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Mormonism Articles
In 1842, Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. was asked by John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, what the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, were. Joseph responded by writing down what became known as the Articles of Faith, which included thirteen points of basic Mormon doctrine. They were canonized as scripture by the Church and are a good summarization of Mormon theology. They are as follows:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission... Read the rest of this article »
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been commissioned by Jesus Christ through revelation to modern prophets to take the gospel to the world. It began doing so in the first days after its founding, when it had just a handful of members.
Most Mormon missionaries are young adults. Young men usually serve missions for a period of two years and can depart at age nineteen. Young women may also serve, and they serve for eighteen months, usually beginning at age twenty-one. Retired couples also serve missions of varying lengths and types, including health missions, and humanitarian aid missions. Some couples serve repeated missions.
Mormon missionaries pay their own way when they serve, except for their transportation costs. If they serve in foreign countries, they must learn the language of the people they teach. This can be quite intimidating for them, but because of the spiritual gifts for which they qualify, miracles happen on... Read the rest of this article »
Mormons are known for their clean living. Mormons follow a dietary law called “The Word of Wisdom.” The law was given by revelation and can be found in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants — part of Mormon scriptural canon, a collection of revelations to modern prophets. The law was first given as counsel, not commandment. It took some time for members of the Church to adapt to it. The revelation was given to Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833 and made a commandment with the support of the membership under Prophet Brigham Young in 1851. The original revelation came about under interesting circumstances, as recorded by Brigham Young:
“The brethren came to that place for hundreds of miles to attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by fourteen. When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom,... Read the rest of this article »
Scripture is comprised of the writings of Holy Prophets. Mormons believe that the Lord has called prophets among the children of Israel, even those who have been separated from the main group of Israelites. In the Bible, many prophets are referred to whose writings are not known to us. Thus, much scripture has been lost, and much has been hidden by the Lord, to come forth in His own time. Some of the scripture that is hidden reveals more about the Lord’s dealings than we are currently worthy to receive. (To read more, see Lost Scripture.)
All Christian faiths believe the predictions in the Bible that the Ten Lost Tribes will someday miraculously return. They may have had prophets and recorded scripture all the time they’ve been hidden from us, and they will bring those writings with them when they return. The Mormon Church will be eager to add those books to their open canon.
The Bible
Mormons are Bible-believing Christians. Among... Read the rest of this article »
Mormon Doctrine
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the Mormon Church, is not a Protestant church. Its doctrines are not a reformation of orthodox Christianity. Instead, it is the restoration of Christ‘s original Church, upon which orthodoxy is based. It restores the organization, priesthood authority, and doctrines compromised by successive councils wherein the philosophies of men entered the traditional church. (Read more…)
Mormon Worship
To understand what a Mormon temple is used for, it is necessary to understand Mormon worship. The center of Mormon belief is the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. His atonement is the most important event in history. (Read more…)
Mormon Scripture
Scripture is comprised of the writings of Holy Prophets. Mormons believe that the Lord has called prophets among the children of Israel, even those who have been separated from the... Read the rest of this article »
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the Mormon Church, is not a Protestant church. Its doctrines are not a reformation of orthodox Christianity. Instead, it is the restoration of Christ‘s original Church, upon which orthodoxy is based. It restores the organization, priesthood authority, and doctrines compromised by successive councils wherein the philosophies of men entered the traditional church.
The Lord’s work upon the earth has been divided into dispensations. Dispensations are time periods in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has a divine commission to dispense the gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. Each dispensation was led by a prophet, and many dispensations have been restorative after the people have lost their faith. Adam was the first prophet and leader of the first dispensations. Following dispensations have... Read the rest of this article »
The center of Mormon belief is the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. His atonement is the most important event in history. Joseph Smith, who organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Jesus Christ, was the first prophet of this modern dispensation. He said the following:
“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 49; see also Doctrine and Covenants 20:22–25.)
Mormon congregations are arranged geographically; Latter-day Saints meet together according to where they live. This means that a Mormon family does not choose a church to attend because they like the look of the church or... Read the rest of this article »
