What Mormons (LDS) Teach

 

This section contains the well known fundamental beliefs of the LDS (Mormon) organization and some other beliefs which you don't see in general advertising (like commercials) or hear when they knock on your door.  Unlike Christianity, Mormon teachings are not plainly visible.  Only when you join their group (a new member cannot enter a temple by the way), then you may eventually find out all the rest.  Are Mormons Christian?  Do they teach what Christians teach?  

Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) say they are Christian and that they believe that the Bible is the Word of God as long as it it translated correctly.  They also say that they teach what the Bible teaches.  Let us examine their claims.

Fundamental beliefs
Other less advertised beliefs

Fundamental beliefs

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

Other less advertised beliefs

Before we begin, let's do a brief overview of some of their fundamental beliefs.  You'll see how and where they contradict the Bible and even their own books.  We'll also show their less advertised beliefs.  We'll add some italicized comments where appropriate.  LDS stands for Latter Day Saints.  "Mormons" is another frequently used term.