What can you tell me about LDS? (The Mormon Church)?

Question

Here's what I am NOT looking for:
-rude comments
-offensive comments
-obnoxious comments

If you're going to be rude, please keep your opinions to yourself. Thanks.

Answer 1

Here are some basic beliefs. If you want to know more, the missionaries in your local area can answer questions.

A journalist once asked Joseph Smith exactly what Mormons believed. Smith wrote the following document in response. They have since become The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

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 worshipping 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 2

Lots, way to much to fit on this site. It was founded on April 6th,1830 with 6 members, Joseph Smith being the leader. There have been 15 prophets/presidents of the Church since then, the current is Gordon B. Hinckley. At the head of the Church is Jesus Christ. On earth, there is the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 7 quorums of Seventies that are general authorities over the church. Then, geographically the world is divided into areas, which are led by area seventies (some of whom are also in the Quorum of 12 or seventies). These areas are divided into stakes that are led by StakePresidencies and High Councils. Each stake is divided into wards which are led by bishoprics. If an area does not have enough members to support stakes and wards, they are organized into missions and branches. The membership of the church is now over 12 million, although only roughly 4 million are "active"

Or did you want to know about the doctines/beliefs of the church? My answer's too long already, so check out www.lds.org and www.mormon.org.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Mormons themselves are generally very involved with their church, so it's difficult to extract one from the other. As a generalization, they are honest, hardworking, spiritual, social (at least amongst themselves), and I'd buy a used car from one of them.

Doctrine-wise is a different case of Jello. While it claims to be the restored church of jesus christ, there are several glaring issues that detract from it's core values. 1. An ever-changing set of doctrinal interpretation that needs to meet current social and government conditions. 2. A complete lack of verification regarding two of their scared canon that that a complete belief in is necessary to participate in it's temple ceremonies. 3. The temple ceremony is copied from 19th century Masonic rites, but has been subject to changes as per #1.

From this point there is a number of defenses and rationale that can be made, but as a former lds, I can safely say the 'church' is not what it appears to be - but the people are.

Answer 4

Well, I'd like to tell you about our music. I just love the music of the LDS church. You can download it for free (perfectly legal) or listen to it online, and read along with the words.

I'll give you links to some of my favourites:

Downloads for Young Women's Music:
http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,7028-1,00.html
My favourites on this page include:
- Faith in Every Footstep (favourite +++ !!)
- In That Holy Place
- Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God

Some of my favourite LDS children's songs are:

* Families Can Be Together Forever
Listen & read online: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=188&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=188&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
Download: http://www.lds.org/cm/catalogalphamp3/1,18331,4768-1,00.html

* How Will They Know?
Listen & read online: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=182&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=182&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
Download: http://www.lds.org/cm/catalogalphamp3/1,18331,4768-1,00.html?reportStart=41&reportEnd=45&searchPhrase=H

* Nephi's Courage
Listen & read online: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=120&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=120&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
Download: http://www.lds.org/cm/catalogalphamp3/1,18331,4768-1,00.html?reportStart=41&reportEnd=45&searchPhrase=H

Browse around on the church music part of the lds.org. All official LDS songs and hymns are considered doctrinal.

I love LDS music! xo :-)

P.S. Resurrected YA... I was a bike-riding sister missionary for a couple of weeks (I went on a mini-mission, when I was 17). The full-time sister missionaries would be a bit dumbfounded by your assertion that they neither exist nor ride bicycles. Those girls go home with really nice legs!

Answer 5

They believe that American natives descendent from Israelites: False

They believe that Jesus came to the Americas to bring his gospel to them: completely unsupported by evidence.

They believe that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus: I did too, but I guess it is irrelevant.

They believe in free agency (but not to lead you away from the church's other dogmas), modern day prophets (mormon ones that is), and that someday we can be a god on some other world (but only a 'peon' god).

I am sorry, did you just want to tell me what you wanted to hear? Things like "I felt the holy spirit", "I want to return to live with Jesus someday and be his sunbeam"

It never ceases to amaze me how many mormons come on this board pretending like they are just curious about the religion. Why don't you just admit your are mormons posing as 'Gentiles'?

