Mormons, a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrate Easter as a very sacred day. Each Christmas, members are reminded that Christmas is a holiday because Easter is a holiday. Without the atonement of Jesus Christ, there would have been no Christmas and our eternal lives would be lost.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God and of Mary. They have no doctrine on how this parentage came to be and rumors concerning Mormon beliefs on this subject are not true. It is considered unimportant to our eternal salvation. What is important is that this duel mortal and divine heritage allowed Jesus Christ to do things we could not do for ourselves. While His mortality allowed Him to experience and understand the challenges and temptations we face, His divinity allowed him to overcome death to be resurrected. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took on all the sins ever created, an extraordinarily selfless and painful act, one that required the ministering of angels to get through. Then he suffered on the cross, another painful experience. However, after three days, He rose from the dead and broke the bonds of death for all of us.

What do these events mean for us? Mormons believe that justice required that we live perfect, sinless lives here on earth. This, of course, would be impossible for anyone but Jesus Christ. Fortunately, God loves us so much He chose to balance justice with mercy. He authorized a proxy ordinance in the form of the atonement, which means that Jesus Christ would suffer for our sins and atone for them in a way we could not. His atonement, death, and resurrection made it possible for us to be saved.

To a Mormon, being saved means more than making a one-time statement of faith. It is an ongoing process. The idea that being saved is a way of living and not just an act derives in part from the following scriptures in the Bible and the Book of Mormon:

Bible:

Not every one that saith‍ unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth‍ the will‍ of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Book of Mormon:

24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen (2 Nephi 10:24).

What this means is that Mormons believe we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and be baptized. But if we simply stopped there, going on to live any life we wanted without regard to the commandments, we would be demonstrating that our statement of faith was false and without commitment. Our lives must be an outward demonstration of our internal faith. God gave us commandments and like any good parent, He expects us to keep them, as shown in the Biblical scripture above. The greater our faith, the easier it is to keep the commandments. For those with perfect faith, obedience is not a burden.

We might remember that in the Bible a young man came and asked Jesus what he should do. Jesus mentioned several commandments and the man said he’d been doing all those things since he was a child. Jesus raised the bar—he challenged the man to give away all his possessions and to follow Jesus. This the young man was not able to do. His possessions were more important to him than Jesus Christ at that time. His choices and his acts demonstrated the validity and depth of his conversion.

Mormons understand that although we must keep the commandments, keeping them alone is not enough. A person cannot make a list of commandments and then work down the list without an inner commitment. The commandments must be kept for the proper reason—not to receive a reward but as a natural outgrowth of our deep faith in and love for Jesus Christ. Only when our hearts and motives are pure are we doing exactly what Jesus Christ asked of us when he said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Mormons believe that because of the atonement, everyone will rise from the dead and live forever. We each have the right and ability to repent, something not fully possible prior to the atonement. At baptism, we understand that we are saved, but that we must do our part and live a Christ-like life. Then, when we have done our part, the part Jesus Christ personally required of us during His mortal ministry, He will do His part—a part we cannot possibly do for ourselves. We are saved only through Jesus Christ because we could not have saved ourselves had He chosen not to come to Earth and atone for our sins. Our eternal salvation is a partnership of love between God, Jesus Christ, and ourselves.

Learn more about whether or not Mormons believe in being saved by grace.

Thomas S. Monson, the current Mormon prophet, has spoken often on Easter. Following is one testimony he shared of the very first Easter:

“Next week the Christian world will celebrate the most significant event in recorded history. The simple pronouncement, “He is not here, but is risen,” was the first confirmation of the literal Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The empty tomb that first Easter morning brought comforting assurance, an affirmative answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”^…

With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’” May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen.” (See I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Ensign, May 2007, 24, 25.)

On March 30 and April 1, 2012, a living prophet of God will speak to the world. His words will be carried live by hundreds of television, radio, satellite, and cable stations, and will be translated into over 70 different languages. The prophet’s name is Thomas S. Monson. He is the President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the “Mormon Church” by the media).

God Speaks to Us through His Prophets

All throughout recorded history, God has called prophets to speak His words to His children. Ancient prophets included Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah. Peter and Paul were prophets. Prophets have always received and taught God’s word to His children in every age, calling their people to repentance and testifying of Jesus Christ, both before and after His mortal ministry. They lead God’s people in their day. They warn their people of the specific dangers of their time. Most of all, they point the way back to God. In good times and in bad, prophets of God provide a moral beacon to show us the way to go in an often confusing world. Amos, an Old Testament prophet, put it this way:

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

Hosea spoke about how prophets lead and bless the lives of their people:

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets (Hosea 12:10).

And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved (Hosea 12:13).

Aside from the words of Jesus Himself, everything we know about God comes from the words of His prophets, throughout all the ages of the world. Moses wrote about the creation of the earth, and recorded the Ten Commandments he received from God on Mount Sinai. Even our knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ comes to us through the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Peter and Paul. The words of the prophets are essential to our eternal lives.

The Prophet on the Earth Today

When God restored His ancient Church through revelation in modern times, He called and ordained a new prophet, Joseph Smith, to once again reveal God’s will to His people. Like all the prophets of old, Joseph Smith called the people of his day to repentance and testified of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He warned the early Mormons of danger and showed them the way to return to God. God commanded Joseph Smith to organize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. Since then, the Church and the world have been blessed with living prophets to guide us in modern times, just as in times of old.

Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to be His prophet today. Thomas S. Monson is the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ. He has been ordained a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator through the priesthood authority passed down from Joseph Smith. President Monson is a humble and loving man who is worthy and willing to carry the heavy burden of being the Prophet of the Lord. Mormons know that he listens to what God says to him, and then passes it on to us. He always testifies of Jesus Christ to the world, no matter what the personal cost. If we listen to and do what Thomas Monson teaches us, he will help light the way for us to return again to our Father in Heaven.

