Mormon Beliefs?

Angela - posted on 12/30/2011

Joseph Smith was a Freemason who founded the religion of Mormonism. He came from Vermont but his family later settled in New York state. He translated the Book of Mormon from gold plates which he located with the help of an “angel” called Moroni. The plates were inscribed with a language Mormons describe as Reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics. Expert Egyptologists, incidentally, have never heard of “reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics”. Joseph Smith translated the language by the power of God and by using a pair of magic spectacles that Moroni, the angel, had thoughtfully supplied.

The Book of Mormon contains large chunks of text that are word-for-word exactly the same as the King James Bible. Remember that this, the “authorized version” of the Bible is one that King James I ordered the translation of from the original tongues. For a young American man like Smith, who had a fairly rudimentary education, to use the exact same words as the linguistic scholars of 1611 in England is quite amazing! Those who are less charitable might just say he stole or lifted the texts from the Authorized Version of the Bible! Interesting to note that the gold plates provided by the angel, Moroni, are nowhere to be seen nowadays – Moroni apparently took them back to Heaven with him!

Joseph Smith had just one wife but is said by some to have dabbled in polygamy. After his death, his widow, Emma Smith claimed she had been his only wife and he had never been a polygamist. Some of the rituals or practises of Freemasonry were brought into Mormonism as Joseph Smith was a Mason.

Smith had led Mormon communities in Illinois and Missouri. Later, Brigham Young led the Mormons into Utah, their promised land. Because there was such a large ratio of women to men, Young recommended polygamy which Mormons referred to as plural marriage – but women could only have one spouse whom they were usually sharing with a number of other wives. Brigham Young himself is said to have had 55 wives. A small, breakaway section of Mormons still practice plural marriage. The main part of the Mormon religion is known as the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and they only approve of marriage with one wife and one husband. The breakaway section who still practice plural marriage is known as the “True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days”

Tithing is absolutely compulsory for Mormons. It is expected that the tithe is strictly monetary. Labour, produce or skills would not be an acceptable tithe, only cold, hard cash will suffice. The children are expected to give 10% of their allowance or pocket money as well.


Although 70% of Utah residents are Mormons, there are a greater number in Nevada – some 77%. As they’re devout Mormons, none of them gamble. But with such a high Mormon residency and such a high number of casinos and various types of gambling outlet it begs the question “Who owns all these casinos?”

Carla - posted on 12/27/2011

Having a relationship with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit is so much different than following a prescribed religion. We argue so much about 'I am Baptist', 'I am Pentecostal', 'I am Mormon', and we think we stand or fall because of our labels. If we are TRULY Christian (Christ-like), we will live our lives mirroring Jesus. When we get this through our heads, people will naturally want the relationship with the Trinity that we have. THAT, to me, is evangelism, and Love. The Bible has given us everything we need for life. I read very few books Man has written (The Shack being one of those few books), because the Spirit-inspired Bible is undiluted Jesus. And non-Mormons believe we have a finite amount of time on this earth, and this time is what we use to learn Gospel. I don't read anywhere in the Bible where spirit prison is mentioned, so therefore that must be in J Smith's book. We must be very careful in reading other writings that we don't accept anything other than what the Bible says.

God bless, all

Nancy J - posted on 12/26/2011

Joseph Smith. He wrote an inspired book called the Book of Mormon, not a bible. Scripture. When you die you go to spirit prison. and you are taught the gospel.
hope that helps.

Brenda - posted on 08/21/2010

Candy just an FYI I use to be mormon and thank God he showed me the truth. Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you are saved through FAITH not by works, lest any man should boast. That is the verse that spoke to me and I started realizing some of the differences so I researched more. I found that although both sound very similar from the outside they really are radically different most mormons don't even realize how different there beliefs are than what the bible teaches. I also have family that are still mormon and I pray for them. They are great people and have great faith in there church. But now that my eyes have been opened It makes me sad that they are missing the whole picture of Salvation. Sandra Tanner has done a lot of work and has a great ministry in Utah trying to reach mormons for Christ. If you want to know more about the differences I would encourage you to check out her website www.utlm.org You can go to the mormon website as Jenna suggested but keep in mind that the terminology that we use as christians they also use but they have a different meaning. Everything that Sandra Tanner uses on her website to tell about mormon beliefs she gives references from mormon documents, so it also comes from the horses mouth.

