On Facebook, I saw a comment that asked if a collection of statements were accurate about what Mormons believe. Rather than blow up the comment field by trying to address all the concerns, I took his post and conversed with it a bit. I think the commenter was sincere, so I wanted to answer his question. As to whether this discussion is a good explanation of the core of Mormon doctrine, not really. A good understanding of what the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe is found in our Articles of Faith. I included those at the end of this post.
His comment is in italics and I left the spelling and words as they were.
My response is underlined
Since it sounds like you sincerely want to understand what it is we believe, I took different statements from your comment to address one at a time. I don't claim to be a perfect explainer of our doctrine nor an authoritative source that should be quoted, but I sincerely want to help you understand the viewpoint and belief of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In the discussion of faith on the web there is often confusion as we only encounter fragments of the actual beliefs at a time. These tell the story of our doctrine as well as a few threads explain a tapestry. Also, while most Christians agree on the Bible being true, across denominations there is rife disagreement about what it means. Everyone’s backgrounds and perspectives often add connotation to verses that seem so clear, yet are expansions of what the text claims for itself.
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I will talk in terms of what I personally understand and believe as a Mormon.
"Hi please help me im a Christian and trying to learn about different religions around the world not to what I believe , but different to what Gods Word Speaks ---- Are these statements True to the Mormon belief?"
The statements are thematically similar to my beliefs, but some go past the doctrine into common speculations, others are a little off. Most importantly the central focuses of our faith are left out.
"The Mormon Jesus and the biblical Jesus teach a different nature of Christ and, at the very crux of Christianity, they teach different ways to salvation. Even LDS prophet Gordon B Hinckley said: ‘The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak.’ "
We don't subscribe to the post new testament creeds and so we often understand biblical passages differently from traditional (Catholic and Protestant) churches. One way is our view of the Godhead instead of the Trinity. We believe the Three are united as God and one in purpose and unity, but not in being the same person. When I say Christ was born the Son of God, I mean He was a Son. Most of what the Book of Mormon does is teach who Christ is. I am able to understand more of his nature, but mostly that falls under his character. That includes His love, His propitiation/atonement, His obedience to the Father, His meekness and humility, and His mercy and justice. What I learn isn't in opposition to the biblical account, but often is in more detail or clarification. It may run counter to ideas about Christ that have developed by believers outside of what the Bible clearly taught.
"According to LDS teaching, the Mormon Jesus was born as the first spirit child of a probable heavenly mother and heavenly father."
I do believe that Jesus was the firstborn spirit son of God. I also believe that we all are spirit children of God. Hebrews 12:9 provides a good explanation for the dual nature of our parentage. I have an earthly father, and a spiritual father. As I believe Jesus to be a separate individual from His Father, He is the firstborn Son.
"This Jesus is a created being."
I strongly disagree with that statement. Suffice it to say, I believe Jesus Christ has always existed, and that being spiritually born was not the beginning. His existence no more started at spiritual birth than it did at His physical birth.
"He was not a god initially but earned his way to deity over time."
This falls into the realm of speculation as far as I know (I don't know everything nor should I claim such, someone may enlighten me later). Many members of the church have differing opinions on this matter. Using this to frame our doctrine can easily lead to misconception.
"The second spirit child was Lucifer."
I believe angels often refers to the spirit children of God, often in context of when they don't have physical bodies (not a perfect definition but gets some of the idea across). As Lucifer translates to 'Son of the 'morning' many infer he was one of the first of God's spirit children, or angels. Whether he was second son or not is purely up to speculation.
"Both brothers presented their plans to the Council of the Gods for the future salvation of those on earth."
That Lucifer presented a plan is correct, but the plan Jesus presented was the plan of The Father. As such the plan of Lucifer was rebellion against God the Father, and in that plan Lucifer wanted to put himself over God the Father. The concept of this isn't in opposition to the biblical account, but rather is a result of us using other information we consider as scripture which adds detail to the biblical account. 'Council of gods' means something very different to us than it likely came off for you. Our vernacular and connotations can often seem foreign when first encountered. Members of the church, myself included, usually use the term ‘Council in Heaven.’
"Jesus’ plan was accepted, while Lucifer took a third of the host of heaven and was cast down."
This is as the war in Heaven is recorded in the book of Revelations. We believe the dragon in Revelation 12:7 to be Lucifer and that series of verses to describe the premortal events leading to his fallen status as well as the rest of the fallen angels. Jude 1:6 also describes it as them failing to keep their first estate.
"Then came the rest of us."
I believe we in our premortal state as spirit children of God participated in that council and war. That we kept our first estate (by choosing to side with Jesus) as referenced in Jude 1:6 meant we are here on earth in the second estate. Solely from a biblical perspective it sounds possible, but we didn't derive that doctrine solely by using the Bible.
"Men might one day earn godhood."
I don't believe godhood can be earned. My understanding of the Grace coming from Jesus Christ is very potent and a process approach rather than a singular event. His Grace changes us and I believe that there is no limit to what he can change us into. Our goal is to become like Him. This is not a claim to replace God, stop worshipping him, or have some sort of competing pantheon. We will always worship God our Father, and his greatness is not dependant on contrast. Contrary to common supposition, the Bible supports the idea of deification. You likely have different views of these scriptures, but I find it enlightening to see where others come from, so I put what I felt was relevant so you could look through them.
Psalms 82:6 (love the whole Psalm)
Matthew 5:48
John 10:34
Acts 17:29
Romans 8:17
2 Corinthians 3:18
Galatians 4:7
Ephesians 4:13
1 John 3:2
Revelations 3:21
"Women bear spirit children throughout the eternities as queens and priestesses to their husbands."
Yes, this is not from the bible and is foreign to most other religions. I don't think it worth trying to show the biblical proofs for or against the idea as they will be inferential at best. We gain such understanding through modern revelation.
"None of this matches the biblical account, where Jesus is God and Lucifer is a fallen angel."
This is just more details of that biblical account shoing how Lucifer falling came to be as well as how the Plan for our Salvation was presented. We affirm Jesus as God, yet separate from the Father who is also God. I will keep it simple because 90% of the time us Christians discuss differing ideas of the Trinity, we talk in circles.
"Indeed, the greatest lie Satan fed us in the garden was that we could be ‘like God’, yet this is what Mormons believe?"
We believe the lie was when he told them they would not die from partaking of the fruit. I can see how the conclusion for that is drawn. While he is not a member of our church, C.S. Lewis a Christian author describes the fall and man's potential very well shedding light on what I mentioned. Personally, I find a study of his writings is very good at opening doors to understanding how others understand the Bible and it's teachings.
"Thank You"
You are welcome. Thank you for sincerely trying to understand. I hope I could shed some light on our understanding of the Bible. There is always so much more to learn about it.
"Praise God/Jesus"
Amen to that.
Here is an official statement of what we truly believe and what really comes into the core of our doctrine. These are accepted as scripture within the Church. While not all inclusive it is pretty thorough:
The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
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 paradisiacal 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 Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Articles of Faith 1:1–13
