Τα βάσικα πιστεύω

Ιστορικό υπόβαθρο: Σύντομα αφού η Εκκλησία οργανώθηκε το 1830, σε απάντηση μίας ερώτησης, ο Τζόζεφ Σμιθ, ο πρώτος προφήτης της σύγχρονης εποχής και ιδρυτής της Εκκλησίας του Ιησού Χριστού, συγκέντρωσε τις απαραίτητες διδασκαλίες της Εκκλησίας στα προαναφερθέντα 13 κύρια σημεία.

Τα άρθρα της πίστης

ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΩΝ ΗΜΕΡΩΝ

1. Πιστεύουμε στό Θεό, τον Αιώνιο Πατέρα, και στόν Υιό Του, τόν Ιησόυ Χριστό, και στό Άγιο Πνέυμα.

2. Πιστεύουμε οτι οι άνθρωποι θα τιμωρηθούν για τίς δικές τους αμαρτίες, και όχι για το παράπτωμα του Αδάμ.

3. Πιστεύουμε ότι μέσο της Εξιλέωσης του Χριστού μπορεί ωα σωθεί όλη η ανθρωπότητα, με την υπακοή στούς νόμους και τις διατάξεις του Ευαγγελίου.

4. Πιστέυουμε ότι οι πρώτες αρχές και διατάξεις του Ευαγγελίου είναι: πρώτο, Πίστη στόν Κύριο Ιησού Χριστό? δεύτερο, Μετάνοια? τρίτο, Βάφτισμα με κατάδυση για την άφεση αμαρτιών? τέταρτο, Χειροθεσία για τη δωρεά του Αγίου Πνεύματος.

5. Πιστέυουμε ότι ο άνθρωπος πρέπει να κληθεί από το Θεό, με προφητέια, και με την χειροθεσία εκείνων που έχουν εξουσία, για να κηρύττει το Ευαγγέλιο και να τελεί τις διατάξεις του.

6. Πιστεύουμε στήν ίδια οργάνωση η οποία υφίστατο στήν Πρωταρχική Εκκλησία, δηλαδή, αποστόλους, προφήτες, ποιμένες, διδασκάλους, ευαγγελιστές και λοιπά.

7. Πιστεύουμε στό χάρισμα των γλωσσών, της προφητείας, της αποκάλυψης, των οραμάτων, της Θεράπευσης, της ερμηνείας γλωσσών και λοιπά.

8. Πιστεύουμε ότι η Βίβλος είναι ο λόγος του Θεού εφόσον είναι σωστά μεταφρασμένη. Επίσης πιστεύουμε ότι το Βιβλίο του Μόρμον είναι ο λόγος του Θεού.

9. Πιστέυουμε όλα όσα ο Θεός έχει αποκαλύψει, όλα όσα τώρα αποκαλύπτει, και πιστέυουμε ότι Θα αποκαλύψει ακόμη και άλλα πολλά μεγάλα καί σημαντικά πράγματα που αφορούν τη Βαδιλεία του Θεού.

10. Πιστεύουμε στην κυριολεκτική συνάθροιση του Ισραήλ και στην αποκατάσταση των Δέκα Φυλών, ότι η Σιών (η Νέα Ιερουσαλήμ) θα χτιστεί επάνω στήν Αμερικανική ήπειρο, ότι ο Χριστός Θα βασιλεύσει αυτοπροσώπως επάνω στη γη, και ότι η γη θα ανανεωθεί και θα λάβει την παραδεισιακή της δόξα.

11. Αξιούμε το προνόμιο να λατρεύουμε τον Παντοδύναμο Θεό σύμφονα με τις υπαγορεύσεις της δικής μας συνείδησης, και αναγνωρίζουμε το ίδιο προνόμιο σε όλους τους ανθρώπους, ας λατρεύουν όπως, όπου και ο,τι μπορούν.

