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You have stated the truth of a great portion of what it takes to lead a truly Christ-centered life. As you have stated,
the first and great commandment is to "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might, mind and strength. And the second
is like unto it to love thy neighbor as thy self." Even though you and I love those words, most people on this earth,
including those who claim to be Christians, find it very difficult to follow that teaching and I suppose one of the major
reasons for that is that such personal commitment is very difficult to do for most people.
All of Christ's teachings centered around love, not only the love that he had for all mankind, which he demonstrated by
giving his very life for us, but the love he expects us to offer to our fellowmen and the more we strive to become more
Christ-centered, the easier it will be for us to be more kind, compassionate and loving towards all.
You asked, "What is the need for organized religion?" Considering the great confusion that there is amongst the numerous
Christian churches, not only in doctrine but even in their foundation principles, that is a great question. There is a
great truth, Karen, which I would love to have you explore. Sadly there is not time or space in this email to do justice
to this discussion. I will say that as a members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that
through the prophet
Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ restored his true Church which he had established when he was on the earth. We believe that
through that restoration, Christ's
priesthood keys and authority were given to mankind again to build up his kingdom here on the earth. You asked why would
Christ want his kingdom on earth in the form of a religion? He has restored his authority to the earth in order that his
people might hear His voice today, through the words of prophets. He has restored his Church so that we might take upon
ourselves promises and covenants that will remind us to always be like Him by entering the waters of baptism, taking the
sacrament, and receiving promised blessings of eternal life and eternal marriage in the temple of God. By establishing an
organized religion, the Savior allows his people to be
fed by the "good word of God." It allows his people to join together in faith, to help one another, to give service and
love, to not only each other but to the world. Much good has been accomplished because we have an actual kingdom, or
"religion", in which we can administer to the needs of the members and the world alike. Its mission for doing good is
immeasurable.
But, truly, there is no way I can thoroughly describe the role that His kingdom on earth plays in this email in order for
you to understand what I believe and why.
Our Heavenly Father's plan of salvation is so unique compared to some of the doctrines being taught today, that it is
stunning to comprehend. I am wondering if you would allow me to send a couple of representatives from our church to visit
with you just to explain what it is that we believe and why we believe it. Once you have had an opportunity to hear and
understand that message you'll be able to determine for yourself whether it would be worth pursuing and whether or not
there is any need
for organized religion in your life. I'd be very interested to know what you think once you have had an opportunity to hear
those things.
Please send me an email to let me know if you would like for me to do this. I'll need your
address and phone number
and I will have them contact you.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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