More specifically, do Mormons believe that Christ was not really God's son? I don't know, I have heard things like this about Mormons and about how they are supposedly a cult. I guess I should read a book, but I'd rather hear it firsthand from someone who is Mormon.
2007-06-28 17:22:38 · 13 answers · asked by Hello, my name is Amanda 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There's a document in the Mormon Church called the "Articles of Faith" (of which there are 13). They were written by Joseph Smith after a newspaper reporter asked him what Mormons believe, and provide a quickie summary of Mormon beliefs. Number one states:
"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
So Mormons do believe that Christ is the Son of God, though one way that Mormon beliefs differ from most other Christians is that Mormons believe that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three seperate individuals united in purpose (the Godhead), while general Christianity believes that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three seperate facets of one entity (the Trinity).
While the core beliefs are the same, there are a few other differences to note. A few of the main ones are:
*Mormons believe that God has provided for additional scriptures to provide witness of Him (in accordance with such scriptures as Matthew 18:16 and 2 Corinthians 13:1), while Christianity says that there is only the Bible.
*Mormons believe that there are prophets and apostles in this day and age (Amos 3:7, Ephesians 4:11), while Christians say no new prophets or apostles have been called since the first century AD.
*Mormons believe that we will be punished for our own sins, and not because of Adam and Eve's sin of partaking of the forbidden fruit, while Christianity believes that we will be punished for "original sin."
*Mormons believe that members of the clergy must be called by revelation, and be ordained by the laying on of hands by those who hold the authority to do so, while some Christian churhes say you have to go to school and earn a degree to be a minister.
Those are some of the main points (though it should be noted that the term "Christian churches" above is used in a general way, and may not always reflect the doctrine of all other Christian denominations).
2007-06-28 20:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by Rynok 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If Joseph Smith had the Internet.....
Helen Mar Kimball sits on her bed, computer in her lap.
sweetiepie14 (online)
Suddenly a pop-up message appears on her computer screen: nastyboyJS wants to chat ~ ACCEPT/DENY ~ She accepts.
nastyboyJS: hi. got your address from heber.
sweetiepie14: my dad?? who is this?
nastyboyJS: brother joseph
sweetiepie14: oh! hi!!! wow!
nastyboy14: how RU?
sweetiepie14: ur a nastyboy???
nastyboyJS: j/k - a joke i made up LOL
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: R u alone?
sweetiepie14: yes. why?
nastyboyJS: ur sweet
sweetiepie14: LOL
nastyboyJS: and pretty
sweetiepie14: lol
nastyboyJS: when ur dad talks 2 u tonite, listen 2 him
sweetiepie14: what RU talking about?
nastyboyJS: just remember i talk with god, K?
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: & god tells me what to say
sweetiepie14: k
nastyboyJS: ur perfect
sweetiepie14: ROFL - no
nastyboyJS: i saw you last week in your white dress
sweetiepie14: oh
nastyboyJS: you looked so pure and innocent
sweetiepie14: thx i think ur cute!
nastyboyJS: thats good. real good.
sweetiepie14: gotta help mom - ttyl
nastyboyJS: listen 2 ur dad - a commandment by God
sweetiepie14: k cya
Joseph Smith sits at his computer in a hidden location (for his safety).
fanny4U has signed in
nastyboyJS: hi F
fanny4U: hi lover
nastyboyJS: where RU?
fanny4U: @ ur house w/ Emma
nastyboyJS: WTF!
fanny4U: she asked me 2 help her
nastyboyJS: RU OK?
fanny4U: yes - we R BFF again
nastyboyJS: don't trust Emma!!
fanny4U: why?
nastyboyJS: get outa there now! don't say anything!
fanny4U: K - she's coming - brb
nastyboyJS: GET OUT NOW
fanny4U: xoxo ttfn
fanny4U has signed out
OrsonHide has signed in
ZinaBaby has signed in
elizaRsnow has signed in
OrsonHide: hi Joe
nastyboyJS: Orson! guess what?
OrsonHide: what?
nastyboyJS: ur going to jerusalem!
OrsonHide: WTF? A mission?
nastyboyJS: as revealed to me by god
OrsonHide: but what about Marinda?!
nastyboyJS: ur wife'll be taken care of. TRUST ME.
OrsonHide: i guess if god wills it.....
nastyboyJS: oh he does, he does.
nastyboyJS: Zina! Hi!
ZinaBaby: Hi
nastyboyJS: whatcha doin?
ZinaBaby: chatting w/ Henry
nastyboyJS: U should chat w/ me only
ZinaBaby: but he's my husband
nastyboyJS: about that.....
