Questions tagged [lds]
Use for questions about the history, teachings, doctrine, or practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called Mormons. The LDS faith recognizes as canonical several books (such as the Book of Mormon) that are not generally accepted among most other Christians and believes in modern-day prophethood and revelation.
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest arguments for the credibility of the 3 & 8 witnesses to the golden plates?
I'm specifically talking about:
3 witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.
8 witnesses: Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., Samuel H. Smith, Jacob Whitmer, John Whitmer, Hiram Page, ...
user50422
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If Joseph Smith "inaccurately" translated Egyptian hieroglyphs in his Book of Abraham, does this cast doubt on his translation, the Book of Mormon?
In 1842, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) acquired writings in Egyptian hieroglyphics.These writings were genuine hieroglyphs and were the bases for ...
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How does the LDS Church defend the racist doctrines of its past?
From 1849 to 1978, the LDS Church taught that black people could not become priests. In 1863, Young stated: "Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who ...
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Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allow polygamy in lands where it is legal?
In some countries polygamy is still legal, at least in some cases. For example apparently in UAE a man can have up to 4 wives.
Considering that LDS has 1699 members in UAE according to their ...
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What is the difference between the "burning in the bosom" of Mormonism and the more general "inner witness of the Holy Spirit" of Christianity?
When it comes to having epistemological certainty that one's beliefs are true, Mormonism has the so-called "burning in the bosom" experience. Please see this related question to find a few ...
user50422
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How do Mormons defend Reformed Egyptian as a legitimate language?
Reformed Egyptian is the language that Joseph Smith claimed the Golden Plates (or the Book of Mormon) was written in.
But this seems to be a problem considering that there are no non-LDS scholars that ...
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What are the signs of a true apostle according to Latter-day Saints?
Inspired by an answer to a related question, I would like to ask:
What are the signs of a true apostle according to Latter-day Saints?
Note: I'm borrowing the expression "the signs of a true ...
user50422
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Do Latter-day Saints expect miracles from their Apostles to authenticate their callings?
2 Corinthians 12:11-12 (ESV):
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ...
user50422
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Mormon prophet Joseph Smith stated one does not get the Holy Ghost after he is baptized. Acts 10:45 says Cornelius received the HS before baptism
How is this contradiction of Joseph Smith reconciled with the Bible? I received this information from the following LDS site:
https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-...
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What is the LDS understanding of Deut. 4:35?
I have copied these following quotations from a study section of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints website explaining the identity of the God of the Old Testament:
Elder James E. ...
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How does the Mormon Church reconcile the following claim with the Bible? "The Church of Jesus Christ was well established in the time of Adam."
Here is the full quote along with its source:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1980/10/adam-the-archangel?lang=eng
"The Church of Jesus Christ was well established in ...
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On what Biblical basis did Mormon prophet Joseph Smith teach that the "Ancient of Days" at Daniel 7:22 is the first man Adam?
The following is what he stated.
"Postmortality
One of Adam’s duties in his postmortal role as father of the human race is to help prepare his posterity for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. ...
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According LDS theology the Universal Church "apostatize." Please reconcile this with Matthew 16:18, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The following according to LDS teaching is what happened to the Catholic/Universal Church (made up of people) that prompted Joseph Smith to restore or give us "Another Gospel of Jesus Christ,&...
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Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith claimed that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. How did he know it was really the Father and the Son?
It should be noted that this event occurred when Smith was 14 years old and the following is what he ask them.
"During the vision, Joseph asked which church was correct, and Jesus Christ answered,...
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How do Christians who see Scripture as self-evidently inspired explain that Catholics, Protestants and Mormons have different sacred scriptures?
There are Christians who believe that there is no need to argue intellectually / apologetically for the divine inspiration of Scripture, since Scripture proves itself, by virtue of being self-...
user50422
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According to LDS, on what earth did God live before he became God and created everything?
There is an LDS doctrine which appears in catchy couplet form as follows:
As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be
5th LDS President Lorenzo Snow is said to have formed this couplet on ...