General Conference: Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice

President Monson will preside over the 182nd annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will speak several times. Mormons will listen attentively to what God, through His living prophet today, has to tell us. A Mormon hymn speaks of the blessings of listening to the prophet:

Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice

Come, listen to a Prophet’s voice,

And hear the word of God,

And in the way of truth rejoice,

And sing for joy aloud.

We’ve found the way the Prophets went

Who lived in days of yore.

Another Prophet now is sent,

This knowledge to restore.

 

The gloom of sullen darkness, spread

Through earth’s extended space

Is banished by our living Head

And God has shown His face.

Through erring schemes, in days now past,

The world has gone astray,

Yet Saints of God have found at last

The straight and narrow way.

(Hymns #21, verses 1 and 2)

Come listen yourself to the voice of God’s living prophet on the earth today. You can tune in to Mormon General Conference by finding a local TV, radio, or cable station. Or you can listen by going to lds.org. You will be blessed by following the words of the prophet. He will help you understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, and help light the way through the confusing landscape of the modern world.

Additional Resources:

182nd General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Study by Topic: Prophets

Christ’s Church

Elder Carl B. Cook, a member of the Quorum of Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon Church” in the media), recently recounted a story about Church President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Cook (high-level administrators in the Church are given the title of “Elder”) was leaving his office one day, weighed down by his heavy responsibilities and heavy briefcase. While gazing at the elevator floor on the way down, he heard a voice he recognized: that of Thomas S. Monson:

“What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up” (Elder Carl B. Cook, October 2011 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Thomas S. Monson: Prophet, Seer, and Revelator

Thomas S. Monson is more than just the President of the Church. He is a living prophet, seer, and revelator. As the Lord’s spokesman on the earth today, he holds the priesthood responsibility to communicate God’s will to individuals, to the Church, and to the world. He is not just the prophet for Mormons; he is the prophet for all humankind. His brief communication to Elder Cook helped Elder Cook look to God, and find in his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the comfort that he needed. This is the role of a prophet:

Since then I have pondered this experience and the role of prophets. I was burdened and my head was down. As the prophet spoke, I looked to him. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ’s Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God (Elder Cook, October 2011).

Prophets: Look to God and Live

There are many stories in the scriptures of prophets looking to God, and directing the people to do the same. Elijah looked to the heavens to call down fire to consume his offering, and rain to end the drought. Stephen, “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” (Acts 7:55). Elder Cook talks about Moses, who was commanded to raise a brass serpent on a pole when the children of Israel were dying after being bitten by poisonous serpents. All who were willing simply to look at the brass serpent, which represented our Savior, Jesus Christ, were healed.

Nephi, a prophet who lived in the Americas just prior to the coming of Jesus Christ, taught his people to look to the Savior for life, healing, and forgiveness. In The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Nephi used the story of the brass serpent to try to convince his people to have faith in Christ. Speaking of Moses, Nephi said:

Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.

And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal (The Book of Mormon, Helaman 8:14-15).

Looking to Jesus Christ

President Thomas S. Monson, like all the prophets before him, is asking us to look to Jesus Christ for direction and for encouragement. He works diligently every day of his life to communicate to us how important it is to look to our Savior always, in good times and in bad. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can find the strength to repent of our sins, keep the Lord’s commandments, and endure the trials of life. The prophet’s words can communicate the words and the love of Christ to us, and it is through the love of God that we can experience our greatest joys here on earth. The prophet’s testimony of Christ also plants in our hearts the hope of eternal life to come. As President Thomas S. Monson said in a speech given on Easter Sunday, 2010:

My beloved brothers and sisters, in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6).

He is risen! He is risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days’ prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered; man is free.

Christ has won the victory! (“He Is Risen!” Hymns, no. 199)

As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name—even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior—amen.

Additional Resources:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Modern-day Prophets

The Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes nicknamed Mormons, believe the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is the third member of the Godhead. The Godhead consists of God, the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Mormons do not accept the trinity, a post-Biblical belief that the Godhead is not made up of three separate and individual beings.

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (John 17).

These verses are taken from the King James translation of the Great Intercessory Prayer given by Jesus Christ. In other places, Jesus had said that He and His Father were one, and in these verses, we are given an understanding of what He meant by this. He is saying He wants His apostles to be one in the same way God and Jesus Christ are one—unified. It is obvious He did not mean to add them to the trinity.

Mormons believe that God and Jesus Christ have physical, but perfected and glorified bodies, but that the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a body. Stephen’s vision demonstrated that both God and Jesus Christ are physically visible and are separate beings:

55 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,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7)

It is important to note that Stephen was murdered for daring to testify of this.

However, the Holy Ghost does not have a body, in order to better fulfill His role in the Godhead. One responsibility of the Holy Ghost is to testify of God and Jesus Christ, as well as of other gospel truths. When we want to know what is true, we can pray and ask God. The answer will be given to us through the Holy Ghost.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

We understand from this verse that we can trust the promptings of the Holy Ghost because He never offers His own opinions. He tells us only what God tells Him to say. God has promised us that if we ask Him for wisdom and knowledge He will give it to us.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).

