Our Faith: What we believe, how it influences how we live, and our testimonies
|
God is a major part of our lives. We try to live the best we can, and believe that serving others is a key aspect of finding peace and happiness in life. We are far from perfect, but we do try to draw closer to our Savior every day and strive to be true disciples of him.
We are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through our faith, we feel like we are better able to draw near to Christ and find ways to help others too. We pray and read the Scriptures daily as part of our personal and family worship, in addition to attending church every Sunday and volunteering and serving with our church. Please feel free to ask us any questions about our faith, and/or visit www.mormon.org to learn more about what we believe. |
 Painting by Simon Dewey |
Lanette's Testimony Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle
Growing up, my parents were wonderful about fostering testimony-building experiences in our home. I always believed in God and felt the love of my Savior in my life. There were many experiences that helped to solidify my testimony from the time I was really young and throughout my life. One of the earliest such memories I have is from when I was probably about 6. Money was pretty tight, and my dad's car broke down at work. We drove to pick him up. I remember feeling adamant that the Lord would get his car to work if he tried once more. I told him I'd say a prayer, and his car would start. He agreed to try once more, and it started. It was one of those little miracles, and I knew that God heard my prayer. He is there. He cares.
Even though our prayers are not always answered in the ways that we may hope, our Heavenly Father hears them. He loves us. I know this. He is all-knowing, and wants what is best for us. I am so grateful for prayer and for the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon). I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that by reading it we will gain a greater understanding of what we need to do in this life to prepare to return to our heavenly parents. I'm so thankful for the communication we can all have with the Lord. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the mouthpiece of the Lord on the earth today. I know that we can be with our families forever, and I am so grateful for the sealing power of the temple, allowing me to be with my loved ones forever. I know that the atonement is real, and I am so grateful that Christ suffered for my sins so that I can be saved and reunited with my family after this life, for eternity. |
Shaun's Testimony Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle
Where do I start...? I guess it goes back my senior year in high school. At the time I felt like I had many friends who all had different beliefs and standards. Religion hadn’t played a big part in my life up until that point. I had questioned the existence of God and I wasn’t sure that going to church was for me.
To make a very long and complex story short, I was introduced to the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by a very good friend. I wasn't really looking for religion in my life but it found me... As I began to study the Bible and The Book of Mormon I came to a knowledge that God really does exist. I came to know that Jesus Christ, the son of God, is my personal Savior. It was through my study of these divine books and prayer that I came to know that Jesus Christ had restored his church to the earth--the very same church that he had organized when he walked the earth. It is my testimony that God is our Heavenly Father. I know that his son Jesus Christ died for us and wants all of his children to return to his presence. I know that as we follow the commandments and truly try to emulate the life of Jesus Christ, we will be prepared to live with God and Jesus Christ again! I know that Heavenly Father has made it possible for families to be together forever and that it is His desire that we are sealed His Holy Temples. I know that The Bible and The Book of Mormon are true books that teach us the words of the Lord. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth. I know that Jesus lives! |
Visit Shaun's Profile on Mormon.org Click the photo to go to Shaun's profile on www.mormon.org, where you can read more about Shaun's thoughts on his faith. |
Visit Lanette's Profile on Mormon.org Click the photo to go to Lanette's profile on www.mormon.org, where you can read more about Lanette's thoughts on her faith. |
Teaching Iris About Christ
Parenting is definitely a journey, but we believe is that children are much smarter than some might think, and that from day one it's important to teach children.
We think it's vital to teach them how to think for themselves and how to find answers to their questions. Iris knows who Jesus Christ is, and knows that He loves her.
We try to teach her from our testimonies daily, and we know that she is a smart little girl and that she really understands these fundamental truths.
We think it's vital to teach them how to think for themselves and how to find answers to their questions. Iris knows who Jesus Christ is, and knows that He loves her.
We try to teach her from our testimonies daily, and we know that she is a smart little girl and that she really understands these fundamental truths.
A Bit More on What We Believe and How it Plays a Part in Our Daily Lives
Painting by Greg Olsen
We believe that everyone is a child of God, and therefore we believe that it is important for us to treat everyone as the Savior would have us treat them. We believe that we need to love one another, and love, serve, and support each other.
Lanette grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shaun was raised in the Catholic Church, and was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002 as a senior in high school, after being introduced to the gospel by friends.
We both have had experiences that have helped us come to a certain knowledge that God is aware of us, and he loves us. We know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church on the earth today, and it is our goal to help others come to know Christ and feel his love touch their lives.
We welcome questions about what we believe. Click here to ask us anything, either in a personal message or anonymously on formspring!
Lanette grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shaun was raised in the Catholic Church, and was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002 as a senior in high school, after being introduced to the gospel by friends.
We both have had experiences that have helped us come to a certain knowledge that God is aware of us, and he loves us. We know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church on the earth today, and it is our goal to help others come to know Christ and feel his love touch their lives.
We welcome questions about what we believe. Click here to ask us anything, either in a personal message or anonymously on formspring!
A few short movies that Lanette loves that talk about our faith, temples, and serving each other:
A few short movies that Shaun loves that talk about faith, the priesthood, and responsibilities of fathers:
The Articles of Faith: 13 Basic Points of Belief to Which We Ascribe:
Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle
1.We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2.We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3.We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4.We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5.We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6.We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7.We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8.We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9.We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10.We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11.We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12.We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13.We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
2.We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3.We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4.We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5.We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6.We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7.We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8.We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9.We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10.We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11.We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12.We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13.We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
