FAQ

A: The Church’s correct name is “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” The Bible teaches us that in ancient times, the members of His Church were also called “Saints.” In the Last Days, the Lord also calls his chosen people His Saints.

Latter-day Saints usually refer to themselves as “members of the Church” or “Latter-day Saints.”

We believe the Church of Jesus Christ must be called in His name, and that this is what Paul meant when he said we “put on Christ” through baptism.  

The terms “Mormons” or “Mormon Church” are nicknames. One of our books of scripture is called the Book of Mormon, and that is the source of the nickname. It has never been our official name and it is incorrect to call us Mormons or the Mormon Church.

A: We believe in the Bible and that the Bible teaches God’s plan of salvation. We believe the Bible shows God always follows the same pattern: He chooses prophets, gives them authority, and then reveals His will to them for His people. We believe that the true Church of Jesus Christ requires living prophets and apostles, and that God has restored that system in the Last Days in preparation for the Second Coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. Additional details about our basic beliefs can be found here, and also in a summary called the Articles of Faith.

A: Yes. We believe that the Bible teaches us that the true Church of Christ must be “built upon the foundation of prophets and apostles.” We believe that means whenever the living Church of Christ is on the earth, God calls prophets and apostles to guide His children and receive revelation, just like He called Abraham, Moses, and Peter in ancient times. We believe the Lord has called 12 apostles in our day, just as he did in ancient times.

We also believe He has chosen a prophet to lead Christ’s church and receive revelation for the whole earth. His name is Russell M. Nelson.

A: Yes. We believe that God always has and always does work the gifts of the Spirit described by the Apostle Paul, including miracles. However, as the Bible teaches, we believe that miracles follow faith and do not create faith, and that it displeases the Lord when we seek signs before we will believe. We also believe it is usually not appropriate to publicly discuss miracles that are sacred and for the benefit of His people. The Bible warns that Satan can also work miracles, and so we believe that we must use the truths and teachings of the prophets to recognize God’s true Gospel.

A: We believe that Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ revealed in the New Testament, is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. We believe that he took upon himself the sins of all mankind and that He was crucified. We believe He rose from the grave after three days and that through Him, all mankind will be resurrected. We also believe that in order to be saved, all men must believe in Him and obey His commandments. This includes repenting of our sins, being baptized in His name, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in righteous living.

Because of our great love and reverence for Jesus Christ, our church has produced a major series of videos about the Life of Christ and posted them online free of charge for use by all Christians. Many Christians know and love these videos and do not realize they were made by our church.

A: Yes. And we believe that is what the Bible clearly teaches; Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world, not just the sins of the believers. We also believe that the practice of baptizing little children before they are able to have faith and repent of their sins is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. There is no verse in the Bible that justifies baptizing babies. We believe one of the great truths of our Church is that all little children are innocent and if they die while innocent, they are saved through the grace of Christ.

A: Yes. We believe it would be unfair for God to condemn people to hell who never had the chance to accept Jesus. The Bible teaches us God is perfectly fair and just. There are billions of people who died without ever hearing Jesus’s name. Because He is fair, the Bible teaches us that Jesus went to the spirits in hell to preach to them, and we believe that that preaching continues today. The Bible also teaches us that early Christians were baptized for the dead, and our church continues that practice today in holy temples. We believe those who accept Christ in the next life and receive baptism will be saved. For more information, click here.

A: Christian scholars agree that the symbol of the Cross was not used by ancient Christians during New Testament times, but that it became a tradition and symbol of Christianity hundreds of years later. We recognize the Cross as a valid symbol of Christianity, especially to refer to the Lord’s sacrifice for our sins. We believe, however, that we worship the Living Christ who has risen from the dead. Because of this, our official symbol is an image of the Resurrected Christ.

A: Yes. As mentioned above, we believe the Bible is the word of God and is a witness for God and Jesus Christ. Members of the Church study it and follow its teachings. We believe in and accept both the Old and New Testaments.

A: No. We believe the Bible contains the word of God, but that many important things that were available in ancient times were lost. We do not believe the Catholic Church has corrupted the Bible.

A: When the prophets write their inspired teachings down, those words become scripture. The Bible contains the words of God to His people in ancient times in land of Jerusalem and the Roman Empire. We believe God also spoke to other people in other parts of the world, including ancient prophets who lived in America, through prophets. We also believe that, in our day, God is once again speaking through prophets just like He did in the Bible. Those words are now available in the form of additional books of scripture.

