Mormonism: A Christ-Centered, Global Faith

Did you know that 40 percent of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live in 
Latin America? Or that the Church has more than 29,000 congregations worldwide? Or that Mormons 
are guided by basic tenets, such as a belief in Jesus Christ and a focus on family?

This new video from the Church lists these facts and more for those not familiar with the faith.

Link to Newsroom

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MORMONS 101: Back to the Basics

What is a Mormon church service like?

How long does church typically run?

What is the proper attire to wear to church?

Where do visitors sit?

For answers to these questions and more, watch the video below:

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Are Mormons Christian?

It has often puzzled me that so many do not accept Mormons as Christian. 

  If Christian means a professed belief in Christ…then yes! Mormons are Christian!¹

  If Christian denotes followers of Christ…yes! Mormons are Christian!²

  If Christian implies a belief in the Bible…yes! Mormons are Christian!³

  If Christian belief relies on Christ as the only name who can save us…yes! Mormons are Christian!⁴

  If the evidence of a Christian life means being kind and decent…yes! Mormons are Christian!⁵

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), declare unequivocally, that Yes! We are Christian!  Our faith is centered on Jesus Christ and on his teachings.  He is our exemplar, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our King.  We follow him in belief and practice.

Our guiding principles were taught to us by the Prophet Joseph Smith: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”⁶

One dictionary defines a Christian as “one who professes belief in Jesus as the Christ or follows the religion based on [the life and teachings of Jesus],” and “one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.”⁷

Church Apostle Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explains, “Thus two characteristics identify Christians: (1) they profess belief in a Savior, and (2) they act in harmony with the Savior’s teachings. Faithful members of the Church, called Saints or Latter-day Saints, qualify clearly in both characteristics. In our belief and our action, we demonstrate that ‘Jesus Christ himself [is] the chief corner stone’ of our faith.”⁸ 

 “We rejoice in our sure knowledge that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” ⁹ With obedient hearts and eyes of faith, “we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.”” ^{10, 11}

Many who do not believe Mormons to be Christian either do not know us or misunderstand us.  Others feel that certain points of our doctrine exclude Mormons from their definition of Christians.

Church Apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated, “By and large any controversy in this matter has swirled around two doctrinal issues—our view of the Godhead and our belief in the principle of continuing revelation leading to an open scriptural canon.”¹²

So we will focus on these two points.  First, we believe that the Godhead consists of not one God, but three separate beings, which differs from other Christian views of the Trinity.  Our first Article of Faith states, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” We believe these three to be members of the Godhead, distinct beings, unified in purpose. Elder Holland stated, “They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance, a Trinitarian notion never set forth in the scriptures because it is not true.”

“Indeed no less a source than the stalwart Harper’s Bible Dictionary records that “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the [New Testament].”¹³

“So any criticism that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not hold the contemporary Christian view of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost is not a comment about our commitment to Christ but rather a recognition (accurate, I might add) that our view of the Godhead breaks with post–New Testament Christian history and returns to the doctrine taught by Jesus Himself.

… “We declare it is self-evident from the scriptures that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate persons, three divine beings.” ¹²

Many wonder where this doctrine is found in the Bible. We can name “illustrations [such] as the Savior’s great Intercessory Prayer…, His baptism at the hands of John, the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the martyrdom of Stephen.”¹² I’ll admit, in some biblical verses this doctrine gets a bit fuzzy, but thanks to modern revelation, we have a clearer understanding of the Godhead. Which leads into our next point…

We believe that God continues to reveal his word to man. Revelations did not end with prophets of biblical times.  If God is “unchangeable”¹⁴, why would he give revelation to one dispensation, but not ours? We believe in a modern-day prophet, the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and modern-day scripture in The Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord said, “My works are without end, and … my words … never cease.”¹⁵

The purpose of continuing revelation is not to lessen the importance of the Bible, but to clarify the doctrines, help us in our understanding, and lead us closer to Christ.

