows me. I know that He knows and loves you. And as such, I highly encourage all to read the book to know this for yourselves.

Do you ever feel restricted by your religious beliefs?

On the contrary, I feel so liberated! Yes, I do my best to follow a certain set of commandments laid out for all of us by God and Jesus Christ. But by doing so, I have seen numerous instances in which I have been protected from unnecessary heartache, sorrow, and regret that was easily avoided by following God’s commandments.

That’s not to say that bad things don’t happen to me though. They still do. But I have noticed and recognized that I could have suffered far worse things had I not been aware of and not heeded the words spoken of by God and Christ’s prophets. Truly, to me, commandments are not fences. They are guardrails, which have allowed me to pursue my dreams, by freeing me of unnecessary weights caused by sin.

Where can I learn more about your religion and religious views?

For more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its doctrine, gospel, and teachings, please visit: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

To request a copy of “The Book of Mormon”, please visit: https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

You can also read all of the standard works of Scriptures here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures?lang=eng

Final question, have you seen “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway?

No, I have not. I enjoy musicals, but that one didn’t particularly peak my interest. (Rather, I tend to enjoy musicals produced out of Japan more so than I do Broadway these days.)  I am however grateful for the effect the musical has had of increasing public interest in the church. Additionally, I highly recommend the book for which the title of the musical gets its name from. 😉