Are You Mormon? Can You Explain Your Faith To Me? I Am Greek Orthodox.?

Answer 1

While Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy are similar to each other doctrinally, both hold teachings that differ from Mormonism. Both Catholicism and Orthodoxy believe God's being is trinitarian, whereas Latter-day Saints affirm that Jesus Christ has a separate nature and is a separate entity from the Father. Christ's oneness with the Father is spiritual in purpose and mind. In both Catholic traditions, Christ's death and resurrection provides access to saving grace. For Latter-day Saints the Atonement of Jesus Christ was a descending below all things in order to rise above all. The Atonement reunites man with God, and all that Christ received from the Father may be received by man from the Father through Christ. Catholics believe that Jesus bestowed on Peter his pastoral authority, which has been passed on in the institution of the Papacy. Latter-day Saints believe that Peter held the keys of apostolic authority, but that these keys were lost in succeeding generations, requiring a modern restoration of these keys. With this restoration came knowledge and authority lost since the New Testament Church, including organizational patterns, the spirit of prophecy, and the temple and its ordinances. For Catholics the scriptural canon is closed while for Latter-day Saints the canon remains open and revelation is ongoing. Latter-day Saints also do not believe in transubstantiation but understand the sacrament as symbols for the remembrance of the body and blood of Christ. While Catholics view marriage as a grace-giving sacrament, Latter-day Saints teach that the eternal glorification of the family is the highest spiritual possibility. Finally, in addition to other differences, while Latter-day Saints honor Mary, they have no equivalent of the doctrines of the immaculate conception, perpetual virginity, intercession, and the bodily assumption of Mary.

The basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are summed up in 13 simple statements penned by Joseph Smith as a response to frequent queries on the teachings and doctrines of the Church. These statements are now known as the Articles of Faith? of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They are:

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 this 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.

Answer 2

I was looking for similarities between these faiths. The most striking is on eternal life.

Orthodox believe when a person dies his soul is “temporarily” separated from his body. Though it may linger for a short period on Earth, it is ultimately escorted either to heaven or hell, following the Temporary Judgment. The soul’s experience of either of these states is only a “foretaste,” being experienced only by the soul, until the Final Judgment, when the soul and body will be reunited. The Orthodox believe that the state of the soul in Hades can be changed by the love and prayers of the righteous up until the Last Judgment

The Orthodox believe that after the Final Judgment:

all souls will be reunited with their resurrected bodies
that all souls will fully experience their spiritual state
that having been perfected, mankind will forever progress towards a deeper and fuller love of God, which equates with eternal happiness
that hell, though often described in metaphor as punishment, is not so much inflicted by God as the soul's inability to participate in God's infinite love which is given freely and abundantly to everyone.

Mormons also believe that body and spirit are temporally separated at death. We either are assigned to Paradise or Spirit Prison. After the Resurrection and before the Final Judgement we receive a glorified body. Through the rest of eternity we continue to learn and grow.until we can obtain a fulness of joy. We believe that those that never heard the Gospel will have the oppotunity to accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do not only pray for them, but we also perform the ordinances of the Gospel such as Baptism on their behalf.

Answer 3

They are christian and believe in the Bible.
they believe that there was an apostacy after christ's death.
For nearly 1600 years, the truth and Christ's church did not exist on the earth.
Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet and to restore Christ's church to the earth today.
He was also instructed to find and translate an ancient text of scripture that was written in the Americas by Prophets that lived here.

Mormons encourage all to learn about the basic beliefs. Read some or all of the Book of Mormon, and then pray to god to find out if it is true.

Hope that helps

Go to mormon.org and have the Missionaries bring you a free Book of Mormon if you're interested.

Answer 4

Would you like an actual 'Mormon' to answer now?

It's difficult to explain a religion in a synopsis, but here are some truths we proclaim that many don't:
1. God has a prophet on the earth that he speaks to and is chosen to lead Christ's church on earth.
2. Truth can be accessed and learned.
3. That the Book of Mormon, like the Bible, teaches Gods truth and can help clarify the murky teachings of the Bible.
4. You can be baptized by someone who has the authority to do so.
5. You can receive the gift of the holy ghost as a constant companion.
6. You can learn the true gospel of happiness.
7. You can learn what is required to enter Gods presence again.
8. You can learn what must be done to live with your spouse as husband and wife forever.

