When the Mormon Missionaries come into your home, they will want to teach you about their beliefs and invite you to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They will eventually invite you attend Mormon Church services with them and be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We invite you to listen to the missionaries as they teach their lessons about God, Jesus Christ, prophets, and the plan of salvation.

This website is a resource to help you find answers to questions, review topics the missionaries have addressed, or simply to learn more about what Mormons believe.  There are a lot people who have distorted or misrepresented the true teachings of the Mormon Church.  We hope to present here the basics truths and beliefs of what Mormons believe.  We encourage you, however, to use this as a resource and supplement to your studies and to ask questions of the missionaries. Ask as much as you can, since they know you and can understand your needs better.

1. The Godhead, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
2. The Plan of Salvation
3. Prophets, ancient and modern
4. The Scriptures, the word of God for men
5. Faith
6. Repentance
7. Prayer and Fasting
8. Health and Morality
9. Families (forever)
10. Temples and Temple Work
11. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Mormon Church sends it missionaries out to teach and proselyte to all people.  Their aim is to teach people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and baptize them members of the Church.  They also want to help make your transition to Mormonism as smooth as possible.  To do this they will accompany you as you go to church for the first time and help you prepare for baptism.  You can learn more about transitioning to Mormonism at Becoming a Mormon

If you have questions or concerns, ask the missionaries or an active, faithful member of the Mormon Church for more information.  You can also see the Mormon Church’s website or see Answering your concerns, which talks about some of the misunderstandings commonly held about Mormons.

Introduction

Essential Vocabulary:

Justice – Justice is a law of God that requires consequences for actions.

Mercy – The spirit of compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness. Jesus Christ offers mercy to us through His atoning sacrifice on conditions of repentance.

Grace – The enabling power from Jesus Christ that allows us to obtain blessings in this life and to gain eternal life after we have exercised faith, repented, and given our best effort to keep the commandments.

Ordinance – A sacred way that we show outwardly that we are making a covenant with God.

Covenant – A binding two-way promise between God and Man. God sets the terms for all gospel covenants. As we do what God asks, He promises us blessings.

Books needed:

The Holy Bible – any good translation can be used.  Mormons typically use the King James Bible, and quotes in the text will come from that translation, but if you have a different translation it is okay.

The Book of Mormon – A companion volume to the Holy Bible which was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith from ancient records.  If you do not have a copy, you may get a free copy online at Mormon.org. You may also either contact the local Mormon missionaries or see the text of the Book of Mormon online at http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents.  The Book of Mormon will be explained in more detail later.

The Doctrine and Covenants – The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. . . . Most of the revelations in this compilation were received through Joseph Smith, Jun., the first prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Others were issued through some of his successors in the Presidency. (“Introductory Note,” Doctrine and Covenants) You can see the text of the Doctrine and Covenants online at http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/contents.

Lesson 4: The Gospel of Jesus Christ: what does Jesus expect of us?

Christ is the Only Way

Jesus Christ explains why He was sent to the earth in 3 Nephi 27:14. He said:

And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil-

Because Christ died for us and was resurrected, all of us will also be resurrected and stand before God to be judged. We learned in lesson 2 that we are judged by our thoughts, our words, and our works. We will be judged according to the laws of justice and mercy. The law of justice requires consequence for actions including blessings for righteous works and punishment for sin. The punishment for sin is spiritual death or separation from God. This separation from God would be permanent if there was not a way to be cleansed from our sins. Jesus Christ made it possible for us to become clean. He took upon Himself our punishment by His suffering. He stands between us and justice and makes it possible for us to be forgiven by God and receive mercy (see Mosiah 15:9). In the Book of Mormon, we learn from the prophet Lehi that only through Jesus Christ are we able to be cleansed from our sins. He said,

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. . . .

There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise (2 Nephi 2:6, 8).

Jesus Christ made it possible for us to become clean but He did not take away our personal responsibility. He has asked us to live His gospel in order to become clean and return to live with our Father in Heaven. Jesus summarized His gospel in 3 Neph1 27:19-20:

And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

Jesus taught five steps in this scripture that we must do in order to be cleansed. These five things will be the topics of this lesson. They are:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ

2. Repentance

3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins

4. The gift of the Holy Ghost

5. Enduring in faithfulness unto the end.

Faith in Jesus Christ

What is faith?

Alma 32:21

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is believing in something we cannot see. When we have faith in Jesus Christ we believe that He is our Savior and that only through Him can we return to live with our Father in Heaven. We accept Him and His teachings. He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We believe that following Him and His commandments is the only way to true happiness. We should strive to live like Jesus Christ did and keep His commandments.

What does faith lead us to do?

Alma 34:15-17

Mosiah 4:9-10

Faith leads to repentance. As our faith in Jesus Christ grows we recognize the things that we are doing wrong, and we desire to change. Faith leads us to action. We act on our desire to change and stop doing things that we know we are not supposed to do. Faith leads us to strive daily to improve and become more like Jesus Christ.

How does faith grow?

In the Book of Mormon Alma compares the word of God to a seed that is planted in the heart. The analogy can apply to the word of God recorded in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and spoken of by modern prophets. Alma explains clearly the process of growing faith. Read Alma 32:26-43 and answer the following questions:

How does a desire to know truth lead to faith?

