What Do Mormons Believe?

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as Mormons, believe in the Apostasy, the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon. Our basic beliefs are also summarized in a set of 13 Articles of Faith.

What is the Apostasy?:

When Jesus Christ lived on the earth He organized His church and called apostles to lead and teach the people. Christ gave His apostles the authority (called the priesthood) to act in His name, such as to perform baptisms.

After Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, His apostles continued to teach His doctrine and direct His Church through revelation from Christ. After the death and martyrdom of Christ's apostles no one with Christ's priesthood remained on the earth. There was a general falling away from the truth and Christ's church and authority were taken away. This is called the great Apostasy.

Christ Restored His Church:

This apostasy lasted for hundreds of years until Christ called a new prophet, Joseph Smith, to whom He revealed His doctrine and gave His authority, the priesthood, to act in His name. (Also see What is a Prophet?) Christ directed Joseph to organize and restore His church in these latter days. This is called the restoration because Christ's church, authority, and gospel were restored (returned) to the earth.

Joseph Smith's account of being called of God, including his vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, can be read in Joseph Smith's History.

The Book of Mormon:

Joseph Smith was given, by the Angel Moroni, a set of gold plates which he translated by the power of God. The translation was of The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is an account of God's dealings with different groups of people who lived on the American continent. (Also see this list of Book of Mormon Prophets.)

The LDS Church Today:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830 with six members in attendance and has grown exponentially, with millions of members worldwide. Its teachings and basic organization are the same as the Church that Christ established while here on earth including the restoration of prophets and apostles.

13 Articles of Faith:

The 13 Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, are the basic beliefs of the LDS Church and are a good summary of what Mormon's believe.