Mormons—more properly referred to as Latter-day Saints or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—are well known for certain aspects of their religion and culture which are seen as unique among Christian religions. The focus on families is a well-known aspect of Latter-day Saint culture; most Church members say that marriage and being a good parent are among the most important things in life. Here are some more interesting facts about the religion:
Fact #1: Latter-day Saints believe in the Godhead.
The Godhead is made up of three unique individuals: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Though individual beings, each are united in purpose, power, and knowledge. God the Father is the father of every human spirit, and all men and women are created in His image. He has a glorified, physical body of flesh and bone. Jesus Christ is the firstborn Son of God. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Jesus Christ also has a glorified, physical body of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost does not have a physical body, but is a spirit who acts as a messenger and reveals truth to all of God's children.
Fact #2: The Restoration of the gospel was necessary for salvation.
After Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and the deaths of His Apostles, the fulness of the gospel was absent from the earth because of widespread apostasy. In 1830, Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith. The Restoration brought back everything found in Christ's original Church, including priesthood authority from God, baptism by immersion, the gift of the Holy Ghost, temples, continuing revelation, and the pure doctrine of Christ as taught by living prophets and apostles and in additional scripture, such as the Book of Mormon.
Fact #3: Latter-day Saints accept four volumes of written scripture.
- The Holy Bible: Latter-day Saints believe the Holy Bible to be the word of God. They believe it is a collection of sacred texts that contain many of God's revelations to His children from the Creation of the earth to the ministries of Jesus and His Apostles, and they are encouraged to study and follow its teachings.
- The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with … ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon" (introduction to the Book of Mormon). The plates were buried by the prophet Moroni, the son of Mormon. In 1827, Joseph Smith was instructed to recover the plates and later translate them according to the gift and power of God.
- Additional Scripture: In addition to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Latter-day Saints believe in continuing revelation and consider two additional books as scripture. The Doctrine and Covenants is composed of modern-day revelation from God. The Pearl of Great Price includes two lost books from the Bible, a translation of the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph Smith's history, and the Articles of Faith.
Fact #4: Latter-day Saints believe in modern-day prophets and apostles.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by prophets and apostles just as Christ's Church was led in ancient times. Members believe that God speaks to His prophets to teach, warn, and inspire His children.
Fact #5: Latter-day Saints grow closer to God in temples.
In the early days of the Church, its leaders were commanded to build temples. In temples, Church members draw closer to the Lord, learn about God's plan, and receive ordinances for the living and on behalf of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Men and women are married in temples to seal their relationships throughout eternity—not just "until death do us part."
Fact #6. The plan of salvation is God's plan of happiness.
Latter-day Saint scripture teaches that all humans are God's children and lived with Him before being born. God authored a great and merciful plan by which His children could come to earth to gain a body and become more like Him. This plan, often called the plan of salvation, helps Latter-day Saints answer important questions such as "Where did I come from?" "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?" At the center of the plan is Jesus Christ. He was chosen as a Savior to redeem mankind from sin through His atoning sacrifice and through His followers' faith, repentance, and obedience to covenants made with Him.
Fact #7. Latter-day Saints believe in resurrection and exaltation.
Members of the Church believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, after physical death, each person's body and spirit will reunite and no longer be subject to disease or death. Latter-day Saints also believe that after the Resurrection, mankind can be exalted to the highest level of salvation. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7).
FAQs
This is because Latter-day Saints are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and having His name included in the name of the Church is important to them. Read more about media style for journalists reporting on the Church or any of its members. Watch a video of Latter-day Saint leader, President Russell M.
Why do Latter-day Saints not like being called Mormon? ›
This is because Latter-day Saints are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and having His name included in the name of the Church is important to them. Read more about media style for journalists reporting on the Church or any of its members. Watch a video of Latter-day Saint leader, President Russell M.
