Mormons believe in—Doing Good to All Men

This is it, the last article of faith! After 12 articles of faith, hours of writing, and almost 2 months of continuous blog posts, we have arrived! Why did I spend all that time and study? Frankly, because I know and understand how my beliefs are not always a welcome topic. The supposed strangeness of these beliefs sometimes makes people feel awkward or uncertain because they do not understand them, and definitely don't agree with them.

My intention is not to make anyone uncomfortable. In fact it's just the opposite: to share information, through asking questions and exploring the answers, in the hope that the unknown surrounding my church will be dispelled and greater understanding can be attained.

We do not have to agree. We do not have to believe the same things. But we can't let our differences be used to separate and divide us. We are reminded of this when the Lord said, " I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27).

If we cannot agree on doctrine, we can at least agree on our individual desires to become better people, bit by bit, here a little and there a little. We seek after anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 

Philippians 4:8

I would encourage everyone, to distinguish between describing an individual, and describing a Mormon (this should of course be applied to any other labeling that exists). Mormonism is a nickname for our religious affiliation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is the doctrine of our faith, and within that there are the goals we each, at varying degrees, are seeking to reach. The point of our beliefs, our faith, our actions, and our true desires, is in doing good to all men. Not just other Mormons, not just our friends and family, but to all men, everywhere, of any nationality, faith, or circumstance. It is because of our firm beliefs and desires to live our faith, that has caused many to hold Mormons to a higher standard of righteousness and at times criticize us when we inevitably fall short. We welcome that standard and strive every day to reach it, but the reality is that we make mistakes just like everyone else. I think each of us wishes we could all be "perfect" at our religion, so that we could be the perfect examples of our beliefs. But there is only one man to have walked this earth who can claim that right: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. To Him can all people look for an example and eternal salvation. 

I repeat these words, as if they were my own: "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel" (Alma 26:16).