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Do not fill this in! ==Theology== {{see also|Teachings of Joseph Smith}} ===Nature of God=== {{main|God in Mormonism}} In orthodox Mormonism, the term ''God'' generally refers to the biblical [[God the Father]], whom [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter Day Saints]] refer to as ''[[Elohim]]'',<ref name="Davies 2003">{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Douglas J. |author-link=Douglas Davies |year=2003 |chapter=Divine–human transformations |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fw8DIziwEDsC&pg=PA65 |title=An Introduction to Mormonism |location=[[Cambridge]] |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |pages=65–90 |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511610028.004 |isbn=978-0-511-61002-8 |oclc=438764483 |s2cid=146238056}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author1=First Presidency|author-link=First Presidency (LDS Church)|author2=Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|author2-link=Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)|title=Gospel Classics: The Father and the Son|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/04/the-father-and-the-son?lang=eng|magazine=[[Improvement Era]]|publisher=Intellectual Reserve, Inc.|date=April 2002|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="EoM">{{citation |contribution-url=https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/God_the_Father |contribution=God the Father |pages=548–552 |author1-last=Robinson |author1-first=Stephen E. |author2-last=Burgon |author2-first=Glade L. |author3-last=Turner |author3-first=Rodney |author4-last=Largey |author4-first=Dennis L. |editor-last=Ludlow |editor-first=Daniel H. |editor-link=Daniel H. Ludlow |year=1992 |title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn=0-02-879602-0 |oclc=24502140 |via=[[Harold B. Lee Library]] |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> and the term ''Godhead'' refers to a council of three distinct divine persons consisting of God the Father, [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus Christ]] (his firstborn [[Son of God (Christianity)|Son]], whom Latter Day Saints refer to as ''[[Jehovah]]''), and the [[Holy Spirit (Christian denominational variations)#Latter Day Saints|Holy Ghost]].<ref name="Davies 2003"/><ref name="EoM"/> Latter Day Saints believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three distinct beings, and that the Father and Jesus have perfected, glorified, physical bodies, while the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body.<ref name="Davies 2003"/><ref name="Mason 2015">{{cite encyclopedia |author-last=Mason |author-first=Patrick Q. |author-link=Patrick Q. Mason |date=September 3, 2015 |title=Mormonism |url=https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-75 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion |location=[[Oxford]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.75 |isbn=978-0-19-934037-8 |doi-access=free |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130060403/https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-75 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{citation |contribution-url=https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Godhead |contribution=Godhead |pages=552–553 |last=Dahl |first=Paul E. |editor-last=Ludlow |editor-first=Daniel H. |editor-link=Daniel H. Ludlow |year=1992 |title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn=0-02-879602-0 |oclc=24502140 |via=[[Harold B. Lee Library]] |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> Latter Day Saints also believe that there are other gods and goddesses outside the Godhead, such as a [[Heavenly Mother (Mormonism)|Heavenly Mother]]—who is the wife of God the Father—and that faithful Latter-day Saints may attain godhood in the afterlife.<ref>{{citation |contribution-url=https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Godhood |contribution=Godhood |pages=553–555 |last=Carter |first=K. Codell |editor-last=Ludlow |editor-first=Daniel H. |editor-link=Daniel H. Ludlow |year=1992 |title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn=0-02-879602-0 |oclc=24502140 |via=[[Harold B. Lee Library]] |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> [[Joseph Smith]] taught that God was once a man on another planet before being [[Exaltation (Mormonism)|exalted]] to Godhood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation?lang=eng|title=Gospel Principles Chapter 47: Exaltation|website=ChurchofJesusChrist.org|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> This conception differs from the traditional Christian [[Trinity]] in several ways, one of which is that Mormonism has not adopted or continued to hold the doctrine of the [[Nicene Creed]], that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of the [[Homoousion|same substance]] or being.<ref name="Davies 2003"/> Also, Mormonism teaches that the intelligence dwelling in each human is coeternal with God.