Mormon Belief: Seek learning by study and by faith

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; (D&C 109:7)

Mormon Belief: Blessings come through Obedience to Law

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21)

Mormon Belief: The Lord's Law of Health - Part 2

In Section 88:124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord counseled us to get sufficient sleep but not more that we actually need, the dark hours being the most profitable for our sleep. This counsel was given in 1832.

cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.

In 1833, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith a health law that has become known as the "Word of Wisdom". That health law, discussed in Mormon Belief: The Lord's Law of Health -- Part 1, was not intended to list all of the harmful things we might consume. Since that time, dangerous drugs have been developed and are being illicitly used. President Gordon B. Hinckley has spoken out against the use of these drugs.

This modern drug scourge has become as a plague on the world. But in most cases, the death it brings is not swift, but rather, it follows a long period spent in misery and pain and regret. Unlike the plagues of old, from which there was no known defense, the defense is clear and relatively easy in the case of illicit drugs. It lies in simply refraining from touching them....Let no member of this church, be he man or boy, girl or woman, fall prey to this frightful scourge. Some things are right; some are wrong. You know this as well as do I. God grant you the strength to stand free from this enslavement and from the personal holocaust of destruction which inevitably follows.

Mormon Belief: The Lord's Law of Health - Part 1

In 1833, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith a health law that has become known as the "Word of Wisdom". The Lord revealed things we should partake of to have good health and things we should not partake of that would reduce our health. And, the Lord said that certain blessings would come to those who followed his law of health.

This law of health is described in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

1 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints who are or can be called saints.

4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

Mormon Belief: Natural Disasters in the Last Days

Jesus was asked about th signs of his Second Coming, events that would occur such that his disciples would know that the Coming was near. His answer included the occurrences of earthquakes, pestilences or diseases, and earthquakes.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)

The Lord explained this when He revealed to Joseph Smith

And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. (D&C 45:31)

Mormon Belief: People Were Raised from the Dead (not a resurrection)

During his ministry, Jesus brought Lazarus who had died back to life. This was not a resurrection but just a return to mortality.

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
(John 11: 1-2, 11, 14, 43-44)

When Jesus called his apostles, he gave them the power of the Apostleship and told them to raise the dead.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

Mormon Belief: The Soul is the Combination of a Spirit & a Body

Most Christians, I think, believe the human soul is the spirit, but Latter-day Saints have a different view of the soul. We believe the soul is a combination of a spirit and a mortal body. The spirit by itself, or the body by itself, is not complete.

And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.

And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. (D&C 88:15-16)

Mormon Belief: All Things are Governed by Law

Latter-day Saints believe that all things in our mortal world are governed by an influence that comes from Jesus Christ. This influence is known in the scriptures as the light of Christ.

Which truth shineth. This is the Light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;

And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (D&C 88:7-13)

Mormon Belief: Time pertains to Mortality

Time, as we know it, pertains to this earth, to mortality. There is no time in God's domain, Heaven, for God is Eternal.

Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? (Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:36)

That verse tells us that God will not withhold the Holy Ghost from the children of men as long as time shall last, implying that time shall come to an end after the Savior has finished his work in redeeming the children of men. Time is a measure of the sequence of events that comprise mortality. Mortality is a temporary existence. People, animals, and plants come into existence and then disappear. Events pertaining to the earth, such as earthquakes and storms, occur and then cease. But in the domain of God, that is, after the resurrection, all things are eternal. There is no end to eternal things. There is no time in eternity.

Another verse from Revelation declares that time will cease when the Redemption is finished.

And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: (Revelation 10:6)

John saw an angel come down from heaven. The angel declared "by him that liveth for ever and ever" that time would cease, referring to the eventual completion of the Lord's work when all things will become eternal.

Mormon Belief: People Will Live to an Old Age

The Lord revealed that during the Millennium, people will live to an old age.

And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at the age of man.

Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye. (D&C 63:50-51)

In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age of a tree; (D&C 101:30)

Mormon Belief: The Earth will Become a Celestial World

In Section 88 of the Doctrine & Covenants, the Lord explained that the earth would experience a change of state from a mortal earth to a celestial earth. The Lord referred to the poor and the meek inheriting the earth, and then in the context of the earth, he said

Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;

For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—
(D&C 88:18-20, 25)

Mormon Belief: Migrations to the Americas

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. (1 Nephi 17:8)

And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water. (Ether 2: 16)

Mormon Belief: After Their Kind

And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth grass from its own seed, and the herb to bring forth herb from its own seed, yielding seed after his kind; and the earth to bring forth the tree from its own seed, yielding fruit, whose seed could only bring forth the same in itself, after his kind; and the God's saw that they were obeyed. (Abraham 4:12)

And the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring forth great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters were to bring forth abundantly after their kind; and every winged fowl after their kind. and the Gods saw that they would be obeyed, and that their plan was good. (Abraham 4:21)

Mormon Belief: The Lord Changed the Language Of the People & Scattered Them

As Noah's descendants became numerous, many of them became wicked and conspired to build a large building that would reach unto Heaven. The Lord changed their language and scattered them upon the face of the earth.

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, let we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

And the Lord said, Behold the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (Genesis 11:4-8)

Mormon Belief: The Peoples of the Earth Came From Noah

After the flood had receded, Noah and his three sons and their families began to re-populate the earth.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish [fill] the earth. (Genesis 9:1)

Mormon Belief: Adam and Eve Had Sophisticated Language Skills

The book of Genesis describes God's creation of the earth and the creation of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were created with the ability to talk and to think much as we humans do today. Here are two examples of Adam and Eve conversing with God and with the serpent, respectively.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man. (Genesis 2:23)

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (Genesis 3:2)

Mormon Belief: The Great Flood

The Bible describes a great flood that occurred during the time of Noah. The Lord declared that

And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven: and every thing that is in the earth shall die (Genesis 6:17).

Noah was commanded to build an ark that was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high (Genesis 6:15). Noah was told to bring into the ark all animals and fowls (Genesis 6:19-20, 7:2-3).

And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth: and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven were covered.

Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

All in whose nostrils was the breath of life , of all that was in the dry land, died.

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven: and they were destroyed from the earth and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

And the waters prevailed upon the earth and hundred and fifty days. (Genesis 7:17, 19-24)

The story of Noah and the flood is a basic part of Christianity and thus of Mormonism. It is an interesting story, but a confusing story, and not all Latter-day Saints have the same interpretation of it. Most LDS that I have talked with take the story literally, that the whole planet was covered with a flood, and that Noah literally took mating pairs of all the animals and birds on the planet into the ark. Some LDS accept the story as being real but think the flood was a regional flood and didn't cover the whole earth, and that Noah took mating pairs of the animals and birds that were common to his area. Other LDS think the story is an allegory to teach the moral principles of faith and obedience to God.

The Lord through latter-day revelation, as recorded in the Doctrine & Covenants, refers to Noah as a real person, and I accept him as such. However, I have a problem with accepting the story of the flood literally. My personal belief is that the story as recorded in Genesis was a regional flood rather than a global flood. My reasons for having this belief will be given in my post that draws a parallel between the scriptural story of the flood and cultural and scientific reasoning.

Mormon Belief: Spirit Offspring of God

Paul, while speaking to the people in Athens, told them they were the offspring of God and thus shouldn't worship statues made of gold, silver, or stone.

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Acts, 17:29)

Latter-day Saints believe that when the Savior taught us to pray to our Father-in-Heaven, he was referring to a literal relationship.

Mormon Belief: Earth Created from Existing Materials

Some time in the mid 1830s to early 1840s, the Book of Abraham was recorded by Joseph Smith. That book made a statement that was startling at that time, a statement that was in direct contradiction to the common Christian religious dogma of that era. The Book of Abraham said the earth was made from existing materials or matter instead of from nothing.

And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; (The Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 3:24)

Considering the time-period when the Book of Abraham was recorded, that statement about God creating the earth from existing matter is really remarkable.

Mormon Belief: Creation Began with Light

From Genesis 1:2-3 we learn that the Lord's creation of the world began with light. Light is energy.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.