12. Πιστεύουμε στο να υποτασσόμαστε σε βασιλιάδες, προέδρους, κυβερνήτες και ηγεμόνες, στο να υπακούμε, να σεβόμαστε και να υποστηρίζουμε το νόμο.

13. Πιστεύουμε στο να είμαστε τίμιοι, ειλικρινείς, αγνοί, φιλάνθρωποι, ενάρετοι, και στό να κάνουμε καλό σε όλους τους ανθρώπους. Πράγματι, μπορούμε να πόυμε ότι ακολουθούμε την παρότρυνση τού Παύλου - Τα πάντα πιστεύουμε, τα πάντα ελπίζουμε, έχουμε υπομείνει πολλά, και ελπίζουμε να μπορέσουμε να υπομείνουμε τα πάντα. Αν κάτι είναι ενάρετο, ωραίο, είτε καλής φήμης είτε αξιέπαινο, τα αναζητούμε όλα αυτά.

ΤΖΟΖΕΦ ΣΜΙΘ     πηγή

Σχεδιάζουμε να προσθέσουμε περισσότερο ελληνικό περιεχόμενο στο blog στης επόμενες εβδομάδες

(The Articles of faith)

A Stake Presidents Thoughts

Only a Stake President is authorized to Set Apart a missionary. I have asked our Stake President to share some thoughts on his responsibility to set apart and his involvement in Missionary Preparation....

"Let me first say, it is an honour and a privilege to be given this sacred responsibility to set apart these wonderful full time missionaries. This is one of those special times as a Stake President, when you lay your hands upon the head of the individual, to set them apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints assigned to labour in the mission that the individual has been assigned. To know you are bestowing this authority on behalf of the Lord to send these missionaries into the world to proclaim the gospel and to be at the forefront of the work of salvation is also very humbling. You recognise these are special servants of the Lord who are willing to commit to giving 12 to 24 months of their own time and dedicating that time of their life to the Lord in fulfilling the call they have received in the mission they will serve. 

Those missionaries who I have set apart come from so many different backgrounds and circumstances. Their life experiences have been varied, from those who are in their late teens to our more senior members who have reached retirement age. Some of those who I have set apart have been members all their life and always knew that they wanted to serve a mission, others have been converts themselves, who may have been a member only for little over a year. Yet others, have been those members who have lapsed in their church activity but a change has taken place again in their lives and they have felt a desire to serve a mission on their return to church activity. It is always a special and sacred time at a setting apart of a missionary, and it is always wonderful to see the support and love of family and friends at such settings, it can also be quite an emotional time with many tears shed, particularly by Mum, Dad and other family members. 

 We have missionaries serving from the England Ashton Stake in North America, Europe and Africa, mostly serving like the missionaries you see walking up and down your road or you see on a bus, you may have been engaged in a conversation yourself with them. We have even have a sister serving in the family history department in Salt Lake City!! 

Our members have an opportunity to serve in so many different types of missionary work, but to have a desire to do so in itself is not enough, Bishops and Stake Presidents need to know that these missionaries are prepared and we have to ensure their worthiness and other factors such as health, in order for us to recommend them for missionary service. 

Let me say that I have a testimony that the Lord through those who he has called to make these missionary assignments is in Charge!!! I know the individuals mission call is from the Lord revealed through his servants. As I set apart each missionary and give them a priesthood blessing, I know and feel that the Lord reveals that which each individual should know and feel themselves about their particular mission assignment. The Lord knows those who he calls!!! I am not sure who will be reading this, but let me commend these missionaries to you, they are just ordinary people who love the Lord and are performing an extraordinary work in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Next time you bump into any of our missionaries, perhaps you could give them 15 minutes to listen to the message they have to share, it may just change you life forever." 

President Kevin Fletcher

Once submitted to the church Headquarters the missionary committee determine where missionaries should serve. This decisions are made in a weekly meeting presided over by an Apostle. The following article is taken from an address given by church leader Ronald A. Rasband.. 

