April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OUR NEIGHBORS' FAITH
What Mormons believe
Jesus Christ is central to the lives of church members. We seek to follow His example by being baptized (see Matthew 3:13-17), praying in His holy name (see Matthew 6:9-13), partaking of the sacrament (see Luke 22:19-20), doing good to others (see Acts 10:38) and bearing witness of Him through both word and deed (see James 2:26).
Indeed, "[W]e talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ...that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (see the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:26).
We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost - the "Godhead." We believe that the members of the Godhead - God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost - are separate and distinct beings, but one in will and purpose.
Mortal existence is seen in the context of eternity. We believe in a pre-earth life (where the spirits of all mankind lived with Heavenly Father), an earthly existence and a future life in His presence.
As all mankind sin (see Romans 3:23), Jesus Christ has taken upon Himself the sins of the world so that all may repent and come unto Him. Through the gift of His resurrection, physical death on earth is not an end, but the beginning of the next step in God's plan for His children.
The church reveres the Bible as the word of God, a sacred volume of scripture. Latter-day Saints cherish its teachings and engage in a lifelong study of its divine wisdom. We believe the Bible contains revelations from God to mankind through His prophets.
As with the writings of prophets contained in the Bible, we believe God has revealed and continues to reveal His word to prophets which are contained in additional books of scripture - including the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Mormon contains the writings of ancient prophets, giving an account of God's dealings with the peoples on the American continent. For us, it stands alongside the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as holy scripture.
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the reestablishment of the ancient church and gospel of Jesus Christ. The term "restored gospel" is used to emphasize its restoration from New Testament times. Members of our church believe that around 70 A.D., after the death of the Apostles, the divine authority to lead Christ's church was lost.
Our church has not adopted the beliefs promulgated at the councils in the fourth and fifth centuries. Thus, our church is a Christian church, but it is neither an offshoot of Catholicism nor a Protestant religion.
The church is governed today by apostles, reflecting the way Jesus organized His church in biblical times. Each is accepted by church members as a prophet, just as the apostles were in the Bible. The First Presidency (consisting of the president or prophet of the church and two counselors) and members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles lead and guide the church as a whole.
We believe God knows each of us personally and that God answers our prayers through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Members refer to this as revelation.
Revelation, in its broad meaning, is divine guidance or inspiration; it is the communication of truth and knowledge from God to His children on earth. Individuals are inspired with revelation regarding how to conduct their lives and help serve others.
Members of the church worship each Sunday in local chapels throughout the world. All, regardless of religious affiliation, are invited and welcome to attend Sunday services and weekday events at local chapels.
In addition to local chapels, there are 166 temples throughout the world, either in operation, under construction or announced (planned). The nearest temples to the Capital Region are Boston, Hartford (announced), Palmrya, Manhattan and Montreal.
Each newly-built temple hosts an open house that welcomes members of the community to tour the facility. Once the building is dedicated, only members of the church in good standing may enter.
(Rodney Standage is president of the Albany Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and presides over 12 congregations in 14 counties in New York and Vermont. He is an attorney at General Electric Co. and resides in Niskayuna with his wife and children. Learn more at www.mormon.org.)[[In-content Ad]]
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