Many people do not understand Mormon beliefs. “Mormons” are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ironically, many do not realize that Mormons are Christians, and that they dedicate their lives to the worship and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints know that there is a God, and have learned how to develop a relationship with Him, through studying the Bible and other revealed scripture and gaining understanding of God through modern prophets.
Today, many people don’t realize who God is; some are unsure if God is real; and others believe God does not exist. Unfortunately, even many Christians don’t truly know the nature of God, and refer to Him in vague terms.
Many believe that there is a God, many say that they know there is a God, but many do not act like they know God. There is a great difference in believing or knowing that there is a God and in knowing God… [1]
Mormon Beliefs: Anyone Can Know God Through 3 Easy Steps
Bernard P. Brockbank explained three simple truths during the 1972 General Conference (a semi-annual broadcast worldwide by LDS church leaders). In the video below, he said that we should choose to follow God’s commandments “and not to be misled or deceived by the doctrines of men or the doctrines of devils.” The best way to individually learn about God is to be obedient to the commandments of Jesus Christ, study the doctrine written in the scriptures by prophets, and pray to Heavenly Father for guidance.
http://youtu.be/YVR0SuTdzGc
Mormon Beliefs #1: Be Obedient
“Knowing God is related to keeping his commandments. Knowing God must come by direct revelation from God. You cannot know by the power of flesh and blood.” [1] “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3–6). A husband doesn’t truly know his wife if he doesn’t listen to her, talk to her, and learn from her. It’s the same thing with Deity. How will we know truly God, if we don’t keep His commandments?
To know God as a living child of God, we should know our relationship to him, our divine potential, and we should know that in knowing God there is great responsibility to respect and love and follow his counsel and his doctrines and his commandments and to grow as a child to become more godlike. [1]
One way to know of God’s existence is to test it out by following His commandments as given through prophets. God speaks today to prophets like He always has in Bible times. I’m grateful that He cares about us and guides us through modern prophets, since 1820, when God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet’s guidance has really blessed my life in so many ways. I’m happier when I keep God’s commandments and choose the right. I know that when we are righteous, God blesses us with safety, protection, and guidance.
You are responsible for the choices you make. God is mindful of you and will help you make good choices, even if your family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. Have the moral courage to stand firm in obeying God’s will, even if you have to stand alone. As you do this, you set an example for others to follow. [2]
Mormon Beliefs #2: Read the Scriptures
Knowing God does not solve life’s problems, but gives purpose and strength in order to help us to master them. Jesus, with his knowledge of His Heavenly Father, still had his problems to meet and to work out.
The answers to knowing God the Eternal Father are found in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6.)
LDS members read the scriptures (including The Bible) regularly. The name Mormon originally came from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ. This scriptural account was recorded by ancient prophets in the Americas, who testified of Christ, the Son of God. I agree that “the Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” [3] I love the Mormon book because it has brought me closer to my Lord Jesus Christ. I also feel connected to God as I learn more about my brother Jesus, Savior, and Redeemer.
Mormon Beliefs #3: Pray to God
Consider the following questions as you evaluate your relationship with God:
Do you know God the Eternal Father in your home?
Do you pray to the living God?
Do you pray to the God that you know?
Do you know your relationship to Him? [1]
I know that we are children of God, and I treasure my relationship with my Heavenly Father. We are each a child of God with a divine nature, and He wants us to reach our potential—to become like Him. [4] Bernard said, “Children should know that they are in the image and likeness of God, that they have godlike attributes and divine potential, that they are literally and truly children of God, with godlike capacities.” [1] The modern apostle Richard G. Scott Prayer (witness of Christ) stated:
Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father… He knows how desperately we need His guidance…
It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer. [5]
I know He listens to me pray and answers my prayers. God is all-intelligent, all knowing, and all powerful, but He is also all personal. I know He will answer your prayers if you sincerely talk to Him. He is waiting for us with open arms and wants to bless our lives. I invite you to move a little closer to heaven, kneel down, and speak with your Father in Heaven.
Additional Resources:
What do Mormons believe about eternal life?