Mormon Doctrine - An Introduction
Contents
MORMON DOCTRINE - Basic Doctrines of the Church
"Doctrine" is "something taught as the principles or creed of a religion…a rule, theory, or principle of law."1 The following is a list of the basic doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, casually referred to as the Mormon Church.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior says: "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand."2
The Nature of Deity
Mormons do not believe in the trinity (three gods in one). Nor do they believe that God is a bodiless spirit filling the immensity of space. Mormons believe that God is a corporeal being with a perfect, glorious, resurrected body of flesh and bones. Mormons believe in a God of love, who is both omnipotent and omniscient. Mormons believe that God, though all-powerful, is also all-personal. They believe that God hears and answers the prayers of His children. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, His Only Begotten in the flesh, the Messiah and Savior of the World. They believe that Christ is a perfect, resurrected being of flesh and bone. They believe that the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and is a being of spirit, so that he can dwell in the hearts of the righteous and serve as a comforter, conscience, and testator of the truth. These three beings are always of one accord. In that sense, they are One God.
Jesus Christ
Latter-day Saints do not believe that God began as a spirit, came to earth as the embodied Christ, was resurrected, then gave up His resurrected body to go back to His original disembodied state. Latter-day Saints believe that Christ was the first-born of the spirits in the pre-mortal life, and that He volunteered to be the pivotal person to effect the Plan of Happiness. He agreed to offer Himself up in sacrifice for the sins of Mankind. Mormons believe that He was born to Mary, just as all Christians do, and that He did only the will of the Father all His life. They believe Christ was sinless. They believe he taught and lived as described in the New Testament, and that He was crucified, that He died and rose the third day. Mormons believe that He visited His apostles and established His church, and then, as a resurrected being, visited and taught Israelites who had migrated to the Americas and were waiting for Him. The record of that visit is recorded in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that Christ then visited the Ten Lost Tribes to teach them, also. Mormons believe that Christ will come again in glory and that the pure in heart will be caught up to meet Him at His coming. However, the Latter-day Saints do not believe in a "pre-tribulation rapture." Mormons believe in the Millennial reign of Christ on Earth.
The Plan of Happiness
Central to the doctrines of the Church is the knowledge that God has a plan for every one of His children. This plan is called by several names: "The Plan of Happiness," and "The Plan of Salvation" are the two most common. The Plan of Salvation teaches that human beings lived before they came to this earth in a pre-mortal existence as spirit children of God. Thus, they are literally His children. At birth, God's spirit children receive mortal bodies. Earth life is a time of testing and discovery, a time to prepare for resurrection and glory. The atonement of Christ enables people to repent and return to God the Father. The companionship of the Holy Ghost gives worthy people access to personal revelation and answers to prayer, providing (along with the scriptures) an anchor and guide in a wicked world. At death, people move on to the Spirit World, where they have the same freedom of choice as they did in their mortal life. They are then resurrected - receiving a perfected body - and then judged by God. Those who are truly faithful then dwell eternally in His presence.
Eternal Progression
Eternal progression is a basis for the Plan of Salvation. Each step (or "estate") of existence leads the believer on to becoming more and more as God is. His understanding and experience increase through the "First Estate," or pre-mortal existence, through his "Second Estate," or life on this earth, and even in the afterlife, as knowledge is added eternally. This principle is very exciting to Latter-day Saints. Where most Christian sects have no vision of the afterlife, except rest and singing the praises of God eternally, Mormons visualize an afterlife of constant learning and empowerment. One criticism of the Church is that Mormons think they can become gods. This idea seems, in the minds of some, to belittle God's own power and majesty. On the contrary, the goodness of God is manifest in His desire to exalt His children. In Moses 1:39, it says, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Understood in the idea of eternal progression is the concept that the righteous will eventually inherit "all that God has," including the ability to comprehend the universe and the ability to create. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:107 it says: "And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him." ("Saints" are understood to be all the righteous.) Members of the Church understand that it is impossible to become perfect during their time on earth, and becoming like Christ will take eons of effort in the afterlife.
Salvation
Mormons believe that all men and women will be resurrected, and that resurrection is a free gift provided by Christ through his atonement. Children who die before the "age of accountability" (age eight), or those who are never accountable because of mental handicaps, will be saved in the highest kingdom of heaven, called the Celestial Kingdom. Mormons believe that man cannot redeem himself through his works, but that it is necessary to keep the commandments and endure in righteousness to gain exaltation. Therefore, both works and grace are necessary for exaltation. They believe that there are a multitude of mansions in the Father's kingdom, and that nearly all men will inherit a kingdom of glory. Only "sons of perdition," those who have seen Christ and have a perfect knowledge of Him and then choose to deny Him, will fail to inherit a kingdom of glory. (See Doctrine and Covenants, section 76.)
Mormons do not believe in "original sin." Babies are born innocent and are not tainted by the transgression of Adam. Latter-day Saints do not view Adam as a sinner, but as a hero, an elect servant of God. They believe that the state of Adam and Eve in the garden was static—no pain, death, or birth. Had Adam and Eve not transgressed and eaten the forbidden fruit, they never would have had children. However, the garden was a paradise, and Adam and Eve walked and talked with the Lord there. Having transgressed, they became subject to two kinds of death: physical death, and spiritual death, or separation from God. Christ's atonement overcame both kinds of death.
