NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, true? Not true? Christians? Not Christians? These are some of the questions people ask about the Mormon church. How did the Mormon church start?
Joseph Smith Jr. was born in 1805 in Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith. He had 10 brothers and sisters. His parents taught him to pray, read the Bible, and to have faith in God. At age 14, Joseph saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in his First Vision. At age 17, Joseph began to receive heavenly messengers who prepared him for his role in the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.
He was a prophet, just like those in biblical times. The First Vision As a boy, Joseph Smith was surrounded by various churches which each claimed to teach the truth. This caused him much serious reflection. He wanted to know which church was right. One day he read a passage in the Bible which says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him (James 1: 5).
Joseph decided to accept the invitation to ask God. (James 1: 5) 5 aIf any of you lack b wisdom, let him ask of God, that c giveth to all men liberally, and dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him. In the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and prayed to learn which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. Joseph wrote: When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other This is My Beloved Son.
Hear Him! Joseph was told to join none of the churches that existed at that time. Josephs written account of this event is a powerful testimony of what he saw and experienced. Josephs written account After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God.
I had scarcely done so, I saw a pillar of client exactly over my head, above the brightness of the down, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I bad two c Personages, whose brightness and dory defy all description, expanding above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other This is My f Beloved g Son. Hear Him! My object in going to a inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong) and which I should join.
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all among; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those b professors were all c corrupt; that: they draw near to me with their lips, but their e hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the f commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the grower thereof. Joseph Smiths First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of Jesus Christs Church to the earth. Restoration The Apostle Peter prophesied of the restitution of all things before Christs Second Coming (Acts 3: 1921). Having been lost because of the Apostasy, Christs Church and His authority were to be restored to the earth. This Restoration would make available the opportunity for all to receive once again all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 3: 19 - 21) 19 a Repent ye therefore, and be b converted, that your sins may be clotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the d presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send a Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto by: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of a restitution of all things, which God hath broken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Joseph Smiths First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.
In subsequent years, Christ restored His priesthood and reorganized His Church. He has continued to reveal truths to His prophets and to restore the blessings that were taken from the earth for a time. Translation of the Book of Mormon In September 1823, Joseph Smith was visited by a heavenly messenger named Moroni, in the same way that angels often appeared to Church leaders in the New Testament (see especially the book of Acts). He informed Joseph that God had a work for him to do. Moroni told Joseph that a record of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent was buried in a nearby hill and that the record contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In September 1827, Joseph received the record, which was written on thin plates of gold.
We now know it was not uncommon for people from the era of ancient America to keep records on metal plates. Joseph translated the book into English by the inspiration of God. The book is called the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is named after Mormon, an ancient prophet who compiled the sacred record. The book verifies, as another testament of Christ, the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is, then, a second witness that affirms the truth of the Bible.
The Book of Mormon was published in 1830. Since that time it has blessed the lives of millions of people through its powerful message about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Restoration of the priesthood Throughout time, God has given His servants, the prophets, the authority to act in His name. This authority is called the priesthood. Jesus Christ gave the priesthood to His original Twelve Apostles, and they directed the work of His Church after Jesus ascended to heaven. But after the Apostles were killed, the priesthood gradually disappeared from the earth.
In 1829 Joseph Smith received the priesthood authority to organize Christs Church. In 1830 the same Church of Jesus Christ that existed centuries ago was organized and restored to the earth. The priesthood has two divisions. The lesser priesthood is called the Aaronic Priesthood, named after Aaron in the Old Testament. It includes the authority to preach the gospel of repentance and to baptize.
The greater priesthood is called the Melchizedek Priesthood, named after Melchizedek in the Old Testament. It includes the authority to preside over the Church and to perform all ordinances, including giving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost Almost everyone has felt the Holy Ghost at some time. But there is a difference between experiencing the occasional influence of the Holy Ghost and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Although the Holy Ghost may temporarily comfort someone or reveal truth to them, the gift of the Holy Ghost is reserved for those who have been baptized into Christs Church. This gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost conditional upon keeping the commandments. How is this gift given? The gift of the Holy Ghost is given by someone having priesthood authority from God. It is given by the laying on of hands after a person is baptized.
Whether or not we then receive this great gift depends on our keeping the commandments of God. Divine priesthood authority The priesthood is the authority to act in Gods name. The same priesthood authority that existed in the original Church established by Jesus Christ exists in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The Church is directed and led through this authority. All male members of the Church who are prepared receive the priesthood in order to help lead the Church and serve Heavenly Fathers children. A man with the priesthood might serve in some of the following ways: Leading congregations of the Church Performing the ordinances of the Church, such as baptism Blessing those who are sick God expects those who hold this sacred priesthood authority to follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve with love, gentleness, and kindness.
Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join the Church and have the priesthood? There are no race or color restrictions as to who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are also no race or color restrictions as to who can have the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An official declaration of the Church states, every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple.
Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color (Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 2, 294). Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reaffirmed this principle when speaking to the National Press Club in Washington D. C. : We believe in the old adage that many hands make light work.
We have a lay priesthood, and every worthy man is eligible to receive this priesthood. (Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 2, 294) OFFICIAL DECLARATION 2 To Whom It May Concern: On September 30, 1978, at the 148 th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church: In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.
President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter: June 8, 1978 To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world: Dear Brethren: As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords. Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in Gods eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance. He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel. Sincerely yours, SPENCER W. KIMBALL N. ELDON TANNER MARION G.
ROMNEY The First Presidency Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelation, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative. Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978. Why don't women hold the priesthood? Gordon B.
Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: "[Women do not hold the priesthood] because the Lord has put it that way. It is part of His program. Women have a very prominent place in this Church. Men hold the priesthood offices of the Church. But women have a tremendous place in this Church. They have their own organization.
It was started in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, called the Relief Society, because its initial purpose was to administer help to those in need. It has grown to be, I think, the largest women's organization in the world with a membership of more than three million. They have their own offices, their own presidency, their own board. That reaches down to the smallest unit of the Church everywhere in the world... "The men hold the priesthood, yes. But my wife is my companion. In this Church the man neither walks ahead of his wife nor behind his wife but at her side.
They are co-equals in this life in a great enterprise. " Why is family so important to the Mormon Church? Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said: "A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families, with parents who teach their children principles and values that are positive and affirmative and will lead them to worthwhile endeavors. That is the basic failure that has taken place in America. And we are making a tremendous effort to bring about greater solidarity in families.
Parents have no greater responsibility in this world than the bringing up of their children in the right way, and they will have no greater satisfaction as the years pass than to see those children grow in integrity and honesty and make something of their lives, adding to society because they are a part of it. " Do the Mormons believe that families can live together in heaven? A distinctive teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that marriage between a man and a woman can last forever. Marriages performed in the Church's temples do not end with death. Rather, marriage and family relationships are sealed by priesthood authority (Matthew 16: 19) and can continue through eternity, if the couple is faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In 1995, Gods living prophet and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the importance of marriage and family in a declaration entitled The Family: A Proclamation to the World. (Matthew 16: 19) 19 And I will above unto thee the boys of the c kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt did on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The Family: A Proclamation to the World The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings male and female are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. In the pre mortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.
The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally. The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.
We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan. Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127: 3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives mothers and fathers will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.
Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.
Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed. We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah. How does the Church deal with spouse and child abuse?
Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued the following statement on the abuse of spouses and children: "We condemn most strongly abusive behavior in any form. We denounce the physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse of ones spouse or children. Our proclamation on the family declares: 'Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children... Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs... Husbands and wives mothers and fathers will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations'" (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102)... "When there is recognition of equality between the husband and the wife, when there is acknowledgment that each child born into the world is a child of God, then there will follow a greater sense of responsibility to nurture, to help, to love with an enduring love those for whom we are responsible. "No man who abuses his wife or children is worthy to hold the priesthood of God.
No man who abuses his wife or children is worthy to be a member in good standing in this Church. The abuse of ones spouse and children is a most serious offense before God, and any who indulge in it may expect to be disciplined by the Church" (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 72). What is the Church's position on abortion? In 1973, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement regarding abortion, which is still applicable today: "The Church opposes abortion and counsels its members not to submit to or perform an abortion except in the rare cases where, in the opinion of competent medical counsel, the life or good health of the mother is seriously endangered or where the pregnancy was caused by rape and produces serious emotional trauma in the mother.
Even then it should be done only after counseling with the local presiding priesthood authority and after receiving divine confirmation through prayer. " First Presidency Message The Marriage That Endures By President Gordon B. Hinckley A Young Couple in England On that occasion thousands of curious but earnest people stood in long lines to gain entry to the building. A policeman stationed to direct traffic observed that it was the first time he had ever seen the English eager to get into a church. Those who inspected the building were asked to defer any questions until they had completed the tour. In the evenings I joined the missionaries in talking with those who had questions. As a young couple came down the front steps of the temple, I inquired whether I could help them in any way.
