Basic Beliefs

Of all the numbers in the Pew Research Center’s recently released survey of “Mormons in America,” the highest, most overwhelming numbers are these: 98 percent of respondents said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion.

This comes on the heels of earlier surveys indicating that 32 percent of non-LDS U.S. adults say the LDS Church is not a Christian religion, and an additional 17 percent are unsure of LDS Christianity. The theological and semantic reasons for this can be complex, but for the 1,019 self-identified Mormons who participated in the Pew survey, their theological position is clear: Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, and they consider themselves to be Christian.

“Certainly in Latter-day Saint theology is this idea that if you understand who you are, you understand that there’s a purpose in life, you understand your connection to God, that certainly has an impact on how you live your life and what you do, but also how you feel about your life and what you are doing,” said Michael Purdy of the LDS Church Public Affairs office. Read the rest of this entry »

No one but Jesus Christ has ever lived a sinless life on earth. However, the Bible makes it very clear we must keep the commandments in order to return to God’s presence. Because He is fair and loving, and wants us to return, He has created a way for us to return to God’s presence without being perfect. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who came voluntarily, to atone for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and then to die for us. Through grace, given to us as part of the atonement, all people can be resurrected and live forever, and have the ability to repent and to be forgiven for their sins. Through the atonement, people can also become worthy of a place in God’s kingdom by keeping the commandments for the right reason-their deep love for God.

Repentance is a critical part of God’s plan. He, like any good parent, expects His children to do their part in fulfilling their responsibilities on earth. While Jesus’ atonement made complete forgiveness possible, we must take responsibility for our actions and repent for the mistakes we made. This is true in life, and in eternity. Responsible people take responsibility for their actions.

Repentance is an ongoing process. Although someone who is joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as Mormons) goes through a repentance process and is baptized to receive forgiveness of his sins, he is not going to be perfect from that moment on. Nor is he then given a free pass to go ahead and sin. Mormons are expected to do the best they can to live a good life, but God understands we aren’t perfect. When mistakes happen, repentance is the way God provided for us to resolve them.

The person who has sinned must first recognize his sin and have true sorrow for them. This process must be sincere and difficult, involving the heart and the mind, both. Going through the motions does not satisfy the demands of justice.

Next, the person must make retribution as far as possible. He needs to ask forgiveness of those he’s hurt and try to fix whatever damage he has caused. This might include returning a stolen item, paying for something damaged, making a special effort to be kind to a child after a parent has lost his temper, or paying the fine without complaint after breaking a traffic law. If he can’t undo the damage, he must find another way to repay the person he’s hurt.

Once the person has made things right with his fellow man, he must make things right with God. He must ask God’s forgiveness and take whatever steps are needed to get his spiritual life back in order-perhaps realizing he needs to spend more time in prayer or scripture study, or more time in serving others.

Finally he must do, as the Savior told the woman who was about to be stoned for sin, go forth and sin no more. He must forsake that particular sin forever. This is the true test of whether or not the person really was repentant. If he can easily return to the sin, his sorrow and his love for God were not yet enough to help him overcome his mortal weaknesses. He will continue to work to develop self-control and to improve his relationship with God and then start the process again, as many times as it takes to completely forsake the sin.

In this way, we work step by step toward becoming more like our Father in Heaven. We were created in His image, and every day we work to become more like Him.

Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are taught to be self-reliant. Although the church does, of course, have extensive programs to help members who find themselves in need, they encourage each person to prepare as far as possible to take care of themselves. This builds self-esteem and also allows them to be safe in a time of crisis, whether long-term or temporary.

One way members are taught to be self-reliant is to store food enough to last one year. It may not allow them to eat exactly as they did previously, but they will certainly stay alive, so they begin with life-sustaining items and then add in the extras. Today, people who once mocked such a system are beginning to understand its wisdom. It’s not about the last days or even the previous Y2K panic, but about everyday sensibility. Those who experienced Hurricane Katrina, for instance, saw that food became unavailable for quite some time. During the current economic crisis, church members were able to simply not purchase items that were in short supply or were too expensive. They could buy in bulk or shop only when items were on sale, allowing them to cut their budgets.

Many church members rely on this food storage at some time in their lives. They can stop shopping when they are unemployed. If an unexpected expense occurs, such as a large car repair or medical bill, they can apply the grocery money to it instead of using credit, and simply eat from their storage for a while. Even a temporary bout of flu means a parent can stay home and eat from the storage instead of rushing to the store for foods. When a friend is in need, members often pull food from their own storage to help out. By storing food, members feel secure in their ability to get through the current crisis and are also able to keep their budgets under control.

