The religion of the latter day saints is based on two commandments – love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. All other commandments are considered appendages to these great commandments. Members of the church are encouraged to pray several times a day, perform good deeds, and read the scriptures. These practices are often referred to as the “5 pillars” of the church.
Church leadership
In the LDS Church, leadership responsibilities fall into three different categories: general authority, area authority, and local authority. General authorities include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. These leaders are accepted by the Church as prophets, seers, and revelators. These leaders hold their positions until their deaths, after which other church authorities are released from their positions. Area authorities include other Quorums of the Seventy, mission presidents, and temple presidents.
The First Presidency is the highest governing body in the Church and comprises the prophet and two counselors. It oversees the progress of the Church around the world. The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are considered prophets by the Latter-day Saints. The process for selecting the next president of the Church is a very orderly one, without internal lobbying, and is divinely revealed. In the case of a layman, he is likely to be selected by the church’s first counselors.
Fundamental beliefs
The fundamental beliefs of the Latter Day Saints are that God still speaks to man, and that he has called new prophets and apostles to bring that message to the world. Many of these revelations have been formally included in new volumes of scripture, including the Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ), the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The latter two volumes include writings from both Moses and Joseph Smith.
Mormons believe that the pre-earth life of humans is a sacred experience. They also believe in the sacredness of family life, and disapprove of abortion. They believe that the soul is a spirit in a body, and that death is only an intermediate stage of temptation. They do not believe in original sin, and instead believe that physical death is the beginning of the next step in God’s plan for His children.
Polygamy
Throughout the history of the Church, polygamy was a controversial topic. Some members considered it to be a sin, while others supported its practice. But while Joseph Smith’s polyandry has been widely debated, the Church never explicitly mentioned it. Its implementation is a clumsy one. And it is certainly understandable, given the disapproval and opposition it has received. Polygamy among the latter-day saints was not a widespread practice.
However, the early Church was against polygamy. Some members of the Church considered it a rite of passage, a test of the Abrahamic covenant. Others considered it a moral loophole for perverts. While the LDS Church is opposed to polygamy, there are several reasons why it is a bad idea. Read the following article for more information. But do not believe us? Don’t be misled by the cult of the polygamy.
Religion’s place in American history
The earliest Christian denominations left their own distinct stamp on American history, and their religious practices are considered “liturgical.” These groups practice seven sacraments over the course of a person’s lifetime, unlike later denominations, which celebrated only two sacraments. The oldest Christian churches also profess allegiance to early Christian creeds and assert succession from Pentecost.
Despite these differences, some colonies were founded on principles of religious tolerance and freedom. In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, for example, Quakers were hung in 1659, making them famous as the Boston Martyrs. In the Middle Colonies, however, religious diversity was seen as a problem, and many migrated to the southern colonies. The religious diversity of New England’s earliest settlers created a complex history of conflict and division among these communities.
Relationship with the Holy Spirit
For the Christian, the Holy Spirit is a third member of the Godhead. The Father and Son have flesh and bone bodies, while the Holy Spirit possesses the “mind” or “light” of Christ. The Holy Spirit is corporeal, but is also infinite, present everywhere at once. Nonetheless, the relationship between the Father and Holy Spirit is a fundamentally important one for the church.
We are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit as we live our lives. He is our strength and the source of our faith. He is the power that keeps us on the right path. He empowers us to live the life God intended for us. And we can rest assured that the Holy Spirit will be there with us in all our struggles. He will be with us, encouraging us and helping us live the life we are called to live.