There are a lot of preconceived notions about "Mormons" concerning what we believe, what we do, who we are. I want to clearly state the beliefs that we do have that are true! I've been told that if you want to know what a Mormon believes, you should ask a Mormon.
We have a wonderful set of beliefs outlined very clearly by the first prophet of the church, Joseph Smith. It's called the 13 Articles of Faith!
So, let's not waste any more time and begin!
Article of Faith #1
- We believe that God is our loving Heavenly Father and loves us just as our fathers here on earth should love us.
- We believe that Jesus Christ is God's divine Son and that He came into this world to save us from our sins. He is our Brother and loves us so much!
- We also believe that the Holy Ghost (Spirit, Holy Spirit, Comforter, etc.) to be a wonderful guide given to us, by the laying on of hands, in this life. Through Him we "may know the truth of all things." -Moroni 10:5
We believe that God and Jesus Christ have resurrected bodies of flesh and bone, however the Holy Ghost does not have a body. They are all separate beings, as well.
In John 10: 30 and many other scriptures in the Bible its says "I and my Father are one."
At first glance, yes, I would assume that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are all one being.
Let's look at it this way. When you are married and they say you are one, do you become one person? No, it means that you are one in purpose. To help each other reach the same goals and raise a happy family.
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings but ONE in PURPOSE.
There are many examples in the Bible where Jesus, in His earthly ministry, is praying TO the Father. The biggest example, when Christ is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane asking His Father to "let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." He is asking something of someone else.
One of the 12 living Apostles once said:
"We believe these three divine persons constituting a single Godhead are united in purpose, in manner, in testimony, in mission. We believe Them to be filled with the same godly sense of mercy and love, justice and grace, patience, forgiveness, and redemption. I think it is accurate to say we believe They are one in every significant and eternal aspect imaginable except believing Them to be three persons combined in one substance, a Trinitarian notion never set forth in the scriptures because it is not true."
-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
So, to basically sum this up, we believe that God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is His Son, and the Holy Spirit testifies to us of Them. They are all ONE IN PURPOSE but are THREE SEPERATE BEINGS.
These are few of many scriptures that strengthened my testimony the God truly is our Father, and that His Son, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Will you read them also to strengthen your faith?
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