Members are counseled to live within their means, avoiding debt, building savings, and not become dependent on a great many luxuries. A simpler, but modern life, allows them to focus money and time on things of eternal significance, such as family and service to others.

Many Mormons also learn traditional skills that save money and help them become more self-sufficient. Many bake their own bread, for instance, and can foods from their gardens. Gardening is considered an important part of Mormon food storage. The Relief Society–the organization for Mormon women-often teaches how to cook, shop frugally, and manage a home without power or shopping abilities.

When a crisis occurs, Mormons are taught to first look to themselves for help. Then they turn to their families, since families should take care of each other. Finally, they turn to the church. This pattern means the resources to help others are reserved for those who have nowhere else to go, and this allows the church to do more for them than other churches are often able to do.

The priesthood of the church began with the creation of the Earth. Over the course of the Old Testament, we saw it take various forms, often with rules about who was allowed to hold it. For instance, the role of the priest, in the Aaronic priesthood, could only be held by descendants of Aaron until after Christ came. The rules for the priesthood of Aaron were very strict. Even having a blemish or disability would disqualify you from service.

At various times, from the very beginning, only certain men could hold the priesthood. Today, however, all worthy males who are members in good standing may become priesthood holders.

The priesthood allows men to serve others. They can’t use their priesthood to benefit themselves-if they need priesthood services, they, like women in the church, must seek out two worthy priesthood holders to perform the services. It is not a paid position.

The priesthood places on the holders a special responsibility to live the gospel, set the example, and serve others. Of course, it also brings with it the blessings that come with this responsibility. Priesthood holders serve as home teachers, which means they are assigned several families to visit each month and to look after. They stay aware of the family’s needs and let their leaders know if there is something the church can do to help the family in times of trial. It allows a large and busy congregation to offer a personal touch and an awareness of needs.

Within the home, men preside over their families. This does not mean they rule. They aren’t “the boss” in the old-fashioned sense of the word. Husband and wife serve as equal partners working together to lead their family through the challenges and blessings of mortal life.

Presiding places on the man a special responsibility to set the example for the family. He must live his religion at the highest level demonstrate, through his own actions, how the others should live theirs. He monitors the spiritual well-being of the family and works with his wife to come up with solutions to any problems in this area.

A Mormon man makes sure each aspect of family life is taken care of, and is aware of the special areas of expertise of each family member. Then he respects that expertise, while monitoring it for appropriateness. If the husband and wife are unable to come to agreement, even after they’ve both prayed, he must make an appropriate decision, which does not mean he gets his way. As the leader, in fact, he must be very careful never to “get his own way” unless he is absolutely certain of his choice. Instead, he will evaluate whether his wife might have more knowledge or skill in the area affected, and be therefore better qualified to make the decision, or whether she is more affected than he by the decision, and therefore, should decide how to do what needs doing. A wise leader is less likely to select his own choice than to allow others to carry out their heartfelt and worthy desires.

In general, the man is responsible for providing materially for his family if possible, while the wife cares for the home and family. This division of duties makes certain everything get accomplished without arguing or competition. Each has an area of expertise and management.

Fathers are considered essential to a child’s well-being, as are mothers. The Mormon father is taught to spend a great deal of time in meaningful activity with his children, including regular “father’s interviews” where he meets one on one with a child to discuss any concerns the child or parent has and to help the child through the growing up process. He is also taught to work on developing a loving and supportive relationship with his wife, assisting her in the diverse and overwhelming duties of managing a home. A Mormon man is taught how to do dishes and cook. While those might not be his primary duties, he knows he can’t expect his wife to do everything without help or a day off.

Being a Mormon man is a great deal of work, but it is satisfying work with a purpose focused on eternity.

Our bodies were created by God to be a safe haven for our spirits. Mormons like to refer to their bodies as temples, and try to take care of them and treat them with respect.

Part of this treatment involves the food and drink that goes into the body. Long before science caught up to the wisdom of this principle, it was known as the Word of Wisdom, and described as a principle with a promise.

Mormons are taught not to drink alcohol or to smoke. They don’t drink coffee or tea. Caffeine isn’t mentioned in the revelation and some Mormons exclude sodas with caffeine and some don’t. Hot drinks is the actual term used, and at that time, the term referred to coffee and tea, but not herbal tea, which is not really a tea.

