"I believe that this is the true Church on the face of the earth today and that the gospel has been restored to this earth in this dispensation. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that there is a prophet on the earth guiding the saints today. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that He forgives my sins. I am thankful that I can hold callings in the church and I have the golden opportunity to attend the house of the Lord. I know that the Book of Mormon is true."
This is a typical type of Mormon testimony, that I was taught to say in my youth, that is ritualistic in every 'Fast and Testimony' meeting on the first Sunday of every month. That is the day when there is no written speech(s) given so the members of the ward can stand and give their own so called "personal" testimony. It is the day where the first two meals of the day are not eaten and the money that is saved from those two meals is gathered by the Aaronic Priesthood holders during that Sunday. (They come to the home between services.) The money is supposed to be put into the 'fast offering' for the bishop's storehouse. (It is always good to give a little extra money to the missionary fund on this day, and it keeps temple goers current on their recommends.)
When the prayer, hymn, and sacrament are done at the beginning of the meeting, the bishop or his counselors stand and encourage all to stand and bear a testimony of their belief, faith, and loyalty to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In my years of experience in these kinds of meetings, the ritualistic testimony is basically the same out of every mouth, no matter if you're male or female. There is always the side stories of family, missions, or illness, etc.
I've never felt comfortable in these meetings, because they never came from a 'personal' perspective, nothing from the heart. Through all of the tears and balled-up voices, the message is still the same. The testimony is a taught, or programed, mini speech designed to puff up the church. Even though I bore my testimony on several occasions, through them all, I always felt that it was no where near what it should be.
A testimony should come from the heart. It should be about what Jesus Christ has done personally for the believer, not a ritualistic chant that is expected to come out of the mouth of every "good upstanding member."
Testimony
Mormon Temple Rituals
These rituals bring back many memories. I did all of these and more.
You need to know that this is the way it is.
If Mormonism Prevails?
"But you will generally be informed, that "Mormonism" is a new religion, that it is something new under the sun, and of course is an innovation-a kind of trespass on Christianity, on the Bible, or on the good old way. "O" say some of the editors that ought to be the most enlightened, and that profess to be, "if Mormonism prevails, Christianity will come down."
"If we have no one new principle in our religion, why are we considered innovators and opposed to Christianity? And why is Christianity in the world in danger if "Mormonism" prevails? It is because that floating Christianity, called so by the world, is a spurious one; they have departed from the doctrines of the Apostles. Then, I ask again, why say, "If Mormonism prevails Christianity is in danger?" for if it falls the better." (Journal of Discourses, "Mormonism", A Discourse delivered by Parley P. Pratt**, in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, July 10, 1853)
**Note: Parley P. Pratt, great-great grandfather of Mitt Romney!!!
Pentagram, A Mormon Work of Art
"The inverted pentagram is the consummate symbol of Satan. It is the official symbol of the church of Satan. Universally known for its sinister and evil influence, it is also known as the "Goat of Mendez." In witchcraft, the inverted pentacle depicts the Devil's Goat and the Witches Foot. It is ultimately the symbol of the star Sirius (from the Greek word"scorching") or "dog star." It is known by the Egyptians as Set, or Satan. Identified by the Masonic Lodge as the "Blazing Star," it is found at the center of every Masonic Lodge and is the official emblem of the Order of the Eastern Star. The inverted pentagram is the second most common symbol used in Mormon architecture, being extensively used in exterior keystones." (Sword of the Spirit Apologetics, www.luciferlink.org/photos.htm)
I bring this up because I saw a photo of a family member, who is Mormon, wearing the pentagram on a piece of clothing. The matter of this symbol has been hashed and rehashed over in many books and internet web sites in recent years. I could go into great lengths as to why this symbol is linked to Satan and witchcraft, and the like, but Google the words "Mormonism and Pentagram", it will bring up a world of information on the subject.
My experiences with symbols, while I was a Mormon, had always been distant. I don't ever remember talking about the symbols in my Mormon classes. The church does not expound on the different aspects of all the symbols they use, nor will they ever willfully expose the information. The only Mormons that really know about this kind of usage of Satan-type symbols are the Mormons who spend a lot of time studying the faith and accepting the literature as truth.
Brothers?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! (2 Nephi 24: 12)
"And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him-he was Lucifer, a son of the morning" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:26)
First of all, Lucifer is a Latin name not a Hebrew name. The name 'Lucifer' is a name that is associated with light, stars, morning, bright and the like. The name is a miss translated metaphor that stayed with the early Christians and the name 'Lucifer' has stayed with the Christians since.
The two Mormon scriptures above are in error when they use this name. Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, not translated it, and supposedly the manuscript was penned in 600 b.c. using Isaiah's own words. The name 'Lucifer' was not used in 600 b.c. Thus, JS used the 'King James Version' of the Bible to complete his fictional writing.
Are Jesus and the devil brothers? NO and NO! Jesus is GOD and the one that fell from heaven was an angel whom GOD created!
Son of the Morning
Another name for 'Lucifer' (Latin: literally meaning 'light bearing') has not always been associated with the fallen angel, Satan. Originally, it was simply the Roman name of the planet Venus, the 'morning star' that rose just before the sun. ...In Isaiah 14:12, we find the Hebrew phrase, "HeYLeL BeN-ShaChaR", meaning 'bright son of the morning/dawn (i.e. 'bright/glowing morning star') In the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), this was translated as 'Phosphorus' (the Greek name of the morning star), and thense translated 'Lucifer' in the Latin Vulgate bible." (www.urbandictionary.com)
This quote is in part and is a good definition of 'Son of the Morning'. The rest of the quote that I left out is but just an opinion of the writer. To read the quote in its entirety, please visit the website named above.
I have concluded that 'Son of the Morning' is a title or a name that is given to something or someone who reflects the qualities defined above. Lucifer reflected those qualities before the earth was, however, Lucifer let go of those qualities and put in his grasp the qualities of pure sin causing our God to experience great sorrow. Thus God had no choice but to cast this beautiful angel out of the heavens and give him a new title that he carries to this day. The name is, 'Satan'.
