Priesthood power and authority is bestowed by God upon worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ beginning at the young age of 12 years. With that power and authority, they are able to act in His name for the salvation of His children. Those honorable bearers of the royal priesthood are imbued with power to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances necessary for salvation, and govern the Kingdom of God on earth.

No man receives this power unto himself. This power is conferred upon him by one who is a worthy priesthood holder who is authorized to lay his hands upon the recipient of the priesthood and ordain him to an office in the priesthood. For as the Apostle Paul taught in the epistle to the Hebrews, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4.) Modern day revelation as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) gives further instruction on ordaining a man to the priesthood. In D&C 42:11 the Lord gives this counsel to the Church:

Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.

It should be noted that although the power of the priesthood is bestowed upon worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ, the blessing of the priesthood is available to all members of the Church – men, women, and children.

Power in the Priesthood

H. Burke Peterson once stated, “Power in the priesthood, the power to bless and guide and teach, the power to forgive and forget, the power to give positive direction to a family comes through righteousness. The laying on of hands we all received is not enough. Priesthood power comes to those prepared to receive it as a result of the righteous patterns of their lives. (H. Burke Peterson, Prepare the Heart of Your Son, Ensign, November 1982, p.43.) J. Reuben Clark, Jr. once said, “The Church is the organized Priesthood of God, the priesthood can exist without the Church, but the Church cannot exist without the priesthood” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Educating Zion – The Charted Course of the Church in Education, October 1950.) And it was Elder Bruce R. McConkie in his April 1982 General Conference address, delivered during the Priesthood session, titled The Doctrine of the Priesthood who taught, “The doctrine of the priesthood is known only by personal revelation. It comes, line upon line and precept upon precept, by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who love and serve God with all of their heart, might, mind and strength.” In that same address, he stated, “Priesthood is power like none other on earth or in heaven. It is the very power of God himself, the power by which the worlds were made, the power by which all things are regulated, upheld, and preserved. It is the power of faith, the faith by which the Father creates and governs. . . . Faith and Priesthood go hand in hand. Faith is power and power is priesthood.”

Further clarification concerning the priesthood being used only in righteousness is recorded in scriptures which reveal modern day revelation. In D&C 121:41-46 are recorded these words of instruction:

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile— reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

15 May 1829 – Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Imagine if you will, what a wonderful experience this restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood must have been for Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when John the Baptist spoke to them. Here, standing before them, was a man who had lived upon the earth more than 1,800 years earlier. He was speaking in English to two young men while he held his hands upon their heads. His was a resurrected body. Theirs were mortal bodies. They felt his hands and understood the words that he spoke. This tells us that resurrected beings are tangible, that they can move and act, and that they can speak and be understood.

Among other things, he told them, that while the authority that he had given them authorized them to baptize, it did not include the authority to bestow the Holy Ghost. He indicated that another order of the priesthood was necessary for this, and that it would subsequently be given them by Peter, James, and John.

That marvelous event did take place when the Melchizedek Priesthood [the greater priesthood], or the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God was restored. We do not know exactly where the event took place, but we learn from the description given in D&C 128:20 that Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery “in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna River.” We do not know the exact date that this event took place; however, by piecing together various accounts and bits of history, we may assume that it occurred in June 1829.

In D&C 27:12-14 we are given some insight concerning this greater priesthood. We read these words:

And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them; Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.

The Fullness of the Everlasting Gospel Has Been Restored

The Priesthood was restored upon the earth, and today everyone has the privilege and the opportunities to partake of the many blessings of the Priesthood. Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commented on one of the Lord’s reasons for endowing mortal men with the power and authority of the priesthood:

In a revelation given in 1831, which has become Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the preface to that book of revelation, the Lord set forth one of the great purposes for the restoration of the gospel in this the dispensation of the fullness of times. He said that, among other reasons, the gospel was restored so that “every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:20.)

It does not say that every man shall speak in the name of God the Lord. The meaning is that every man may speak, provided he is worthy and receives the priesthood. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Priesthood Restoration, Ensign, Oct. 1988, 69)

In his address given during the 154^th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, then serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest presiding group within the LDS Church), proclaimed to the congregation:

Be it known to all men, let it be proclaimed by the very trump of God, let angelic choirs sing of its wonders and glory, let all the hosts of men stand in awe as the voice from heaven declares that God has in these last days restored the fullness of his everlasting gospel.

Let every eye see, every ear hear, every heart be penetrated – for the voice of God is heard again. Angels again are coming from the courts of glory to declare eternal truths to mortal men. The gift of the Holy Ghost is being poured out upon the faithful, and thousands again shout praises to the Holy One of Israel (Bruce R. McConkie, The Caravan Moves On, Ensign, November 1984.)

