The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publishes four worldwide periodicals: the Ensign, Liahona, New Era and Friend.
All of the magazines are available on the Church’s website for free; subscriptions are available for the printed versions.
Members of the Church eagerly anticipate each issue of the Ensign and Liahona. Both magazines publish the same content, but the Ensign only in English, whilst the Liahona is made available throughout the world in 61 langauges (‘Making Church Magazines’, Ensign, Jul 2008, pp. 64–69).
Ensign and Liahona issues always begin with a message from the First Presidency (the governing body of the Church consisting of the Prophet and two counsellors).
Messages from the Twelve (Apostles) are included in all magazines, as well as articles written and submitted by ordinary Church members and magazine staff.
Because the periodicals are authorized by a member of the Seventy and Twelve (ibid.), Church members accept anything written in the publications as scripture. In fact, anything which a Prophet says officially, in the name of the Saviour, is considered considered scriptural: it is direct revelation from God.
Here’s a million dollar question – If you were to die right now, would you qualify for the celestial kingdom? If you’re like many Mormons, you’re not sure. You try hard to be as good as possible, but you still don’t know if you’ve done enough. If the Book of Mormon is really scripture, this hope will always elude you. Alma 11:37 says God cannot save you in your sins. Are all of your sins forgiven? Moroni 10:32 says you must be perfected in Christ, which can only be done by denying yourself of “all ungodliness”. Have you done that? Do you repent on a regular basis? Is so, then it is clear that you sin on a regular basis, since only those who break the commandments need to repent. 1 Nephi 3:7 states that you are able to keep His commandments. In fact according to D&C 25:15, you are required to keep them continually! Since you haven’t done this so far, why assume you will in the future? Of course, we should all try to be holy; but if you think that sinning less will qualify you to live in God’s presence, you are mistaken (Gal 3:1-11). The assumption that good works are required for forgiveness only cheapens Christ’s atonement, making it nothing more than a partial payment. God chooses to justify us by faith. Jesus alone does the “perfecting” (Heb 10:14). God gives peace to those who trust in Him alone. If you don’t have this peace, it’s probably because at least a part of you trusts in yourself. Questions? Visit us at http://www.gotforgiveness.com
By: Ty on 17 January 2009
at 3:09 am