Most people would say I’m “Mormon.” Although, being given the title of “Mormon” isn’t an insult, it does not truly represent my faith and conviction. Because my church believes in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ that is a collections of writings and testimonies of ancient prophets comparable to the Bible and complied by the prophet, Mormon (thus the name came to be), outsiders started calling people who belong to my church “Mormons” too distinguish them form members of other Christian faiths. The true name of my church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a saint.
The Greek definition of “saint” is to “set apart, separate, [and] holy. As a saint I strive to separate myself from the evil conduct that is so popular in today’s world. I just need to pop onto the internet, turn on the news, listen to music, or go to the movies too be bombarded with visual images of violence and immorality. Addictive substances are increasingly available and legal. Honesty and work ethic are diminishing. Tolerance to these kinds of activities is increasing. Selfishness is the norm. Individual rights have become more important the the good of the whole, but duty, responsibility and obligations are neglected. There is a great need to separate ourselves from this worldly conduct and act as a “saint.”
President Russell M. Nelson explained what is means to be a saint in his conference address in April 1990, entitled Thus Shall My Church Be Called.
“A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify.
I saint is tolerant, and attentive to the pleadings of other human beings, not only to spoken messages but to unspoken messages as well.
… A saint “refrains from idleness” (Alma 38:12) and seeks learning by study, and also by faith…
A saint is honest and kind, paying financial obligations promptly and fully, treating others as she or he would want to be treated.
A saint is an honorable citizen, knowing that the very country which provides opportunity and protection deserves support, including prompt payment of taxes and personal participation in its legal political process.
A saint resolves any differences with others honorably and peacefully and is constant in courtesy…
A saint shuns that which is unclean or degrading and avoids excess even of that which is good.
… a saint is reverent…
… a saint loves the Lord and gives highest priority to keeping His commandments.”
A saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and devotion. As a Latter-Day Saint, I attempt to emulate the Savior, follow His teachings, and receive saving ordinances.
A saint sacrifices. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God.” Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It means consecrating time, talents, energy, and earthly possessions to furthering the work of God.
A saint Spends time daily in prayer and scripture study. A saint fasts periodically, pays tithes and offerings and receives the gifts of the Spirit that God has promised to all His faithful sons and daughters.
Elder Quintin Cooke suggested three questions one must ask themselves when determining if they are living like a saint:
“First, is the way we live consistent with what we believe, and would our friends recognize… that we have separated ourselves form worldly evils?
Second, are worldly pleasures, profits, and similar pursuits distracting us from following, worshiping , and serving the Savior in our daily lives?
Third, in order to serve God and be holy, are we making sacrifices consistent with our covenants?”
With this as my understand of what makes a saint I move forward each day.
Resigning as the General Manager of the Universe 