Can you explain the main beliefs of Mormons?

Question

What's the difference between this and Christianity? Do Mormons believe in the trinity? What's the book of mormon, who wrote it?

Answer 1

I see no issue with someone objectively stating their opinions if they are based on a rational analysis of the issues. One can carefully study the doctrines and theologies of the Mormon beliefs (see sources below), and can then form their own conclusions. I have carefully studied Mormonism, met with many Mormons here in Arizona, am friends with Mormons, and have read all of materials held sacred by Mormons for over ten years.

In the final analysis, I have found the non-Christian religions, such as Mormonism, to be philosophically indefensible, being internally incoherent or undermining human reason and experience.

If you are confident enough in your own beliefs, then you will have no problem with reading some other analyses of your faith, such as the items shown below.

Mormonism Summary:
http://www.carm.org/lds/nutshell.htm

Is Mormonism Christian?:
Mormons deny the following statement: There is ONE God who eternally exists in three different persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all of whom are fully God, all of whom are equal. That denial alone is enough to assert that Mormons are not Christians. There are many more Mormon doctrines that are contrary to Christian beliefs, e.g., that we existed as spirit beings before we were born on this earth or that God’s final revelation given to the forty authors of the bible is incomplete and needed Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon. Either a few million Mormons are Christians and the billion plus Christians are not, or Mormonism is a heretical system of beliefs. No single orthodox Christian denomination recognizes Mormonism as a Christian belief system. See also: http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_christian.htm

More information about Mormonism…

Doctrinal Writings of Mormon Leaders:
http://www.carm.org/lds/lds_doctrines.htm

For those wanting to go deeper:
http://www.mormonchallenge.com/ref_compare.htm
http://www.exmormon.org/
http://www.mormoninformation.com/
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
http://www.mrm.org/

There are many members of heretical religious groups that have staked their eternal souls on their beliefs without searching the scriptures and reviewing the doctrinal writings of church leaders to satisfy themselves that what they have been told is sufficiently rational and worth believing. Don’t let yourself be one of these persons. Mormons must ask their stake and ward leadership about the things that they have read above. Observe if these leaders are willing to enter into an honest and frank discussion about these matters versus telling them to avoid readings outside of your own faith. If they do the latter, such a dismissal of honest inquiry should be an alarm bell.

Answer 2

Question: "What's the difference between this and Christianity? Do Mormons believe in the trinity? What's the book of mormon, who wrote it?"
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If you asked a Mormon is he is "Christian," he will tell you yes. If you ask him if he is a "Christian" like the "Christians" are, he will tell you no.

I always get a kick out of the Christians telling me that the Mormons are not Christians. Well, we aren't! We are the Saints! Any fool can read the Bible and see that whenever Paul wrote to the followers of Christ, he called them the Saints, not the Christians.

The name "christians" came from the non-believers when they were referring to the Saints. But you can't believe for one moment that the true believers of Jesus Christ would call THEMSELVES Christians. That would be the biggest joke in the world. But you do see the Saints stating that we are "Christian" in our beliefs, because the of the language definition of the word "Christian" is different from the words "The Christians." The Christians are all the false churches in the world. And the really cool thing about it is that you don't need a non-believer to tell you that anymore. The Christians call themselves the Christians!!! Ha! Amazing.

Of course, if you want to talk about the true followers of Jesus Christ, you have to look where they call themselves the Saints. And how many people call themselves Saints? Well, there's almost 12 million in the world that do now!

The next time you see the "Mormon" missionaries knock on your door, be sure to ask them about the difference between the Saints and the Christians. Old Oliver Cowdery taught a couple good sermons about the differences, and they are eye openers!!!

Answer 3

Basically Mormons believe that a third "testament" was given to people in the America's, hence the Book of Mormon. It was essentially given to the founder Joseph Smith so he could bring back the "true" church. They do not believe in the trinity, and they have three heavens. You are saved through works as well as faith. If you make it to the celestial kingdom you become a god. Also, God was once man, and was basically a man that made it to the celestial kingdom and became God.

