And an even more extensive listing of frequently asked questions:

http://www.utlm.org/faqs/faqgeneral.htm

Very interesting if you are wanting to know the basics of their beliefs and how they relate to Christianity. If you have more questions, here's moe info than you'd ever wanna know about Mormons:

http://www.utlm.org/navonlineresources.htm

Such as:

Bible Verses Relating to LDS Teachings on Temple Work - Shows how Mormon Temple Work contradicts Bible.
Gethsemane and Christ's Blood in LDS References - Sins paid for by Christ primarily in the garden?
How Do We Test A Prophet? - Should we take Joseph Smith at his word? Is prayer a good enough test?
How Does the LDS Church View the Bible? - Shows how the LDS Church's view of the Bible differs from Christianity.
How the LDS Husband Hopes to Resurrect His Wife According to the LDS Temple Ceremony - Wife's salvation dependant on husband?
LDS View of God Contradicts the Bible - Includes What the Bible Says About God. Quotes from LDS Leaders.
Mormons Hope to Become Gods of Their Own Worlds - Quotes from LDS Leaders on godhood and procreation.
Sharing Your Faith with Latter-day Saints - Questions to ask your Mormon friend.
Terminology Differences - Mormons use the same words as Christians, but do they have the same meaning?

thanks, Allen. those links are quite interesting. i can better understand what my friends talk about now by knowing the terminology thing.

the only thing i'm confuzzled about is if eternal life and immortality are not any different than each other why do their difinitions conflict? am i just looking at them the wrong way?

QUOTE:
ETERNAL LIFE
BIBLE: Not limited to certain ones in the top part of heaven. No mention of parenthood or temple marriage but is given to all true believers. (1 John 5:12-13; Luke 20:35-36)

IMMORTALITY
BIBLE: Makes no distinction between immortality and eternal life. No second class citizens in heaven. (2 Tim. 1:10; John 3:15-16)
End Quote.

why does external life have a "top part of heaven," and immortality have "no second class citizens?" one implies that there are levels in heaven, the other doesn't. i don't believe in levels in heaven...so, am i looking at these things in a weird way?

God bless y'all!

I am sure someone else can answer better, but it seems to me that Mormons believe that there are many 'levels' that can be attained through good works/living a righteous life/etc on the way to attaining the state of being a god. A higher place is reserved in heaven for those who do it 'more right' and a distinction is made between those who are immortal and those who merely have 'eternal life'. They believe there were many gods who formed the heavens and the earth and that God was just like us at some point in the past, but He attained some super-duper level of 'godness' at some point.

The Bible states being immortal and having eternal life are one and the same... we're all sinners saved by grace, our righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. Nothing I can do here grants me a better seat at the table when I get there... as long as my seat is waiting for me, it's all good

YOu know im not tryin to be meen but i am LDS or as you call it "mormon." I am tired of people thinking they know were about but they dont and we getr a bad reputation because they lie and think that they know what they're talkin about. It get kinda old after a long time. First of all WE ARE CHRISTIAN!!!!! We belive in Christ as the son of God. Read the name, The church of JESUS CRIST of Latter-Day Saints. nothin is scary in church like Brandi said. And I dont see how it can be. And second of all the LDs or Mormon religion is the best supported church on the planet every teaching of the Book Of Mormon coexists with the bible. There isnt any different teaching, just dont take the bible literally. If you want an example read this prophesy. Isiah 29:11-12. then read Joseph Smith History 1:64-65. Isiah's prophesy came true. and many other come true as well.

Welcome I hope you can answer some questions for me, we've discussed this a while back and no-one of the mormon faith was here to answer any questions.

"... every teaching of the Book Of Mormon coexists with the bible. There isnt any different teaching, just dont take the bible literally."

What specific parts are we not to take literally?

If you truly believe the Book of Mormon, doctrinally, how do you accept the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price since these books teach different concepts?

What specific doctrine of Mormonism is in the Book of Mormon that isn't in the Bible?

Hey LDS16!