How many wives can a Mormon have? ›
Mormon men can lawfully have one wife. The practice of polygamy (polygyny or plural marriage), the marriage of more than one woman to the same man, was practiced by Church members from the 1830s to the early 1900s.
What questions to ask Mormons? ›
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Latter-day Saints Christian? ...
- What do Latter-day Saints believe about God ? ...
- Do Latter-day Saints believe in the Trinity? ...
- What is the Latter-day Saint view of the purpose of life? ...
- Do Latter-day Saints believe in the Bible? ...
- What is the Book of Mormon? ...
- What is a Latter-day Saint temple?
Mormonism is a term defining the religious beliefs and practices of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons. Mormonism describes the doctrines of the Church that were restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
What do Latter-day Saints not believe in? ›
“Mormons reject trinitarianism – the idea that God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are the same entity. This is a central tenet of mainline Christianity that was decided in early Christian councils. So to a lot of Christians, believers in Mormonism are not Christian. It is an internal debate.”
What do Mormons call non-Mormons? ›
In the terminology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the word "gentile" can be used to refer to people who are not members of the LDS Church, since members regard themselves as regathered Israelites.
Can Mormons marry non-Mormons? ›
Marrying a non-member is allowed, however, the marriage ceremony cannot be done in the temple.
Do Mormons believe in birth control? ›
Leaders of the church have gone from historically condemning the use of any birth control as sinful, to allowing it in the present day. In the past the use of birth control methods including artificial contraception was explicitly condemned by LDS Church leaders.
Do Mormons have more than one girlfriend? ›
The standard doctrine of the Church is monogamy, as it always has been, as indicated in the Book of Mormon (Jacob chapter 2): “Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. …
We encourage all of us to practice the Savior's Golden Rule: 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them' (Matthew 7:12).”
Can Mormons kiss before marriage? ›
Aside from counseling against “passionate kissing” before marriage (For the Strength of Youth [2011], 36), Church leaders have not given specific guidelines about when kissing is “permitted” for youth.
What are some strict Mormon rules? ›
They are also sometimes called laws. Members of the faith are well known for a lifestyle that includes paying tithing, conservative dress and grooming, a law of health known as the Word of Wisdom, morality, honesty, integrity, Sunday Sabbath observance, and dedication to families and community.
What are the criticisms of Mormonism? ›
Academic critics have questioned the legitimacy of Smith as a prophet as well as the historical authenticity of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham. Criticism has expanded to include claims of historical revisionism, hom*ophobia, racism, and sexist policies.
Who do Mormons say Jesus is? ›
Mormons talk about a Jesus who was the spirit child of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. They refer to Jesus as the brother of Lucifer who proposed a better plan of redemption and won the designation “Messiah.” They believe in a Jesus who filled in the gap of humanity's need through his atoning sweat in the garden.
What are the core beliefs of Mormonism? ›
The church's core beliefs, circa 1842, are summarized in the "Articles of Faith", and its four primary principles are faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sin, and the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Do Mormons prefer to be called LDS? ›
When referring to Church members, the terms “members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” “Latter-day Saints,” “members of the Church of Jesus Christ” and “members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ” are preferred. We ask that the term “Mormons” and “LDS” not be used.
Why did Mormons change their name to Latter-day Saints? ›
The Church adopted a resolution in 1834 to change the name to the Church of the Latter Day Saints to distinguish it from other Christian denominations of the time. Then in 1838, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Joseph Smith that the name of the Church is to be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Why do Mormons call themselves Latter-day Saints? ›
The qualification "latter-day" refers to the doctrine that members are living in the "latter days", before the Second Coming of Christ, and is used to distinguish the members of the church, which considers itself the restoration of the ancient Christian church.
Why is it no longer called the Mormon tabernacle choir? ›
WHY WAS THE CHOIR RENAMED? Church President Russell M. Nelson in August said he wants people to stop using the word “Mormon” or the acronym “LDS” instead of religion's full name. Nelson in a statement at the time said that the “Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name he has revealed for his church.”
