Love reading your beliefs page, to be born into your faith must be so easy, being a catholic comes with lots of pressure our country (ireland) is predomantly catholic and as im sure you've read from all over about all the abuse that went on over the years, so i feel its such a dead religon no life the priests in our parish try to do their best but i think they lack sprituality, but you know our kids go to catholic schools where they make communion and confirmation and its a big thing if u are another religon and do not do these things the children feel left out as its become such a social occasion! anyway dont mean to bore u and put u asleep! but as i said love reading your pages building up my reading!

As you have concluded, I am sure, by reading in My Beliefs section, I am totally converted to the fact that Jesus Christ's Church did not survive the ages, but has now been restored to the earth prior to the Second Coming as promised by Peter, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:19 - 21)

This restoration was carried out by the Lord's personal direction to the Prophet Joseph. (see Amos 3:7) There were in every heavenly visitation of divine messengers of the restoration, witnesses who saw and testified of these direct communications from Heaven. There is once again the same organization including Twelve Apostles and Prophets on earth leading Christ's Church by revelation from him. There is the true gospel, divine priesthood authority and heaven prescribed ordinances such as baptism once again on earth. I believe it is of ultimate importance that each individual follow the prophets as Jesus said to his ancient apostles, "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." (Matthew 10:40-41)

The physical evidences of the restoration and of the validity of Joseph Smith as a true prophet are evident today if one knows of the fruits of the Church, of its rapid growth, of it's goodness. Compare this with what you have mentioned about the abuse and immorality worldwide by the priests in light of the passage, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." (Matthew 7:15 - 17)

The greatest evidence of the truth is spiritual. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:9 - 14)

Being an honest follower of Christ is not always easy, but for those with the courage to be so especially in the face of persecution, he says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:10 - 12)

As I write this, I currently have a son son in Scotland on a mission for the Church. I wish he could come over to Ireland and tell you more about the basics of the Church in person. Since he can't leave his assigned territory, may I suggest that the missionaries there in Ireland call on you and give you the discussions that will help you know about the basics of our Church. If you are willing, please send me your address and phone and I will have them contact you. You may also be interested in the multimedia presentations in My Beliefs section of www.donny.com.

Please let me know what you think of these presentations and your address and phone.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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