I have a bazillion questions that I would like to ask as well. I will pass until after you get done with Allen. I don't want you to feel threatened or overwhelmed or not welcome.


God bless ya! and again Welome <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/wavey.gif" />

Hello,

All the posts are interesting. My sister is mormon, so I've read a few books and have studied some about mormonism. Very similar to Christianity, if you ask two mormons from different temples <their church> a question, I believe you will get two different answers about there theology.

First I would like to say I must give some credit to mormons. Sadly they usually are better examples of what most of Christianity should be; in respect, strength of beliefs, study of their scriptures, selfless acts and overall good natured people.

But,,,,that alone will not form a relationship with Jesus and save a person. When I first asked my sister if she believed in Christ, His virgin birth, was sinless, was with God in the beginning and is apart of God, and He died a physical death as a sacrifice for our sins and the power satan had over us, free us and then ROSE AGAIN and now intercedes for our behalf so not to be separated from God by sin? <this is what I usually judge all other beliefs by to determine if it is really "Christianity" ,along with "does the beliefs in any way dethrone Jesus or take His Glory?"> She answered no, that Jesus was just a good man, a prophet but that was all <which does remove Jesus from the Throne>. I did not pry then, I did not feel it was the right time. A few years since then she now attends "a different style of temple, and does believe Jesus is her 'savior'".

Unfortunately I don't believe just getting one or two people that will speak on the behalf of the entire mormon group would be an accurate representation of their documented beliefs, but is still needed. Therefore I turn to different books and sources. The common theme in these are that at the lower "ranks" of mormonism, information is not freely given, and they do believe in, even if just by documentation, that they do achieve different levels and eventually a goal of godhood, also not every mormon can go into the main large temple in Utah, only after certain achievements and rituals of cleansing. Another words the deeper you go, the more you get involved, and then the more control the lifestyle has over you. You find more out and your perspective and views change because of your environment, many form clusters and colonies together and stay very close nit for several reasons.

Very similar to mason's, which I won't go into now, they have infiltrated Christianity so that we are not pure salt, and lines and differences become mixed, in the end this has made us weak not "tolerant". Mormons used to not call themselves "Christians" but now do to combine with and mix in. In the same way mason's organization has also changed in the recent years, it originally was not as intense and focused as it is now, then it was just what a male did, in fact all but two Presidents , I believe, where mason's along with half of every President's advisory cabinet, bipartisan.

I understand what Brandi is talking about with being scared. In one specific book, written by a family living in Utah and left the LDS Church, it was a constant fight to get out of their control and influence even to just physically leave.

As a side note, I believe not EVERY situation and time is given to walk into a situation under the guise of "witnessing", that is to be lead by the Spirit, otherwise a person could get themselves into a ill-prepared event that could actually affect them with out knowing it, so good job Embie.

In ending, let this topic be a motivator to "study to show ourselves approved" <you never know who you might meet tomorrow> ,so when situations do present themselves, AND God releases us to, we can give truth that changes lives and keeps us confident in our RELATIONSHIP with Christ, which is many times not "comfortable" ,but challenging as we change from glory to glory in our continual walk with Christ. I am sorry if I offended someone, to be hate full or bashing is not my intention, but this is a Christian web site and by definition Christianity has different views and beliefs about what we call "Christian" and is based ONLY by God's Word than other beliefs that feels we are all one big mix going to the same place.

hello steven:

try reading "witnessing to the cults".....it will give you a better understanding why mormonism is successful.....and try to find out their origins and u will see....

in christ: dreaming jan. =)

<<**Side Bar**>>

Steven... et al....

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The common theme in these are that at the lower "ranks" of mormonism, information is not freely given</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">This has also been my experience. I have participated in discussions over the last five or six years on message boards and through email with members of that organization. I have often found that the individual I have spoken with did not have access to nor had been told the "official church postition" on many issues including Christs divinity, our salvation (grace not works) and many others.

*Dreaming Jan! Welcome and good to see you post!

