What do you know about the LDS religion? (Mormons)?

Question

What do you know of the LDS religion? What do you think they believe? Ect...

I belong to the LDS religion, I just want to get an idea of what other people think/ know about my religion.

I just wonder what nonmembers know about Mormons and how they perceive us.

Answer 1

eelai

I pay attention in church and they hardly ever talk about persecution unless they are talking about the history of the church, which is really only when the topic of the year is the Doctrine of Covenants which only happens every 4 years because in Sunday School it rotates every year btwn the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and DandC.

Unless you are going to go ahead and tell us mormons what it is we are taught, when you arent there, you will just have to accept the fact that the church barely ever focuses on persecution.

In fact, where I live, in southern ca, mormons are highly respected and the only time I have ever experienced any real "persecution" is at the opening of the 2 temples here where a bunch of losers came and picketed our temples and handed out anti mormon materials. I just laughed at them.

I got my job because I am mormon. My boss who was not mormon had such high respect for our value system that she hired me out of others because of the reputation, values and work ethics she has had with mormons in the past.
So sorry, we dont have a persecution complex.



DJ

I would like to answer you answer with the following. Christ specifically said he taught in parables so that those who were ready to hear the correct message and the greater truths would be able to hear them. Nothing is secret in the church. It is just sacred principles for people that are ready to hear and accept a greater and more powerful covenant with God. It isnt about being secret. It is about being sacred and being prepared spiritually for it.

Answer 2

I'm a Catholic that received a very liberal Catholic education that included respectful and detailed information on every other existing religion in the world. Also, I know a few members of LDS personally since moving out West.

They have all been kind, charitable and hard working people with very strong family values and solid morals and ethics. I'm proud to know them.

I understand that LDS Church has it's basis in Christianity and are in fact Christians.

Added to that is some stuff that's a little strange to me....the whole Joseph Smith story, the role of the Native Americans, the obsession with ancestry, etc. Weird stuff, but is it really any more weird than believing that a poor Jewish carpenter was the Son of God?

I also know a good deal of the Mormon Church history, from the persecutions and exodus to Utah, the systematic genocide of native peoples, the massacre of other white settlers that traveled west, the polygamy, etc. History that cannot be judged by us and particularly using modern parameters.

As a Catholic, I can see many of the parrallels between our churches, particularly in the eyes of some of our fellow Christians.

The 'flavor-of-the-day' fundamentalist Christians (many of whom don't consider me, a Catholic, to even be Christian) like to point out ridiculous and petty obscure facts that they hold against Catholics....some I've never even heard of, even after 14 years of Catholic education. They like to tell me what I believe and that my Catholic Bible is heretical because we have more book in it than theirs, that the Reformation Protestants threw away. Get my point?

Heck, many of these folks have no history or even doctrine, good or bad. They set up a "church" in a strip mall and read outlandish interpretations of Scripture written by men and despite clear instructions from God to not judge your fellow man, that's what they seem good at. Still, many others understand the Word of God and love all men as we were instructed.

One concern I have with LDS is a history of institutionalized racism. Another is the levels (not sure what you call them) of faith, where only the most acomplished and learned get into the inner sanctums of worship.

This is the reason people call LDS a cult. My outside view of these things is that they are elitist, secretive and paternalistic. I say that to answer your question fairly and honestly, I am not a Mormon-basher and I'm open to dialogue on these topics. I don't know it all, just sharing my perceptions.

Why would a loving and benevelent God keep secrets for only a chosen few? Why would a God that knows how complex our ancestral family trees are allow special priveledge to those that have not lost family histories to war, plague, migration, flood and famine? I just don't understand these things.

Bottom line is that Christians of every flavor, be it Catholic, LDS, Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, fundmentalist, evangelical, etc. had better stop fighting with each other over our small differences and come togehther in mutual defense. We are under attack from a Spiritless, materalistic society, from the Godless atheist, socialists and Communists in our own country and from the world of Islam, which has been making war on Christianity...... and every other faith on the face of the earth...... for 14 centuries.