The young woman spoke up and said, Yes. What about this marriage for eternity to which reference was made in one of the rooms? We sat on a bench under the ancient oak that stood near the gate. The wedding band on her finger indicated that they were married, and the manner in which she gripped her husbands hand evidenced their affection one for another. Now to your question, I said.
I suppose you were married by the vicar. Yes, she responded, just three months ago. Did you realize that when the vicar pronounced your marriage he also decreed your separation? What do you mean? she quickly retorted. You believe that life is eternal, dont you?
Of course, she replied. I continued, Can you conceive of eternal life without eternal love? Can either of you envision eternal happiness without the companionship of one another? Of course not, came the ready response. But what did the vicar say when he pronounced your marriage? If I remember the language correctly, he said, among other things, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, till death do ye part.
He went as far as he felt his authority would permit him and that was till death separates you. In fact, I think that if you were to question him, he would emphatically deny the existence of marriage and family beyond the grave. But, I continued, the Father of us all, who loves His children and wants the best for them, has provided for a continuation, under proper circumstances, of this most sacred and ennobling of all human relationships, the relationships of marriage and family. In that great and moving conversation between the Savior and His Apostles, Peter declared, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the Lord responded, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. The Lord then went on to say to Peter and his associates, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (see Matt. 16: 13 - 19).
In that marvelous bestowal of authority, the Lord gave to His Apostles the keys of the holy priesthood, whose power reaches beyond life and death into eternity. This same authority has been restored to the earth by those same Apostles who held it anciently, even Peter, James, and John. I continued by saying that following the dedication of the temple on the following Sunday, those same keys of the holy priesthood would be exercised in behalf of the men and women who come into this sacred house to solemnize their marriage. They will be joined in a union which death cannot dissolve and time cannot destroy. Such was my testimony to this young couple in England. Such it is to you today and such it is to all the world.
Our Father in Heaven, who loves His children, desires for them that which will bring them happiness now and in the eternities to come, and there is no greater happiness than is found in the most meaningful of all human relationships the companionship's of husband and wife, parents and children. What is the Church's policy regarding divorce? Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has explained: There is now and again a legitimate cause for divorce. I am not one to say that it is never justified. But I say without hesitation that this plague among us, which seems to be growing everywhere, is not of God, but rather is the work of the adversary of righteousness and peace and truth.
There is a remedy for all of this. The Lord proclaimed, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matthew 19: 6). The remedy for most marital stress is not in divorce. It is in repentance and forgiveness, in sincere expressions of charity and service.
It is not in separation. It is in simple integrity that leads a man and woman to square up their shoulders and meet their obligations. It is found in the Golden Rule, a time-honored principle that should first and foremost find expression in marriage. (Matthew 19: 6) 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath adjoined together, let not man but asunder. What is the Church's position on polygamy? In 1998, President Gordon B.
Hinckley made the following statement about the Church's position on plural marriage: "This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church... If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. " At various times, the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, He gave this command to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon (Doctrine and Covenants 132: 1). In this dispensation, the Lord commanded some of the early Saints to practice plural marriage.
The Prophet Joseph Smith and those closest to him, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were challenged by this command, but they obeyed it. Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1). (Doctrine and Covenants 132: 1) 1 VERILY, 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 alive and b concubines (Official Declaration 1) OFFICIAL DECLARATION 1 To Whom It May Concern: Press dispatches having been sent for political purposes, from Salt Lake City, which have been widely published, to the effect that the Utah Commission, in their recent report to the Secretary of the Interior, allege that plural marriages are still being solemnized and that forty or more such marriages have been contracted in Utah since last June or during the past year, also that in public discourses the leaders of the Church have taught, encouraged and urged the continuance of the practice of polygamy I, therefore, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do hereby, in the most solemn manner, declare that these charges are false. We 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.
One case has been reported, in which the parties allege that the marriage was performed in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, in the Spring of 1889, but I have not been able to learn who performed the ceremony; whatever was done in this matter was without my knowledge. In consequence of this alleged occurrence the Endowment House was, by my instructions, taken down without delay. Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise. There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy; and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teaching, he has been promptly reproved. And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land. WILFORD WOODRUFF President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Lorenzo Snow offered the following: I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue of his position to issue the Manifesto which has been read in our hearing, ...
Free research essays on topics related to: twelve apostles, holy ghost, jesus christ, prophet joseph smith, salt lake city
Research essay sample on Prophet Joseph Smith Salt Lake City
