User:InProgress/Common questions page 1

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Common Chat Questions

1. What’s different about the Mormon faith?

• The two things that probably most distinguish us is that we believe God continues to talk to prophets, and that he provides us with scripture in addition to the Holy Bible.

Distinctive beliefs:

• Book of Mormon basics
• Apostasy

2. Polygamy questions…Do Mormons really have more than one wife?

• Some Mormons practiced polygamy in the nineteenth century because they believed God had commanded them to. This practice was stopped more than a century ago, and is forbidden to modern Mormons.

3. I’m depressed . . . how can I find happiness?

Depression can come from many causes. Some causes of depression include:

a) medical illness - if we have a medical illness, we may wish to consult a physician for help; b) sins - if we do things we know are wrong, this will make us feel guilty and unhappy. Freedom from sins comes by repenting, receiving forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and living righteously afterwards. c) sometimes we feel depressed because we feel our life has no purpose, or because the burdens and challenges of life are overwhelming. A deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ can help us have peace in this life, and joy in the life to come.

Virtually everyone's life can be improved by repenting, and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught, service to others also has a wonderful way of lightening our own burdens. For some, professional treatment may also be needed.

4. Can you prove the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to me through archeological evidences?

• There is some physical evidence that is compatible with the Book of Mormon. We believe, however, that conversion to Jesus Christ will come only when people receive a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon's truthfulness.

5. How do I know the difference between my own feelings and the Spirit?

• The Holy Ghost does not speak to us just through feelings. The Lord tells us that "you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong"

• This tells us that the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and our feelings--they both must be in agreement.

6. Why is Lucifer Christ’s brother?

Lucifer was a spirit child of God, as was Jesus. Lucifer rebelled against God; Jesus was perfectly obedient and united to his father. Saying that Lucifer and Jesus are "the same" because they are both spirit child of God is like saying that Gandhi and Hitler were "the same" because they were Hitler. They became very different beings because of the choices they made.

7. Why did Joseph Smith marry a fourteen year old?

Joseph was sealed to Helen Mar Whitney with her consent and the consent of her parents. This sealing seems to have been intended to create a bond between Joseph and the Whitney family. In the early days of the Church, "sealings" were carried out not just between parents and children (as they are today), but also between other family members, or even non-related close friends.

There is no evidence that the marriage with Helen was consummated.

8. Why isn’t eternal marriage mentioned in the Bible?

There are some scriptures that discuss the importance of marriage in God's plan. The apostle Paul taught, "neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." (1 Cor 11:11). However, we believe that some important doctrines were hidden or removed from the writings that later became the Bible by those without authority from God. This is why having modern prophets is so important--God can teach us what it is important for us to know today.

See also:

Mormonism and marriage

Jump to Subtopic:

• Temple marriage
• Social issues related to marriage among Latter-day Saints
• Issues related to divorce in Mormonism

The role of temple marriage and sealing in receiving exaltation

Jump to details:

• Question: Is marriage essential to achieve exaltation?
• Question: Will Mormons who are not married in this life be able to achieve exaltation?

Social issues related to marriage among Latter-day Saints

Jump to Subtopic:

• Mormons who remain unmarried
• Marriage used as "therapy" for same-sex attraction

Issues related to divorce in Mormonism

Jump to Subtopic:

• Divorce in the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon")
• Mormonism and divorce in the nineteenth century

9. Why do you believe Christ is separate from God the Father?

Christ is a separate personage from the Father, but he is united to him in will, in attributes, and in character. (Jesus prayed for the disciples to be "one" as Jesus and the Father were one--and yet, the disciples are clearly not one in "essence" (see John 17:11,21-22). We believe they are separate because the Bible teaches this--Jesus prays to his Father, he pleads for his will to match the Father's will, he ascends to his Father, and so forth. Finally, we believe the testimony of modern prophets, who have seen the Father and the Son, and bear witness of them (JS-H 1꞉17).

10. Why do you believe that you can become a god?

We accept the Bible's teachings that those who are saved are given our Heavenly Father's kind of life: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelations 3:21).

This does not mean we will be separate or independent of God.

11. Do Mormons believe that they get their own planet?

We know very little about what the life of the redeemed will involve. We know that they will be in God's presence, and we know that they will remain together in families. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him," taught Paul (1 Corinthians 2:9).

12. I’m already saved. Why do I need the Mormon baptism?

We believe that anyone who already has faith in Christ would be anxious to learn more about him and more about what he has told us today. We would not expect you to be rebaptized unless you were convinced that God wanted you to do so. Baptism is not the first step; first you must learn what we believe God has revealed about Jesus in our day, and decide if it is true.

