Want to know what we Mormons really believe?

Question

Go ahead and ask.

Too many YAers try to pass off erroneous beliefs or bad information as fact. As one who tries to dispel ignorance and overcome religious paradigms, give me a chance to answer any Mormon related question you may have. I am an active Mormon, I have served a Mormon mission, and I have served within the Mormon church for many years. So go ahead, If you'd like to know something about us, feel free to ask.

I can email you or post a response here publicly - just check back often.

Alexander, depending on your definition, Mormons may be accurately categorized as a cult - as may most other religions. Many consider the term "cult" to carry a very negative connotation and thus shy away from and try to avoid the label. Webster's online dictionary defines cult as:
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
Depending on the definition, most faiths can accurately fall under the definition of a cult.

Numb,
Although I'm not sure if you are wanting to know more about this topic or just state a comment, here's what I would say...
Yes, Mormons believe that a "dude", or a young man named Joseph Smith, sought to know which church of all the churches of his time was true. Upon reading the bible, he pondered James 1:5 which counseled him to seek wisdom directly from God. He decided to do just that. In the Spring of 1820 he entered a forest nearby his home to pray. What occurred there is commonly referred to as the "first vision". Mormons believe he was literally visited by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. As a result of this experience and others that followed, Mormons believe Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet - like Moses, Abraham, Noah, and others.
As a prophet, Joseph taught of Jesus, wrote scripture, communed with heavenly beings, restored lost truths/ordinances, and translated ancient scripture that taught of Christ (the Book of Mormon).

Smarty Pants,
With a long line of Mormon relatives, I am sure you understand and know much about Mormon beliefs. You have most likely considered this question yourself. Personally, I like to think we should all strive to acheive our full potential in this life and even the next. If I am able to continue to grow in wisdom and understanding even beyond the grave, I would choose to do so. If that path leads me towards 'eternal life' and even 'godliness', then I would take it. Would it be a lot of work? Undoubtedly. In my present state I couldn't imagine the work nor the responsibility involved, but I don't think that's reason to shirk. I believe we are all literally spiritual sons and daughters of an Eternal God with His potential engendered within us. Is this blasphemous? Some would say Yes; but if we are the offspring of God as scripture states, is it really that far fetched to believe we can become like God?
I know I answered more than you asked, but I hope it helps.

Victoria,
No. I do not do this nor should any member of the Mormon church. Not only does it go against church teachings, but it is unlawful. The church does not support "forcing" anyone into marriage. As this question may stem from previous comments regarding polygamy - the Mormon church does not practice polygamy.

Westcydr,
With over 6 million non-U.S members, the Mormon church actually has a larger percentage of members living outside of the United States than inside. Having lived 2 years in South America, the majority of the Mormons I associated with there were "non-white". Also, I have been to various congregations in the United States where Tongans and Hispanics were the majority and whites were the minority. Obviously, geography plays a factor in ethnicity, but Mormons as a whole are a very ethnically and culturally diverse group.

Father K,
Re: Brigham Young's Adam-God theory, it is not accepted as doctrine of the Mormon church. Spencer W. Kimball taught, "We hope that you who teach in the various organizations...will always teach the orthodox truth. We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine."
As for what Brigham meant, I believe that he had a personal view of Adam and his pre-mortal role that differed from standard scripture and church doctrine. Why he believed such we can only speculate, but for me it does not change my view of Brigham Young as a prophet. I believe that prophets and spiritual leaders are entitled to personal opinion just like the rest of us.

Answer 1

I have asked and I don't believe it.

I'm not saying that I accept any other religion as being more correct, but yours does not strike me as any more believable than any of the other so-called monotheistic religions.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

Do you, personally believe in the possibility of ascension to Godhood?
Do you really believe that the book of Mormon is correct in any place that it contradicts the Bible?
DO you believe in "time and all eternity" for marriages sealed in the Temple, even though it contradicts Jesus' own words stating that though we may marry in this world, in the next there will be no marriage?
Do you believe that God was once a man like us, but ascended into Godhood, and that Jesus is a separate entity, rather than a part of the holy trinity depicted in the bible?
Do you believe in and accept Christ as your personal saviour? Do you follow Him, know that the way to heaven is through Him and only through Him, rather than by our own works which will never be good enough?
Why do you believe in an all-powerful God, yet not believe He could have created everything? Why would an all-powerful God not be able to do this, but have to take "pre-existing matter" to make our world? Where did this "pre-existing matter" come from?
My in-laws are all Mormon and this is all heard from them, along with a few websites and books.

