The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — a comparison of the doctrine of 17 current religions
Prepared by and presented by Rex Bennett
An overview of the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints religion, often referred to as the Mormon Church:
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The (Mormons)
- Atonement — Through the Atonement, Christ the Redeemer and Savior assured redemption, or resurrection, for all. Provides for salvation and exaltation according to our personal worthiness.
- Baptism — By immersion for the remission of sins and entrance into the church. Essential to salvation. Must be performed by one holding proper priesthood authority. Required of all, eight years or older. No infant baptisms.
- Did Christ organize a church while on earth? — Yes. He ordained 12 apostles and also other offices. In His church, there were apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, bishops, priests, and deacons.
- Ecclesiastical authority — After the death of the apostles, there was a great apostasy from the church and the priesthood, which is the authority to administer in the ordinances of the gospel. This authority ceased but was restored by the ordination of Joseph Smith.
- God — God, the Eternal Father, has a body of flesh and bones, as tangible as man’s. He is an exalted personage, with an immortal body. His power is omnipresent, therefore He is omniscient and omnipotent.
- Heaven and Hell — Generalized terms indicating places or states of persons assigned by their either righteous or wicked condition. In each, there are numerous degrees. Progression after death is possible.
- Holy Bible — We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. It is one of 4 Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Holy Ghost — The third member of the Godhead. Has attributes of Deity. Bears witness of the Father and the Son. He is the minister of the Godhead and executes the will of the Supreme Council.
- Holy Trinity — Three separate and distinct personages. God, the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. These constitute the Godhead and are one in purpose.
- Is membership in a church needed for salvation? — Yes, it is in that the ordinances of Christ’s gospel are essential and found only in the church with proper authority. Living right will bring a degree of salvation, without church membership.
- Life after death — We do live beyond death. Each will be judged according to their works in life and will be assigned to one of many degrees provided, the main being Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial.
- Marriage — Marriage is divine and eternally necessary for a fulness of joy. Believe in Celestial marriage for time and all eternity. Family relationships continue after death.
- Miracles — Miracles are characteristic of the priesthood in operation. They are confirming signs to believers. “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healings, interpretation of tongues, etc.”
- Future status of non-believers in Christ — Jesus Christ, while disembodied, preached to obedient spirits, and missionary labor continues there in the spirit world. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ.
- Pre-existence of man — Before earth life we lived as spirits with God our Heavenly Father. When we are born, the spirit unites with a body of earthly substance. The spirit is immortal.
- Purpose of life — Our earth life is a probationary period in which we have opportunities and experiences which prepare us for eternal progression. Develops and demonstrates the character of the soul
- Resurrection — All will be literally resurrected. The righteous first and the unrighteous later. We have individual identity beginning with pre-mortal existence and continuing throughout eternity.
- Revelation — Direct revelation exists and is characteristic of the church. The Eternal father and Jesus Christ revealed themselves in person to Joseph Smith, through whom the church was restored.
- Sacrament — Administered regularly as a very sacred ordinance. The bread and water are taken in remembrance of the broken body and spilt blood of the Redeemer and Savior of mankind.
- Satan — An individual, unembodied, and a spirit personage. He is in rebellion against God and Christ, seeking to thwart the divine plan of salvation, exaltation, and redemption.
- Second Coming of Christ — Jesus Christ will return to earth with the same resurrected body that He ascended with. When He returns it will inaugurate the millenium of peace.
- Vicarious work for the dead — The ordinances essential to salvation, baptism and others, are administered to the living on behalf of the dead in sacred temples. The freedom to accept or reject these ordinances is assumed.
- Virgin birth, immaculate conception — Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary and is the only begotten of the Father in the flesh. “Immaculate conception” is not recognized.
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