Holland said, “One of the great purposes of continuing revelation through living prophets is to declare to the world through additional witnesses that the Bible is true. ‘This is written,’ an ancient prophet said, speaking of the Book of Mormon, ‘for the intent that ye may believe that,’ speaking of the Bible. ¹⁶ In one of the earliest revelations received by Joseph Smith, the Lord said, ‘Behold, I do not bring [the Book of Mormon forth] to destroy [the Bible] but to build it up.’” ^{17, 18}

Our ninth Article of Faith states, “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.” ¹⁹

Mormons are Christian. We follow Christ.  It is stated in our very name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Book of Mormon scripture says “And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.”²⁰

Especially in this Christmas season, our wish is for others to know that it is Christ whom we love, revere, and follow.  We hope to come together under this one name “Christian” and stand shoulder to shoulder. We “wish to work together with other Christians—and people of all faiths—to recognize and remedy many of the moral and family issues faced by society.”²¹ 

References:

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

2.    Article of Faith 1:4, “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.”

3.    Article of Faith 1:8 “We believe the Bible to be the word of God…”

4.    Article of Faith 1:3 “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

5.    Article of Faith 1:13 “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men…”

6.    Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 49.

7.    See American Heritage Dictionary (1992), s.v. “Christian”; emphasis added.

8.    Eph. 2:20.

9.    Acts 4:12.

10.  Hel. 3:28.

11.  Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Christians in Belief and Action” October 1996

12.  Church Apostle, Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent” October 2007

13.  Paul F. Achtemeier, ed. (1985), 1099; emphasis added.

14.  Malachi 3:6; see also James 1:17

15.  Moses 1:4

16.  Mormon 7:9

17.  D&C 10:52; see also D&C 20:11

18.  Church Apostle, Jeffrey R. Holland, “My Words Never Cease” April 2008

19.  Article of Faith 1:9

20.  3 Nephi 27:8

21.  LDS Topics “Are Mormons Christian”

Published by: McKell

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Making the Case For Marriage

I used to waitress at the Cheesecake Factory. One day, a man and his father sat at one of my tables.   As I greeted them, the father asked, "Are you married?" I responded that I was; he then replied "Will you convince my son to get married?"

The son looked to be in his thirties, well-groomed, appearing to be a professional in the work force.  He lived with the mother of his two or three children, but they were not married.  I came up with something like "Marriage is great! I highly recommend it."

"Are you religious?"

-- "Yes"

"Well, that is why then."

I have thought over this conversation a great deal over the last four and a half years and have been led to ask the question…If he is a committed father, what could be the reason he chooses not to wear the ring?

Statistically, marriage doesn’t do too well; the divorce rate is over 50%.¹  Maybe he doesn’t want to enter into something so breakable.

A broad-based international study of the levels of happiness before and after “major life events” found that, on average, persons are far more successful in recovering their level of happiness after the death of a spouse than after a divorce. ²

To be at risk for divorce, couples must first be married.  So maybe he wondered, why risk it?

I believe in marriage. When my husband and I married, we made a commitment to last longer than the bliss and infatuation--longer than this life even. Our commitment is for eternity.  We were married and sealed in the temple of God, and we made a covenant to God, to each other, and our future family to remain faithful to each other.

This is the kind of marriage I wish for my friends and the people I love.  A marriage where husband and wife work together toward this goal, which is to be worthy of eternal life, and an eternal union, together in God’s presence.

This is an eternal relationship, not a temporary relationship.  When our view changes in this way, we plan differently, our attitudes and actions toward family members change.

“In all of this, we should realize that a good marriage does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection.” ³

Living together is the common trend; “cohabitation precedes 60 percent of marriages.” ⁴  Many want to "try it on for size" first, by moving in together.  Sounds logical…

But statistics say otherwise.  Couples who live together before marriage are at a greater risk for divorce than non-cohabiting couples. ⁵

“Couples who cohabit before marriage have greater marital instability than couples who do not cohabit. Spouses who cohabited before marriage demonstrated more negative and less positive problem solving and support behaviors compared to spouses who did not cohabit.” ⁶

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I believe “God has established an eternal standard that sexual relations should occur only between a man and a woman who are married.”⁷

This is a religious reason, yes, but even a study in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology found tangible, non-religious benefits for couples who waited until marriage to start having sex.

“Regardless of religiosity, waiting helps the relationship form better communication processes, and these help improve long-term stability and relationship satisfaction,” the study’s lead author Dean Busby said.

Benefits include the following: 

-    Relationship stability was rated 22 percent higher

-    Relationship satisfaction was rated 20 percent higher

-    Sexual quality of the relationship was rated 15 percent better

-    Communication was rated 12 percent better⁸

In other words, sociologist Mark Regnerus said, “Couples who hit the honeymoon too early – that is, prioritize sex promptly at the outset of a relationship – often find their relationships underdeveloped when it comes to the qualities that make relationships stable and spouses reliable and trustworthy.”