What then, are the end result, blessing and objective of the priesthood restoration? President Lorenzo Snow once stated, “The object of the priesthood is to make all men happy, to diffuse information, to make all partakers of the same blessings in their turn.” (JD, 9:22.) President Brigham Young stated, “The priesthood of the Son of God is the law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue forever and ever. It is that system that brings worlds into existence and peoples them, gives them their revolution—their days, weeks, months, years, their seasons and times by which they are rolled up as a scroll, as it were, and go into a higher state of existence.” (JD, 15:127.)

Additional Resources:

What Mormons Believe

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

With more than a million Gallup interviews as background material, in his new book God is Alive and Well, Newport argues that the aging of the baby boomers, the influx of Hispanic immigrants and the links between religion and health could help usher in an increase in faith in America.

Newport was recently interviewed by Religion News Service and was open and candid in his remarks about his Southern Baptist Roots, why he feels mainline Protestants need to have more babies, and why employees should reward employees who attend church.

First, he stated that he wrote the book because he thinks that religion is important in America today. He further stated that Gallop Poll research has shown this to be true, and he wanted to get empirical data about religion into the hands of people, rather than the usual speculation.

He himself grew up in a religious background, and he says that he has always found it fascinating. His grandfather, Frank Leavell, who was convinced that it is important to reach out to college students, is credited with founding the Baptist Student Union. His grandfather was also one of nine brothers, all of whom were involved in religious service in one way or another – one was a missionary to China, one was a pastor, one was president of a New Orleans Baptist seminary. His father was a Southern Baptist Theologian and Minister. He currently attends a Presbyterian Church in New Jersey and admits that his religious convictions differ somewhat from those of his forebears.

When asked, “What’s the single most important trend in American religion today?” he replied:

One trend that I’m asked a lot about is the rise of the “nones,” about which there’s a huge amount of publicity, but which is often misinterpreted. When Gallup asked the question about religious identity back in the 1950s, almost zero would say they have “none.” People would say “Baptist” or “Catholic” even if they were not particularly religious. Now, 18 percent of Americans, according to Gallup polls, say they do not have a particular religious identity. That doesn’t mean that 18 percent are atheists — only 5 or 6 percent say they don’t believe in God — but people are changing how they express their religiosity. [1]

He went on to make the following remarks concerning the religiosity of America:

If you look at age, the baby boomers are approaching 65-85 years old, which we’ve seen as the most religious age group for decades. It’s a reasonable expectation that the huge group of boomers is going to become more religious, and because they are so big, they’ll make the country more religious in the aggregate.

 

In addition, the country’s increasing Hispanic population tends to be more religious. Religion has been correlated to health, so more people may seek out religion because it’s good for them. And Americans are migrating to states that are more religious, which tends to make (the travelers) more religious. [1]

His overall conclusion is that  if America were to become more religious, it would become healthier.

Using all of this as a backdrop, how does Mormonism, one of the fastest growing religions in America, fit into this new trend of religion in America? Is there an increase in the number of Mormons in America? And, if so, how is the increase impacting the way people view religion in general?

Even with the recent “Mormon moment” which occurred mainly as a result of Republican Candidate, Mitt Romney, a devout Mormon, campaigning for the office of President of the United States, many Americans still know very little about the Mormon faith. They have learned a little more, but still some of the basic “understandings” remain as “misunderstandings” at best, and many views of the religion continue to be skewed, exaggerated or flat-out wrong.

One question in particular that continues to remain at the forefront of discussions is whether or not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly referred to as the Mormon Church) are Christians. Mormon theology does differ from mainstream Christian theology in several key teachings — including the Godhead, revelation, and the use of additional scriptures. Mormons, for example, do believe that the Godhead consists of God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They further believe that these are three distinct personages, and that they are one, but one in purpose and in mission, not one in the same.

Latter-day Saints also use an additional volume of scripture called the Book of Mormon which they testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. They further testify that the Book of Mormon does not detract from the teachings of the Holy Bible, but indeed enhances their understanding of the sacred scriptures. Latter-day Saints believe and teach that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of the love that the Savior has for each of us and His purpose and mission.

The Bible, particularly the King James Version, is part of Mormon canonized scripture, along with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The Bible is used in classroom discussions, quoted in sermons and is essential to the worldwide missionary outreach.

The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Jesus Christ is the center of Latter-day Saint devotion, belief and practice. They believe and teach that He is the Christ – the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

Another big misconception about The Church of Jesus Christ is that some people believe that all Mormons live in Utah. While the Beehive State is indeed densely populated with Mormons (62 percent), some neighboring states are as equally populated. Still, Latter-day Saints are spread across the United States in small pockets of believers and congregations. There are also members living in more than 100 countries, and their numbers are increasing rapidly in Latin American countries and in Africa. In fact, there are more Mormons outside the United States (8.2 million) than in it (6.2 million). Therefore, worldwide, there are only about fourteen million Mormons. That’s fourteen million among a global population just reaching seven billion.

