{I belong to the Church}

...of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I know who I am, I know God's plan, I'll follow him in faith!  Yep that is a primary song from our children's song book.  It is one of my favorites.  You can listen to it here. (click on audio and then music and lyrics and you can listen to it.)

Last week this is some that I've posted, in my class and these are some of my thoughts.   Now I know there are so many things going on in the world and people are being persecuted for having certain beliefs.  I know how that is, I am a Christian, and I know how it feels to be shamed because I am Mormon,  that I believe in a living prophet, that a boy named Joseph Smith restored our church on the earth for this day.  But the pioneer Latter Day Saints knew it also.  They were tared and feathered, they were burned out of their homes, they were told to leave or they would be "Exterminated".  That was the word used.  Crazy I know.  And here we are doing it all over again to a people who believe differently then everyone else.  Some scriptures I've read this week put it in the best perspective.

Ephesians 6:

 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Romans 1: 

 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Doctrine and Covenants 134:

 2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

 3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.

 4 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.

Anyway, isn't these some great verses to PONDER?  I think so.

This is a beautiful picture of the Washington DC Temple.