I'll Thank You

My faith has been on the examination table pretty much from its inception.  In the early years opposers to it used sticks and stones, guns and threats (societal and political) to beat, drive and expel members from their region of America, an America founded upon principles of religious freedom.  Leaders of my faith were torn from their beds in the dead of winter, stripped of their clothing and tarred and feathered.  Driven from place to place, members faithfully held to their beliefs despite persecution. 

My entire life, my faith has been a source of amusement, curiosity and sometimes derision from those around me.  I remember being on the elementary bus and being asked if Mormons had horns, or could only use blue toilet paper (hint: the answer is no and no).  As I got older, the questions, or assumptions were often less fantastical in nature.  As a teen, I attended church with a friend of another faith once and while we waited for the rest of his family to gather after their various Sunday school lessons, I happened to notice the pamphlet wall.  Much to my amusement (and disappointment) right next to the pamphlet about "Safe Sex for Teenagers", was the one brightly entitled "The Evils of Mormonism."  I was at least relieved that members of that faith could learn how to avoid unwanted pregnancies, STDs and Mormons without going very far.  If I had not already gained a testimony, I could have been offended, instead of being merely diverted.  By that time anti-Mormon propaganda was nothing new to me.

The truth of the matter is that man's search for meaning and truth did not start with Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820.  The early Christians experienced worse degradations because of their belief than I could ever imagine (and hope never to experience).  Men throughout history have looked at their faith, questioned it and sometimes decided it did not fulfill all they wished for in their search for truth.  Martin Luther dared to question the Holy Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church, unknowingly starting a fraction of believers naming themselves after him.  Thus Lutherans were born.  John Wesley (and others) parted from the Church of England to form the Methodist church.  Even the Church of England parted ways with the Catholic church for doctrinal differences (and a few more).  All in all, man's search for truth endures to this day.  There is something inherent in mankind to strive to understand the inconceivable, to find higher purpose and meaning in their existence.  I thank these early men for following their convictions.  Without them, American could not have been founded by good, principled people wishing for the freedom to explore, practice and live their preferred religious beliefs. 

As an adult, the critics of my faith have used terms like cult to describe the Mormon faith.  I have been told I am not a Christian and that we are all blind sheep, unaware that the Mormon Train's final destination is hell.  Its sad really, considering I have never looked upon my friends of other faiths and felt similarly about their beliefs.  I know so many faithful and loving Christians of other faiths that have accepted me and mine as well.  I believe the majority of us respect each other's right to believe what they feel is right.  My experience with those who oppose my faith has been slim compared to the positive interactions I have had with members of other faiths.  But with the recent media attention on my faith because of the candidates (and the documented religious bigotry associated with it) I cannot help but feel the need to share and testify regarding my faith.  If only in the hope of dissolving some of that prejudice. 

I testify that I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior.  He is the Savior of all mankind and the foundation of my faith (religiously and personally).  I, likewise, know that the Bible AND the Book of Mormon are true scripture and the word of God.  I know that if a man wished to know the truth of these things, he need only to read the Book of Mormon, pray with a sincere heart, with real intent to know the truth and God will reveal the truth of it unto him.  I believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet in his day and that we have a living prophet today that leads this church.  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  He revealed things unto his prophets in the world of the Old and New Testament.  He reveals his word still, through a prophet.  I know exactly what I am about when I faithfully adhere to the principles of my religion.  I will faithfully defend others' right to do likewise with their faith as well.  I don't appreciate the assumption (and degradation) that my testimony is merely a shadow of my parents.  I am neither blind nor a sheep following without thought the course of my religion.  I believe and I'll thank you to remember it.