Mormon Beliefs
Overview of fundamental Mormon beliefs.
The fourth article of faith provides an overview of basic Mormon beliefs: “The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Mormons believe in the same path to eternal life that the Savior taught while on the earth. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ enables believers to progress in following the Savior and in becoming more like Him. It is the prerequisite for all positive action and the pathway to genuine spiritual growth. It implies belief in the perfect attributes of the Savior: His omniscience, mercy, justice, and sovereignty. With faith in the Redeemer comes a recognition of our dependence on Him and on His atoning sacrifice–for remission of our sins and for the sustenance, comfort, and remediation of our sorrows. We apply the atonement as we repent sincerely, and as we apply it, His grace enables us to overcome weaknesses, heal from pain and trial, and to find peace and rest in Him. Even our deepest traumas can be healed though His atoning power. Additionally, as each repentant believer evidences a willingness to comply with the Savior’s prescribed pattern for entrance into His kingdom, he or she enters the waters of baptism. Baptisms are performed as the Lord exemplified, by immersion and by one who holds priesthood authority. Following baptism by immersion comes the laying on of hands by one in authority who bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift is an increased measure of the light of Christ that dwells in every person who comes to earth. It is the right to the constant companionship of the third member of the godhead, a personage of spirit, even the Holy Ghost. This gift is invaluable, for through the Holy Ghost, we receive the mind and the will of God for our daily walk, and gain access to every spiritual gift the Lord can bestow on His worthy followers.
Mormon beliefs about the purpose of life.
For Latter-day Saints, mortal existence is seen in the context of a great sweep of history, from a pre-earth life where the spirits of all mankind lived with Heavenly Father to a future life in His presence where continued growth, learning and improving will take place. Life on earth is regarded as a temporary state in which men and women are tried and tested — and where they gain experiences obtainable nowhere else. God knew humans would make mistakes, so He provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would take upon Himself the sins of the world. To members of the Church, physical death on earth is not an end but the beginning of the next step in God’s plan for His children. Mormonism 101:FAQ, Mormon news.
Mormons believe that God, our Heavenly Father, has a plan for each of us. He knows us individually and will help guide and direct us through our lives. We have divine purpose. We were sent here to receive physical bodies. Before we came to earth, we dwelt with our Father in Heaven lacking bodies of flesh and blood; in other words, we were personnages of spirit, or Heavenly Father’s spirit-children. Therefore, God is literally our Father in Heaven. We were sent to this world to gain experience, to learn to distinguish good from evil, to learn and grow through the choices we make as we “act and are acted upon” in mortality. Vital to our experience is the gift of agency. No soul is coerced to follow the path the Savior marked. Because of the gift of agency, we feel consequences of our own actions as well as the consequences of others’. With a veil of forgetfulness provided that keeps us from remembering our lives as the spirit children of God, we are called to live on the earth in faith. Through making wise decisions, we strengthen our faith and commitment in Jesus Christ and He, in turn, endows us to find joy and to become more like Him.
Mormons believe that Heavenly Father’s plan was instituted eons ago, before this earth was created, and that He has revealed His plan through His prophets to His children on earth since the beginning of time. Mormons believe that all the prophets, beginning with Adam, have understood this plan and taught it to mankind, including that a Savior would be provided. These teachings were once a part of the Old Testament and found in other ancient records. Therefore, the true gospel has been found sporadically on the earth wherever and whenever people have listened to the prophets. Because of a dirth of prophets since the death of Christ’s apostles, the true gospel had to be restored. Mormons believe that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth with its pure and complete teachings, ordinances, and divine authority to help each of us come to Christ and be perfected in Him.
Mormon beliefs about Joseph Smith restoring the true church on the earth.
The Church of Jesus Christ was restored to its fullness through Joseph Smith in 1820. As a fourteen year old boy, Joseph Smith went into a grove of trees in Manchester, New York, and prayed to know which church he should join. It was then that Joseph Smith had what Mormons call the “First Vision.” Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Him and told him he was not to join any of the churches. Instead, he was to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. Through instruction from an Angel named Moroni, Joseph Smith found and then translated the Book of Mormon, a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The Book of Mormon peoples were descendants of Jacob, who were led out of Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian captivity. They were led to the Americas by the Lord; they kept the Law of Moses, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. Their prophets testified that Christ would be born to a virgin, and would be crucified for the sins of the world. Christ visited these peoples after His resurrection.
Joseph Smith spent his life acting as missionary and leading the church as a prophet. The restored Mormon Church has the same teachings and organization as the Church established by Jesus in New Testament times. Revelation through a modern day prophet has helped the church adapt to modern demands and cultures.
Summary of Mormon beliefs.
At the core of a Mormon’s testimony is faith in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and Joseph Smith’s restoration of the true church on earth. A basic belief in these truths is the foundation of a testimony of the Mormon Church. Mormons believe and strive to follow the Ten Commandments and the Articles of Faith, which outline more basic Mormon beliefs. Because members of the Mormon Church believe in a modern day prophet, they are open to revelation from the Lord to change or expand the Church. Membership in the Mormon Church influences every aspect of the lives of its members. Mormons follow The Word of Wisdom, a commandment that forbids drinking alcohol, coffee, tea, or using tobacco or illegal drugs. The law of tithing was later given to the people. Mormons believe in dressing modesty. Mormons refrain from recreating or shopping on Sundays in order to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Living the Mormon lifestyle is easy when one has a true and strong testimony of the fundamental beliefs of the true and revealed gospel. Living these commandments brings joy and stability, freedom, and safety to followers of Christ.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Explains What Sets Mormonism Apart.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Thanks for your reply…Yes the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath, God created it for man as a day of rest from a busy week to recharge the body and mind and have a day of worship to the Lord. Isaiah 1:13 is not saying that God grew weary with the Sabbath, God is disappointed with how his people are spending the Sabbath. If God is weary with the Sabbath why does he state in Isaiah 58:13,14 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And shall honor him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the Earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken. If God did away with the Sabbath in Isaiah why did Jesus also keep the Sabbath? The book of Barnabas is skeptical and not a gospel otherwise it would be included in the bible if it were. Quote “the Gospel of Barnabas, he explains that the Sabbath was changed from the day God rested (7th day) to the 8th day, when Jesus resurrected and the world would become new.” How can he change the Sabbath from the 7th day to the 8th day if there is only 7 days in a week? Find me where in the bible Gods word where it states the Sabbath was changed from the 7th day to the 1st day? God does not change his word thats why he is trustworthy he wrote the 10 commandments and why is the Sabbath the only commandment he says to remember if your supposed to forget it? Constantine I changed the day from the 7th to the 1st not God put your trust in God not man Isaiah 2:22. Hope this helps God Bless.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:28 am
The Bible shows us patterns. One pattern it shows us is that God’s word is not finished, and that He can change it through prophets and apostles at any time. Moses gave his law, which he called an “everlasting covenant” for Israel. But Jesus fulfilled that everlasting covenant, and replaced it with his higher law. Jesus commanded his disciples to not preach to the Gentiles, but only to the tribes of Israel, but that was rescinded when Peter was sent to Cornelius.