How will I know that the word is from God?

What do I need to do to get an answer?

What will happen to my faith if I don’t nourish it with continued study and prayer?

How do I keep my faith strong?

Our faith grows as we study the scriptures and come to a greater understanding of who God is and what He desires for us. Our faith is strengthened as we keep the commandments in spite of trials and as we act upon the promptings of the Spirit. Heavenly Father blesses us as we exercise our faith and keep the commandments. The Lord knows that we can’t resist temptation on our own. In 3 Nephi 18:18 He teaches us that we can resist temptation with His help.

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

In John 7:16-17, Christ taught that we can know if a principle is true by living it. He said to the people,

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

We can apply this to any principle of the gospel. If we have a hard time accepting a specific commandment, we first need to live it, and then we will know that it is from God. For example, if we don’t understand why God asks us to keep the Sabbath day holy, we should dedicate the day to Him and see the blessings that come into our lives. This principle is also taught in the Book of Mormon. In Ether 12:6 we read,

Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Read one Mormon’s reflections on faith.

Repentance

Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to the second principle of the gospel which is repentance. Repentance is the process by which we change from a state of sin to a state of righteousness.

How do we repent?

Mosiah 4:10

Doctrine and Covenants 58:43

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

We learned in lesson 2 that repentance is one of the central purposes of our life on earth. Repentance is a process. The first step in repentance is recognizing that we have sinned. When our faith grows, we recognize the things that we are doing wrong and feel godly sorrow. We love God, and we feel sorrow that we have disobeyed his commandments. We desire to change and become more like our Father in Heaven. We then act upon this desire. We must confess our sins to God through prayer and ask Him for forgiveness. We then forsake our sins, or stop doing them. We change our thoughts, desires, beliefs, and actions. It is not enough just to stop doing wrong. We must press forward doing that which is right. For repentance to be complete we must make restitution. This means that we do all that we can to fix the problems that we have created by sinning.

As our faith grows we fight our desire to commit sin. Our desire to please God and keep His commandments increases. We continue to make mistakes but constantly strive to correct these mistakes. We strive to follow the example Christ set and live as He did.

How does repentance help us receive mercy?

Alma 42:13, 21-24

What blessings are we promised when we repent?

Helaman 5:10-11

Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

Isaiah 1:18

Doctrine and Covenants 61:2

As we repent we receive God’s forgiveness. We feel peace in this life and are more prepared to live with God after this life. Repentance provides us with the opportunity to be redeemed and live with God again. God promises that when we truly repent, He will remember our sins no more. Our life becomes joyful as we strive to align our will with God’s will through repentance.

Baptism by Immersion and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

For our sins to be completely washed away, we must be baptized by immersion and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  These two ordinances must be performed by someone who holds the proper priesthood authority. Baptism is a sacred ordinance. An ordinance is a sacred way that we outwardly show we are making a covenant with God. A covenant is a binding two way promise between God and man. God sets the terms for all gospel covenants. Certain ordinances and covenants are required for salvation. Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost are two of these saving ordinances. As we do what God asks, He promises us blessings. The baptismal covenant is outlined in the sacrament prayers and in other scriptures.

Read:

Doctrine and Covenants 20:77

Acts 2:38

Mosiah 18:8-10

What do we promise God?

What does God promise us?

What must a person do to prepare to be baptized?

Moroni 6:2-3

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37

The authority to baptize was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by John the Baptist. Peter, James, and John (three of Christ’s original Apostles) restored the authority to give the gift of the Holy Ghost. This priesthood authority is found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The manner of baptism has been clearly outlined by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 20:72-73. It reads:

Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent-

The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

One of the blessings of the baptismal covenant is that “[we] may always have His Spirit to be with [us]“. This promise is fulfilled when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is conferred in an ordinance known as confirmation. This is when we officially become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gift of the Holy Ghost is often referred to as baptism by fire or baptism by the Spirit. Baptism by water is incomplete without the baptism of the Spirit. It is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us in this life. It enables the Spirit to dwell with us all the time, as long as we are living righteously.  The Holy Ghost provides guidance in our everyday decisions. It can warn of us danger and lead us down the path of righteousness and safety.  He comforts us when we are going through hard times, testifies of Christ, and helps us to feel God’s love.

How is the gift of the Holy Ghost given?

Acts 8:12-17

Doctrine and Covenants 35:6

What is the role of the Holy Ghost?

3 Nephi 27:20

John 14:26

Moroni 10:5

As we keep our covenants we will receive blessings in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

Endure to the End

We read in 2 Nephi 31:18 that when we are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we enter the gate to the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. The next two verses explain what we must do after being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (2 Nephi 31:19-20).

To receive eternal life we must endure to the end. To endure to the end we must strive to live as the Savior lived and keep the covenants we have made. We continue to develop and exercise our faith, repent of our sins, renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament weekly and by following the guidance of the Spirit. Although we will still commit sin, we must strive to avoid sin so that we can enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What blessings are we promised for enduring to the end?

