c. 1997 Religion News Service
UNDATED _ Key beliefs and doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church, include:
_ The church”is Christian but is neither Catholic nor Protestant,”according to a statement issued by the Latter-day Saints public affairs office.”Rather, it is a restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ as originally established by the Savior.” _ God has a body of flesh and bones and was once a man who became”exalted.”Church founder Joseph Smith, in a sermon published after his death, said:”As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.” _ All people are the”spirit”children of God, but Jesus was God’s”only begotten son”made flesh.
_ Even the dead may be baptized by proxy to enable them to enter God’s kingdom.
_ The church president is a prophet in the full biblical sense who may receive continual revelations from God.
_ All people have the potential to achieve godhood.
_ Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are considered the word of God. Two other books are also considered scripture. They are The Pearl of Great Price, a selection of Smith’s writing, and Doctrine and Covenants, a compilation of revelations received by Smith, his successor Brigham Young and other church leaders.
_ Family relationships have the potential to continue intact after death, depending upon individual”worthiness.” _ The church opposes abortion, pornography and gambling,”cautions”against the consumption of alcohol, tea or coffee and smoking, and emphasizes the benefits of”wise eating habits and physical and spiritual fitness.” _ Faithful Mormons are expected to tithe 10 percent of their income to the church and are encouraged to spend up to two years as church missionaries at their own expense.
MJP END RNS
