2006-11-20 09:04:10 · 15 answers · asked by Labatt113 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They believe that God's true church has been restored to the earth through a modern-day prophet. They believe that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father still speak to people. They believe that families can be forever. The Book of Mormon is similar to the Bible in that it testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The LDS church worships Jesus Christ as the son of God.
For more about the basic beliefs of the LDS church, check out their websites:
www.lds.org
or
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1082-1,00.html
2006-11-20 09:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 10⤊ 2⤋
To answer your question, the "Mormon's" as most people like to call then (which, by the way is only a nickname) are not all that different from any other Christian religion. One major difference is, that most Christian religions out there believe that God stopped speaking to people centuries ago, while the "Mormons" still believe that God loves his children, and therefore, speaks to them now through a prophet. "Mormons" are NOT white people lovers, they embrace all people of all backgrounds and race. There are a LOT of myths out there about this religion. The only way to know the truth is to go directly to the source and decide for yourself. As to your second question, the Bible and Book of Mormon are not all that different. They are based along the same lines, they are about God and his son Jesus Christ. Both books are ancient records. Most of the Bible deals with before Christ's time and during his life on the earth, and the Book of Mormon deals with those times as well as the times after his resurrection, only it's based on the Americas. Both books are considered to be about equal in the Mormon faith. They are BOTH studied. Mormons do not worship the Book of Mormon, nor any prophets, they worship God. They believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghosts as three separate beings that make-up the God-head. This, coming from a "Mormon" or as we preferred to be called, a Latter-day Saint (LDS). Good luck on your research :)
2006-11-20 17:20:51 · answer #2 · answered by glennemily 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think a Mormon could best answer this, so I will concede to whatever they say :) But I believe Mormons are a very, very different branch of Christianity that came into being a few hundred years ago. The founder claimed to have recieved angelic messages and the Book of Mormon written on gold plates (which disappeared).
I believe the Book of Mormon is a completely different book from the Bible altogether, but they consider it to be just as authoritative.
An excellent book from a neutral standpoint is "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer.
2006-11-20 17:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by janeowyn180 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You have received some very good examples. The "differences" are in large part an emphasis on scriptural points that many churches ignore of overlook because they are "mysteries". The Bible will tell you that God loves you. The Book of Mormon will tell you why. (This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.)
2006-11-20 23:01:55 · answer #4 · answered by Isolde 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are many, many different answers re: Christianity so it is hard to pick a single Christian belief to compare our religion to to say . . . this is what is different. Growing up in a fundamentalist hotbed of religious fervor, I can point out some key differences.
Most Churches look for a great falling away from religion prior to Christ's coming. They believe it will happen in the future. We believe it happened in shortly after the death of the apostles and ushered in the dark ages. We believe the Lord answered a young man's prayers and used him as a prophet to restore certain teachings that had been lost or simply changed. We believe Christ is our Savior and salvation comes only through Him. We do talk of Joseph Smith, just like I am sure the Jews spoke of Moses for a few hundred years or David.
Most religions follow the Nicene Creed and accept a political ruling which defined the Holy Trinity. We believe there are 3 separate and distinct beings which come together to bring man to salvation: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Ghost. Just read the baptism of Christ and it's plain to see the evidence of 3 separate and distinct beings.
We believe other peoples have also been guided by the Lord. We believe one group lived on the American continent and we have their writings in the Book of Mormon. This book compliments the Bible and provides a second witness for Christ. You will see arguments about things not being proved from the Book of Mormon, but did you know there was a great falling away from organized religion when archeology became popular because there is no evidence that horses and chariots existed in Egypt?
Some of the basic beliefs of the Church are:
* God is our Heavenly Father. He loves us and wants us to return to Him.
* Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is our Savior. He redeems us from death by providing the Resurrection. He saves us from sin as we repent.
* Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can return to live with God if we keep His commandments.
* The Holy Ghost helps us to recognize truth.
* The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
* The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth.
* The priesthood authority of God exists in His Church today, just as it did in the original Church.
