Mormon Beliefs
Overview of fundamental beliefs
The fourth article of faith provides an overview of basic Mormon beliefs: "The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Mormons believe in the same path to eternal life that the Savior taught while on the earth. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ enables believers to progress in following the Savior and in becoming more like Him. It is the pre-requisite for all positive action and the pathway to genuine spiritual growth. It implies belief in the perfect attributes of the Savior: His omniscience, mercy, justice, and sovereignty. With faith in the Redeemer comes a recognition of our dependence on Him and on His atoning sacrifice--for remission of our sins and for the sustenance, comfort, and remidiation of our sorrows. We apply the atonement as we repent sincerely, and as we apply it, His grace enables us to overcome weaknesses; heal from pain and trial; and to find peace and rest in Him. Even our deepest traumas can be healed though His atoning power. Additionally, as each repentant believer evidences a willingness to comply with the Savior's prescribed pattern for entrance into His kingdom, he or she enters the waters of baptism. Baptisms are performed as the Lord exemplified, by immersion and by one who holds priesthood authority. Following baptism by immersion comes the laying on of hands by one in authority who bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift is an increased measure of the light of Christ that dwells in every person who comes to earth. It is the right to the constant companionship of the third member of the godhead, a personage of spirit, even the Holy Ghost. This gift is invaluable, for though the Holy Ghost, we recieve the mind and the will of God for our daily walk, and gain access to every spiritual gift the Lord can bestow on His worthy followers.
Mormons believe that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth with its pure and complete teachings, ordinances, and divine authority to help each of us come to Christ and be perfected in Him.. .
What Mormons Believe About the Purpose of Life
Mormons believe that God, our Heavenly Father, has a plan for each of us. He knows us individually and will help guide and direct us through our lives. We have divine purpose. We were sent here to receive a physical body. Before we came to earth, we dwelt with our Father in Heaven lacking a body of flesh and bone. We were sent to this world to gain experience, to distinguish good from evil, to learn and grow through the choices we make as we "act and are acted upon" in mortality. Vital to our experience is the gift of agency. No soul is coerced to follow the path the Savior marked. Because of the gift of agency, we feel consequences of our own actions as well as the consequences of others'. With a veil of forgetfulness provided, we are called to live in faith. Through making wise decisions, we strengthen our faith and commitment in Jesus Christ and He, in turn, endows us to find joy and to become more like Him.
How Jesus Christ affects our lives
God’s plan for his children is called the Plan of Salvation. Mormons believe that before you were born, you lived with your Heavenly Father in heaven. You did not have a body of flesh and bone. Heavenly Father knew that in order for you to grow and develop you needed to experience mortality. Without mortality, our growth would be stunted. Heavenly Father sacrificed His son, Jesus Christ, when he was crucified, so that we might be able to repent of our sins and be forgiven. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven for your mistakes and be worthy to dwell with God in the eternities. Heavenly Father knew that we would make mistakes here on earth so he had Jesus Christ, his son, suffer for the sins of the world. Because Jesus Christ paid the price for sin, we don’t have to if we accept Him in our lives and live according to His teachings.
Mormons believe in serving others.
Mormons believe that Joseph Smith restored the true church on the earth.
The Church of Jesus Christ was restored to its fullness to Joseph Smith in 1820. As a fourteen year old boy, Joseph Smith went into the sacred grove of trees in Manchester, New York, and prayed to know which church he should join. It was then that Joseph Smith had the First Vision. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Him and told him he was not to join any of the churches. Instead, he was to restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through inspiration from an Angel, Moroni, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith spent his life acting as missionary and leading the church as a prophet. The restored Mormon Church has the same teachings and organization as the Church established by Jesus in New Testament times. Revelation through a modern day prophet has helped the church adapt to modern day.
Summary of Mormon Beliefs
At the core of a Mormon’s testimony is faith in God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and Joseph Smith’s restoration of the true church on earth. A basic belief in these truths is the foundation of a testimony of the Mormon Church. Mormons believe and strive to follow the Ten Commandments and the Articles of Faith, which outline more basic Mormon beliefs. Because the Mormon Church believes in a modern day prophet, we are open to revelation from the Lord to change or expand the church. Membership in the Mormon Church influences every aspect of your life. Mormons follow The Word of Wisdom, a law in the Mormon Church that forbids drinking alcohol, coffee or using drugs. The law of tithing was later given to the people. Mormons believe in dressing modesty. Mormons refrain from shopping on Sundays in order to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. These laws may seem small but have a large impact on our lives. By following the counsels of the prophet, we can strengthen our testimony of the major beliefs in Mormonism. Having a firm belief in the major beliefs of Mormonism, like having faith in a God and Jesus Christ, will help us follow the commandments and counsel of the Lord. Living the Mormon lifestyle is easy when one has a true and strong testimony of the fundamental beliefs.
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