Beliefs and Practices
Texts
There are four texts that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold scared. The fundamental sacred text is The Bible. The other three sacred texts are the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price and Doctrines and Covenants. The Book of Mormon is a Holy Scripture and the word of God. It contains God’s Guidance as revealed to prophets as well as the history of God’s dealings with people around 600 BC and 400 AD. It’s believed that Joseph Smith Jr. was able to translate this book through the power of God because at the time he had little education and was unfamiliar with the ancient text (The Word of God).
Authority
Within Mormonism, priesthood is the authority and power to act in God’s name for the purposes of salvation of mankind. The church's founder, Joseph Smith Jr., established that priesthood would have this authority. In the Mormon Church the priesthood is split between two orders: the Melchizedek and the Aaronic. Male church members, who meet the standards of church participation and behavior, are usually ordained into a office within the priesthood. The offices include: High Priest, Apostle, Seventy, Patriarch, and Elder (Priesthood). In addition, there is also a Prophet, who acts as the president of the church. This position is usually considered the highest office of the church, and the current president is Prophet Thomas S. Monson.
Beliefs
In the Mormon Church, members believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. A core belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of humankind. LDS members believe that before we were born, we lived with our God in Heaven. In order to learn and grow, God put us on earth to test our faith and devotion to God. Adam and Eve were the first people on earth and created the first family. It’s believed that Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph and that at the age of 30 he embarked on a three-year ministry of teaching, healing and blessing within the Holy. He also gave his apostles the power and authority to continue and assist in his work when he organized the church. Jesus is seen as the Savior because he was crucified for the sins of the world and, as a result, saved all of God’s children from their sins and allowed for them to eventually return to live with God and their families forever. These events are referred to as the Atonement (Jesus Christ). In addition, they believe in an organization that reflects the Primitive Church, which means an organization consisting of teachers, evangelists, pastors, apostles and prophets. In Mormonism, both the Book of Mormon and the Bible are believed to be the word of God and that being subject to rulers and presidents and obeying the law is necessary. They also believe in the gift of prophecy, which is God calling upon man to have authority and preach the Gospel, and in the gift of revelation, healing and visions (Smith). In terms of the Gospel, the LDS’s principles and ordinances are “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost”(Smith). They believe that all men should have the privilege of worshiping how, where and whatever they believe and to do good to all men. In addition, they believe in the revelations of God, more revelations are to come, the American continent is where the New Jerusalem will be built, Christ will reign over the world and that the world will be renewed (Smith). Families are extremely important in the Mormon church because they are the most fundamental unit of the LDS church. Families can be sealed in the Mormon Temple, creating an everlasting bond between the members of a family that lasts beyond life here on Earth.
In the Mormon Church, they abide by the law of tithing and fasting and make a Covenant to God to follow his commandments. The Ten Commandments include:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s (God’s Commandments).
In the Mormon Church, they abide by the law of tithing and fasting and make a Covenant to God to follow his commandments. The Ten Commandments include:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s (God’s Commandments).
Sources
"God's Commandments." Mormon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/commandments>.
"Jesus Christ." Mormon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ>.
"Priesthood." Mormon Claims Answered Chapter Six. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/mclaims6.htm>.
Smith, Joseph. "The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Articles of Faith 1 . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?lang=eng>.
"The Word of God." Mormon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon>.
"Jesus Christ." Mormon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ>.
"Priesthood." Mormon Claims Answered Chapter Six. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/mclaims6.htm>.
Smith, Joseph. "The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Articles of Faith 1 . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1?lang=eng>.
"The Word of God." Mormon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon>.