Q: Do Mormons believe in the Trinity?
A: Yes, Mormons believe in the reality and divinity of the trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost; however, Mormons believe that the trinity is composed of three separate and distinct beings with individual bodies. As seen in Matthew 3:16-17 the Son “was baptized” and “went straightway out of the water…and he saw the Spirit…descending like a dove…And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Thus the three divine beings that constitute the trinity are separate beings, yet one in purpose.
Q: Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?
A: Absolutely not! Mormons worship Jesus Christ! Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ]” (John 14:6). Joseph Smith is revered by Mormons as a prophet of God who taught them correct principles and was instrumental in restoring many sacred truths regarding the nature of God and God’s plan of happiness for man.
Q: Do Mormons believe in Heaven and Hell?
A: Yes. Mormons believe that the spirit of man and woman is eternal and never dies; however, the body is mortal. After men die they will go to a spiritual paradise (heaven) or a spiritual prison (hell) where they will await the resurrection (when they will receive immortal bodies), and a final judgment (based on their knowledge of Christ and their obedience to His commandments).
Q: Where did Mormons get the authority to baptize in the name of Christ?
A: Baptism is an essential ordinance to enter spiritual paradise after one dies, and Mormons received the authority to baptize from God’s authorized servant John (the same that is known as John the Baptist). As a heavenly messenger John brought the Priesthood of God, or the authority to baptize in God’s name, to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Since Joseph Smith this power has been passed down from generation to generation.
Q: Why do Mormons build temples?
A: One of the primary purposes of Mormon temples is to perform sacred ordinances, through the authority of the priesthood, that allow many of the men and women who never had an opportunity to receive baptism in this life to receive it vicariously through willing and worthy members, or those members who keep the basic commandments of Jesus Christ. This allows those who dwell as spirits to progress to spiritual paradise.
If you have additional questions please contact Mark Andrus at Mark.Andrus@Gmail.com or visit www.lds.org, the official website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Comments
I believe Brigham Young said that evry LDS
member has to pass by Joseph Smith and recieve his personal approval to enter the Celestial Kingdom... Believe we worship HIM... (JS)
Umm, we don't Technically believe in "The Trinity." Perhaps a more accurate description might be "tri-theistic" because we believe in three seperate individuals rather than three manifestations of the same being.
Clair, sometimes in an attempt to clarify we end up adding more confusion. To put it simply, we believe in God the eternal Father and in His son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. We believe they are three separate individuals with one purpose (as referenced by the Savior at His baptism, the mount of transfiguration and as he prayed before his crucifixion in John 17).
To Don's comment. First, you are quoting one comment (out of thousands of comments) that could have likely been the opinion of Brigham Young. This is not a central doctrine to the LDS church. Saying we worship Joseph Smith is like saying the Jews worship Moses or that the Catholics worship St. Peter because they believe he will be at the pearly gates (a very similar view by the way). So even if it WERE a central doctrine, it wouldn't mean LDS people worship Joseph. He is to be respected like any other prophet. Our focus is on Jesus Christ.
lds also believe there are Quarker like people on the moon.
lds also believe in baptizing by proxy.
lds also believe that Smith will sit with Jesus and decide who gets into heaven.
lds also believe that satan and Jesus were brothers.
lds also believe in three gods, therefore can not believe in the Trinity.
lds also believe that God changes His mind on a regular basis.
lds also do not believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.
lds also believe God was once a man like us.
lds also hold secret ceremonies and rituals.
lds also believe that works not grace gets you to Heaven.
lds also believe that it is works that saves you.
Need I go on.........lds are not Christians.
Mr. Baker, who seems to think every statement given by a church leader is scripture, is mistaken. Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, or any other church leader my suggest their own oppinion, but it's not necessarily scripture. Thus not a basic part of LDS beliefs, it may be interesting and thoughtful, but not a standard by which mormonism is based and only used by the anti-mormon groups in an attempt to mislead, much the same as individuals who label Lutherns as anti-semitic when Martin Luther stated that all Jewish Synagogue in Europe should be burnt to the ground. This statement does not make Lutherns anti-semetic when Luther makes such a statement hundereds of years ago. What Mormons believe therefore is stated in their standard works, The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctern & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price and anyother statement by anyone else is an oppinion, not a belief. Thus, Mormons revere Joseph Smith is absolutly correct, but Christ is the only way to salvation.
Cindy you are not right in your thoughts about what the LDS believe.
"Trinity" is not a biblical concept but one that evolved through an infusion of Greek thought and escotericism, refined through the Ecumenical Counsels. The ecumenical counsels were a "worldly" body, the word "ecumenical" meaning "known world" which at the time was the Roman Empire, later known as the "Holy Roman Empire", which later split into the HRE and the "Byzantine Empire".
My point in elaborating on the history of the empires is that there were divisions both political and theological and probably the only reason why the philosophy of the trinity prevailed was because of the political strength of the backers of the creed. Anyone who believes in the written word between Matthew and Revelations cannot accept the Nicean Creed other than just that, a creed, a product of consensus among theologians, clergy, and politicians (Constantine was the "chairman" of the panel).
"Smith will sit with Jesus and decide who gets into heaven" - that's rich!
"satan and Jesus were brothers" - oooh, how scandalous!
"do not believe in the virgin birth of Jesus" - never heard that one before, but you probably know what those Mormons believe better than they do!
So, Cindy, sweetheart, did you just make these up or is your pastor feeding you talking points again? Amazing that any man of the cloth takes time at the pulpit away from preaching God and Jesus to foment the good folks in the pews to hate another God-fearing people.
So, how did the good pastor characterize the Mormons? Certainly not in the best light. Funny how you can twist ANYTHING someone says to make it look bad. There was a dark night two thousand years ago where "men of the cloth" twisted the words of Jesus and succeeded in the verdict of a death sentence.
It's dangerous ground upon which your pastor treads; I wouldn't follow him too closely!
Hi,
No need to worry about Joseph Smith,he's dead and will never be seen again by anyone.He can't influence whether you get into heaven as neither he nor heaven exist except in cloud cuckoo land,Regards
Aidan
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