Welcome Jan

Great points Steven, thank you for writing them better than I could

the Book of Mormon teaches about the people on the american continents. And how Christ came and visited them on his resurection. It treaches more about the plan of salvation.It adds on the bible.But doctrine and covenants + the pearl of great price our also important. The Doctine and Covenants iss revalations given to Joseph Smith. It has even more teachings and some hitory about the early saints. Its where the word of wisdom comes from. The Pearl of Great Price has some books that were taken from the bible. Like the Books of Moses and Abraham

Hey LDSboy, glad you're back

What exactly are the beliefs of the Mormon church regarding Jesus Christ?

I'm not real familiar with the books of Moses and Abraham, but it seems there's quite a bit of differences between themselves and the books of the Bible. Here's a couple of instances:

The book of Moses in chapter 2 mirrors closely the first chapter of Genesis, being clear that God created everything ("And I, God," is at the beginning of most every verse); Yet in the book of Abraham, chapter 4 and 5 it's clear that multiple gods ("And the Gods said:" is at the beginning of most every verse) did the creation. To me that's a huge doctrinal difference between these 2 books - how can you believe the rest when they contradict each other on a pretty important part?

Another regarding one vs. many gods:

One God
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Book of Mormon

Alma 11:27-39, 44

27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.

28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?

29 And he answered, No.

30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things?

31 And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.

32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God?

33 And he said unto him, Yea.

34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people--as though he had authority to command God.

36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?

39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;

44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

2 Nephi 31:21

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

Mormon 7:7

7 And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.

3 Nephi 11:27

27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plural Gods

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Doctrine and Covenants

D&C 121:32

32 According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest.

D&C 132:18-20, 37

18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths--then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">How does the Mormon Church reconcile these tremendous differences in their doctrine?

Well dont take the part where you guys think that god, christ, and the holy ghost are one. When christ gets baptised hes not going to open the heavines throw his voice and say he is his own son, and he also wouldnt be a like a dove which was the holy ghost. And how you think god doesnt have a body. In genesis he said "let us make man in our own image." This shows the" 1. God has a body. 2. There is no trinity. If their one why does he say us?

I am quoting scripture/text from the Mormon bible and pearl of great price/ etc.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
3 Nephi 11:27

27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The book of nephi is not in the Christian Bible. You tell me what it means if it says they are one, but you say they aren't

First of all ask yourself: How can they all be one. If Christ is god and god is the holy ghost and so forth. That means they were all on earth. They are one in "purpose" They each work as a team and are seperate. And I see that everyone here is reading the scrptures showing that there are many gods. But we worship our god. There are many universes- just look at some Hubble pictures- but they each have gods of there own. They all didn't come from a big bang which is a bunch of b.s.

D&C 132:20 tells us that we can be gods because we will be imortal and shall make our own worlds. You were reading how we can become gods of our own.

Hey I really appreciate you continuing to discuss this with me, thank you

The Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) doesn't seem to be what the Mormon teachings are talking about when they say that people can become gods:

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Doctrine and Covenants

D&C 132:19-20
19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths--then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">.

Yet, in the book of mormon, the distinction is made that there's only one god.

.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Book of Mormon

Alma 11:27-33

27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.

28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?

29 And he answered, No.

30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things?

31 And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.

32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God?

33 And he said unto him, Yea.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">This also seems pretty clear that the mormon scripture doesn't confuse the Son of God as another god - so, it states there's only one god in some scripture and says there is more than one god in other scriptures, and also teaches that even people can become gods if they do all those things right here on earth.

The hubble telescope only shows nearby galaxies not universes, there's never been seen any other universe by the hubble or any other telescope

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LDSboy16:
D&C 132:20 tells us that we can be gods because we will be imortal and shall make our own worlds. You were reading how we can become gods of our own.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">oops, you posted while I was writing

How does this teaching work with the book of mormon scripture that states there is only one God and no others?

