Author: Eric Johnson
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Crash Course Mormonism: Temples
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that work must be done by members in one of its hundreds of temples temples located throughout the world in order to qualify for exaltation, also known as eternal life, in the celestial kingdom. Special rites are accomplished for not only the living person but also…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Word of Wisdom
The Word of Wisdom is a special commandment found in Doctrine and Covenants 89 that leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim was given by God. It teaches, among other things, that no “hot” drinks should be consumed and that alcohol and tobacco should be avoided. As far as alcoholic drinks,…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Sacrament
Similar to the Protestant version of the “Lord’s Supper” or “communion,” the sacrament in Mormonism is passed out weekly at the Sunday service held in LDS chapels. The elements are bread and water. Latter-day Saints are supposed to repent of their sins at the time the sacrament is passed and remember the covenants they made…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Water Baptism
Mormonism teaches that water baptism performed through the authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is necessary for a person to not only become a church member but also to receive salvation. Getting immersed into water–typically at a local LDS building–is what is called baptismal regeneration. Verses from the Bible are often…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Obedience
According to Mormonism, obedience is doing God’s will by keeping all the commandments given by God as revealed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to unique LDS scripture, it is possible to keep these commandments. First Nephi 3:7 in the Book of Mormon says, “I will go and do the things…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Sin / Transgression
Although the two words are similar, there is a difference between sin and transgression in Mormonism. Sin is “willful disobedience of God’s commandments or to fail to act righteously despite a knowledge of the truth.” It is knowing what you ought to do or not do but doing the opposite. Transgression is the “violation or…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Repentance
Repentance in Mormonism describes the process by which a church member receives forgiveness. The goal is to ceasing all sin. As one church manual reports, “Our Father in heaven does not sin, and He does not allow people who sin to live with Him. To live with Him, we must repent of our sins. To…
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Kingdoms of Glory (Defined)
Kingdoms of Glory. The three possible eternal destinations of humankind known as the celestial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms. A common verse used to support this unique LDS teaching is 2 Corinthians 12:2. Return to dictionary here.
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Crash Course Mormonism: Grace
According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grace is provided to all people leading to a kingdom of glory. According to 2 Nephi 25:23 in the Book of Mormon, “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” This teaching of grace is different from what Paul said…
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Crash Course Mormonism: The Gospel
According to Mormonism, the Gospel includes all doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants that are necessary for a Latter-day Saint to receive exaltation, also known as eternal life. The “restored Gospel” is said to have begun with Joseph Smith and can be found only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seventh President Heber J.…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Forgiveness
According to Mormonism, forgiveness of sins is available to those who repent and then are completely obedient to the covenants made at baptism, in sacrament services, and at the temple. Let’s take a closer look at all that is required. The Standard Works According to the Doctrine and Covenants, there are several aspects to receiving forgiveness of…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Covenants / Commandments
According to Mormonism, covenants made at baptism, the temple endowment ceremony, and the weekly sacrament service are vital for any member who hopes to be exalted and qualify for eternal increase, allowing a person to live with one’s family throughout eternity. Baptism A Mormon becomes a member by getting baptized by the LDS Church. In…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Trinity
Mormonism denies the Trinity, despite the fact that this doctrine has been accepted as an essential truth of Christianity by millions of Christians over the past two millennia. While Latter-day Saints will say they believe in “one God in purpose,” they have been taught to reject “one God in essence.” In fact, the doctrine of…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit
According to Mormonism, the Holy Ghost is a child of God from the preexistence who does not have a body of flesh and bones, as do Heavenly Father and Jesus. He is the third member of the Godhead who is sometimes described as the Holy Spirit and other times described as distinct from the Holy Spirit. The…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Atonement
Mormonism’s definition of the atonement is unique when compared to what has been historically taught in biblical Christianity. The Cross For Mormons, the symbol of the cross is a negative symbol because Mormon leaders say that the atonement took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith explained, GREATEST SUFFERING WAS IN…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Virgin Birth
Both Mormons and Evangelical Christians believe in the “Virgin Birth.” Yet what have LDS leaders taught about this special event to distinguish it from the biblical doctrine? A church manual provides a backdrop for the teaching: From their accounts we learn that Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to marry…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Jesus
The name of Jesus is found in the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many may be surprised to learn that the Jesus of Mormonism is different than what is taught in the Bible. The Jesus of Mormonism had his beginning when he was born to God the Father and Heavenly…
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Crash Course Mormonism: God the Father
God the Father has several different names in Mormonism, including Heavenly Father or Elohim. A good picture of this version of God can be seen in founder Joseph Smith’s statement from what is known as the King Follett Discourse: I will go back to the beginning before the world was, to show what kind of…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Priesthood
Mormonism teaches that the authorized priesthood was restored to Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in 1829, the year before he founded his church. Today two kinds of priesthood are available to eligible males but not to females. The first priesthood is called the Aaronic Priesthood. Smith…
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Crash Course Mormonism: Scripture
While Christians may use the word “scripture” when speaking to Latter-day Saints, they ought to understand that Mormonism holds to more than just the Bible as scripture. Let’s take a look at the different meanings that could be understood by Mormons with the word scripture. Standard Works The four scriptures–also known as the Standard Works–are…