What Do Mormons Really Believe?: Part I

What Do Mormons Really Believe? Part I
Article of Faith #1

This is Part One of an intended series on what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, sometimes called "Mormons" believe--though according to the church's press guidelines that is not the preferred name of church members. For the introduction to the series, I encourage you to read it here. Also please remember that I am a member of the church, so my views do come from the church, though I do not claim to provide the official view; I'll leave it to the church to do that (see, for example, www.mormon.org)

And just as a reminder, the intent of these articles is not to attack or demean other faiths or to cause any kind of contention or argument. They are written to simply outline the beliefs of church members in as straightforward a way as possible. I have no intention to convince, trick or deceive anyone. Indeed, this is far from the mind of any faithful member of the church. We realize full well that spiritual matters are deeply personal and can only be accessed through study, reflection, and with the aid of the Divine.

The Articles of Faith were written by Joseph Smith Jr., whom church members take to be a prophet and the first leader of the church in our time. They were written to clarify the church's position about many fundamental issues.

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Article of Faith #1:
We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

Knowing the nature of God is fundamental to being able to keep His commandments. It is also fundamental to knowing what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe.

In essence, members of the church believe the three persons mentioned in this Article of Faith to be three separate individuals, but one in mission, purpose, and thought. In the words of Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the church leaders:

"We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are 'one' in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance..." [--the notion of the Holy Trinity: three gods in one and one god in three].

Members of the church look at several examples of this notion in the scriptures. First, when Jesus was baptized (Matt 3:16-17), he was in the water with John the Baptist. The Holy Ghost descended like a dove, and his Father spoke from heaven saying "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The doctrine of the church is that these three are simply as separate and distinct as the scripture describes.

Another example is when Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain and a similar thing happened. As Jesus was transfigured before them, they heard the voice of the Father speaking to them from heaven. (Mark 9; Luke 9). The church's point of view is that Jesus was not in two places at once. Rather the voice that came from heaven, calling Jesus his son, was simply the voice of his Father.

One more example is from the life of Joseph Smith himself. As he sought to understand the things of God, he wondered what church he should join. After reading James 1:5 ("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"), he determined to do just that: ask God what church he should join. Early one morning, he went into a grove of trees near his home near Palmyra, New York, and prayed for guidance. What happened next astounded him. He writes:

It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God . . . I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

. . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other?This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Quite a story to be sure, and yet nearly 13 million church members devoutly believe it to be true, have sought the Lord in prayer as Joseph Smith did, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, have come to know of the story's truth. Here again, the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, are seen to be two separate and distinct persons, just like the two examples from the New Testament. (For a more complete version of the story, you can see the church's website on the matter by clicking here.)

Other quick examples: church members feel that when Jesus prayed to his Father in the New Testament, that he was, well, praying to his Father and not to himself. That when Jesus referred to his Father at all (he did many times), that was referring to his real Father, because he is the Son of God. That when Stephen at his death "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55), he saw both God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ because they are separate persons.

These are but a few examples, but they outline the doctrine of the church on this matter. If you'll continue to bear with me, I'll very briefly outline the church's position on each of these three persons.

God, the Eternal Father

God is our Father in Heaven (Matthew 6:9). We call God Heavenly Father because He is the Father of our spirits and we are created in His image ( Genesis 1:27). We lived with God before we came to earth, and we chose to come to earth and follow the teachings of his Son, Jesus Christ, with whom we also lived. God has a body that looks like ours, though His body is immortal, perfected, and has a glory beyond description. He knows us personally and loves us more than we can comprehend.

Our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us and wants to help us return to Him. Our life on Earth is part of His plan for us to each gain a body, learn, grow, and find joy. Sometimes life is hard, lonely, or frightening, but our Heavenly Father is always there for us. He sorrows when we suffer and rejoices when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us as we sincerely pray to Him, and He stands ready to give us comfort, peace, and guidance in our lives.

Jesus Christ taught that we must know the only true God to have eternal life ( John 17:3). As His children, we must know who He is and what He is like to find greater peace and joy, both in this life and in the life to come. This is the church's position.

Jesus Christ

According to church doctrine and beliefs, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Under the direction of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth (John 1:10; Hebrews 1:1?2). Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame death for us. Everyone, the righteous and wicked alike, will receive the gift of resurrection. When life on this earth is over, Jesus Christ will serve as the final Judge ( Acts 17:31; John 5:21?22; Acts 10:42).

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to live with Him when we die. This is only possible through the Savior Jesus Christ ( John 14:6).

Through the Atonement--performed by Jesus Christ with His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by His suffering and the voluntary surrender of His life on the cross--He saves us from our sins as we sincerely repent and follow Him. ( 1 Peter 2:21).

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life while on the earth, approximately 2,000 years ago. Leading by example, He taught how to pray and how to humbly serve others, and He demonstrated the manner in which all should be baptized.

If we follow His example as closely as possible, we will not only find joy in our lives, but we will someday return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven.

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Though one in purpose with the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is a separate being. According to church doctrine, through Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed: "The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us" ( Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).

The special mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son, to reveal the truth, to comfort us, and to sanctify us. He is a divine guide and teacher--a testifier--bearing witness of all truth. Jesus Christ said that the Holy Ghost "will guide you into all truth" ( John 16:13). By the power of the Holy Ghost, we "may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5--from the Book of Mormon. If you are interested, you can request a free copy of Book of Mormon here).

The Holy Ghost is also called the Comforter, as He brings feelings of warmth, reassurance, and peace and can fill our souls with joy. The Holy Ghost often speaks with a voice that we feel. It is described as a still, small voice. He can enlighten our minds, telling us in our heart what is right.

(Much of this material was adapted from www.mormon.org).

The next installment will address the second Article of Faith.