So, why is so much attention being drawn to this one religion in America? Politics and pop culture are perhaps two of the main reasons that Americans have become so intrigued by the Mormon Faith.

Mitt Romney and John Huntsman were in pursuit of the White House. Glenn Beck was among the nation’s most controversial news commentators. Stephenie Meyer had written the astonishingly popular Twilight series about vampires. Matt Stone and Trey Parker had created the edgy South Park cartoon series–which included a much- discussed episode about Mormons–and then went on to create the blatantly blasphemous and Saint-bashing Broadway play The Book of Mormon. It has become one of the most successful productions in American theater history.

 

Meanwhile, more than a dozen Mormons sat in the US Congress, among them Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader. Mormons led JetBlue, American Express, Marriott, Novell, Deloitte and Touche, Diebold, and Eastman Kodak. Management guru Stephen Covey made millions telling them how to lead even better. There were Mormons commanding battalions of U.S. troops and Mormons running major U.S. universities. There were so many famous Mormons, in fact, that huge websites were launched just to keep up with it all. Notables ranged from movie stars like Katherine Heigl to professional athletes to country music stars like Gary Allan to reality television contestants and even to serial killers like Glenn Helzer, whose attorney argued that the Saints made him the monster he was. The media graciously reminded the public that Mormon criminals were nothing new, though: Butch Cassidy of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame was also a Mormon, they reported. [2]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints has reached sufficient numbers–permeating every level of American society on the strength of its religious values. Prominent politicians, authors, athletes, actors, and newscasters are the natural result of the fruit of the organic growth of the Mormon religion.

In a span of 10 years, LDS membership exploded from 4.4 million to 11 million. This may be the reason why in 1998 the Southern Baptist Convention held its annual meeting in Salt Lake City. The Mormons–a misguided cult in the view of most traditional Christians (Baptists in particular) –had to be stopped. However, they were not stopped. In 2002, four years after the Baptists besieged Temple Square, the Winter Olympic Games came to Salt Lake City. The Mormons were once again in the spotlight, waving to the media cameras, and appearing as the media described them — “normal.” The LDS Church capitalized on it all. It made sure that every visitor received a brochure offering an LDS guided tour of the city. Visitors from around the world read these words: “No other place in America has a story to tell like that of Salt Lake City–a sanctuary founded by religious refugees from within the United States’ own borders. And none can tell that story better than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” [2]

Why has the Mormon faith become such a popular and newsworthy religion in America?

The truth lay within Mormonism itself. What the Saints had achieved in the United States was what Mormonism, unfettered and well led, will nearly always produce. This was the real story behind the much-touted “Mormon Moment.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had risen to unexpected heights in American society because the Mormon religion creates what can benevolently be called a Mormon Machine– a system of individual empowerment, family investment, local church (ward and stake level) leadership, priesthood government, prophetic enduement, Temple sacraments, and sacrificial financial endowment of the holy Mormon cause. [2]

 

Plant Mormonism in any country on earth and pretty much the same results will occur. If successful, it will produce deeply moral individuals who serve a religious vision centered upon achievement in this life. They will aggressively pursue the most advanced education possible, understand their lives in terms of overcoming obstacles, and eagerly serve the surrounding society. The family will be of supernatural importance to them, as will planning and investing for future generations. They will be devoted to community, store and save as a hedge against future hardship, and they will esteem work as a religious calling. They will submit to civil government and hope to take positions within it. They will have advantages in this. Their beliefs and their lives in all-encompassing community will condition them to thrive in administrative systems and hierarchies–a critical key to success in the modern world. Ever oriented to a corporate life and destiny, they will prize belonging and unity over individuality and conflict every time. [2]

Mormon doctrine is inviting. The community that it produces is both enveloping and elevating. The lifestyle it encourages is empowering in nearly every sense. Mormons rise in this life because it is what their religion calls for. Achieving. Progressing. Learning. Forward, upward motion. Success, visibility, prosperity, and influence follow. Management, leadership, and organizing are the essential skills of the faith. This is what has attracted so many millions, and has enabled Latter-day Saints to have such a tremendous impact upon American society and the world.

Additional Resources:

Mormonchurch.com

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Understanding Mormonism

Friends have told me they could not be Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) because women can’t hold the priesthood and that is demeaning. What they don’t understand is that most faithful Mormon women are happy, and feel valued and fulfilled without having the priesthood.

