Mormon doctrine

Mormon is a nickname for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The nickname, originally bestowed by enemies, was informally adopted by church members as well. It comes from the name of a book of scripture the Mormons use along with the Bible, called the Book of Mormon. However, Mormons also consider it very important that people remember the real name of the church as well, because of a scripture in the Book of Mormon:

Jesus came to visit a group of people called the Nephites after his death. He helped them to organize their church officially and then they were to name it. They couldn’t agree on a name and asked the Savior to do so. He replied:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day.”

“And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” (3 Nephi 27:4-10, Book of Mormon)

You can see, then, that Mormons don’t want people to forget who they really are. The church bears the name of the Savior and so is His church. It’s not Mormon’s church, or Joseph Smith’s church.

As you explore this site, you’ll learn more about what makes the Mormons different from other religions, and also the ways they are similar to many other Christian churches. You’ll learn how they view God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. You’ll learn the answers to the major questions people have about God’s plan for them: Where we came from, why we’re here, and what happens after we die. You’ll learn about modern Mormon life and about the scriptures and Mormon doctrine that shape who they are, how they live, and how they worship.