Mormon Beliefs: Part I: God is our Heavenly Father

The LDS church is a Christian faith. As one of its members, I believe that God is our Heavenly Father, and we are his children. He loves each an every one of us just as a father loves his own children, but more perfectly.

Mormon Beliefs: Part II: The Fall

Heavenly Father sent us here to mortality so that we can gain the experience of living in mortality, which enables us to enjoy His blessings.  Part of his perfect plan was that he would give us “agency” or the ability to choose and act for ourselves, (Joshua 24:15, Old Testament; 2 Nephi 2:26-29, Book of Mormon). Our progression in life depends on whether we choose to follow Jesus Christ, or follow the adversary.

Adam and Eve were given agency in the Garden of Eden, which they used when they chose to eat of the forbidden fruit, subjecting themselves to both physical and spiritual death; physical because they were able to die, and spiritual because they could no longer be in the presence of our Heavenly Father. We believe that the fall of man was part of God’s plan, as it was only after the fall that they could bare children and understand good and evil, thus enabling them to learn and progress, (Genesis 3, Old Testament; 2 Nephi 2:25, Book of Mormon; Alma 12:22-34, Book of Mormon). In our mortal position, we often yield to temptation, sin, and make mistakes. We cannot overcome the effects of sin by ourselves--we are helpless without the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Mormon Beliefs: Part III: Jesus Christ

The Lord chose Jesus Christ before the world was organized to be our Savior and Redeemer, making it possible for us to overcome the effects of the fall. He overcame the obstacle of physical death when he was crucified on the cross and was resurrected on the third day, (Luke 24:1-10, 36-39, New Testament; Helaman 14:15-19, Book of Mormon). His resurrection entitles all of us to receive perfect bodies in the life hereafter, (1 Corinthians 15, 20-23, New Testament; Alma 11:42-45, Book of Mormon). However, to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father again, we must be cleansed from sin, (3 Nephi 27:19, Book of Mormon). Jesus Christ enabled us to overcome our spiritual death through His Atonement. He was sinless, completely obedient to the Father, and remained true though tempted. He took upon himself the sins, sorrows, and heartaches of all the world in the garden of Gethsemane, causing him to suffer beyond comprehension, such that he bled from every pore, (Luke 22:42-44, New Testament; Mosiah 3:7, Book of Mormon). Through this act, he paid the price for our sins so that we can become clean. By exercising faith, repenting, being baptized, and enduring to the end, we can receive these blessings. It is ONLY through our Lord, Jesus Christ, that we can be saved, (John 3:16-17, New Testament; 2 Nephi 2:6-8, Book of Mormon).

Mormon Beliefs: Part IV: Prophetic Dispensations

God has shown his love to us throughout the ages by calling prophets to lead his children, (Amos 3:7, Old Testament; Ephesians 2:19-20, Ephesians 4:11-14, New Testament). He does not want us to be left unguided in this life. From the beginning of time, the Lord has spoken to us through His prophets, who have been given the authority to act in God’s name, which is called the priesthood. These words of God have been recorded in the scriptures for our benefit. Whenever people disregard the words of the prophets, they distance themselves from the Lord and fall into spiritual darkness. When this condition is widespread, it leads to an apostasy and God withdraws His authority from the earth. At the end of an apostasy, the Lord calls another prophet and gives him priesthood authority.

This pattern of prophetic dispensations has occurred since the beginning of time, starting with Adam and continuing with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses for the first five dispensations. Each dispensation was started with the calling of these prophets. Eventually, people have used their agency to reject the gospel and fall into apostasy in each dispensation.

The sixth dispensation was opened when Christ came to the earth and again reestablished his church. He called twelve apostles and laid his hands on their heads to give them the priesthood authority (or keys), (Matthew 16:19, New Testament; Mark 3:14). Following His atonement, death and resurrection, the apostles were left with the authority to build up his church and preach the gospel to the world. However, after Christ left the earth, the apostles were persecuted and eventually killed, which again removed the priesthood from the earth. This began the period known as the “Great Apostasy,” which was prophesied to come, (Matthew 24:9-11, New Testament; Acts 20:28-30, New Testament; 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1-2, New Testament; 1 Nephi 11:34, Book of Mormon). Without priesthood authority to preside over the church, the doctrines established by Christ became corrupted, resulting in unauthorized changes to church organization and ordinances. (Isaiah 24:5, Old Testament) People were left to rely on human wisdom to interpret the scriptures.