Mormons consider this to be a critical scripture. It helps us understand that the only way to know what is true is to ask God, who will answer us through the Holy Ghost. Mormons are taught not to trust the testimony of other mortals. While hearing the testimony of others is helpful and important, it must not be our final source of truth. If we pray and ask God what is true, we will never be misled. Although there are some who reject the Mormon teaching to pray about truth, suggesting we can’t tell where the answer is coming from, Mormons trust the Bible and they trust God. Mormons know that God keeps His promises. If He promises He will answer our religious questions, then He will also ensure the Holy Ghost can present those answers in a way the person praying can recognize as coming from God. One way this happens is that when a person tells God he believes something to be true, and asks for confirmation of this—the proper way to approach a request for wisdom—the petitioner will have a feeling of peace and joy. Satan cannot bring about peace and joy. Many people feel a stirring in their heart that feels warm and comforting. Satan cannot bring comfort. The more often we turn to God for advice, the better we become at recognizing how He answers us. These answers always come through the Holy Ghost.

Another role of the Holy Ghost is to provide comfort. The Savior called the Holy Ghost the Comforter for this reason. He can comfort our hearts when we are frightened, worried, or struggling. This comfort reassures us that God is in charge and is helping us through our trials.

A third role of the Holy Ghost is protection. When we are trying to do the right thing, the Holy Ghost will accompany us and warn us of danger or that we are about to sin. When we listen to these promptings, we have increased safety, sometimes physically, and always spiritually.

It is through the Holy Ghost that we’re sanctified when we repent. This sanctification also occurs when we receive special ordinances, such as baptism.

Everyone, from birth, is entitled to the influence of the Holy Ghost. Otherwise, we would be unable to learn what is true. However, to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which is to have Him with us every moment if we are worthy, we must first be baptized by someone who has the appropriate priesthood authority and confirmed a member of the Church. At the time of confirmation, the Gift of the Holy Ghost is given. Mormon children are baptized at the age of eight, which is considered the age of accountability—the age when they are old enough to understand right from wrong if taught.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

 With this gift, a person has the right to receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. However, this is contingent on worthiness. If we are living unworthily or if we ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we lose His companionship. If we intentionally put ourselves in danger—particularly spiritual danger—and ignore the warnings of the Holy Ghost to flee—we will lose His companionship because He can’t accompany us into evil settings we have chosen for ourselves. It is our responsibility to live in a manner that is worthy of His companionship and to obey His promptings.

Following are some thoughts Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of the Mormons, has offered concerning the Holy Ghost:

When you, my dear young friends, frame your life with faith, you will merit the companionship of the Holy Ghost. You will have “a perfect brightness of hope” (2 Ne. 31:20). (From “The Lighthouse of the Lord: A Message to the Youth of the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 2001, 2–7.)

 

Long years ago a divine command was given by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as He said to His beloved eleven disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”¹ Mark records that “they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them.”²

This sacred charge has not been rescinded. Rather, it has been reemphasized. The Prophet Joseph Smith set forth the purpose of the Church when he declared: “It is the bringing of men and women to a knowledge of the eternal truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world, and that only through belief in Him, and faith which manifests itself in good works, can men and nations enjoy peace” (That All May Hear, General Conference, April 1995).

Precious young people, make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize not “What will others think?” but rather “What will I think of myself?” Be influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that one with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your confirmation and said, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice that testifies of truth. As the prophet Isaiah promised, “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21) (Standards of Strength, New Era, October 2008).

 

A Mormon apostle testifies of the Holy Ghost in this video:

We can draw lessons from prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church“).

I believe a prophet’s example is one of the strongest sermons given over the pulpit of life.

VISUAL ACUITY

In John 1:35-36, John the Baptist discerned Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.”

I hope to increase my visual acuity of the Savior, discerning who He really is and what He means to me: His divinity, His doctrine, His Atonement He alone could only perform, and His work shouldered by prophets and apostles even to this day.

John’s special witness of Jesus did not fall on deaf ears either.

In verse 37, we read, “And the two disciples heard him speak …”

Often, people who want to keep others from researching The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do so by telling others it is a cult. They use the nickname of its members—Mormons—to suggest the members follow a moral named Mormon or perhaps the first president of the Church, Joseph Smith, instead of Jesus Christ.

Labels like cult or non-Christian are common techniques designed to play on the emotions. Those who encourage name-calling don’t want their own followers to think. An emotionally loaded term like Mormon cult helps many people to simply feel something and stops them from taking the time to research or even think it through. Some who were taught this admitted they didn’t know why they used the term or even what it really meant.

If you’ve never looked up the word in a real dictionary, take a moment to do so. A quick visit to the Oxford Dictionary shows us what a cult is. In real dictionaries, the most common usage for a word is the first one. The further down the list the term is, the less common the definition is.

The first definition—the most common usage—is: “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.” Does this describe Mormonism? Mormons do not worship objects. They worship God and Jesus Christ. If those people are accepted as particular figures, then they are part of a cult, but so is every other Christian religion. Contrary to popular gossip, Mormons do not worship either Mormon or Joseph Smith. Both these men were prophets, just as were Moses and Noah in the Old Testament. They are treated the same way we treat Biblical prophets—we honor and respect them, but do not worship them, anymore than members of other Christian and Jewish religions worship Noah.

The most common definition of a cult, then, either does not apply to Mormons or it applies to all Christian religions, depending on what you accept as the figure a cult worships. Mormon cult” is an inaccurate term according to this definition.

The second definition of cult is, “a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.” With more than 14 million people worldwide, the religion of the Mormon people is hardly small. There are approximately as many Mormons in the United States as there are Jewish people. The first part of this definition also makes the term “Mormon cult” invalid. The second part of this is that the cult must have beliefs that others consider strange or sinister. This, of course, is a subjective statement that can be applied to any religion—or any person. What seems very normal to one person seems weird or sinister to another. Every religion has aspects others see as weird or sinister—communion, tithing, angels, even belief in a Savior. Many religions have martyrs who chose to die rather than to deny their faith. Non-religious people often find it sinister that religious people are taught this is a worthwhile decision, while religious people find it inspirational. Many social issues accepted as natural to some religions seem weird or sinister to others—issues related to abortion, immigration, or the definition of marriage for instance. This definition is generally useless in terms of defining a cult.

