Why do I not see mixed marriages, i.e., black and white, white and asian, black and latino, latino and white, asian and latino and so on…. Is this not permitted? If there are mixed marriages, can they be sealed in the temple?
Why is it necessary to say in ones testimony…. “I believe that the Book of Mormon to be true” Faith in Christ, his atonement and our Heavenly Father shouldn’t warrant a convincing as it were. One believes or they do not. Also, why does one have to give testimony convincing those of Joseph Smith? This too should be one believes or they do not. There are and will always be questions and doubts of the validity of the Holy Bible but as scientist and archeologist continue to find, the Holy Bible is true and more truth continues to be validated. No one gives testimony that the Holy Bible is true…. So to reiterate, the statement that one says “I know the the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith to be true” Is this convincing themself or what?
5 Responses to “Why do I not see mixed marriages, i.e., black and white, whi…”
Vicente Bravo
2010-11-21 06:41:58
Hi friend. Thanks for your interesting questions. The church has no policy regarding interracial marriages, and in fact I know of many interracial Mormon couples who have been sealed in the temple. I myself am a Caucasian man married to a Latin-American woman of Native-American and African heritage. We've lived in San Diego for the past few years, during which time we've worshiped in two Mormon congregations. In the first congregation, I can think of many interracial couples. Several Caucasian-Hispanic couples, several Caucasian-Asian couples, and several Caucasian-African-American couples. The current congregation where we worship is comprised mostly of Southeast Asians. I can think of one Asian-Caucasian couple and one Asian-Hispanic couple. If you haven't seen any interracial couples in the congregations you've visited, it's likely that you've either visited older congregations (since interracial marriage was not so common in years past) or congregations located in geographic areas that don't have many minorities (since Mormon congregations are usually organized geographically).
No offense, but you've definitely misunderstood the purpose of bearing a testimony. :) Its purpose is not to convince anyone or to argue a point. People bear testimony even when they're surrounded by like-minded believers, for example. Scientific and archeological evidence is irrelevant. And, in fact, it would be entirely appropriate for one to bear testimony about the truthfulness of the Bible.
People bear their testimonies for spiritual reasons. It's a way of expressing their deepest feelings about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings that that gospel has brought into their lives. It's appropriate to talk about any aspect of the gospel, from the role Joseph Smith played as an instrument in Christ's hands to the Book of Mormon, which, together with the Bible, describes Christ's gospel. Without a doubt, however, the best testimonies are Cristocentric.
People bear their testimonies because of the spiritual feelings that accompany the act of testifying. It's a way for the whole community to feel those same feelings together. Of course the process doesn't always work perfectly. The members of the congregation are not always in tune with the Spirit. But when it does work, when many spirits resonate together, it's a wonderful and exquisitely spiritual feeling.
John Jeremiah Conroy
2010-11-22 10:40:35
I'd like to share that its very inspiring, encourageing, and edifying to share and bear testimonies to others. When we bear testimony to what we know to be true in our hearts we are strengthening one another as members of the church and the body of Christ of our brother and sisters outside the Mormon church. I remember when I use to be in the Baptist Church we use to bear our testimonies of how we knew the inner witness of the spirit that we were saved by the Lord. When I was in the Pentecoastal Churches we would share our inner witness of the spirit of God of our experiences of the Lord. There are other ways that are brother and sisters in Christian world bear testimony. Ive played the piano at other church services where worship singing and praise was another way of bearing testimony. Many in the Christian world bear witness testimony that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and that by the power of the blood of Jesus we are cleansed. Just as we members of the Mormon Church bear witness the truth of the restored gospel. I want to share with you that I know that the Bible and Book of Mormon is God's word. I know the priesthood is true. I know the fullness of the gospel is true in the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that we are all the offspring of God. I know that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh as the only begotten Son. I know the Lord and Heavenly Father and I thank the Lord for my salvation. I say these things brother and sisters in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is the Son of God and King of kings amen
Anonymous
2010-11-29 02:50:07
I appreciate the response I received and I also appreciate your sensitivity. Please note that I have not taken any offense to your remarks and they were actually very enlightening and highly appreciated. I did get the impression but I could be wrong, that you are assuming I am not Mormon. I soon will be baptised and my testimony remains on Christ life, death and resurrection. My testimony also stands on the promises of the gospel which one could say is confirmation of the book and the prophet but is not part of my language. While I am not disagreeing with your comments because this too has great validity, where I am spiritually is to confirm the promises which helps us stand in the midst of doubters, how I should mentor my life according to the gospel and the encouragement one may receive knowing the promises.
Vicente Bravo
2010-11-29 03:06:35
Jesus Christ is central to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which bears His name.
Hi friend. I'm very happy to hear that you intend to be baptized soon! Congratulations for having decided to take such an important step on your spiritual journey! I'm convinced that this Church would quickly stagnate if it weren't for the constant infusion of wonderful converts who bring their new perspectives and vibrant faith.
I invite you to bear your testimony in whatever way is most comfortable for you. Chances are, your unique perspective as someone who was not raised in the LDS Church will help the other members of your congregation see things in a new and interesting light. Besides, in my experience, the most powerful testimonies are the ones that describe Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Other testimonies have their place, but Christ is, of course, always at the center of the gospel.
I wish you well! California is a great place to be an latter-day saint Christian. My wife and I live in San Diego. :)
Shalon
2011-01-30 21:38:23
I find most people bear their testimonies of things that they have struggled with and have recieved blessings for. Or they bear testimony of things they have been questioned about. Or principles they have newly learned.
So you might hear that the Book of Mormon is true from someone who had not prayed about it until recently, or from someone who has a friend with them who questioned it, or from a new convert who has just discovered the joys of reading the entire gospel.
In any case, it's not a requisite of joining the church. You don't have to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon exactly to bear a testimony. If you love God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, the church itself, or even the people you've met you can bear testimony of those things.
No offense, but you've definitely misunderstood the purpose of bearing a testimony. :) Its purpose is not to convince anyone or to argue a point. People bear testimony even when they're surrounded by like-minded believers, for example. Scientific and archeological evidence is irrelevant. And, in fact, it would be entirely appropriate for one to bear testimony about the truthfulness of the Bible.
People bear their testimonies for spiritual reasons. It's a way of expressing their deepest feelings about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings that that gospel has brought into their lives. It's appropriate to talk about any aspect of the gospel, from the role Joseph Smith played as an instrument in Christ's hands to the Book of Mormon, which, together with the Bible, describes Christ's gospel. Without a doubt, however, the best testimonies are Cristocentric.
People bear their testimonies because of the spiritual feelings that accompany the act of testifying. It's a way for the whole community to feel those same feelings together. Of course the process doesn't always work perfectly. The members of the congregation are not always in tune with the Spirit. But when it does work, when many spirits resonate together, it's a wonderful and exquisitely spiritual feeling.
I invite you to bear your testimony in whatever way is most comfortable for you. Chances are, your unique perspective as someone who was not raised in the LDS Church will help the other members of your congregation see things in a new and interesting light. Besides, in my experience, the most powerful testimonies are the ones that describe Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Other testimonies have their place, but Christ is, of course, always at the center of the gospel.
I wish you well! California is a great place to be an latter-day saint Christian. My wife and I live in San Diego. :)
So you might hear that the Book of Mormon is true from someone who had not prayed about it until recently, or from someone who has a friend with them who questioned it, or from a new convert who has just discovered the joys of reading the entire gospel.
In any case, it's not a requisite of joining the church. You don't have to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon exactly to bear a testimony. If you love God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, the church itself, or even the people you've met you can bear testimony of those things.