What are some basic beliefs of Mormonism?
819694
The Truth About  Mormonism\n\nMost LDS (This stands for Latter Day Saint, That's what they like to call themselves) won't tell you what the Church believes because it is so bizarre. These strange beliefs are the reason mainline Christians Churches say that Mormonism is a non-christian cult. In the next paragraph I will tell you what they believe and add what the Bible teaches on the subject where appropriate.\nMormons teach that our god is a glorified man. A being of flesh and bone. The Bible makes it very clear that God is spirit. The Mormon god  stated out in the great expanse of uncreated space. There in the darkness of a pre-spiritual existence, god the father, Jesus, you, and I will there all equal and co-eternal. Then a god had sexual intercourse with one of his wives and our god was given a spiritual body. He happened to be the first born of this god so he became the savior of this god's world just like Jesus is for our world. He lived, and taught Mormonism to those who would listen to mine. He died just like Jesus did here and if others on that world would repent and be baptized by the Mormon priest there and live to the end of their lives in righteousness they were allow to return to their god. If they didn't measure up they were assigned to other kingdoms that that god has created for them. Kingdoms overseen by their savior  (who became our god) and another valiant spirit that was given the office of holy ghost. (What do you think, is this getting complex?) After the end of the world that our god did his mortal ministry on, he was given many worthy females at he could have sex with and thereby create spirit children (us) to send to a world that he created. Oh, by the way these worlds weren't really created they were organized out of the matter available in space (matter is co-eternal with god and can't be created or destroyed). Jesus was the first born of our god and Lucifer the second born (who became the devil). Can you believe this Mormons don't just say that Jesus is our spiritual brother but also he and we are brothers of Satan. Lucifer wanted to force us all to be good and bring us all back to god Jesus wanted to give us freedom to make our own decision. Jesus won this battle and became god the son. Well Mormons believe this process is repeated again and again. It is their goal to live a perfect life through their first principles of their gospel they are:\n          1. Faith in the Mormon Jesus\n          2. Baptism by immersion (Done only by their priests)\n          3. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Mormon Holy Ghost  ( Done only by their elders)\n          4. Repentance ( You have to repent of every sin you commit, You better have a good memory)\n          5. Enduring to the end of your life in righteousness. Go to step 4 each time to you sin.\nAlong with this there is marriage in the  Mormon temple (You can't become a god without being married). Everyone is also asked to pay a full tithe (Ok they got one thing right) and do volunteer service for the church (They have no paid ministry. That isn't bad either but someone should tell them that pastoring a local christian church is a full time and a half job and it doesn't pay well at all. Men and women that do it are called of God No one would go into that kind of work on their own..\n\n\nJim
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Honestly, I have never heard of anyone thinking that Mormons don't believe in Christ.  That's news to me.  Mormons believe in Christ just as much as the next person.  I'm not Mormon, in fact, I was baptised Lutheran but ever since I was a kid (I'm 43 now), I've gone to quite a few churches.  I've gone to Lutheran churches, Catholic, Baptist, etc.  And I have to say, the best time I had was when I was in first grade through 5th grade as I went to church with my neighbors who were Mormons.  We did Sunday church, Wednesday was primary school (I can still hear the song in my head), and Monday nights I was always invited to participate in their family home evenings.  It was a great experience!
555344
WEIRD...\n\n\nChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The, Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City, UT: (Latter-day Saints, LDS, Mormonism) Main body of Mormonism; recognizes Brigham Young as Smith’s successor. Smith claimed that the Father and Son appeared to him and called him to restore the true Church. LDS Church teaches that God the Father was once a man and was exalted to Godhood. God (and his heavenly Wife) begat billions of spirit children, the firstborn of whom was Jesus. Lucifer was the leader of God’s rebellious spirit children. Those spirits who did not rebel become human beings in order to begin process potentially leading to exaltation to Godhood. Jesus, however, became a God while only a spirit. He organized our world and is Jehovah, the God of Israel. He is a separate and subordinate God to Elohim, the Father. A distinction is made between the Holy Ghost, who is a personage of Spirit, and the Holy Spirit. The latter is a divine energy, force, or spiritual essence that fills the universe and is used by all three members of the Godhead in the exercise and accomplishment of their will. The Church rejects the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. It also redefines salvation by grace to refer simply to resurrection. Almost all humans will be resurrected into one of three kingdoms of glory, the least of which is far superior to anything known in this life. Entry into the higher kingdoms, and one’s rank there, depends not only upon the atonement of Christ, but also upon one’s good works. Achievement of the highest potential within the highest kingdom—Godhood—requires complete “obedience to all the laws and ordinances of the gospel.” The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants are all considered scripture.
