by Brad Nelson In response to a high school student looking for answers about the “Mormon Church” (as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is frequently misnamed), a member of the Church gave the following answers: What is the origin of the universe and man? Mormons believe that the origin of the universe and man is God. The cycles of seasons, the regeneration of life, planets...

Of all the numbers in the Pew Research Center’s recently released survey of “Mormons in America,” the highest, most overwhelming numbers are these: 98 percent of respondents said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion. This comes on the heels of earlier surveys indicating that 32 percent of non-LDS U.S. adults say the LDS...

Birth The birth of Jesus Christ was a miraculous event and the turning point of human history.  Mormons believe in the Christmas story, as do other Christians, that Jesus was born in a Bethlehem stable, the Son of God and His mortal mother, Mary.  Mormonism differs from Catholicism, in that Mormons do not believe in an “immaculate conception.”  This belief holds that Mary was sinless.  Mormons...

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ lived and continues to live. They also believe in the Atonement, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ that has enabled mankind to repent of their sins and be resurrected. Crucifixion, common during the time period of the New Testament, was one of the most cruel forms of execution used by the Romans. The person being crucified was usually scourged first, whipped...

The third article of faith of Mormon basic belief states “We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” Adam’s Fall cut off mankind from the presence of God.  To bring mankind back into the presence of God required a Savior.  Because fallen mankind was bound to sin and be unable to bring themselves back into...

Birth The birth of Jesus Christ is a miraculous and central event in all human history. Jesus Christ was born to Mary and Joseph in the city of Bethlehem, in Judea. Mary was the espoused wife of Joseph at the time of the Condescension of God. Condescension means the lowering of oneself voluntarily. Elder Bruce R. McConkie states “The condescension of God (meaning the Father) consists in the fact that...