What are the beliefs of Mormonism?

Origins and Early Development

Mormonism—often associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—traces its beginnings to Joseph Smith Jr. in the early 19th century. According to historical accounts offered by the church, Smith claimed he was visited by heavenly messengers and subsequently led to unearth metal plates containing an ancient record of peoples in the Americas. These plates, which Smith said he translated by divine guidance, are published as the Book of Mormon.

Smith organized the first group of followers in 1830. The movement spread rapidly, experiencing both persecution and migrations, with key gathering points forming in Kirtland, Ohio; Independence, Missouri; and Nauvoo, Illinois. Eventually, disciples settled in the Salt Lake Valley of what is now Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young.

Scriptures and Canon

Mormonism teaches that the Bible is scripture “as far as it is translated correctly,” using the King James Version as the principal biblical text. Beyond the Bible, Latter-day Saint canon includes:

• The Book of Mormon: Touted as a record of ancient inhabitants on the American continents, presented as holy writ.

• The Doctrine and Covenants: A collection of modern revelations, primarily given through Joseph Smith.

• The Pearl of Great Price: A smaller volume containing Smith’s translations and writings, including the “Book of Abraham.”

This broader scriptural compilation distinguishes Latter-day Saints from other groups that affirm the Bible as the sole written revelatory authority. By contrast, passages from Scripture that emphasize guarding the completeness of God’s revealed Word (e.g., Revelation 22:18–19) are often interpreted differently within Mormonism, resulting in a significantly different theological framework.

Concept of Godhead

Mormon doctrine characterizes the “Godhead” as consisting of three distinct personages—Heavenly Father (God), Jesus Christ (the Son), and the Holy Ghost—united in purpose and will yet considered separate beings. This stands apart from the historical perspective, where God is understood as eternally one in three coequal, coeternal persons. As recorded in Isaiah 45:5: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me.” Traditional readings treat this verse as emphasizing the singularity of God, while Mormon teachings use a different interpretive angle, drawing from revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants and other Latter-day Saint texts.

Beliefs Concerning Jesus Christ

Mormonism claims a high regard for Jesus Christ, referring to Him as the divine Son of God, the Messiah, and central figure of their faith. Distinctively, it teaches that His atonement not only provides universal resurrection but also opens the door to forgiveness of sins contingent on adherence to Latter-day Saint ordinances, covenants, and commandments. While other Christian communities emphasize salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9), Latter-day Saints include a broader scope of ongoing obedience exemplified in scriptural statements such as “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).

The Plan of Salvation

Frequently referred to as “the Plan of Happiness” in Mormon teaching, this view of salvation outlines pre-mortal, mortal, and post-mortal phases of existence:

1. Pre-Mortal Life: Souls are believed to have existed with God as His spirit children before coming to Earth.

2. Mortal Life: Earthly life is viewed as a test, providing a physical body and a chance to progress spiritually.

3. Post-Mortal Spirit World: Upon death, spirits rest in paradise or face a separate spirit prison, awaiting future resurrection and final judgment.

4. Degrees of Glory: Based on one’s faithfulness and acceptance of Mormon ordinances, individuals inherit differing degrees of glory—Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial. Exaltation (the highest level within the Celestial Kingdom) includes the possibility of continued progression and, as traditionally taught, even becoming like God.

This contrasts with the traditional biblical teachings that, while referencing a future resurrection and judgment (John 5:28–29), typically focus on a dichotomy of eternal fellowship with God versus separation from Him. The Mormon concept of gradually attaining exaltation and potential godhood is not found within the standard biblical texts.

Restoration of the Priesthood and Authority

Mormonism asserts that divine authority was lost after the era of the New Testament apostles and only restored when heavenly beings such as John the Baptist and the apostles Peter, James, and John conferred priesthood keys upon Joseph Smith. Followers believe that prophetic succession continued through each successor in the office of President of the Church, who is considered a prophet and revelator.

This concept of apostasy and subsequent restoration is central, though others point to scriptural statements like Matthew 16:18, where Jesus indicates that the gates of Hades will not overcome His Church, suggesting continuous divine guidance rather than a total lapse.

Temple Worship and Ordinances

Mormonism places great emphasis on temple worship, performing rites such as:

• Baptism for the Dead: A vicarious ordinance done on behalf of deceased ancestors.

• Endowment: A ceremony involving instruction, promises, and certain symbolic clothing, intended to prepare participants for exaltation.

• Sealing: Marriage rites that are believed to ‘seal’ families together eternally if they remain faithful.

While some parallels to biblical temple worship passages in the Old Testament might be drawn (e.g., the tabernacle system in Exodus), these specific modern temple practices—especially baptism for the dead—are distinctive to Mormonism.

Additional Beliefs and Practices

• Living Prophets and Ongoing Revelation: The idea that the church’s president speaks for God on the earth, publishing new messages as scripture in official pronouncements.

• Health Code: Known as the Word of Wisdom, it advises abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, among other guidelines.

• Emphasis on Missionary Work: Young adults commonly serve full-time missions worldwide, promoting the Book of Mormon and Latter-day Saint teachings.

Evaluating Mormonism in Light of Scripture

In exploring Mormon doctrines, one frequently encounters questions of scriptural reliability, extrabiblical revelation, and the nature of Jesus Christ. The differences often intersect with passages like:

• Galatians 1:8: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!”

• 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

Many point to these and other verses to highlight the exclusivity and sufficiency of the biblical message. Nevertheless, Mormonism teaches an expanded view of scripture, relying on Joseph Smith’s revelations and subsequent church leaders’ teachings to shape a broader doctrinal structure.

Historical and Archaeological Considerations

The Book of Mormon presents itself as a historical and religious text detailing migrations from the Near East to the Americas around 600 BC and even earlier. While archaeological research recognizes rich ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica, mainstream scholars do not find conclusive parallels to Book of Mormon civilizations. In contrast, both Old and New Testament events are increasingly corroborated by external evidence (e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls confirming consistent textual transmission, ongoing discoveries in Israel matching biblical sites). This variance underlies differing viewpoints on the historicity of Mormon scripture.

Conclusion

Mormonism, or Latter-day Saint theology, teaches a unique blend of biblical reference, loyal adherence to extra-biblical texts, and a conception of an apostasy requiring restoration through Joseph Smith. While it has points of agreement with broader Christian perspectives, significant differences remain regarding the nature of God, scriptural canon, salvation, and eternal prospects. Many who study these claims consider biblical passages—emphasizing the enduring unity of God and the completeness of His revelation—to provide grounds for caution in adopting Mormon teachings as part of traditional Christian orthodoxy.

These beliefs and accompanying narratives form the basis for the doctrine and character of Mormonism as it is practiced and taught in church communities around the world.