13. What happens after we die?

When we die, we go to a place called the "spirit world." For those who have been righteous, the spirit world is a place of peace and rest. For the wicked, this is called "spirit prison" or "hell," where they suffer for their sins. People who did not have a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life can learn about it in the spirit world. Eventually, every person will be resurrected--they will receive their body again. The righteous will be resurrected to live with God and Jesus Christ; the wicked must leave God's presence forever.

14. What’s with the special underwear?

Members of the Church who have made promises in the temple wear a modest form of underwear which reminds them of the promises they have made. Just as some Christians wear crosses or religious clothing of various types to remind them of their faith, Latter-day Saints do something similar.

15. What does it take to get to heaven?

To return to live with Our Heavenly Father, we must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, be baptized by someone who has authority, and receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost purifies us as if by fire, and we must then endure to the end in our new life by keeping the promises we made at baptism, and continuing to have faith in Jesus.

16. Why does God allow suffering in the world?

God wants us to learn to make good choices without being forced to do so. He wants us to use our free will to do right.

This life is a time to learn how to make these kinds of choices. But, for us to be free to make these choices, God needs to be "out of sight." God allows bad things to happen because of natural laws and because of the bad choices of ourselves and other people.

But, he promises us that if we turn to him, he will give us comfort and strength to endure any bad things that happen, and he will help us to help others.

17. I’m losing my faith in God, what should I do?

Having faith in God is like having a relationship with a friend. Our relationship with our friends would not be very close if we never spoke to them, never thought of them, or never wrote to them. To build faith in God, we should start by reading what God has written to us--this includes the scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We should try to put into practice what we read. And, we should pray to God--we should talk to him, explain our problems, and ask for his help. We can be helped in this process by talking with others who have faith in God, such as the missionaries from the Church.

18. Do Mormons believe in multiple gods?

Like other Christians, embers of the Church of Jesus Christ believe in one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints understand this unity differently than some other Christians. Other Christians believe God is one in "essence," while Latter-day Saints believe they are separate personages that are one in love, in will, and in character. Because of this, some describe Latter-day Saints as believing in "many gods," but we consider that inaccurate and unfair. We simply understand how God is one in a different way.

19. How can you say your church is true if you don’t know very much about other churches?

We say our Church is true because God has revealed it to us by His Holy Spirit. We do not expect others to take our word for it. We ask them not to believe us, but to take the steps necessary so that they can know for themselves.

20. How can you be so presumptuous to say that you are the only true church when God loves all his children?

It is true that God loves all his children, and so we do not believe that God would cause confusion or arguing about his Church. We believe that he will tell everyone who sincerely seeks whether what we teach comes from him or not.

We also believe that all churches and religions have many good, true things in them which also come from God. We invite all those who have truth to bring the truth they have, and see if we cannot add to it.

21. Can you help me with my report on Mormonism?

The best place to find information about Mormonism is probably a Mormon friend, or the Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

Volunteer members also answer questions about historical or doctrinal matters from a lay members' perspective at such sites as FAIR. Many questions have already been answered as such sites as the FAIR wiki. (Note that FAIR is a private group that is not affiliated with, and does not speak for, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

22. Why would God create homosexual people?

Part of our Heavenly Father's plan requires that we be in a world where natural laws and processes operate on their own. For example, without a miracle, if someone steps out of a window, they will naturally fall to the ground.

Part of these natural laws involve imperfections--children can be born with mental challenges, or blindness, or deafness, or a physical deformity.

God did not necessarily "cause" these deformities, challenges, or problems, but he permits them to occur.

People who struggle with homosexual feelings have often done nothing to cause such feelings--just as those who are blind, or deaf, or troubled in some other way have done nothing to "deserve" them or cause them. With every difficulty, God promises that if we obey him, he will provide a way to overcome our challenges, be happy, and return to him.

23. I’m homosexual – will the church accept me?

The church will accept you as it will accept any other person who repents and desires to follow Christ. You will likewise be expected to keep the same commandments as other members of the Church. This means that you will have no sexual relations with anyone, unless you are legally married to a person of the opposite sex.

Those with homosexual feelings are welcome. Those who commit homosexual acts would face Church discipline. All people—in or out of the church, homosexual or otherwise—are loved and respected as children of God. But, the Church cannot approve all the acts of God's children.

24. What should I do if I have homosexual feelings?

Homosexuals feelings should be approached the same way we would approach any other feeling or desire which does not have a moral expression. We all feel desires we should not express or act on: the desire to anger, the desire to steal, the desire for violence, etc. Instead of acting on our desires we should:

• avoid places, situations, or thoughts that encourage or strengthen the feeling we wish to avoid
• fill our minds, hearts, and activities with elements which encourage the desires we wish to act on
• pray to God for help in our weaknesses
• study the scriptures and understand true doctrine, which can motivate us to make wise choices
• repent of past unrighteous behavior, and resolve not to return to our sins.