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Do Latter-day Saints consider Jehovah's Witnesses, Biblical Unitarians and any other groups that deny the divinity of Jesus to be 'true Christians'?
Is belief in the divinity of Jesus an essential feature of a true Christian, according to Latter-day Saints? If so, would that imply that Christian denominations or groups that deny the divinity of ...
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the essential features of a true follower of Christ, and can such be found in other denominations? [duplicate]
Not much to add to the title. I would like to know the Latter-day Saints' definition of a true follower of Christ, that is to say, what features are considered by them to be essential for a person to ...
user50422
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Do other Christian denominations/groups have an equivalent to the "burning in the bosom" of Mormonism?
In the question How is one supposed to "know" whether or not the Book of Mormon is true?, the accepted answer affirms:
But the witness of the Holy Ghost is testimony from God's spirit ...
user50422
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What does Mormonism have to offer in regards to salvation through Jesus Christ that was not already taught in the New Testament?
The Mormon church claims to be the true church and yet there have been billions of people that have become Christian in the last 2,000 years based on what Jesus Christ did on that cross.
The Apostle ...
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How do Latter-day Saints respond to the non-LDS argument that Joseph Smith's death was not comparable to the martyrdom of the ancient apostles?
This question is offered as a counterpoint to:
How do non-LDS Christians respond to the LDS argument that Joseph Smith died as a Martyr for God, just like the Apostles?
In particular, an argument from ...
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How Many Members of Joseph Smith's Council of Fifty Practiced Plural Marriage?
In March 1844, Joseph Smith organized a special council in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints known as the Council of Fifty. Much has been written about the nature and purpose of this ...
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Are there any Christian denominations that consider LDS (Mormons) to be Christians?
A recent Pew poll of Americans found that a majority of Christians consider Mormons to be Christian, with 51% saying 'yes' compared to only 31% saying 'no'. So, of those having an opinion, 62% say ...
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How do non-LDS Christians respond to the LDS argument that Joseph Smith died as a Martyr for God, just like the Apostles?
In Christian apologetics, a common argument for the reliability of the eyewitness accounts of the apostles is the fact that they were willing to withstand persecution and even martyrdom for what they ...
user50422
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What precedent is there in the bible for a 'further revelation' of fundamental truths about Deity?
In an answer to a Question regarding Deity the answer relies on the BoM (see LDS) to explain what is seen in Genesis :
And God said, Let us make man in our image [Genesis 1:26 KJV]
And God saith, `...
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LDS Prophet Joseph Smith said, "In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of Gods to create the world and people in it
My specific question is "WHO are these so-called council of Gods and "WHERE" did they come from? How does the LDS Church reconcile this with what God stated at Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 44:...
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How does the LDS Church reconcile their understanding of the "Godhead" which is three beings/three gods with the Bible stating there is only one God?
The following is an overview of the LDS's understanding of the Godhead taken from the following LDS site. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/godhead?lang=eng
"The ...
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Are there published testimonies from Latter-day Saints about their personal experiences with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost?
I'm very intrigued by the concept of constant companionship of the Holy Ghost taught by the LDS church. This is mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 121:46:
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant ...
user50422
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How do Latter-day Saints explain testimonies of profound experiences with the Holy Spirit in other denominations?
Note: I'm afraid that this question might make some cessationist readers uncomfortable, but given that Latter-day Saints are continuationists, I'll just go ahead with it.
It's my understanding that ...
user50422
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Do LDS believers not accept any others who self-identify as 'Christian'?
I have a question, following on from the previous question in which is quoted :
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth.
...
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How do Latter-day Saints respond to William Lane Craig's philosophical objections to the Mormon view of creation?
The Mormon View of Creation is the title of an episode of the Reasonable Faith Podcast, recorded on February 16, 2010, in which William Lane Craig, a renowned Christian apologist, philosopher and ...
user50422
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According to LDS, do all non-LDS Christians lack the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and if so, how does this lack manifest itself in the lives of non-LDS?
