Why Did I Join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church?

               https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-01-0010-discovering-truth?lang=eng

A friend asked if I had joined The Church because I married a member. This is my response to her.

No, I did not join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I was marrying a member. After I joined the Church, I found a strong member of my faith to marry, because I wanted a partner who would share my beliefs and help me to grow.

When I was 16, I met a girl in a summer school class in California and we became friends -- still are! I was impressed with her values and her family. There was a love there that wasn't in my family. As I told you I was looking for truth. I've never had any interest in "religion" -- in joining some group and adopting their ideas. I really don't understand why people do that -- security? I am an exceptionally independent person who lives by principles and not much of a "groupy".

Record of part of the Lost Tribes of Israel

Jan 4, 2016    Record of part of the Lost Tribes of Israel

8 Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lord remembereth his covenant unto them, and he will do unto them according to that which he hath sworn.

 9 Therefore ye need not suppose that ye can turn the right hand of the Lord unto the left, that he may not execute judgment unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the house of Israel. Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 29:8-9

 Most people do not realize the the Book of Mormon was written by people of the House of Israel.  The record was begun by a prophet in Jerusalem who was warned to flee before Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and destroyed the city in 587. This prophet's name was called Lehi (an Ephraimate) and he took his family and another family (from tribe of Manasseh) and eventually were led to the new land --Americas. The book of Mormon is the record of his descendants,  part of the "lost tribes of Israel". 

Are Polygamist groups part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

My friend was still wondering why a woman who was raised in a Polygamist group would not be welcomed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called the "Mormon" church, if she had given up polygamy. Here is my answer to her.

I think this is the problem with the young woman who wants to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You said, "She doesn't want to give up all her Mormon training and teachings to join a church that doesn't believe in the things she was brought up to believe in, which she would have to do if she went to any regular Protestant denomination. "  The truth is that there isn't some other The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has the same beliefs, but also believes in polygamy. I was just looking at some of the beliefs of groups who splintered off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their beliefs are really different!! 

See https://www.mormon.org/  "Beliefs" for beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What is the Book of Mormon?

I just saw this video this morning. It reminds me of when I first was introduced to the Book of Mormon. The claims seemed incredible, but I kept thinking, "What if it is really true and I don't find out?" I just had to know for myself, so I read the Book of Mormon and prayed about it. I was so impressed with the clarity of truths. All my questions were answered. I felt an assurance this this was the word of God, so I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After 45 years of living these teachings , I know it is true.

People Testify of God

• One of the ways we can know that God is real is to read the accounts of others who have seen God.  All the prophets have testified of our Savior. Here are some of their experiences. 

God, Privilege of Seeing     

 Adam

• in my flesh shall I see God: Moses 5:10 . 
Enoch

Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend: Moses 7:59 . 

Enoch walked with God: Gen. 5:24 . 

Abraham

          Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face: Abr. 3:11 . 

          Lord appeared unto me: Abr. 2:6 .