There is A LOT more to it, but basically they don't marry multiple women anymore, that is probably the main misconception. I don't know all the details, since I am not Mormon, and even if I wanted to, I can't know all the info, because some is kept secret because it is too sacred.

Answer 4

If you speak to a true believing mormon, you'll be told what a wonderful experience living the one true gospel is, and how happy they are. If you let them sic the missionaries on you, you'll get a half dozen or so "lessons", then be asked if they can baptize you.

After that, you'll learn all about what's currently taught, and none of the unpleasant past atrocities and controversies, and other discontinued doctrine due to laws and morality. If you're female, you will be subservient to the male priesthood, although you'll be told you're actually in 'partnership' with them. If you aren't married, there will be considerable pressure to become so.

Mormons believe in three distinct and separate beings as the "Godhead", but nothing like the traditional christian concept of the "Trinity". This new doctrine was revealed to Joseph Smith, who translated to Book of Mormon from gold plates engraved with a unique egytian heiroglyphic text.

If you apply Occam's Razor to all this (the simplest explanation is generally the most correct), you'll discover that the events described in their "books" are nothing more than plageristic nonsense, non-exsitant people and places, and unlikely science. Taken individually, it's possibly plausible, but if viewed in it's entirety: current and historical doctrine, the Smith family history, early church history and the declaration that it is the ONLY true church on the face of the planet, it unravels in a heap of falsehoods, lies and deception.

Other than that, it's no different than any other mind-controlling cult.

Answer 5

Mormons aren't christian. First of all don't believe in the trinity. God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost are three separate gods.
The Book of Mormon was written 1830 by Man named Joseph Smith. Who translated the book from gold plates but according to Martin Harris a witness to the book of Mormon said he translated from seer stone but in a hat.
Mormons believe the book of Mormon is the word of god. But the Bible is not translated correctly.

Answer 6

The Book of Mormon was written by prophets on the American continent. It was translated by Joseph Smith by the power of God. LDS members do not believe in the Trinity; instead, we beleive in the Godhead. This belief is that God is truly Christ's Father, and they both have a body of flesh and blood, and the Holy Ghost dwells in Spirit only (See our doctrine and covenants 130:21-22)

For other basic beleifs you can go to http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1082-1,00.html. There is a short and simple list and explanation of our basic teachings and beliefs.

Answer 7

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 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.
5 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.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 We believe in being subject to bkings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 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.


The Bom (that's right it is the Bomb) was written by many different people just like the bible. The Bom (that's right it is the Bomb) cover the years 600BC-421AD

Answer 8

Mormon is a term used to describe people who are adherents, practitioners, or constituants of Mormonism, and who are identified with the Latter Day Saint movement established around 1830. Today, the term Mormon usually refers to a member of the Utah-based The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

The term derives from the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe is a scriptural witness of Jesus Christ that is comparable to the New Testament. According to the religion's founder Joseph Smith, Jr., this book was written on golden plates, largely by a prophet-warrior-historian named Mormon, who the book says was killed in a great battle between pre-Columbian civilizations during the 4th century.

The Articles of Faith are:

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.

Answer 9

Yes, they are non-sensical. The difference between them and christianity is who they say the last prophet was. Both accept christ, but one believes in golden plates and American Jews living in New York duing the bronze age. Neither is based on fact. Your other questions are relatively unnecessary if you accept the first part of my answer. If not, go talk to a mormon yourself. They will gladly tell you more about their religion, and I commend you for reaching out to find out about other religions. I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for. Take care.

CA

Answer 10

Mormon or lds is a 'cult' religion that 'believes' in modern day saints dreamed up by their founder back in the 19th century. The religion was involved in some pretty nasty massacres in the US west instigated by their leaders, but later the blame was shifted to a 'rouge' element due to the bad press it created.
They don't allow much child intermixing as they probably would start seeing the real world before they became thoroughly brainwashed.