LDS Freedom Forum

Someone on another website posted and asked why is it so important to be a Mormon and why is it so important to convert abroad? This was my reply to him (I added a couple details). I hope it helps anyone here to understand the importance of why we are who we are. For all believers in and humble seekers of Jesus Christ, I hope this helps.

A brief history lesson in a rather large nutshell:

Going back far enough, God made a promise to Abraham that from his seed all nations would be blessed. This sacred covenant became evident through his grandson. You see, Abraham begat Isaac, who begat Jacob. Jacob became the father of twelve sons. The Lord changed Jacob's name to Israel and his twelve sons became twelve nations. His youngest son was Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers, nearly left for dead and then sold as a slave in Egypt.

The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, spared Joseph who in turn saved his family, forgave his brothers and brought them to Egypt to dwell. He preserved them from starvation. Joseph was promised by the Lord that as a remnant of his robe was brought back to his father, so would a remnant of his seed be spared. Eventually Joseph and his brothers grew to be the twelve tribes of Israel.

Fast forward generations. These Israelites, slaves of Egypt, were liberated by Moses and led to the promised land after a 40 year trek that should have lasted days because they were such a hard hearted and stiff necked people. Eventually they settled their promised land in Jerusalem and were broken up into kingdoms (Southern Kingdom of Judah and Northern Kingdom of all the rest of the tribes).

By the time Lehi was called to cry repentance along with Jeremiah in Jerusalem, most if not all the tribes of Israel had been led away, scattered to all four corners of the earth. Little did Lehi know that he would be fulfilling a promise made to his forefather, Joseph who was sold into Egypt, that a remnant of his seed would be spared. You see, Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh, who was a son of Joseph, as he discovered from the brass plates kept at Jerusalem before its conquest.

The Lord led him out of Jerusalem to a new promised land, a land of liberty, which was foreordained to seat the New Jerusalem. A careful study of Jacob 5 and the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees (which Isaiah and the disciple Paul among others of the old world were familiar with and quoted/alluded to), informs us of the prophecy of the scattering and gathering of Israel.

When Lehi, Nephi, and their posterity understood this old world prophecy, they became keenly aware of their destiny and their divine mandate: to write their record, which would become a record of the tribe of Joseph, to come forth in the latter day as a marvelous work and a wonder as prophesied by Isaiah, to usher in the gathering of all tribes of Israel. They knew that their distant posterity, the Lamanites--the forefathers of the native American Indians--would eventually be gathered along with the other eleven tribes. Therefore they knew how important the work to preserve their record--The Book of Mormon--also known as the stick of Joseph*--was and its significance in the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ, which our Savior established among the Jews during His mortal ministry.

So what does all this have to do with Abraham and your question? As a covenant people, all people who are born into or adopted into the house of Israel, become chosen to labor in the vineyard to gather in the tribes. This is what missionary work is about. Joseph Smith, upon restoring the church, immediately began the work to send Elders into the world to spread the message of the restoration and the fullness of the gospel. Thus through Abraham's seed--the covenant people of Israel--all those who are baptized into Christ's true church with the authority to baptize unto repentance--all nations today are being blessed.

This is Jehovah's great work--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. His labors in the vineyard will not stop until the gospel has been taken to all corners of the earth and He declares it is finished. Then comes the burning of the vineyard and the great Jehovah, the same Jesus Christ, after the millennium of temple work, presents a celestialized earth to His Father.

This is why Mormons labor to diligently preach the gospel to bring fruit for the Lord to lay up unto the season. It is our calling as covenant people. We are fulfilling the Lord's promise to Abraham. This is why the Book of Mormon is so important and why it is the keystone of our religion. It testifies of these truths, many of which were removed or left out of the stick of Judah*--the Bible. When you know the Book of Mormon is true by the power of the Holy Ghost as Moroni promises, then you know that Joseph Smith was called of Jehovah to restore His church and to bring to pass the marvelous work and a wonder, to usher in the gathering of Israel and to labor once more in the vineyard before the vineyard is burned.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the fullness of the gospel and is the only true and living church upon the face of the earth today, led by a prophet and apostles to continue this divine work. This is why it matters to be a "Mormon" as we are called.

*Ezekiel 37:19

Excellent points, coachmarc and Dr. Jones. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life, as well as the temple blessings.

I am NOT a Mormon.

And I say as much too.

I am a Christian, nothing more, nothing less.

My denomination - as defined by others- is LDS

If you are asking Why be a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST, well the answer is because of one wants access to all the blessings available through the priesthood on the earth, it can only be obtained through this church, that is why. The exclusiveness business of Abrahams blessings is nice, but god is god to all, all mankind are his children, whether adopted through Abraham, or from Noah, (our most recent common ancestor) or back through Adam


That said, I enjoyed reading it

You know, I've often wondered if the prophet Mormon ever cringed when he learned that we would all be branded as Mormons and thus adopt the nickname. It started out as a derogatory word towards the early Saints because of the Book of Mormon. I can only imagine if Mormon had been named something else.