As we have it now, the Bible was put together centuries after the death of the apostles. At one time, many Christians used the Gospel of Barnabas as scripture. That St Jerome chose not to include it in his collection, does not mean that the book was not inspired of God, nor that it should not have still been considered scripture.
There are hundreds of books among the Dead Sea Scrolls, and early Christian books that were considered sacred and inspired by ancient Jews and Christians. That later Christians rejected them does not make them invalid. Instead, on a historical basis, Barnabas shows us that the early change to the 8th day (or the first day of the week) was an early adaptation by Christians. Even the Bible mentions that Paul met and preached sermons on the first day of the week on several occasions, suggesting that Paul also had changed the day.
Remember, under Paul the Church radically changed away from the Jewish law, which Jesus had fulfilled. It became a new entity with new customs and rites. No longer did Christians have to be circumcised, do animal sacrifice (even though Paul still did this when in Jerusalem), or live the Jewish dietary laws. What better way to celebrate and honor the new religion than by changing the day of worship?
June 30th, 2010 at 9:56 am
in the 1960s black men could not have a part in the priesthood of the mormon church what was it that caused the change i was a member of the church then but left because all men are the same before god
July 16th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Many members of the Church and the leadership of the Church prayed for many years that the priesthood would be offered to men of any race. The congregations of the Church never were segregated, and the members were anti-slavery when the Church was founded. Blacks of non-Afican descent have always received the priesthood. Researching back, Mormon leaders have been unable to determine why the priesthood was withheld from Blacks of African descent. But it took a revelation to change the policy. That finally came in 1978, and the Saints rejoiced. Read more at http://www.blacklds.org. Thanks for your comment.
September 27th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I wish I could help you with this. Our physical bodies are subject to all sorts of things that our spirits are not subject to. God is a God of love and honors our righteous wishes if we strive to keep His commandments. Many things will need to be sorted out in the afterlife.
September 27th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Basic doctrines of the Kingdom do not change, but people and cultures do. That’s why it’s such an advantage to have a prophet to receive revelation for the Church on a continuing basis. Mormons worship on the seventh day. Early converts were from other Christian faiths, so they continued to worship on Sunday. In Israel, Mormons worship on Saturday; in Egypt they worship on Friday.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Wondering how the Mormon faith would/could help me (a Christian) who has a drinking problem and cannot seem to overcome no matter how much prayer is offered.
I do not want to be like this.
I have been researching your faith. I really like it, but what if I come to you flawed like I am?
October 15th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Everyone who comes to the gospel is flawed, some with sins of scarlet and others with serious addictions. All can be overcome through the power of Christ’s atonement for us, and especially with the help of prayer and priesthood power. Go to http://www.mormon.org and strike up a conversation with some real Mormons.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Do Mormon’s believe in past lives? I was speaking to a fellow who is Mormon the other day, and we both said that we recognized each other, but we didn’t know from where. He said … maybe from another lifetime. I was surprised. Could someone elaborate? Thanks.
October 19th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Go to the following: http://www.mormonwiki.com/Pre-Mortal_Life
January 15th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Is true that being a Momon you cnnot be apol brerer for a funeral.?
January 16th, 2011 at 6:03 am
Are mormoms allowed to enter a church other than their own, say a catholic church for a funeral?
January 25th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Absolutely, yes.
January 25th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Any Mormon can be a pall-bearer for a funeral, no matter where the funeral is held.
February 15th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
do the mormons fas for a month?
February 19th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Mormons fast whenever they desire to, but as a Church we fast one Sunday each month for 24 hours. We donate the money we would have paid for the food to the poor.
March 7th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Gale
When do you deliver the money to the poor? Maybe I could come help. I would love to get in on some of this action. Where can i go to be a part of this? Do you deliver food yourself? How does it work?
March 17th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
i personally am not mormon but i think that this relegion is really interesting and that church for one sunday for 24hours is good and definitly giving to the poor i wish my church did that sometimes
March 21st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Bob — Sorry I don’t have time to answer all of your comments. The Church has a very developed welfare system, consisting of farms, ranches, orchards, canneries, and storehouses. Bishops of local congregations determine who is needy and what kind of temporary help would suit them (this includes employment counseling). Sometimes, this help is in the form of monetary help, and sometimes or in addition, the ability to obtain food and clothing and other supplies from a local bishop’s storehouse. Volunteers help at the farms, canneries, and storehouses, and there is a huge “welfare square” in Salt Lake City where you can see the whole process.
March 21st, 2011 at 2:18 pm
We don’t attend church for 24 hours, but we do fast for 24 hours one Sunday each month and give the money we would have spent on food to the poor. Thanks, Mandy.
April 18th, 2011 at 8:26 am
I hear there is a Book of Mormon, is that in your Bible or just a book that was written with your beliefs? I’m curious to know. If the book is in your Bible why did you add it? And why do you believe your church is the true church? I’m just curious to know.
April 19th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
im just curious do mormons read the holy bible or just the book the joseph smith wrote?
April 20th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Mormons love and revere and study the Holy Bible. In the U.S. the King James Version is used. The Book of Mormon is entirely separate and deals with a group of Israelites who were led away from Jerusalem just before the Babylonian Captivity. They kept the Law of Mose, but their prophets taught them to expect Christ. Jesus Christ visited them after He was resurrected. Thus, the Book of Mormon is a second witness that the Bible is true and that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Mormons have a four-year course of study in Sunday School. Two of those four years are spent studying the Holy Bible. In the United States, the King James Version is used. Mormons have not added or taken anything away from the Holy Bible.
The Book of Mormon is a record of a destroyed and fallen people. It begins with the family of Lehi, who was a prophet in Jerusalem at the same time as Jeremiah. The Lord warned him that his life was in danger and to take his family and escape into the wilderness. Then God led the family and some friends who had joined them to the Americas. Since they were of Israelite descent, they had prophets and kept the law of Moses, looking forward to the coming of Christ, their Messiah. There were signs of Christ’s birth (a night with no darkness and new star in the sky), and Christ’s death (huge earthquakes, storms, and three days of total darkness). After His resurrection, Christ visited the Book of Mormon peoples. He taught them more than He had taught the Jews, because the Book of Mormon peoples were then more righteous. Then Christ went to visit the Ten Lost Tribes. For two hundred years, the Book of Mormon peoples enjoyed perfect peace and prosperity, as all the people lived Christ-like lives. Then, they descended into wickedness that soon became so great, that they destroyed themselves. There are many messages for people of today in the Book of Mormon, including regarding government and public responsibility. But the greatest message is that the Holy Bible is true, and that Christ is indeed the Son of God.
