Official Mormon Beliefs: the Important Ones

Here’s the sort of stuff I’m used to reading about the Mormon Church. …… And this one if you like to read. For the sake of fairness, I thought I’d read and judge what the Mormons themselves would say.

This came from the official LDS website, so it should be a very accurate portrayal of what the Mormon Church currently believes and teaches about Jesus, his sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit. My own thoughts are in bold. You may be surprised at how little you disagree with the Mormon Church. I was. At least on the surface. The difficult thing to sift through is what we have been told about the Mormon Church and what is actually true today, because from all accounts, the Mormon Church has changed some things over time. Not surprisingly, the Mormons are accused of covering up what they really teach and really believe. They are accused of hiding their “true” beliefs in language that sounds Christian. Even I have said that here on this blog based on what I knew of Mormon teaching, or have been told in the past. At any rate, it’s important to consider carefully what is said, and what it means.

Here’s what the Mormon Church believes about Jesus, His sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit. (with a few comments from me)

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father in the flesh.

(I reread that sentence and wasn’t sure until I read down the page a bit. Evidently they simply mean Jesus was the Son of God in the flesh, which is true. Not the best sentence structure though.

He was the Creator,

(that surprised me)

He is our Savior, and He will be our Judge. Under the direction of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth.

(the Bible says he created the universe, but I’m still impressed the Mormons are putting Jesus at the beginning of creation, meaning Jesus predated his life on earth. That’s much closer to the Bible than I thought they were.)

Through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross—that is, by performing the Atonement—Jesus Christ saves us from our sins as we follow Him. Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ saves us from physical death. Because He overcame death, we will all be given the gift of resurrection.

(Not much to argue over when it comes down to it. Let’s dig deeper)

On January 1, 2000, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued the following declaration. Titled “The Living Christ,” this declaration bears witness of the Lord Jesus Christ and summarizes His identity and divine mission:

(In ancient times, the words considered “Scripture” were considered such, NOT because the writers were officially ranking members of a Church, but because the writers had been certified by God through prophecy spoken through them -which proved true- or miracles or both. After all, if I could raise the dead, my opinion would matter more wouldn’t it? These days we like to appoint our own Scripture writing apostles and popes etc… Sorry, just something that annoys me when I think about it too much… )

“As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

“He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament,

(yes! they surprised me again)

the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made’ (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He ‘went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.

(not always, but this is “politically-correct-church-speak” -and this is also the pot calling the kettle black admittedly)

He entreated all to follow His example.

(actually, his main message was to repent but I’m splitting hairs)

He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence,

(false, finally! Something I can disagree with! This is no where in the Bible.)

the purpose of our life on earth, (to repent)

and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

(Not really, although Jesus talked about making it to the life to come as does any church. But in this statement is couched a Mormon teaching of attaining the level of a god ourselves and ruling over our own world. ***As you’ll see below, Mormons dispute my characterization here. And perhaps this IS an exaggeration as a comment below indicated we can never reach the same level as Christ except that by God’s grace we are made co-heirs with him and rule WITH Jesus. If this is all they mean, then the Bible is consistent with that. If they mean attaining our own god-status in our “exaltation” then the Bible is not consistent with it.***

All in all, despite the disagreements over the life to come and whether we had a premortal existence, I was encouraged, but… didn’t you know there had to be a “but?”…. think closely over the words. If we had a premortal existence, is this what they mean when they speak of Christ having a premortal existence? We were all spirits, according to the Mormon Church, until we came down to earth by the power of the Father to live our physical existence. The Mormon Church seems to be bringing us up to the level of Jesus, and Jesus down to our level. I could use some clarification. They wrote that God chose to create the world through Christ before Christ became a physical being on this earth. Why him? Why not me? I’m still not sure how Jesus is different or the same as anyone else. Calling Jesus the God (Jehovah) of the Old Testament is fine, but they also believe YOU and I can become a God of our own world.

