Dear Christian Friend,
To answer your questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Madame L can think of no better way than the Articles of Faith. Madame L will discuss the first four of them today, with more to follow.
1. Do Mormons believe in the same God that other Christians believe in, and do they believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of the world?
Yes. First Article of Faith: We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
From a church lesson manual, a little more discussion: "There are three members of the Godhead. God, our Eternal Father, and His Son Jesus Christ have distinct, glorified bodies of flesh and bones, but the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. The Holy Ghost reveals truth, testifies of the Father and the Son, and performs many other roles that bless the followers of God. The three members of the Godhead are one in purpose, working together in perfect harmony for our eternal salvation...Each person on earth is a spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents. As their children we have inherited the potential to become like them."
2. Do Mormons believe in original sin?
No, not in the way taught by some churches. Second Article of Faith: We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
More discussion from the lesson manual: "Adam and Eve brought about the Fall by using their agency, and although all are born innocent before God, the effects of the Fall, including sin and death, have come upon all mankind. The Atonement of Jesus Christ overcomes the effects of the Fall.
3. Do you believe, as "mainstream" Christians do, in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for humans?
Yes. Third Article of Faith: We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
More discussion from the lesson manual: "All are invited to come unto Christ by obeying the laws and ordinances of His gospel, thus being saved by His mercy and grace. Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by water, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands are the fundamental principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
4. Do you believe in faith, repentance, and baptism? What must we humans do in order to return to God's presence?
Yes, we do believe in those principles, and more. Fourth Article of Faith: 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.
The lesson manual gives scriptural references for more information on each of these four principles:
The lesson manual gives scriptural references for more information on each of these four principles:
Madame L will write about the other Articles of Faith in future posts.
Please write further comments and questions in the "Comments" space provided here or by e-mailing Madame L at [ellemadame] at [gmail.com].
Best wishes,
Madame L
1 comment:
That is a most EXCELLENT and cogent explanation. I plan to download and keep that on my Droid. Thanx.
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