The word of wisdom also includes things to do. Specifically it mentions to eat meat sparingly and to eat fruits and vegetables-at a time when most people ate a great deal of meat. Herbs are encouraged and grain is described as the staff of life. Wheat gets a special mention as being for people, and Mormons are rather known for their storage of wheat against hard times.

The word of wisdom warns people to eat and live in balance, rather than to embark on the fad diets we sometimes see today, when people will eat excessively of one type of food. This was a very foreword-looking commandment, given the eating habits of modern people.

In addition to eating properly, members are taught to arise early and go to bed early, and the promise is given of a clear mind and invigorated body. Members are warned to use moderation in all they do.

The Word of Wisdom is not all inclusive. Members are warned that every good or bad thing can’t be listed, and that members should use wisdom in learning to care for themselves. For instance, illegal drugs are not listed, but members still may not use them and be in good standing. Not only are they unhealthy, but members are required to obey the law. Other food or drink fads and trends arise and members must study them carefully to decide whether or not to become involved in them.

This teaching was far ahead of its time. While it’s pure common knowledge today, it was revolutionary in its time. It is one reason, however, Mormons have been shown in various studies to have fewer heart problems and to experience better overall health. The revelation says it is “Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.”

The promise that goes with the principle is described as follows:

18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

  19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

  20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

  21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.” (Doctrine and Covenants 89)

Have you ever wondered why God knows you so well? It is because you once lived right in His presence, prior to your birth. Many have had a sensation of having lived before and this is how it happened.

God is the literal Father of our spirits. He created them, assigning our spirits gender and form. We looked largely as we do now, but without a body of flesh and bones. We had personality and talents and those began to take shape and to develop in that sheltered time with God.

However, no one can live a sheltered life forever and become all he is able to be. The time came when we had to leave home, so that we could test the depth of our faith, our ability to recognize truth, and to have new trials and experiences that would help us to grow.

We were called together to learn of God’s plan for our further development. He would have a world created for us to live on, away from Him, but not isolated from Him. We would always be able to access Him through faith and prayer, and He would continue to watch over us while we were away. We’d lose the memory of our time in this pre-mortal existence, but the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost would help us remember when we heard the truth, if we asked God in faith if it were true.

We were so excited by the Plan and the promises that came with it we shouted for joy. However, there were already changes coming into being. We would not be able to live a sinless life, and our sins must be atoned for. Atonement could only happen through the voluntary sacrifices of a sinless person. Satan offered to handle our eternal salvation, not through sacrifice, suffering, or pain, but by controlling our every movement and thought, so it would be impossible to sin. Of course, it would also be impossible to grow and progress, since we would have no freedom at all. Furthermore, Satan required that the glory and honor be his.

Satan’s plan would have rendered God’s plan a meaningless game. Fortunately, Jesus offered Himself as our Savior, following God’s plan exactly and offering Himself as the sacrifice for sin. He would live a perfect life for us, atone for our sins, and then voluntarily die for us.

One third of the spirits preferred Satan’s plan, seeing it as safer and easier. They, with Satan, were cast out of heaven and denied the opportunity to come to earth. Since that time, they’ve devoted themselves to making us miserable, as they are, and trying to thwart our return home to our Father.

The plan promises that if we will seek out truth, accept it, and try to live according to God’s teachings, we will be able to return home to live with God forever. Grace allows us all to be resurrected, regardless of our choices. It also makes repentance possible. The atonement takes all this further and promises we can earn the right to live forever with God and with the families God gave us and instructed us to love forever.

This plan, known sometimes by Mormons as the Great Plan of Happiness, turns ordinary life into a wonderful learning experience filled with meaning and purpose. The reward at the end is worth any amount of sacrifice and pain, because once we’ve returned home, we can have an eternity more wonderful than we can imagine.

Our bodies are very important to God. He gave them to us to house our spirit, which He created. As a result, we must treat that body with respect and dignity and use it for the purpose for which it was created-to house a child of God.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

  20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6, King James Version of the Bible)

Modesty involves both the body and the spirit. Mormons believe in modesty for both men and women, who are expected to cover up the same amount of their bodies. This means their tops cover their shoulders, have at least cap sleeves, and are not low-cut. Their stomachs don’t stick out and neither do their backs. Their pants and skirts go at least to the knee. Nothing is too tight or extreme. The overall effect is one of a person who is dressed attractively, neatly, and even fashionably if the person desires, but who has self-respect and is confident of his or her personal worth without having to draw undue attention to something other than the face and character.