So I waited to have sex until I was married.  I married my husband in the temple, and we were sealed--a contract that is completely unique from any other on earth, in that its terms do not end at death.  We love each other, and we are committed to each other for the long run.

Without our commitment to this eternal goal, I imagine it might be tempting to split when the hard times come.  But we have made a commitment, we are keeping it, and life is good.

“The Savior’s way of life is good. His way includes chastity before marriage and total fidelity within marriage. The Lord’s way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. His way brings sustained comfort to our souls and perennial peace to our homes. And best of all, His way leads us home to Him and our Heavenly Father, to eternal life and exaltation.” ⁹

References:

1. American Psychological Association, available at http://www.apa.org/topics/divorce/

2. Richard E. Lucas, “Adaptation and the Set-Point Model of Subjective Well-Being: Does Happiness Change after Major Life Events?” Current Directions in Psychological Science, Apr. 2007, available at www.psychologicalscience.org.

3. Church Apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Divorce”, April 2007, General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. See The State of Our Unions: Marriage in America, 2012 (2012), 76.

5. Ruth Weston, Lixia Qu and David de Vaus, “Premarital cohabitation and marital stability” Australian Institute of Family Studies

6. Cohan, C. L. and Kleinbaum, S. (2002), Toward a Greater Understanding of the Cohabitation Effect: Premarital Cohabitation and Marital Communication. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64: 180–192. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00180.x

7. “We believe that, as an essential part of His plan of salvation, God has established an eternal standard that sexual relations should occur only between a man and a woman who are married.”   Church Apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “No Other Gods”, October 2013, General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

8. American Psychological Association’s Journal of Family Psychology, via BYU News

9. Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Decisions For Eternity”, October 2013

Published by: McKell

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What Mormons Believe About Family

Short video on the family. 

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November Theme: Gratitude for Having an Eternal Family

We are a little late rolling out our theme for November… but we are excited to take this month to discuss the family, and our gratitude for having an eternal family!  This theme is near and dear to our hearts, because this is the stage of life we are in right now! 

When I was leaving the hospital with my first little baby boy, I felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for a new little person. It was all very new to me; I couldn't believe they would send me home with a brand new baby without first checking off a list of reading material or how-to parenting videos, or maybe even requiring me to 'test out' before leaving the hospital. What were they thinking?

I did a lot of reading on my own, I consulted my mom, and a lot of friends with several children, and I tried my best to “do it right”.  Of course, I didn’t always do it right, I messed up a lot, and I felt grateful that my first child was a boy, because I figured that he was tough!  Thankfully he, and I, survived through my parenting mishaps.

Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also helped a lot!  We believe that the family is fundamental in society, and we are often taught about family in church.  There are even parenting classes offered!  I love “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, a proclamation given by the prophet and apostles of our church, which outlines exactly how God expects us to run our family!  In this most important work, I am not left to wonder what is right in God’s eyes. 

Through this inspired document, we know that we are created in God’s image, and that we are raising God’s spiritual sons and daughters!  We understand that it is a commandment from God to have children.  We know that a man and a woman should be married as husband and wife, and be equally united.  We know that we need to base our family on the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Our home should be a place of love, a place where values are taught, a place where we learn to work and play together.  Where fathers preside in love and righteousness, and mothers are primarily responsible for the nurturing of their children.  We know that through the blessings of the temple, our family can be united eternally!  (… Which means that even after we depart this life, because we have been sealed as a family in the temple, I will continue to be married to my husband, and my children will still be mine, in Heaven.)

All of the important details about the family are laid out very neatly. When there are so many other voices in the world with differing opinions (some very adamantly promoting their point of view), I have a sure knowledge of what is right. I don't have to wonder if the world is overpopulated; I know the Lord created the earth for our use, and there is room enough for all of His children. When it comes to my position on marriage and having children, I know it is what God wants for us. In His love for us, He has explained the best way for us to be happy!

I love my little family, and I know that I am doing God’s work!  What a humbling responsibility it is to be raising his spirit son and daughter. (Prior to our mortal existence here, each spirit son and daughter lived with God in Heaven.)  Elder Neil L. Anderson, one of the 12 apostles, said, “When a child is born to a husband and wife, they are fulfilling part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to bring children to earth.”  I believe there is still part of heaven in our newborn babies, them having so recently left our Heavenly Father’s presence.  I have had glimpses of their divine identity.  And I have the blessing of teaching and mothering them!  

