FAQ Archive
The teaching mode of the Savior was varied. He used a number of different ways to teach the people He encountered about God the Father.
One of His favorite methods was to tell a story. These stories are often called parables. Jesus Christ used parables to reach people at a variety of levels. Those who knew how to and were willing to listen with their hearts were able to pull deep meanings from the stories. Others at least heard a good story. Jesus often used the story to hold his audience’s attention. After the story was told, it was frequently explained. Other times he used them to keep those who did not come with honest intent from learning things they would be held accountable for if they understood. He could give the teachings that brought the most blessings only to those who listened with their hearts.
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given... Read the rest of this entry »
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They came into being following the death of Joseph Smith at the hands of assassins.
The church’s structure, under Joseph, as it is today, was that he served as the prophet and the president of the church. He was assisted by counselors. There was also the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Joseph had previously explained that the First Presidency existed only as a unit; if the president died, the First Presidency was dissolved and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would lead the church until the new president was put into position.
However, when he died, there was great confusion over what should happen next. Of the First Presidency, only Sidney Rigdon remained. Rigdon had already shown signs of weakness, and the members of the church, against Joseph’s desires, had sustained him into the First Presidency. The church was... Read the rest of this entry »
Gordon B. Hinckley, a former Mormon prophet, talked about the importance of cornerstones in the Mormon religion. He outlined four cornerstones, critical parts of the faith. To help listeners understand why cornerstones matter in the Mormon religion, he discussed a tradition associated with Mormon temples:
“In each new temple we have had a cornerstone ceremony in harmony with a tradition that goes back to ancient times. Before the general use of concrete, the foundation walls of the building were laid with large stones. A trench would be dug, and stones would be placed as footings. Starting at a point of beginning, the foundation wall would be run in one direction to a cornerstone; then the corner would be turned and the wall run to the next corner, where another stone was placed, from which the wall would be run to the next corner, and from there to the point of beginning. In many instances, including the construction of early temples in the Church,... Read the rest of this entry »
The Book of Revelation tells us of a terrible time in Heaven when harmony was temporarily destroyed by a terrible event. In order to answer the question, you must understand the events that led up to it.
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev. 12:7-9).
This war in Heaven took place before the creation of the earth. Mormon beliefs teach that all of us were first created as spirits by God the Father. Jesus was the first Spirit created, and since we are all God’s children, this makes Jesus Christ our oldest brother. After our spirits were created, we lived with God in the Premortal World (in Heaven) for... Read the rest of this entry »
This is a question often asked by Christians who read the Bible thoughtfully. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called Mormons, have a solid answer to this question, which is a very good question. It is answered in response to those who have been taught there is only one God and that they are not the fully distinct beings which the Mormons teach of.
When Joseph Smith was fourteen years old, he went into the woods near his home to pray. He had been trying to decide which church to join, and had read in the Bible that if someone needed wisdom, he could ask God, and God would answer him. He had decided to do just that.
As he prayed, a bright light descended from Heaven and stopped above him. In it, he saw two personages. The first one pointed to the other and said, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him.” The speaker was God the Father, and He was introducing His Son, Jesus Christ. From this vision, which eventually... Read the rest of this entry »
Mormons describe four important steps to becoming a member of God’s kingdom, and they refer to these as the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. They form the foundation of a Mormon‘s relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and set the basis for his membership in the church.
These principles are outlined in a document called, ” The Articles of Faith.” The Articles of Faith are thirteen core beliefs of the church. The first one states, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” This is important for understanding the four principles, and is followed by statements on personal responsibility for actions and on the Atonement of Christ.
The first principles are listed as the fourth Article of Faith. It states: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by... Read the rest of this entry »