345578
Yes, they do.  However, Mormons will tell you that just because he said it doesn't mean they believe it...which goes against their believing that the words of the prophet/president are the words of God...\n"I know that the Mormon (LDS) church's official stance on ALL races today is that they are to all receive the same blessings according to their faith and diligence."  The key word is "today."  That wasn't the case when the Prophet Brigham Young held the flock under his thumb.  You claim not to pay mind to this because it was well over 100 years ago...The Bible was written 2000 years ago!!!  It only takes a century for the Mormon doctrine to change.  It's been 2000 years for Christianity.  Plus, I've encountered LDS on this site that claim the word of the Prophet to be good enough for them, after all, it really is the word of God.  Why, in the last 150 years had God been so confused?  Does he have Alzheimer's?  For almost two millennium he was solid, then Joseph Smith came along and claimed that God's mind was ever changing.  One cannot trust in a faith that is constantly changing, one that has president's who override past presidents AND the doctrine itself.\n***\nThe LDS keep saying that the remarks sound racist today, but that they didn't back in the 1800's.  His words were the words of God...Was God racist in the 1800's?  Why do you defend him with that answer when all you are really doing is claiming that 100 years ago, God was cool with racism?
819633
mormonism is as illogical of not more than christianity
401874
As I am one - I would suggest this website: www.mormon.org - a church website that has our beliefs.\n\nWe worship God - it is always surprising to me that other people think we worship our prophet!  Just like Moses in the Old Testament, the prophet is the person who receives revelation from God, not to be worshipped.  We pray to our Heavenly Father in Christ's name. \n\nIf you want to know the Christ that we believe in - it is he who died for our sins and was resurrected three days later in perfect form, and only through Him can we be saved.  If that is different than other Christians' belief in who Christ is and what he has done, it is news to me.  A Christian, by definition is a believer in Christ, and that makes a Catholic, a Baptist, or any other follower of Christ a Christian just as much as a Mormon.\n\nAs for a being good people - I wish I could be better, and the supreme example to follow is Christ.  \n\nMatthew 5:48 (KJV):\n"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."\n\nI've got a long way to go, but as Christ has promised this is possible (he does not command things that are impossible), I will be one to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout my life on my quest to become perfect.
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They believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.\n\nThey believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.\n\nThey believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.\n\nThey 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.\n\nThey 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.\n\nThey believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.\n\nThey believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.\n\nThey believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; They also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.\n\nThey 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.\n\nThey 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.\n\nThey 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.\n\nTHey believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in cobeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.\n\nThey believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, They may say that they follow the admonition of Paul— They believe all things, they hope all things, they 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, they seek after these things.
557344
I was married to a mormon once, and her daddy was a bishop.  For her sake I tried to validate mormonism, but Joseph Smith was a lying con artist who victimized the weak and ignorant.  This is based on the mormons version of the mormon history.\n\nBeyond that, their doctrine is a perversion of Biblical truth on almost every point of their doctrine.