Answer 3

I agree with the first answer. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon). If you have any questions on a personal level, you can also ask me. I served a 2 year mission for the church and have had some experience in answering people's questions about the church. If you have a specific question you cannot find an answer on the church's website, feel free to reply to me.

EDIT: now that I know your perspective as a church member, you are probably opening yourself up to some personal attacks, so be prepared. You may get what you asked for.

Answer 4

The best source of information is to go the the church's own website.
lds.org

Here are some beliefs in a concise statement called the "Articles of Faith"
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 kings, 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.

-Joseph Smith

Answer 5

Mormons believe in Jesus Christ. They believe that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are all separate beings. They believe that the Gospel was restored by a man name Joseph Smith and he saw God and Christ. They believe that he translated ancient gold plates which created the Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ and it explains the time he spent in America.

Answer 6

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:

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 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.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, 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.

LDS Church teachings on social matters, history and science:
bullet Marriage:
bullet According to a 2000-NOV issue of US News and World Report, LDS teaching has been emphasizing the church's commitment to conservative and family values. They are downplaying its past beliefs in polygyny (plural marriages involving one man and multiple wives) and racism.
bullet Status of marriage at death: Couples who could have been sealed (married in a Mormon temple), but did not take advantage of that opportunity will be forcibly divorced at death and start eternity as single individuals. Fortunately, temple ordinances which will seal a couple can still be done after a person's death. Many Mormons feel a heavy pressure to have a Temple marriage to a fellow Mormon. If they do so, the latter will be automatically sealed. Many Mormons believe that If they marry a non-Mormon, they may face a future of loneliness in heaven, and can never be accepted into the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom.
bullet Divorce while on Earth: During the LDS' biannual conference in 2007-APR, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve discussed divorce. He said:

"This is a sensitive subject because it evokes such strong emotions from persons it has touched in different ways. ... I speak out of concern, but with hope.

He noted that many divorcees are innocent victims:

"... whose former spouses persistently betrayed sacred covenants or abandoned or refused to perform marriage responsibilities for an extended period. ... [They] have firsthand knowledge of circumstances worse than divorce. ...

"When a marriage is dead and beyond hope of resuscitation, it is needful to have a means to end it. ... Often the cause is not incompatibility but selfishness. [Those with] ... serious marriage problems should see their bishop. As the Lord's judge, he will give counsel and perhaps even discipline that will lead toward healing. Bishops do not counsel members to divorce, but they can help members with the consequences of their decisions. ... Even those who think their spouse is entirely to blame should not act hastily. ...

The best way to avoid divorce from an unfaithful, abusive or unsupportive spouse is to avoid marriage to such a person. If you wish to marry, inquire well. ... [A good marriage] does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection." 1,2

Answer 7

we think it sets up cetain ideas that make it nearly impossible to give you our real feelings without feeding your faith in the religion.

an example would be the persecution belief that you have.

we feel that you are taught that persecution means you are telling the truth, which acts twofold.

1. if we agree with you then we reaffirm you faith
2. if we disagree with you and tell you you are wrong then that makes you believe you are being persecuted and that also reaffirms your faith

either way, your belief system is set-up so that you will not question your faith. this is a form of mind control. this is only one example but a strong one how you are manipulated by your church.

if you don't believe me, i ask you to pay attention in church and see if they don't frequently use the persecution idea to keep you bonded to the church.

i don't care about magic underwear and other distorted facts to make you guys look bad. i only care about your freedom of choice and how to change your perception so you can see the reality.

at the root of it, you are under someone else's control. they use the Lord to justify this control and to even make you think you are doing what you want. you are but only to the extent that they let you.

you probably believe that i am persecuting you, so that's just proof that mormonism is the true religion. what if i'm not?

Answer 8

I know they have the Book of Mormon, that even they will tell you is the most perfect word of God. But they sometimes stray from it for other scriptures they have. If they would stick with the Bible and book of Mormon, their doctrines would not be so strange.

Answer 9

Well we believe quite a bit and the best way to find out is directly from the source, you can go to www.mormon.org. When you really want to know what a certain group believes you go directly to their websites and other publications.