Well, I had written out this post last week and Blogger chose this ONE TIME when I wrote a post in advance to go ahead and dump all my posts for the past three days. They restored 2 out of 3 parts, so I figured I would just re-write the third part.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection? If so, when did this happen? And under what circumstances?
A: The appearance of Jesus in the Western Hemisphere shortly after his resurrection is described in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that when Christ told his disciples in the Bible He had other 'sheep' who should receive his message he was referring to those people in the Western Hemisphere.
Joni's Addition:
This is important! I can't believe they didn't go into more detail. Not only did he "appear" in North America, but he stayed around and hung out for a while, giving people instructions.
The Book of Mormon describes how, during His visit, Jesus Christ healed their sick, taught them His gospel, blessed their children, and called twelve disciples to organize His Church in the Americas (3 Nephi 11:18; 3 Nephi 12:1-2).
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe its followers can become "gods and goddesses" after death?
A: We believe that the apostle Peter’s biblical reference to partaking of the divine nature and the apostle Paul’s reference to being 'joint heirs with Christ' reflect the intent that children of God should strive to emulate their Heavenly Father in every way. Throughout the eternities, Mormons believe, they will reverence and worship God the Father and Jesus Christ. The goal is not to equal them or to achieve parity with them but to imitate and someday acquire their perfect goodness, love and other divine attributes.
Joni's Addition:
Well, to be fair they DO believe that men will be gods - but only if they reach the 3rd level of heaven, which can only be obtained through living righteously, being married, being ordained to the priesthood, etc.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected... stand before the Lord to be judged according to our desires and actions, [and] receive an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory.
There are three kingdoms of glory: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The glory we inherit will depend on the depth of our conversion, expressed by our obedience to the Lord's commandments. It will depend on the manner in which we have “received the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:51; see also D&C 76:74, 79, 101).
Celestial Kingdom (Heaven!)
The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt; it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose.
The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have “received the testimony of Jesus” and been “made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood” (D&C 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. ((For a detailed explanation of those who will inherit celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-70; 76:92-96.))
In January 1836 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that:
“All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:7-9).
Commenting on this revelation, the Prophet Joseph said, “I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven” (D&C 137:10). (Which begs the question, what if the children who die prematurely get to go to celestial kingdom, but their parents aren't worthy? Do they not get reuinited with their parents in that case??)
From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. Temple marriage (sealing) is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory. (See D&C 131:1-4.)
Terrestrial Kingdom (Earth bound for a while)
Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun” (D&C 76:77-78). Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people “who were blinded by the craftiness of men” (D&C 76:75). This group will include members of the Church who were “not valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). It will also include those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but who later received it in the postmortal spirit world (see D&C 76:73-74). ((To learn more about those who will inherit terrestrial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71-80, 91, 97.))
Telestial Kingdom (Hell prison)
Telestial glory will be reserved for individuals who “received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:82). These individuals will receive their glory after being redeemed from spirit prison, which is sometimes called hell (see D&C 76:84, D&C 76:106). (For those of you who have been reading my blog all along, this sounds really familiar, doesn't it? Its because Muslims have almost an identical belief about "spirit prison" although they don't call it that!!)
Perdition (permanent Hell)
Some people will not be worthy to dwell in any kingdom of glory. They will be called “the sons of perdition” and will have to “abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory” (D&C 76:32; 88:24). This will be the state of “those who know [God's] power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy [God's] power” (D&C 76:31; see also D&C 76:30, 32-49).
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women can only gain access to heaven with a special pass or codewords?
A: No.
Joni's Addition:
This is not entirely true. Although women's don't recieve a "special pass" or "codewords", they DO, in fact, recieve a special name given to them by their husband during sealing. When their husband passes to the afterlife, he will call them by their secret name (known only to the husband and the wife) and she will come to him to live with him for all eternity.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe that women must serve men on both Earth and in heaven?
A: Absolutely not. Mormons believe that women and men are complete equals before God and in relation to the blessings available in the Church.
Joni's Addition:
The Mormons do teach that women have a special job that men are incapable of doing: bearing children and raising them. The LDS church's official stance is that women are "primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." (For further reading on this, check out: The Family: A Proclamation to the World.)
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| Mormon Undergarments come from the temple |
A: Like members of many religious faiths, Latter-day Saints wear religious clothing. But members of other faiths — typically those involved in permanent pastoral ministries or religious services — usually wear religious garments as outer ceremonial vestments or symbols of recognition. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, garments are worn beneath street clothing as a personal and private reminder of commitments to God.
Garments are considered sacred by Church members and are not regarded as a topic for casual conversation.