They do not aspire to take the role of the men and do not view themselves as second-class citizens or as being blindly submissive. In fact, women in the LDS Church pray and give talks in Sacrament meeting–the most sacred of Church meetings, hold leadership positions, perform ordinances in the Holy Temples and sustain and support the priesthood leaders, just as men do.

Researchers recently took a look at different sects to determine whether religion is a unifying or divisive force. Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referenced the findings and spoke of the strength of Mormon women:

“The recent highly acclaimed book American Grace reported on women in many faiths. It noted that Latter-day Saint women are unique in being overwhelmingly satisfied with their role in Church leadership. Furthermore, Latter-day Saints as a whole, men and women, have the strongest attachment to their faith of any of the religions studied.

Our women are not incredible because they have managed to avoid the difficulties of life—quite the opposite. They are incredible because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite the challenges and tests life has to offer—from marriage or lack of marriage, children’s choices, poor health, lack of opportunities, and many other problems—they remain remarkably strong and immovable and true to the faith. Our sisters throughout the Church consistently “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

The worth of each soul is of equal importance in the sight of God, whether the person is male or female. However, each gender has a different role.

In every organization that runs well, someone must be in charge. While that position is singular, it cannot be done alone. It requires the support of those who do not preside, but work in equal partnership for the same cause.

So it is in Mormon families and in the Church of Jesus Christ. Worthy priesthood holders preside.

“Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present.”

Just as men are physically built larger and stronger to provide and protect, they are also spiritually endowed to provide and protect their families in the name of God through the use of the priesthood.

Of equal importance is the role of women to build the kingdom of God by bearing, nurturing and developing strong families (and husband/wife relationships).

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”

In a worldly sense, women and men compete for better jobs, more money, greater academic skills, etc. But in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no competition. In the Church, men and women regard their roles as sacred and equal—not believing that one is greater than the other–the power to act in God’s name by priesthood authority–or the creative, divine nature to bear children. Men and women complete each other to make a whole. The roles are clearly assigned; to envy one role is to deny the value of the other role.

In the LDS Church, women find service satisfying. They have continual opportunities for leadership, since there is no paid ministry. For example, the Relief Society president oversees the women in the ward (congregation) and regularly counsels with the bishop (spiritual leader of the ward) to assess the needs of each family. In addition, the Young Women president oversees girls from age 12-18 in spiritual education and weekly uplifting activities that teach values and prepare them for the future. The ward Primary president is responsible for the spiritual education of all children from age 3 to 12 as well as activity days for the older girls and cub scouts for the older boys.

Mormon women are called by the bishop to serve in a variety of positions such as music director, teacher, coordinating monthly visits to each sister, assisting with humanitarian service or ministering to specific needs in the ward. These positions provide personal growth, a sense of belonging and they unify the women in a common cause for good. Elder Cook agreed:

“Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us.”

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:

 Read the Scriptures

What do Mormons believe about eternal life?

God’s Commandments

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inadvertently called the Mormon Church by some people, believes in the gift of resurrection for all, and in the gift of eternal life for those who repent and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. But there are still individuals who doubt the Savior’s resurrection and set this precious gift at naught. But the scriptures coupled with diligent study and fervent prayer reveals that this thing is true.

The word ‘resurrection’ means the reuniting of the spirit body to the physical body in perfection, which will never be separated again.

The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil (Book of Mormon, Alma 11:43-44).

Evidence of the resurrection of the Lord is replete in all the scriptures. There have been many witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One biblical testimony of the resurrection of the Savior in addition to the original apostles is the vision of Stephen, a righteous man and servant of God who saw the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (New Testament, Act 7:55-56).

Stephen’s testimony also revealed that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are two distinct and separate Beings but united in purpose and in mission. Aside from Stephen’s vision, there are other occasions in the scriptures that illustrate this truth: the Lord’s baptism (New Testament, Matthew 3), the Transfiguration in the mount (New Testament, Matthew 17), the Lord’s visitation to the Book of Mormon Israelites in America (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11), and the First Vision of the prophet Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith-History) in which God the Father testified of the divinity of His Son Jesus Christ, both of them appearing together as resurrected men.

Although all of us are entitled to the promise of resurrection, it is not a guarantee that one can live with God. Resurrection is a gift to everyone because of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. This gift enables us to never experience death again, and then those who follow the Lord’s commandments will be able to dwell with God for eternities. “And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants, 14:7).

References:
1) Book of Mormon, Alma 11:43-44
2) New Testament, Acts 9:3-6
3) New Testament, Act 7:55-56
4) New Testament, Matthew 3; New Testament, Matthew 17; Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11; Joseph Smith-History
5) Doctrine and Covenants, 14:7

Additional References:

Mormon Beliefs and Testimonies

Beliefs and Practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Bible in Mormonism