3 Nephi 15:9

3 Nephi 27:16

Matthew 10:22

Summary:

The Savior atoned for us so that we can be cleansed from our sins. There are certain steps that we need to follow to apply the Atonement and receive a remission of our sins. We must develop and exercise faith, repent of our sins, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure in faithfulness to the end of our lives.

The Challenge:

Continue to study the scriptures daily to build your faith. Continue reading the Book of Mormon. You may want to study Alma 32 about faith and 2 Nephi 31 about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Evaluate your life. Decide what needs to be changed in your life for you to come closer to Christ. Repent of the things in your life that are not in harmony with God’s teachings.

Attend Church on Sunday.

Prepare yourself to receive the blessings that come from baptism and confirmation. Talk with the Mormon missionaries about a day that you can be baptized and receive a remission of your sins.

Mormon doctrine centers around the Plan of Salvation, which is God’s plan to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  The plan of salvation represents the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as it is experienced and lived by mankind.  This plan, also called the plan of happiness, plan of mercy, and plan of redemption, teaches us where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going.  It answers the important questions in life about who we are and what our relation to God is.

The PreMortal Life

We lived before we were born.  A book of modern revelation states:

“Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones” (Abraham 3:22).

We existed as spirit children of God in Heaven.  Everyone knew and worshiped God the Father, and Christ, who was the First-Born spirit. During the premortal life we learned and grew in understanding and wisdom.  God presented us with a plan through which we would come to earth to gain experience through trial.  Because we would sin, due to our weakness, God provided Jesus Christ as our Savior.  Through Him, we can repent of the mistakes we make in this life.  Some of God’s children did not want to risk coming to earth, because they knew that some of us would not qualify to return to God’s presence.  Lucifer, one of God’s spirit children, led this rebellion, and he and his followers were cast out of Heaven and became the Devil and his angels.  They seek to tempt us from the right path, but God has provided Jesus Christ as the perfect example and teacher, and the Holy Ghost as our guide in this life.

The Creation and the Fall

God created this world for us, as is recorded in the Bible (Genesis 1-2).  He then created our bodies “in [His] image, after [His] likeness” (Genesis 1:26).  The first man and woman were Adam and Eve who were placed in the Garden.  Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” and fell.  The Fall according to Mormons, was a positive and necessary step.  Because of the fall, we live in a world of both good and evil.  This opposition guarantees our Agency.  We now have the opportunity to learn and grow through our choices and experiences.  The Book of Mormon declares:

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad (2 Nephi 2:11).

Mortality

Mormons believe that when we are born, a veil is placed over our minds that prevents us from remembering what happened in the premortal life (see Isaiah 25:7).  This is so that we will be tested according to our faith and our desires for good.  The Book of Mormon teaches:

And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death [ … ] which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead (Alma 12:24, pg 239).

This life is a time to learn and grow.  We need to learn to distinguish between good and evil and to make wise choices.  We must also develop talents and grow in godly attributes like love, faith, charity, hope, patience,  and endurance (see 2 Peter 1:2-9).  During this time we must also repent of our sins and mistakes and try to do better.  Mormons often refer to this as enduring to the end.

We must also perform those ordinances which God has commanded.  This includes baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and partaking of the emblems of Christ’s death and resurrection, which Mormons call the sacrament.  Other churches refer to this as the Eucharist.

During life we are also expected to marry and raise righteous families and serve others around us.  We should share the good news about Jesus Christ with friends and family so that they, too, can rejoice with us.

Death and the Spirit World

Eventually, we will all die, but death is only a step in God’s plan.  The Bible teaches us that after death “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  Jesus called this place “paradise” (see Luke 23:43).  Many people confuse this with Heaven, but paradise is only a temporary resting place for our spirits until we are resurrected.  The Book of Mormon teaches us:

[T]here is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth (Alma 40:21, pg 309).

The state of righteous, repentant souls is paradise, while the unrighteous, unrepentant souls are in spiritual prison (see 1 Peter 3:19-20).  Spirit prison and spirit paradise comprise the “Spirit World,” which Prophet Joseph F. Smith saw in vision.  Here, while waiting for the resurrection, the righteous souls teach the Gospel to those who died without hearing about it.  Peter taught that the “gospel [was] preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6).

Resurrection and Judgment

After a sojourn in the spirit world, all mankind will be resurrected.  (The righteous who died before Christ’s crucifixion were resurrected with Him.) This means that their spirits and their bodies will be reunited into perfect, immortal bodies that are free of pain, sickness, and deformity.  The Bible says:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:23).

The Book of Mormon describes the resurrection by saying that

“the soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame” (Alma 40:23, pg 309).

This resurrection is literal and physical.  After we are resurrected, we each have a perfect, physical body just as Jesus had when he appeared to His disciples.  Jesus told His disciples: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39).

After the resurrection, all mankind will be judged according to their deeds.  The book of Revelation says:

Another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12).

