yorky
Veteran
Okay, I'll go for it. The way I'll do it is present information little bits at a time (I could go on forever, pretty much), respond to comments, and answer questions when asked. Be sure to read the conditions* at the bottom of this post before responding. Here we go.
Intoduction
Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a church of around 12 million members. It is a Christian church, but it differentiates from mainstream Christianity in many ways (I'll get into this later). Known as a Restoration Church, it is believed by members to be a restoration of the Christian church of the first century, as the original church is believed to have fallen into Apostasy when the last of the original Apostles of the church died. This point between the death of the Apostles to the point of the restoration of the CoJCoLDS (formerly known as the Church of Christ) on April 6, 1830, by the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. is known as the Great Apostasy, a point of time when the fullness of the Gospel was not on the Earth.
Now, the restoration of the Church is believed to have been set in motion when Joseph Smith Jr, at the age of 14, prayed to God to know which of the sects was correct. His account of this event can be found here. From this event and the ones that followed came the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Priesthood, and countless other revelations regarding the Plan of Salvation, the pre-mortal existence, and so on (all of which I'll go more in depth on in a bit).
For now, here are the basic beliefs of the LDS church, known as the Articles of Faith:
Intoduction
Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a church of around 12 million members. It is a Christian church, but it differentiates from mainstream Christianity in many ways (I'll get into this later). Known as a Restoration Church, it is believed by members to be a restoration of the Christian church of the first century, as the original church is believed to have fallen into Apostasy when the last of the original Apostles of the church died. This point between the death of the Apostles to the point of the restoration of the CoJCoLDS (formerly known as the Church of Christ) on April 6, 1830, by the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. is known as the Great Apostasy, a point of time when the fullness of the Gospel was not on the Earth.
Now, the restoration of the Church is believed to have been set in motion when Joseph Smith Jr, at the age of 14, prayed to God to know which of the sects was correct. His account of this event can be found here. From this event and the ones that followed came the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Priesthood, and countless other revelations regarding the Plan of Salvation, the pre-mortal existence, and so on (all of which I'll go more in depth on in a bit).
For now, here are the basic beliefs of the LDS church, known as the Articles of Faith:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paulâ€â€