subject: Learn More About Mormon Doctrine And Scriptures [print this page] Christianity as well as the Catholic Church over the period of time has evolved to be worlds largest religious group. Christianity and Christians are often divided based on linguistic, ethnic traditions and belief.These differences in turn have given birth to Puritans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptist, different cults, and sects, as well as groups such as the Mormons.
The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints are popularly known as Mormons. The Churchwas founded in the year 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr., and is also described as the Latter-day Saint movement.Despite Mormons belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God,they are considered by some to not Christianmeaning non-traditional members of the Christian community.
Unlike the other major Christian denominations, the Mormons believe in additional books of scripture from both ancient and modern times. These include the Book of Mormon, a record of Gods dealings with His prophets and people in the Western Hemisphere in ancient times. Additional scripture also includes the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, which are collections and accounts of revelations given in modern times to living prophets among us today.
Because of their belief in the Book of Mormon,Latter-day Saints have been given the nickname Mormon.According to the contents of this book, a prophet named Mormon compiled his ancestors records into a single record in the 4th century. This book is said to have recorded the teachings of eminent prophets with names like Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, and others. It also contains teachings which Jesus Christ gave to pre-Columbian American civilizations when He visited them following His resurrection. All of this history was written on golden plates, which were translated and published in 1830..
Mormon doctrinal books explain Christianity from a different perspective. A detailed study of these booksreveals thatthere are key commonalities between traditional Christianity and Mormonism. For instance:
Mormons use similar language as well as customs of worship as other Christians do.
Mormons accept the Bible as the word of God.
Mormons believe in Jesus Christs atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming to the earth.
However there are certain significant differences as well:
Mormons practice and perform certain religious rituals like eternal marriage with which most Christians are not familiar.
Mormons do not believe in baptism by sprinkling or pouring; it must be done by immersion.
Mormons believe that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind, including those who have died without access to baptism; thus, they practice baptism on behalf of deceased relatives.
Mormons believe that we will be assigned to varying degrees of punishment or glory based on the spiritual quality of our livesnot just to one heaven or one hell.
Mormon doctrine also rejects the Nicene doctrine of Trinity (that God is God, Jesus Christ and theHoly Spiritincorporated into a single non-physical entity). Mormons assert that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spiritare distinct beings, with the Father and Son possessing glorified physical bodies made of flesh and bone.
Mormons believe that we are accountable only for the sins that we have committed and not for Adam and Eves transgression.