Having homosexual feelings is not a sin. Acting on those feelings is.

25. Why does the church hate homosexuals?

The Church does not hate homosexuals. We love all our Heavenly Father's children. Since he has taught us that any sexual behavior outside of a marriage between a man and a woman will not bring lasting happiness now or after death, we share this information with others. They must decide whether to obey or not, but we would not be loving if we allowed someone we loved to do something dangerous or damaging.

26. Is God real?

Yes. One of the powerful testimonies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that God is quite real and has been seen by a modern prophets. Jesus Christ Himself has visited the earth many times since the founding of the Church and directs the work of the Church. People who wonder about the reality of God are invited to study what God has said and to learn for themselves that He is not only real, but a loving father who will send His spirit into the lives of those who want to know Him.

27. Can you prove there is a God?

No. There are many evidences of God, and there are many testimonies of those who have seen or experienced God. But the only proof of God is in one’s personal experience. We invite you to meet with the missionaries and to study what God has said about Himself. As you meet and honestly study with the missionaries, we believe you will experience the presence of God in your life through the power of the Holy Ghost.

28. Is there a heaven?

Yes. Modern prophets have not only received revelation from God about heaven, but they have been given visions of its glory. The missionaries have a lesson that explains the Plan of Salvation and that will teach you where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going after this life is over.

29. Why aren’t blacks allowed into the Mormon church?

This is a common misconception, but blacks have always been allowed into the Church. The Church never even had segregated congregations, unlike some other Christian denominations. However, for over 100 years, from the mid 1800s to 1978, blacks were not ordained to the Church's lay priesthood. This was changed by a revelation from God to the prophet in 1978. Today there is absolutely no distinction made in any way between members of different colors or races, and blacks can be found serving in all positions in the church in fully integrated congregations.

30. Are you saved through Christ or Joseph Smith?

We are saved through Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet, like Peter, Moses, or Paul. Peter and Paul taught important things about Jesus, but their audience is saved only through Jesus, not through them.

Joseph Smith once wrote, “the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

31. Are Mormons Christians?

Yes. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and was crucified for the sins of the wold, and that he was resurrected after three days. Only through Him can we be saved.

32. Why can’t you drink tea or coffee?

We do not drink tea or coffee because God has given us this command by a modern prophet. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people not to eat pork. Later, he removed this command. It is wonderful that God will continue to give us advice and counsel for our day. Members of the Church also abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

33. Why don’t you believe in the trinity?

We believe in the trinity--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--but we do not believe ideas added to the trinity after the Bible was written. We do not, for example, believe that the trinity is one is essence. We believe they are one in intent, in goal, in love, and in purpose. This is sometimes called a form of "social trinitarianism." (For more information, see answer to Question #9.)

34. What is the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost?

The “laying on of hands” is a religious ordinance, like baptism, that is performed by a person holding the priesthood. The person receiving this ordinance will sit in a chair and one or more priesthood holders will stand around the chair with their hands on the person’s head. One of the priesthood holders will then give the person the gift of the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe that this ordinance was performed in the New Testament church and at other times when Christ’s church was on the earth. The person receiving the Holy Ghost is given the right and privilege to have the Holy Ghost be a constant companion to offer comfort, guidance, and protection.

35. Where are there scriptures about authority in the Bible?

The scriptures relating to authority are found in the gospels where Christ gave authority to the twelve apostles and to the seventy. Other passages can be found in Acts, Hebrews, and other epistles where authority is either given or discussed.

36. What authority did Jesus have?

Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth. As the Son of God and as a member of the Godhead, Jesus was the agent through whom God created all things. Jesus has authority over death and resurrection as well as over all sin and redemption.

37. Why doesn’t your church have ordained clergy?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn’t have a professional clergy because Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, has directed that it should not. Jesus has revealed through His living prophets and apostles that all local leaders should be chosen from the lay membership of the congregation where they live. No one attends school or "decides" that being a minister or clergy member will be their profession or means of earning a living.

Technically, however, Latter-day Saint leaders are ordained. All men and women called to serve as leaders in their congregations are “set apart” by the laying on of hands to serve in those capacities.

38. Can non-Mormons go to heaven?

Yes, if by “non-Mormon” you mean someone who never joined the Church during his or her life. The means of going to heaven are the same for everyone, and those means were chosen by Jesus Christ, the judge and redeemer of all. The missionaries have a lesson on the Plan of Salvation where they will explain where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going after this life is over. No one can be saved and live with God unless he or she has accepted Christ and covenanted with Him to become a son or daughter of God. But there are many who have lived on the earth who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, either because of when they lived or where they lived. These people will not be denied the opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel, and they will have an equal chance to enter heaven and live eternally with God.

