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Mormonism is a term used to describe the religious, ideological and cultural elements of the Latter Day Saint movement, and specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

The term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term¹ to describe those who believed in the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that adherents believe to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" and testifies of the Bible as part of the religion's canon. There are many subsects of Mormonism, all of which claim to be the true interpretation of Joseph Smith's original teachings. It is common for the different denominations of Mormonism to object to use of the term by other groups. The LDS Church, the largest subsect of Mormonism, states that the term is only "acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."² Historically the term has been used very broadly and can mean members of the LDS Church, smaller offshoot faiths, or members of Fundamentalist Mormon faiths, with little agreement on a definitive use.

Basic beliefs

Because of the diversity of beliefs among various Mormon sects, the basic tenets of Mormonism can only be described in the broadest sense. The foundation of Mormonism is that Joseph Smith, Jr. was visited by the Judeo-Christian God (whom Mormons call Elohim), and Jesus (also called Jehovah by Mormons). These divine beings instructed him that he was to join no organized religion and that he was to prepare himself for a greater work that would follow. Joseph Smith later brought forth(The Book of Mormon) that he said was written by ancient Prophets who lived in the American Continent, and he also restored what he called the true religion as founded by Jesus Christ himself, with all rites, rituals, and doctrines as they were in primitive Christianity.

A document laying out the beliefs of Mormonism, the Articles of Faith were composed by Smith as part of an 1842 letter sent to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat. Most Latter Day Saint members view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology.

The Articles of Faith are as follows:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacle glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul — We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Mormons and the “Trinity”

Latter-day Saints, typically do not use the word "Trinity" as it is not a Biblical term, while the word "Godhead" is used in Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; and Colossians 2:9. In the latter-day saint view of the Godhead, three distinct Individuals (D&C 130:22) are united in the same sense Christ admonished His followers to be one, united in philosophy, spirit, and purpose with Him, as He states in John 17:11. Christ is the Son because He was born in the flesh as the Son of the Father. He is also the designated Agent of the Father, the Mediator between Man and God.(John 3:34-35; D&C 93:2-17) Having received of the fullness of the Father, and able to bind the Father covenantly, Christ becomes the Father of the faithful to those who repent, or are born again of the Spirit, thus being both the Father and the Son, as Mosiah 15:1-5 explains.

Covenants

Latter-Day Saints believe the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a God of covenants. (Gen. 12:1-3; 17:7,9,19)³ In return for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s faith and obedience, God promised them (1) a numberless posterity, (2) a chosen land, and (3) the blessing of all nations through their posterity and the priesthood of their posterity, the “blessings of heaven.”⁴ God promised Jacob’s son, Joseph, additional blessings, a special land and a righteous branch to be separated from the rest of the house of Israel. (Gen. 48; 49:22-26) Even later, promises and assurances were given through Moses and other prophets that, even though all Israel should be scattered and many persecuted, the earlier promises would not be forgotten, and a day of restoration and gathering would come in which all the tribes of Israel would be united in peace under the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Book of Mormon is a witness to the truth of these promises, and it is an assurance that more of them will not be left unfulfilled. ⁵

Three primary covenants are administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the heading “new and everlasting covenant,” called “new” because they have been restored again and “everlasting” because they are eternal with God. ⁶ Specifically, they are the gospel, or baptismal covenant; the priesthood covenant; and the marriage covenant. The latter two are administered in the temple. Each covenant, or “contract,” between God and Man has one or more pre-requisites, offers one or more rewards, and specifies punishment for breaking it.

The first, the gospel covenant, is entered into after the sincere communicant fulfills the pre-requisite of exercising faith in Christ, repents of his sins, is baptized by proper authority, receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, and promises to endure to the end of his mortal life continuing to exercise faith in Christ and repentance from his sins. He also agrees to stand as a witness for Christ at all times and in all places, and bear the burdens of his fellow servants. (Mosiah 18:9) The scriptures are replete with references to all these gospel elements. (3 Nephi 27:13-22) The covenant maker receives the reward of the gift of the Holy Ghost, receives membership in the Church of Jesus Christ, receives forgiveness of sins, peace of conscience, a rebirth of the Spirit (Mosiah 4:1-13), grace, a hope in Christ, salvation or eternal life, and the joy of the saints. ⁷ The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or partaking of bread and wine instituted by Jesus, is in remembrance of this covenant, in remembrance of His blood, or atonement for sins, and His resurrection, or body. ⁸ The “milk” of the kingdom of God has to do with learning of and keeping this gospel covenant, which has several equivalent names in the scriptures. The “meat” is “going on unto perfection,” or entering into subsequent covenants, to obtain a fullness of the life God leads. (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1-4; John 17:3)