566005
Matt 7:15\n"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?\n\nWhy Mormon can not be Christians\n1. They teach Ascension (Man becomes God)\n2. They teach Jesus and Satan are brothers\n3. They teach the corruption of the bible immediately after the last Apostle died.\n\nThese teachings are in direct contrast to Christian doctrines
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The seventh Article of Faith explains that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in various spiritual gifts:\n\nWe believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.\n\nMembers of the church believe that these gifts are bestowed upon those who desire to serve God, through the power of the Holy Ghost. We do not hold all of these gifts at the same time. We are given these gifts at times when they are needed to fulfill God’s purposes upon the earth, and when they can be used to benefit and bless the lives of others.\n\n“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.\nAnd there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.\nAnd there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.\nBut the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
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There are a lot of similarities between Islam and Mormonism.  Both have stories of angelic visitations to a founding prophet who was told that Christianity in general had apostatized and that the truth would be restored.  Both religions acknowledge Old and New Testament prophets as significant but that the Bible is ultimately incomplete.\n\nMuslims and Mormons share a similar code of health and standards of dress and conduct, so Muslims and Mormons feel that they can mingle at dances without having their standards threatened.
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Here is a brief outline of the differences\n\nI.  The Uniqueness of God\n\nMormon – \n•"The doctrine of a plurality of Gods is prominent in the Bible. The heads of the Gods appointed our God for us...you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves...the same as all Gods have done before you" (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.370-372, 346).\n•"And they said, 'Let there be light'...And the Gods pronounced the dry land...And the Gods organized the earth...And the Gods planted a garden in Eden" (Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 4:3,10,25; 5:8).\n•"as the Prophet [Joseph Smith] also taught, 'there is a God above the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'" (Mormon Doctrine, p.322, 1966).\n\nBible – \n•“Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.” (Deut. 4:35)\n•“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” (Isaiah 44:6)\n•“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” (Isaiah 43:10)\n•“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself.” (Hebrews 6:13)\n\nNote:  In Genesis Chapter 1, God does refer to himself in the plural, which is consistent with the doctrine of the Trinity.\n\nII. The Humanity of God\n\nMormon –\n•"As man is, God once was: as God is, man may be" (Lorenzo Snow, Millennial Star, vol.54).\n•"I will prove that the world is wrong, by showing what God is...God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret...I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see" (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.345);\n•"God is not omnipresent...cannot be physically present in more than one place at a time"; "If God possesses a form, that form is of necessity of definite proportions, and therefore of limited extension and space. It is impossible for Him to occupy at one time more than one space of such limits" (Talmage, A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.43,48).\n\nBible –\n•“…for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee” (Hosea 11:9)\n•“God is not man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19)\n•“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psalm 90:2)\n•“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house I have built?” (1 Kings 8:27)\n\nIII. The Virgin Birth\n\nMormon –\n•"When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness.  He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol.1, p.50).\n•"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 547, 1979)\n\nBible –\n•“When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:18)\n•“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1: 34-35)\n\nIV. Deity of the Son\n\nMormon –\n•"Three separate personages - Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - comprise the
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The response to the question "Is Mormonism Christian?" depends on the substance of the question and its context. If the inquiry is more theological and religious than theoretical and academic, then the question and answer are normative and depend upon the presuppositions that underlie the query. However, the question can be examined by asking about the significance and implications of labeling and naming in the world of religion. While much modern Latter-day Saint literature has emphasized elements in common between the LDS Church and other Christian denominations, the frequent use of "Mormon" among the early Saints shows that the unique doctrines and beliefs of the Saints—such as the Book of Mormon, the gathering, and the leadership of the prophet—enabled the Saints to withstand the centrifugal pull of Protestant hegemony and establish their own identity. Likewise, the Saints referred to everyone outside of their religion as "Gentile," a practice that continued into this century. Now, with their identity firmly established, the Saints no longer feel constrained to be segregated from other denominations. At the same time, however, new conservative Christians have adopted the label "Christian" to unite themselves and to exclude outsiders or those who may differ in their doctrinal beliefs. The need to show this divergence has grown with the increased prominence of the Church and its members and with the realization that conservative Christians share with the Saints a common social and political agenda.\n\nWhile the debate usually centers on determining whether certain Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices should be considered Christian, there are renowned and influential spokesmen and writers in all the major wings of Christendom who have defended and taught ideas that Joseph Smith taught almost alone a century and a half ago. For instance, in the 1960s many were beginning to question the impersonal nature of God, preferring to see him in terms of a more definite personality. Also, many writers emphasized the divine within man and pointed out man's potential. In contrast to the feelings of earlier centuries, theologians feel a need for continuing revelation and unity, rather than diversity, in the body of Christian churches. Certain trends emphasize spiritual gifts and the sacred nature of marriage, both important to Latter-day Saint beliefs. Finally, the explosion in the discovery of ancient documents also presents parallels between ancient Christian and modern LDS beliefs. As of 1974, patterns of revision in some churches reflect growing similarities between these churches and Latter-day Saint practices. It must be acknowledged, however, that these movements have correspondingly powerful countermovements, and there exists a tremendous chasm between what professional writers say theologically and what actually penetrates to the grassroots.