A: We believe the Bible shows us that God has always spoken to His children through prophets and He always will, because God is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” For example, after Christ was resurrected, and after He ascended to Heaven, he continued giving important revelations to his prophets and apostles in order to guide His church. Christ also continued to appear to people and call them to be his special witnesses. We believe He has not stopped speaking, and will never stop, as long as His children will listen.

A: The Church has four official books of scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

A: No. We believe that all churches that believe in Jesus Christ have much goodness and truth. We believe, however, that they are missing important pieces. Because of this, there was a need for a Restoration of things that were lost. For more information about our beliefs regarding the Restoration of the Gospel, see the following:

The Story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision

A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Restoration of Christ’s Church (A short video explanation)

A: No. We believe the Bible clearly teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages, but are one in purpose and Spirit. We also believe the ideas of the Trinity that came from the Councils and Creeds, which occurred hundreds of years after the New Testament, are the ideas of men and are not correct. For more information on our belief regarding the theory of the Trinity, see this link.

A: As we mentioned above, we believe that all churches who believe in Christ have much truth and good. However, we believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the earth with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, including the authority of the priesthood, the necessary ordinances of salvation, and living prophets and apostles.

A: We believe that wicked people from any church, including our Church, who reject God or disobey His commandments will go to hell. We believe that faithful believers in other churches will receive a just reward from God for their good lives and faith in Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus meant when he said that His “Father’s house has many mansions.”

A: No. While our Church was founded in the United States of America, it is a global Church with a message for all of God’s children. As of the end of 2019, there were more than 16.5 million members worldwide. Of those members, only 6.7 million lived in the United States. Furthermore, unlike many churches, we do not pay our priests. All worthy men can become ministers, and our leaders are chosen from among our normal members in each country. 

A: No. The Church is not a political entity and does not take political positions. The Church also believes all people are the children of God. One of the prophets of the Church has taught: “As members of the… Church [of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], we [believe] our Father is no respecter of persons. Sometimes we [accidentally] offend brothers and sisters of other nations by assigning exclusiveness to one nationality of people over another.

“Let me cite, as an example… the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews. We [believe that Arabs are] are… children of promise… The Church has an interest in all of Abraham’s descendants, and we should remember that the history of the Arabs goes back to Abraham through his son Ishmael.”

A: No. We believe that the Bible teaches clearly that “marriage is ordained of God,” and only He can authorize the practice of polygamy at specific times. This is why prophets such as Abraham and the ancient Israelites were authorized by God to practice polygamy. We believe God commanded His Church to practice polygamy for a period of time, and then he commanded them to stop in a revelation given through a prophet in the year 1890. Those who try to practice polygamy in the name of the Church are immediately excommunicated.

A: Unfortunately, we cannot provide any help in this regard. Our Church is not an NGO and is not affiliated with government organizations. We will not intervene in matters regarding immigration or political asylum. We encourage everyone to follow the legal procedures appropriate to wherever they live.

A: Over time, we will add additional information to this site. You can also fill out the “contact us” form on this page with your contact information if you would like more information about our Church. Please note some fields must be filled out or we will not respond.

A: The history and teachings of God’s people in ancient America are found in a book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. From the Book of Mormon, we learn that Jesus Christ visited America after his resurrection from the dead, and that they were the “other sheep” he told his disciples in the Old World who would hear his voice.

A: Over time, we will provide additional content on this site. For now, you can fill out the contact form and we can provide you with links to additional information.

A: We believe that Christians have been commanded to “prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.” Because of this, we invite all people to investigate the message of our Church and then to pray to Heavenly Father to know whether it is true. We do not believe we can convince anyone about our message, but we know that God can give us wisdom when we ask for it in sincerity and faith. 

A: One our most fundamental beliefs is that we “obey, honor, and sustain the law” wherever we live. Because of this, we do not preach to Muslims who live in countries where proselytizing to Muslims is illegal.

A: Then we hope that you can find joy and fulfillment in your current beliefs. We know there are many good and faithful people outside our Church, and it is not our goal to try and convince everyone to join our church. Our goal is to share truths that have given us great joy and happiness in our personal lives, helped us to have happy families, and taught us more about being disciples of Jesus Christ.