Modern Revelation and the Book of Mormon

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are frequently condemned for accepting revelations that are not contained the traditional Holy Bible, upon grounds quoted from the Book of Revelation 22:18-21. In answer, Latter-day Saints respond that taking-away and adding-to have to do with only the Book of Revelation, not the entirety of Holy Writ. At the time of Jesus and the apostles, what are now books in the New Testament did not exist as a single compilation, but only as separated manuscripts. A similar limiting statement is recorded in the Fifth Book of Moses, or Deuteronomy 4:1-2, which would seem to disqualify subsequent writings of the prophets and the entire New Testament. Furthermore, in agreement with Isaac Newton, the well known English physicist and Bible scholar, Latter-day Saints believe the following books were written after the Book of Revelation: Book of John; Book of Hebrews; First, Second, and Third Peter; and some others.⁹

The scriptures carried and quoted in New Testament times by such as the Apostle Paul were only the Old Testament, yet who today would disallow the supremely elucidating words of God contained in the New Testament? By contrast, Latter-day Saints believe there is no end to the works and words of the Living God. (Moroni 7:36) Other statements in scripture allude to this very idea. (John 21:25; 3 Nephi 26:6) God may command and revoke as seems to Him good at any time. (D&C 56:4-6)¹⁰ Several works are mentioned in the Bible, which are missing from it, such as the Book of the Wars of the Lord (Num. 21:14), Book of Jasher (Jos. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18), Book of Enoch (D&C 107:57; Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5; Jude 1:14) The Book of Mormon mentions multiple times three books belonging in the Old Testament, the Book of Joseph (2 Ne. 3:4-22), the Book of Zenos, and the Book of Zenock (1 Ne. 19:10-12), all prophesying of Christ and future events. The Book of Mormon itself is a body of scripture from another nation visited by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.¹¹ (Under The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints see heading: Sacred Texts)

Latter-day Saints believe there is no true Christian life without continual revelation from God. It takes revelation from God to be saved. If we are saved, the Holy Ghost must touch our lives continually. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, and speaks only the words the Father and Son give Him.¹² It takes revelation to be converted to Christ. It takes revelation to understand revelation. It takes revelation to recognize another revelation. It take revelation to have and exercise priesthood authority. It takes revelation from the Holy Ghost to live the way Christ wants us to live. It takes revelation to do missionary work. It takes revelation to run the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom of God. Every time the Holy Ghost touches human lives it is a revelation from God, because it is a form of communication from God. ¹³

As a principle, Latter-day Saints believe they take the only viable position, all things considered, with regard to revelations from God, given their belief He knows all things (omniscient) and has all power (omnipotent). (2 Nephi 9:20; Jacob 4:8-13) They certainly believe Man is at an inestimable disadvantage when pitting his knowledge against God’s knowledge. They believe that in the very best of circumstances, men—clergymen, scholars, researchers, theorists--must reason from the part to the whole, while God reasons from the whole to the part. Men interpolate and guess, while God knows all things. Those unacquainted with the Latter-day Saint definition of “revelation” tend to misunderstand their position that any indication of the will of God is deemed a revelation, be it a feeling or impression (Acts 15:28), a dream (Dan.2:3), a vision (Acts 10:3), a voice (1 Sam. 3:4-11), or an angelic visitation (Acts 10:7-10).¹⁴ Latter-day Saints invite all to be accept the new covenet of baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (John 3:5; D&C 16), which is a Revelator by definition, so every interaction of the Holy Ghost with Man is a revelation from God.¹⁵ Latter-day Saints also believe anyone receiving an answer to prayer has received a manifestation of the will of God, hence a revelation from Him. In fact, all mortals are commanded by God to pray, certainly expecting to receive an answer, if they ask in faith. (Matt. 6:6)¹⁶ Joseph Smith’s claim to a glorious visitation from the Father and the Son was simply an answer to his boyhood prayer, after reading James 1:5-8 in the Holy Bible. (Joseph Smith History 1:17-19)

In addition to the Bible, Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon, is a book containing revelations from God, and can be verified through a personal revelation to the sincere seeker. (Moroni 10:4-5) In fact, the Book came to light, was compiled, hidden, brought forth, and translated, in such a way that the reader must obtain a personal witness of its truth. As the “keystone” of their religion, Latter-day Saints believe it is the key to learning that Joseph Smith and his successors are prophets. (see above heading: Sacred Texts)¹⁷

