by: Katelyn Unger

One month ago, on Tuesday March 6th 2007, two young men, who followed Mormonism came to EBC. In New Religions we had to do an interview with someone of a different religion. Melanie Vaillancourt was a great help; she ordered a Christmas DVD from the Mormons. Their way of getting the DVD to us was by a personal delivery. So, at 12:30 pm, we sat down with Elder Heywood and Elder Schreyer. The best way to tell you about the interview is to give you an example of the conversation that took place. So here it is: (some of the wording in the interview has been changed to make it more understandable!)

What is some background of Mormonism?

Lehi (Jeremiah’s time) commanded prophets to leave Jerusalem and build a boat to cross the seas to North and South America. There they taught the natives about Jesus. (These stories make up the Book of Mormon). The whole book is like another testament of Jesus Christ.

People became wicked again and God’s people were being killed off (those living in the Americas). That is why they needed the Book of Mormon.

Monori (an ancient American after the time of Lehi) buried the Book of Mormon to preserve it until Joseph Smith was able to translate it. When Joseph was alive, Moroni came back as an angel and told Joseph where to find the book.

What are your main beliefs?

Joseph Smith started Mormonism. God and Jesus Christ are separate; He is the son of god, but part of the godhead. Some of the truths are lost from the Bible that is why we have the book of Mormon.

Family is very important.

What are some of your practices/traditions?

You can be no younger than eight to be baptised. It is by immersion. You receive the spirit by laying on of hands. Joseph Smith asked God when people should get baptised, He said wait until eight. All other holidays are the same as us.

There is a Sacramental service every Sunday (a.k.a. communion but with water and bread). Only baptised people can have Sacrament. There are hymns and reading of the scripture. We have some of the same hymns as you do. You can go to the temple as often as you want (there are churches and temples. The temples are bigger and are spread farther apart; they are open 24/7).

How is the church organized (leaders)?

They are called by God. He bestowed priesthood authority. You have to be nineteen to be elder. Everyone in the church works by volunteer, no one is paid. There is an option when you’re 19-25 to be a missionary for 2 years.

What type of training do you go through?

There is training with MTC for three weeks, there we read from scriptures. The Bishop has no training. Whoever God calls is who He qualifies. We use the King James Version of the Bible.

What do you think the difference between Mormonism and Christianity is?

We are a Christian faith. Jesus Christ is the centre stone, the modern day prophet to lead the church.

How did you personally come to believe in Mormonism?

We both grew up in the Mormon Church. It teaches children about Jesus Christ. We learn young and it helps throughout life. As we get older we must realize our commitment.

What convinced you of this truth?

I prayed about it and found that the Book of Mormon is the word of God like the Bible is.

What is the value of a religious faith?

Faith without works is dead.

What do you believe in the afterlife?

There are two levels: spirit paradise and spirit prison. The paradise spirits help the people in prison to be better.

There is baptism for the dead. We care about the people who have come before us. Baptism services for the dead are held at the temple. The spirit in heaven can choose whether to accept the baptism, if they do accept; it will help them get to the next level of heaven.

There are three heavens: the Celestial, Tellestial and Terrestrial. There is a hell, but it is hard to go there.

Approximately two hours later we finished with our interview. Throughout it, we ranged from four to ten people. It was a fascinating discussion and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. These two guys had very strong beliefs in their faith. Of course I did not agree with many things they said, but this made the conversation even more interesting.