The final and least common definition of a cult in this dictionary is: “A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.” Mormons don’t worship things, so this definition does not apply. As for the misplaced or excessive admiration, this again is a generic statement and subject to personal opinion. This statement would only create a Mormon cult if the person referred to is Jesus Christ, but of course Mormons—and other Christians—don’t consider their belief in Jesus Christ excessive or misplaced.

In an article on the CNN website, Richard Mouw, president of the Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, addressed this subject. Fuller is an evangelical Christian seminary. He explained that he has studied cults extensively and also meets regularly with a closed-door group of Mormons, including Mormon apostles and an equal number of evangelical leaders. While Mormons and evangelicals have many theological differences, he has found the differences aren’t as large as he once thought.

Mouw does not believe there is a Mormon cult. As one example, he says cults do not participate in respectful discussions of religious issues and feel only they benefit from God’s favor. His participation in the religious group is, he says, one sign Mormons are not a cult. They enjoy learning about other religions and discussing the issues. They also quote and study religious leaders of other faiths. (If you read through speeches by Mormon leaders, you’ll see quotes from rabbis, Mother Theresa, and leaders from many religious faiths.)

He says cults do not promote scholarship or have universities and law schools that allow them to participate in the world’s discovery of information. He reminds his readers that Brigham Young University, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a world-class university. In addition, many of the church’s top leaders have advanced degrees from ivy league universities. They are not afraid of knowledge and education.

Mouw showed some of his students a video of a Mormon apostle speaking on the last week of Jesus Christ’s life and on the atonement. (The video can be viewed at the end of this article.) The students admitted that they would have thought he was an evangelical minister had they not known he was a Mormon. There was nothing uncomfortable, strange, or referring to a “different Jesus” in his speech.

Read My Take: This evangelical says Mormonism isn’t a cult.

When researching a religion, it is important to follow Jesus’ counsel to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Mouw said he has been asked if evangelicalism is a cult. No one wants his or her religion referred to that way, especially if it’s not true. We need to treat the religions of others the way we want others to treat our own religion.

One step to doing this is to do accurate research. Learn how to validate sources and recognize bias. If you read an article that says Mormons worship Joseph Smith, for instance, and then you discover that isn’t true (it isn’t true!), then you know the author is not a knowledgeable or trustworthy source. If someone were going to learn about you, would you ask them to go only to your enemies and those who want to destroy you for their information? Of course not. You’d want them to talk to you. When researching any religion, go to the religion’s own sources, ones its members would consider valid. This is, presumably, how you research your own religion, so it should be how you research other religions.

Visit Mormon.org or LDS.org for official information. Mormon.org is designed for people who are not Mormon and want to learn the basics. LDS.org is for Mormons, although nearly everything is accessible, including the student and teacher manuals for the actual classes taught at church and the official magazine. Only congregational websites are excluded, to protect the privacy of the members, and sections for people who hold a specific church job—but even Mormons can’t get into those unless they currently hold those positions.

Another step is to use inclusive language. Using insulting nicknames or terms is un-Christ-like. Speak using respectful terminology and show the kind of respect to others about their beliefs you want others to show for yours. Accept the way others describe themselves. Deciding who is and is not a Christian is God’s prerogative and so our job is to simply accept the self-definition of each group. We don’t have to agree with each doctrine, but we do need to respect how they see themselves.

“Mormon cult” is an inaccurate term, as a review of dictionary definitions shows. It is nothing more than a way to manipulate emotions and prevent listeners from doing what God has told us to do in order to find out which church is God’s church: Pray (James 1:5, New Testament.)

Watch the video that looked like an evangelical sermon to some evangelical theology students.

Thomas S. Monson, the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the true name of the Mormon Church), told a story in November of 1983 that explains one of the uses of fasting and prayer. President Monson was serving as a mission president in Toronto, Canada. This means he oversaw all the missionaries in the area, some young men who arrive at the age of nineteen, and some retired couples.

One missionary became extremely sick and doctors believed he might not survive the surgery he required. His parents were contacted and soon arrived to be with him. President Monson and the father of the young missionary gave him a priesthood blessing. This is done by having the men place their hands on his heads and praying for God’s will to be accomplished.

The missionary, Elder Davidson, was in a hospital room with five other husky and usually hungry men. While he was having his surgery, the nurse arrived with breakfast, a larger than usual portion because the men always wanted more than they were given. However, when she tried to serve it to the first man, he refused it. Each of the other four patients also refused breakfast that morning. When the nurse asked what the problem was, they explained that Elder Davidson had told them a lot about his religious beliefs. One thing they had learned was that he believed that if people fasted and prayed, they could bring about miracles. They had decided to fast and pray that day for Elder Davidson, even though they weren’t Mormon themselves.

Not only was the surgery a success, but when Thomas S. Monson tried to pay the surgeon, he refused to take any money. He said that it was the first time he’d ever done a surgery where he felt his hands were guided by a higher power. Because of this, he felt it inappropriate for him to take payment.

Read the complete story:

Crisis at the Crossroads by Thomas S. Monson

Mormons follow the Biblical teachings of fasting and prayer. Let’s look at fasting first.

