What We Believe

At The Church of Jesus Christ, everything we believe is based on scripture. If God said it, we believe it. It’s really as simple as that.

We believe in God

The Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

These three are the great, matchless power who created the universe and who rules all things.

God provides everything for this life and for eternal salvation. God is a personage of glory.
(Ex. 24:15-17; Eph. 1:17; I Nephi 1:8; Eth. 3:13-17) The Son (Jesus Christ) is the image of the Father.

Son was with the Father from the beginning.
Son was born of a virgin named Mary and conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus became man, established His church, and suffered and died for the sins of all mankind.
Jesus rose again after three days to an immortal body, creating the mode whereby all will eventually resurrect.
(Also see Belief 8)
Jesus resides at the right hand of God.
Jesus is the head of the body, His Church.
Jesus will return to earth in a second coming.
(Also see Belief 12) (Col. 1:15-19; Acts 1:11; Matt. 24:30-36)

The Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Ghost) is the mind of the Father and of the Son, the unseen power and glory which emanates from God and can manifest in various forms and is the witness and gift of God.
(I Cor. 2:16, Matt. 3:16; I Nephi 11:11, I John 5:6; III Nephi 11:35-36, 19:13, 28:11; Acts 2:38; John 14:26; I Cor. 12:4-11)

Ref.: Articles 1 & 2, Faith and Doctrine

We believe The Church has ordained officers

And that believers possess the signs promised to them.

We believe that the New Testament scriptures contain a true and exact description of The Church of Jesus Christ in principle, doctrine, and practices. The ordinances and practices of the Church are:
(I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:13; Titus 1:5; III Nephi 27:1-11)

Baptism by immersion
(Matt. 3:13-17; John 4:1-2; Acts 2:38; III Nephi 11:22-26)
Laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost
(Acts 2:38, 5:32, 8:13-17; Moroni 2:2)
Lord’s Supper (III Nephi 18:1-12)
Feet washing (John 13:4-17)
Anointing the sick with oil and praying for them
(James 5:14-15)
Ordaining all spiritual Church officers (Moroni 3)
Blessing of children (Matt. 19:13-15)

The Church or kingdom must be molded after the pattern set by Christ and as set up — including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers provided for the perfecting of the saints — is sufficient for life and salvation.
(I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:1, 13; Matt. 28: 18-20; Titus 1:5 III Nephi 27:1-11)

Signs shall follow believers as promised by Christ
(Mark 16:15-18; I Cor. 12:1-12; Moroni 10:8-25)
Gentiles will eventually forfeit the fullness of the gospel through disobedience
(Also see Belief 11)
God will remember His promises to Israel and will restore Israel
(Also see Belief 11) (III Nephi 16:10-11; Ezek. 34:1-11; III Nephi 20; 21;14-21)
God will use His Church to fulfill His plan.
(Jer. 31:10, 16:16; III Nephi 21, 22)
A degree of spiritual blindness afflicts Israel until God’s plan unfolds and the fullness of the Gentiles is accomplished.
(Rom. 11:25-26)
Descendants of Israel — specifically of Ephriam and Manasseh, sons of Joseph — inherited the continents of the Americas and are now identified as the Native Americans. These continents have special status as God’s choice land, covenanted with the obligation of the occupants to serve God. This is the land referenced by Moses, by Ezekiel, and by Isaiah, the land of Joseph and of the restored Israel.
(Gen. 49:22-26; Deu. 33:13-17; Ezek. 37:25; Isa. 33:17-21; Dan. 2:34-35; Eth. 2:7-12)
God’s kingdom will be fully established on earth while men are still in the flesh. This Peaceful Reign will precede Christ’s second coming to wed His bride, the Church, at the First Resurrection. The First Resurrection marks the beginning of the 1,000 years (Millennium) which precedes the resurrection of all who remain.
(Isa. 2:1-5; Isa. 35; Isa. 51:3; Isa. 55; Isa. 65:18-25; Hosea 2:18-19; Job 5:22-25; Ezek. 34:25-26; I Nephi 22:4-28; III Nephi 20:22; III Nephi 21:23-29; Ether 13:4-12; Matt. 24:36-42; Luke 17:23-27; Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 19:7-9; Acts 3:20-21; III Nephi 28:7-8)

Ref.: Articles 3, 4, 5, 11, 19, 23, 24, Faith and Doctrine

We believe the Bible and the Book of Mormon are one

These Holy Scriptures tell of God’s relationship with the human family. Together, these two books reveal God’s plan for us all.

