Central to Latter-day
Saint belief is the divinity of Jesus Christ. He
is regarded as the Son of God and the Saviour of
the world.
The Church teaches that life is a
training period for God's spirit children, who
were created and lived with him prior to this
life. They come to this earth to receive a
physical body and are given agency to make
decisions. Through life's experiences, individuals
can learn Godlike qualities and eventually return
to live with him.
Because God is a loving
Heavenly Father, he does not leave his children
directionless. The Church teaches that God gives
direction for all people through the scriptures
and through the Church's president who is regarded
as a prophet, like the men of God who led his
Church during biblical times. The president
reveals God's word for the present day, augmenting
and explaining the words of ancient men of God.
Individuals can also receive guidance for their
own lives through personal prayer.
Members
believe that the Church today is the same Church
that existed in Christ's day. The original Church
of Jesus Christ, they believe, was lost to earth
not long after the death of Christ's early
apostles. The Church was eventually restored to
earth in the first half of the nineteenth century
soon after God the Father and Jesus Christ
appeared to the fourteen-year-old boy, Joseph
Smith.
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Through Joseph
Smith, the Church was again organized on earth in
1830, along with its clear and simple doctrines,
its organization (including a Council of Twelve
Apostles) and its authority or priesthood.
Further doctrine of the Church is recorded in the
Bible and in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament
of Jesus Christ. Just as the Bible is a record of
Christ's dealings with the Jews, the Book of
Mormon is a record of Christ's dealings with
ancient people on the American continent.
Shortly after Christ's crucifixion and visit
to those in Jerusalem, members believe Christ also
visited those living on the American continent. He
taught them his gospel and organized his Church
among them. The Book of Mormon, a record of this
people, testifies of him.
Latter-day Saints are known for their abstinence from alcohol and
tobacco, their emphasis on leading strictly moral lives,
on good citizenship and on service to others.
Because of the Church's interest in educational and
intellectual pursuits, it operates Brigham Young University, the
largest private university in the
USA.
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