Baptism for the Dead: The Mercy of Jesus Christ
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the central doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church. The Book of Mormon, a book of ancient scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ, explains that the Savior’s Atonement is “an infinite atonement,” a “great and last sacrifice” to redeem the souls of all mankind (Alma 34:12-13, see also 2 Nephi 9:7). Jesus Christ did not just save those people who were alive when He was alive, nor does He save only those people who are baptized in mortality. Through baptisms for the dead, salvation is extended to all of God’s children. Baptism: A Saving Ordinance Latter-day Saints believe that baptism is a saving ordinance, one of several...
Mormon Faith: Jesus Christ as the Center Point
Center. Anchor. Foundation. These terms describe the Savior and where He fits in my testimony, and in the testimony of other Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as Mormons. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is the center of my beliefs, everything our faith, and the Church, is rightly called after His name. Prophets’ Words About Christ The Bible clearly testifies of Christ, recording His earthly ministry and Atonement for all mankind. In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, he instructs the church members to look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus Christ is the one who authored the Plan of Salvation, as well as the one who completed the...
Mormonism and Christianity: Feeling Spiritual Things
In society today there is an indelible line between the spiritual and the scientific, but this was not always so. Though many scientists today may say that in the past, it was only ignorance that bound science and religion together, there are some people involved in both who see no conflicting teachings. Critics of religion often argue that since there is no physical evidence for God, then He must not exist. This argument is flawed because it is assuming that the only evidence for a Supreme Being must be measurable and quantifiable through our five senses. Those who have had meaningful spiritual experiences, though, know with a certainty that modern science scoffs at that there is a God. How can they know? Through another sense...
Why are Mormons Called Saints?
The actual name of the church Mormons belong to is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although outsiders most often use the term Mormon to refer to the members, Mormons themselves usually shorten the name of the church to LDS and say that they are LDS—Latter-day Saints. Some people find that offensive because they view the term the way Catholics and members of some other churches use it. For these people, the term is reserved for a very small number of holy people. Mormons use the term because it is the one used in the New Testament. New Testament followers of Jesus did not call themselves Christians. That term is used just three times, and always in a context that suggests it was used by outsiders to refer to...
Why Are Mormons So Good Looking?
There has been a good deal of discussion lately, even in scientific forums, about what makes Mormons (more accurately, Latter-day Saints—members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) stand out physically from other people. Some people are quite skeptical that this difference exists at all, but in the November/December 2012 issue of Psychology Today, the cover story (“What’s in a Face?” by Jena Pincott) referenced this issue. The story’s abstract said, “From spotting the ‘Mormon Glow’ to intuiting sexuality, criminality, and leadership ability, we make snap judgments about people that are remarkably accurate. It’s one of the brain’s oldest tricks –a matter of self-protection.” Nicholas...
How to Solve Problems Through Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that can help us with all our life tasks, whether it involves employment, religion, or personal life. We can’t know everything, but when we need to do something important and moral, God stands ready to help us succeed. We do what we can and He makes up the difference. The translation of the Book of Mormon into the Africaans language is an example of how we can appropriately use the power of prayer. As the population of Mormons began to grow in Africa, it became important to translate the Book of Mormon into the native languages. Mormons—a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—accept both the Book of Mormon and the Bible to be scripture. Bishop Johannes P. Brummer...
Recent Comments