***A comment below disputes that Mormonism teaches we can become a God ourselves in the same way Jesus is God. Good for them! I’m glad to know one of the big accusations against the Mormon Church isn’t accurate.***

So was Christ just a guy who did well and became a god? *** see comments below from frui*** The Bible says Jesus and the Father are One. Jesus said if you have seen him, you have seen the Father. John 14. Perhaps if we read a bit further…

“He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

(no contradictions or disagreements with the Bible there)

“We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

(I would agree with those statements)

“He rose from the grave to ‘become the firstfruits of them that slept’ (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His ‘other sheep’ (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised ‘dispensation of the fulness of times’ (Ephesians 1:10).

(uh… well that’s Mormon belief, but it’s not supported by the Bible or by those Scriptures given. In John 10:16, Jesus was speaking to the Jews and explaining to them who he was and what he was doing and going to do. The New Testament goes to great lengths to explain that God was not sending the Messiah Jesus to the Jews only, as many of the Jews believed, but sending Jesus to the whole world, Jews and Gentiles alike. In the context of the New Testament, this is what Jesus was speaking about. No where in the Bible does Jesus ever say he is going to leave and go to another place altogether and preach and perform his ministry again. The Mormons have to read a lot into this verse to get that. Ephesians 1:10 is saying everything is going to be brought under the Lordship of Christ when the times have reached their fulfillment. He ushered that in according to previous verse, when Christ came the first time.)

“Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: ‘His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

(it’s exactly what John wrote about Jesus in Revelation 1… it’s not a plagarism, but I would say that’s where he got it. If Joe had written something different however, I would have thrown Revelation at him.)

” ‘I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father’ (D&C 110:3–4).

(Do I believe Joseph talked to Christ in this way? No I don’t. But does this quote above contradict anything in the Bible? Nope. It’s fine.)

“Of Him the Prophet also declared: ‘And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

” ‘For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

” ‘That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God’ (D&C 76:22–24).

(Everything was just fine until the last comment. Again, are we any different according to the Mormon Church, than Jesus? Perhaps more importantly, does it matter? You know, I think it does for those who have been told the truth, who have heard and read the words of the Scriptures. Throughout the doctrine there is a discernable lack of worship of Jesus Christ, and more of a focus on being as good as we can, and doing as good as we can so we can be as powerful as Jesus. May I never put my faith in me, but throw myself before Christ seeking him to be my All in All, my Savior and my God! We don’t obey the Church, we obey Christ! We don’t follow a Church, we follow Christ. He is God Almighty, the Ancient of Days.)

“We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—’built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone’ (Ephesians 2:20).

(It is the usually stated belief of the Mormon Church that the Church Jesus founded in Israel has failed and therefore Christ “restored” his church by founding the Mormon Church. As part of the Church Jesus founded in Israel, I disagree. Just sayin’.)

“We testify that He will someday return to earth. ‘And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together’ (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

(judged according to our works, and saved according to our faith would be more accurate)

“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles, (ordained by man, not by miracles or through the demonstration of God’s power) that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son” (Ensign, Apr. 2000, 2–3).

(good stuff there)

Atonement of Jesus Christ
As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God.

(the condemnation of sin, the effects of sin are present with us as long as we live on this planet, but that’s not a big argument)

Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected,

(all people were resurrected before anyway Luke 16:19-31, some just went to hell)

and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God. (true)

As descendants of Adam and Eve, all people inherit the effects of the Fall.

(true and this time, effects is a good word -see Romans 7)

In our fallen state, we are subject to opposition and temptation. When we give in to temptation, we are alienated from God,

(see James 1:14-15)

and if we continue in sin, we experience spiritual death, being separated from His presence. We are all subject to temporal death, which is the death of the physical body (see Alma 42:6-9; D&C 29:41–42).

(unless you’re one of the lucky few getting raptured into the eternal state at the end of the world -I Thessalonians 4:15-18)

The only way for us to be saved is for someone else to rescue us. We need someone who can satisfy the demands of justice—standing in our place to assume the burden of the Fall and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ has always been the only one capable of making such a sacrifice.

(yep yep)

From before the Creation of the earth, the Savior has been our only hope for “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

Only He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again. From His mortal mother, Mary, He inherited the ability to die. From His immortal Father, He inherited the power to overcome death. He declared, “As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26).

