What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach?

Answer 1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has many different teachings. The most basic list of these would be The Articles of Faith which follow:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe The Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

So, you see that Latter-Day Saints are Christians who believe in the Bible and many other truths found in different faiths. However, the most prominent differences are that the Church has modern-day Prophets and the Priesthood.

There is one Prophet (currently President Thomas S. Monson) who holds all the keys and authorities of the Priesthood. He has two counselors. There are also the Twelve Apostles and the Seventies. The First Presidency (President Monson and his counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve are all esteemed as prophets, seers, and revelators, but only the President of the Church has all of the Priesthood keys.

The Priesthood is the power of God, given to worthy males (those who believe in Christ and try their best to do what is right) in order to bless the lives of all. With the Priesthood, members and nonmembers can be healed, given comfort, and blessed with strength. Holders of the Priesthood are also the only ones who can baptize and give people the gift of the Holy Ghost, along with other ordinances such as further Priesthood ordinations and the ordinances performed in the temple.

Worthy members of the church may go to the temples of the Lord to make covenants with the Lord and be sealed to their families. Also, they do all of these saving ordinances by proxy for the dead. They do not dig up dead bodies and baptize them, but rather those members that go to the temple do what those the dead cannot do for themselves in their stead: be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, etc.

Any more questions? Check out the main church website (http://lds.org/?lang=eng) or the church's blogs (http://mormon.org/?gclid=COKVxYq726gCFUNd5Qodjmmx2A). You should be able to find lots of people willing to give you info. Also, you can look up the closest church building in your area and attend church on Sunday. If you want to do this, don't be scared- they are very friendly and love visitors. You'll probably get lots of hand-shakes and invitations to come again.

If you don't feel comfortable about attending, you may look up the LDS missionaries in your area. They're usually young men in suits and wearing tags which identify them as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Answer 2

~The basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) are best explained at their official website, Mormon.org. However if you'd rather read an outline here, here's a list of basic Mormon beliefs based on the Articles of Faith written by the first President of the Church, Joseph Smith:

1.) Mormons believe in God our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior, and in the Holy Spirit. However, Mormons reject the traditional three-in-one Trinity and instead believe that each of these is an individual being- united in purpose but not in body. Mormons believe that the Father and Son each have glorified, perfected physical bodies - they are not esoteric or beings of spirit.

2.) Mormons believe that the Atonement of Jesus Christ negated the fall of Adam, and as such each individual will be judged according to their own actions by a merciful, loving, and understanding God. Those who accept Jesus' Atonement in their behalf can also receive forgiveness and grace for all their sins and misdeeds. The period to accept Jesus extends after mortal life into a state of "spiritual probation" where we await God's final judgement. Mormons believe that the vast majority of mankind, even non-religious people, will receive some form of salvation and go to one of three levels of heaven. Only those who deny the gift of salvation will be damned.

3.) The essentials of gospel obedience are: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance of sins, baptism by immersion, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (confirmation). Since Mormons believe the time period in which to accept salvation through Jesus extends beyond mortal life, they perform baptisms and confirmations in behalf of the dead in case the deceased individuals choose to accept Jesus in the afterlife.

4.) In order to preach, teach, or perform priesthood ordinances, one must be called of God and set-apart or ordained. Mormons have a lay leadership with organization and teaching responsibilities rotating through each adult member of the congregation, rather than having a paid or professionally trained pastor. Responsibilities are often given based on revelation to the currently serving Bishop that God has chosen a certain individual to perform a certain duty.

5.) Mormons believe that they are a restoration of the original Biblical church, and as such seek to be organized in a similar way. At the head of the worldwide Church are a Prophet, Twelve Apostles, and Seventies. Local congregations (wards and branches) are headed by a Bishop and organized into geographical areas called Stakes. Purpose-driven organizations for women, men, children, and teens are found in every congregation and organized under international leadership. The church is highly organized and there is little variation in custom, organization, or style between congregations.

6.) Mormons believe in spiritual gifts such as prophesy, revelation, visions, healing blessings, and speaking or understanding foreign languages in order to preach the gospel. Personal revelations and blessings by the laying on of hands are especially common in church culture.

7.) The church has four canonized books of scripture - the Holy Bible (KJV for English speakers), Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Mormons have an open canon, meaning that new scripture may be added by the Prophet as it is revealed to Him by God. Mormons also often study the recent sermons of international church leaders just as they would scripture.

8.) The church is a living church that is lead by the living Jesus Christ, revealing His will to a living prophet. It is not based solely on ancient scripture, nor is it subject to current religious trends. Mormons believe that revelation from God in regards to His will for His people has continued throughout history, continues today, and will continue forever.

9.) Mormons believe that we are in the "latter days" leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. They believe their purpose is to assist in the literal gathering of Israel and the restoration of the Ten Tribes. At His coming, Jesus will personally reign on the earth, Zion or the New Jerusalem will be built on the American continent, and the earth will be renewed into a paradise.

10.) Mormons promote religious freedom and strive to protect that freedom for all religious traditions.

11.) Mormons believe in obeying the law and respecting government authority. The Church encourages it's members to be active in the political process, support the military, and be involved in service in their local communities.

12.) Mormons believe in being good people and promoting good in all forms. Honesty, loyalty, chastity, charity, service, and high moral standards are advocated, and Mormons show support for people, media, and organizations which promote these values.

13.) Mormons believe that the family is central in God's plan and in society. Mormons promote and support strong traditional marriages and families both to strengthen the community and the church. Mormons are encouraged to marry and have children, and it is believed that husbands, wives, and their children can be sealed together to continue their family association in heaven.

Answer 3

the 10 commandments. and the 13 articles of faith