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:38 am
How do Morman Beliefs differ from the beliefs of the Catholic Church?
April 28th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Your question would take volumes to answer. But here’s a brief try.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the re-establishment (“restoration”) of Christ’s ancient church, with apostles, seventies, etc., and the authority to act in God’s name. Miracles and the charismatic gifts come along with that authority. We believe that upon the death of the original apostles, the philosophies of men became mingled with the doctrines that came from Christ. The Nicaean and following creeds are evidences of that. The resulting doctrines came after debates and voting. We believe that true doctrine is revealed from heaven through revelation.
The members of the Mormon Church call themselves “saints” just as Paul called all worthy members of the original church “saints.” We do not elevate people to sainthood.
We pray to God the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate with the Father. Hence a big difference between Mormonism and Catholicism — Mormons do not believe in three manifestations of an incomprehensible God. We believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings, and that they are glorious beyond comprehension, but that they are resurrected beings of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost is a being of spirit. The three are one in purpose.
As far as social issues are concerned, the Mormon Church and the Catholic Church are working together to uphold traditional, Christian values, especially where marriage and the family are concerned, and present a united front on these issues.
May 5th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Just curious, I am not mormon but am wondering if you could tell me more about the “Three Stages” of Heaven and how is there actual proof that the so called “prophet” Joesph Smith saw a vision of God in a vision. I am Christian, but don’t understand why anyone would fall for a Fourteen Year Old’s story… thx.
May 5th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Joseph Smith was not 14 when he saw the degrees of heaven. Most of Joseph Smith’s revelations were received in the presence of other people, and in this case the vision was also received by Sidney Rigdon, with other people present who recorded the event.
The three kingdoms of glory are mentioned several times in the Bible, and Paul named them, equating the lowest kingdom (still glorious beyond description) with the glory of the stars, as did Joseph Smith ((1 Cor. 15:39–41; 2 Cor. 12:2).
You can read the account of Joseph Smith’s vision for yourself and pray about its truthfulness:
http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/76?lang=eng
May 22nd, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Wendy… I once was in a similar situation…I was an inactive member for a couple of years and came succombed to alcoholism as well, I knew I wasn’t happy deep inside myself I fought against it but no one ever saw the reasoning or why. It took many falls and trials, and also one of the biggest leaps of faith to get where I am now. The best things happened to me and I truly belief they happened for a reason. I took the biggest leap of faith in my life and stopped drinking, went back to church, repented for my sins, became a melchezdik priesthood holder, met a beautiful amazing woman whom I ended up taking to the holy temple to be married for all eternity, and through this process I have been the happiest I have ever been my entire life. I Love the Gospel and I love the teaching of the Churc of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. I know you and everyone else can become Christ-like and come closer to God by the teachings of our church. I have come to realize that most people will always have an addiction to something due to the temptations they have succombed to but by putting off the natural and carnal man and following Christ through his Plan Of Salvation and Atonement we can live an enternal happy life beyond this that we can’t even understand.
May 26th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
I have a question? I am borned again Christian, baptized with water and I believe Jesus is God, and I believe in Trinity. My questions is Mormon believes what I believe in my questions above? Please let me know.
C.Egami
May 29th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Gale,
You previously mentioned on April 28th that;
Mormons do not believe in three manifestations of an incomprehensible God. We believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings, and that they are glorious beyond comprehension, but that they are resurrected beings of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost is a being of spirit.
Are you stating that it is the mormon’s belief that God was not “alive” before the creation of the Heavens and Earth, and Adam and Eve? Maybe it is the wording that you have used, but it seems that your wording leads to believe that God was resurrected, when it is God that is forever eternal and Jesus Christ was His son.
If what you are saying, was true, than it is not reasonable to put faith in a human being to save the world. Only the true God that is has been forever eternal, can save the world from the sins that we as humans commit each day, and we gain entry into heaven through His son Jesus Christ.
Another thing that I am having a hard time figuring out on your belief system, is how one can attain “godship” by doing good deeds and following the commandments, when there is much more to gaining access to heaven.
Gain acceptance into heaven was done by the crucifiction of Jesus Christ, and by accepting Christ into your heart, believing in His works, and having faith in Christ. Doing good deeds ONLY in His name’s sake, not for one’s own glory.
From multiple sources, I hear thats different with those who believe in Mormonism. Is it wrong to believe that God is not resurrected? How can anything be created without a God that was forever eternal?
May 30th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Thank you for this well-thought out comment. God is indeed eternal, and all the worlds have been created by Him through His Son, Jesus the Christ. When we use the word “eternal” people think of a time-continuum that goes on without end, but they don’t normally consider that our Father in Heaven was creating worlds millions of years before our own, and that when we speak of becoming like Him eventually, we may be speaking of something millions of years in the future. All Christians speak of “eternal life,” but few see it as an opportunity for never-ending progress.
God has said: “For this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
It seems that the resurrected body is its perfect state, not subject to death or disease, and that this is what the Father and Son desire all of us to attain. The bodies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are so glorious that no one can behold them and live, unless the person is “quickened” by the Holy Spirit first.
We are not putting our faith in any human being, and we do not believe that we can earn our way to heaven by our good works. We believe that the only thing of value that we can lay upon the altar is our will. We seek to do God’s will in all things and to live the two great commandments, which are, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are all in different stages in the development of our faith, but we seek to overcome feelings of pride and to do good works only for the glory of Christ.
May 30th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
We believe you must be born again of water and the spirit and become “a new creature in Christ” in order to be exalted after death. However, we do not believe in a trinity. We know by revelation through modern prophets that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings who are One in purpose.
May 31st, 2011 at 6:47 am
My question is: I heard that the Mormans believe that the devil and Jesus Christ are brothers. The Bible says the devil was a created angel. Jesus was always with God, he received a body in order to come to earth to die for our sins. By faith we believe Jesus was the son of God and when we get to heaven, we will be like Him.
May 31st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Question. Why have J. Smith’s original claims of the Native Americans as a lost tribe of Israel been proven false by DNA evidence, yet the Mormon faith still professes the people of North America to be as such?