For Mormons, fasting means to go without food or drink of any kind, even water. They do this once a month if they are physically able to do so, usually the first Sunday of the month. They fast for twenty-four hours, which requires them to miss only two meals if they time it properly. During this time, they spend extra time in prayer, and often choose a purpose for their fasting, just as the men in the above story focused their fast on helping their friend survive surgery. Mormons might fast to gain a testimony of a particular doctrine, to help a struggling family member or friend, or to give them strength to confront a challenging situation in their own lives.

Fasting allows them to focus on spiritual matters and also humbles them, making them more receptive to God’s teachings. During the fast, they will pray and then wait for answers and because they are making this sacrifice, they are better able to recognize the answers given.

As an interesting side note, when Mormons fast, they donate the money they would have spent of food and drink—and often an additional sum as well—to a special fund used only to help the poor. None of the money is used for administrative costs, so all of it goes to feed someone who would otherwise be hungry, homeless, or without other necessities.

Jesus taught that fasting could strengthen us spiritually and allow us to bring about miracles that cannot be accomplished any other way. (See Matthew 17:14-21.)

Prayer is a critical part of the fasting process. Jesus taught his followers to pray and he prayed to His Father Himself, sometimes publicly to set the example. Mormons are noted for the number of times they pray to God in a given day. They are taught to pray each morning and evening in a personal prayer, a couple prayer if married, and in a family prayer if they have children or others living in their homes. In addition, they pray prior to meals and before scripture study. Then, of course, they also talk to God at any time during the day when they feel a need or desire to do so. Many keep an ongoing conversation going all day long.

The Mormon religion started with a prayer, making that doctrine especially meaningful to its members. When Joseph Smith, the first prophet, was fourteen, he read James 1:5 in the New Testament. It said that if you lacked wisdom—needed to know something—you could ask God and it promised God would respond. He took the scripture to heart and went into the woods to pray, where God and Jesus Christ appeared to Him to answer His question about which church to join.

Of course, most people don’t get quite that direct an answer to their prayers; however, God does promise to answer every meaningful and righteous prayer. He may answer in three ways—yes, no, or not yet—but He always answers.

To receive answers to prayers, Mormons follow a prescribed pattern. They do not use written and recited prayers except in a few formal situations and never in their personal prayers. (Recited prayers are reserved for situations like blessing the sacrament, similar to communion, or baptism.) Although there aren’t exact words, there is a pattern which is very simple.

Mormons begin their prayer by addressing God by name. They use a simple phrase such as, “Dear Heavenly Father” or “My Father in Heaven.” Next, they offer thanks for the blessings God has given them. In this way, before they start asking for things, they are reminded of the good He has already done and of His attentiveness to their needs. They also demonstrate to God they are paying attention themselves and that they are not taking these gifts for granted.

These expressions of gratitude can be followed by requests for help, although Mormons sometimes offer thanks and nothing else. Mormons believe they should not treat God like Santa Claus, asking Him for things they can do for themselves. A person who needs a job will still sit at the computer looking for work, rather than going off to play and expecting God to drop a job in his lap. He will trust God to show him where to look for the job he needs, but he will continue to look. A Mormon will also act as if he expects his prayer to be answered. For instance, if he prays for an opportunity to introduce someone to Jesus Christ, he will begin to learn more and to decide how to discuss the Savior, even though he can’t yet think of anyone who doesn’t already know about Jesus.

Mormons close their prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, because we pray to God through Him. The prayer is then ended with the traditional “Amen.”

For Mormons, prayer serves many purposes. It helps them make God a partner in their lives, a part of everything they do. It also allows them to build a close, personal relationship to Him so that when they return home, they know Him well. They build trust in God and learn to recognize how He communicates with them.

God promised, in James 1:5, that He would answer our prayers. Mormons believe God keeps His promises and that if He says he will give us wisdom, He will do so in a way we can recognize. Although some religions teach people not to pray for truth because they won’t know who is answering the prayer, Mormons trust that God can do anything—including making His answers identifiable. For that reason, after they pray, they are taught to remain quietly on their knees, waiting to see if God would like to speak with them. Prayer is not a one-way communication.

Mormons generally research their problems first and come to a conclusion on their own. Then they go to God for confirmation of their choices. When we have made the right choice, God fills our heart with a feeling of peace and joy. Satan cannot create peace or joy. When we are wrong, we often feel confusion or a “stupor of thought.” This tells us we need to start over with the study process.

The more we pray and turn to God in faith, the greater our faith grows and the closer our relationship to Him will be.

When Jesus Christ began his mission on earth, he chose apostles to assist him. These apostles continued to run the church after His crucifixion and resurrection. They served as diligent missionaries, going out into the world to teach the gospel. Jesus Christ Himself worked to teach the gospel to everyone who came into his path. Sometimes people chose to approach Him, but other times He approached them. He and the apostles knew they had a message that would change lives if it were only listened to, and so they had the courage to approach people and share that message. When we love people we want them to have everything they need to make them happy and for Christians, this includes the gospel. In fact, Christians know Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of true joy. Missionary work is an act of love.

For this reason, Mormons have an extensive missionary program. They follow the Savior’s counsel to share His message with the world.

“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Thomas Monson, the Mormon prophet, loves to talk about missionary work. Although he did not serve a mission as a young man because he served in the Navy, he did work as a mission president when he was only thirty-one years old, an unusually young age. He, his wife, and their children lived in Toronto, Canada for several years, overseeing the missionary work in that country. Since that time, President Monson has toured most of the missions of the church and has filled every position in the Missionary Department, and as a result, has more knowledge of missionary work through his church service than almost any other past or present church leader.

Because missionary work is a particular love of Thomas S. Monson’s, he speaks of it often.

