Ask a Mormon

[beefche]

Once people find out I'm LDS, I get a lot of questions. Most of them are ones I've heard before. This thread is to answer some of the more common questions. These are answers that are to answer curiosity....not delve into deeper doctrine or history. Please keep the topic on target and do not go off on tangents. Please feel free to post a commonly asked question and an answer that you feel is appropriate (especially one you use frequently). As always, these are just suggestions--rely on the Spirit to help you answer questions or avoid contention.


Are Mormons Christian? Do you believe in Jesus?
Yes, we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer of the world. In fact, the real name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I thought Mormons all drove buggys and wore black clothes.
No, you're thinking of the Amish. Mormons live as you do, work as you do and are involved in their communities.

Don't Mormons practice polygamy? How many husbands do you have?
First, polygamy usually refers to having many wives. Secondly, Mormons no longer practice polygamy. We did in the early days of the church, but around 1890 we no longer practice it. Those people who do practice it and are called Mormons are not part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They may be a break off from my church, but they are not members of the Mormon faith.

Do you believe in the Bible?
Yes, we use the King James version of the Bible for our study.

Can anyone go to your church? I thought you had to be a member to go to your church. What about that pretty white building that I saw?
Everyone is invited to attend church with us. Here's the address to the nearest church building. That white building is a temple and only worthy members of the church may enter. You have to have special permission to enter that building--much like having a driver's license.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by beefche

Can anyone go to your church? I thought you had to be a member to go to your church. What about that pretty white building that I saw?
Everyone is invited to attend church with us. Here's the address to the nearest church building. That white building is a temple and only worthy members of the church may enter. You have to have special permission to enter that building--much like having a driver's license.

Not only must you be a member of the LDS Church in order to enter the temple, but you must also pass a worthiness interview. Not even all members of the Church are permitted to enter. Non-members are allowed to walk through the temples during pre-dedication open houses.

What's up with your magic underwear?
(Smile) Well, they're not magic. They represent covenants that we make inside the temples, and they help remind us of those covenants. Because they are sacred to us, we wear them beneath our clothing, instead of as an outer symbol.

Why don't you have the cross on your church building? I thought you said you believed in Jesus Christ.
We do believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that after His ministry, he suffered for our sins, and then died and was resurrected, making it possible for us, too, to be resurrected and live again with Him someday. We choose to focus on His resurrection instead of on His death.

[Justice]

I like the way you address the issue of polygamy. You answer it truthfully instead of skirting around and avoiding it.

Now, please, it is just a comment I wanted to make. I DO NOT want to hi-jack this wonderful thread and change it into a discussion of polygamy. Please, if you wish to talk specifically about it make a new thread.

I simply wanted to offer a sincere comment on beefche's post.

[beefche]

Thanks, Justice. I forgot to add that these answers are not the be-all and end-all. Sometimes there are follow up questions (and polygamy is one of those) in which I will answer in more detail. But typically, people don't want long answers. They just want their curiosity appeased.

edit: Also, humor is extremely helpful in these type of situations. I will often joke about various things--"No, we don't have more than one husband--in fact, I can't even find 1--know any single men?"

[beefche]

Don't Mormons have some kind of mark, like horns or a special tattoo?
No. Mormons don't require any kind of special markings. We don't wear special clothing and are allowed to wear make up.

[volgadon]

I thought Mormons all drove buggys and wore black clothes.
No, you're thinking of the Amish. Mormons live as you do, work as you do and are involved in their communities.

The Russian dubbing for Witness, the film where Mel Gibson is a cop protecting an Amish family, has Amish translated as Mormons. Several people on the mission asked my companion where his hat and beard were...

[beefche]

Why don't Mormons drink coffee? What's bad with coffee or tea? Is it the caffeine?
The short answer is that we believe in prophets today and our prophet has told us that the Lord doesn't want us to drink coffee or tea, even decaffeinated ones. I don't know what's bad about them, if anything. We can drink caffeine if we choose to.

I see your guys in white shirts and ties all the time on bikes. Who are they?
They are missionaries. Basically, they go around talking to people about God and our church. They teach people about the Gospel and invite people to be baptized.

Doesn't everyone have to go on a mission for your church? How much does it pay and how long is it?
No. It is not required. Some choose to go and we expect young men at age 19 to serve, if they are able to. Missionaries typically pay for their own mission--either their own money or their family helps pay for it. Young men who serve missions go for 2 years and young women serve for 18 months.

What is the Book of Mormon?
It's a record of a people who lived on the American continent before, during, and after Christ lived. It's like the Bible in that it is a record of people and their dealings with God. It also tells the account of when Jesus visited these people on the American continent.

How is your church different than other churches?
That's hard to answer. I think the basic difference is that we believe in modern prophets and have scriptures other than the Bible. We also believe that God has given the pristhood to men today--basically, the power to act in God's name and with His authority. We believe that authority and power is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

You believe in prophets? Who is your prophet and where is he?
Our prophet's name is Thomas S. Monson and he lives in Salt Lake City Utah. We have other prophets as well. The church is organized a lot like a government is--we have a presidency made up of 3 men who are prophets. Then we have the Quorum of 12 Apostles--12 prophets are are Apostles like what Jesus had when he was on earth. We also have other leaders as needed.

[pam]

Are Mormons allowed to dance?
Yes. In fact dances are held in many areas for youth and for adults. Brigham Young University (which is owned by the Mormon Church) has dance teams that have performed all over the world.

[dnc76v22]

Originally Posted by pam

Are Mormons allowed to dance?
Yes. In fact dances are held in many areas for youth and for adults. Brigham Young University (which is owned by the Mormon Church) has dance teams that have performed all over the world.

My great great grandmother would love that one. She was kicked out of the Baptist church for dancing.

[Dr T]

Originally Posted by beefche

Don't Mormons have some kind of mark, like horns or a special tattoo?
No. Mormons don't require any kind of special markings. We don't wear special clothing and are allowed to wear make up.

You don't think garments are "special clothing"?