Posted on 12/01/2010 1:09:40 PM PST by Colofornian
Mormons have written several articles in the Blanco News and many people have asked me to explain what Mormons believe. Understanding what our religious neighbors believe is enlightening and helps us to be better neighbors to them.
Mormons number eleven million plus and are one of the few religious groups that are increasing in America. Some of the apparent differences in what Orthodox Christianity and LDS believe have to do with God, Jesus, and our scriptures. The only authority for Orthodox Christians is the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The LDS church beliefs are found in the “Book of Mormon,” “The Pearl of Great Price,” and “Doctrine and Covenants.”
Joseph Smith was the founder of the LDS church. When Smith was 17, in 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to him and told him the location of two golden plates, on which was written the history of two ancient Native American Christian tribes. Joseph went to the site and found golden plates written by Ether, Mormon, Lehi and Nephi (ancient Native American authors), and a brass plate consisting of Hebrew scripture quotations and genealogies written by Laban.
LDS church believes that gods, angels and humans are all different forms of the same beings. These beings began their journey as spirit children created through celestial procreation. Not only do they teach about a heavenly father, but also a heavenly mother. The spirit children produced by the union of the heavenly father and mother are said to be angels. At some point the obedient children are given physical bodies and come to earth as human beings. Based on their obedient behavior on earth these human beings will inherit one of the three levels of exaltation. The humans who have followed the “gospel” of the LDS church will go to the celestial kingdom and themselves become gods and goddesses.
Therefore, one of the great differences between LDS church and Orthodox Christianity is the number of gods recognized. Christianity understands God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. LDS church recognizes many gods. Jesus said to a teacher of the Law in Mark 12:29, “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one.’” The documents of the LDS church claim the heavens and earth were created by a council of gods. Another difference is found in the understanding of God being Spirit, as Christians believe, or as the LDS church believes that the gods have flesh and bone.
Who is Jesus the Christ? Christians believe Jesus is the one and only Son of God taking on flesh and bone to become a Savior to those who believe and live in Him. LDS teaches in their “Gospel Principles” that Jesus is merely the first of billions of created spirit children and is literally our “elder brother.” In the LDs “Doctrine and Covenants” every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. They also teach Jesus is the brother of Satan.
These very basic differences lead to a host of other differences in what is believed about God and the resulting doctrines. The major differences include the nature of God, the nature of Jesus Christ, the nature of humankind and the nature of physical creation.
Next week we will examine other religions to understand better what our neighbors believe in contra-distinction to Orthodox Christianity.
What is fifth, sixth and seventh? Where does eternal increase fit into the equation?
You got it!
Got it! Thanks.
Well norm, at least more of the truth is coming out. Again, it isn't by faith ALONE is it norm. And AoF 3 indicates that there are a LOT more ordinances and laws that must be obeyed BEFORE salvation.
So, is it really honest to say that it is faith ALONE norm?
Like we have said, actions spring from faith. We are commanded to repent — if we don’t repent and bring forth good works, we show that we don’t have the faith that God requires of His disciples.
Faith without works is dead, being alone.
Are you completely sinless - that is the definition of 'repent' in mormonism as we both know. You also show that works precede faith once again. What works did the thief show while on the cross? Was he baptized? Had the Holy Ghost imparted by laying on of hands? Yet Jesus told him on the simple basis of his FAITH he would be in heaven that very day.
Faith saves, not works, lest anyone boast.
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