There are several ways a Mormon can be a missionary for the Lord. A young man can, as part of his priesthood service (Mormons have a lay priesthood for all worthy males ages twelve and up) spend two years living away from home as a missionary. He goes at his own expense and lives by strict rules during this time. It is a time to develop self-discipline and a strong testimony, but most importantly it is a time to teach others about Jesus Christ. A young man who approaches his mission with the proper attitude will come home with a love for the culture in which he served, possibly a new language, the self-mastery to be successful at whatever he attempts, and a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come from serving the Lord.

Women may also serve missions away from home, leaving at age 21 and staying for eighteen months. While they don’t have the same expectation to go, since they don’t have the priesthood, many young women do choose to do so and can often reach people the men can’t reach.

Older couples frequently serve missions together after they retire and so do retired singles. They also travel at their own expense wherever they are sent.

Some people choose to serve on a part-time basis from home. These missionaries are called ward missionaries and any adult can serve a ward mission who is worthy and is called to do so.

Finally, the church encourages all members to be missionaries. Without a specific calling, each Mormon can share the gospel through his actions and words with the people in his own life.

“Peter and John, those converted fishermen who became Apostles, were warned by the authorities not to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Their answer was firm: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19–20).

Paul, the Apostle, that sterling testifier of truth, was speaking to all of us—members and missionaries alike—when he counseled his beloved friend Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Elder Delbert L. Stapley, who served as a member of the Council of the Twelve a number of years ago, quoted Paul in his epistle to the Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Then Elder Stapley added: “If we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, then we should not be ashamed to live it. And if we are not ashamed to live it, then we should not be ashamed to share it” (Thomas S. Monson, “That All May Hear“, New Era, May 1996, 4).

Thomas Monson encourages all young men and those young women or older people who want to go to serve missions. He teaches that it will be an experience that changes their lives. What better way to learn to know and love the Savior than to spend two full years of your life serving Him and teaching about him? As a result, he encourages young people to seriously prepare for the mission. By already having a testimony and living the standards of a missionary a young person can get the very most from his mission.

Missionaries are called to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thomas Monson taught this about the message missionaries present:

What is the gospel? It is the message we take, a message that declares that an angel flew in the midst of heaven and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. If we’ll remember that and the other elements of the message missionaries bear, we’ll be effective. In that message is the Book of Mormon, which is part and parcel of every missionary’s library—internal, what he knows, and external, what he teaches.

The Book of Mormon, the true nature of the Godhead—the world hungers for this message. It’s part of that which missionaries will take to the people.

Another element that I have found very important is that the Church is based on a foundation of Apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20). And we emphasize a “living” prophet today. I testify that President Hinckley is such a living prophet—the prophet, seer, and revelator of the Church.

If I could put my finger on that portion of the gospel which seems to penetrate a broader range of people and penetrate more deeply their hearts and their souls and move them to action, it’s the plan of salvation, or our Heavenly Father’s plan—where we came from, why we’re here, where we go when we leave mortality.

It’s been my observation that the stumbling block for investigators is not the Word of Wisdom. It isn’t Sabbath day observance. It’s a testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. It’s very important that we declare that message. The message is divine. Remember that (Thomas S. Monson, “The Five M’s of Missionary Work”, New Era, Mar. 2007, 42–45).

Thomas S. Monson is the current Mormon prophet. Many people wonder if Mormons are Christians. By looking at what the Bible says a Christian is, and by examining the teachings of the current prophet, we can decide whether or not Mormons and their Mormon prophet are Christians.

The word “Christian” appears only a few times in the Bible, always as a term non-Christians use to describe followers of Jesus Christ. They were first called Christians in Antioch by the other people who lived there, and this event is recorded in the Book of Acts, after Jesus’ death. Therefore, researching the Bible for what it says about who is a Christian is not helpful. However, we can look to see what the Bible says about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The word trinity is not found in the Bible and the concept is not taught there. Trinity is an inappropriate evaluation tool for Christianity since it was invented after Jesus’ death.

What did Jesus say on the subject of being a Christian, then?

In Jesus’ own time, the term “disciple” was used to describe the twelve apostles. His explanation of what a disciple is can help us decide what he considered to be the definition of a Christian, since the term disciple refers to following Christ. A Mormon prophet is a disciple of Christ, and the things Jesus said about His disciples in ancient times apply also to Thomas Monson.

Acknowledge God and Jesus

Jesus’ first criteria is that you must acknowledge Christ and His Father are both real and that you must honor them both. These scriptures show that they are different beings and must both be acknowledged:

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:23)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. . (John 5: 23-24).

Keep the Commandments

Another requirement for being a disciple of Jesus Christ is to keep the commandments. The New Testament has numerous references to God’s requirement that we obey His commandments.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31.)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Love One Another

The third requirement found numerous times in the New Testament is to love one another and to treat everyone like family—family you love.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35).

We can see the Bible really doesn’t offer a list of specific doctrine to be believed in if you want to be a Christian. What it does say is that we must love Jesus Christ and God, acknowledge their reality and divinity, treat others well, and live the gospel.

Thomas S. Monson, the Mormon prophet, has been a Christian all his life. He was raised in a family that practiced Christian charity on a regular basis. Homeless men riding the rails knew they could find a good meal in his mother’s kitchen. He helped his parents take food and gifts to those in need. As a young boy, he offered his testimony to the heartbroken mother of a young soldier who died, assuring her that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice had saved her son and would allow him to live again.

As an adult, President Monson continued the pattern his parents taught him. He is known for the loving care he gave to 85 widows in the congregation over which he presided as a young adult. He made sure they each had a fresh chicken for their Christmas dinner. He visited them in their homes and later in their nursing homes. He spoke at each of their funerals. Thomas Monson rounded up food, clothing, and other necessities for those in need who were under his care in his congregation.