ZinaBaby: ?
nastyboyJS: I dont WANT plural marriage
ZinaBaby: I know, me neither! lol
nastyboyJS: BUT...
nastyboyJS: an angel came 2 me with flaming sword last nite. if i don't do this i'll lose my position and my life!
ZinaBaby: Wow! RU serious??
nastyboyJS: Lord made known to me UR 2B my celestial wife
ZinaBaby: i'll have to pray about this
nastyboyJS: good idea, then you'll know the truth i speak
ZinaBaby: what will Henry say if god wills it?
nastyboyJS: he follows god 2 - all will be well
ZinaBaby: i better go pray
nastyboyJS: lemme know asap
ZinaBaby: brb (praying)
elizaRsnow: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi e
elizaRsnow: i wrote you another poem
nastyboyJS: kewl
elizaRsnow: inspired by last nite
nastyboyJS: u rawked my world! lol
elizaRsnow: i may be old, but i've got skilz LOL
nastyboyJS: can't wait to see poem
elizaRsnow: i can't believe emma didn't catch us!
nastyboyJS: we can't let that happen
elizaRsnow: i made ur bed this morning and thought of u
nastyboyJS: thx for helping emma at home
elizaRsnow: if it means i'm closer to u, then its all good
nastyboyJS: gotta run
elizaRsnow: luv u
elizaRsnow has signed out
OrsonHide: RU sure??? jerusalem is so far....
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Y not Chicago?
nastyboyJS: god wills it
OrsonHide: Marinda is scared
nastyboyJS: i'll personally take care of her
OrsonHide: k...i guess if god wills it...
nastyboyJS: never fear u will be blessed
OrsonHide has signed out
EmmaHS has signed in
HeberC has signed in
HeberC: i talked 2 her like u said
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: she didn't want 2 @ 1st
nastyboyJS: did u tell her like i told you 2?
HeberC: yes - salvation 4 all of us if she will
nastyboyJS: and?
HeberC: i told her 2 think on it for 24 hrs
nastyboyJS: lemme know ASAP
HeberC: she's a good girl - she'll say yes
nastyboyJS: i hope so as god wills it
HeberC: i know - and i wanna be saved!
nastyboyJS: it depends
HeberC: gonna go talk 2 her again
nastyboyJS: u do that
HeberC has signed out
EmmaHS: hi babe
nastyboyJS: hi u sexy thang
EmmaHS: u know it!
nastyboyJS: gonna B gone 2nite
EmmaHS: not again! Y?
nastyboyJS: more of lords work
EmmaHS: :(
nastyboyJS: i may B gone 3 nites
EmmaHS: im not 2 happy
nastyboyJS: b strong
EmmaHS: its hard
nastyboyJS: ur my light, my life
EmmaHS: i know
nastyboyJS: god will bless u
EmmaHS: fanny was here
nastyboyJS: oh?
EmmaHS: we R friens again
nastyboyJS: b nice!
EmmaHS: Y should i?
nastyboyJS: i told you 2 thats Y
EmmaHS: u better stay away from her
nastyboyJS: of course lol
EmmaHS: im not lol
nastyboyJS: k i promise 2 stay away
EmmaHS: gotta run
nastyboyJS: luv u - cya in 3 days
EmmaHS: as u should
EmmaHS has signed out
sweetiepie14: u still here?
nastyboyJS: HI!!!
sweetiepie14: my dad told me
nastyboyJS: and?
sweetiepie14: Y do u want me??
nastyboyJS: god wills it
sweetiepie14: will it save my kindred?
nastyboyJS: oh yes - salvation for all
sweetiepie14: im scared
nastyboyJS: god will provide - ur a good daughter of god
sweetiepie14: if it will save my family.....
nastyboyJS: say yes and be saved
sweetiepie14: and my family 2 right?
nastyboyJS: its the only way
sweetiepie14: i guess i will then
nastyboyJS: ur a good girl
nastyboyJS: u will be saved now
nastyboyJS: 2morrow nite we will b sealed 4ever
sweetiepie14: 2morrow nite!
nastyboyJS: god says it has to be 2morrow nite
nastyboyJS: ill take good care of you my sweet
nastyboyJS: i promise u eternal salvation
sweetiepie14: im scared!
nastyboyJS: im a prophet of god - b not afraid
sweetiepie14: k i guess
nastyboyJS: follow the prophet and b saved
sweetiepie14: 4 my family
nastyboyJS: oh 1 more thing
sweetiepie14: ?
nastyboyJS: cant tell Emma - god said 2 keep us a secret
sweetiepie14: y?
nastyboyJS: its gods will u keep it secret 4 my safety
sweetiepie14: if god says so then k
nastyboyJS: i look forward 2 us 2morrow
sweetiepie14: cya
sweetiepie14 has signed out
ZinaBaby: back
nastyboyJS: did u pray?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: and?
