Jesus Christ

Mormons—the nickname for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—are Christians. They believe Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, and that He atoned for our sins. We believe this makes Him divine, in a time when the world is trying hard to ignore His divinity.

Mormons study the life of the Savior as recorded in the New Testament, accepting as fact the miraculous birth of Jesus. They celebrate His life on earth—the miracles, the acts of service, the respect shown to those seldom respected. Small children are taught to sing, “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” and all members are encouraged to strive to model their own lives on the example set by the Savior.

Mormons believe that because Jesus, who had no sin, atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and also suffered death on the cross, we can, as He did, overcome death and be resurrected. We believe everyone will be resurrected and live forever, no matter who they are or how they lived on earth. However, we also believe God and Jesus wanted more for us than merely to survive forever. What we’d really want, if we loved God and Jesus, would be to live with them for all eternity. This is eternal life, not just everlasting life.

Many Christians of other faiths believe that one act is required to be “saved,” which is the act of accepting Jesus as their Savior. However, the Bible makes it clear that the mere saying of words can’t be enough. Proof that this declaration is critical.

The King James version of the Bible teaches:

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2, King James Version of the Bible)

Jesus often reminded His followers that if they loved Him, they must keep His commandments. He condemned those who called Him Lord, but ignored His teachings (Luke 6:46-49.) A person who has truly accepted Jesus as His Savior will live a Christlike life. While merely keeping the commandments is not all that God requires of us—just as faith without works is dead, so works without faith is also dead—it is one way we demonstrate our faith in God and in Jesus. This is why Mormons teach that we are saved through the atonement of Christ after we’ve done as much as we can do ourselves. We cannot save ourselves, and so the Savior makes up the difference out of love for us.

Mormons believe that Jesus is a very real and personal part of our eternal lives, both here and on Heaven. We pray to God through Him, we study and honor His life, we worship Him and we center our lives around Him.

To learn more about Mormons and Jesus, visit Christ.org.