<ref>{{citation |contribution-url=https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Premortal_Life |contribution=Premortal Life |pages=1123–1125 |last=Brown |first=Gayle O. |editor-last=Ludlow |editor-first=Daniel H. |editor-link=Daniel H. Ludlow |year=1992 |title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn=0-02-879602-0 |oclc=24502140 |via=[[Harold B. Lee Library]] |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> Mormons use the term ''omnipotent'' to describe God, and regard him as the creator: they understand him as being almighty and eternal but subject to eternal natural law which governs intelligences, justice and the eternal nature of matter (i.e. God organized the world but did not create it from nothing).<ref>{{citation |contribution-url=https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Omnipotent_God;_Omnipresence_of_God;_Omniscience_of_God |contribution=Omnipotent God; Omnipresence of God; Omniscience of God |page=1030 |last=Paulsen |first=David L. |editor-last=Ludlow |editor-first=Daniel H. |editor-link=Daniel H. Ludlow |year=1992 |title=[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn=0-02-879602-0 |oclc=24502140 |via=[[Harold B. Lee Library]] |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref> The Mormon conception of God also differs substantially from the [[Mormonism and Judaism#The nature of God|Jewish tradition]] of [[ethical monotheism]] in which ''[[Elohim#Hebrew Bible|elohim]]'' ({{lang|he|אֱלֹהִים}}) is a completely different conception. This description of God represents the Mormon [[orthodoxy]], formalized in 1915 based on earlier teachings. Other currently existing and historical branches of Mormonism have adopted different views of god, such as the [[Adam–God doctrine]] and Trinitarianism. ===Restoration=== {{Main|Restoration (Latter Day Saints)}} [[File:Priesthood Restoration Crocheron.jpg|thumb|A depiction of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receiving [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Priesthood authority]] from [[John the Baptist]]]] Mormonism describes itself as falling within [[world Christianity]], but as a distinct restored [[Dispensation (period)#Latter Day Saint dispensations|dispensation]]; it characterizes itself as the only true form of the Christian religion since the time of a "[[Great Apostasy (Latter Day Saints)|Great Apostasy]]" that began not long after the [[ascension of Jesus Christ]].<ref name = PMG35>{{Citation |author= Missionary Department of the LDS Church |author-link= The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |title= Preach My Gospel |publisher= [[LDS Church]], Inc |year= 2004 |page= 35 |url= http://www.lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___06_03-1_TheRestoration__36617_eng_006.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100602103044/http://lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___06_03-1_TheRestoration__36617_eng_006.pdf |archive-date= June 2, 2010 |isbn= 0-402-36617-4 }} Mormons believe the Great Apostasy had been foretold by the [[Apostle Paul]], who knew that the Lord would not come again "except there come a falling away first" (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3)</ref> According to Mormons this apostasy involved the corruption of the pure, original Christian doctrine with [[Ancient Greek philosophy|Greek]] and other philosophies,<ref name = GA2>{{Citation |last= Talmage |first= James E. |author-link= James E. Talmage |title= The Great Apostasy |publisher= The Deseret News |year= 1909 |pages= 64–65 |url= https://archive.org/stream/greatapostasycon00atalm#page/68/mode/2up |isbn= 0-87579-843-8}}</ref> and followers dividing into different ideological groups.<ref name = MARV1>{{Citation |last= Richards |first= LeGrand |author-link= LeGrand Richards |title= A Marvelous Work and a Wonder |publisher= Deseret Book Company |year= 1976 |page= 24 |isbn= 0-87747-161-4|title-link= A Marvelous Work and a Wonder }}</ref> Additionally, Mormons claim the [[Christian martyrdom|martyrdom]] of the [[Apostles in the New Testament|Apostles]] led to the loss of [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Priesthood authority]] to administer the Church and its ordinances.<ref name = GA1>{{Citation | last = Talmage | first = James E. | author-link = James E. Talmage | title = The Great Apostasy | publisher = The Deseret News | year = 1909 | page = 68 | url =https://archive.org/stream/greatapostasycon00atalm#page/68/mode/2up | isbn = 0-87579-843-8}}</ref><ref name = Eyring>{{Citation |last= Eyring |first= Henry B. |author-link= Henry B. Eyring |title= The True and Living Church |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2008/05/the-true-and-living-church?lang=eng |journal= Ensign |publisher= LDS Church |pages= 20–24 |date= May 2008}}</ref> Mormons believe that God re-established the [[Christianity in the 1st century|1st-century]] [[Early Christianity|early Christian church]] as found in the [[New Testament]] through the [[Restoration (Latter Day Saints)|restoration]] of Joseph Smith.