Saints Unscripted

Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and to restore Christ’s Church on the earth today.  Because of this he had to endure many difficult things to defend what he believed in. The 3 Mormons discuss his character and what kind of a person Joseph Smith Really was.  The Mormon Church has a history of many members who had to endure much hardship for what they believed in.  Being an LDS member wasn’t easy and many even died for their religion. It took real faith to believe in the Mormon church and the Prophet Joseph Smith.   Because Joseph Smith was called to restore to Mormon Church, he was given the power and authority to do many great things. He translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God, he was visited by angels, and he eventually died for what he believed.

Saints Unscripted sit down with Bri Ray from “American Idol." The four of them discuss Mormons and Music and Bri’s background in the LDS church!   Bri grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved music from the start. Her dad was raised Baptist and was converted to the Mormon Church, and because of that Bri was raised on Gospel music. She also says that LDS hymns plays a big role in her music life.  Bri chose to audition for “American Idol” because the producers from the show sent her an email to audition for the show. Being on the show she said that she would hang around other contestants that were Mormon as well and that helped her as she strived to live her religion.    Bri says that content is the most important thing to decide what music is good to listen to and what music is not. She says that you need to have good feelings when you are listening to specific types of music. It can be hard to live LDS standards but when choosing music it’s always important to follow the spirit.  Bri and the Saints Unscripted give their take on music and what types of music you should and shouldn’t listen to. 

Saints Unscripted discuss the Word of Wisdom, a health code that LDS members live by. Do you have any thoughts on the Word of Wisdom?   God revealed to Joseph Smith, the first Prophet of the Mormon Church, the Word of Wisdom in 1833 (even though Ian said 1831). The Word of Wisdom is a health code that LDS members are commanded to follow today. It means that Mormon members are to abstain from Tea, Coffee, Alcohol, Tobacco, and illegal drugs.  There are numerous blessings that come from following this commandment that members of the LDS church enjoy every day!  The substances that LDS members don’t consume are addictive, and the 3 Mormons recognize that. God gives spiritual blessings and physical blessings for anyone who choses to follow this commandment. We can be healthier and have the spirit of God more abundantly in our lives when we follow it.   Saints Unscripted know that the Word of Wisdom keeps us healthy and happy that many LDS members choose to follow. 

Are Mormons Christian? Saints Unscripted discuss why Mormons / LDS Members are Christian and their belief in Jesus Christ with Stacey Harkey from Studio C.    Saints Unscripted each take turns asking Stacey questions about his life as a Christian, being a part of Studio C, his embarrassing moments, and his celebrity crushes, and his favorite Apostles and Prophets. Stacey and the Saints Unscripted also discuss their thoughts about why Mormons are Christian and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.   Mormons easily meet the definition of a Christian as implicitly defined in the New Testament: they believe that ancient prophets foretold Christ’s coming, that Jesus Christ suffered for our transgressions, that he was put to death but rose from the dead, that through him we may obtain forgiveness of our sins, and that he will come again in glory.  Stacey believes a Mormon is a Christian, a follower of Christ and one who seeks after his teachings. Jesus Christ is fundamental to the Mormon religion and doctrine. Without Jesus Christ we have no religion. Everything we believe as Mormons hinges on Jesus and what he taught.    Stacey discusses how being on Studio C and being in the comedy realm can be uplifting and edifying. Making people happy is a great gift you can give to people.   Mormons are Christian, and not only does this mean that we believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings, but we also strive to have the same qualities associated with Jesus Christ: kindness, compassion, love, fairness, and decency.

Today we got to talk to Nate Jones who is the host of the Peculiar People Podcast (we told him to call it P-cubed (yes, P^3) so we'll see what happens 🙃). On his podcast, Nate interviews all kinds of people about their real and raw experiences as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church). His podcast will make you laugh, cry and feel all the feels.  Because Nate is usually the host, we wanted to have him sit on the other side of the table and talk to us about something he is passionate about in the Church of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we talk about how worship has changed in the LDS Church and how it has been influenced by millennials.  Is there a 'right' way to worship? Let us know your thoughts by commenting on the video on YouTube or messaging us on Facebook or Instagram! 

