What Is Mormonism? The Basic Principles Explained
- In This Quick Guide:
- The Tenets of Mormonism
- Mormonism and the Gospel of Christ
Curious about the intriguing and often misunderstood world of Mormonism? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will look at the religion that is practiced in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the LDS Church).
The Tenets of Mormonism
Mormonism, quite simply, is the unique position that God created mankind in his own image, first in spirit, then in material form, and that under the direction of men whom the LDS community believe to be ordained and led by Jesus Christ himself, faithful followers will be allowed to return into God’s presence and live as part of an eternal family—so long as all of the laws of Christ are adhered to.
LDS belief is largely based on the restoration of the “primitive” church that was established by Jesus and sustained by his chosen apostles, but was subsequently “killed off” with their deaths.
Mormonism and the Gospel of Christ
According to Latter-day Saint theology, there are five key components of the gospel, as it was established during Jesus’ ministry. So chances are, you know you’re a Latter-day Saint, if you:
- Believe that Jesus really was the literal Son of God, sent to redeem the world. The New Testament Apostle Paul wrote that faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” For Latter-day Saints, exercising faith is the principle by which people are allowed to demonstrate not only their understanding of God’s plan, but also their willingness to trust him—even when some things might sound somewhat “nontraditional” with the day’s teachings.
- Believe that repenting of sin and transgression, including confession and restitution, is essential to your salvation. LDS doctrine stresses that there can be no salvation of the soul without first repenting of transgression, and making restitution where possible. According to LDS beliefs, God cannot dwell in the presence of unclean things—or people. Repentance was essential in Adam’s time, just as it is now. It is the process by which the human race may begin to prepare to return into the presence of God.
- Have been baptized, by immersion, by an authorized representative of God. The concept of baptism is not new to Christianity. Ancient scripture records this ordinance, and in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, there’s even mention of John the Baptist coming forth in the future, to “prepare ye the way of the Lord.” (Isa. 40:3) For Latter-day Saints the key element of the ordinance of baptism is in the rightful authority of the person performing the ordinance. Latter-day Saints believe that a man holding the Aaronic Priesthood—which is the preparatory priesthood—is the only authorized person who can perform the sacred ordinance of baptism.
- Received the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, as it was performed by the apostles of the first century A.D., and by one who was authorized to do so. Baptism by water is part of a two-step ordinance for people entering the LDS Church. For a person to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they must also receive a second ordinance, often referred to as the “baptism by fire.” The baptism by fire is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, through the laying on of hands by one who is authorized to perform this ordinance. Although the Holy Ghost, also known as the “Comforter” (John 14:26), visits the world and is the testifier of truth in all things, to actually receive the gift of the Holy Ghost is a separate issue.
- Are striving to endure to the end in all things commanded by God. Where baptism is the gate to the path of heaven, the concept of enduring to the end represents the distance of the path itself. Once a person has faith that God lives and Jesus is the redeemer of the world, and he or she accepts baptism and the Comforter in his or her life, the task of walking the path of righteousness begins and never ends until death itself.
For more information about the history and principles of the Mormon faith, check out our book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Mormonism.
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Mormonism by Drew Williams