<ref>Smith's restoration differed significantly from other ''restorationist'' movements of the era (for instance, that of Alexander Campbell). Instead of using Bible analysis, Smith claimed to write and interpret scripture as the biblical prophets did. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=5}}</ref> In particular, Mormons believe that angels such as [[Saint Peter|Peter]], [[James, son of Zebedee|James]], [[John the Apostle|John]], and [[John the Baptist]] appeared to Joseph Smith and others and bestowed various [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Priesthood authorities]] on them.<ref>See [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.69-72?lang=eng JSH 1:69,72] and [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-21]</ref> Mormons thus believe that their Church is the "only true and living church" because divine authority was restored to it through Smith. In addition, Mormons believe that Smith and his legitimate successors are modern prophets who receive revelation from God to guide the church. They maintain that other Christian religions have a portion of the truth and are guided by the [[light of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|light of Christ]].<ref>{{cite book |title= Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith |page= 316 |editor1-first= Joseph Fielding |editor1-last= Smith |editor-link= Joseph Fielding Smith |editor2-first= Richard C. |editor2-last= Galbraith |orig-date= 1938 |year= 1993 |isbn= 0-87579-647-8 |title-link= Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (book) |publisher= Deseret Book Company }} ("Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true 'Mormons'.")</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title= Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View |last1= Palmer |last2= Keller |last3= Choi |last4= Toronto |publisher= Brigham Young University |year= 1997}} (Mormons take an [[Inclusivism|inclusivist]] position that their religion is correct and true but that other religions have genuine value).</ref> ===Cosmology=== {{main|Mormon cosmology}} Smith's cosmology is laid out mostly in Smith's later revelations and sermons, but particularly the [[Book of Abraham]], the [[Book of Moses]], and the [[King Follett discourse]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|pp=64–71}}</ref> [[Mormon cosmology]] presents a unique view of God and the universe, and places a high importance on human [[Agency in Mormonism|agency]]. In Mormonism, life on earth is just a short part of an eternal existence. Mormons believe that in the beginning, all people existed as spirits or "intelligences", in the presence of God.<ref>Mormons differ among themselves about the form of man in the beginning ... but Smith's intention was to assert that some essence of human personality has always existed. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=72}}</ref> In this state, God proposed a [[Plan of salvation (Latter Day Saints)|plan of salvation]] whereby they could progress and "have a privilege to advance like himself."<ref>See King Follett discourse and {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=73}}</ref> The spirits were free to accept or reject this plan, and a "third" of them, led by [[Satan]] rejected it.<ref>According to the Book of Moses, Lucifer offered an alternate plan that would guarantee the salvation of ''all'' spirits, however, at the cost of their agency, essentially forcing them to be saved. God's plan allowed spirits the freedom of choice but left room for some to fall out of his presence into darkness. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=73}}</ref> The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth and receiving bodies with an understanding that they would experience sin and suffering. In Mormonism, the central part of God's plan is the [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] of Jesus Christ.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=77}}</ref> Mormons believe that one purpose of earthly life is to learn to choose good over evil. In this process, people inevitably make mistakes, becoming unworthy to return to the presence of God. Mormons believe that Jesus paid for the sins of the world and that all people can be saved through his atonement.<ref>Nineteenth century Mormonism defined itself against Calvinistic religions that asserted humans' incapacity and utter dependence on the grace of God. Early Mormon preachers emphasized good works and moral obligation; however in the late twentieth century, Mormons pulled back from an "entrenched aversion" to the doctrines of grace, and today have an attitude of trusting in the grace of Christ while trying their best to do good works. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=76}}</ref> Mormons accept Christ's atonement through faith, repentance, formal covenants or ordinances such as baptism, and consistently trying to live a Christ-like life. According to Mormon scripture, the Earth's creation was not ''[[ex nihilo]]'', but organized from existing matter. The Earth is just one of many inhabited worlds, and there are many governing heavenly bodies, including the planet or star [[Kolob]], which is said to be nearest the [[throne of God]]. ===America=== [[File:Constitution of the United States, page 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Mormons believe that the U.S. Constitution is the result of divine inspiration. Fundamentalists believe in the related [[White Horse Prophecy]].]] Mormon theology teaches that the [[United States]] is a unique place and that Mormons are God's [[chosen people]], selected for a singular destiny.<ref name="Bracht 2012">{{cite book |author-last=Bracht |author-first=John |year=2012 |orig-date=1990 |chapter=The Americanization of Adam |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3CCYaHRKG-oC&pg=PA97 |editor-last=Trompf |editor-first=G. W. |title=Cargo Cults and Millenarian Movements: Transoceanic Comparisons of New Religious Movements |location=[[Berlin]] and [[Boston]] |publisher=[[De Gruyter]] |series=Religion and Society |volume=29 |pages=97–142 |doi=10.1515/9783110874419.97 |isbn=978-3-11-087441-9}}</ref> The [[Book of Mormon]] alludes to the United States as being the Biblical [[promised land]], with the [[Constitution of the United States]] being [[Divine inspiration|divinely inspired]], and argues that [[American exceptionalism|America is an exceptional nation]].<ref name="Bracht 2012"/><ref name="Barlow">{{cite journal |last=Barlow |first=Philip L. |date=June 2012 |title=Chosen Land, Chosen People: Religious and American Exceptionalism Among the Mormons |journal=The Review of Faith & International Affairs |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=51–58 |doi=10.1080/15570274.2012.682511 |doi-access=free |issn=1557-0274 |s2cid=145547250}}</ref><ref name="Yorgason 2006">{{cite book |author-last=Yorgason |author-first=Ethan |year=2006 |chapter=The Shifting Role of the Latter-day Saints as the Quintessential American Religion |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwim_0xE1c4C&pg=PA141 |editor-last=Lippy |editor-first=Charles H. |title=Faith in America: Changes, Challenges, New Directions. Volume 1: Organized Religion Today |location=[[London|London, U.K.]] and [[Westport, Connecticut]] |publisher=[[Praeger Publishers]] |series=Praeger Perspectives |pages=141–163 |isbn=978-0-313-04961-3 |lccn=2006022880}}</ref> In [[Upstate New York]] in 1823, Joseph Smith claimed to have had a vision in which the [[Angel Moroni]] told him about engraved [[golden plates]] buried in a [[Cumorah|nearby hill]].<ref name="Givens 2003">{{cite book |last=Givens |first=Terryl L. |year=2003 |orig-date=2002 |chapter="A Seer Shall the Lord My God Raise Up": The Prophet and the Plates |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nd8-DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA8 |title=By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/019513818X.003.0002 |pages=8–42 |isbn=978-0-19-513818-4 |oclc=1028168787 |s2cid=159734267}}</ref><ref name="Stark 2005">{{cite book |author-last=Stark |author-first=Rodney |author-link=Rodney Stark |editor-last=Neilson |editor-first=Reid L. |year=2005 |title=The Rise of Mormonism |chapter=The Basis of Mormon Success |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wO6Ui_48mRcC&pg=PA114 |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |doi=10.7312/star13634-006 |pages=114–116 |isbn=978-0-231-13634-1 |lccn=2005045464 |oclc=800910267 |s2cid=99224315}}</ref> According to Smith, he received subsequent instruction from Moroni and, four years later, excavated the plates and translated them from "[[reformed Egyptian]]" into English; the resultant [[Book of Mormon]]—so called after an [[Mormon (Book of Mormon prophet)|ancient American prophet]] who, according to Smith, had compiled the text recorded on the golden plates—recounts the history of a tribe of [[Israelites]], led by the prophet [[Lehi (Book of Mormon prophet)|Lehi]], who migrated from [[Jerusalem]] to the [[Americas]] in the 7th century BCE.<ref name="Givens 2003"/><ref name="Stark 2005"/> In Mormonism, these Israelite tribes who migrated to the Americas centuries before the birth of [[Jesus Christ]] are considered to be among the ancestors of [[pre-Columbian]] [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]].<ref name="Bracht 2012"/><ref name="Givens 2003"/><ref name="Stark 2005"/> Joseph Smith argued that the [[Millennialism|millennial]] [[New Jerusalem]] was to be built in America (10th [[Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)|Article of Faith]]).<ref name="Barlow"/> In the [[Doctrine and Covenants]], Smith records God as saying "it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:79–80). To Mormons, this places America as the originator of [[religious liberty]] and freedom, while noting a need to expand these American values worldwide.