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Latter-day Saints

Claims that come up in conversation about Latter-day Saints, with a short answer and the texts to open.

God and Jesus

  1. What you will hear

    Latter-day Saints believe the same gospel as other Christians, with a few added books.

    They confess Jesus by name, and they also teach three beings, the Book of Mormon beside the Bible, and salvation by obedience to laws and ordinances.

    • Articles of Faith 1:1Articles of Faith 1:1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgWe believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.Articles of Faith 1:1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Articles of Faith 1:8Articles of Faith 1:8 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgWe 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.Articles of Faith 1:8 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • John 1:1John 1:1 · King James VersionIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen source

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  2. What you will hear

    Latter-day Saints are Christians. Their church is named for Jesus Christ.

    They worship Jesus and use his name. They also teach three separate beings, a Father who was once a man, and exaltation to godhood, which is not the Nicene confession.

    • Gospel Topics, Godhead
    • The King Follett SermonThe King Follett Sermon · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsGod himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.The King Follett Sermon · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8 · King James VersionFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Ephesians 2:8 · King James VersionOpen source

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  3. What you will hear

    Latter-day Saints believe the faithful will become gods.

    Gospel Principles calls exaltation the kind of life God lives, and the King Follett sermon says God was once as we are now. Isaiah 43:10 says no God was formed after the LORD.

    • Gospel Principles, ExaltationGospel Principles, Chapter 47, Exaltation · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsExaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.Gospel Principles, Chapter 47, Exaltation · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • The King Follett SermonThe King Follett Sermon · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsGod himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.The King Follett Sermon · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Isaiah 43:10Isaiah 43:10 · King James VersionYe are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.Isaiah 43:10 · King James VersionOpen source

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  4. What you will hear

    Latter-day Saints believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, so they believe in the Trinity.

    They teach three separate beings, one in purpose, and Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 gives the Father and the Son bodies of flesh and bones. The creed says one substance.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 130:22Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgThe Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19 · King James VersionGo ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Matthew 28:19 · King James VersionOpen source
    • Creed of 381

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  5. What you will hear

    Mormonism is a cult.

    The word is used in a sociological sense and in a theological sense. The church is a large public body, and the disagreement that matters is the doctrine, which the other pages quote.

    • Style Guide, The Name of the ChurchStyle Guide, The Name of the Church · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe term “Mormonism” is inaccurate and should not be used. When describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ” is accurate and preferred. When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, it should be stated that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not affiliated with polygamous groups.Style Guide, The Name of the Church · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Articles of Faith 1:8Articles of Faith 1:8 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgWe 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.Articles of Faith 1:8 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • John 1:1John 1:1 · King James VersionIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen source

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Scripture

  1. What you will hear

    Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon as its author.

    The church’s account says ancient prophets wrote it and Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and power of God, including with a seer stone, and that he returned the plates to the messenger.

    • Joseph Smith—History 1:34Joseph Smith—History 1:34 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgHe said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;Joseph Smith—History 1:34 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Book of Mormon TranslationBook of Mormon Translation · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsAccording to these accounts, Joseph placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat, pressed his face into the hat to block out extraneous light, and read aloud the English words that appeared on the instrument.Book of Mormon Translation · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Galatians 1:8Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:8 · King James VersionOpen source

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Practice

  1. What you will hear

    Mormons can have multiple wives.

    Doctrine and Covenants 132 taught plural marriage. The 1890 Manifesto stopped it for this church, and a person who enters a new plural marriage cannot remain a member.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 132:1Doctrine and Covenants 132:1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgVerily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines—Doctrine and Covenants 132:1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Official Declaration 1Official Declaration 1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgWe are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, and I deny that either forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our Temples or in any other place in the Territory.Official Declaration 1 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Gospel Topics, Plural Marriage

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  2. What you will hear

    Mormons cannot drink coffee because caffeine is forbidden.

    Doctrine and Covenants 89 forbids hot drinks. Latter-day prophets teach that this means tea and coffee. The published statements name coffee-based products and green tea, and they do not forbid every caffeinated drink.

    • Doctrine and Covenants 89:9Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgAnd again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Gospel Topics, Word of WisdomGospel Topics, Word of Wisdom · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsSee Doctrine and Covenants 89:9; latter-day prophets have taught that the term “hot drinks,” as written in this verse, refers to tea and coffee.Gospel Topics, Word of Wisdom · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Word of Wisdom statement, 2019Statement on the Word of Wisdom, 15 August 2019 · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsIn recent publications for Church members, Church leaders have clarified that several substances are prohibited by the Word of Wisdom, including vaping or e-cigarettes, green tea, and coffee-based products. They also have cautioned that substances such as marijuana and opioids should be used only for medicinal purposes as prescribed by a competent physician.Statement on the Word of Wisdom, 15 August 2019 · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source

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  3. What you will hear

    Mormons do not celebrate Christmas or Easter.

    The church’s topics call Christmas the season of Christ’s birth and Easter the celebration of the resurrection, and they hold Easter Sunday services.

    • Gospel Topics, ChristmasGospel Topics, Christmas · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe Christmas season is a time to reflect and act upon the blessings and opportunities we have because of the birth, life, Atonement, and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.Gospel Topics, Christmas · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Gospel Topics, EasterGospel Topics, Easter · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsLatter-day Saints conduct Easter Sunday services but do not follow the religious observances of Ash Wednesday, Lent, or Holy Week.Gospel Topics, Easter · English, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsOpen source
    • Luke 2:11Luke 2:11 · King James VersionFor unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:11 · King James VersionOpen source

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  4. What you will hear

    Mormons and Catholics are the same kind of Christian church.

    The Catechism confesses one God in three persons. Latter-day Saints teach three beings, and in 2001 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith answered Negative on their baptism.

    • Catechism of the Catholic Church 253Catechism of the Catholic Church 253 · English, Holy SeeThe Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the "consubstantial Trinity".Catechism of the Catholic Church 253 · English, Holy SeeOpen source
    • Doctrine and Covenants 130:22Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgThe Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19 · King James VersionGo ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Matthew 28:19 · King James VersionOpen source

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  5. What you will hear

    Mormonism is a long list of secret rules about kissing, hugging, and ordinary life.

    The Articles of Faith tie salvation to obedience to the gospel’s ordinances. Gospel Topics says chastity is no sexual relations outside a marriage of a man and a woman. The missionary handbook limits missionaries’ contact. Those pages do not mention condoms, tampons, or deodorant.

    • Articles of Faith 1:4Articles of Faith 1:4 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgWe 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.Articles of Faith 1:4 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source
    • Gospel Topics, Chastity
    • John 1:1John 1:1 · King James VersionIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen source

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  6. What you will hear

    The Bible commands baptism for the dead, so the temple rite is required.

    Latter-day Saints perform proxy baptisms and say the dead may accept or reject them. 1 Corinthians 15:29 is Paul’s question inside the resurrection chapter. Nicene churches do not practice the rite.

    • 1 Corinthians 15:291 Corinthians 15:29 · King James VersionElse what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?1 Corinthians 15:29 · King James VersionOpen source
    • Gospel Topics, Baptisms for the Dead
    • Doctrine and Covenants 128:18Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgIt is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 · English, churchofjesuschrist.orgOpen source

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