Browse >
Home / Archive by category 'Mormon Beliefs'
Mormon Beliefs Articles
There has been a lot of discussion lately about what Mormons believe, and some people outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church,” seem to think they can clearly present Mormon belief and get it right. Others are willing to form their opinions about Mormonism from these, often erroneous, reports. Mormon beliefs are those of the early Christian Church formed by Jesus Christ and His apostles. Most Christian churches today have beliefs that have strayed from the original doctrines and patterns of Christ’s primitive church. Assuming that they have true doctrine, and knowing little about Christ’s original teachings, they weigh the doctrines of “Mormonism” against their own view of the truth and label Mormons as “weird.”
The Gospel is Eternal
The gospel of Jesus Christ imbued with power and authority from God has always existed. As in God’s words to Jeremiah, that... Read the rest of this article »
The Book of Mormon (musical) which was a Broadway hit has been another instrumental catalyst in bringing the discussion of the Mormon faith (appropriately and officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to the forefront of the media. When two respected members of the Republican party (who also happen to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) announced their intention to work for the Republican nomination for president, what has now been dubbed the “Mormon moment” received even more fuel.
“Mormon” has become a buzz-word in the media, and will likely remain under discussion and debate for some time. There have been people on both sides of the issue of whether being a Mormon is likely to play a large role in Mitt Romney’s success or failure in his run for election in the presidential race.
The New York Times published a piece by Josh Kron on April 13, 2012, taking a deeper look into what Mormon missionaries‘ lives... Read the rest of this article »
Melissa’s feelings about tithing and fasting:
Fasting is a familiar term among Christians. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which church is sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”) make it a regular practice to participate in a twenty-four hour fast on the first Sunday of every month. Not only is this fast beneficial to us as individuals because it helps us draw closer to the Spirit and cleanse our bodies, but also we find that fasting with a purpose can work like a prayer in seeking out particular blessings for those in need. We help further that purpose by paying a fast offering each month.
Churches are run on donations, and in most denominations a collection plate is passed around for people to place their donations. Latter-day Saint members are encouraged to pay a tithe of 10 percent of their income to The Church of Jesus Christ, but this is not collected publicly during meetings. Those who wish to pay tithing can pick up envelopes... Read the rest of this article »
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... Read the rest of this article »
By Amy Choate-Nielsen
Deseret News
Published: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. MST
David Letterman knows how to get a laugh.Like most comics, he riffs on the day’s news, deadpans the camera and revels in audacity.”Oh, did you hear about this?” the host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman asked his audience recently. “A campaign staffer on the Newt Gingrich campaign was fired because he was making negative comments about Mormons. I thought, now, wait a minute — isn’t Newt in favor of multiple wives?”
Laughter rumbled from the audience followed by applause. The polygamy punch line is a familiar one when it comes to poking fun at Mormons — as though Mormons and polygamy are synonymous in mainstream media. Ironically, the practice that’s most linked to Mormons is a practice most Mormons oppose, according to a groundbreaking new study of Mormons in America released Thursday by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and... Read the rest of this article »
A recent The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted an in-depth survey of Mormons in the United States. Mormon is a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fourth article in a series that appears in Deseret News is evaluating the results of this survey and providing context for the results.
Immigration is a controversial topic in the United States. The survey asked one question on this topic. They were asked which of two statements most closely matched their view, even if they didn’t completely agree. They were asked whether immigrants strengthen or burden the nation. No distinction was made between legal and illegal immigration, leaving those polled to decide for themselves what the question meant.
In the general U.S. population, 45 percent of Americans feel that immigrants strengthen the country, while 44 percent burden it. 12 percent feel that neither or both are true or they have no opinion... Read the rest of this article »
By Mel Borup Chandler.
In most churches, people volunteer for a particular ministry or cause. They work underneath a paid clergy, who are professionally trained or educated, or who have established a ministry based upon their charisma or spirituality.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes erroneously called the Mormon Church) has no paid clergy, but is manned top to bottom by people “called” to perform needed tasks and offer leadership. The organization of the Church is supervised by Jesus Christ and is modeled after Christ’s ancient church, with 12 apostles called from their worldly pursuits, seventies, and all the other offices described in the New Testament.
Some critics of the Church point out that the prophet, his counselors, and the twelve apostles are paid. These men have relinquished their worldly pursuits to serve the Lord full-time for a modest subsistence. No one in their right mind would look at Mormon apostleship as a way to get... Read the rest of this article »
By Richard.
The doctrine of grace and works is undoubtedly one of the most debated topics among teachers and masters of religion. Some churches claim that grace alone is sufficient to save a man, disregarding “good works”, and technically rendering obedience to some, if not all, of God’s commandments, unnecessary for salvation. Others argue that works are necessary for salvation; that without works, faith is dead (James 2:17). To those who believe that grace alone is sufficient, the addition of works as a requirement for salvation is deemed as an insult to God’s grace and his power to save.
Salvation and Justification
Justification means being vindicated or made righteous. It means being reconciled with God. When a person commits sin, he distances himself from God and cuts off from the relationship he had with Him. The reason for this is the fact that no unclean thing can dwell in God’s presence. The only way for him to reestablish that relationship is by being made righteous... Read the rest of this article »
By Richard.
Article 10:
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
The Lord has designated Israel as his own people, as the “firstborn” of the world. With Abraham, He entered into a covenant and said: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This everlasting covenant was confirmed upon Isaac and in turn, upon Jacob who was renamed Israel, whose posterity would become a mighty nation.
However, because of their iniquity, Israel was smitten by numerous oppressors, and the twelve tribes were scattered throughout the earth. The tribes of Judah... Read the rest of this article »
By Richard.
Article 5:
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
One thing that separates the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from other faiths is its claim for an unbroken line of authority that goes back to the Savior Himself. Yes, the Catholic Church claims authority passed down from Peter, but this is not so. After the death of the apostles, the authority was lost. The authority was restored by Peter, James, and John, as angelic messengers to Joseph Smith. By virtue of such authority, members of the Church are given responsibilities or “callings” to serve in the Church. Callings to serve in the Church are voluntary – those who are called to serve receive no financial remuneration for the services they offer.
Callings in the Church come from God. They are given through inspiration and by the laying on of the hands by authorized... Read the rest of this article »
