Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saints is a term used to refer to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The term is often shortened to LDS or simply the Saints. Mormon is often used to refer to members, but members much prefer the term Latter-day Saints or simply LDS.
Latter-day Saints are known for their devotion to their families, integrity, clean and moral lifestyles, as well as their willingness to help others. All of these things are a part of their lives because of the doctrine of the Church. To be considered a worthy member of the Church, a person must abide by the Word of Wisdom, which teaches that members should not partake of alcohol, drugs, or caffeine drinks such as coffee. They are to eat good foods, exercise and go to bed early and rise early.
Members are also expected to abide by a strict code of morality. There is to be complete abstinence in sexual relations before marriage, and members are to have sexual relations only with their spouse to whom they are legally married.
In an official declaration made by the Church we read, “the family is ordained by God…husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.” The Church encourages Latter-day Saints to create strong families. They ask all families in the Church to set aside one day a week specifically for spiritual teaching and bonding in the family.
From an early age members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught to show their love for those around them through service. It is not uncommon to hear of teenagers providing service at a local nursing home or helping a family in need. This teaching is further taught through service that members are asked to provide in the Church. Teachers, bishops, presidencies and those who provide music in the Church all do so out of charity, none are paid for their services.
Members are also asked to give of their own substance to help those in need. The first Sunday of each month is set apart as fast Sunday. On this day members are asked to go without eating two meals, then donate the money they would have spent on those meals to the Church to be used to help provide for those who have less. Sometimes, the funds are used for a specific people or need. For example, this story was shared by President Gordon B. Hinckley, “My mind goes back to one Sunday, a few years ago, when the Presidency of the Church asked that our people fast for two meals and consecrate the equivalent value, and more, to help the homeless and hungry in areas of Africa where we had no members, but where there was much of famine and suffering. On Monday morning the money began to come in. There were hundreds of dollars, and then thousands of dollars, then hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then millions of dollars. These consecrated funds became the means of saving many who otherwise might have starved. Latter-day Saints are always encouraged to continue improving and make themselves better, “May God help us to be a little kinder, showing forth greater forbearance, to be more forgiving, more willing to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more” (see Forgiveness by Gordon B. Hinckley).
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