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I hope you will be fair and clear on your research, and make the distintion between fundamental Mormons and\nThe church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.\n\nAs a LDS for 30yrs, I love the LDS doctrines.\nIt is the best path I choose.\nI always disappointed in most people who missundertood or got the wrong idea about LDS, because so many wrong info out there. \nI could say, LDS can respect other religions, but unfortunately, not all religion can tolerate LDS.
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I am mormon but we do believe the bible as well. Here are some of the many scriptures referring to sexual activities and feelings. I hope that this helps. If you are looking for something specific, let me know:\n\nFornication (Sex before marriage):\nAbstain from fornication, Acts 15: 20. \nThe body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, 1 Cor. 6: 13-18. \nTo avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, 1 Cor. 7: 2-3. \nThis is the will of God, that ye should abstain from fornication, 1 Thes. 4: 3.\n\nAdultery (sex with someone other then your legal spouse)\nJames 2: 11\n  11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. \nLev. 20: 10\n  10  And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. \nEx. 20: 14\n  14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. \nDeut. 5: 18\n  18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery. \nProv. 6: 32\n  32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. \n\nLusts of flesh:\n1 Jn. 2: 16-17:  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world bpasseth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. \nRom. 1: 24, 27\n  24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:   27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. \nGal. 5: 16, 24  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. \nJames 1: 14-15  14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. \nMatt. 5: 28  28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. \nGal. 5: 19  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
323558
I believe you to be true in what your saying.\nYou seem to me like a christian. I find demons to be in mormons. I find them to stick together like a cult group as well. They have hard time figuring out what is real and what is correct. Have you noticed that non member is always corrected even when you join "you get corrected".\nLike that other girl said For some reason like other post of yours you seem to know alot about mormons. \nTalking to the mormon lady who spoke up  well so what if he does! Do you want convert him cause you lose people more and more everyday! Wake up silly mormon tricks are from  the \ndevil not from God. Real christians know that mormons dont live the way God says in the bible. Real christians know that mormons have to have there way. Real christians also know you dont go by a cross you go by a spare that sticks straight up. Nothing you can say can change a christ follower thats "christ", no one else shall i follow, but christ. As a christian follows a true christian knows they can not do works to get there self in to heaven. By the way there is only one heaven and one hell. Sorry that i had to be the one to tell you the true truth.
1175750
as a Mormon i have heard many things over the years and just let people know that i believe that they are wrong, and that they believe i am wrong.  i respect that everyone has their own opinions and i have mine.  people will also make fun of and challenge what is different from their beliefs.  one big thing that we get a lot is that we have more than one wife.  which is not true.  at one point in time we did, but even during that time only 2-5% were apart of polygamy.  another thing i hear a lot is that we re not Christians.  my response is yes we are.  i believe in Christ as my savior and brother to help me get through this life.  i use his teachings in the bible to guide me in what i say act and do.  if this is not a christian than i do not know what is.  getting into Joseph smith is sometimes hard to get  into with those who do not believe, but i just say i believe that he restored Christ church on earth and that he did see god and his son Jesus Christ.  people will either leave you alone or talk bad more.  hope that this helps.