Tag: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Whose Church is it, anyway?

imageWhen the LDS church was organized on April 6, 1830, it’s official name was The Church of Christ.  Four years later, in 1834, it’s moniker was changed to The Church of Latter-day Saints.  The final name alteration occurred in 1838.  By revelation received through Joseph Smith, we are now known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What is the meaning of the phrase “of Jesus Christ?” My understanding is that it signifies the church belongs to Jesus.  This is His church.  Well, that sounds pretty good to me.  After all, I’ve decided to follow His teachings and example.  What better place to worship than in the church that belongs to him.

So, what is the meaning of the phrase “of Latter-day Saints.”  I’m going to interpret it the very same way.  The church belongs to the Latter-day Saints, the citizens of this restored organization!

Man, do I like that.  The church belongs both to Jesus and to His followers.  No wonder He instituted the Law of Common Consent.  We are partners in church ownership and church GOVERNANCE.  “All things must be done . . . by common consent in the church.”

This is not the church of prophets or apostles, of seers or revelators.  We have them.  And, of course, they are a vital part of church GOVERNANCE.  But, the church does not belong to them.  Rather, it belongs to the rank-n-file citizenship & to the Lord.

This opens a whole new perspective on the Law of Common Consent.  We are fellow citizens in the Household of God.  How much more important this makes the regimen of our quarterly voting to express approval or disapproval to the leaders the Lord has put in place.

Today, I have a greater love for my church.  Jesus values me and my opinion as an equity partner in his earthly organization.

Greetings World!

OK.  I know it’s a pretty small world, with only one lonely inhabitant.  Me.  At least for the moment.

For a long time, I have wanted to put my thoughts down on paper, metaphorically speaking.  Over the past couple of years, unexpected philosophical developments have shaken my life.  They have been quite disconcerting.  In October 2015, seven months ago, a friend suggested that I start posting my thoughts in certain social channels.  I did.  By golly, I found it to be delightfully addicting, cathartic and validating.  It also helped me move forward and hone my life’s direction.

Over the past week, several people, in the groups where I post, have suggested that the amount of time I invest in composing would be better served by a blog.  I love the Facebook communities.  There, I know many and am known by many.  The feedback is plentiful, interesting, and helpful in refining my thought processes.  The posts by others frequently enlightens and uplifts.  At my friends’ gentle nudging’s I’m following their recommendation to venture into a new world.  One that is exposed to public scrutiny.  No longer behind the protective blanket of closed groups.

For my blog’s theme, I’ve selected religion and spirituality.  I’m Mormon.  Was raised Mormon.  At 19, I served a 2 year full-time mission to Guatemala and El Salvador.  Married in the temple.  Raised 6 children in the church.  Have actively served in many callings .  I’m still an active Mormon.  But, my faith is transitioning.

For the time being, I plan to discuss changes in my belief, decisions I’ve made, and actions I am in the process of taking.  My faith journey is by no means complete.  Over the past seven months of posting, much mind morphing has materialized.  I’m sure more will be forthcoming.  This faith journey has been exciting and exhilarating . . . at times.  At others, it’s been a source of frequent anger, sadness, loneliness, alienation, frustration, and depression.  My friend who suggested writing was right on.  It has been a great help to vent, think, contemplate and refine through the written word.

Now, off to the blogosphere I go.