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Jason A. |last2=Weiss |first2=David |title=The Rhetoric of American Exceptionalism: Critical Essays |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N9HOOPK96jwC&pg=PA105 |access-date=January 5, 2021 |publisher=McFarland |date=January 10, 2014 |page=107 |isbn=978-0-7864-8681-6 |language=en}}</ref> Although officially shunned by the LDS Church, [[Mormon fundamentalism|fundamentalist Mormons]] believe in the [[White Horse Prophecy]], which argues that Mormons will be called upon to preserve the Constitution as it hangs "by a thread".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quammen |first1=Betsy Gaines |title=COVID-19 and the White Horse Prophecy: The Theology of Ammon Bundy |url=https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/175390 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |work=History News Network |agency=Columbian College of Arts and Sciences: The [[George Washington University]] |date=May 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Duncan |first1=Charles |title=Did Mitt Romney fulfill a Mormon prophecy with vote to convict Trump? |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article240035018.html |access-date=January 4, 2021 |work=Miami Herald |date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> ===Ordinances=== In Mormonism, an [[Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)|ordinance]] is a religious [[ritual]] of special significance, often involving the formation of a [[Covenant (Latter Day Saints)|covenant]] with God.<ref>An ordinance is generally a physical act signifying a spiritual commitment or a covenant. Failure to honor that commitment results in the ordinance having no effect. However, sincere repentance can restore the blessings associated with the ordinance.</ref> Ordinances are performed by the authority of the [[Priesthood (Mormonism)|priesthood]] and in the name of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]. The term has a meaning roughly similar to that of the term ''[[sacrament]]'' in other Christian denominations. {{Annotated image| image = LDS Baptism Panama.JPG| image-width = 800| image-left = -355| image-top = -180 | width = 175| height = 240| float = right | annotations = | caption = A young man [[baptism in Mormonism|baptizing]] a child into the LDS Church in Panama}} Saving ordinances (or ordinances viewed as necessary for salvation) include: [[Baptism (Latter Day Saints)|baptism]] by [[immersion baptism|immersion]] after the [[age of accountability]] (normally age 8); [[Confirmation (Latter Day Saints)|confirmation]] and reception of the [[Baptism with the Holy Spirit|gift of the Holy Ghost]], performed by laying hands on the head of a newly baptized member; ordination to the [[Aaronic priesthood (LDS Church)|Aaronic]] and [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]]s for males; an [[Endowment (Latter Day Saints)|endowment]] (including [[washing and anointing]]) received in [[Temple (LDS Church)|temples]]; and [[Celestial marriage|marriage]] (or [[Sealing (Latter Day Saints)|sealing]]) to a spouse.<ref>"[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/true-to-the-faith/ordinances?lang=eng "Ordinances]," ''True to the Faith'', (LDS Church, 2004) p. 109.</ref> Mormons also perform other ordinances, which include the [[Eucharist|Lord's supper]] (commonly called the [[Sacrament (Latter Day Saints)|sacrament]]), [[naming and blessing children]], giving [[priesthood blessing]]s and [[patriarchal blessings]], [[Anointing of the Sick|anointing and blessing the sick]], participating in [[Prayer circle (Mormonism)|prayer circles]], and [[setting apart]] individuals who are called to church positions. In Mormonism, the saving ordinances are seen as necessary for salvation, but they are not sufficient in and of themselves. For example, baptism is required for [[Exaltation (Mormonism)|exaltation]], but simply having been baptized does not guarantee any eternal reward. The baptized person is expected to be obedient to God's commandments, to repent of any sinful conduct subsequent to baptism, and to receive the other saving ordinances. Because Mormons believe that everyone must receive certain ordinances to be saved, Mormons perform [[Baptism for the dead|ordinances on behalf of deceased persons]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|pp=60–61}}</ref> These ordinances are performed vicariously or by "proxy" on behalf of the dead. In accordance with their belief in each individual's "free agency", living or dead, Mormons believe that the deceased may accept or reject the offered ordinance in the [[spirit world (Latter Day Saints)|spirit world]], just as all spirits decided to accept or reject God's plan originally. In addition, these "conditional" ordinances on behalf of the dead are performed only when a deceased person's genealogical information has been submitted to a temple and correctly processed there before the ordinance ritual is performed. Only ordinances for salvation are performed on behalf of deceased persons. ===Scripture=== [[File:Latter-day Saint Scripture Quadruple Combination.