Lest someone falsely claim to have received a revelation from God, only those acts and teachings received by common consent in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are binding upon its members. When a member is accepted by baptism and confirmation into the Church, he or she accepts the Bible,Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the teachings of the living prophets, as the word of God. Any other teachings by others are compared for accuracy against those criteria, and may or may not be true. ¹⁸

The Book of Mormon cannot be lightly passed over, as Joseph Smith said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion." (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, p. 57)

One of the many important messages of the Book of Mormon is to communicate that when a nation or individual worships Christ, that nation or individual prospers spiritually and pysically, and individuals and nations are destroyed when they do not. The Book of Mormon is a series of eyewitness accounts of how devotion to Christ applies to human living.

The title page of the Book of Mormon states its purpose is to bring both Jew and Gentile to Christ, and reacquaint them with the covenants the Lord made with their fathers, and with the Lord’s promise to keep those covenants.

The Book of Mormon attests to: (1) Christ’s divinity and explains how He is the Agent of the Father (Mosiah 15); (2) the need for a Redeemer, clarifying the meaning and nature of sin, law, punishment, mercy, and grace; (3) the nature of the atonement of Christ, that it was an expiatory act by a divine being, with His blood purchasing eternal life for Adam’s, by answering the ends of the law; (4) the divine invitation to repent and experience a broken heart and contrite spirit; (5) what the first principles of the gospel of Christ are; (6) how to experience a spiritual rebirth; (7) the necessity of enduring to the end of mortal life with faith in Christ and repentance from sin; and (8) the moral life a saint must follow. The Book also warns against modern pitfalls (Mormon 8:26; 3 Ne. 30:1-2).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands or falls, based on the genuineness of The Book of Mormon. The book exists for all to examine, the only book of scripture that can be traced back to its original manuscript. If it came forth, was translated by inspiration from gold plates by means of ancient seer stones, from reformed Egyptian, was declared correctly translated by an angel to three witnesses besides Joseph Smith, the plates being seen and handled by still eight other witnesses, and actually was an ancient spiritual record of Christ's dealings with a fallen people on the American continents, as Joseph Smith, Jr. said it was, then he is a prophet. If the account is false, then Joseph and the LDS Church is false. If the Book is true, as millions believe, then he and his successors are prophets, and the church he established under Divine guidance is also genuine and correct.("Testimony of Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses" at the front of Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants 84:54-59; Moroni 10:4-5 in the Book of Mormon)

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, including in the courts of the land, a testimony presented by two competent witnesses is considered more convincing than the testimony of one, especially if that single witness is testifying in his own cause. The Bible and Book of Mormon set forth the Divine practice of furnishing "two or three witnesses" to important Divine acts.(Deut. 17:1; 2 Cor. 13:1; Ether 5:4) Latter-day saints have witnesses from each of two widely separated nations for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one book originating in ancient Israel and one in ancient America, and the two testify of the same God and each other. Those nations produced the Bible and the Book of Mormon, "the stick of Judah" and "stick of Ephraim," which agree in one in testifying that Jesus is the Messiah, the true and livng God of Israel.(Ezekiel 37:15-19; 2 Nephi 3:12; 29:2-14; Isa. 29:11-18; Gen. 48; Jer. 3:18; John 10:16; Acts 10:34-36; Alma 46:24-26; 3 Ne. 10:16, 17; 15:16-24; 16:1-7; 20:22; D&C 3:16; 20:11-12; 42:11-12)

Mormonism and Christianity

Main article: Mormonism and Christianity

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Mormonism is a restorationist Christian religion, with its origins firmly rooted in the Second Great Awakening.¹⁹ There is much confusion and controversy over whether or not Mormonism should be called a Christian faith due to several factors. Today, the major differences between Mormonism and other Christian churches include the LDS Church's views on the Trinity; the nature and purpose of Jesus Christ; baptism, the meaning of salvation, eternal life, "The Gospel," and the afterlife; its temple worship; and its open canon. Mormon cosmology is also substantially different from that of historical Christianity. Given its stance on the Trinity, traditional Christian denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion and most branches of Protestantism consider the teachings of Mormonism heretical. One recent Pew Research poll shows only 52 percent of Americans believe that Mormonism is a Christian denomination. However, among traditional Christians, more than six in ten said Mormonism and their own religion are very different²⁰²¹

Despite these differences, Mormons and Christians hold similarly conservative views on social issues and often work together in political or humanitarian causes, most recently opposing same-sex marriages with Proposition 8. However, doctrinal conflicts between Mormonism and other Christian denominations remain. Mormonism does not accept the baptism of any other Christian church and rejects the apostolic succession of those churches that claim its existence. Some Christian denominations have acknowledged that Mormonism does not share their apostolic Christian tradition and have also declared Mormon baptisms to be invalid.²² The issues listed below are a small sample of many talking points, although whether or not they argue for or against the inclusion of Mormonism within the category of Christianity depends entirely on individual viewpoints.