I just finished reading Chapter 16: The Gift of the Holy Ghost of the LDS book Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual. One section that caught my attention is the following:
“True it is that honest ...
user50422
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How does LDS reconcile progression to Godhood with the Genesis temptation of Adam to be like God?
This Wikipedia entry states:
In Mormonism, the concept of divinity centers around an idea of
"exaltation" and "eternal progression": mortals themselves may become
gods and ...
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Biblical basis of exaltation (LDS)
In regards to this answer on LDS biblical contradictions.
Are there biblical scriptures to support the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints belief in exaltation (progression to godhood) of God, ...
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What evidence does the LDS Church offer regarding claims of degradation of Biblical texts?
Based upon answers and comments to this question it appears that the LDS Church teaches that the Bible translations in use by all other Christian traditions have suffered some unspecified level of ...
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How do LDS reconcile Ephesians 3:17 and D&C 130:3?
In several passages Christ says that he will dwell in his followers. Ephesians 3:17 is one of the clearest:
Ephesians 3:16-17a: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power ...
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Has any Latter-day Saint published a very detailed description of how the Holy Spirit confirmed to them the truth of the BofM, as per Moroni 10:3-7?
Moroni 10:3-7:
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should
read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been
unto the ...
user50422
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According to Latter-day Saints, are all Christians who are full of the Holy Spirit unequivocally led by the Spirit to accept the truth of Mormonism?
Many passages in the Bible suggest the crucial importance of being filled with/full of the Holy Spirit and being led by the Spirit for an optimal Christian walk. Below a few examples:
And Jesus, full ...
user50422
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According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest apologetic arguments for the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon?
Inspired by my previous question on the divine inspiration of the Bible, I would like to ask a similar question on the Book of Mormon:
According to Latter-day Saints, what are the strongest apologetic ...
user50422
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What do Latter Day Saints believe happens to persons who have rejected Christ Jesus?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints says this in their third article of faith:
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ...
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The Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ created under the direction of Heavenly Father and He did not create the world "out of nothing."
The following is what they say. "Under the direction of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth (see Mosiah 3:8; Moses 2:1). From scripture revealed through the Prophet ...
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Is the Book of Mormon in English as authentic as in the original, or is Joseph Smith's translation imperfect? [closed]
It is commonly held in religion that the authenticity and authority of Scripture is highest in its original text, since human translators can introduce errors and misunderstandings not present ...
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What is the modern LDS view towards multiple Heavenly Mothers/wives of members of the Godhead?
The Wikipedia article on 'Heavenly Mother' notes that:
Brigham Young taught that God the Father was polygamous, although teachings on Heavenly Mothers were never as popular and disappeared from ...
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LDS Church view of Hebrews 6:13 and Isaiah 43:10
This question is about this article at the LDS Church website titled "Is President Lorenzo Snow’s oft-repeated statement—“As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be”—accepted as ...
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How do the Catholic and LDS views of what a prophet is differ?
Answers can address either denomination or both. My most recent understanding on the subject was that a prophet loses awareness (a trance) and then receives the word or message of God. However, I don'...
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Is there a registry of Book of Mormon Geography Theories?
Years ago I attended a presentation at an LDS chapel by a man who had recently retired from his position as the head of the geography department at the University of Calgary - Dr. Lynn Rosenvall.
Dr ...
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Why were the interpreters called "Urim and Thummim"?
Urim and Thummim are lots in the pouch of the priests (High Priest? I don't remember) in the Old Testament. Not sure what "lot" is in this context but I am imagining some kind of dice. In ...
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How does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reconcile 3 Nephi 15:23 with Jesus visiting Joseph Smith?
In 3 Nephi 15:23, Jesus says to the Book of Mormon peoples:
...and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice-that I should not manifest myself unto them save it ...
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The Lds Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, "We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
The Bible also teaches God is eternal. Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God." ...
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The Bible says there is one God who is eternal. Does Joseph Smith, LDS founder, prophet, seer and revelator contradict the Bible? [duplicate]
He said, "In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods: and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people in it." Joseph Smith Jr., Journal of ...
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