* The Bible and the Book of Mormon are the word of God.
* God reveals His will to prophets today, just as He did anciently.
* Our life has a sacred purpose.
* Families can be together forever.
* Through serving others, we can experience joy and draw closer to God.
2006-11-20 18:23:05 · answer #5 · answered by whozethere 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Mormons believe God continues to communicate through man as he did in the old days of the Bible. They also believe God continues to call prophets as he did with Moses, Noah, Abraham, etc. They are set up similarly to the Church in the days of Christ, with apostles, prophets, etc. As you state, they believe in the Book of Mormon. This is a set of scriptures similar to the Bible, written by prophets and followers of God. It testifies of Jesus Christ's coming, his resurrection, and of the second coming. It is not different from the Bible, other than not having been translated as many times and not being used by so many religions, but it just another testament, one that goes hand in hand with the Bible, both supporting and being supported thereby.
There are obviously many other things, but they all hinge upon, and are appendages to the above.
2006-11-20 17:14:04 · answer #6 · answered by straightup 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
You are obviously unaware of what the Mormons believe and the principles they follow. For starters, log onto lds.org and order your free Book of Mormon--and read it!
Otherwise, you can follow suit with the others in like-minded answers that know nothing of the people and the religion.
2006-11-20 17:11:58 · answer #7 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
We are not so different. The basis of any Christian religion is that there is a Son of God who came down, took on mortality, and atoned for the sins of man. He was raised on the third day from the dead then established His church through Peter, a prophet on earth. The Jews believe that Jesus was only a prophet but that there will be a Savior to redeem them from their enimies. There is no religion on earth that is completely different from every other, somehow we are all connected through our beliefs.
What makes us different today is that we believe there was an apostacy; meaning that after the Romans and other people had martyred the prophets and apostles called by Christ that the authority that they had, which was given to them by Christ, also left the earth thereby ending revelation for the world/church as a whole. This does not mean that people could not be lead by the spirit or live holy lives dedicated to righteous work. It just means that there was no continuation of scripture, or guidance for people as a whole, no direct revelation from God as concerns His people.
With every falling away God has allowed for us to return. In modern day, some 200 years ago, God began a restoration. He called a prophet just like He had called them in days of old, by His voice. That is what Moses heard on Sinai and what Samuel heard as a boy when he was called to the work, as well as many other ancient prophets. Along with a new prophet to lead the people He provided a new book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. It is not meant to contend with the Bible, but to agree with it and support it. Did not He say that He shall proclaim the gospel by the mouth of two or three witnesses? This book is simply another witness of Christ. These two things are what makes us "peculiar" from the other religions: prophets and another book of scripture.
Another thing that sets us apart is our standards. These are simply guidelines, meant to teach us and help us stay on the straight path that leads to eternal happiness, but our message is still the same; That Jesus is the Christ and He will come again. He loves us and still speaks to man to guide us through these last days and He will not foresake us. I will share with you the testimony of Joseph Smith, which testimony cost him his life, yet he never denied it regardless of what was done to him. And he said, "...it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he say a light, and heard a voice; but still there wer but few who believed him;Some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise...
So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I say two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth?...For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."
I have not seen God nor His son, but I too can say that Jesus is the Christ and that there is communication given from God to men again upon the earth. I have felt it and I know it to be true. If you wish to learn more or have any questions, email me, and I will do my best to answer them.
2006-11-21 18:51:19 · answer #8 · answered by Milly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day saints
The book of Mormon is a volume of scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ and brings men and women closer to God.
see our basic beliefs on www.mormon.org
2006-11-20 17:16:07 · answer #9 · answered by righteous992003 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Unlike the Bible, the book of Mormon has locations/cities that have never been found.
The book of Mormon is called "Another Gospel of Jesus Christ." Here's what the Apostle Paul said about other Gospels...
Galatians 1:8-9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which WE have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
That pretty well covers it, eh?
2006-11-20 17:14:06 · answer #10 · answered by ___ 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