Various Christian churches use their own vocabulary to describe salvation.  The Mormon Church has several definitions for salvation:

1. Salvation from Physical Death. Christ’s atonement has overcome the power of death for all mankind.  All, both righteous and wicked, will be resurrected to a perfect, immortal state.
2. Salvation from Sin. The atonement has no affect for unrepentant, rebellious souls, who must suffer for their own sins in the Spirit World.  One must believe on the Savior, confess and forsake his sins, and strive to live according to the will of God to be saved from sin.  However, through the grace of God, all can be saved from their sins (see 2 Nephi 25:23; Helaman 5:10–11) as they repent and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ overcame original sin, and all children are born innocent and pure.  When little children die, they are saved in the highest kingdom of heaven.
3. Being Born Again. “All mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 27:25–26).
4. Salvation from Ignorance. Many people live in a state of darkness, not knowing the light of the restored gospel. They are “only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12). Those who have a knowledge of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the purpose of life, the plan of salvation, and their eternal potential are saved from this condition. They follow the Savior, who declared, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
5. Salvation from the Second Death. The “second death” is separation from God and His glory.  Because of the atonement of Christ, only those who commit the “sin against the Holy Ghost” will fail to inherit a heavenly kingdom of glory.  This sin is to receive a perfect witness of Christ (as a prophet might) and then deny Him, thus “crucifying Him anew.”  Thus, almost every person who has ever lived on the earth is assured salvation from the second death (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:40–45).
6. Eternal Life, or Exaltation. In the scriptures, the words saved and salvation often refer to eternal life, or exaltation (see Abraham 2:11). Eternal life is to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and dwell with Them forever—to inherit a place in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (see John 17:3; Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:21–24).   Mormons usually call this exaltation.

It is important to understand that Mormons believe what the Bible says, that works are important, and men will be judged by their works, but that no man can earn his way into heaven.  Nor can any man save himself.  The grace of Christ is what saves us, after all we can do.

Three Degrees of Glory

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery saw a vision of heaven, in which they saw that in heaven there are many degrees of glory, with three great divisions or kingdoms.

These degrees in Heaven are called by Mormons the Three Degrees of Glory.  Paul mentions these in 1 Corinthians 15:41-42:

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

Joseph Smith’s vision is recorded in Mormon scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants section 76.  Mormons call the three degrees, the Celestial, the Terrestrial and Telestial Kingdoms.

• The Celestial Kingdom

The Celestial Kingdom is the highest glory.  It is what is commonly called Heaven.  Those who go here are those who accepted Jesus Christ, believed in Him, were baptized and kept His commandments.  They repented of all their sins and through their faith they were cleansed from all sin.  They inherit eternal life, which Jesus says is to know Him and God (John 17:3).  These people receive all glory and can become perfect through Jesus Christ.

In the Celestial Kingdom, families can live together forever.  Husbands and wives can remain together forever.  They dwell in the presence of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The symbol of this kingdom is the glory of the sun

• The Terrestrial Kingdom

The Terrestrial Kingdom is the second degree of glory.  This is the final resting place for those who were not valiant in life, but were still good people.  These people were just and honorable, but did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  The symbol of this kingdom is the glory of the moon.

• The Telestial Kingdom

The lowest kingdom is the Telestial Kingdom.  This is where those who rejected Jesus and his gospel and did not repent of their sins.  The people must suffer for their own sins, because Jesus Christ will not redeem them until the very end, after they have suffered in spirit prison.  Those who go here are liars, murders, and all unrepentant sinners.  The symbol of this kingdom is the stars.  It is comforting to know that even this lowest kingdom of glory is so glorious that it “surpasses all understanding” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:89).

• Outer Darkness

Satan and his angels will be thrust into “outer darkness,” where there is no light or glory from God.  A few people, who knowingly reject Jesus Christ and fight against Him, will not receive any glory or salvation from God.  They will be cast out into Outer Darkness with Satan.  They are called “Sons of Perdition.” The scriptures have only identified one son of perdition and that is Cain.  Cain walked and talked with God, and then followed Satan, rebelling willfully, and then committed murder against the knowledge and light he had received.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially called, represents the Kingdom of God on earth with a “foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).  In the Mormon Church there is no professional clergy.  All work together to do the work of the Kingdom, and every position in the Church is filled by members of the congregation who receive no salary.

In Ephesians Paul says, “And he [Jesus Christ] gave some apostles; some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).  This means that the true Church of God has all these various positions to help perfect the saints, which means members of  Christ’s church, and spread the Gospel.  The Mormon Church has all these offices.  The Prophet Joseph Smith said:

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
~Article of Faith 6

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the President of the Church are prophets and apostles to the whole world.  Pastors, called bishops by Mormons, are the leaders of congregations in the Mormon Church.  The following will explain the various positions in the Church and where they have responsibility.

Presidency of the Church: This is the President of the entire Mormon Church, often referred to simply as the Prophet, since he is a prophet and apostle, too.  He has two counselors who assist him and he works with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  They preside over the whole Church, and the prophet with his two counselors is called the First Presidency.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  Twelve Apostles, who are also prophets, make up the Quorum of the Twelve.  They have the responsibility to teach about Jesus Christ to the whole world, and with the President of the Church, they oversee all aspects of the Mormon Church.

Quorum of the Seventy: There are several quorums of the seventy.  The First and Second Quorums oversee the whole Church, with groups of members within the Quorum overseeing various areas like Western Europe, Central America, and so on.  The other quorums of the Seventy are Area Authorities, because they only preside over their local areas.