39. Where does your doctrine of agency come from if the word "agency" never appears in the Bible?

The doctrine of agency, as with all doctrines, comes from God by revelation to His prophets. The doctrine that all people have the ability to choose between good and evil—and are responsible for their choices—is taught directly and indirectly in the Bible. Other terms which could be used include "free will," or "choice." ("Choose ye this day," said Joshua, "whom ye will serve" [Joshua 24:15]).

Although the word “agency” is not used, this principle has been taught and evidenced from the time of the Garden of Eden to the end of the New Testament. In fact, many of the teachings and commandments of the Savior presume such a principle and doctrine.

40. Why did God give Adam and Even conflicting commandments?

God gave Adam and Eve a number of commandments and the ability to choose between them. God’s plan from the beginning was to provide a savior for the world who would redeem men from their sins and from the effects of the Fall. As such, Adam and Eve were free to choose how they would act given their understanding of what God had said.

41. When is the end of the world?

God has not revealed when the world will end. There are many things that have not yet happened that have been prophesied, so one could argue that the end of the world is still a ways off. Yet God also said that the end would come at a time when people were not expecting it. God’s prophets have said that we each should be living our lives in such a way that we are always prepared for “the end,” whether that end is the end of the world or the end of our own mortal lives.

God does not wish us to live in fear and dread of the "end times." He has told us that if we have faith in Jesus Christ and keep his commandments, we will have "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (DC 59꞉23).

42. Will the world end in 2012?

There is no reason to believe that 2012 has any special significance at all. That year comes from the Mayan calendar, which will do nothing more than go through a cycle similar to our calendar’s year 2000 change.

43. Why do we need the Book of Mormon when we already have the Bible?

The Book of Mormon was given by God for several reasons. First of all, the Book of Mormon is strong evidence for the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Church. Secondly, the Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day and is not merely a collection of ancient writings. The Book of Mormon was written as a witness of the divinity of Christ and its powerful testimony of Christ has been the key to many people gaining faith in Christ and repenting of their sins. Thirdly, the Book of Mormon authors wrote about some doctrines and practices that are covered lightly or ambiguously in the Bible. The Book of Mormon thus teaches with great power and clarity some doctrines and principles that have been disputed and debated for centuries among Christians with only the Bible to draw on for authoritative statements.

44. Where is Kolob?

Kolob is mentioned in the Book of Abraham as part of Abraham’s discourse about the greatness of God. In Abraham’s cosmology, he likens the heavens to a series of concentric rings where each ring dominates in glory and power the ring beneath it. In Abraham’s cosmology, the greatest ring of heaven is the dwelling place of God, and a star within that ring has the name “Kolob.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no doctrine of any kind regarding Kolob. Some members may view that as being a real place or object somewhere in the universe, while others may view it as just part of an ancient view of the world (along the lines of the "vault of heaven" and rain coming through holes in the "firmament of heaven".) That is, the Church has no doctrine about whether Kolob should be taken literally or figuratively and thus for some members Kolob is just an ancient (and unscientific according to modern standards) belief that was used by Abraham to explain that God was greater, more powerful, and more glorious than any other divine being that other nations may have worshiped.

45. Why can’t we see the gold plates?

The gold plates were taken back by the Angel Moroni after the translation process was complete. God did permit a number of people to see, touch, lift, or hear (the rustling) plates, and we have the written testimony of their experiences. The Book of Mormon lists three people who saw the plates and an angel and heard the voice of God. Also in the Book of Mormon is the testimony of eight people who saw, felt, and lifted the plates. In addition to these eleven people, we have Joseph Smith’s testimony and the testimonies of several others who were not official witnesses but who had experiences with the physical plates.

To read more: Testimony of Three Witnesses and Testimony of Eight Witnesses

46. Where are the gold plates now?

God has not said where they are.

47. If this is the true church, why doesn’t God just announce it to everyone?

God has announced it to everyone in exactly the same way that He announced the resurrection of His Son to everyone. Apostles, prophets, seventies, and other missionaries have traveled to virtually every country of the world preaching the message.

48. What’s the difference between Mormons and Christians?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are a type of Christian. The relationship between Mormons and Christianity is the same as that between Californians and Americans—all Californians live in the United States, but there are many who live in the United States who are not Californians.

49. Why don’t you believe in the Bible?

Members of the Church do believe in the Bible. They study the Bible for two out of every four years in Sunday School, and as teenagers in week-day instruction called "seminary."

50. Why don’t Mormons believe in hell?

Members of the Church do believe in hell. In the Church, the term "hell" can refer to more than one thing. There are many similarities, and some differences, between how Latter-day Saints and others understand it.

51. What does your church believe about evolution?

The Church has no position on organic evolution, save that it regards Adam as the primal parent of the human race, and does not see humans as merely advanced animals. Members and leaders of the Church are entitled to their own opinions on most such matters, and a variety of views have been expressed in the Church.