June 7th, 2011 at 5:44 am
well i think that if mormons are christians and catholics are christians than why do mormons not put anything that is not natural in their bodies such as coffee but they can drink hot chocolate which is not natural either nor is soda so i dont know how they are not putting natural stuff in their body cause soda has artificial flavors in it
June 7th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
The revelation containing the Mormon law of health was given in 1833 and counseled against the use of alcohol, tobacco, and hot drinks, which Prophet Joseph Smith said referred to coffee and tea. The revelation also says that wheat is for man, and fruits and herbs in their season, and meat in moderation. At that time, there were few unnatural substances in foods and drinks. Only later, did science discover the unhealthy aspects of caffeine. It is up to our conscience to decide if certain other foods or drinks should not be used.
June 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
DNA evidence has not disproved the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon peoples had a small society among many others descended from migrating peoples. Thus, Mormons don’t claim that all native Americans descended from the Book of Mormon peoples, a good portion of whom were completely destroyed.
June 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Jesus Christ was the first-born of God in the pre-mortal realm and may have been born millions of years before the rest of God’s spirit-children, of whom Satan was one. God created all things through His Son Jesus Christ, but Christ was begotten of God, and so were the rest of us in a spiritual realm before we were mortally born on the earth. Therefore, spiritually, we are all brothers and sisters, children of God.
June 28th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Where is the original Book of Morman which Joseph Smith translated?
June 28th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I think you are referring to the brass plates from which Joseph Smith translated, and not the first printed version of the Book of Mormon. First of all, Joseph Smith was not allowed to translate the entire collection of plates. Some were sealed, because they contained information the world is not worthy to receive.
Eleven men were chosen as witnesses and to have the opportunity to see and heft the brass (and gold) plates. Their witness is found at the beginning of the Book of Mormon: http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng
After the book was translated, it was taken back by Moroni, the resurrected being who led Joseph Smith to the plates. One can claim his own witness that this is true by reading the book and then asking God whether it’s true:
“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 fmanifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:4).
June 29th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
the sabbath is on Saturday we celebrate it on Sunday because of that is the ending of the week in jewish times……There is no such thing as the gospel of barnabas their is only what 66 TRUE books of the bible
July 8th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Gale is spot on. While it would be nice to see and heft the golden plates for ourselves, it’s just not required in order to receive a witness that the translation we now call the Book of Mormon is true.
July 11th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Thanks, Amanda. Saturday was and is the last day of the week for the Jews.
August 5th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Amanda: “the sabbath is on Saturday we celebrate it on Sunday because of that is the ending of the week in jewish times……”
Jay: “Actually, that’s inaccurate. The true reason we celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday is because it was done just out of remembrance of when Christ rose from the dead Read 1 Corinthians 16:2. Sabbath never changed dates. It’s just that the early church chose to gather on Sunday to remember that Christ rose on the first day of the week.”
DISCLAIMER: I too am a follower of Christ. I believe in ONLY the books of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation (66 in total). God bless.
Jay
August 7th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Jesus died on the cross on Wed and rose again 72 hours later on Friday. He had to raise on Friday before 6:00 p.m. as that is when their Sabbath started and ended on Saturday 6:00 p.m. They could not have taken Him down from the cross and buried him on the Sabbath.
The Sabbath was changed by Christians because they chose to follow the Sun calendar instead of the Jewish calendar of the moon.
August 9th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Jesus was taken down from the cross for the high holy sabbath of Passover. Scholars are beginning to see that He was crucified on Thursday and spent 3 full days in the tomb. Friday was Passover, and Saturday, the weekly Jewish Sabbath. He was resurrected on Sunday, the first day of the week, as explained in the Bible in the Gospels. Christians chose Sunday for worship to celebrate the resurrection.
August 20th, 2011 at 3:46 am
Hi,
I came on your website to find out more about your beliefs as I met one of your fellow believers yesterday. I see there is some debate on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was there from creation (before the Jews; Gen 2:1-4). It is the fourth commandment (Exod 20:8-12) and in Matthew 5: 17-18 it talks about Jesus coming to fulfill the law and not change the law. As some argue that the Jewish Sabbath was done away with when Jesus died on the cross. The Sabbath was instituted from creation and it is there for all of mankind and, it will be there until the end of time. As it states on your other website the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine in 321 AD changed the Lord’s Sabbath from the 7th day to the first day of the week. This should be the answer in itself…The MARKED BIBLE is a book written in 1918 by Charles L. Taylor..it takes only a day to read, but it may change your life forever…God bless, x
August 24th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
We believe in keeping the Sabbath day holy, and we keep the spirit of the Sabbath. Time is an earthly construct to use during mortality. So along with the Christian world, we worship on Sunday. In Israel Mormons worship on Saturday, and in Egypt, on Friday, in accordance with the culture and work schedules of those countries. Still, we worship every seventh day.
August 28th, 2011 at 11:53 am
I don’t believe there is any biblical law stating alcohol, tocacco, and hot drinks are prohibited. If this Mormon Law Of Health was given in 1833, then I would see it as a man made law, unless it was passed on to all Christian Brothers and Sisters. I see the same things in the Catholic Faith, creating law, customs, and traditions according to what they think things should be. Instead of just following the Bible.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I am just curious as to how you know that money is going to the poor. It seems it may be going to the 2.5 billion dollar shopping center the Mormon church is building in Utah.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:27 am
Do you worship Joseph Smith? Christianity and Mormon is kinda the same. Just want to know what is their difference. Please answer.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
I have been a christian my whole life. My dad was an evangelical pastor for many years. He recently moved to Utah where most churches in the area are LDS. It has made me very curious about your beliefs. from what I understand You do believe in the Bible, but the Bible says you can not add or take away from the Word of God, so I struggle with believing that the Book of Morman is true. I know Joseph Smilth wrote it but how did you come to the conclusion that it was basically missing parts of the Bible?
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Thanks for your questions, Mindy. The Book of Revelation does have a “curse” for adding or taking away from it, but it was not the last book of the Bible to be written. The Gospel of John was written later. If it refers to the Book of Revelation, we have not added nor taken away from it. If it refers to the Bible, well, it can’t, because other scriptures came later. The same sort of “curse” is found in Deuteronomy.
Many things in the Bible are difficult to understand, and revelation from modern prophets and other ancient scripture more recently discovered can help us. For instance, Paul speaks of bodies Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial in only one or two verses. Because of profound revelations received, we know that these are people who have been saved to one of these three kingdoms in heaven. They have bodies filled with different amounts of light. You can read the revelation here: http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/76?lang=eng
Now, you asked about heaven and hell. We simply have more knowledge. What about the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ, who don’t know the commandments? Is it fair for them to be condemned to hell? They will hear the gospel in the spirit world as they await resurrection.
Those who reject Christ will not be able to use His atonement and will have to suffer for their own sins. But this suffering is temporary and in the spirit world. If you’ll read the above revelation, you’ll see that they may qualify for salvation in a kingdom of heaven. Only Sons of Perdition will suffer in hell for eternity. They are those who have been blessed with a perfect witness that Jesus is the Christ, and then have denied Him, thus crucifying Him anew.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm
We do not worship Joseph Smith. As it says in the book of Mormon: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins (2 Nephi 25:26).
