1. Jesus Christ
We are Christians. Jesus Christ is the keystone to our religion. We believe that he came to earth and died for man, and we believe that he was resurrected and that he will come again in these latter days.
2. Joseph Smith
Many people think that we worship Joseph Smith. This is not so. Joseph Smith was only a man, but he was the instrument of God to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. He was directed by the Lord in what he should do, and through the power of God translated ancient records into the book known today as the Book of Mormon. We do not worship Joseph Smith; He does, however, play an important role in LDS history, as he did restore this gospel to the earth and was the first prophet of God in this dispensation.
3. Modern Revelation
We believe in the continuing revelations of God. God talked with and through his prophets in Bible times and He continues to do so today. We have a prophet at the head of our church who receives direction and instruction for the population of the church. We also believe that each man, woman, and child are entitled to receive personal revelation for themselves.
I know this to be true as I have seen instructions and prophecies from modern prophets come to pass. I have also received personal revelation on matters, both large and small, in my life. I cannot deny that my Father in Heaven talks to me and is aware of me.
4. Additional books
We use the Bible in our studies, but we also have the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ; as well as The Pearl of Great Price and The Doctrine and Covenants. The Book of Mormon is the book that resulted from the translation of ancient records done by Joseph Smith. The Pearl of Great Price is a collection of inspired translations and gets its name from one of Christ's parables about a man who is seeking goodly pearls, and when he finds one he sells all that he has to obtain it. The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of revelations received by modern prophets. All 4 books are used in teaching gospel principles.
5.The Word of Wisdom.
The Word of Wisdom is a principle that provides guidelines for health. Most commonly known is no alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, or coffee. However, this is not all that is included in the Word of Wisdom. Other guidelines include eating fruits and grains and other such dietary instruction. We are promised that if we follow these guidelines, we "shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures. And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." Doctrine and Covenants Section 89. So if we follow the Word of Wisdom, we receive the promises given above. And if we do not follow it, we do not receive the blessings.
Many people think that these"no alcohol, no cigarettes," etc, are constrictive. Perhaps, but I do not have to worry about the expense for paying for either of these things, or about becoming addicted to things that can be so destructive. I do not follow these principles blindly; I have tried and tested them and found them to be true. It is faith and personal experience that influences these choices; not blind following.
6. Lay clergy
Our clergy are not compensated for the time that they spend in church related service, and they voluntarily give of their time and efforts. Bishops, for example, fulfill their church calling in addition to their chosen occupation.
As I have been led and taught by these people, I have become convinced that many of them would not perform the duties that they were asked to do if they did not believe in the truthfulness of what they have been taught and what they teach. If it were not true, why would they do it? For they do not receive any sort of monetary compensation.
7. Tithing
Tithing, in the LDS church, is paying 10% of the money that one earns to the church. This helps finance the various programs and needs of the Church at large. Tithing helps pay for church buildings, temples, church education programs, and missionary work, to name a few things. In Malachi 3:10 it states "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now, herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." If one does not pay tithing, one forgoes the outpouring of the Lord's blessings. All members are encouraged to pay a full tithe. It is, however, a personal choice. I emphasize this as many people think that members of the church are forced to pay tithing.
I know that the principle of tithing is true and good because of the example of my parents. They have always paid tithing without question, and the financial needs of our family have always been met. We have never been left wanting. I expect this belief to be confirmed again and again in my own future as I begin to build my own family.
8. Temple
Temples are literally "houses of the Lord" and are buildings where worthy members can enter and perform important ordinances for both the living and the dead. We believe in life after death, and in the temples we perform ordinances by proxy that allow those who have passed on to partake of the covenants that they were not able to in life. This allows them to continue forward in their eternal progression.
There are objections from some people about the selectivity of who is let into the temple. As mentioned before, we believe temples to be literal houses of the Lord. In Doctrine and Covenants 97:15 it states, "And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it (the house) be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it." Thus, those who are striving to be righteous and obedient to the commandments of God are those who can enter into His house.
9. Family and Little Children
We believe that families are eternal. One ordinance in the temple is called a "sealing"; this means that a family can be sealed together as a family for all eternity as long as they are true to the covenants they make with the Lord.
In regards to little children who die before they are baptized (baptism is performed at age 8 in the LDS church) we believe that they go straight back to their Heavenly Father. "We believe that man must be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression" (Article of Faith #2). Children are born pure and clean, and remain as such until the age of accountability (8 yrs) when they understand the difference between wrong and right and must accept the consequences of their choices.
I love my family and wish to be with them even after I die. I want to be with my sweet husband after this life, and this doctrine provides a means to do it. A principle that brings such joy cannot be evil. Anyone who wishes can partake of these blessings.
As far as small children who pass on before their time, I know that our Heavenly Father loves little children and welcomes them home to him. They are not in a horrible place; they are with their Father in Heaven. And I know that parents who lose their children will have the opportunity to raise them to adulthood. What comfort.
10. The last thing I would like to address is a question that a friend asked me that puzzled me for quite awhile. Here is the answer to that question.
Why is an organized church necessary?
"At a worldwide seminar for mission presidents held in 1961, Elder Harold B. Lee addressed this very question: "Why be concerned about organization? Why not adopt the attitude of the Universal Church, as they call themselves, where they have no faith, no creed, no organization, no buildings?" He then proceeded to answer his own question, "We organize to do the Lord's work better and easier by sharing the work load, by delegating responsibility. . . We must organize to grow. Through organization, direction is given." What is the Lord's work of which Elder Lee spoke? The Savior Himself declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Hence, it is intended that participation in the organized Church and its quorums and auxiliaries will assist in bringing about a person's exaltation."
I hope this has been informative. I would like to note that I have not mentioned all of the doctrine and principles of the LDS church. I have chosen a few specific principles that have been called into question the most frequently in my experience. Mormon.org is a great place to go if you have any questions. :)
God bless you and have a wonderful day!
