Mass Public Statement of LDS Faith

Introduction and Instructions

The American news media seem to be making a big deal about the so-called "mass resignation" from the LDS Church held on Saturday 30 June 2012, where 150 individuals signed petitions resigning from the Church. (This, out of an LDS American membership of over six million, and a world membership of over 14 million.)

This blog post is an opportunity for faithful Latter-day Saints to make a public statement of their testimonies and support for the LDS Church.

If you agree with the Declaration below, please feel free to "sign" it through a Comment. Please use only your real name. If you feel so moved, please add a physical location or even a ward, although this is purely optional. Only people 18 years or older may sign the declaration.

Please be aware that things you say on the Internet might be in the public record, as it were, for a long, long time. Only sign this Declaration if you really mean it with all your heart and mind.

Because this is not a regular blog post, critical comments will be deleted.

Declaration

We the undersigned do declare and testify the following:

1. I am a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am at least 18 years of age.
2. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and that He lives today and rules on the right hand of the Father.
3. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
4. I believe that, through angelic messengers, God bestowed upon Joseph Smith the true priesthood of God.
5. I believe that the Book of Mormon is a historically true record of prophets of God in the Western hemisphere.
6. I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30).
7. I believe that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet of God.
8. I recognize that this Church includes many imperfect people, and that some Church policies may change from time to time, reflecting, in part, the understanding of the Gospel that in any mere humans may increase over time, as well as further light and truth revealed by God.
9. I invite all people to inquire of God to know for themselves through the Holy Spirit whether these things that I have testified are true, for "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:5).

SIGNED:

• Mark Edward Koltko-Rivera, New York City (LDS congregation: Manhattan First Ward, New York New York Stake)