"Look! It's one of them Moriancumrs! Get 'em!!"

Semantics. In retrospect, perhaps I should have made the title, "Why be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?"

I do get your point, Aussie. After all, Jesus Christ told the Nephite disciples to call the church after His name and not after Moses or a man. The Nephites called themselves Nephites, though they considered themselves Christians. We're known as Mormons and probably will be until Christ returns.

coachmarc wrote:You know, I've often wondered if the prophet Mormon ever cringed when he learned that we would all be branded as Mormons and thus adopt the nickname. It started out as a derogatory word towards the early Saints because of the Book of Mormon. I can only imagine if Mormon had been named something else.

"Look! It's one of them Moriancumrs! Get 'em!!"

Semantics. In retrospect, perhaps I should have made the title, "Why be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?"

I do get your point, Aussie. After all, Jesus Christ told the Nephite disciples to call the church after His name and not after Moses or a man. The Nephites called themselves Nephites, though they considered themselves Christians. We're known as Mormons and probably will be until Christ returns.

Don't worry about Aussie. He has a never ending burr up his butt. ) Actually being referenced as a Mormon is not at all offensive to me. In fact when one understands how the Prophet Mormon got his name it becomes a compliment imo and fits into your explanation perfectly marc. I discovered this by reading an article by David Lamb. Look in 3 Nephi 5:12-13:

12 And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

So Mormon was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his great heritage and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. The name was symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people. (Mosiah 18)

The title page of the BOM tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. The name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact it became synonymous with the concept of restoring of covenants.

Therefore obviously the Book is not named for a man. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically it bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant. The purpose as stated on the title page, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord" is confirmed even in the title.

So being called a Mormon in light of this ain't such a bad thing in my book. B-)

Mark wrote: Don't worry about Aussie. He has a never ending burr up his butt. ) Actually being referenced as a Mormon is not at all offensive to me. In fact when one understands how the Prophet Mormon got his name it becomes a compliment imo and fits into your explanation perfectly marc. I discovered this by reading an article by David Lamb. Look in 3 Nephi 5:12-13:

ha ha. oh. more smilies eh. better a burr than my head mark :ymhug: :p :ymdevil: ) =)) =)) =)) =)) =)) =)) :-B =; =)) =))

3 Ne 5 eh. As in_BEFORE_ Christ came. myeah. Go David Lamb. Spokesman for the church

12 And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

So Mormon was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his great heritage and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. The name was symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people. (Mosiah 18)

The title page of the BOM tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. The name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact it became synonymous with the concept of restoring of covenants.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?
http://mormon.org/faq/why-mormons/
In 1838, Joseph Smith was told in a revelation that the Church should be called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4). The Church has been known by that name since that time. Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has emphasized the Church’s correct name, saying:

“We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and He is the central figure in all of our worship.

“The Church carries the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. It is His name by which this Church is officially called.

“As for the term Latter-day Saints, members of the Christian Church anciently were called Saints (see Acts 9:32, Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 1:1). They were former-day Saints. We are the Latter-day Saints. It is that simple.

“We are frequently called Mormons. It is a nickname given us because we believe in the Book of Mormon as the word of God, a book which goes hand in hand with the Bible, becoming a second witness for Jesus Christ.”


Therefore obviously[b] the Book is not named for a man[/b]. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically it bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant. The purpose as stated on the title page, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord" is confirmed even in the title.

what twaddle mark. utter codswallop. not a single person here would recognise that.
did mormon call it "the book of mormon" do you think?
mormon = that great prophet historian who compiled and abridged all the records. period. i could probably find 1000 conference talks saying as much

So being called a Mormon in light of this ain't such a bad thing in my book. B-)

neither should it. but you know its not what we should refer to ourselves as

if i were mormon, or rather, if i were that person who narrated and abridged, i would feel ILL if people referred themselves after me and not christ

the church goes through phases. at the moment we're in a PR/ marketing agency driven phase of pushing the "mormon" label. in a decade or so you watch, it will be de-emphasised again

i feel no problem sticking with scripture and doing what i am instructed, and NOT referring to this church as "mormon"

i am therefore most definitely NOT a mormon, i am a person who tries to be a follower of christ. that is all


i find these page titles sickening

http://mormon.org/people/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


"And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel."

According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ revealed the name of his church to the Nephite people: the " church of Christ".

