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Are Mormons And Latter Day Saints The Same

Are Mormons And Latter

What Is The Book of Mormon? | Now You Know
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From time to time Mormons are asked to clarify what the correct name of their church is, and how to appropriately refer to a member of their religion.

‘Mormon Helping Hands’ Participate in’ Project Twin Streams’

The correct name of the church to which Mormons belong is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While most members of the Church do not mind being called “Mormons,” a more formal way to refer to a person who belongs to the faith is “a Latter-day Saint,” or “a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The nickname “Mormon” came about because of one of the Church’s sacred texts, “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Book of Mormon

Latter-day Saints look to The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

On some occasions media professionals and others refer to “The Mormon Church,” or “The Church of Latter-day Saints,” or “The LDS Church.”

While these names are not offensive to members of the Church, it is appreciated when the full and correct name of the Church is used. This is because Latter-day Saints are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and having His name included in the name of the Church is important to them.

Read more about media style for journalists reporting on the Church or any of its members.

Watch a video of Latter-day Saint leader, Elder M. Russell Ballard, talking about the significance of the name of the Church.

Being Mormon During A Mormon Moment

Many Mormons say that the way their religion is portrayed in television and movies hurts societys image of Mormons in general. Far fewer say their image is helped by the portrayal of Mormons in entertainment media.

But Mormons are less negative in their assessment of the news medias treatment of Mormonism. About half of those surveyed say that coverage of Mormons and Mormonism by American news organizations is generally fair, though a significant minority says news coverage of Mormonism is unfair.

The survey also finds that despite the large number of Mormons who feel that Mormons are misunderstood and discriminated against, the overwhelming majority are satisfied in their own lives and content with their communities. Nearly nine-in-ten Mormons say they are satisfied with the way things are going in their own life more than say the same among the general public . And 92% of Mormons rate their communities as excellent or good places to live. Mormons are more positive about their communities than is the public as a whole, among whom 81% rate their communities as excellent or good places to live. Community satisfaction is higher among Mormons who reside in the western part of the U.S. than among those living elsewhere, and it is especially high among Mormons who reside in Utah .

Salvation Beliefs Between Mormons And Christians

Christianity

Evangelical Christians believe that salvation is the free gift of God that a person is justified by faith alone, based on Christs substitutionary atonement on the cross . Further, the Bible teaches that all people are sinful and unable to save themselves , and therefore it is only by Gods intervening grace that any can be brought back into a right relationship with God.

Mormonism

Mormons hold to a very complex and distinct system of views on salvation. On one level, Mormons believe in the universal salvation of all people through the work of Jesus Christ. This is often referred to as universal or general salvation in Mormon literature.

On the individual level, Mormons believe that salvation is acquired through gospel obedience. That is, through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and then successfully completing mortal probation by living a righteous life. Together, this enables them to progress in their eternal progression.

The Holy Spirit

Christianity

Christians hold that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, and as such He has a personality and has existed eternally. He is, and always has been God.

Mormonism

The Atonement

Christianity

Christians hold that the atonement was Gods gracious work in Christ, who stood in the place for sinful man and absorbed the just penalty for sin . Christs work on the cross satisfied Gods justice and allowed man to be reconciled to God.

Mormonism

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Treatment And Views Of Lgbt People

The church has occasionally addressed the treatment and views of LGBT+ members. Church leaders have given discretion to local leaders on whether to hold church courts for suspected homosexual members, with options ranging from acquittal to excommunication.:17 In 2000 the apostle Packer addressed gay and lesbian youth stating that church leaders don’t reject, but rather love them, and that they sometimes must extend tough love through teaching and discipline. Additionally, the 2007 church pamphlet “God Loveth His Children” acknowledged that some gay members have felt rejection by other members. It criticized those who did not show love and challenged gay members to show love and kindness to help other members change their attitudes. From 1976 until 1989 under president Kimball the Church Handbook called for church discipline for members attracted to the same sex equating merely being homosexual with the seriousness of acts of adultery and child molestationâeven celibate gay people were subject to excommunication.:16,43:382,422:139 Kimball’s numerous publications discussing “curing” homosexuality and condemning same-sex attractions , and his rise to the church presidency in 1973 set the stage for years of harsh treatment of gay church members.:36â37 In a 1977 Utah poll three-fourths of LDS-identified responders opposed equal rights for gay teachers or ministers and 62% favored discrimination against gays in business and government .:15:220

Ideology Partisanship And Economic Views

Why do Mormons refer to themselves as Latter Day Saints?

Mormons tend to be quite conservative in their political leanings and in their views on social and moral issues. Two-thirds call themselves conservatives, and three-quarters of Mormon registered voters are Republican or lean toward the Republican Party. These ideological and partisan leanings are reflected in their views of President Barack Obama, whose favorability rating among Mormon voters is half of what it is among voters in the public as a whole.

Mormons express highly positive views of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney . Romney is viewed favorably by 86% of all Mormon voters and 94% of Mormons who are Republican or lean Republican. But even among Mormon Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters, 62% rate Romney favorably. In fact, Romneys favorability rating is about as high among Mormon Democrats as it is among Republicans in the general population .

Two other prominent Mormon political leaders are viewed less favorably than Romney. Half of Mormon voters express a favorable view of Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman Jr., while 24% express an unfavorable view and 26% have no opinion. Huntsman is viewed more favorably by registered voters in Utah, where 70% offer a favorable assessment and only 4% are unable to offer an opinion about him. Less than a quarter of Mormon voters have a favorable view of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat 51% of Mormon voters have an unfavorable opinion of Reid while 27% express no opinion about him.

