Mormons

"Mormons" is a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are a few fundamentalist sects that call themselves "Mormons" (see FLDS), but they are not affiliated with the real Church, which is often nicknamed the Mormon Church. Members of the Church prefer to be called "Latter-day Saints" when nicknames are used.

In August 2018, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, released the following statement: “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months” (Russell M. Nelson, in “The Name of the Church” [official statement, Aug. 16, 2018], newsroomchurchofjesuschrist.org). In the general conference that followed his statement, President Nelson added:

As you would expect, responses to this statement and to the revised style guide have been mixed. Many members immediately corrected the name of the Church on their blogs and social media pages. Others wondered why, with all that’s going on in the world, it was necessary to emphasize something so “inconsequential.” And some said it couldn’t be done, so why even try? Let me explain why we care so deeply about this issue. But first let me state what this effort is not:

It is not a name change.

It is not rebranding.

It is not cosmetic.

It is not a whim.

And it is not inconsequential.

Instead, it is a correction. It is the command of the Lord. Joseph Smith did not name the Church restored through him; neither did Mormon. It was the Savior Himself who said, “For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”[1]

Since that time, the Church itself consistently follows this direction and the names "LDS Church" or "Mormon" have been dropped. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ endeavor to follow suit and call themselves Latter-day Saints. The Church name is often shortened to the Church of Jesus Christ after the full name is given.

The nickname "Mormon" emerged because of the Church's open body of scripture, which includes the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a history of some Israelites who escaped from Jerusalem in about 600 BC, just before the Babylonian Captivity. They were led by God to a promised land in the Americas and established a civilization led by kings, judges, and prophets who taught them about Jesus Christ. They kept the Law of Moses looking forward to Christ, and Christ visited them after His resurrection, establishing His church among them. By about AD 400 the people had become so wicked that they destroyed themselves in a series of wars. Some of the Native Americans are of their lineage. Mormon was a great prophet who lived near the end of this period. He abridged the record to the form in which it was given to Joseph Smith. It is named The Book of Mormon only because Mormon was the primary editor, compiler, or abridger. However, the complete title of the book of scripture is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Before explaining what Latter-day Saints are, it is wise to explain what they are not:

Latter-day Saints are not members of a cult, as the word "cult" is currently defined. The current connotation of the word "cult" is a group that grows up around a powerful personality. Members are in the thrall of the leader and general follow bizarre practices. Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ under the direction of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith is the first prophet of the "Last dispensation of time." Members of the Church of Jesus Christ honor him, but they don't worship him. The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ is centered on Christ. Latter-day Saint beliefs sometimes seem bizarre to those who've received a false representation of Church doctrine. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, sometimes referred to as "Mormonism" is not a new religion, and not an American religion, but is the restoration of Christ's original Church. All of the beliefs found in Latter-day Saint doctrine were central in the early Christian Church.

Latter-day Saints do not dress in pioneer garb or live in secretive groups.

Latter-day Saints do not practice polygamy.

Latter-day Saints do not refrain from sports, dancing, singing, or enjoying themselves. Many famous entertainers are Latter-day Saints.

Temple rituals are not secret, but are considered sacred. Guided tours for the public are conducted through each new temple before it is dedicated. The covenants made in the temple are sacred and are not to be discussed outside of the temple. Thus, even Latter-day Saints who have been to the temple do not discuss their covenants with other members outside of the temple. The Church has provided appropriate details about the temple here.

Latter-day Saints are not polytheists. However, they do not believe in the trinity—that is, that God is a spirit who became embodied as the Christ and then went back to being a spirit containing three entities. Instead, Latter-day Saints believe that the Godhead is composed of three separate beings: God the Father, Jesus Christ (His Only Begotten Son), and the Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints believe that when Jesus was resurrected, He remained resurrected, and is a resurrected being of flesh and bone, albeit glorious and powerful beyond description. This is the same belief as the very early Christian Church.

Some people say that Latter-day Saints are polytheists, because they believe that men and women, in a process of eternal progression, can become like God, indeed that this is the Father's central goal for all of us, to make us like Him and to give us all that He has. This belief was also solid in the early Christian church. This does not mean that a plurality of gods governs this world, except that the Godhead is made up of three beings. Latter-day Saints look forward to further revelation on the details of life eternal, but have more information than any other church.

Latter-day Saints do not believe that nonmembers are disqualified for heaven. The gospel is perfectly fair. All of us are judged on what we know. A person who has never heard of Christ or the commandments of God cannot sin. Virtually every person who has ever lived will be given the opportunity to learn about and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and then inherit a kingdom of glory. Only sons of perdition (who have a sure witness of Christ and then deny Him) qualify for "hell."

Latter-day Saints do not believe that we are saved by our works. However, the Lord judges us by our thoughts, intentions, and actions.

We believe in making and keeping covenants and endeavoring to follow Christ's pattern for living. After all we can do, we cannot save ourselves. It is the grace of Christ that saves us. Latter-day Saints do believe in the words of James, that faith without works is dead.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ do not believe that the heavens are closed. Nor have they ever been. A constant flow of information from God has enlightened men and women of every age. All prophets, including those of the Old Testament, even Adam, knew the Plan of Salvation and taught of Jesus Christ. Modern prophets have the same connection with heaven. Individuals are entitled to personal revelation from heaven as well. President Nelson has taught: "Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! . . . Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!"[2]

Latter-day Saints do not believe that miracles have ceased. They are common-place where the power of God is manifest through the power of Priesthood authority and through faith of believers. President Nelson taught, "The Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, 'doubting nothing.' Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith."[3]

Latter-day Saints do not believe in an impersonal God. God hears all prayers and answers those who seek Him in humility. All are privy to personal revelation when they seek it. Latter-day Saints regularly see their Father's tender mercies in their lives.

Some accuse Latter-day Saints of believing in a "different Jesus."Members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe in the resurrected Christ as the Word, through whom God created all things that are. He is the Savior and Redeemer, the only name through whom we may be saved. Additional scripture or the belief that He is corporeal -- that we can feel the imprints in His hands and feet, should He give us that opportunity -- does not diminish Him or the power of His Infinite Atonement. (Read more ...)

What Latter-day Saints Are

They are clean-living, service-oriented, education-oriented, Bible-believing Christians. Because of the priesthood authority conferred through prophets from God, all the charismatic gifts are present in the Church. Latter-day Saints are family oriented, because they believe that God has ordained that families should be eternal units. The family is so central to God's plan for mankind, that the Lord has told them through prophets to bravely defend the sanctity of the home and "traditional" marriage.[4]

In 2010 a book was published called American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. The book was the result of extensive study by scholars Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell and yields valuable insight into the nature and social effects of American religion. Here is what the study revealed about members of the Church of Jesus Christ:

Latter-day Saints are among the most devout religious groups in the country.
Latter-day Saints are among those most likely to keep their childhood faith as adults.
Latter-day Saints are among the most charitable of Americans with their means and time, both in religious and non-religious causes.
Latter-day Saints are relatively friendly to other religious groups.
Latter-day Saints are among the most likely to believe that one true religion exists, but also, that those outside their faith can attain salvation or reach “heaven.”