5 reasons why I am Mormon

Someone recently asked me why I became a Mormon and did not choose another Christian denomination. Interesting question, which I gladly try to answer in five main reasons, although there are actually more, but fewer  exclusive are connected to Mormonism.

1. Living prophets

This is quite exclusive to Mormons. I find it hard to believe that God spoke to His children from Adam, usually through prophets, and that He stopped doing so after Jesus died. Other Christians argue that the Bible is the final word and that God is unchangeable. I agree with the latter statement, and precisely for that reason, I cannot agree with the former.

God may not change, but we do. Our world changes constantly, as does our level of knowledge. I cannot imagine that God would simply abandon us to our fate now and that we would have to make do with texts that are 2000 years and older.

That is why I am glad that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a prophet, two counselors, and twelve apostles. These fifteen wise men are all prophets and advise us on how best to organize our lives in these times to follow the example of Christ.

The world around us is changing so quickly, and we are constantly facing new challenges. I am glad that there are still prophets who speak in God's name and can help us. The opposite seems to me to rather attest to a harsh, cold God who would no longer care about us.

2. New scripture

This connects to the previous point. The Bible is a collection of events and sayings of prophets that are valuable to study. But they also leave many questions open.

Therefore, it is good to have additional books with extra revelation that provide more clarity on a great number of answers. Besides the Christian Bible, Mormons also have the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine & Covenants.

Personally, I love the latter because these are truly revelations given for our time. But I equally love the articles and books our prophets write because they are even more adapted to today.

I therefore believe that scripture will indeed emerge and that revelations will be supplemented. In this, points one and two go hand in hand.

3. An eternal marriage

For me, almost the most important reason to become a Mormon. A marriage that transcends death. Where many religious people who marry hear 'until death do us part', Mormons hear 'for time and all eternity' at their sealing. 'For time' is here on earth, 'for eternity' is for all that comes after.

This is for me also much more in line with what is written in the Bible [note]Matthew 18:18[/note]:

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

A marriage that is solemnized on earth must also continue after death in heaven. Mormons strongly believe in the importance of family, bonds that are eternal and necessary to reconnect everyone with their Heavenly Father.

I often say that even if this is the only promise that turns out to be true after death, it is already enough for me to continue believing and being a Mormon. I cannot imagine not being together anymore with the people I love. God is above all love, and would that God then break the most important love when I die? I cannot believe in that...

4. Baptism only from eight years old

In itself, I don't find it that important, but baptism from eight years old symbolizes something very important to me, namely that each of us is responsible for what we do right and wrong. And not that we are all born sinful through the Fall of Adam and Eve.

After all, you can only commit a sin if you voluntarily and conscientiously transgress a commandment of God. Small children do not yet have sufficient capacity to distinguish between good and evil, so I actually find it an insult to God if small children who are not baptized would be eternally damned.

So I am glad that this fits within the Mormon tradition of the entire Plan of Salvation that we all must learn and distinguish between good and evil. That we have the Atonement of Christ to have our sins forgiven, if we consciously choose to do so.

Children of eight years old cannot yet grasp the whole story, but at that age, they already begin to know what is good and what is not. And only from that moment do you need the forgiveness of sins, which baptism symbolizes.

5. It is a life philosophy

Last but not least. Being a Mormon is more than just going to church on Sunday. OK, even among Mormons you have Sunday Christians, I won't deny that.

But being a Mormon means that you are daily engaged with what Christ means in your life. Daily prayer and reading the scriptures is an outward characteristic, but much more important is how you interact with others.

Mormons, for example, have a system where each family is assigned to brothers and sisters who help them, both spiritually and with other problems. You are never alone. You help others and are helped yourself. A community where no one is left out in the cold, unless they want to be, of course.

Also because of points one and two, you have guidelines on how to live today according to the example of Christ, what it means to love your neighbor. The entire system gives direction to your life and I find that an absolute plus.