Lack of roots in historical traditional Christianity

Its late emergence in the historical Christian tradition makes it arguably part of the restoration movement rather than a traditional Christian faith. While Joseph Smith and almost all of his original followers were members of various Protestant faiths and much of the LDS Church services resemble New England style Protestantism, the ordinances of the Mormon temple have no historical equivalent within traditional Christianity beyond the Biblical record. Mormons avoid use of the cross in ritual, decoration, or apparel, but it is not forbidden. Mormons celebrate the Christian holidays (Christmas and Easter) and refer to Jesus Christ as their savior and head of their faith, with prophets, apostles, seventies, and other leaders acting as his servants.

Scripture

Mormonism teaches that the Gospel of Christ has existed since the days of Adam and Eve, and that throughout history apostasy from this gospel in its pure form led to the need for a restoration. Mormons believe that their doctrine has existed on the Earth throughout history, but at different eras was lost and later restored. Most notably Mormons believe the Great Apostasy occurred after the death of Saint Peter and the other original twelve apostles and the calling of Joseph Smith marked a new restoration that has continued to this day.²³

The Book of Mormon, published in 1830 in Palmyra, New York, claims to be a sacred record written by Prophets of God practicing Christianity on the American Continent between 600 BCE and 400 CE. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is holy scripture and, as another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion to the Bible. Many Christians have held that the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith, and that the Bible is the only book that should be accepted as scripture.

Mormonism and Judaism

See also: Mormonism and Judaism

Because of the incorporation of many Old Testament ideas into its theology, Mormonism has a historical affinity for Judaism. The beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism and certain elements of Jewish culture. This is primarily from what are historical and doctrinal connections with Judaism.

Joseph Smith Jr. named the largest Mormon settlement he founded Nauvoo, which means "to be beautiful" in Hebrew. Brigham Young named a tributary of the Great Salt Lake the "Jordan River." The LDS Church created a writing scheme called the Deseret Alphabet, which was based, in part, on Hebrew. Currently, the LDS Church has a Jerusalem Center in Israel, at which some college-aged youth study and learn to appreciate and respect the region.²⁴

The LDS Church also teaches that its adherents are members of the House of Israel. Patriarchal blessings are received by most individuals in their youth. Among other things, this blessing's purpose is to declare one's lineage; in other words, to which of the twelve tribes of Israel the individual belongs.

Conversely, there has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see the actions of some elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the LDS practice of baptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish victims of the Holocaust and Jews in general. According to LDS Church general authority Monte J. Brough, "Mormons who baptized 380,000 Holocaust victims posthumously were motivated by love and compassion and did not understand their gesture might offend Jews ... they did not realize that what they intended as a 'Christian act of service' was 'misguided and insensitive.'".²⁵

Mormonism and polygamy

Main articles: Polygamy and the Latter Day Saint movement and Mormon fundamentalism

Mormonism has been closely associated in public discourse with polygamy. In the 1830s, Joseph Smith, Jr. instituted a form of polygamy in which one man would have several wives (but not the reverse), referred to as plural marriage, which Brigham Young promoted after the LDS Church's move to the Utah Territory. According to his own statements, Joseph Smith, Jr. was more than a little uneasy at facing the institution of plural marriage, and said that he did so only after being warned through subsequent divine revelation that he should begin the practice or "be destroyed";²⁶ however, not all members practiced polygamy.

Upon learning about the practice, mainstream churches and political forces in the United States mounted a vigorous campaign to stamp it out. The United States Congress passed laws criminalizing the practice and dissolved polygamous families, disincorporated the LDS Church, and began seizing Church property. A few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of the Federal government's actions to disincorporate the LDS Church and force the forfeiture of its property, the Church issued its 1890 Manifesto renouncing the practice of polygamy. Today, the LDS Church asserts the time for polygamy has ended, rejects the practice, and excommunicates members who engage in it. In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy."

The 1890 renunciation of polygamy by the LDS Church also led to a number of schisms involving relatively small groups who today describe themselves as Mormon fundamentalists and who still practice polygamy as well as other elements of 19th-century Mormonism that have been rejected or denounced by the LDS Church. These organizations believe that their doctrines and practices remain true to the original teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young.