Joni's Addition:
Shame on FOXNews for asking an inappropriate question. But the short answer is, YES, there are special undergarments to be worn by all Mormons, men and women.
Q: Does the Mormon Church believe in the existence of another physical planet or planets, where Mormons will "rule" after their death and ascension?
A: No.
Joni's Addition:
Ummm... disagree. *Technically* they don't teach that you all get your own planet. However, they DO teach that you will be like God when you die, "joint heirs with Jesus Christ," which to them, literally means that they believe Christ is our brother, and together with him, they are all heirs to what God has, and will do what God does/did. Since God created our planet (earth) and populated it with his children, then the collective "we" will do the same when we die. (that is, Mormons will).
Q: What specifically does the Mormon Church say about African-Americans and Native Americans?
A: Mormons believe that all mankind are sons and daughters of God and should be loved and respected as such. The blessings of the gospel are available to all.
Joni's Addition:
This is true as of 1978. Prior to that, being black or native American (or really, anything other than white) was considered a curse. Black men were not allowed to hold the priesthood in the USA prior to 1978. The reason for this is several references in the Book of Mormon to the idea that having dark skin was a sign of a curse and inherent evil, but being light skinned was a sign of purity and light.
Brigham Young, one of the church's founders said: "No person having the least particle of Negro blood can hold the Priesthood." If an individual who is entitled to the Priesthood marries a "Negro," the Lord has decreed that only spirits who are not eligible for the Priesthood will come to that marriage as children. To intermarry with a Negro is to forfeit a "Nation of Priesthood holders."
2 NEPHI 5:21
And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.
And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iniquities.
And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.
And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey.
HOWEVER, in 1978, the Quorum of twelve apolstles were meeting in the Upper Room of the temple in Salt Lake City and recieved a revelation that black men of African descent could now recieve the priesthood. So the present stance is they are equal in all ways. The prior stance was very reminiscient of the times in which it was revealed to Joseph Smith.
Q: What are or were the "Golden Plates"?
A: The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith from records made on plates of gold, similar to metal plates that have been found in other ancient cultures. It contained a history of peoples in the Western Hemisphere including an appearance by the Savior to them. As such, the Book of Mormon is considered a second testimony of Jesus Christ.
A: It is against the teachings of the Church to use alcohol and tobacco or to drink tea and coffee.
Joni's Addition:
I don't quite understand why it was so important to Joseph Smith that his followers not drink hot drinks. He said it several times - "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly" (D&C 89:9). For me personally, a life without coffee is a dismal prospect.
Q: Why do Mormons go from door to door?
A: Christ admonished his disciples to take the gospel to the world. The Church follows that admonition and sends missionaries throughout the world.
Q: What do the Mormons believe about the family?
A: Mormons believe that the family is the foundation for this life and the life to come.
Q: Can someone who may never marry in life have eternal marriage?
A: God will not withhold blessings from any of his children who may not have the opportunity to marry in this life.
Joni's Addition:
I'm calling FOUL on the Mormons who answered this question because they didn't, actually, answer the question! It's possible to get married in the after-life if you don't get to be married here... I think JS referred to this in his D&C 131:1-4.
Well, that concludes 21 questions about Mormonism AND my Mormon study, although I will be posting a few tidbits here and there about Mormonism in the next couple weeks before I begin Judaism! If you have any questions for me to ask the Mormon Missionaries (Sister Summer & Sister Snow) when they come by this week, please let me know! :)
Works Cited
FoxNews.com. (2007, December). 21 Questions Answered About the Mormon Faith. Retrieved May 2011, from FOXnews.com: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317272,00.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (n.d.). Study Helps. Retrieved from http://lds.org/: http://lds.org/
Ok I'll need more time to read but I've skimmed. I can become a Goddess.
ReplyDeleteWe will believe in a Heavenly Mother - and she is a Goddess.
I think this whole "will be like God" thing is an easy way to inflame people against us.
I look at it very simply. When you birth a child do you not look at them and hope they will have all you have? all that is good and even more? Eternity is a very very very long time. I mean think of the next bazillion years and then add a bazillion kajillion to that and then guess what keep going....and going and going
a soft cloud and harp does not a heaven make - will have more work to do
We believe in progress, progress now and progress later. God wants all that he haves for us.
EVERYONE will have the option of the highest of the highest degree of Glory. Marriage will be available to all who live now and have lived. It will be handled in the milleneum including necessary temple rites.
Thought I'd just post this link here so everyone can see it! http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Defense-of-Mormons-Jeremy-Lott-05-18-2011.html?sms_ss=digg&at_xt=4dd403526f635df2%2C0
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