If you have more specific questions, you're welcome to email me or find the answers for yourself at the church website [lds.org or mormon.org]
Merry Christmas

Answer 5

Best place to go would be www.lds.org or www.mormon.org

www.mormon.org was talking about having a live chat missionary there to answer questions...so that may be something to look into.

Our faith is all encompassing. It fills and is expressed in every part of our lives (if we are actually living the Gospel that is) so it is very hard to "explain" our faith in this type of forum. If you have specific questions...feel free to look at the websites or contact me or one of the other LDS that are on Y!A.

Answer 6

The easiest way to ecplain it is for me to share with you what the church calls 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 7

http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

Answer 8

Sorry looks like you got mostly bigots answering this question
here are some websites that can explain more than I can in one post.

http://www.lds.org
http://www.mormon.org
http://www.josephsmith.net

If you have any other question please email me.

Answer 9

Lets see, Someone rewrote a Bible that has scrolls and scripture written in the beginning , , They wrote this Book of Mormon when, a century ago or so ago making changes to what was once a Bible, lets see, this Joseph Smith came along, made many predictions, proven false by the way, and they all turn heads, and some believe you can have a person baptized after they are dead.
The Holy Bible tells us not to Change Gods Word.
The Book of Mormon Changes Gods Word.

Answer 10

I'm not a Mormon but here is a detailed break down on how LDS doctrines differ from standard Christian teaching.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Primary Differences Between Mormonism & Christianity


What Do Mormons Believe: Divine Authority
The Mormon church uses two sources as its primary authorities: the Book of Mormon and the Bible. The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price are also viewed as divinely authoritative. The Christian church uses the Holy Bible alone as its authority from God. Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of God
The Mormon church sees God as the Supreme Being of the universe. However, He gradually acquired that position over a long period of time by living a perfect and righteous life. God the Father has a body (flesh and bones). The Christian church proclaims God as eternally and infinitely supreme. He is the same today as always. He is a spirit Being.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Man
The Mormon church teaches that humans exist as spirit beings before their birth. At physical birth, bodies are given to these spirits. They are also given an opportunity for free-will choice. The physical world represents a period of probation. The status of a person in the afterlife is determined by the way that person lived their life on Earth. If the person lived by a satisfactory standard, (including the fulfillment of Mormon temple obligations) that person has the potential to become a god in the after-life. They can also produce "spirit children" to populate a world of his own (like God did with the earth). The Christian church holds that humans do not exist as spirits prior to being born into the world. Humans cannot attain godhood or populate other worlds with "spirit children."

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Jesus Christ
The Mormon church views Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers and sons of God. God put forth His plan of salvation for the world, and Satan proposed his own plan. Jesus accepted the Father's plan and offered to implement it as the Savior. The Father chose Jesus, and the spirit of Jesus was given a body through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity. The character and life of Jesus is attainable by anyone who performs at such a righteous level. The Christian church teaches that Jesus Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God, the second "person" of the Trinity. Jesus took on human flesh about 2000 years ago and was born into the world through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity.

What Do Mormons Believe: How do we Achieve Salvation
The Mormon church holds that Jesus Christ overcame physical death and guaranteed physical resurrection to all mankind. However, spiritual death can only be avoided through personal obedience of God's commandments. Forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. The practice of baptism for the dead is an extension of this belief, in which Mormons are baptized in proxy for those who have died without proper baptism. The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God's perfectly holy standard. Therefore, we establish a relationship with God by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience to God, but not the means for gaining eternal salvation.

What Do Mormons Believe: Life After Death
The Mormon church maintains that although there is temporary punishment for those that are most wicked, Jesus Christ will establish a new kingdom that will consist of three levels: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The Christian church holds that there are only two possible fates after death, heaven or hell. These locations are final, both physically and spiritually.