Does God Answer Prayers? What do Mormons believe? Saints Unscripted talk about their beliefs and how they came to know that God restored His church to the earth and that Joseph Smith really did see and speak with God the Father and His son Jesus Christ.   Joseph Smith is the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon church) who translated The Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.    In 1820 Joseph Smith wanted to know which church was God's true church. He searched the Bible and read the scripture in James 1:5, which says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph acted on this scripture and went to the woods and prayed to God and asked which church was true. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him he was to join none of the churches in existence. Through this first vision and many others that followed, God chose Joseph to be His prophet and restore the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How do you keep the Sabbath day holy? Saints Unscripted discuss their views on Sabbath day observance and what we should do to keep the Sabbath day holy.   Shelley believes that Sunday is God’s day. All of the things that we do on the Sabbath day should relate back to God and be the kinds of things that God would want us to do on the Sabbath. She believes that going out to eat and watching sports on Sundays is wrong. Because there is a time set aside on Monday nights for Family Home Evening, we can eat out and watch sports during those times, instead of on Sundays.    Kwaku thinks that on Sunday you should be reading your scriptures, dedicating time to the Lord, and providing service to others. That service can come from many different opportunities like cleaning, home and visiting teaching, or serving the homeless. He believes those are things that anyone can do while keeping the Sabbath day holy.   Ian believes that you need to try your hardest to work 5 or 6 days of the week, and not be working on the Sabbath day to dedicate that time to the Lord. There are times that you may need to work on Sundays to provide for your family or for other reasons, but do everything you can to keep Sundays separate from the week as a sacred day for you.    All 3 agree that whether you have a Priesthood duty, Relief Society opportunity, or church calling to serve others, you absolutely do it, especially on Sundays!  Saints unscripted recognize that they, like many people, struggle at times to keep the Sabbath day holy but that it’s still important to follow this important commandment. The importance of the Sabbath day is something we all need to recognize and do our best to improve our Sabbath day worship.   

Have you ever wondered what happens in Mormon temples? Saints Unscripted discuss the sacredness of what goes on inside a temple of the Mormon Church.    Shelley puts it best when she says that the main goal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t for people not to know what goes on inside the temple, we as a church want everyone to know what goes on and to receive the same blessings we do. The Mormon Church and all its members invite everyone to take and read a free copy of The Book of Mormon, to visit with Mormon Missionaries to learn more about our Church and the Temple!   What is the difference between secret and sacred? This question is discussed when Shelley and Ian go to the campus of Brigham Young University to discuss with other Mormons about their thoughts on the temple and the sacredness of it. Each Mormon member they talk to gives insight to the matter of secret vs. sacred and that the things we do inside the temple are sacred and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. Kwaku talks about when Christ did teach certain things to his Apostles that he didn’t teach to other people. The same goes for the temple. When Mormons enter into the temple they are taught sacred principles and lessons that are to bless their lives.  

What do Mormons think about sex? Saints Unscripted tackle the hard questions about the Law of Chastity: sex, porn, and masturbation.  What is the Law of Chastity? Saints Unscripted talk about the idea that “waiting to have sex until you're married is too hard” is a bad mentality and is just not true. We are children of God, and because of that we can utilize many tools God has given us to overcome those sexual pressures and maintain pure thoughts. Christ died for us, and through him we can overcome anything. We as human beings have the sacred ability to procreate, and it should be treated as a sacred act.    All 3 recognize that pornography is evil thing in all forms (soft pornography included) and leads to addiction. When someone you know is struggling with an addiction to pornography, the best thing you can do is support them and let them know that there is always hope for them no matter what. The best thing we can do is avoid it at all costs to avoid that evil and addiction altogether. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a great addiction recovery program that anyone can use called the 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program.  When we have sinned, we have the beautiful blessing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the Atonement we can receive forgiveness of our sins and transgressions. This does not mean that we are covered and can do anything that we want, but that we should try our best and when we do sin, we can repent and be made whole again.  You will never regret being chaste and virtuous!  

Ian says that Easter is perhaps the biggest holiday celebrated by Mormons. Ian talks about this important subject with his wife Sienna and his friend Elisabeth.   First, Sienna brings up Mormons and Holy Week. Elisabeth says that growing up, her mom made sure to emphasize each day of Holy Week in preparation for Easter.  Saints Unscripted then go through the different days of Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Jesus Christ came back to Jerusalem on a donkey. On Monday, Jesus Christ cleansed the temple and taught of the sacredness of the temple. Then on Maundy Thursday, the Passover occurs. Christ teaches his disciples at the Last Supper. Then Peter, James and John follow Christ to the Garden of Gethsemane where he suffers for all of the children of God. Jesus suffered because he loves us. After Jesus died, he was placed in a tomb. Finally, Jesus Christ is resurrected.    Mormons don’t use the cross as the symbol of faith but rather, they focus on the life and power of the Savior in overcoming death.    #PrinceofPeace