The Book of Mormon is the book spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah, and also the book that Ezekiel refers to as the stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim — the Stick of Judah being the Bible.
(Isa. 29; Ezek. 37:16-19; II Nephi 27:6-22; II Nephi 29:6-8)
The scripture is referring to The Book of Mormon where it states, “I have written to him (Ephraim) the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.”
The Book of Mormon contains a record of Jesus Christ visiting the tribe of Joseph in the Americas and teaching His gospel there after His resurrection.
(III Nephi 11-28)
They were those whom he spoke of as sheep who had to hear His voice.
(Hosea 8:12; John 10:16; III Nephi 15:16-24; III Nephi 16:1-3)
The Book of Mormon does not support polygamy in any form.
(Also see Belief 9) (Jacob 2:23-28; Mosiah 11; Ether 10:5)
Many pure and precious tenets established by Christ were changed or lost during the early centuries of the Church. (See also Belief 10) Take note of references to this apostasy.
(Isa. 24:5-6; Acts 20:29-30; II Thes. 2; I Tim. 4; II Tim. 3, 4; II Peter 2; IV Nephi 1:24-49)
The apostasy was not to be resolved by reformation but only by restoration. This is represented by the angel in Rev. 14:6-7, and John saw other related prophetic events. The coming forth of The Book of Mormon marked the initiation of the Restoration. Refer to the previous item and its references to review the events that follow.
(Isa. 24:5-6; Acts 20:29-30; II Thes. 2; I Tim. 4; II Tim. 3 and 4; II Peter 2; IV Nephi 1:24-49; III Nephi 16:10-11; Ezek. 34:11-16; III Nephi 20; III Nephi 21:14-21; Gen. 49:22-26; Deu. 33:13-17; Ezek. 37:25; Isa. 33:17-21; Dan. 2:34-35)

Ref.: Articles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in divine inspiration

All of our preaching is inspired by God, not-prewritten or planned beforehand. This gives God the chance to use each minister as an instrument in His hands.

The Holy Ghost is the essential source of inspiration and the power that ensures a message from God.
(Note: Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit refer to the same entity. Either term applies.) (II Tim. 3:16-17)

The ministry is a calling, not a profession. We do not believe in a paid ministry.
(Matt. 10:8; Alma 1; Luke 10:21; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3; I Cor. 2)

Ministerial training must be consistent with scripture and must not contradict the essential element of inspiration by the Holy Spirit.
(II Tim. 1:6-7; 2:1-2)

Divine revelation continues in modern times consistent with examples in the scriptures. These are given in dreams, visions, signs, gifts, and His word to whomever He chooses.
(Also see Belief 7) (Joel 2:28; I Cor. 12:3-11; Alma 9:21; II Nephi 26:13, II Nephi 29; Moroni 10:8-24; Mormon 9:7-8)

Ref.: Articles 7 & 25, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in these ordinances and practices, as represented in scripture

Baptism by immersion
(Matt. 3:13-17; John 4:1-2; Acts 2:38; III Nephi 11:22-26)

Laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost
(Acts 2:38, 5:32, 8:13-17; Moroni 2:2)

Lord’s Supper
(III Nephi 18:1-12)

Feet washing
(John 13:4-17)

Anointing the sick with oil and praying over them
(James 5:14-15)

Ordaining all spiritual Church officers
(Moroni 3)

Blessing of children
(Matt. 19:13-15) (Also see Belief 2)

The Lord’s suffering and death is commemorated — usually on Sunday — with the Lord’s Supper administered to members of the Church. The wine represents His blood and the bread represents His body.
(Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; I Cor. 1:16-17; III Nephi 18:1-12; Moroni 4, 5)

Ref.: Articles 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 & 14, Faith and Doctrine

We believe these actions lead to salvation

Believe and have faith that Jesus Christ is the risen Savior of the world.

Repent of your sins with a desire to sin no more.

Be baptized by immersion in water for a remission of sins.

Receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

Live righteously, remain faithful, and endure to the end of your life.

Men are not accountable for the sin of Adam which was atoned for by Christ. Men are to be punished for their own transgressions. Little children are represented as characteristic of heaven.
(Mosiah 3:11; Eph. 2:15-16; Col. 2:14; I Peter 2:24; Isa. 53:5; Alma 40:21; Mormon 9:12-13)
All must obey the gospel to be saved.
(Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 10; II Nephi 9:23-24)
Obedience to the gospel demonstrated by belief (faith), repentance, baptism (immersion), righteous living, and enduring to the end of life.
(Acts 2:38; Acts 19:2-7; Acts 8:17; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:21; Mosiah 18:8-17; III Nephi 18:36-38; Moroni 2; John 3:5; Rom. 6:3-13; Col. 2:12; III Nephi 11:23-27)
The Church of Jesus Christ is patterned exactly as is represented in the scriptures. Officers are ordained and serve for the “perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, bringing all to the unity of the faith unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
(Also see Belief 2) (I Cor. 12:28, Eph. 4:13, Titus 1:5; III Nephi 27:1-11)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the scriptures, was a victory over the power of death and established the resurrection of all men. The righteous will resurrect to happiness and the unrighteous will resurrect to misery.
(Matt. 27:52-54; I Cor. 15; Alma 40, 41; II Nephi 9:4-22; III Nephi 23:9-11)