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:07 pm
The Church is accountable to its members and employs accounting agencies that have no connection to and do not profit from the activities of the Church. The Church is also accountable to God, as His church on earth. Don’t assume that the cost of investment construction projects in Utah are fully funded by the Church, and don’t assume that there is no return from such investments, if they exist.
September 23rd, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Mike — All your comments seem to point one direction, that the Bible is the word of God, with which we whole-heartedly agree, but that this is all that God can do. There can never be another scripture, never another apostle or prophet, that God can never speak to us again. Remember, please, that at the time of the apostles, there were changes made in Christ’s church as He inspired them through revelation from above. The Old Testament health laws were abandoned and new converts had only to refrain from eating blood, things strangled, and meat offered to idols. Remember also, that because of revelation to Peter, the gospel was taken to the gentiles, a huge change. Another change was the abandonment of the requirement for circumcision. Doctrine never changed, but policies did, according to the needs of the kingdom.
Also remember that at the time of Christ, men often had more than one wife. And He did not condemn them. Sometimes, it’s OK, such as with the prophets of the Old Testament, who also received revelation from Christ. But sometimes, the people are not righteous enough for the practice, and God condemns it. Plural marriage is never OK, unless it is ordained of God.
The Mormon health law is called the Word of Wisdom, and hears how the revelation begins:
“Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— (Doctrine and Covenants 89:4).
Now, relate this to alcohol and tobacco. Can you see how they can be related to “conspiring men in the last days?” The Lord constantly works with His children. We are grateful to have a modern prophet who can relay to us the same kind of constantly updated instructions from God that the early apostles received.
September 27th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Just asking a question that who is accompanying with Joseph Smith when he was told by the Father and the Son Jesus Christ in the wood?
Please can you gave me the name of the person because we need a credible story.
thanks.
September 30th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Joseph Smith received most of his revelations in the company of other people, but he was alone when he went into the woods to pray at age 14. He did report this and other ensuing revelations to the members of his family, and they received confirmation from the Lord that he was speaking the truth, as did many others.
October 12th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Why do so many say Mormonism is a cult? Other than Christ appearing to Joseph Smith (which doesn’t seem too much of a stretch considering that Catholics and Lutherans believe in the Community of the Saints), what beliefs do other Christians generally have problems with?
What are the controversial beliefs and can someone please explain them? (for example, is there any truth in the belief of multiple Gods, or that Christ and Satan are brothers?)
October 12th, 2011 at 10:31 am
There are several beliefs and situations that other Christians have trouble with, Mark, and thanks for your respectful inquiry. 1) Joseph Smith was visited by two resurrected beings, glorious beyond description. The Bible does tell us that Jesus was resurrected and taught His apostles as a resurrected being. When He then ascended into heaven, an angel told the apostles that He would return in like manner. Mormons believe that He is STILL a resurrected being, and will remain so forever. That belief negates the idea of a trinity — three beings in one substance, and also negates the idea that God, a spirit, became the incarnate Christ. Mormons believe that the Father and Son are two separate beings, and that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, three beings, one in purpose and action. 2) Catholicism claims authority through apostolic succession from Peter. Protestants claim that the orthodox church fell into apostasy, so a reformation was needed. Thoughtful and often valiant men (and a few women) became reformers of orthodoxy, creating the Reformation, and a plethora of Protestant churches, all claiming the truth based on the Bible, but with various interpretations of the Bible. One common theme, however, is that we are NOT judged on our works, but only our faith in Christ. Mormons believe that a reformation was not enough, but that in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, His ancient gospel and church, with its keys and authority, miracles and power had to be fully restored. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that this has occurred, and that Christ personally leads this church through revelation to modern prophets. 3) Mormons agree with virtually all Christians that Christ is an eternal being without beginning or end. However, through modern prophets and more revealed scripture we have a view of what existed before our world was created. That all of us are eternal, existing first as intelligences, then as spirit children of Father in Heaven, then as mortal beings with mortal bodies, then as spirits after death, then as resurrected beings to live forever. Heavenly Father created Christ’s spirit first, and Jesus Christ is more powerful and intelligent than all the rest of us put together. Lucifer was also created spiritually, and was our brother in pre-mortal life. He rebelled, and he and his followers were cast out. He became Satan, and he and his followers have ceased to progress. They will always be spirits.
4) We believe the Bible when it says we may become co-heirs with Christ in the highest kingdom of heaven. He says He will give us everything He has, and we believe it. We believe all of us have the potential to become like Him over the millions and billions and trillions of years we are in heaven. This doctrine is called “theosis” and was part of the ancient church, and taught by all the early Christian leaders. We won’t take the place of God, but we can become like Him, and therefore could be called “gods.”
These doctrines differentiate us from other Christian churches. Our claim to have truth and authority makes some Christians angry, and they sometimes warp our doctrines to make them sound evil to sway others against us, or they are not thoroughly informed about our beliefs and pass along wrong information about us.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:45 am
In John 1:1, the Bible tells us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If the Word (Jesus) was with God in the beginning, how can you tell us that he was created? No where in the Bible can I find any scripture that says he is anything less than God.
Also, where in the Bible does it tell us that we will be given everything God has?
Thanks.
October 17th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Lukas, thanks for visiting our site. These are great questions. Our spirits are eternal and always existed, so Jesus Christ also, has an eternal spirit, like each of us that was present in the pre-mortal realm where God the Father dwelt with each of us, His spirit children. He was ‘born’ –rather than created–of Mary and came to the earth to minister and atone for our sins, suffering, and weaknesses. I am not sure what article you are referencing, so let me know, and I’ll check the reference for your particular comment and question(s), and see if this hits the core of your question and reason for questioning.
In response to the second question, in Ephesians, we have a glorious set of chapters and passages about the spiritual riches available to us in Jesus Christ–about 50 passages within the first 3 chapters speak to the abundant life He has for us and we have in Him, including our spiritual inheritance–the fulness and all the Savior has after this life, a promise of continuing of family and of glory and joy forever. We are joint-heirs, He tells us, with Christ. We have a spiritual inheritance in Him. That is pretty specific, Lukas. That means that you and I are to inherit the Christ-like qualities we are here to develop through sanctification and through the grace of the atonement, and our strivings to be like Him. We will be full inheritors of power and glory and knowledge. We will not take the Father’s place nor Christ’s any more than when we grow to adulthood in mortality we take our own parents’ place, but we ‘will’ be glorified and holy and comfortable in His presence and in the presence of the Father. This is essential to our purpose, and is the great prize for which Paul strove and after which he encouraged each of us to strive. The Holy Ghost, Paul says, is like the earnest money. If we enter the Savior’s Church–The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–we receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Keeping the Savior’s Spirit with us through repentance and striving to serve the Savior, is our assurance that we are on track for our inheritance–being in His presence and heir to His fulness of blessings. Just as the down payment on a house is the mortal assurance of the full redemption of the house purchase, so is the Holy Ghost the indicator that we are on our way to having ourselves changed by Christ and full heirs of His promises. This is one section of The Bible that references such an inheritance. Have you read The Book of Mormon–Another Testament of Jesus Christ? If not, and if you are interested, we’d be happy to send you a free copy.