(close enough)

Only He could redeem us from our sins. God the Father gave Him this power (see Helaman 5:11).

(by the way, Helaman is not in the Bible)

The Savior was able to receive this power and carry out the Atonement because He kept Himself free from sin: “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22). Having lived a perfect, sinless life, He was free from the demands of justice. Because He had the power of redemption and because He had no debt to justice, he could pay the debt for those who repent.

(I don’t believe Jesus had to have some special power given him to overcome death. Romans 6:23 say the wages of sin is death. Jesus had no sin, death had no mastery over him. Therefore Jesus could lay his life down and take it up again. I may be splitting hairs.)

Jesus’s atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. In Gethsemane He submitted to the will of the Father and began to take upon Himself the sins of all people. He has revealed some of what He experienced as He paid the price for our sins:

“I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D&C 19:16–19; see also Luke 22:44; Mosiah 3:7).

(the only part from the Bible there is Luke 22:44, which is this the passage which says Jesus was in such anguish that the sweat falling from him was like drops of blood falling to the ground. The rest are Mormon writings which they consider Scripture)

The Savior continued to suffer for our sins when He allowed Himself to be crucified—”lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:33).

(Mormon book, but the statement is fine)

On the cross, He allowed Himself to die. His body was then laid in a tomb until He was resurrected and became “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Through His death and Resurrection, He overcame physical death for us all.

(yep yep)

Jesus Christ redeems all people from the effects of the Fall.

(well, not yet. A lot of suffering continues to go on in this world)

All people who have ever lived on the earth and who ever will live on the earth will be resurrected and brought back into the presence of God to be judged (see 2 Nephi 2:5–10; Helaman 14:15–17).

(Mormon books, but the Bible speaks of the same things. Revelation 20:11-15 or Matthew 25:31-46)

Through the Savior’s gift of mercy and redeeming grace, we will all receive the gift of immortality and live forever in glorified, resurrected bodies.

(all those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life i.e… those who have put their faith in Jesus)

Although we are redeemed unconditionally from the universal effects of the Fall, we are accountable for our own sins. But we can be forgiven and cleansed from the stain of sin if we “apply the atoning blood of Christ” (Mosiah 4:2). We must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(Mosiah is a Mormon book. Nevertheless, the call to put our faith in Christ, repent and be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit is all over the New Testament)

Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.

(sounds fine)

Roles of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.

He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

(Mormon books, but Jesus said the same thing in John 14 and 16)

We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses.

(Boy doesn’t that set a person up to be deceived? What you FEEL is more accurate than anything you can read or be told? The Bible says, “each one is tempted when, by HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE, he is dragged away and enticed.” -James 1:14. The Bible says again, Paul writing this time: “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” -Romans 7:18. In the Jewish Temple, God commanded that bread representing the word of God, and light representing the Spirit of God be in the same room. A teacher explained to me God was showing them they needed to interpret the Word by the Spirit, and whatever they felt the Spirit was saying to them had to be measured against the Word. He said, “There’s a zillion demons and one Holy Spirit, so you heard a voice…” I thought it was a good point. Even more accurately however, the Bible says “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” -Luke 4:4, Matthew 4:4, and Deuteronomy 8:3. Every word includes the words of the Bible, not just the words we think we heard in our heart. Be careful to compare the words. After all, “All Scripture is God-breathed” -II Timothy 3:16 and can be read with your eyes, one of the five senses.)

As we strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.

Through Him, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and for the benefit of those we love and serve (see D&C 46:9–11).

(sounds good to me)

He is the Comforter (John 14:26). As the soothing voice of a loving parent can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of the Spirit can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of our life, and comfort us when we grieve. The Holy Ghost can fill us “with hope and perfect love” and “teach [us] the peaceable things of the kingdom” (Moroni 8:26; D&C 36:2).

(Mormon books, sounds fine though.)

Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to our covenants (see Mosiah 5:1–6; 3 Nephi 27:20; Moses 6:64–68).