Candy - posted on 08/19/2010

I am Christian and raised Christian and i am shocked at how different we Christians see things. How closly Mormon and Christian are alike. This was an interesting post. Jenna you are so right . You really need to ask a higher up. Even then the info will be different from one person to another. Interesting post.

Gail - posted on 08/18/2010

My sister recently became a Mormon and pulled my Mother into it. My Mom passed away last year and had a Mormon funeral. One thing I learned from it is that Mormons believe we preexisted in heaven with God. When we are conceived, he sends our souls into a fleshly body and we forget our previous life with Him. Our life on earth is a test to see if we will find our way back to Him, which of course means we become a Mormon. That's just one of their false teachings.

Roxanne - posted on 07/30/2010

There's a website called CARM. they have all sorts of info on all sorts of religions. I'm a Christian, but I have friends who are Mormon. Sadly, not all Mormons know all of the information about their religion.

Frances M - posted on 07/29/2010

It was Joseph Smith (not John Smith). I was raised Baptist; but joined the Morman church for a few months. I left the LDS church because of some of their beliefs that were wrong. I know a lot of Christians in the Mormon church and several who are just religeous. I also know a lot of Christians in the Baptist church but also several who are just religious. They are considered Christians.
You are correct. They do not believe in the Trinity.
They no longer practice paligimy.
They believe if you were a really good Mormom, are married in the temple (sealed) and die, you will become a god, create an earth (planet), have spirit children and populate your planet and be god to your creation.
These are the two things that cause us to leave the Mormon church.
You will find no contradiction in the Book of Mormon - it teaches close to the same thing as the Bible. Where you find the differences is in the Doctern & Covenants of the Later Day Saints (Mormon) church. You don't have access to that unless you are a Mormon.
It is considered by most to be a cult.
2 Cor 11:2-4 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted; you may well put up with it!
My story is located at:
http://pennywind.com/Books/I've%20Seen%20&%20Heard%20of%20Jesus/4%20A%20Lamp%20Unto%20Our%20Feet/Mormon%20Church.htm

Jenna - posted on 07/29/2010

Let me say right off that I am a Mormon and I consider myself to be a Christian as well. There has been a lot of information given in this discussion, some is accurate and some is less than accurate. There are rumors that go around about every religion and it is difficult to sift through what is truth and what is just hearsay. If you are really interested in finding out what the Mormons (also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or LDS for short) believe, go to the source. The Mormon church has a couple of websites that tell you exactly what they believe. www.mormon.org or www.lds.org are great resources for information about Mormon beliefs straight "from the horses mouth". If you don't feel like you are getting enough information there, talk to a Mormon. You can't be certain you will get completely accurate information unless you are going to the source directly. If you don't know any Mormons personally, there are always Mormon missionaries around that are more than happy to talk to you about it. Yes their intent is to teach to convert (as would any church) but they can't force to to become a member of their church if you don't want to be. You will at least get accurate information on what they believe, even the little things that may not be on the websites. There is a place on mormon.org that allows you to find missionaries close to you. They will be good, clean cut boys with lots of strict rules to follow so you don't have to fear them. My brother is actually on a mission in Italy right now. One last thing I would like to say about this is that the Mormon church is like all religions in that it is made up of humans. If you have had a bad experience with one person who is a Mormon, that doesn't mean all Mormons believe the same. There are certain things that are a part of the doctrine and those things you can find out from the church. Some things (like what happens inside the Temple) are not talked about often, but it is because they are sacred and special to each person who experiences them and not because they are a secret. If you have specific questions for me about anything I have said or even what may have been discussed here, I will do my best to answer them as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have read the Bible (King James Version) and the Book of Mormon and I have been to the Temple. I hope you find all the information you are looking for.