"And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ." (3 Nephi 26:21, bold added)

"And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day; And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return." (3 Nephi 27:3-11, bold added)

AussieOi wrote:

Mark wrote: Don't worry about Aussie. He has a never ending burr up his butt. ) Actually being referenced as a Mormon is not at all offensive to me. In fact when one understands how the Prophet Mormon got his name it becomes a compliment imo and fits into your explanation perfectly marc. I discovered this by reading an article by David Lamb. Look in 3 Nephi 5:12-13:

ha ha. oh. more smilies eh. better a burr than my head mark :ymhug: :p :ymdevil: ) =)) =)) =)) =)) =)) =)) :-B =; =)) =))

3 Ne 5 eh. As in_BEFORE_ Christ came. myeah. Go David Lamb. Spokesman for the church

12 And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

So Mormon was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his great heritage and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. The name was symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people. (Mosiah 18)

The title page of the BOM tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. The name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact it became synonymous with the concept of restoring of covenants.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?
http://mormon.org/faq/why-mormons/
In 1838, Joseph Smith was told in a revelation that the Church should be called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4). The Church has been known by that name since that time. Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has emphasized the Church’s correct name, saying:

“We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and He is the central figure in all of our worship.

“The Church carries the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. It is His name by which this Church is officially called.

“As for the term Latter-day Saints, members of the Christian Church anciently were called Saints (see Acts 9:32, Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 1:1). They were former-day Saints. We are the Latter-day Saints. It is that simple.

“We are frequently called Mormons. It is a nickname given us because we believe in the Book of Mormon as the word of God, a book which goes hand in hand with the Bible, becoming a second witness for Jesus Christ.”


Therefore obviously[b] the Book is not named for a man[/b]. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically it bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant. The purpose as stated on the title page, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord" is confirmed even in the title.

what twaddle mark. utter codswallop. not a single person here would recognise that.
did mormon call it "the book of mormon" do you think?
mormon = that great prophet historian who compiled and abridged all the records. period. i could probably find 1000 conference talks saying as much

So being called a Mormon in light of this ain't such a bad thing in my book. B-)

neither should it. but you know its not what we should refer to ourselves as

if i were mormon, or rather, if i were that person who narrated and abridged, i would feel ILL if people referred themselves after me and not christ

the church goes through phases. at the moment we're in a PR/ marketing agency driven phase of pushing the "mormon" label. in a decade or so you watch, it will be de-emphasised again

i feel no problem sticking with scripture and doing what i am instructed, and NOT referring to this church as "mormon"

i am therefore most definitely NOT a mormon, i am a person who tries to be a follower of christ. that is all


i find these page titles sickening

http://mormon.org/people/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


"And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel."

According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ revealed the name of his church to the Nephite people: the " church of Christ".

"And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ." (3 Nephi 26:21, bold added)

"And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day; And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return." (3 Nephi 27:3-11, bold added)

At least I finally found ONE thing that you choose to defend about the church among all the myriads of other things you seem to find wrong with it. :ymapplause:

Mark wrote:So Mormon was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his great heritage and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. The name was symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people. (Mosiah 18)

The title page of the BOM tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. The name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact it became synonymous with the concept of restoring of covenants.

Therefore obviously the Book is not named for a man. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically it bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant. The purpose as stated on the title page, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord" is confirmed even in the title.

Sounds like you're familiar with the Zarahemla Research Foundation.

i actually asked myself this same question the other day. not really a serious consideration, but just as a hypothtical of sorts. i basically envisioned myself leaving the church or just floundering amongst different faiths.

for me this is something that is hard to realize, as everytime i open the book of mormon the Spirit testifies of its truth. the book of mormon gives me peace. in my spare time i used to read articles on political thought or technical(www) related documents. these days, when i am sitting somewhere by myself and need to pass time, i open my lds scriptures app..

in fact i bought a 7inch android tablet the other day, so i could read various church related pdfs or ebooks. much easier on this platform, than on my phone.. at least my work sponsored iphone.

developing..

Modern technology is great! I have the scriptures on my phone, can access many great LDS apps, including http://mp3radio.lds.org/music" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which I also leave open on my desktop pc while I browse at home. Thanks for chiming in morefiyah. Got your post on Facebook. Thanks, brother!

I've also pondered some more about being a "Mormon." I'm reminded of the thousands of wicked Lamanites who were converted by Ammon and his brethren. Once they came to the Lord, they no longer wished to be called Lamanites, but rather a new name and after some deliberation, they called themselves the Anti-Nephi-Lehis. Some scholars theorize what the "Anti" part refers to in their culture, whether it was part of the name, not the same prefix, which indicates "against" as in anti-Christ, also which Sherem was called. My point is, they were noted for their "zeal" to keep the commandments and were "more wise" than the Nephites. There were none more Christian or Christ-like at this time than these people. So yes, while I am a Christian, a disciple of the Savior, I am also a Mormon, a member of a covenant people with a rich heritage that not only goes back to Joseph Smith, but also his ancestor, Joseph who was sold into Egypt, who was the son of Jacob, that same Israel who was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham. It is a good heritage.

2 Nephi 3 (Lehi speaks to his youngest son, Joseph)

3 And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.

4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.

5 Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.

8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.

9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.

11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.

12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;

15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.

The heritage of Joseph's name and his lineage as expounded by Lehi:

1. Joseph who was sold into Egypt
2. Joseph who was Lehi's youngest son
3. Joseph Smith, Jr. who was a choice seer
4. Joseph Smith Sr. who was the father of the choice seer