On the inside, a Mormon will safeguard her purity through worthwhile thoughts. Her thoughts and actions should reflect her high position in life as the literal child of a king-God the Father. She avoids those things which can lead to impure thoughts, including movies, music, and websites. Her conversation is appropriate and doesn’t distract from her mission in life.

This isn’t to say a Mormon can’t have any fun. Every moment needn’t be spent in prayer, but every moment should be spent in such a way that the member would do nothing differently if the Savior were standing next to her as she did it. She keeps her attention on eternity, and avoids morally dangerous activities. The modesty of her thoughts and actions, combined with her modest outward appearance, help her to live a life of moral cleanliness.

Because the law of chastity is an essential part of Mormon doctrine, modesty is very important. Both men and women are expected to live the law, which requires them to have no intimate relationships outside of marriage between a husband and a wife. There are not differing standards for men and women. Mormons are given strict guidelines to help them stay out of danger. These guidelines protect those who are not married, and also protect those who are married and must stay faithful to their spouse.

Modesty is a part of the law of chastity. By refusing to use their bodies to encourage impure thoughts, they not only protect themselves from unwanted advances, but they also help others to live the law of chastity. Teenagers are taught they have a responsibility not to cause impure thoughts in others, just as they are taught not to allow impure thoughts into their own minds. This gives them a dual responsibility toward themselves and others. While they can’t blame another for their choices, they do have a moral responsibility to help others in their pursuit of purity.

Moral purity shows respect for God and for the temple He gave us to house the spirits He created.

Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the modern day church. God has always spoken to his children through his prophets, beginning with Adam, and continuing on through names familiar to Bible readers-Noah, Abraham, and Isaiah, for instance. However, there were times when the prophets were withdrawn from the earth due to the unwillingness of the people to listen to the prophets. After Jesus and his apostles had all died, God did not call new apostles, because so few had respected their teachings. Even in Jesus’ own time, people debated the words of the prophets. This long period of time was known as the Great Apostasy.

When Joseph Smith was only fourteen years old, he first became aware God had a special plan for his life. It began in an ordinary way, with Joseph and his family participating in the revival spirit that had overcome his area. Ministers from the various churches were holding revivals and working hard to gain new members. Joseph, young as he was, took the responsibility of choosing a church very seriously. However, the more meetings he attended, the more confused he became. They couldn’t all be true, because their teachings contradicted each other. He instinctively understood that truth was absolute and that God was not a God of confusion.

One day, as he studied the Bible searching for answers, he found this scripture:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:5, King James Version of the Bible.

As he pondered the scripture, he realized it was the only solution to his problem. Man would tell him what they thought was true, but God knew what was true. He went to a private spot in the woods and knelt down to pray aloud-the first time he’d ever prayed out loud on his own.

Satan, knowing the eternal significance of the moment, tried to stop the prayer, but of course, he has no power over God. Soon he departed and God and Jesus appeared to Joseph. God introduced His Son and instructed Joseph to listen to Him. Joseph was instructed not to join any of the churches, because none had the complete gospel. He was to wait.

Joseph did so and in time, when he was an adult, God sent an angel named Moroni to visit Joseph and begin training him for the work ahead. It was a number of years before Moroni considered Joseph to have sufficiently matured and learned. He wasn’t perfect, of course. No human is, and Joseph was still young, in his early twenties. However, he was ready to begin.

He was eventually able to gain a set of plates that had inscribed on them an ancient document we now call the Book of Mormon. This document was written by people whose ancestors had fled Jerusalem around 600.BC, at the time of the prophet Jeremiah, and just before the destruction of the city. The book begins with the story of Lehi, the prophet who was instructed to flee when his life was in danger. Over time, the family mingled with others on the continent and built two large civilizations, one generally righteous, and one that was generally wicked. Eventually, the righteous, except for a man named Moroni-the same Moroni who had come as an angel to instruct Joseph-forgot their spiritual heritage and lost God’s protection. They were destroyed and Moroni abridged the records and hid them away before making his escape.

Joseph translated the plates through the Spirit of God. By now, there were some who had gained a testimony of the work and the book was published and the church was formed. The church began with only six adults, but has since grown into a world-wide church with millions who have done just what Joseph did as a teenager-asked God personally which church to join. While God and Jesus don’t normally make a personal appearance, you can learn how to receive an answer of your own.

Visit Pray Often for more help on learning to pray for real answers.

