I am a Mormon.
What does that even mean? It means I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a Christian. I am a child of God, a God who loves me, and I love Him.
I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ. He is my Brother, Redeemer, Lord, and Friend. He atoned for every single one of my sins, pains, and sorrows. He atoned for every single person's sins, pains, and sorrows.
"I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit-and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink - Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19: 16-19)
[See also Luke 22:44 and Mosiah 3:7]
He has rescued us by satisfying the demands of justice, for without Him, we could not be saved. He died for me, and for all, that we may live again. He was resurrected and we will all be resurrected.
"The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame." (Alma 11:42-44)
"What a comfort to know that all who have been disadvantaged in life from birth defects, from mortal injuries, from disease, or from the natural deterioration of old age will be resurrected in "proper and perfect frame." -Dallin H. Oaks, "Resurrection"
I believe in that hope. For death is not the end, it is only a transition from mortality to immortality. All of our loved ones who have passed on before us-we will see again. Families can be together forever, and so we need not be sad, but happy that we can spend eternity with our families and loved ones as long as we are faithful and righteous.
I believe in God's Eternal Plan of Salvation and Happiness. We lived with our Father before in the pre-existence, and God blessed us with a body to come down to Earth to learn and to be tested. He blessed us with agency and accountability so that we could prove ourselves worthy to return to Him someday.
"Lasting happiness and progression come from choosing to do what God wants us to do. The key word is "choosing."" (http://mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation)
Again, He blessed us with a Savior so that we could be forgiven when we make mistakes. Heavenly Father knew you would make mistakes in this life, we aren't perfect, no one is except Christ, but through Christ, we can be made perfect.
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ..." (Moroni 10:32)
So when we die, we will go before God and be judged fairly, as Christ will be our advocate for He knows our hearts and intents better than anyone. We will then receive our appropriate degree of glory in God's Kingdom and be rewarded for our faithfulness.
Not only do I believe all of these things, but I know them to be true. I know it with an assurance that fills my heart and soul, and I know that if you were to ask if it were true, you will receive an answer for yourself.
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye many know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10: 4-5)
To read more about what I, and other Mormons, believe, click on the "Basic Beliefs" tab above or visit: http://mormon.org/what-do-mormons-believe.