Glenda - posted on 07/28/2010

My DH's great aunt married a Mormon and they had quite a few "discussions." They also believe that we were "spirit beings" before we were born. They believe that when Mormon men die they will become gods of their own planet with as many wives as they want (polygamy is now for the afterlife). They can choose their wives now and "reserve" them for the afterlife. There's a lot of "weird" stuff they believe that they don't publicly acknowledge for fear of ridicule or discouraging "converts."

Carla - posted on 07/28/2010

I went to book of mormon online, and they have the texts to read. This book mirrors what happened in Israel, only it is in Utah. The book mingles Paul's words, Jesus, John the Baptist, even to the finger of God writing on the temple wall, except different people, and here, in America.

The lower heaven is for everyone, murderers, thieves, etc., where they and the Holy Spirit will live. The second heaven is for 'good' people, either Mormon or not, and they will live with Jesus. The third heaven is where the strictest Mormons will reside, and they will become gods, and procreate millions of children who will continue the circle and eventually become gods.

If you are really curious further, just type in book of mormon, and it will give you the entire texts. Read the declarations that the former founders wrote.

MaryEllen - posted on 07/24/2010

Actually, one of the *actors* was a Mormon and he quit in protest to that episode - he had no problem with them blaspheming Christ, but was not happy with them poking fun at Smith.


Oh, and not all Mormons believe/accept polygamy - the branch that does split off from the main church.

Michelle - posted on 07/23/2010

If you can find the South Park episode about being Mormon, it taught me lots about Smith and the golden plates being that one of the creators was a Mormon.

Michelle - posted on 07/23/2010

I know that the book of Mormon is the account of what happened on the other side of the world. That Jesus was for one part of the world and the other part of the world and how it is saved is in the book of mormon.

Their goal is to baptize the world, even the dead, so they keep really good records if anyone wants to do any geneology research in their family.

The no stimulants are because the body is a temple and should be pure.

Not sure about the undergarments though. Maybe it is just for modesty, but really?

They are taught a special handshake at the Temple. Not all Mormons can go to the Temple. You have to be a certain level of Mormon.

Carla - posted on 07/23/2010

Lots of info, MaryEllen, thanks! I am going to see if I can find that website to check further. I was unaware of a lot of this. The Mormons that I have dealt with carried KJV.

MaryEllen - posted on 07/22/2010

The Church of Latter Day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830.

They read The Book Of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; Smith's "inspired" version of the Bible and other teachings of Mormon prophets and "general authorities".

They believe that God was once a man but became God. He has a physical body as does his wife. They believe that Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate gods. Worthy men may one day also become gods.

They believe that God and Mary had a physical union that created Jesus and that he is the elder brother of all men and spirit beings.

His death on the cross did not atone for sin, but provides everyone with resurrection.

They believe resurrection is by grace, but saved (exalted to godhood) is by works, including following all their beliefs and faithfulness to their leaders.

They do not allow tobacco, alcohol, coffee or regular tea (herbal tea is OK).

They baptize for the dead, and even hold special marriage ceremonies for the dead (My uncle married his dead wife because they believe that marriage is eternal - not just til death)

They have secret temple rituals.


Taken from "Christianity, Cults & Religions" from Rose Publishing.

2-year missionary work is heavily encouraged.

Carla - posted on 07/20/2010

I think you are talking about purgatory, and that is Catholics who believe you can buy your loved ones' way into Heaven. Boy, just think, you could be a horrible, and leave a little bank account behind and just have your spouse of kids buy you out! :=)

It sounds like you have done a lot of research. So, according to Mormons, everyone's going to Heaven! Where does hell come in? Why would Jesus have talked so much about some place that didn't exist?

Is your friend thinking about becoming a Mormon? If so, she should know that in Revelation 22, I think, the last couple verses of the Bible it says don't add to or subtract from this book. If Mormons have added the Book of Mormon, then they believe that Jesus didn't do enough on Earth, and John Smith had to finish it. They use the KJV, but also add their book. Also, if you could be saved by baptism, wouldn't everyone get baptized? But, if we're all going to Heaven anyway, I guess it doesn't much matter.

Aren't religions funny?

God bless, honey, hope your friend gets the info she needs.