Read: Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master

Throughout his life, he has preached the need for great love and kindness toward others, particularly those who are in need. He testifies often of Jesus Christ and encourages members of the Church to follow the example set by Him. He encourages Mormons to read the Bible and to learn about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

In 1990, Thomas S. Monson gave a talk called The Search for Jesus. In it he said,

Down through the generations of time, the message from Jesus has been the same. To Peter by the shores of beautiful Galilee, he said, “Follow me.” To Philip of old came the call, “Follow me.” To the Levite who sat a receipt of customs came the instructions, “Follow me.” And to you and to me, if we but listen, shall come that same beckoning invitation, “Follow me.”

He outlined the efforts people make in their own personal search for Jesus throughout history. Some mistakenly turn to idols or went on Crusades or debated truth in councils, like the one in Nicaea.

President Monson reminds us this is not how we find Christ.  We don’t find Christ or truth in debates, votes, or worldly patterns. The way to find Christ is by following the pattern given us by Christ Himself:

The formula for finding Jesus has always been and ever will be the same—the earnest and sincere prayer of a humble and pure heart. The prophet Jeremiah counseled, “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13.)

Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for Jesus, we must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time for shopping, time for work, time for play—but no time for Christ.

Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms for eating, rooms for sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but no room for Christ.

Do we get a pang of conscience as we recall his own words: “The foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matt. 8:20.) Or do we flush with embarrassment when we remember, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7.) No room. No room. No room. Ever has it been.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, Thomas Monson works to encourage people to find more time for their personal search for Christ. He also helps people understand the process of making that search.

Prayer, Thomas Monson reminds us, is a key factor in finding Christ. As we pray, we build our relationship with Jesus Christ and with God and learn to recognize when They are speaking to us. We learn to distinguish Their voices from all others, knowing that in James 1:5 of the New Testament, we are told God promises to give us wisdom if we ask for it with faith, and God always keeps His promises.

Thomas S. Monson reminds people to have a clear concept of the Jesus Christ they are seeking. They aren’t looking for the baby in the Christmas story. We are seeking the grown and resurrected Jesus Christ, Son of God, and Redeemer of Mankind.

The Mormon prophet tells us that once we find Jesus Christ, we must bring Him gifts. The Wise Men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, but from us, Christ asks for a different type of gift. He wants us to give ourselves to Him. This requires a greater depth of gift-giving. How do we give ourselves to Jesus Christ? A Christian will note the Bible, as shown above, says one way is to serve others. The Book of Mormon says that when we serve others we are in the service of God.

The Book of Mormon outlines another responsibility for those seeking to become Christians and to give of themselves to Jesus Christ. It says when we are baptized we covenant (promise) to stand as a witness of God.

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (Mosiah 18 in the Book of Mormon)

This scripture tells us a true Christian serves others compassionately. It also tells us we are called to be witnesses of God at all times. This is, for many, the most challenging part of being a Christian.

Being a true Christian is not about sitting in church for a few hours each Sunday, although that is part of it. It is not just about getting baptized or a one-time “being saved” action. It is about living every moment of our lives for Christ, being witnesses to Him. We take on ourselves His name when we’re baptized and that means we have a responsibility to wear the name well, to represent Him honorably even when it involves personal sacrifice.

Sometimes being a Christian and even more often being a Mormon Christian means facing discrimination, persecution, and hardship. It means occasionally facing name calling, discovering that despite laws you are denied a job or the same treatment in your career others receive. Sometimes it means a teacher will attack your faith in class. However, these are temporal concerns. For a Christian, the eternal perspective is the one that counts. When viewed from the eternal scheme of things, the challenges of being a Christian are minimal compared to the blessings of being a Christian.

The Mormon prophet has given most of his life to teaching about and serving Jesus Christ. He has spent untold hours in volunteer service as a leader in a lay church. He is noted for untold hours spent serving individuals as well as the church as a whole.

Is the Mormon prophet a Christian?

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth devil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7)

Thomas S. Monson is the Mormon prophet. He often talks about how Mormons can enjoy all of God’s blessings through obedience to the commandments. The Bible promises us that obedience brings blessings. Tithing is one commandment many Christians ignore or don’t pay in full and yet it comes with powerful blessings, both from God and through what we learn by sacrificing.

Mormons do not pass a collection plate, so visitors are never asked for money. However, they do pay tithing. They get an envelope that is usually found near the office of the bishop (similar to a lay pastor) and place their check or cash in it. They fill out a form to identify who paid it and then hand it to the bishop or one of his two assistants. No one outside of leaders in charge of these things knows who did or did not pay it.

Why are Mormons willing to give up ten percent of their income when the average Christian donation is only four percent?

All of us can afford to pay tithing. In reality, none of us can afford not to pay tithing. The Lord will strengthen our resolve. He will open a way to comply.

May I share with you a letter I received some months ago which provides such an example? The letter begins:

“We live on the edge of a small town, and our neighbor uses our pasture for his cattle and as payment provides us with all the beef we want. Each time we get new meat, we have some of the present supply left over; and since we live in a student ward, we take meat to some students we feel might have use for some good beef.

“During the time my wife was serving in a Relief Society presidency, her secretary was a student’s wife—the mother of eight children. Her husband, Jack, had recently been called as ward clerk.

“My wife had always prayed to know which students might need our help with our excess meat. When she told me she felt we should give some meat to Jack and his family, I was very concerned that we might offend them. So was she. We both were worried because they were a very independent family.