Stake Presidency: Each area of the Mormon Church is divided into Stakes overseen by a Stake President and two counselors.  They are also part-time leaders and have jobs in the community.  A stake contains several congregations, called wards.

Bishopric: A Bishop and his two counselors oversee each ward, or congregation, of the Church. He is responsible to give callings to members, arrange for speakers on Sunday, interview and counsel with members who have questions or need help, and so on.

Parents: A father and a mother by design should preside over every family, though this is not always possible because of death, divorce, or abandonment.  The family, however it is made up, is the basic unit of the Mormon Church and the focus of many Church activities.  Families are encouraged to attend worship services together, pray and read the scriptures together, and so on.

Learn more about your Mormon Ward

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Mormon Church is its temples.  Mormon Temples are sacred buildings, set apart from the world.  They are not ordinary church buildings like chapels.  Mormons have both churches and temples.  In temples, Mormons perform sacred ordinances that strengthen us in this life and prepare us for the life to come.  Also in temples, families can be sealed together for all eternity and faithful Mormons can perform ordinances like baptism for those who died without the opportunity.

The Holy Endowment

One of the most sacred and defining moments in the life of a member of the Mormon Church comes when he or she receives his or her endowment.  An endowment is a gift; in this case it is a gift of knowledge and spiritual power from God.  Jesus referred to an endowment of power when he commanded his disciples to “tarry [...] in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).  Endue is an older form of the word endow.  In the endowment a person learns more about his place in the world and his relationship to God and the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the endowment, a person is first symbolically washed and clothed in white to symbolize becoming a new creature through Jesus Christ‘s atonement.  Secondly, through a serious of symbolic presentations, a person learns about the purpose of this world and the mission of Jesus Christ.  A person then makes covenants to live righteously and according to God’s will, and receives a promise of eternal life.  A covenant is a binding promise between two people, in this case the covenants are between God and man. Finally, a person enters the Celestial Room which symbolizes salvation and God’s presence.  In this room, which is reserved for quiet prayer and meditation, a person can feel the power and spirit of God’s presence more than anywhere else in the world.  Many people return time and again to pause and pray here seeking for answers to their problems.  As a symbol of the covenants made in temples, Mormons wear sacred undergarments for the rest of their lives.  This garment serves to remind them of those promises and covenants which they have made.

Celestial Marriage and Sealing

For Mormons, one of the highest goals is have their family united forever through Celestial Marriage, which takes place only in temples.  This ceremony is called a sealing.  In a sealing ceremony a couple is married for time and eternity.  Time refers to the duration of this life and eternity to the life to come.  A family that knows they can and will be together forever becomes stronger as they realize the importance of their ties to one another.  This eternal perspective allows us to tolerate and express patience toward one another’s shortcomings.  (See The Family in God’s Plan).

Family History and Temple Work

The prophet Malachi wrote the following prophecy from the Lord: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).  This promise has been fulfilled.  On April 3, 1836, the prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13-16).  He gave them power to seal families and generations together.  Without this power and the strength it gives to families, the Lord says that the earth would be struck with a curse.  Everywhere you look today, you can see the misery that comes from broken families.

Not only should our families be united together, but past generations can also be brought closer to the Lord.  Through genealogy, sometimes called family history, you can find out who your ancestors were.  In Holy Temples, there is a place provided where living persons can be baptized on behalf of deceased persons.  This is called baptism for the dead.   The Apostle Peter taught that Jesus visited the souls of people in spirit prison:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:18-20).

In the next chapter, he explains the purpose of Jesus visiting these souls:

“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6).

All those who have ever lived and died without a knowledge of the Gospel will be taught it in the Spirit World, and they will have the opportunity of either accepting or rejecting this baptism done for them in the temples.  Mormons believe this is one of the most supreme acts of service since we do something for others that they cannot do for themselves.

The modern Church of Christ exists to help you and your family draw closer to God through ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament and through support and activities in the local congregations.  The threefold mission of the Church centers on drawing all people closer to Christ:

• Perfect the Saints
  • A saint is a member of the Church, meaning one who has or will be sanctified (made a saint) by Jesus Christ; perfecting the saints means working to help every member establish a closer relationship to God through service and fellowship.
• Proclaim the Gospel
  • The Mormon Church does this through missionary work, which includes over 55,000 missionaries in over 160 different countries.
• Redeem the Dead
  • This is done through genealogy and temple work

Perfecting the Saints:

Time, Talents, and Service

Each of us has a duty to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).  We need to be improving ourselves through education and service toward others.  Jesus taught the importance of this when he taught the parable of the talents (See Matthew 25:14-30).  In that parable, a man representing the Lord gives talents, an ancient form of money, to his servants when he leaves to go into another country.  To one he gives 5, to another 2, and to the last 1.  Each person has at least one talent according to his ability.  When the Lord returns, those with 5 and 2 have doubled their talents, while the servant with one hid his talent in the earth.  This story has been so influential that today, we refer to a person’s special ability to do something as a talent.  The Lord blesses the first two, but curses the last.  We also should not hide our talents, but use them to bless others.

