Is the United States mentioned in the Bible?
Jacob’s Inspired Blessing to Joseph
In the book of Genesis just prior to the death of Jacob the Patriarch, he called his sons together to bless each of them with prophetic pronouncements. His son Joseph, on whom was the birthright blessing, was given this blessing in Genesis 49.
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
In the LDS faith, we interpret this as being Joseph’s descendents (branches) would be numerous (fruitful). They would travel (run) over an ocean (well of water) which is difficult for a desert people (wall representing the difficulty). They would arrive in a promised land containing everlasting hills and be separated from their brethren in the same way Joseph was separated from his brethren during his life. The American continent is the only one in the world with mountains that run from the top of North America to the bottom of South America. We believe these verses show the promised land given to Joseph was upon this continent. Continue reading
Robin Heuer’s Conversion Story
Robin Heuer joined the Mormon church as a teenager. Here’s her conversion story to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Do Mormons Celebrate New Years?
As a child I remember on occasion staying up to watch “the Apple” drop in New York city at midnight on December 31st. For me, it soon lost its luster and I have personally found other ways to celebrate and ring in the new year besides an extra effort at incurring sleep deprivation. Now that I have children, that’s harder because they think it’s something fun to stay up till midnight just to do it as if watching the clock turn to midnight will have some type of social impact on their lives.
There is no church doctrine surrounding New Year’s celebrations except the obvious one. Do it sober. 
The LDS church has a doctrine we call the Word of Wisdom which is a revelation Joseph Smith received on taking care of your body. The result of living that law for the past 180 or so years is LDS men and women have a longer lifespan than non-LDS people by several years. I’ve seen numbers that are as high as 11 extra years touted but that link to a study shows about 7 years.
The core of this doctrine is to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea (herbal is OK), and other harmful substances; and to partake of wholesome grains, fruits, and herbs. The revelation ends with a promise of health, mental alertness, and that the “that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.” You can read the revelation on the Word of Wisdom in its entirety here. Continue reading
Do Mormons Celebrate Christmas?
As a child, I loved waking up on Christmas morning and coming out to see the presents Santa had brought that special night. It always amazed me how they magically appeared. As I got older, I started to think differently about Christmas but I don't think I had the maturity to truly appreciate the holiday until I was an adult with children of my own. I've learned that Christmas as an adult is better than Christmas as a child. There's more meaning to it, but also more magic in watching my own children's delight. The challenge is helping them understand the true reason for the season.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I love the story of Jesus's birth as portrayed in the Bible. The church just started releasing New Testament videos they've produced which also help tell the story of the Savior's life.
As members of the LDS church, we also have the account of the Savior's birth as it was recorded in the Book of Mormon by ancient prophets who prophesied of signs to come at his birth, and recorded their fulfillment. Here is part of the account. The non-believers had chosen a day that if the signs that had been given were not fulfilled, they would put all the believers in Christ to death. The prophet Nephi at that time went and prayed to the Lord asking him what to do. Continue reading
Do Mormons Believe in Christ?
The short answer is a definite yes, Mormons DO believe in Christ. However, you are reading this to get a bigger and better understanding of what Mormons really believe. So, I will continue.
The central belief of Mormonism is that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God on the earth. He was placed on this earth to do several things: gain a physical body and show mankind through His example of how to live, teach us more about our relationship with God, give us ordinances and power to establish His church on this earth, but most of all to atone for our sins and overcome death so that all of mankind will rise up at the resurrection and have an opportunity to live with God and Jesus Christ our Savior.
Do we believe in Mormon or Christ?
It is unfortunate that the members of the church were given the nickname "Mormons" so early in the establishment of this religion. This is cause for much confusion and misunderstanding about their beliefs and teachings and if they are Christians or not. The true name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". This is the only name by which the church has ever been established. The inherited nickname of "Mormon" comes because new scripture introduced to complement the Bible is titled "The Book of Mormon." It is understood that The Book of Mormon, given to Joseph Smith was a fulfillment of the prophetic scripture in Ezekiel 37:16-18:
"Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand."
Like other Christians do not worship any of the prophets and others who contributed to the Bible, which tells us of Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ do not worship Mormon, who was a prophet who abridged books written by prophets and others who lived on the American Continent from about 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. This book, The Book of Mormon, is simply another testament of Jesus Christ, and in fact quotes several similar accounts listed in the Old Testament of the Bible and also has similar accounts to the New Testament that happened in the Americas such as the visitation of Christ to the inhabitants there after his resurrection.
Just as a person belonging to the Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic or Baptist church would be hurt that someone didn't think they believed in Christ because the name of their church didn't include his name, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) are saddened by the misunderstanding that stems from the nickname of "Mormon", because the actual name of the church does specify they believe and follow Christ.
It has been believed that Mormons do not believe in the same Jesus as other Christian churches, that each Jesus Christ is different. Members of the LDS church believe in the very same Jesus Christ that lived over 2000 years ago, was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, after coming back from Egypt, grew up in Nazareth and during his ministry called 12 men to be his disciples, then suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, died upon a cross in Calvary, and resurrected 3 days later from his tomb. He is our Savior and our Redeemer. The light of the world!
However, members also believe that He is alive today giving further light and knowledge through modern revelation to current prophets. We believe that Christ revealed himself to other people on the earth other than Jews and that He will return to the earth in glory in what is referred to as His Second Coming. Mormons do not share the same beliefs of the nature of the Godhead as stated in the Nicene Creed. We have a different understanding of the Godhead because of modern revelation and scriptures which add to our understanding of the nature of God, His Son and the Holy Ghost.
As we study the Bible, it also indicates that God has a body:
Exodus 24:10"And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness."
How could God have feet if he is only a Spirit?
Deuteronomy 5:4"The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire."
Face to face? He has a face!
The fact that God and His Son, Jesus Christ are two separate beings is also addressed in the Bible. Luke 2:49 "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" He clearly understood that he was to do the Father's work while on this earth, but that He is not his Father.
St. John 20:17 "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God"
Christ is not the same being as God the Father, why would he need to ascend to Himself?
Matthew 26:39"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
It is obvious that Christ is praying to someone else other than himself. He did not pray to himself, He prayed to His Father, Our Father.
Mormons DO believe in Christ
Christ is our Elder Brother, the only Begotten of the Father on this earth. He came to earth and lived perfectly, was baptized by immersion, atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and completed this Atonement through his death on the cross. He then resurrected three days later, a glorified being. I testify that this is true, that Mormons do believe in Christ. That because of our knowledge of revelation, we are able to have a personal witness from the Holy Ghost of his divinity. And, if you would like a personal witness, you too can pray to the Father and receive your own witness that His Son, Christ leads and directs The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints today on the earth. You can also read the Book of Mormon and feel the power of the Spirit testifying to you of its truthfulness as a second witness of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
We invite you to learn more about our beliefs by obtaining a free copy of the Book of Mormon. There is no obligation. Just click the link above on the right and one will be sent to you. I know it will help answer your questions about the purpose of life which certainly go beyond “do Mormons believe in Christ?”
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