Hey everyone, I feel sorry for LDSBoy being in here all alone so I thought I'd chime in with my input. I'm Mormon or LDS or whatever and I don't take offense to whatever you choose to call me. I'll try to answer a few questions and then you can ask me whatever I miss.

First off lets take the status of Jesus Christ in the official doctrine of the LDS Church. We believe him to be God's son and the Savior of the world. We must believe in his atoning sacrifice in order to receive forgiveness for our sins. We do not believe that his is simply a good man (that’s the Jehova’s Witnesses or J-dubs) nor do we believe that he was simply another prophet (that’s Islam). He is the Son of God and our Savior. Moreover we believe that he is one with God, but not in the sense of the Catholic doctrine of the trinity, rather we believe that he is one in purpose with God. In the NT John 17, Jesus offers the great intercessory prayer. In this prayer in verse 11 Jesus says the following (KJV) “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” Jesus prays to his Father and while speaking specifically of his apostles asks that the Father make them “one, as we are.” Now clearly, Jesus doesn’t want God to turn the twelve apostles into one super mega apostle, but he is asking God to unify them with a oneness of purpose. This is our understanding of the trinity. Three separate beings -- God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Ghost or Spirit – unified with one central purpose: To bring all mankind back to God’s presence through the redemption of Jesus Christ.

Second, there are some misconceptions regarding the foundation of the LDS or Mormon church. Joseph Smith as a boy of 14 years of age was confused about which church to join, he retired to the woods near his home in Palmyra, New York to pray and ask God which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ and was filled with the Holy Ghost. He was instructed not to join any of the existing churches at that time and that he would receive further instruction later. Through subsequent experiences with heavenly messengers, Joseph was directed by God to re-establish the Church that Jesus established while he was on the earth. That’s why our church is similar in structure to what Jesus established while he lived. Jesus had twelve apostles and the account in Acts 2, when they call a replacement for Judas, seems to indicate that this pattern of leadership for the church was meant to continue. So today our church is lead by a Prophet with 12 Apostles. That’s only one example of the similarities, but there are many.

As for the origin of the Book of Mormon – as Joseph was being groomed by the Lord to restore the true church, the location of an ancient historical record was revealed to him by an angel. He was instructed to take this record – which was inscribed on golden plates (not tablets – that would be the ten commandments) – and translate it. The translation is an account of God’s dealings with his other sheep, specifically the ancient inhabitants of the American Continents. In John 10:16 Christ says “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Here, the Savior is referring to all those peoples that didn’t live in Jerusalem at the time of Christ. He is the Savior of all mankind and not just a select few in and around Jerusalem. He specifically states that these other sheep will “hear his voice”. The highlight of the Book of Mormon is Christ’s visit with the people in following his resurrection he teaches his gospel to them and establishes his church. This occurs during the 40 day period following the resurrection and prior to the ascension of Christ. You’ll recall from the New Testament that Jesus is sometimes with the Apostles during these forty days and sometimes he is no where to be found. It was during these “no where to be found” periods of time that he visited his other sheep, both in the Americas and elsewhere I guess, and they heard his voice.

Any other questions, I’ll be happy to answer but I bet you can also find the answer at www.mormon.org.

As for the belief about being able to become gods, it is highly misunderstood outside of the church, but it is also clearly taught throughout the bible. I’ll quote a few scriptures of note regarding the topic.

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
explanation: as children of the most High God we all have the potential to become like our Father – however, it is important to note that we will never exceed our father and that whatever glory we are granted by him only adds unto his glory and dominion

1 Cor 8: 5-6 -- For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one cLord Jesus Christ, by whom are dall things, and we by him.
explanation: Here Paul freely states that there are many gods and many lords, but to us, meaning that no matter how close we come to being like God, there is but one God the Father of all.

John 10: 34 -- Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
explanation: here Jesus is being harassed by the Pharisees for intimating that he is God’s son. He answers them by plainly stating that their scriptures (i.e. Psalms 82:6 quoted above) teach them that they are gods. Even Jesus taught that we have the potential to become God’s due to our spiritual inheritance from God the Father of all.