The Lord has blessed each of us with many things.  Some of us have great musical talent, others can teach.  Some of us are blessed with great wisdom or insight.  Others have a talent for serving others or sharing with them.  No one is without at least one talent which they can use to serve others. Whatever our talents and abilities are, we should strive to improve them and add others.  In the Church, everyone has the opportunity to serve.  After you are baptized, you will receive a calling.  A calling is an assignment or job in the Church.  Since the Church has a lay ministry, every position, from speaking in worship services to cleaning the chapel is done by the members.  Through callings we have opportunities to grow and serve.

Your bishop will invite you to take a calling.  Sometimes you may feel unqualified or unprepared, perhaps even scared, but remember that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is calling you through the bishop, and if you are humble and teachable, you will receive power through the Holy Ghost.  You can also ask people around you for help or advice.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help in a new calling if you do not know what to do.

Other ways that the Church can help you is through the home teaching and visiting teaching programs.  Every family in a congregation has two home teachers assigned to visit them once a month.  These are generally assigned by the elders’ quorum president, and each set of home teachers is two men (priesthood-holders)  from the congregation who will visit the members’ homes, share spiritual messages, and ensure that all their spiritual and physical needs are met.  In this way, the Lord watches out for all His children.  Visiting teachers are women assigned by the Relief Society who visit all the adult women in the ward.  They take special care to help all the women and children of the congregation and also share spiritual messages.  You should be visited by your home and visiting teachers soon after joining the Church.  You can even ask who they are and introduce yourself to them at Church.

Proclaim the Gospel:

To the whole world

One of the last commandments that Jesus gave his disciples was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).  This message is still in force.  The Mormon Church sends missionaries out to nearly every country on the planet, but they cannot reach everyone.  It is our duty as members of Christ’s Church to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  (read more)

Redeem the Dead:

Genealogy and Family History

One of the most important duties we have as members of Christ’s Church is to redeem the dead.  This is one of the greatest acts of service that any of us can do.  Have you ever wondered about all those who died without ever having had a chance to hear about Jesus Christ?  Would it be fair if God denied them all His blessings just because they never knew about Him?  Modern prophets beginning with Joseph Smith have revealed how we can bring these blessings to our ancestors.

In the Holy Temples of the Mormon Church, we can be baptized on behalf of our ancestors who never learned about the Gospel.  This is called baptism for the dead (see also Temples and Temple work).  The first step we need to take is to find out who our ancestors were.  We can do this by talking to parents or older relatives to record what they remember about grandparents and aunts and uncles who lived before.  You can also do research in Family History Libraries which are found in many Mormon Churches.  Each library will have someone there who can help you find the records you need and will be able to give you advice about how to proceed.  The Church also has a website called Familysearch with tens of thousands of records.

Vicarious Work in the Holy Temple

After you have found the names, you can take them to the Temple.  The librarian in your family history library will help you do this.  In the temple you can be baptized on behalf of your deceased ancestors and have other ordinances performed for them that will give them all the blessings of the Gospel.

Your Ward
Families and individuals make up the membership of each ward.  Most wards average around 200 to 300 members.  If you live in an area where there are few Mormons, you will have a branch, which is similar to a ward, but usually has from 50 to 150 members.  Branches have Branch Presidents instead of Bishops who perform very similar functions to that of a Bishop.  For both wards and branches the following represents the basic leaders of the congregation and the various programs available.

Find your local Mormon Chapel.

Bishop (or Branch President):
Your Bishop is one of the busiest and most important men in the ward.  He oversees the whole ward with the help of his two counselors and the presidents of the various other organizations like the Sunday School, the Relief Society, the Primary, and the Young Men/Young Women programs.  His calling is to be a “common judge in Israel” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:72, 74).  He is also president of the Aaronic Priesthood in his ward and is to care for the needs, both spiritual and temporal of the members (Doctrine and Covenants 107:68).  He presides at weekly worship services and with the help of his counselors selects those who give the weekly sermons and generally assigns topics to them.  He also counsels with members who need help and can help provide financial relief from the Bishop’s Storehouse, where is found food and clothing for the poor.  He also receives the confessions of the members if they have committed serious sin such as sexual relations outside of marriage, addiction to drugs, alcohol, or pornography, and so on.  Through the Mormon Church, the Bishop has resources to help members struggling with addictions or serious burdens.  He also interviews people to make sure they are prepared to enter the Mormon Temple.

Get to know your Bishop as soon as you can.  He is a very good man, but also a very busy man so if seems a little distracted sometimes, do not be upset.  Your Bishop will also be the one who gives you your first calling, or assignment in the Mormon Church, so let him know what talents and experience you have so he can know how best to let you serve your fellow members.  Remember that the Bishop will keep everything you tell him strictly confidential.  He has been called by God to lead and guide your ward.

Priesthood:
In Mormonism, Priesthood does not usually refer to the people with authority, but to the authority itself.  Priesthood represents the power and authority to act in God’s name when performing ordinances like baptism or when leading the Church.  Through Priesthood which is delegated to men on earth, God brings to pass is great purpose which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39).

