What Do Mormons Really Believe?: Introduction

This is the first installment of articles on what the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe. Many people call them 'Mormons', but according to the "Press Guidelines" on the church's website, they request that this term not be used.

I myself am a member of the church. In these articles, I do not seek to tear other religions down or denigrate the great works and teachings found in any faith. In fact, I have many friends of other faiths, and I cherish them and appreciate how the good teachings of many religions contribute to the goodness of the world. My goal here is to simply clarify the church's teachings--from my own point of view--so that people can understand where the church stands. My goal is not to convince, trick or deceive anyone, but to provide a straightforward summary of the church and its teachings as far as I understand them. To get the official church point of view on anything, I recommend going to their highly informative website: www.mormons.org.

The church as an institution is known for many things, including its humanitarian efforts, its welfare program, and the hard-working nature of its members (we hope!). From the church's pressroom, as a general introduction:

"New statistics for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced at its recent general conference, indicate the Church is rapidly approaching 13 million members worldwide. This steady growth pattern has continued with about a million new members now being added every three years or less.

These figures were announced just weeks after the National Council of Churches published its 2007 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, where it listed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the fourth-largest religion in the United States. However, the Church itself makes no statistical comparisons with other churches and makes no claim to be the fastest-growing Christian denomination.

..."Ultimately, the strength of the Church is really measured by the devotion and commitment of its members," said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles [part of church leadership]. "The Lord has never given us a mandate to be the biggest Church ? in fact, He has said our numbers will be comparatively few ? but He has asked that we commit ourselves to living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ."

I will go through each of the church's "Articles of Faith", and add some commentary on each one. It is also important to understand that there are some members of the church who do their best to keep the commandments as they understand them, and there are those who do not. There are those in between. In my mind, this is a struggle in nearly every religion and belief system. I would hope that we would all try our best to do what is right, and realize that we all make mistakes, whoever we are.

* * *

But first, a very brief summary of my own:

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe...

1. in the teachings of Jesus Christ as given in the New Testament.

2. that Jesus Christ is our redeemer and savior and that there is no other way to return to God but by and through our Savior's great Sacrifice and Atonement for us.

3. that Jesus Christ established and organized a church when He was on the earth.

4. that God spoke to prophets of old such as Moses, Abraham, Elijah, and later, Peter, John the apostle, and others.

5. that God speaks to prophets today.

6. that God can "speak" to anyone today who seeks with a pure intent to know something.

7. that the church that Jesus Christ established was lost but was then restored in its fullness through a prophet named Joseph Smith.

8. that as God has spoken to prophets (revelation), these prophets have written down His words and sacred histories, and that these records are scripture.

9. that the Book of Mormon is one such scripture, along with the Bible. Yes, the church holds that the Bible is just as important a work of scripture as the Book of Mormon. Both are studied intently.

10. that the Book of Mormon is the sacred record of a people that lived somewhere in the Americas from about 600 BCE to about 400 AD.

11. that by reading and studying the Book of Mormon and the Bible, one can gain stronger faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings.

12. that by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God if it is true, one can come to know of its truth, and hence come to know that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet through whom the Book of Mormon came to light by revelation.

13. that God is unchanging, that his teachings are unchanging, and that his standards are unchanging. As human philosophies change over time, God's philosophies do not; His teachings are always true, always pure, and always relevant, despite whatever philosophies of men say.

14. in the 10 commandments, in addition to the many other commandments given by God at various times and in various places.

15. that everyone, even its own members, are free to choose what they believe. In fact, while faith has it's place, church leaders have discouraged "blind faith" from its members and have encouraged members to study things that are said to them.

* * *

That's probably good for now. Thanks for sticking with me so far! For an alternate summary, in the church's own words, click here.

As a follow up and introduction to the essays to come, here, in one place, are the "Articles of Faith" of the church. These can be seen as the official points of view from the church--thirteen statements describing the fundamental beliefs of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. 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 of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

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.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul?We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Next stop: Article of Faith #1!