LDS Faq’s

What is an LDS Member?

An LDS member is a person who belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a Christian denomination often informally referred to as the Mormon Church. Members of the LDS Church are sometimes called Latter-day Saints or LDS members.

are LDS Members Different To Christians?

LDS members (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) consider themselves Christians because they believe in and follow Jesus Christ. The church is named after Jesus Christ and he is the foremost leader of the church.

There are some key differences between LDS beliefs and those of many other Christian denominations. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

We Believe In The Godhead

God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings.
They are united in purpose but are separate individuals. This view contrasts with the traditional doctrine of the Trinity.

Believe in Continuing Revelation

LDS Members believe that God continues to reveal His will through modern prophets and apostles. The President of the Church is regarded as a prophet, seer, and revelator who receives guidance for the Church today.

We also believe in personal revelation, in which God communicates and can reveal his plans to his followers regarding their personal lives. Only the prophet receives revelation from the church.

Living Temples

Temples play a central role in LDS worship. In temples, members perform sacred ordinances like eternal marriage, baptisms, and other covenants that are not conducted in regular church services. These ordinances are very similar to the original ordinances made by Jewish priests on behalf of the community in the temples.

Salvation and Eternal Life

LDS members believe that salvation involves two aspects:

• General Salvation: Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind will be resurrected.
• Exaltation (Eternal Life): Achieved through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances, and enduring to the end. Families can be together forever if sealed in the temple.

Traditional Christians:
Most Christians believe in salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Works are seen as a reflection of faith, not a requirement for salvation. The concept of eternal marriage and family is not emphasized.

God Has A Physical Body

LDS members believe that God has a physical, perfected body of flesh and bones, as does Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost, however, is a spirit. LDS theology also teaches that humans are literal spirit children of God, created in His image, with the potential to become like Him.

Traditional Christians:
Most Christians believe God is spirit (John 4:24) and does not have a physical body. Humans are created in the image of God but do not share His divine nature in the same way LDS teachings suggest.

Pre-Moral Existence

The LDS church teaches that all people lived with God in a pre-mortal existence as His spirit children before being born on Earth. Life on Earth is a time for testing and growth.

Traditional Christians:
Most Christians do not believe in a pre-mortal existence. They hold that life begins at conception and that the soul is created at that time.

Church Organization

The LDS Church has a hierarchical structure led by a prophet, supported by a First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, modeled after the early Christian church.

Traditional Christians:
Christian denominations vary in governance. Some, like Catholicism, have a hierarchical structure with the Pope at the top. Others, like Protestant denominations, have decentralized or congregational systems.

Shared Beliefs

Despite these differences, LDS members and traditional Christians share many core beliefs:

• Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.
• The importance of prayer, scripture study, and living a moral life.
• The commitment to serve others and strengthen families.

What is an LDS Eternal Marriage?

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), eternal marriage is a sacred covenant made between a husband, wife, and God that binds the couple together not only for their mortal lives but for all eternity. This doctrine, central to LDS beliefs, reflects the eternal nature of families and emphasizes the divine purpose of marriage in God’s plan.

The Doctrine of Eternal Marriage

1. Covenant vs. Contract:
   LDS marriage is seen as a covenant, not merely a legal contract. While traditional marriages often end at death, eternal marriages continue beyond the grave, offering the promise of eternal unity with loved ones.
2. The Role of Temples:
   Eternal marriages are performed in LDS temples, which are considered houses of God. The ceremony, known as a sealing, is conducted by a priesthood holder with the authority to bind families for eternity.
3. Scriptural Foundation:
   The doctrine of eternal marriage is rooted in scripture:
   • Matthew 16:19: “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”
   • Doctrine & Covenants 132:19: “And if ye abide in my covenant… it shall be of full force when they are out of the world.”
4. Marriage as Part of Exaltation:
   Eternal marriage is not only about the continuation of the marital relationship but is also essential for achieving the highest level of glory in the Celestial Kingdom. Exaltation—the LDS term for living eternally in God’s presence—is believed to be possible only through eternal marriage and family relationships.

Key Components of Eternal Marriage

1. Sealing Power:
   Eternal marriages are made possible by the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. This authority is believed to have been restored by Elijah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6.
2. Commitment to Covenants:
   Couples covenant to love and support one another, remain faithful, and follow God’s commandments. Keeping these covenants is vital for the blessings of eternal marriage to be realized.
3. Family Relationships:
   Eternal marriage is the foundation for creating eternal families. Children born to or sealed to parents in the temple are also part of this eternal family structure.

Blessings of Eternal Marriage

1. Eternal Unity:
   Eternal marriage ensures that couples and families can be together forever. It provides a sense of purpose and hope, especially during times of trial or loss.
2. Strengthened Marital Bond:
   Couples in eternal marriages strive to align their relationship with God’s teachings, which often strengthens their love, unity, and mutual respect.
3. Preparation for Exaltation:
   Eternal marriage is seen as preparation for becoming more like God and participating in His work of creating and nurturing eternal families.

The Temple Sealing Ceremony

1. Sacred Simplicity:
   The sealing ceremony is simple, focusing on the eternal nature of the covenants being made. It is conducted in a peaceful and reverent temple setting.
2. Sealing Words:
   The officiator pronounces words that bind the couple for “time and all eternity,” emphasizing the eternal significance of their union.
3. Family Witnesses:
   Immediate family members often attend the ceremony, though participation is limited to those who are temple-worthy.

Requirements for Eternal Marriage

1. Worthy Temple Recommend:
   Couples must meet spiritual and behavioral standards to be considered worthy to enter the temple. This includes adherence to LDS commandments, such as keeping the Word of Wisdom, paying tithes, and living morally clean lives.
2. Preparation and Counseling:
   Many couples participate in temple preparation courses or premarital counseling to understand the sacred nature of eternal marriage.

Challenges and Eternal Perspective

While the blessings of eternal marriage are profound, maintaining a strong marital relationship requires effort. Couples are encouraged to:

• Practice open communication and forgiveness.
• Regularly pray together and study scriptures.
• Reflect on their temple covenants to stay spiritually aligned.

In times of difficulty, the eternal perspective provides hope and motivation. Couples are reminded that their relationship is part of God’s eternal plan and that challenges are opportunities for growth.

Eternal Marriage in the LDS Context

Eternal marriage is a unique and central doctrine of the LDS faith, emphasizing the importance of love, unity, and eternal families. It provides a framework for relationships that is deeply spiritual, offering hope and purpose that extends far beyond mortal life.

For LDS members, eternal marriage is not just about companionship but about fulfilling God’s eternal plan, growing together as individuals, and preparing to live with Him eternally. It is a relationship of both sacred responsibility and profound joy.