Ref.: Articles 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8, Faith and Doctrine

We believe that God continues to reveal His will

In and through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Divine revelation continues in modern times, consistent with examples in the scriptures. These are given in dreams, visions, signs, gifts, and His word to whomever He chooses.
(Joel 2:28; I Cor. 12:3-11; Alma 9:21; II Nephi 26:13, II Nephi 29; Moroni 10:8-24; Mormon 9:7-8)

Ref.: Articles 7 & 25, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in eternal life

Because Jesus died and resurrected, He established resurrection for all mankind — a place for everyone in Heaven.

Jesus’s resurrection was a victory over the power of death.

Jesus’s resurrection was to eternal life, immortality.
The righteous who believed in Christ through prophecy before His birth expected to resurrect with Him. Many of them were seen at the time of Jesus’s resurrection. At the time of Christ’s second coming, there will be another resurrection of the righteous who have died (or will die) since Christ’s resurrection.
(Matt. 27:52-54; Alma 40; II Nephi 9:4-22; III Nephi 23:9-11)

That second coming of Christ will occur at the end of the world in sequence with the Peaceful Reign.

Christ will wed His bride (the Church) gathering to himself all the righteous (those who have resurrected, those resurrecting with His coming, as well as those alive at His coming who will be converted to the resurrected state) to dwell with Him for 1,000 years (Millennium).
Ultimately, all of mankind will resurrect and face judgment, the righteous receiving the reward of Promise and the unrighteous receiving condemnation.
(Matt. 24:36-42; Luke 17:23-27; Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 19:7-9; Acts 3:20-21; III Nephi 28:7-8.)
The rewards to the righteous and the consequences to the unrighteous are for eternity.
(See also Belief 6)

(John 5:24-29; I Cor. 15:3-24, 35-58; Rev. 20, 21; Mosiah 16:1-13; Mosiah 26; Alma 12:24-26, 31; Alma 41, 42; III Nephi 26:4-5)

Ref.: Articles 15 & 23, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in marriage between man and woman

And that this union before God is a holy institution

Marriage is instituted by God as a covenant between one man and one woman for life.
(Gen. 1:27, 2:18-24; Matt. 19:3-8; Jac. 2:23-28)

Ref.: Article 26, Faith and Doctrine

We believe that God restored the Gospel in its fullness

Many pure and precious tenets established by Christ were changed or lost during the early centuries of the Church. Take note of references to this apostasy.
(Isa. 24:5-6; Acts 20:29-30; II Thes. 2; I Tim. 4; II Tim. 3, 4; II Peter 2; IV Nephi 1:24-49)

The apostasy was not to be resolved by reformation but only by restoration.

The Restoration took place in the 19th century with the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon.
This is represented by the angel in Rev. 14:6-7.
John saw other related prophetic events.
The coming forth of The Book of Mormon marked the initiation of the Restoration. Refer to Belief 3 and its references to review the events that follow.
(Isa. 24:5-6; Acts 20:29-30; II Thes. 2; I Tim. 4; II Tim. 3, 4; II Peter 2; IV Nephi 1:24-49; III Nephi 16:10-11; Ezek. 34:11-16; III Nephi 20; III Nephi 21:14-21; Gen. 49:22-26; Deu. 33:13-17; Ezek. 37:25; Isa. 33:17-21; Dan. 2:34-35)

Ref.: Articles 17, 18 & 22, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in God’s promises

God’s blessings are there for all who love and serve Him. He won’t forget His promises to the House of Israel.

We believe in the promises of the Savior as they are written in Mark 16:15-18. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
(I Cor. 12:1-12; Moroni 10:8-25)

God will remember His promises to Israel and will restore Israel.
(III Nephi 16:10-11; Ezek. 34:1-11; III Nephi 20; 21:14-21)

God will use His Church to fulfill His plan.
(Jer. 31:10, 16:16; III Nephi 21, 22)

We believe in observing all things that the Lord has commanded. He has promised that if mankind is obedient to His commandments that He will be with them continually even to the end of the world.
(Matt. 28:20; III Nephi 12:19-20; III Nephi 27:6-22)

Ref.: Articles 11, 16, 19 & 20, Faith and Doctrine

We believe in the second coming of Christ

That it will occur at the end of the world with the First Resurrection and that He will wed His Bride, the Church, and gather the righteous to Him.

(Also see Belief 8)

At the time of Christ’s second coming, there will be another resurrection of the righteous who have died (or will die) since Christ’s resurrection.
(Matt. 27:52-54; Alma 40; II Nephi 9:4-22; III Nephi 23:9-11)