All worthy male members of the Mormon Church can share in the Priesthood power.  Through it, they are authorized to preach the gospel, administer ordinances and lead the Church.  Men are ordained to the Priesthood by the laying on of hands of worthy priesthood holders.  There are various offices and positions within the priesthood and members holding the same priesthood office (for example, Priest, Elder, High Priest), gather in quorums.  When a person receives the priesthood, we say that the priesthood was conferred upon him, and then he is ordained to a specific office in the Priesthood.

The scriptures teach us there are two divisions of the priesthood: Aaronic Priesthood and Melchizedek Priesthood.  The Priesthood was held by ancient Apostles of Jesus’ time, but the authority was taken from the earth after the Church went into apostasy.  On May 15, 1828, John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith, the Prophet and to Oliver Cowdery.  He gave them the Aaronic Priesthood.  A month or so later, Peter, James, and John visited them and gave them the Melchizedek, or higher, Priesthood.

The Aaronic Priesthood contains four offices: Deacon, Teacher, Priest, and Bishop.  This priesthood has authority to baptize, bless and pass the Sacrament (or Lord’s Supper), and oversee in Church meetings.  Young men may be become deacons at age 12, teachers at 14, and priest at 16.  Bishops oversee the priests’ quorum and the ward, so Bishops are typically taken from Melchizedek Priesthood holders.

Men typically receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and are ordained Elders when they are 19 or 20 as they prepare to become Mormon Missionaries, though there is no set age.  The major requirements are faith in Jesus Christ, worthiness, and a willingness to serve others.  The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood are Elder, High Priest, Seventy, Patriarch, Apostle, and President of the Church.  There is no minimum age on any of these offices.  The Melchizedek Priesthood oversees the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, spiritual leadership in the Church, missionary work, and the rituals in the Mormon Temple.  In order to enter a Mormon temple, a man must be ordained to the Priesthood.

Auxiliaries:
Auxiliaries are those organizations that help the Mormon Church and its members in learning more about Christ and the Scriptures through classes and activities.  The following are some of the most important organizations that most wards have.

Relief Society

Sunday School

Primary

Young Men/Young Women

Seminary and Institute

Family History Library

Mormon congregations hold Sunday School classes every Sunday.  Depending on the size of the congregation there can be one or several classes.  Children and teenagers have their own Sunday School classes run through the Young Men’s and Young Women’s and the Primary programs.

Sunday School is held for one hour each Sunday.  Lessons follow the scriptures and the teachings of the modern prophets like Joseph Smith.  The two most common classes taught are Gospel Essentials and Gospel Doctrine.  Gospel Essentials is a class geared toward new members or others who want to learn more about the basic doctrines of the Church.  This will probably be the class you attend when you first go to Church with the missionaries, since that is the class they attend.  Each week, the teacher focuses on a different gospel principle like tithing, prayer, or the mission of Jesus Christ.  This class is also popular with long time members.

Gospel Doctrine is the other class typically held in most wards.  Lessons in these classes follow the scriptures and teach doctrine from the stories and messages contained in them.  Usually, the class focuses on a different volume of scripture each year, one year each for the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants.  The Pearl of Great Price is covered the same year as the Old Testament.  The Sunday School teacher is a member of the congregation who devotes hours each week to preparing a lesson.  He or she tries to help members understand how scriptural teachings are relevant to our daily life today.

Members are encouraged to attend Sunday School each week and to participate in the discussions.  Mormon Sunday Schools typically are discussion oriented and everyone is expected to share their thoughts and opinions on the verses being studied.  Teachers try to involve every member.  In the Doctrine and Covenants we read:

Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege (Doctrine and Covenants 88:122).

Every person has experience and insight that is valuable to others and you can never know for sure but that what you feel inspired to say is the answer to someone else’s prayer.

According to Mormonism, faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel which all mankind must follow.  The Book of Mormon defines faith as having a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21, pg 289).  Faith is more than believing Jesus exists, it means believing Him when He says that you will be forgiven of your sins and saved in His Kingdom or trusting in Him enough to keep the commandments or fulfill one’s promises to God.  Faith in Jesus Christ consists in trusting that He has all power and can fulfill His promises to resurrect all mankind and save from sin those who repent and follow Him as their leader.  Those who have faith in God will have the courage to keep His commandments even when they are difficult.

Having faith means that you will act on your beliefs.  Merely believing or thinking that there is a God or that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world is not sufficient.  Jesus said in His masterful Sermon on the Mount that, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).  The Apostle James said of those who merely believe, but do not act on that belief: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20).

Faith, the confidence and assurance of what we cannot see with our natural eyes, comes as you exercise it by doing what God has commanded in the scriptures.  The Book of Mormon discusses how to develop faith (see Alma 32:18-43, pgs 289-291).  We begin by being humble and teachable.  If we are arrogant, the Spirit of God cannot work within us.  Second, we desire to believe.  The Book of Mormon compares this to planting a seed and watering it.  For example, if a person wanted to know if the Book of Mormon was true, he or she would read it and ponder its teachings through sincere prayer and meditation.  This is planting the seed.

