Article of Faith #12

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

In college I took BYU's american heritage course. I loved it (I know that I am in the minority on that one). We talked about morality and how we need laws. Laws exist because there are things that are morally right and wrong. We need to support the law, because without them we can lose some of our sense of moral justice.

Article of Faith #11

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

I think this one is pretty straightforward, but I think that it is a good reminder that there are people and points in history where this wasn't so straightforward. I love that it says privilege. It is a privilege to worship God the way we feel is right. I am grateful for that blessing and gift I have to live in a time and in a country where the only thing the prevents me from worshipping the way I should/want to is myself. It really makes me want to take advantage of the gift more and make sure I don't take my scriptures or church attendance for granted.

Paradox

I went to an enrichment meeting yesterday where a we had an interesting speaker talk about paradoxes in our church. One that I thought was really interesting is that we believe that we are the only true church on the earth, but we also believe that we have a lot in common with other religions and we want people to know that we are just like them in many of our beliefs.

I think both of these things are correct. There are pieces of truth in all religions. When the church was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith it pulled the pieces of truth back in to one whole package that included the priesthood authority. This is why you can feel the Spirit when talking about Jesus Christ or our Heavenly Father, no matter who you are speaking with. I remember once visiting a friend of mine. We went to her church and I was sitting in the congregation and had an experience where the still small voice of the Spirit gave me an answer to my prayer. I knew that what the preacher was talking about was true. While I knew that there was truth in his sermon, I also knew that some things were missing and it wasn't complete. I know that with the priesthood authority and the restoration of all things in the gospel (including ongoing prophetic revelation) I am a member of the true church on the earth today and yet many of the things I believe are taught everyday from pulpits of other religions.

Article of Faith #10

We 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 paradisaical glory.

To be able to write on this one I had to do more research about the 10 tribes. I didn't know why the 10 tribes were important. What I learned that applies to me is this:

1)Heavenly Father made a covenant with Abraham that his descendants would be given the gospel and the chance to be exalted. When Heavenly Father makes a covenant, he will fulfil it.

2)I was really struck by the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. That is why he wants to gather us. To me, when the scriptures talked about the gathering of Israel, it means the gathering of all His children. We all have the opportunity to be part of Israel and to be gathered if we accept the gospel. Accepting the gospel is not just being baptised either. It is accepting it everyday in the way we choose to live.

3)In order to help people realize their place in the Kingdom of Heaven, I need to share the gospel with them.