The divine call of a missionary

"With the encouragement and permission of President Henry B. Eyring, I would like to relate to you an experience, very special to me, which I had with him several years ago when he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Each Apostle holds the keys of the kingdom and exercises them at the direction and assignment of the President of the Church. Elder Eyring was assigning missionaries to their fields of labor, and as part of my training, I was invited to observe.

I joined Elder Eyring early one morning in a room where several large computer screens had been prepared for the session. There was also a staff member from the Missionary Department who had been assigned to assist us that day.

First, we knelt together in prayer. I remember Elder Eyring using very sincere words, asking the Lord to bless him to know “perfectly” where the missionaries should be assigned. The word “perfectly” said much about the faith that Elder Eyring exhibited that day.

As the process began, a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. As each picture appeared, to me it was as if the missionary were in the room with us. Elder Eyring would then greet the missionary with his kind and endearing voice: “Good morning, Elder Reier or Sister Yang. How are you today?”

He told me that in his own mind he liked to think of where the missionaries would conclude their mission. This would aid him to know where they were to be assigned. Elder Eyring would then study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary.

He then referred to another screen which displayed areas and missions across the world. Finally, as he was prompted by the Spirit, he would assign the missionary to his or her field of labor.

From others of the Twelve, I have learned that this general method is typical each week as Apostles of the Lord assign scores of missionaries to serve throughout the world.

Having served as a missionary in my own country in the Eastern States Mission a number of years ago, I was deeply moved by this experience. Also, having served as a mission president, I was grateful for a further witness in my heart that the missionaries I had received in New York City were sent to me by revelation.

After assigning a few missionaries, Elder Eyring turned to me as he pondered one particular missionary and said, “So, Brother Rasband, where do you think this missionary should go?” I was startled! I quietly suggested to Elder Eyring that I did not know and that I did not know I could know! He looked at me directly and simply said, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know!” With that, I pulled my chair a little closer to Elder Eyring and the computer screen, and I did pay much closer attention!

A couple of other times as the process moved along, Elder Eyring would turn to me and say, “Well, Brother Rasband, where do you feel this missionary should go?” I would name a particular mission, and Elder Eyring would look at me thoughtfully and say, “No, that’s not it!” He would then continue to assign the missionaries where he had felt prompted.

As we were nearing the completion of that assignment meeting, a picture of a certain missionary appeared on the screen. I had the strongest prompting, the strongest of the morning, that the missionary we had before us was to be assigned to Japan. I did not know that Elder Eyring was going to ask me on this one, but amazingly he did. I rather tentatively and humbly said to him, “Japan?” Elder Eyring responded immediately, “Yes, let’s go there.” And up on the computer screen the missions of Japan appeared. I instantly knew that the missionary was to go to the Japan Sapporo Mission.

Elder Eyring did not ask me the exact name of the mission, but he did assign that missionary to the Japan Sapporo Mission.

Privately in my heart I was deeply touched and sincerely grateful to the Lord for allowing me to experience the prompting to know where that missionary should go.

At the end of the meeting Elder Eyring bore his witness to me of the love of the Savior, which He has for each missionary assigned to go out into the world and preach the restored gospel. He said that it is by the great love of the Savior that His servants know where these wonderful young men and women, senior missionaries, and senior couple missionaries are to serve. I had a further witness that morning that every missionary called in this Church, and assigned or reassigned to a particular mission, is called by revelation from the Lord God Almighty through one of these, His servants."

Elder Ronald D. Rasband

So why do young Mormons serve Missions ?

Why would young people want to give up two years of their lives to become a missionary representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The best explanation I can think of is found in the moral behind the classic story penned by Mary Mapes Dodge. "The Story of  Haarlem", in which a little boy discovers a leak in the sea wall. He selflessly puts his finger into the hole, to plug the leak until help arrives.

In a similar way these young missionaries choose to serve, without thought for themselves. They have found something of value in their lives and desire to share. They gain no monetary reward, in fact they pay their own way. They gain no increased social standing in their congregations and willingly put their lives on hold for 2 years.

