Mormon Doctrine - An Introduction

MORMON DOCTRINE - An Introduction

The word 'doctrine' in the dictionary is identified as being: "something taught as the principles or creed of a religion…a rule, theory, or principle of law."1 This website will explain through numerous articles what Mormon Doctrine is. It will also clarify those misconceptions that seem to attach themselves to every religion, group or idea. In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior says: "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand."2

The gospel of Jesus Christ is our Father in Heaven's plan of happiness. His purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our Heavenly Father's greatest desire is to have every one of His children find peace and happiness in this life and to return to Him. He knew that we could only progress to a certain point without the experience of mortality. In order to become more like Him, we had to receive a physical body.

Because of His love for us, the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness was provided for each of His children. Our life on earth is a part of His plan – we must each gain a body, and we must each learn, grow, and find joy. Throughout this earth life there will be hard times, lonely times and frightening times. But through it all our Heavenly Father is there. He sorrows when we suffer and He rejoices when we do what is right. He is ready to give each of us comfort, peace and guidance through sincere prayer.

The Mormon doctrine is intended to help those in search of salvation to gain that knowledge of our Father in Heaven and his laws, without which each of us cannot gain an inheritance in the celestial kingdom.

We cannot be saved in the Lord's kingdom without the knowledge of God and his laws. It is then imperative and obligatory for each of us to study, ponder, and pray about the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. It is only then that we begin to apply the true doctrines of the gospel and can continue on our way to one day returning to live with our Father in Heaven and our elder brother Jesus Christ.

1 "Webster's New World Dictionary"; 1988 2 "Book of Mormon", Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-78