Answer 6

If you want the TRUTH, ask a Mormon. If you want half-truths and blatant lies, ask an ex-Mormon or someone that doesn't know anything about us.

Check on-line for church websites, some have already been mentioned. DON'T go the "ex-Mormon" sites because they will have half-truths and blatant lies.

I KNOW my church is true. I always have and I always will!

Answer 7

Well, the rightful name of the Church is, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Being a Mormon myself I must admit that my answer will be colored by my own personal beliefs. I believe the Church is a restoration of the original Christian Church that Jesus Christ established the foundation for in his public ministry in the meridian of time. I believe that it is built upon Apostles and Prophets that God has called anew to prepare His Church for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

They are very nice people with strong family values and principles......
But I refuse to believe that God punished people(s) of the Earth to the extent that their "sins" are shown by their skin colors....hence not very many minority Mormons.
They operate in a ver highly organized scheme of pyrimdal leadership...some of whom are very controversial...Ezra Taft Benson for one....
I got more....if you want....I like mormons....just not their beliefs...my gut kind of just goes in knots.

Answer 9

You are asking about the Church and not the people. That is good because the LDS people are some of the finest people that have ever lived ANYWHERE. They are also the most deceived. Here are a few comments on the religion.. Remember this is NOT a reflection of the people..

The Truth About Mormonism

Most LDS (This stands for Latter Day Saint, That's what they like to call themselves) won't tell you what the Church believes because it is so bizarre. These strange beliefs are the reason mainline Christians Churches say that Mormonism is a non-christian cult. In the next paragraph I will tell you what they believe and add what the Bible teaches on the subject where appropriate.
Mormons teach that our god is a glorified man. A being of flesh and bone. The Bible makes it very clear that God is spirit. The Mormon god stated out in the great expanse of uncreated space. There in the darkness of a pre-spiritual existence, god the father, Jesus, you, and I will there all equal and co-eternal. Then a god had sexual intercourse with one of his wives and our god was given a spiritual body. He happened to be the first born of this god so he became the savior of this god's world just like Jesus is for our world. He lived, and taught Mormonism to those who would listen to mine. He died just like Jesus did here and if others on that world would repent and be baptized by the Mormon priest there and live to the end of their lives in righteousness they were allow to return to their god. If they didn't measure up they were assigned to other kingdoms that that god has created for them. Kingdoms overseen by their savior (who became our god) and another valiant spirit that was given the office of holy ghost. (What do you think, is this getting complex?) After the end of the world that our god did his mortal ministry on, he was given many worthy females at he could have sex with and thereby create spirit children (us) to send to a world that he created. Oh, by the way these worlds weren't really created they were organized out of the matter available in space (matter is co-eternal with god and can't be created or destroyed). Jesus was the first born of our god and Lucifer the second born (who became the devil). Can you believe this Mormons don't just say that Jesus is our spiritual brother but also he and we are brothers of Satan. Lucifer wanted to force us all to be good and bring us all back to god Jesus wanted to give us freedom to make our own decision. Jesus won this battle and became god the son. Well Mormons believe this process is repeated again and again. It is their goal to live a perfect life through their first principles of their gospel they are:
1. Faith in the Mormon Jesus
2. Baptism by immersion (Done only by their priests)
3. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Mormon Holy Ghost ( Done only by their elders)
4. Repentance ( You have to repent of every sin you commit, You better have a good memory)
5. Enduring to the end of your life in righteousness. Go to step 4 each time to you sin.
Along with this there is marriage in the Mormon temple (You can't become a god without being married). Everyone is also asked to pay a full tithe (Ok they got one thing right) and do volunteer service for the church (They have no paid ministry. That isn't bad either but someone should tell them that pastoring a local christian church is a full time and a half job and it doesn't pay well at all. Men and women that do it are called of God No one would go into that kind of work on their own..
Jim

Answer 10

I'm reading "Under the banner of heaven" by Jon Krakauer. Very insightful.