ZinaBaby: i was told its true
nastyboyJS: came from god
ZinaBaby: this is hard
nastyboyJS: im not about 2 make that angel mad! r u?
ZinaBaby: but I luv henry
nastyboyJS: me 2 - but god wills it
ZinaBaby: henry knows god wills it
nastyboyJS: R u sure?
ZinaBaby: yes
nastyboyJS: k - i'll be there 2morrow a.m.
ZinaBaby: so soon?!
nastyboyJS: u didn't c that angel
ZinaBaby: k
nastyboyJS: i cant wait 2B sealed 2 u
ZinaBaby: god wills it
nastyboyJS: and im a prophet of god - follow me n b saved
ZinaBaby: k ttyl
nastyboyJS: oh - god said dont tell Emma
ZinaBaby: k i promise cya
ZinaBaby has signed out
Joseph logs out and prepares to depart.
2007-07-01 02:44:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll get lots of twisted answers from Mormon haters. Here's the low down first hand:
We believe that Christ was gods literal son.
We believe that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ.
The biggest difference is this: Mormons believe that God always speaks through prophets. Some of these prophets resided in the Americas and wrote down their words in what is now the Book of Mormon. We believe that God had called a modern prophet who speaks his will to us today.
You'll find it interesting to spend a couple minutes reading Joseph Smith's story. I've put the link below. In a nutshell, he wanted to find out which church was true. He prayed to God, and God revealed to him that although they all taught some truth, no church taught all truth and no church was ordained by him. He called Joseph Smith to be a prophet, just like Moses of old.
We encourage people to explore our teachings, think about them. and then ask God if they are true. I know of no other church that broadly asks people to ask God if their church is true. Wouldn't it make sense that only one church WOULD want people to ask God if it was true?
2007-06-29 01:51:46 · answer #3 · answered by Ender 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As someone who was born and raised LDS, I'm here to tell you that they do believe in God and that Jesus is God's literal son. They generally do not believe in the Trinity...
There are real Christians in the LDS church, just as there are some real Christians in mainstream christianity.
A cult, (CONCERNING CHRISTIAN BASED DENOMINATIONS) in my view, teaches others either to hurt other people or yourself or that Jesus Christ is not God's son, or that Jesus sacrifice is not the only thing someone needs to be saved. This does not describe Mormonism. They do not deny Jesus' deity, if they did, and only believed in God, (of the old testament) they would be a branch off of the Muslim or Jewish persuasions and would not honor Jesus so highly (beyond what a prophet recieves) or mention Jesus as God's son the way they do.
2007-06-28 17:37:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, Christ is the Son of God.
All religions are cults by the very definition of the word. However, we are Christians and we have strong beliefs and high morals.
To learn more click the link below to the OFFICIAL church website. It gives you all the basics of our faith. You can even request contact from someone in your area who can teach you more if you would like to know more.
P.S. LDS born and raised and currently active.
2007-06-28 18:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We believe in God, the Eternal FAther, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that Jesus is God's only BEGOTTEN Son.
If you define "cult" like in Websters, then yes, we are a cult, but then so is every other church and religion.
However, if you define it like anti-Mormons do;
CULT: n,. meaning church down the road that I don't like and don't believe, taht I want others to fear and hate as much as I do.
Then no, we're not a cult.
2007-06-30 06:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mormons believe as much as any other Christian that Jesus was God's son. People who say Mormonism is a cult are just jealous cause their religion prohibits fun (Catholics)
2007-06-28 17:25:54 · answer #7 · answered by sakotgrimes 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
WE believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His SON (emphasis added) Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Our First Article of Faith.
We are not a cult, and if we are, then every other religion is a cult. please don't listen to anything about our church on here unless it is from an actual, practicing Mormon.
2007-06-28 17:27:47 · answer #8 · answered by . 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Do you really think someone that is part of a cult is going to admit that it is a cult? Of course not. Cults are bad.
Regarding differences, well, they are actually quite a bit the same.. Both like to make you feel guilty for everything you do. That's how they control you. Very subtle, but it adds up.
btw, exmormon. I know what I'm talking about. When I was a Mormon, I denied that it was a cult too.
2007-06-28 17:35:24 · answer #9 · answered by Cheese and Rice 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
They do believe that Christ was God's son. They teach a lot of doctrine that is unique to their faith, but the core beliefs are same as those of Christianity.
2007-06-28 17:27:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