Missionary work

Missionary work is one of the key aspects of the LDS Church. Young men and women range in age from nineteen for men and twenty-one for women. Older couples also may serve in missionary labor throughout the world. Missions are opened throughout the free world with the only restrictions are to areas where governments do not allow missionaries to preach (currently these areas are composed of the Middle East, some African Countries, as well as China, with the exception of Hong Kong). Presently, as of 2008, there are around 52,686 missionaries serving at 348 mission sites. ²⁷

The first LDS missionary efforts began as early as 1830, with Samuel Smith, Brother to Joseph Smith, Jr. as the first missionary. The Church first called for full-time missionaries in 1974, when the prophet of the Church, President Spencer W. Kimball, called young people to serve the Church in full-time missionary work. Today, Every young man that is both morally and physically capable of missionary work is expected to participate in a mission. ²⁸

LDS missionary work is performed in pairs as demonstrated by Peter and Paul in the book of Acts.^{citation needed} Before a missionary is sent to their respective mission, they must first attend a Missionary Training Center (MTC). Currently there are seventeen MTCs throughout the world. In order to ensure a focus on Jesus Christ, and the preaching of his gospel, missionaries cease activities such as attending parties, dating, and other forms on entertainment. Mission life is a time of prayer, scripture study, teaching, and searching for those are seeking a stronger relationship God. The average timespan for a mission for a young man is two years, whereas the average time span for a young woman is eighteen months. ²⁹

"The average missionary in 1989 brought 8 people into the church, while in 2000 the average missionary brought 4.6 people into the church. When one accounts for actual activity and retention rates, with the great majority of LDS convert growth occurring in Latin America and other areas with low retention, and only 20-25% of convert growth occurring in North America, one finds that of the 4.6 persons baptized by the average missionary each year, approximately 1.3 will remain active. This declining growth comes in spite of unprecedented increase in opportunity. From 1990 to 2000, the LDS Church opened an additional59 nations to proselyting."

"241,239 LDS convert baptisms were reported for 2004, the lowest number of converts since 1987. Other recent years have also demonstrated decelerating church growth. Over the past decade, LDS missionaries have been challenged to double the number of baptisms, but instead the number of baptisms per missionary has halved."

Church growth down to 3% per year

"The LDS Church is one of the few Christian groups with a large missionary program to experience declining growth rates in spite of widening opportunities. An analysis of annual LDS statistical reports published in the May Ensigns of each year demonstrates that LDS growth has declined progressively from over 5% annually in the late 1980s to less than 3% annually from 2000 to 2004." ³⁰

Mormonism and families

The most comprehensive statement on families made by the First Presidency came in 1995 and has since been the source of growing controversey and hostility:

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. ³¹

See also

Latter-day Saints portal

• Blacks and the Latter Day Saint movement
• Criticism of Mormonism
• God Loveth His Children (Homosexuality and Mormonism)
• List of articles about Mormonism
• Polygamy within Mormonism

Notes

External links

• Joseph Smith Papers — forthcoming scholarly collection of extant Joseph Smith documents
• PBS: Frontline + American Experience: Mormons — PBS special on Mormon belief

v • d • e The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints History Joseph Smith, Jr. • First Vision • Oliver Cowdery • Sidney Rigdon • Brigham Young • Lucy Mack Smith • Pioneers • Wars and massacres • Mormon Battalion • Statistical membership • Incorporation • Historic sites Beliefs and Practices Godhead • Apostasy • Restoration • Revelation • Priesthood • Ordinances • Plan of salvation • Plurality of gods • Celestial marriage • Family Home Evening • Perfection • Sexuality Sacred Texts Bible: King James Version, Joseph Smith Translation • Book of Mormon • Doctrine and Covenants • Pearl of Great Price: Book of Moses, Book of Abraham, Articles of Faith • The Family: A Proclamation to the World Worship and Culture Temples • General conference • Missionary service • Scouting • Worship services • Sunday School • Humanitarian Services • Brigham Young University • Pageants Organization Relief Society • Young Men • Young Women • Primary • Church Educational System Leadership President • Thomas S. Monson • First Presidency • Quorum of the Twelve Apostles • Presiding Bishop • Quorums of the Seventy Criticism and Controversy Joseph Smith and polygamy • Blacks and the Church • Book of Mormon: Archaeology, Genetics, Historicity, Linguistics • Oath of vengeance • September Six Other Related Articles Mormon • Mormonism and Christianity • Finances • Salamander letter • Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies

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