“A few days later, my wife said she still felt we should take the meat to them, and I reluctantly agreed to go along. When we delivered the meat, my wife’s hands were actually shaking, and I was very nervous. The children opened the door, and when they heard why we were there, they began dancing around. The parents were reserved but pleasant. When we drove away, my wife and I both were so relieved and happy that they had accepted our gift.

“A few months later our friend Jack got up in testimony meeting and related the following. He said that all his life he had had a hard time paying tithing. With such a large family, they used all the money he made just to get by. When he became ward clerk, he saw all the other people paying tithing and felt he needed to also. He did so for a couple of months, and all was well. Then one month he had a problem. In his job, he completed work and was paid a few months later. He could see that the family was going to be far short of money. He and his wife decided to share the problem with their children. If they paid their tithing, they would run out of food on about the 20th of the month. If they didn’t pay their tithing, they could buy enough food to last until the next paycheck. Jack said he wanted to buy [the] food, but the children said they wanted to pay tithing—so Jack paid the tithing, and they all prayed.

“A few days after paying their tithing, we had shown up with our package of meat for them. With the meat, added to what they had, there was no problem having enough food until the next paycheck.

“There are so many lessons here for me—for instance, always listen to my wife—but for me the most important is that the prayers of people are almost always answered by the actions of others.” (Monson, Thomas S. ““Be Thou an Example”.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Oct. 1996.).

Tithing was instituted in ancient times to help pay the costs of running God’s church and to bring blessings to those willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

Tithes are first mentioned in Genesis, showing they were instigated very early in the Earth’s history. In Genesis 14, Abraham is shown to be paying his tithes. In Genesis 28 Jacob is vowing to pay the tenth as well.

And this is the definition of tithing. A tithe is a tenth. Perhaps the best-known explanation of this commandment comes from Malachi, in the Old Testament:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10, King James Bible).

Mormon beliefs state that the tenth is one-tenth of your income. God gives us everything we have and asks only ten percent of it to do His work and Mormons consider this entirely fair and even generous. Without God, we would have nothing at all.

Even though it is God’s money to begin with, He promises us blessings if we will willingly pay our tithing. Malachi said we’d receive so many blessings we wouldn’t have room to receive it all. Some people misunderstand this scripture and think God will make them rich—returning their donation with monetary interest, so to speak. However, the scripture does not mention money. There are many types of blessings and the non-monetary blessings are usually far more valuable in the eternal scheme of things. A person who pays his tithing might be blessed with good health, with a happy family life, with secure employment, or simply with the joys that come from eternal life. A person who tithes will find he has enough—maybe not all he wants, but enough. One reason for this is:

“I bear witness—and I know that the witness I bear is true—that the men and the women who have been absolutely honest with God, who have paid their tithing, … God has given them wisdom whereby they have been able to utilize the remaining nine-tenths, and it has been of greater value to them, and they have accomplished more with it than they would if they had not been honest with the Lord” (Heber J. Grant in Conference Report, Apr. 1912, p. 30).

The tithing must be paid willingly and happily and be seen as a privilege, not a burden.

Tithing is used for a wide range of services. The Mormon Church is a lay church, so the bishops (ministers) and other workers are not being paid for their work. However, it costs money to run any organization. Buildings must be built, furnished, and maintained. They are heated, cooled, given running water and so forth. Mormons nearly all have callings, which are volunteer church jobs. They are instructed not to spend their own money on these, so supplies and travel must be reimbursed when purchased. A teacher of preschoolers, for instance, will need a lesson manual, which is provided, and then she may want crayons, paper, and other supplies to make the lessons more interesting. These materials are provided for the teacher, often in a bin each teacher picks up at the start of Primary. With the exception of a few special events, like summer camps, all activities are offered at no cost, so supplies are also needed to pay for official activities, including dances, parties, service projects, and outings for the youth.

A library is maintained in most buildings with audio-visual equipment, scriptures, reference materials, office supplies (which are often used by teachers and leaders in running a program) and photocopiers.

Tithing and other offerings are also used to assist in humanitarian efforts. LDS Charities provides humanitarian work worldwide to communities and individuals regardless of religion. These efforts include clean water initiatives, immunizations, neonatal care, wheelchairs, and emergency response. Within their own congregations, they provide food, utilities, and other temporary needs for church members who are encountering unexpected situations.

Tithing also helps to pay for the building and operation of Mormon temples. Because Mormon beliefs state that these are temples of the Lord, Mormons build the very nicest temples they can to demonstrate their love for the Savior—just as you would make the very nicest item if you were making something for something you loved. You’d use the best materials you could find and make it as lovely and perfect as possible. Mormons love Jesus Christ, so they build Him the finest gift they can. Inside the temples, they are giving the Savior another gift. The official Mormon website explains:

Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Because making covenants with God is such a solemn responsibility, individuals cannot enter the temple to receive their endowments or be sealed in marriage for eternity until they have fully prepared themselves and been members of the Church for at least a year. Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. The Church is working to build temples all over the world to make temple blessings more available for a greater number of Heavenly Father’s children.” (Temples, LDS.org)

The Mormons also run a serious education program which is paid for—all or in part depending on the program—by tithing. They have several universities with tuition much lower than most private universities due to tithing. Throughout the world, Institutes of Religion are operated for college students. These programs allow college students to include high-level religious training into their secular college education even if they can’t attend a Mormon school. At the high school level, teenagers attend a Seminary program before school each day and again, studying the scriptures in a more in-depth way than is possible in forty minutes of Sunday School. Over the course of four years of high school, they spend one year each on the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants/Church history.

There are many other programs that utilize tithing money. Mormons see tithing as a way to show their gratitude for God for the gifts He has given them and as a way to contribute to the many church programs that enrich their lives. They are glad they can participate in the building up of God’s kingdom.