Let us know if you have other questions. We are glad you are in tune enough to ask such questions and that you have the honesty of spirit that such inquiry shows. We wish you well in your spiritual journey. Stay in touch with us if you like.
October 20th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
I have been told by someone I know when he was considering becoming Morman that women can only speak to God if given permission by their husband and that wives strive to be good for that purpose and also to be chosen by thier husband in the after life to join the husband on his planet when and if he should obtain one when he becomes godlike.Can you comment on this?
November 21st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
If ALL things were created through Christ, by Christ and for Christ (as they were) how can Christ be a created being? This would mean that he had to be in existence before he was created so that He could create Himself. If Christ is a created being then ALL things were NOT created by Him. Mormonism claims to believe the Bible but in SO many ways you make the bible out to be a lie. Either you rewrote the King James version of the bible to fit the book of Mormon or, if was you say, you use the original KJV then you disregard what the bible says to make the Book of Mormon stand. Paul said if anyone even himself or an ANGEL came with any other Gospel he was a liar. This is EXACTLY what Joseph Smith did. The Book of Mormon is “Another Gospel of Jesus Christ”. Why would Jesus give one Gospel to the world through the bible and then give “another gospel” to just one man. You say you have ‘prohets who add thisngs to keep up with modern times (really just adding what they see fits themselves). This is basically the same thing the Catholic Church does. Mormonism is NOT of Jesus Christ at all.
I can believe that the book was given by an ‘angel of light’ named Moroni. But if that is true, you need to remember that THE BIBLE says that Satan himself comes masquerading as an angel of light.
December 1st, 2011 at 2:42 am
OK, you’ve got things all twisted around, so that you misunderstand our doctrine. The Book of Mormon is NOT another gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s a second witness of Jesus Christ. As a resurrected being, Christ visited three groups of Israelites to establish His teachings among them, and those teachings were always the same. He first visited and taught His apostles in the Holy Land. Then He visited and taught a branch of Israel that had established itself in America. There He called twelve disciples who established the Church of Christ among them. Then He visited the Ten Lost Tribes (we do not yet have their scriptures).
Moroni was the last prophet of the Book of Mormon peoples, and the logical one to reveal the location of the ancient text to us as a second witness for Christ. He was not sent by Satan, but by God. Joseph Smith was almost always in the company of other people when he experienced revelations, and others shared in those visions on numerous occasions. He saw the Savior many times, with witnesses there.
Now, as for Jesus Christ, He has existed eternally, as have we all. We all existed first as intelligence — disembodied personality and consciousness. God then created our spirit-bodies, and we gained physical bodies when we were born onto the earth. When we die, spirit and body separate. Our spirit goes to the Spirit World to await resurrection and judgment. When we are resurrected, we will be physically perfect and immortal. Christ is more intelligent than all the rest of us combined. Nothing has been created that was not created by and through Him.
December 1st, 2011 at 2:54 am
Karen, this is all false. None of it is what Mormons believe. Women in the Church are co-qual with men. Women can pray any time they want, and do much service in the Church. The Relief Society general president, for instance, oversees the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world, with over 5 million members. The idea that Mormons get their own planet after they die is also false. Men and women may both be exalted to the highest kingdom of heaven wherein they may become co-heirs with Christ. As co-heirs with Christ, we may partake of His power and glory, and perhaps exercise some powers of creation.
December 6th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Mindy, did you ever receive a response to your questions? It would take more room than there is available here to fully answer your question here, so this is what I would suggest: Find a member of the LDS church you have met and ask that they arrange a meeting between you and some LDS missionaries. These young men or women will be glad to answer whatever questions you have. Good luck on finding the answers you seek.
December 6th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Mindy,
We’d love to assist you in your spiritual journey. The Book of Mormon, Mindy, is a second witness of Jesus Christ that was kept by those who lived on this continent–an inspired set of scriptures like the Bible. So it was not actually written by Joseph Smith, but translated from ancient writing to English by the power of God through him, if that helps you. Also, in answer to that part of your question, the Bible itself references books that are not included within it, like the book of Asher (I can send you a list of those with references); it does not tell all that is to be told, but it is a true and inspired record of Jesus Christ and His teachings, as is the Book of Mormon. To gain a witness of the Book of Mormon, you might read it all the way through and ask God if it is inspired as you do and as you conclude it, taking the promise to heart that is in Moroni–he says that as you ask God if it’s true, He will manifest it to you specifically through the power of the Holy Ghost. Mindy, if you kneel in prayer after reading it through sincerely, I promise you He will reveal that to you. I’ll email you as well as a follow up, and I’m sure others here will also chime in and help support you in your journey. If you would like to have an online chat or meet with representatives at your home who can answer your individual questions, we can also arrange that. Take care and God bless you. Karen
January 10th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Please explain what happens in the after life physically to the body…..Blood? living on a cloud? so on . thanks BG
January 16th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
You said,”Men and women may both be exalted to the highest kingdom of heaven wherein they may become co-heirs with Christ. As co-heirs with Christ, we may partake of His power and glory, and perhaps exercise some powers of creation.” I am just curious, besides the Book of Mormans where in the Holy Bible does it describe our eternal life (spiritual or physical) in this manner. I have always believed Heaven is a place where we spend eternity worshiping and loving the one true God, Jesus Christ. If we are co-heirs with Christ then how and why would we worship him?
January 19th, 2012 at 3:18 am
i am a christian being baptised by water thereafter receiving the holy spirit. is this the same holy spirit that mormons believe in or are they different?
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:33 am
Could you explain the immortality of the soul? In Ezekiel 18:4, 20 it clearly states “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Thus I would see this to mean that a soul can be mortal. But if this mortality of souls only refers to souls that sin, than what about David, who as Acts 2:29, 34 states has not ascended into the heavens? As righteous as he was, through God’s work in his life, how come his soul isn’t in heaven? Wouldn’t this bring out a contradiction between God’s Word and the Book of Mormon?