Next, the seed must be nourished.  A person nurtures the seed through prayer, scripture study, service to others, and keeping the commandments.  So, a person praying about the Book of Mormon would begin applying its teachings to his or her life.  The Book of Mormon compares this to watering the seed or exercising a particle of faith.  The Holy Sprit will enter his or her heart and confirm that what they are studying and doing is correct.  If we do not experiment with our faith by keeping the commandments, praying, and attending church, the Spirit will not tell us whether the scriptures are true.

Mormons strive to develop their faith through study, prayer, service, and obedience to God’s commandments. Faith is a form of spiritual work and character shaping, in conjunction with the miracle of Christ‘s Atonement.  Mormons often refer to their personal faith as their testimony and refer to telling others about their faith as “bearing testimony.”

Mormons believe in prophets, both ancient and modern. This belief is intertwined with the belief that God has an interest in talking to man, and does so through the prophets that He chooses. The Bible contains a record of God’s dealings with prophets in those days, and modern scripture contains a record of God’s dealings with prophets in modern days. Mormons believe that the heavens were not closed after the biblical record, and that He still talks to His children today, just as in days of old.

Most people think a prophet is someone who tells the future, but this is only a part of a prophet’s mission and not even the most important part.  The word prophecy can mean a couple of different things.  According to the Book of Revelation, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).  This means that anyone who has a testimony of Jesus as Savior and Redeemer enlisted the spirit of prophecy to validate his or her testimony.  A prophet’s most important duty is to teach and testify of Jesus Christ.

The Bible contains the words of prophets as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost (see 2 Peter 1:20-21).  The Apostle Peter explains how God calls prophets to be witnesses to teach His message to others:

We are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God (Acts 10:39-41).

According to Peter, God “commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (Acts 10:42).  When people hear the words of prophets, the Holy Ghost confirms the truthfulness of this message (see Acts 10:44).  Once the Holy Ghost testifies to us that the prophets’ words are true, the prophets invite us to follow Jesus by being baptized and following the commandments.

God has always called prophets.  The prophet Amos wrote that “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).  Paul tells us that “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28).  Apostles are prophets also, since they bear witness of Jesus Christ.  Apostles are those prophets whom God places at the head of his Church.  They reveal God’s word.  Just as the writings of ancient prophets became scripture, modern prophets’ words become scripture.  The Doctrine and Covenants explains:

And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4, see also 2 Peter 20-21).

Joseph Smith and modern Prophets

The first prophet of our day was Joseph Smith.  Joseph was born on December 23, 1805.  As a young man growing up in upper New York, he was troubled by the conflicts and differences among the various denominations of his day.  He described his feelings like this:

During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.

In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it
(Joseph Smith-History 1:8, 10)?

Joseph described how he would often look up at the stars and ponder about God.  He knew that God lived and that Jesus Christ was the Savior, but he heard so many conflicting teachings regarding the Godhead, that he could not figure out who was right or who was wrong.  Finally, he began studying the Bible.  One day, he read James 1:5 which says:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

He knew that he could ask God and would not be upbraided, which means scolded.  Of this experience he said:

Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture (Joseph Smith-History 1:12-13).

Some time later he went out into the woods near his house in Palmyra, New York to pray.  He prayed aloud and at first, he felt a real and dark force trying to destroy him, but gathering all his strength, he continued.  He said:

Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.  It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17).

At that moment, Joseph Smith saw in vision God the Father and Jesus Christ.  The Father introduced the Son and bid Joseph to listen to Him. Jesus told him that his sins were forgiven and that God wanted him not to join any of the existing churches.  Later Joseph would learn that he would be called to be a prophet like Moses, Isaiah, John the Baptist, or Paul.

Some time later, when he praying again, an angel appeared to him and told him about a book, written on metal plates, buried in a hill nearby.  After a few years, the angel appeared again and gave him the records.  From this record, using the power of inspiration of God, he translated the Book of Mormon, from which Mormons get their nickname.  The Book of Mormon is an ancient record telling the story of some of Israelite inhabitants of the ancient Americas.

From the time the Book of Mormon was published in 1829, to the time of his death in 1844, Joseph Smith led the Mormon Church as a Prophet of God.  During his short life, the Prophet Joseph established cities, produced volumes of scriptures, and sent missionaries throughout the world. He was involved in the construction of temples, served as mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and was even a candidate for the presidency of the United States.
He was definitively a controversial figure in American history.  Because he challenged established creeds, he attracted much persecution. On June 27, 1844, while in a jail in Carthage, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered by a mob.   He was succeeded as prophet by Brigham Young.

In all, there have been 16 prophets of the Mormon Church, all of them chosen through revelation from Jesus Christ. The Lord promises to remove a man out of his place if he is unworthy to guide the Church, and He promises that no prophet will ever lead the Church astray.   The First Presidency of the Church and all the Twelve Apostles are also prophets, seers, and revelators, but the prophet holds the all the priesthood keys to govern the Church and preach to the world.  In order, the prophets of the Church since Brigham Young have been,

• John Taylor
• Wilford Woodruff
• Lorenzo Snow
• Joseph F. Smith
• Heber J. Kimball
• George Albert Smith
• David O. McKay
• Joseph Fielding Smith
• Harold B. Lee
• Spencer W. Kimball
• Ezra Taft Benson
• Howard W. Hunter
• Gordon B. Hinckley
• Thomas S. Monson