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|The ''[[Standard Works]]'' constitute the LDS Church [[Sacred texts|scriptural]] [[Biblical canon|canon]]]] Mormons believe in the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament|New]] Testaments, and the LDS Church uses the [[Authorized King James Version]] as its official scriptural text of the [[Christian biblical canons|Bible]]. While Mormons believe in the general accuracy of the modern day text of the Bible, they also believe that it is incomplete and that errors have been introduced.<ref>''[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]]'', Macmillan 1992, pp. 106-107</ref><ref>Matthews, Robert J., ''A Bible! A Bible'', Bookcraft, 1990, p. 13</ref><ref>{{Citation |title= Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith |publisher= Deseret Book |year= 1976 |orig-date= 1938 |pages= 9–10, 327|title-link= Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (book) }}</ref> In Mormon theology, many lost truths are restored in the [[Book of Mormon]], which Mormons hold to be divine scripture and equal in authority to the Bible.<ref>''[[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]]'', Macmillan 1992, pp. 111</ref> The Mormon scriptural canon also includes a collection of revelations and writings contained in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]] which contains doctrine and prophecy and the [[Pearl of Great Price (Mormonism)|Pearl of Great Price]] which addresses briefly Genesis to Exodus. These books, as well as the [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible]], have varying degrees of acceptance as divine scripture among different denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. ===Revelation=== {{further|Revelation (Latter Day Saints)}} In Mormonism, [[continuous revelation]] is the principle that God or his divine agents still continue to communicate to mankind. This communication can be manifest in many ways: influences of the [[Holy Ghost]] (the principal form in which this principle is manifest), visions, visitations of divine beings, and others. Joseph Smith used the example of the Lord's revelations to Moses in [[Deuteronomy]] to explain the importance of continuous revelation: {{Blockquote|text=God said, "Thou shalt not kill"; at another time he said, "Thou shalt utterly destroy." This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted, by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the Kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-1842-1-july-1843/284 |title=History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] [addenda], p.3 [addenda] |author-surname=Smith |author-given=Joseph |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |date=27 August 1842 |website=The Joseph Smith Papers |access-date=10 September 2021}}</ref>}} Mormons believe that Smith and subsequent church leaders could speak scripture "when moved upon by the Holy Ghost."<ref name="personalrev">{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=26}} See also: Doctrine and Covenants 68:4</ref> In addition, many Mormons believe that ancient prophets in other regions of the world received revelations that resulted in additional scriptures that have been lost and may, one day, be forthcoming. In Mormonism, revelation is not limited to church members. For instance, Latter Day Saints believe that the [[United States Constitution]] is a divinely inspired document.<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1992/02/the-divinely-inspired-constitution?lang=eng |title= The Divinely Inspired Constitution |first= Dallin H. |last= Oaks |author-link= Dallin H. Oaks |date=February 1992 |journal= [[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]]}}; ''cf.'' {{Cite D&C|section=101|verse=76|range=–80}}</ref> Mormons are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Ghost and receive personal revelation for their own direction and that of their family.<ref name=personalrev/> The Latter Day Saint concept of revelation includes the belief that revelation from God is available to all those who earnestly seek it with the intent of doing good. It also teaches that everyone is entitled to {{em|personal}} revelation with respect to his or her [[stewardship (theology)|stewardship]] (leadership responsibility). Thus, parents may receive inspiration from God in raising their families, individuals can receive divine inspiration to help them meet personal challenges, church officers may receive revelation for those whom they serve. The important consequence of this is that each person may receive confirmation that particular doctrines taught by a prophet are true, as well as gain divine insight in using those truths for their own benefit and eternal progress. In the church, personal revelation is expected and encouraged, and many converts believe that personal revelation from God was instrumental in their conversion.<ref>{{cite web | title=Continuing Revelation | work=Mormon.org | url=http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1084-1,00.html | access-date=August 5, 2005}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page