(Mormon books. Sanctified means set apart, made holy so God can use you. The Bible says we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit -I Corinthians 6:11, II Thessalonians 2:13, I Peter 1:2, and through Christs blood -Hebrews 10:29 and our faith -Acts 26:18. We are not sanctified by adherence to religious rituals, our our adherence to a particular Church’s rules and regulations. We surrender to God, He sanctifies us by the Spirit because of Christ’s shed blood and our faith. It is a past tense thing in the Bible for all who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.)

He is the Holy Spirit of Promise (see Ephesians 1:13; D&C 132:7, 18–19, 26).

(The title is fine, only Ephesians is from the Bible)

In this capacity, He confirms that the priesthood ordinances we have received and the covenants we have made are acceptable to God. This approval depends on our continued faithfulness.

(The Bible does not confirm the priesthood ordinances of the Mormon Church, but does confirm the priesthood of all believers. I Peter 2:9. We are all ministers of a new covenant from God through Christ. As Peter wrote, “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” If God’s approval of us, however, depended upon our faithfulness, we are all in big trouble. Faithfulness indicates our adherence to something. -I was faithful in my duties as a security guard. In this way, none of us have been faithful to God. We have all failed him. But instead of my own faithfulness, I have put my faith and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins, and his power through the Holy Spirit to change my life. The point is God’s faithfulness, not my own. He is faithful always. “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” -Romans 3:3-4)

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy.

(I’m out then. I was never worthy to begin with. Luke 17:10)

After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders

(Christians would object to this but actually, all Christians can say they are priests in the order of Melchizedek for that is what Christ was. Hebrews 7)

lay their hands on the person’s head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(The Bible has no such instructions in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. One, if a person does not have the Holy Spirit, He does not belong to the Body of Christ. Romans 8:9. And two, no where has God ever said a person must be confirmed by the Mormon Church or the Catholic Church or any other Church to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit himself when someone believed, through baptism, and through the laying on of hands. At no time however, was receiving the Spirit tied to a Church, but instead it was always tied to someone’s personal faith and surrender to the Lordship of Christ. The gift comes by faith and surrender to Jesus Christ, period. Anything else is man’s creation. Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6:4, II Corinthians 5:17, Acts 19:1-7.)

The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if he or she keeps the commandments.

(It is not tied solely to our keeping the commandments. I John 1:8 – I John 2:2)

Overall…

They believe so many right things about Jesus, yet get there from a different point. The Mormon Church sees Jesus as the Creator of this world, the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and the God (Jehovah) of the Old and New Testaments. Unfortunately, their teaching directs us to become as great as Jesus, to be a god like Jesus, while the Bible directs us to humble ourselves before Jesus and he will lift us up.

***Again, the Mormon Church evidently would dispute that they teach we can “become as great as Jesus, or be a god like Jesus.” At least one of the commentators below disputes it. Good. I am happy to be wrong on this! ***

It is Christ himself who is the focal point of our worship in the Bible. Christ who is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. As I mentioned above, any doctrine that elevates man to God’s level or brings down Christ to ours is a dangerous doctrine. He is God and is part of God, worthy of our praise, and our all in all.

What does the Bible say?

“But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is to bring Christ up from the dead.) But what does it say? “the word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” -Romans 10:6-9

The real problem I have with what I’ve read from the Mormon Church, is the emphasis of salvation based on joining the Mormon Church, receiving the Holy Spirit through the Mormon Church, and everything being contingent on us keeping the commands and ordinances of God through the Mormon Church. The emphasis for our spiritual life is placed on us, our religious practices, and our adherence to the commands. The Bible says “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -not by works, so that one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9

And we would all do well to heed the following warning:

“You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” -Galatians 5:4

Salvation is only found through Jesus Christ and our faith in Him. The Jews and Churches such as the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church and many of our own Churches have sought to justify themselves on the basis of a law or obedience to certain commands. Anyone, beginning with the Jews, who seeks righteousness by works will not attain it. Romans 9:30-10:4.

Righteousness before God comes only by faith (a commitment to, a trust in) in Christ Jesus.