Introduction to Self-Guided Lessons about Mormonism
Thank you for wanting to learn more about the Mormon Church and its teachings! We hope that you will feel the Spirit of Lord as you study and that through the power of the Holy Ghost you will be able know that what we are teaching and what you are studying is true. The purpose of these lessons is to provide you with an opportunity to study the truth about what Mormons believe from those who are faithful, believing members. While studying a written text and reading the references provided can help you a great deal, ultimately they are no replacement for speaking with a member of the Mormon Church and being able to get answers to your particular questions and concerns right away. These lessons provide a way for you to study the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through living prophets like Joseph Smith and others in a relaxed, no-pressure environment at your own pace.
There are planned a total of at least ten lessons that will discuss the teachings and practices of the Mormon Church. Each one will focus on a different aspect of the Gospel and will introduce certain key concepts. Each lesson will be organized in the following way:
1. An interesting fact about Mormonism
2. A Review of the previous lessons (except of course for the first lesson)
3. An introduction to the topic with specific vocabulary
4. Lessons with instructions, references and occasional some video clips
5. A list of what you can do to better understand the lessons, such a further reading, prayer, and so on.
6. A preview of the upcoming lesson
As you study each lesson, read the accompanying references, some of which will be to outside books like the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The lessons will also explain how you can access those materials if you do not have them available. All of the books and videos mentions in the lessons can be obtained for free either from members or missionaries of the Mormon Church or online at various websites.
Your responsibility in these lessons is to read, ponder, and pray. Read the lesson and the references provided. Ponder about their meanings. Ask yourself: What would it mean to my life if these teachings are true? How would I change or not change? How do I feel about these teachings? We recommend keeping a diary of your thoughts and record any special spiritual experiences or impressions that come to mind. Often these thoughts are placed there by the Holy Spirit and can help us learn. Jesus told his disciples:
But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26)
Through the Holy Ghost we can learn the truth of all things. This witness comes to us as we ponder and pray about the teachings and doctrines we are taught. As we do those things which our Father in Heaven wants us to do, we will find peace in our hearts and clarity in our minds. We will be filled with love for other people and with an increased ability to learn, remember, love, serve, and endure the difficulties of life. Peace, love, joy, and hope are gifts from God to us through His Holy Spirit which let us know that we are doing what is right. When we begin to feel this increased love, hope, and faith in God, then we will know that what we are learning and doing is correct. If we do not act on these spiritual impressions to pray, study God’s word, and do what is right, then that peace and love from the Spirit will leave us again until we try again. God is forgiving and will never give up on us as long as we live and try our very best. Remember, that when we have done what we can, even if it not very much, but it is our best, God will make up for our failings. That is His gift to us if we believe.
Read also:
Galatians 5:22
John 14:29
1 Kings 19:11-12
After you have studied the lessons, pondered their messages and begun to apply the teachings of the Gospel to your life, you must pray. Jesus taught us how to pray:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matthew 6:9-13)
This is not something we should quote when we pray, but it is a pattern for our prayers. We should:
1. Address our Heavenly Father
2. Praise and thank Him for our blessings
3. Ask questions about the things we need or questions we want answered
4. Ask for forgiveness for our sins
5. Close in the name of Jesus Christ
Prayers are like conversations with our Father in Heaven. He will answer them by sending us the Holy Ghost to confirm the truth. When we pray, we are not trying to force God to agree with us, but we trying to find out what God wants us to do. We are trying to force ourselves to agree with God. If we pray with real faith, believing that God exists and that he can answer us, we will receive an answer.
You should pray about the things you study and ask God if they are true. He will tell you that they are true by sending the Holy Spirit into your mind and heart to fill your whole soul with love, peace, joy, and faith. Pray to prepare your heart before you study and pray when you have finished in order to know the truthfulness of what you have studied. Pray whenever you feel impressed to pray.
Finally, make sure you have studied the whole lesson before you move one. Make sure you understand all the concepts taught in the lesson before proceeding to the next one. This is important. When you build a house, you must start with the foundation. If you try to start with the roof, you will never build a house, just a pile of rumble. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, too, has a foundation. That foundation is God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and God’s prophets whom he has called since the beginning of time to teach the truth. If you do not understand these very basic foundations, you will not be able to understand the rest of the teachings. Even if you feel you know a lot about God and Jesus Christ, please read the lesson anyway. You may be surprised by something you did not know, or you may find your faith strengthened. Above all, when learning about God, you must be humble. Humility means that you are willing to acknowledge you do not know everything and that you are ready to learn and willing to change. Without humility, you cannot have faith in God and without faith in God, you cannot be saved (see Hebrews 11:6)
Did You Know…?
Mormon is really just a nickname. The real name of the Mormon Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and members are called Latter-day Saints, Saints, or members of the LDS Church. Mormons prefer to be called Latter-day Saints. The nickname Mormon and Mormon Church comes because members of the LDS Church believe that the Book of Mormon is a volume of scripture just like the Bible. Because only Latter-day Saints believe in this, others started calling them Mormons. This was originally used as an insult and while Latter-day Saints do not find it offensive today, most prefer not to use it. These two names sometimes cause confusion. Once when a tornado hit Oklahoma City, members of the LDS Church rushed to help. The next day, the front page article of the local newspaper wrote a thank you to two churches: The Mormon Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
Are you ready to start?