January 22nd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
thank you for the information. Please help people understand the Mitt Romney is Christian as well as Morman. Help him be our next president. Bless Be
January 22nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Good morning – I am not a follower any faith, but have always respected all faiths and those that beleive… I wanted to let you know much I appreciated your respectful and thoughtfull responces to many of the questions posed to you and learned a great deal from this site.
All my best to you.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I have read your Mormon beliefs. It sounds a lot like I believe, the KJV. I have one question. I have always been told that Mormons can have more than one wife. Is this true? How does the Mormon believe on family issues.
January 25th, 2012 at 5:38 am
Diane, thank you for your question. No, members of the LDS church (Mormons) do NOT practice polygamy. We believe that the family is central to God’s plan of happiness, and that families can be together forever. If you would like to know more, please visit the following website. God bless you.
http://lds.org/family/happiness?lang=eng
January 25th, 2012 at 5:48 am
Bill, thank you so much for your kind response. May God always bless you. Let us know if you have any more questions. If you would like representatives from the LDS church to visit you and share more about our beliefs in Jesus Christ, feel free to visit: http://mormon.org/missionaries/
January 26th, 2012 at 1:03 am
I wish all believers in God and nonbelievers could read this site. I am amazed by the kindness portrayed on this site. Thank you all for reassuring me that there are still good hearted people that respect each others beliefs. Our main stream media could learn so much from this site.
January 26th, 2012 at 2:23 am
I would just like to thank all the people who worked hard to give accurate and complete answers to all these questions!!! I have been a member for almost 5 years now and I am still learning the best way to answer peoples questions. I cant thank you enough for putting yourselves out there. God bless.
January 26th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Why are all the representatives from your Church so young? How could they possibly have the knowledge and experience to teach someone. I would feel much more comfortable learning about the Mormon religion from someone with age and experience instead of someone who barely seems 21.
January 28th, 2012 at 3:11 am
Thank you so much, Heather! We try to get as many questions answered as possible, but don’t always get around to them. God bless you as well.
January 28th, 2012 at 3:15 am
Daniel, thank you so much. It means a lot to us to hear that from you. We try our best to share what we truly believe without putting others down. If you are interested, I’ve included a link to receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. God bless you.
http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/
January 31st, 2012 at 11:58 pm
John 1:1 says that “the Word was God.” John 1:14 says that “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Acts 20:28 tells us, “…Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” Who bought the church with His own blood? Jesus Christ. Acts 20:28 declares that God purchased the church with His own blood. Therefore, Jesus is God!
February 1st, 2012 at 2:39 am
What are the marital beliefs of the Mormons
February 10th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
There are so many things that I have been told about the mormons since I was a little boy. I just want to understand. How much different is the mormon beleif system than the regular christian church? What do mormons beleive when it comes to marriage? Does the church study out of the bible or the book of mormon? Please, I’m not trying to be mean or hateful, I just want to understand. I have so many questions.
February 16th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Jesus Christ set us free from bondage. whether you worship on Saturday or Sunday makes no sense, what is important is to know Jesus Christ and the power of salvation. Every day is important before God, Salvation is a free gift. we received the Holy Spirit freely not that we worshipped on the Sabbath day. When you know the truth, the truth will set you free.
February 21st, 2012 at 6:05 am
1. Mormons do not believe in a “trinity,’ which says that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three beings of one substance and that God is a spirit. Mormons believe that God and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, are two separate beings and that they are glorified, resurrected men. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and can dwell within us. We know this through modern revelation.
2. Mormons have other books of scripture in addition to the Bible that are part of our canon — The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern revelations), and the Pearl of Great Price.
3. Mormonism is not a branch of Christianity, but the restoration of the ancient Church of Jesus Christ, with prophets and apostles, and the authority to act in the name of Christ, and the power to do so received directly from Him. No other Church makes this claim.
4. Because of this power and authority, Mormons make covenants on earth that are also binding in heaven, such as an eternal marriage covenant, made in Mormon temples. Mormons believe families can be together forever.
5. When Christ was on the earth, He called fishermen to be his apostles. He did not use the professional Jewish priests of the time, even though they were very educated in religion. We do the same thing. We have no paid priests or leaders. All members served in temporary “callings” and don’t receive any pay.
You can read more at http://www.mormonwiki.com/Articles_of_Faith
There are many statements about Mormonism that are false, whether people make them out of ignorance or misunderstanding. By making these statements, they hurt Mormons, who are sincere followers of Jesus Christ. Here are some facts:
Mormons are devout, Bible-believing Christians. Mormons do not practice polygamy. Women are considered equals to men and preside, conduct, and perform many leadership functions in the Church. The Church is debt-free and pays for its temples in cash. Mormon temples are sacred, not secret, and nothing goes on inside them except for pure worship in the most innocent fashion. Because a temple is God’s house, one must purify himself or herself to enter, so not even all Mormons are worthy of temple worship. Mormons prefer to be called “Latter-day Saints.”
February 21st, 2012 at 6:20 am
Worthy Mormons can marry in an eternal marriage covenant in Mormon temples that does not end at death (“till death do you part” — as in other faiths). Authority has been given from God to seal these marriages (if the couple continues in worthiness) in heaven as well as on earth. Mormon couples who marry outside the temple have marriages that are binding during earth-life only. Mormons believe that families can continue as an eternal unit, so children are “sealed” to their parents, also. The traditional family is central to Mormon belief.
February 21st, 2012 at 6:21 am
We also believe that Jesus is God, but that He also has a Father, to whom He cried out when He hung upon the cross.
February 21st, 2012 at 6:25 am
They have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They are wise beyond their years in the things of God. It is amazing, it’s true. There are also senior retired couples who serve missions, and they too teach the gospel.
February 21st, 2012 at 6:47 am
This is an interesting question, Simon. There are two kinds of death. Physical death comes to all of us and is the separation of the spirit from the body. Physical death has been overcome by the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All will be resurrected to a perfect, immortal body.
The second death is spiritual death, and this means separation from God. So the soul that sinneth and doesn’t repent, will not be saved and exalted, and thus will be separated from God, who dwells in the highest realm of heaven.
We know more about David from modern scripture. In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that he has had to suffer for his own sins in the spirit world, but that he will not suffer forever. After his resurrection, he will inherit a terrestrial glory, which is the middle kingdom of heaven. Had he not murdered Uriah and still had repented of his sins with Bathsheba, he may have been exalted. You need to understand that all the prophets, since Adam, have known about, taught of, and made covenants with Jesus Christ. If you will reread the psalms, you will see that David knew the Savior as his God.