Mormon Beliefs: Part V: The Restoration

In the seventh and final dispensation, the dispensation of the “fulness of times,” or the restitution of all things, the Lord again called a prophet to lead and direct his children on earth. This was foretold by the prophets of old, (The Acts 3:19-22, New Testament; Deuteronomy 18:15, Old Testament). During this time, the United States was one of the only countries with religious freedom and there was much religious excitement throughout the eastern states. Joseph Smith was a young boy at the time who desired to, “know which of all the sects was right.” Ephesians 4:5 taught that there was “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” but Joseph Smith was confused about which church to join. He could not conclude which church was right or wrong. During this time he turned to the Bible for guidance, and found James 1:5, which reads, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Because of this scripture, he decided to ask God which church he should join.

In the spring of 1820, he retired into a grove of trees and knelt in prayer. Of this experience, he said, “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” Joseph Smith was told that none of the churches were totally correct. Even though many good people believed in Christ and tried to teach his gospel, they did not have the fulness of the truth or the priesthood authority to baptize and perform other saving ordinances. Just as the Lord had done with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others, he called Joseph Smith as the prophet to open the final dispensation and restore the “fulness” of the gospel to the earth.

With the Restoration of the fulness of times, the authority of God was again given to man on earth to lead and direct Christ’s church, and perform sacred ordinances. God does not cease to be a God of miracles and has not ceased to speak to and direct his people through prophets. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, New Testament; Mormon 9:9, Book or Mormon). Among the priesthood keys includes the power to seal in heaven and on earth, (Matthew 16:19, New Testament; Helaman 10:7, Book of Mormon). We believe that marriage is ordained of God. We believe that families can be together forever, that if a man and woman are married under priesthood authority, they can be sealed together for, “time and all eternity,” rather than, “until death do us part.” Families are meant to exist throughout the eternities.

Mormon Beliefs: Part VI: The Book of Mormon

Because misinformation would exist after centuries of darkness (the apostasy), the Lord brought forth an ancient volume of scripture which contains the fulness of the gospel of Christ. This record, called the Book of Mormon, details events of some of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas as recorded by prophets back in those days. Joseph Smith was directed to a hill where these ancient golden plates were hidden for centuries and translated it by the power of God. In order to know that the Book of Mormon is true, you must read, ponder, and pray about it. An honest seeker of truth will come to know it is the word of God. The message of the restoration is either true or it is not. We can find out of its truth for ourselves if we study it out in our mind and turn to our Lord in humble and sincere prayer (John 14:26, New Testament; Moroni 10:3-5, Book of Mormon). I know that he will reveal it to us if we do this.

Mormon Beliefs: Part VII: My Testimony

I have seen the incredible joy that comes by living the precepts of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in this life. I know that the Lord lives and that he continues to guide his children in these last days. He would not leave us alone in such trying times. I know that the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came into this world and atoned for his sins so that we can overcome spiritual and physical death. I have felt his love. He has comforted me through hard times and strengthened me when I couldn’t do it on my own. He knows how to succor us and will open the door if we but knock. (Matthew 7:7-8, New Testament).

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord and was called of God. His story may seem unbelievable, but I have read the Book of Mormon, pondered its teachings, and prayed to my Father in heaven for confirmation. The Lord has testified to me through his spirit that these things are true, and I have felt it confirmed to me as I have made my feeble efforts to abide by His teachings.

This is the work of the Lord. I am so grateful that He has sent us prophets to lead us in these last days--to help us find the way to true and everlasting happiness. I am grateful for the scriptures which teach me what I should do and how I should act to have joy in this life. He loves us. I know that if we call on Him in prayer, He will hear us and He will answer our prayers in his own time and in his own way. But through exercising faith, we can draw nearer unto Him and He will testify to us the truthfulness of these things. He has done it for me and will do it for all of us, I so testify in his sacred name, the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.