Answer 3

Yes, I am most curious about this question: You believe Joseph Smith received additional revelation from the Angel Moroni, correct? How do Mormons explain this apparant conflict with Galatians 1:6-9, which reads:

"6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed."

Because Mormon teachings substantially change who Jesus was and what He came to do, this is "another gospel," which is prohibited. How do you respond?

EDIT: More than a week later, I still wait for my answer. Actually, I've never heard a Mormon who was able to answer this question.

Answer 4

I think if people really wanted to know our beliefs they would go to a LDS websight. I feel most people on this forum just like to make stuff up about our religion and post untrue informtation. I really dont understand why they do that. If you don't agree with the religion that's fine, but why make up nonsense about us.

We believe in God, his son Jesus Christ who was born to the Virgin Mary, died for our sins on the cross and was resurrected. We believe in the Bible. We believe in following Christ's example of loving one another. We do not believe in or practice polygamy, those groups that do are not part of our church. In the Bible, in Revelations, where it says to not add to or take away from these words, well there were a few books in the Bible written afterwards and most religious scholars believe that those words were talking about the word of John. There are over 13 million members of out church and it's the 4th largest church in the US. Anyone can go to the vistor's center at the temples to find out what goes on inside. When a temple is first built anyone is allowed to go ona tour of it for the first couple of weeks. The Sacramento temple opened last year and I went on the tour. I hope this clears some stuff up.

Answer 5

Neil- thanks for trying to dispel some of the misinformation that is out there about our church. It baffles me when people just keep passing on untruths that they have heard from others as fact, instead of asking one of us what we believe. It seems as though other Christians hate us at times, judging by their actions. A couple of years ago, I went to the City of Joseph pageant in Nauvoo. (for those who don't know- it is just a musical about the history of our church) There were people standing at every entrance, handing out anti-Mormon literature, and they were pretty pushy about it. Why? Don't they have anything better to do with their time and money? Can you imagine if we stood outside a Babtist revival and handed out anti-Babtist literature, or outside Catholic bingo night and handed out anti-Catholic stuff? How would they like it? Probably not very much. Anyway, we believe that everyone has the right to believe and worship as they see fit, and it would be nice if others respected our beliefs, wouldn't it? I urge anyone who has a question about our church to ask someone who actually belongs to the church, not one of the "experts" who have never set foot inside an LDS church. Thanks again, and peace to you.

Answer 6

On April 9, 1852, Brigham Young, the second President of the Mormon Church, publicly preached his famous Adam-God doctrine. In this sermon he stated:

"Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Archangel, the Ancient of Days! about whom holy men have written and spoken--He is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it, and will know it sooner or later....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. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family;...Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now, let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, pages 50-51)

What in the world did he mean??

Answer 7

Ya I agree with Mellisa on a lot of this stuff just go to Mormon.org and it can set you up with answers. Don't believe all you hear on the Internet. That said all the answers he has given so far are true, not all the comments by other people are true but his answers are true. If you really want to know about our religion the best way to do it is to just go to Mormon.org and I am pretty sure there is a link some where in there that you can give your address and they will send some of our missionaries. They are nice guys who are not trying to force their opinion on you but just want to share what they have found out and they are happy and they want to share and let you be as happy as them. Just don't make stuff up about our religion.

Answer 8

Thanks, I thought for a second there you we're going to be one of those "LDS people believe this random out there thing." and then all the actual members of the church respond "uh, no we don't" at which point the asker responds with something along the lines of "yes you do."

I've learned from that, if I really want to know what someone from another religion believes, I should trust the answers coming from the actual members who live it. It's a good rule of thumbs regardless of what religion you're learning about.

Answer 9

Why does the church say that they are a true restoration of the original when the Book of Hebrews states that you are not?
How do you reconcile the nature of God currently taught with that of the Book of Mormon?

Answer 10

Why can't the general public enter the temple and see what goes on in there? I mean during a ceremony. Why so secretive? Also, don't mormons belive that black people were a curse of god in retribution for Cain slaying Abel?

Answer 11

I asked some Mormon missionaries into my house and we talked. I asked them a lot about what they believe and they were really open and nice until they heard what I believe. Then they clammed up. I have two questions, one I was too shy to ask them and one they created. What is the Mormon belief about bigamy, I have always assumed that the wackos in the Utah desert who marry tons of women and have tons of children all of whom live on welfare were just wackos. I was wondering about what Mormons actually believe about it. And are you afraid of those of us who aren't Christian? Are you afraid that talking to me will somehow tarnish you?