The Holy Ghost, also sometimes called the Holy Spirit, is the third member of the Godhead. Together with God the Father, and with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, He helps to oversee the gospel here on earth. They are distinct beings, but entirely and perfectly unified in purpose and mission. They are one in their love for the gospel.

The Holy Ghost is different from God the Father and Jesus Christ in that He doesn’t have a body. He is a spirit, which allows Him to do many of the things He does.

Jesus promised His apostles that He would send the Holy Ghost to them as a comforter, to help them continue to feel God’s love and to guide them. The Holy Ghost was not on the earth while Jesus was here. They had the Savior Himself, then. However, the power of the Holy Ghost was present, because it is through this power that people are converted. They aren’t converted by arguments, or scriptures, or sermons. It’s the power of the Holy Ghost that tells people the message they are receiving is true.

The Holy Ghost can be felt at times through everyone’s life. We call this early experience the Spirit of Christ, and many in the world call it their conscience or intuition. People often feel something inside of them telling them they are doing something wrong, or that what they are doing is exactly right. They sometimes have an unexplained sense of danger or warning, that when followed, leads them to make safe choices and avoid danger or bad decisions.

Once we’re baptized by someone with the proper authority, we can have a worthy priesthood holder place his hands on our head and give us the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:17)

This is normally done at the same time someone is confirmed a member of the church. From this moment on, you can have the Holy Ghost with you every moment, as long as you are working to live righteously. The Holy Ghost cannot be in an unclean soul, so you must be trying to do the right thing to enjoy His comfort and guidance.

The Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost are essential to our spiritual well-being. Have you ever been confused by the contradictory teachings of the many different churches? Each church teaches something different-even when they fall into a related category. Despite these differences in teaching, they all say they’re telling the truth, and this is baffling to someone who wants to be sure he really is doing what God wants him to do.

The Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost are the key that can help you recognize and identify truth. Many who hear the gospel from a Mormon missionary for the first time say, “Oh, I think somehow I already knew that.” This is because the Spirit is helping them to remember what they once knew when they lived with God before their birth. He’s testifying to them of the truth of what they’re hearing.

Man can lie or imagine or hope about various possible truths, but God knows what is true. The Holy Ghost is sent to deliver the message of truth to our hearts. We can pray to him and learn to recognize his answers. Satan can’t bring peace into our hearts, or true joy, and this is how we recognize God’s “voice.” We most likely won’t really hear a voice, but will have a powerful or peaceful sense of comfort, warmth, and contentment in our hearts. This is God, the only bringer of true contentment.

Would you like to know more about how to find out what is true for yourself, rather than trusting the words of man? Visit “Answers to Life’s Great Questions.”

There are some who believe the Mormons use the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible. The truth is they use both.

The Book of Mormon begins with the family of Lehi and this story illustrates how important the Bible is to the Mormons. Lehi was a prophet in Jerusalem at the time of the prophet Jeremiah. He was told by God to take his family and flee into the wilderness with his family because the wicked wanted to kill him because he was calling them to repentance.

After they had traveled for a few weeks, God instructed Lehi to send his four sons back to Jerusalem to obtain some critical records from an unrighteous relative. These records included the scriptures that were available to that point, probably including most of what is in the Torah. The brothers encountered severe trials in their attempts to obtain the records, including the theft of the wealth they offered the relative and attempted murder. However, the records were well worth the great wealth they were offering for them and were also worth risking their lives for.

A later prophet, Mosiah, explained to his sons why those records were so essential:

3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.

  4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.

  5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct. (Mosiah 1)

The Bible is the record of God’s dealings with the prophets of the Holy Land, His earliest teachings, and most importantly, a record of the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Without that record, our knowledge of God could not be complete.

The Book of Mormon testifies of the truthfulness of the Bible and of the divinity of Christ. Jesus Christ’s ministry or teachings are mentioned more often in the Book of Mormon than they are in the Bible.

Mormons consider the Bible to be God’s word as far as it’s properly translated. The Bible wasn’t, course, written in English. It was translated by various people-not prophets-and so it’s possible for errors to creep in, especially when translations are made from other translations. Anyone who has done translation work knows it isn’t an exact science. Often there are no words that have exactly the same meaning, or there could be several possible meanings. The interpreter chooses what words to use and this is generally influenced by his own beliefs and experiences.

For this reason, the Mormons have a small disclaimer. They believe the Bible was perfect as it came from the hands of the authors, but that errors might have crept in later.