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Homosexuality And The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter

LGBT Mormon topics

All homosexual or same-sex sexual activity is forbidden by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage. Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and all sexual relations outside an opposite-sex marriage, but all, including those participating in same-sex activity and relationships, are allowed to attend weekly church worship services. However, in order to receive church ordinances such as baptism, and to enter church temples, adherents are required to abstain from same-sex relations or any sexual activity outside a legal marriage between one man and one woman. Additionally, in the church’s plan of salvation noncelibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive exaltation unless they repent, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement for exaltation. The church’s policies and treatment of LGBT people has long been a source of controversy both within and outside the church. They have also been a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.

The Doctrine Of The Church:

Historic Christianity

Mormonism

Christians congregate together in local bodies and along denominational lines sharing distinctive doctrinal and ecclesiastical concepts. There is no organization or denomination that can claim exclusive designation as the one true church. The universal church consists of all the redeemed in Jesus Christ in all of the ages. Asserts that the LDS is the one true church on the face of the earth. Joseph Smith claimed Jesus Christ told him to join none of the existing denominations because they were all wrong . . . that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight that those professors were all corrupt . Mormons claim only the LDS possesses the divine authority of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood as restored by God to Joseph Smith in 1829.

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The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter

MormonismChurch of Christ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official logo since 2020 featuring the Christus statue
Classification
  • Restored Church of Jesus Christ
Official website .org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian, Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The church is headquartered in the United States in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has established congregations and built temples worldwide. According to the church, it has over 16.8 million members and 54,539 full-time volunteer missionaries. The church is the fourth-largest Christian denomination in the United States, with over 6.7 million US members as of 2021. It is the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith during the early 19th-century period of religious revival known as the Second Great Awakening.

The church has been criticized throughout its history. Modern criticisms include disputed claims, treatment of minorities, and financial controversies. The churchs practice of polygamy was also controversial until officially rescinded in 1890.

The Mormon Vs Christian Church

Are Mormons Christians?

Christianity

Christians believe that all true Christians make up the true church. Theologians often refer to this reality as the universal or invisible church. It is what Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 1:2: together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Further, Christians believe that the local church is a group of true Christians who have voluntarily covenanted together to worship God as a church .

Mormonism

Since the very beginning, the Mormons have rejected all other churches outside of the Mormon church. At various times Mormon leaders and teachers have referred to the Christian church as the church of the devil or the church of abomination .

Today, seldom is that sort of directness apparent in Mormon publications. However, historically and canonically , this is how the Christian church is viewed.

Life After Death

Christianity

Christians believe that there is life after physical death for everyone. When those who are saved by faith in Christ die, they depart to be with Christ . They will all eventually dwell with God in the New Heaven and New Earth. Those who perish in their sin will suffer eternal punishment, away from the presence of God .

Mormonism

Those who do attain to eternal life are eligible for eternal progression, the process over time of becoming gods. Just as God the Father progressed to become God, so they themselves will eventually attain deity.

Mormonism

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Other Social And Religious Customs

Mormon religious customs include “ordinances,” or religious rites. Several of them, including the ordinance to be married at a Mormon temple, are necessary to reach “exaltation,” or the highest level of heaven. At the time of the temple endowment, when they promise to keep the convenants of the church, Mormons are given special temple garments they must wear underneath their regular clothing at all times, except when they bathe or swim.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or Easter, as they believe that these holidays are not holy and are tainted by other belief systems. They also abstain from celebrating birthdays, and refuse to participate in government-based activities such as military service. Members can be “disfellowshipped” if and when they commit what the church considers serious sins, such as adultery. However, those who are disfellowshipped may eventually be reinstated after they repent.

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Current Teachings And Policies

As of 2022 all homosexual or same-sex sexual activity is forbidden by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage. Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and all sexual relations outside an opposite-sex marriage, but all, including those participating in same-sex activity and relationships, are allowed to attend weekly church worship services. In the church’s plan of salvation noncelibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive exaltation unless they repent, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement for exaltation.

In 1999, Gordon B. Hinckley, then president of the church, officially welcomed gay people in the church, and in an interview affirmed them as “good people”. Church leaders have spoken out against “gay-bashing” and other physical or verbal attacks on those involved in homosexual behavior. They have also encouraged members to reach out to gay members.

How Is Mormonism Different From Christianity

The Second Miracle: Made Confident through Christ

Mormons are some of the kindest and friendliest people we could know. Their views on family and morality is not far different from that of Christians. And indeed, they call themselves Christians.

So are there differences between Mormons and Christians when it comes to how they view God, the Bible, salvation, etc.? Yes, there are significant differences. And in this article I will highlight several.

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What Is The Book Of Mormon

The Book of Mormon tells the history of an ancient Hebrew tribe led by a man named Lehi who, the text claims, traveled to North America with his large family some 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Lehi bequeathed the tribe to his youngest son Nephi, much to his brother Laman’s disapproval, and upon their father’s death the two formed rival clans: the Nephites and the Lamanites.

The Book of Mormon claims that following his resurrection, Jesus Christ traveled to North America to visit the two clans to share his new gospel, and urged them to work together.

According to Krakauer, the two clans worked together for several hundred years but then a rift led to a full-blown war between them in which the Lamanites slaughtered the 230,000 Nephites, including their leader Mormon.

The Book of Mormon claimed the Lamanites were ancestors of Native Americans, who lost memory of their heritage. Krakauer explained that modern DNA analysis has since disproven this claim.

Mormon’s son Moroni recounted the last chapter of The Book of Mormon, and later became the same angel to visit Smith and tell him of the location of the ancient gold plate text.

Under the Banner of Heaven airs Thursdays on Hulu.

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