One Gospel
Mormons believe that the Plan of Salvation was established by God before the earth was ever created. Opposition was part of the Plan. Satan would tempt and try men on earth. God knew that man would fall, and He provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, to make an eternal atonement to save Mankind. Mormons believe that Adam was the first prophet, seer, and revelator, and that God revealed to him the Plan of Salvation in its entirety. Mormons believe that Adam and all the prophets testified of and knew of Christ, and that the Gospel has always been the same, while prophets revealed policies and patterns of behavior deemed proper for their dispensation. The myriad of churches that exist on the earth are the result of a straying from the original truths given since the beginning of time. Most of the plethora of religious philosophies that exist are the result of good men seeking for truth and proposing the best ideas they could through bursts of inspiration. Though Latter-day Saints seek truth and beauty wherever it is found, Mormons believe that a wholeness of gospel truth can only come from its source, directly from God, through chosen prophets. Mormonism, therefore, is not a new church, a modern church, or an American church, but a restoration of the original gospel through modern prophets.
Authority
Mormons believe that God chooses who will have the authority to act in His name, and that authority is transmitted by one who has the authority to do so. When the Lord called Joseph Smith to be a prophet, there was no one on earth who had that authority. Therefore, it was given to Joseph Smith by heavenly messengers. (See Doctrine and Covenants 13:1, and Joseph Smith History 1:72.) Priesthood authority is necessary for covenants, such as baptism, to be binding on earth and in heaven.
Gift of the Holy Ghost
Mormons believe that after baptism, through the ordinance of the laying on of hands by an Elder of the Church, the repentant can receive the "gift of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost is then the member's constant companion, unless he commits a sin or defiles his body in such a way that the Holy Ghost abandons him. Mormons believe that the Holy Ghost will "guide, inspire, and warn, and will neutralize the promptings of the evil one."3 Mormons believe that every man and woman born on the earth is blessed with the light of Christ, which serves as a conscience. From time to time, seeking, sensitive men and women will receive promptings and inspiration from the Holy Ghost, but only a worthy person baptized under true authority receives the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.
Scriptures
Mormons believe that God speaks to hearing men everywhere and has done since the beginning. Therefore, many men in many places have written what God has seen fit to give them. That means holy writings, prophetic writings, must be numerous, much more numerous than the small collection known as the Bible. Mormons are ready to receive inspired scripture wherever it might be found. Mormons have a current body of scripture they call the Standard Works, which include the King James Version of the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Members of the Church believe the Ten Lost Tribes will someday return with scriptures of their own to add to the current collection. Other discoveries are sure to be made. Mormons refuse to limit the Lord's ability to communicate with Mankind:
Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord
your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles
of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I
bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of
the earth?
Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not
that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I
remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one
nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony
of the two nations shall run together also.
And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and
forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because
that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my
work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that
time henceforth and forever.
Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my
words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the
south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak
unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every
man according to their works, according to that which is written.4
Families
Mormons believe that the family is the basic unit of all societies, but more than that, the family can be an eternal unit, sealed together by sacred covenants forever. Said Joseph Smith: "And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory."5 Thus, Mormons take marriage and family life very seriously. Marriages performed in the temple are for "time and all eternity."
Morality
Coupled with their beliefs regarding the family is the Mormon view of morality. Rather than drift with the fashions of the day regarding sin, the Church realizes that God is the same, always and forever, and so the Church sticks by the Ten Commandments with unwavering loyalty. The Church condemns sexual behavior outside the bounds of matrimony, whether heterosexual or homosexual. The Proclamation to the World makes clear the Church's view on the family and morality. The Church produces guidelines for youth in a booklet called "For the Strength of Youth" to teach and clarify these moral principles. The Church also condemns abortion except in special cases.
Repentance
Though the Church has a clear and unwavering stance on morality, it realizes that all men sin and the Lord has provided a plan of repentance through the atonement of Christ. "Penance" is not a part of the repentance process for Latter-day Saints. The repentance process entails the following: 1) sorrow for sin, 2)abandonment of sin, 3)confession of sin, 4)restitution for sin, and 5)doing the will of the Lord after the sin has been abandoned. Confession for minor sins is made to the Lord in the process of personal prayer. Confession of major sins is made to one's bishop. The worst sin is called "the sin against the Holy Ghost" and consists of denying Christ once one has a sure knowledge of His divinity. Cain committed this sin. He had a personal relationship with God and then made covenants with Satan. Next is murder, because it is impossible to make restitution. Next is adultery. (See Doctrine and Covenants, section 42.) Mormons follow the scriptural admonition to refrain from judging others unrighteously and to forgive all men.
Joy
Some people look upon Mormons and wonder how they can survive with such a restrictive lifestyle, especially the health restrictions found in the Word of Wisdom. But Mormons believe in the principle given by the Lord found in 2 Nephi 2:25: "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy." Mormons believe in wholesome fun. Their health code frees them from being encumbered by addictions, and their moral code frees them from entanglements with sin. However, they know a fullness of joy cannot be attained on this earth: "And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one." (3 Nephi 28:10) A fullness of joy can't be attained until the spirit and body are united in perfection in the resurrection. The true gospel is the map one follows in order to obtain that fullness.
For a summary of beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, see the Articles of Faith.
- Steve Young and Sharlene Hawkes address misconceptions about the Church
- LDS Newsroom:Approaching Mormon Doctrine
1 "Webster's New World Dictionary"; 1988 2 "Book of Mormon", Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-78 3 Elder Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 14-15. 4 The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 29:7-11 5 Doctrine and Covenants 130:2
