My son is best friends with a boy who is Mormon. We are Christians, believe that Jesus died to save us. How is the Mormon religion different as far as beliefs? I have heard they used to practice that men could have lots of wives but they don't anymore. Thats about all I know.
2006-08-02 05:38:36 · 10 answers · asked by WriterMom 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are all so great for answering so honestly and openly..and not bashing me for merely asking! I think you make great points, Mormons live right as far as I can see, so a 'safe' good friend for my son.
I do wonder about their own Bible, though. It's so new, too. What are these 13 laws, I can't find them.
2006-08-02 06:28:48 · update #1
Mormons believe in the Bible, so they also believe that Jesus dies to save us. They do not practice polygamy. There are over 12 million members of the church, so you probably know a lot more and just dont know. You don't have anything to worry about. They have a lot of fun activities for youth and non-members are always invited. There is nothing weird that goes on. One good thing is that this boy wont drink or smoke or do anything that you would have to worry about. My best friends mom used to say she was always most comfortable when her daughter hung around with Mormons because she never had to worry about what they were doing.
* Here are the 13 Articles of faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
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.
We 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.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
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.
We 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.
We 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.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we 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, we seek after these things.
2006-08-02 05:43:52 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Mormon is a nickname. Mormon is one of the authors of the Book of Mormon. Just like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are authors in the bible. Latter-day scripture was given to Joseph Smith by Jesus Christ and God the Father for our day and benefit. Years ago Mormon became a nickname because Joseph Smith translated the book.
We believe in the 13 Articles of faith which you can look at on http://www.lds.org
We believe that through the prophet Joseph Smith the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ has been restored. Fully functioning with 12 apostles and a modern day prophet.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that He died for our sins.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lords church 14 million members.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God, and also believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it is true. We believe that a man can get closer to God by reading this book more than any other book created. It is another testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that he had other sheep here in the America's and visited them too.
I hope this helped. I do know that Latter-day Saint Christians/ Mormons have very high standards and live good clean lives trying to emulate that of the Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks for asking and have a nice day.
2006-08-02 05:53:22 · answer #2 · answered by Angel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons believe what is written in the Bible. They have an additional book (The Book of Mormon) that they also believe in.
When I wanted to learn more about the Church of LDS, I went to a Mormon household for dinner on a night when some of their recruiters (I do not know the official term) had also been invited. It was pretty informative. If your son is best friends with a Mormon boy, I'm sure you could arrange something similar.
2006-08-02 05:42:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably the major difference between LDS and other Christian religions is that we have a living Prophet on the world today (he is the President of the Church). We receive guidance from the Prophet on a continuing basis.
We use three major religious books... The Book of Mormon, The Holy Bible (King James Version), and the Doctrine and Covenants. The Book of Mormon contains the writings of the Prophets who lived on the American continents from about 400BC to 400AD and was translated by Joseph Smith... by direction of Jesus Christ, the Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations given to Prophets in the past.
Mormons in the 1800's could have multiple wives because many of our men died in battles that the United States sent them to (on purpose)... and we believe that a family need the Priesthood in the home to help guide and protect them. This ended when Congress passed a
law to restrict our religious practices...
We do believe in following the laws of the land in which we live... which makes it tough for some that live overseas and not in the USA.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Heavenly Father...
We believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings. We believe that these three beings all have the same will... the will of God. Jesus is the Perfect son... his only desire is to do the will of God... God and Jesus have Physical bodies, the Holy Spirit has no Physical body so he is able to enter into our Spirit and talk to us Spirit to Spirit (unmistakable communication).
We believe that EVERYONE on this earth are Spirit children of God and that we lived with him in Heaven.
We believe that we come to this world to get the gift of a Physical body and to be tested... to see if we will do all that God commands...
OK.. you can read more at our official church website...
http://www.lds.org
just follow the links about our beliefs... you can get free materials online... free downloads... or you can order a free Book of Mormon or KJV of the Bible
You can read or search any of our Scriptures here:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
for Book of Mormon:
http://www.mormon.org/freeoffers/1,17785,1405-1-1,00.html
for KJV Bible:
http://www.mormon.org/freeoffers/1,17785,3708-1-2,00.html?src=tv
there is no cost for these publications, and they are available in many languages.
2006-08-02 05:49:55 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm mormon and while I'm no expert, I'm pretty well educated about my faith. I graduated from seminary in high school and institute in college, and I've taught many Sunday School classes.
Yes, we did practice polygamy. No, we don't practice it at this time. People who practice polygamy at this time may be referred to as mormon but they are not mormon. Polygamists are excommunicated at this time.
Mormons are Christian so we believe mostly the same things you do. We believe Jesus atoned for our sins, and died for us, and was risen again. Probably one of the biggest differences is that we don't believe in the trinity and we belief that God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Ghost are separate beings, although they are "one" or unified in their purpose.
As far as basic, "way I live my life" stuff, we're pretty much the same. We believe in honesty, generosity, being kind to others, fidelity, stuff like that.
Anyway, I can answer any of your questions, so write me if you want more info.
2006-08-02 05:57:42 · answer #5 · answered by MornGloryHM 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons are Christian in that they believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, but they have other books of scripture besides the Bible: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.
2006-08-02 05:53:59 · answer #6 · answered by Brigid O' Somebody 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons are Christians too, If you want to know more about our beliefs, try the official (there are some other websites out there that are just not accurate) church website www.lds.org, click on the link that says "basic beliefs."
Good for you for knowing about your kids friends...another option, of course, is just to ask your son's friend.
Best wishes
2006-08-02 05:54:08 · answer #7 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Mormon and we believe that Jesus died for our sins and to save us , But we be leave that he will come again. and it will be called the Second Coming were Christ will rule for 1000 years.
The lds church had more than one wife because we received Revelation to do that but we don't do that any more.
2006-08-02 05:47:31 · answer #8 · answered by slimster 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons reject the fact that God only has one body and one mind.
"For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
-- Colossians 2:9
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
-- John 14:9
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you Before Abraham was, I AM."
-- John 8:58
"There are three essentials of the church: acknowledgment of the divine of the Lord, acknowledgment of the holiness of the Word [Bible], and the life which is called charity" (Divine Providence n. 259[3]).
2006-08-02 05:43:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are pretty similar. They use the bible (as well as the Book of Mormon) and have a few Masonic rituals. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
2006-08-02 05:42:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