February 21st, 2012 at 6:59 am
We believe that a person must be baptized by immersion (once he has reached the age when he can understand right from wrong and how to repent) by one who has the priesthood authority to baptize in the name of God. The person with the authority from Christ, baptizes in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. After baptism, the Holy Ghost is conferred upon the person by the laying on of hands and will continue to abide with that person as long as he (or she) continues in worthiness. Only baptisms by this authority qualify a person to enter God’s kingdom or to actually receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is this constant companionship of the Holy Spirit which Joseph Smith said distinguished Latter-day Saints from all other Christians.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:35 am
We will always continue to worship Him. He will always be our God. We don’t have many details of what it will mean to be co-heirs with Christ, as we are promised in the Bible, but we have been given a doctrine of eternal progression, wherein we will continue to learn and grow throughout all eternity. The following scriptures (which came by revelation) might help:
And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (Doctrine and Covenants 76:7-10).
And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—….And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things— They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s (D&C 50-59 excerpts).
These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical (vs 69-70). (See 1 Corinthians 15:40-42.)
February 21st, 2012 at 7:52 am
Everyone who has ever lived on this earth, both the righteous and the wicked, will be resurrected to an immortal body of flesh and bone, not blood, which is corruptible. Clouds are very earthly, and the idea of living on one is the stuff of children’s books. After the millennium, when Satan and his followers have been cast down to hell, the earth will be glorified and will become the celestial realm spoken of by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42. Those who are celestial will inherit it.
March 4th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
tell me if I’m understanding this correctly. I was told by a Mormon man, that he will one day be a god of his own planet. Is this a true belief???
March 12th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Regarding Mitt Romney, I am confused with his political stance being at odd with his religious beliefs. Politically, I thought he was more in following with his religious beliefs especially with respect to universal health care. Now, he seems to have abandoned those in need of health as an expedient for his Republican nomination for President of the U.S.
Having experienced Mormons as neighbors, I found them friendly, happy, very family oriented, trust worthy and hard-working. They are also sensitive to those who are less fortunate.
Is there an explanation for his current behavior that squares with the ideals on Mormonism?
March 14th, 2012 at 11:50 am
i herd my mom say i go to hell if yall do sin. my dad does sin some times. he tellin me that god forgives, but my momma says dad will go to hell. so should i try to save daddy or does he deserved to die, tahank you
- mormom living for god
March 16th, 2012 at 12:29 am
I do not understand how Mormons can tell Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, etc., that they are not fully Christian, -yet Mormons argue that they, not the above,
are fully Christians. In plain language, “who started
throwing stones” first?
March 29th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
From Mormon D and C 42:18: “And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.”
So Christ died on the cross for most sins but NOT all?
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:44 pm
What is the difference between what Joseph Smith did and what Mohammad did? Both based a new religion on an existing religion. The only difference being Mormons claim to still be the original religion despite a new doctrine completely unrelated to the original. Am I missing something?
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Not to be picky, but why don’t any of the Native American tribes recognize the Mormon faith?
April 7th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Gale,
Mormons believe in work righteousness – earning their own salvation. How do you explain Ephesians 2:8, which says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Mormons also believe in extra scriptures, besides the Bible. I do not believe in extra scriptures, especially when they contradict the Bible. Where in the Bible does it say that there are extra scriptures, besides the Bible?
April 9th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
is that true a mormon can have many wifes at the same time?
April 9th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Also, where in the Bible does it talk about modern prophets, different kingdoms of heaven, and Jesus and God the Father being to separate physical men? After having studied the Bible my whole life, I have come up with God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit being three separate, equal persons, all fully God, but there is only 1 God. I don’t understand how this is possible, but this is what God says in the Bible, so that’s how I take it.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:28 am
Your belief, then is like ours. We believe that “God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit,” as you state, are “three separate, equal, persons, all fully God” acting as one. We believe that’s what the Bible says. In the Bible it says that Jesus was resurrected. After His resurrection, He returned and taught the apostles. He ascended into heaven in his resurrected, perfect, immortal body, and we believe He stayed that way, and is STILL a perfect, glorious, resurrected being.
Paul speaks of the three kingdoms of heaven in 1 Corinthians 40 — the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial realms.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:28 am
No, Mormons can have only one wife.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:31 am
Mormons do not believe they can work their way to heaven. Mormons believe we are saved by God’s grace, and nothing we can do can get us to heaven. God’s grace also helps us every day of our lives, and we could not live without it. However, we believe that faith is an action word, and that any sincere believer will show his faith by his works. In the Book of Revelation it says that we are judged by our works, as they are manifestations of our faith.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:50 am
American Indians have joined the LDS Church in droves, Matt, recognizing their history and legends in the Book of Mormon, especially in South and Central America.
April 12th, 2012 at 4:53 am
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restoration of the Primitive Church of Jesus Christ with the same organization the Savior established. This restoration includes the re-establishment of the power and authority to act in the name of Christ, and He is the one who leads the Church through continuous revelation.
April 12th, 2012 at 5:09 am
A person who commits murder cannot be baptized into the Church, and is excommunicated if already a member. He cannot be forgiven during his mortal life on earth. That unforgiveness continues into the next life, so that the person must suffer for his own sin, rather than having Christ’s atonement save Him from that suffering. This suffering, however, takes place in the Spirit World, and then the person inherits the lowest kingdom in heaven. Only the “sin against the Holy Ghost” (having obtained a “fulness of Christ” by being in His actual presence on earth, and then denying Him) causes a person to be thrust down to hell and become a “son of perdition.” Very few qualify to be sons of perdition.
Christ died on the cross for all sins of all people, ONLY if they choose to avail themselves of His atoning sacrifice by coming unto Him. For those who reject Him on earth and in the spirit world after death, it is as if no atonement was performed:
Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, 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 (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-19)
April 12th, 2012 at 5:49 am
We have never accused any other Christian faith of not being fully Christian. We throw no stones, but have been told by direct revelation that Christ is restoring His Primitive Church on earth, with the full power and authority to act in His name. This is our simple assertion. We respect and wish to be friends with those of all faiths and wish them the right to believe and practice as they desire.
April 12th, 2012 at 5:51 am
It’s always good to repent of one’s sins, but only a very few people actually go to hell. Most will be saved into a kingdom of heaven. Be a great example of love and concern for both of your parents, and through your love and example help everyone in the family to grow a little closer to Christ every day.
April 12th, 2012 at 5:54 am
Mitt Romney must make decisions regarding policy on what he believes is best for the American people. Having had some experience with state-support health care in Massachusetts and having surely studied the current federal administration’s proposal for universal health care, he is developing his own plan. His religion can affect his desire to help the poor and the uninsured, but not his policy decisions.
April 12th, 2012 at 6:29 am
There is nothing in Mormon doctrine that promises us our own planet after we die.
The promise is essentially “eternal increase.” “therefore shall they be from aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them.”
None of us really knows everything that being a co-heir with Christ means, because it is beyond our ability to understand while we live as mortals on earth.