So what can be so important as to motivate at present 80,000+ young people to share.

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us where we came from, why we are here and where we are going. Knowing the answers to these three basic questions puts a whole new perspective on our lives. In fact the miracle is, IT CHANGES LIVES.

         

Imagine a world where everyone understands and accepts every other living person as a Spirit brother or sister of a loving Heavenly Father. A world where everyone grasps that we were sent to this earth by a caring Heavenly Father to learn and grow, much like parents here send their children to school. Imagine life knowing that we can see and be with our loved ones after our time on earth.

The missionaries you will meet can tell you how to find out all these things for yourself. Their greatest joy is seeing the joy in others. There are not many groups of young people that can say that!

It’s hard to move forward when you don’t know where you’re headed or why. God’s plan gives us the answers to life’s most basic questions like, "Where did I come from?" "What’s my purpose here?" And, "What happens when I die?" Knowing the answers gives us hope and helps us find peace and joy. 

Click HERE to learn more about this plan

So next time you bump into a pair of Mormon missionaries, have a chat and remember,
they could be thousands of miles from home.

Setting Apart

The last step to becoming a missionary is to be "Set Apart" This term refers to a priesthood leader that has been authorized by the Prophet placing his hands on the young Mans head and officially "setting him apart" from the world as an ordained minister and teacher. 

This is how Jesus authorised his original 12 apostles to go out and preach. 

Elder Teal is now officially a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

All that is required now is to be dropped of at the Missionary Training Centre

Tonight was a bitter sweat occasion for a parent. Immense pride in a son that has lived in such a way to make himself eligible to serve, but sadness at knowing it is now so close to him leaving home for 2 years.

Those that know missionaries may spot that the name tag Elder Teal is wearing is the older style church logo.. That is because when I (Dad) came home from my mission 25 years ago, I put this tag away for this very night for Elder Teal 2 to wear. 

Back home with Jessie and Max

Melchizedek Priesthood

Today was another step closer to missionary service.. Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Jesus Christ ordaining the 12 apostles

In the Church, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12–17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel. [source]

Jacob has been a faithful holder of the Aaronic priesthood for the last 6 years and fulfilled each assignment he has been given. Over the past two years he has blessed the sacrament bread and water for our local church congregation, with reverence and dignity.

Aaronic Priesthood blessing the sacrament

Today he had the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon him and was ordained to the office of an "elder" within that priesthood. This is the priesthood office that his missionary title refers to. 

Through the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, Church leaders guide the Church and direct the preaching of the gospel throughout the world. In the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, “the power of godliness is manifest” This greater priesthood was given to Adam and has been on the earth whenever the Lord has revealed His gospel. It was taken from the earth during the Great Apostasy, but it was restored in 1829, when the Apostles Peter, James, and John conferred it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. 

Joseph Smith with Peter, James and John

“There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic”

The Melchizedek Priesthood, which is “after the Order of the Son of God”, is the greater of these. It “holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church”. It also holds “the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church”. It is named after a great high priest who lived during the time of the prophet Abraham. The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are Apostle, Seventy, patriarch, high priest, and elder. The President of the High Priesthood is the President of the Church.

Men in the Church must be worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders in order to receive the temple endowment and be sealed to their families for eternity. They have the authority to administer to the sick and give special blessings to family members and others. With the authorization of presiding priesthood leaders, they can bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost and ordain other worthy men to offices in the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods.

When a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he enters into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. He covenants to be faithful, magnify his calling, “give diligent heed to the words of eternal life,” and “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Those who keep this covenant will be sanctified by the Spirit and receive “all that the Father hath.” [source]

Events such of this are big days in the life of Latter-day Saint families. They are made more special by the fact that as a father and Priesthood holder,  I was able to be the one that ordained Jacob.

Only 88 days till he leaves !!!

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Called to Serve