Published by: McKell

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Ask the Missionaries!

After interviewing our primary children, and getting their answers, some right on, and others a little off... we decided to Ask the Missionaries!  Here are their answers to the same questions we asked our children.

Elder Scholes and Elder Galbraith answered:

What is the Word of Wisdom?
The Word of Wisdom is a health code for our bodies.  It prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and illegal drugs.  God wants us to be healthy so He asks us to eat fruits, vegetables, grains, and to eat meat sparingly.  The Lord has promised us blessings if we obey.  When we follow the Word of Wisdom we are more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Who is the head of the church?  What does he do?
The head of the church is called a prophet, and today his name is Thomas S. Monson.  He leads and guides us today, just like prophets of old from the scriptures; such as Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses. Prophets testify of Jesus Christ and teach his gospel.  He, like the prophets of old, teaches the will of God.  Prophets receive revelation for the church.

Who is Joseph Smith?
 Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As a young boy, in the 1820's, he wanted to know what church to join.  One day he was reading the Bible, in James 1:5 which says if you lack wisdom, ask God.  So he went to pray in a grove of trees.  While he was praying a vision opened up to him, of God the father and Jesus Christ... they told him to join none of the churches.  Christ asked Joseph to help restore the true church.  Joseph also translated the Book of Mormon, which we have today.

What do the scriptures teach?
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It came forth in this dispensation by the will of the Lord.  It is a record of God'd dealings with the people who lived in ancient America.  The scriptures put forth the doctrines of the gospel, outline the plan of salvation, and tell men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.  It teaches us that we must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.
Watch an apostles introduction of the Book of Mormon

What is the Priesthood?
The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God, which he uses to create and govern the heavens and the Earth.  Through this power, he redeems and exalts his children, and brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (See Moses 1:39)  God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the church so they can act in His name for the salvation of his children.  Through the priesthood we can be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.

Why do we pray?
Heavenly Father loves us and knows each of our needs.  He wants to communicate with us through prayer.  When we pray with real intent, God will listen to our prayer and help us in his own time.  God loves when we speak with him.  Jesus Christ taught us to pray always, and commanded, "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name" 3 Nephi 18:19.


Sister Adair & Sister Gordon answered:

Why do we get baptized?
 When we are baptized we make a covenant, or promise, with God, that we will keep his commandments and be willing to take Jesus Christ's name upon us.  In return God blesses us and promises his spirit to always be with us.

Why do we go to church?
 By setting Sunday aside as a day for God, we create the perfect environment to grow spiritually.  When we go to church we learn from each other's experiences and remind ourselves, through partaking the sacrament, of our baptismal promises to live Christ-like lives.

What is the sacrament and what does it symbolize?
Christ atoned for our sins by offering himself as a sacrifice, making it possible for us to repent, or receive forgiveness and strive to be perfect, like him.  Every Sunday we are reminded of this gift by partaking of the sacrament.  Bread, which symbolizes Christ's body, is blessed and passed to the congregation.  Water, which symbolizes his blood, is also blessed and passed.  It is also a reminder to each of us of the promises we made when we were baptized, that we would take upon our self the name of Christ and live faithfully to his commandments the rest of our lives.  In return God promises us that we will have his spirit to be with us always, and that we can receive a remission of our sins.

What did Jesus teach and how can we follow him?
Jesus showed us by his perfect example what we need to do to be truly happy in this life and next.  He taught us to love one another, by putting our concern for others above our concern for ourselves.  The way we can follow him is by keeping his commandments such as faith, repentance, baptism, and enduring to the end.

Why do we have temples?
The temple is a sacred place where we can can perform ordinances that last for eternity, both for ourselves and for those who have passed on, such as marriage and baptism.  Even after this life, we can still progress.

Where does God live?
God lives in Heaven!

Reference: "Ask the missionaries!  They can help you!" By Elder Russel M. Nelson, of the 12 apostles
Watch: Kid Perspectives, short video

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Kid Perspectives

We love our primary children!  They have great answers (funny, thoughtful, and serious) to gospel questions.  Turn up your volume before listening.  Get ready to smile!

Want the doctrine based answers to these questions?  

We asked the missionaries!  Questions are answered here (link).

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The Church at a Glance

If you have ever wondered what Mormon's believe, this short video gives a great overview...

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