5 Mormon Beliefs That Might Surprise You

When most people hear about “Mormons,” they might think of missionaries in white shirts, big families, or the Book of Mormon. But beyond these well-known aspects, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a number of unique beliefs that revolutionize how its members see God, life, and eternity.

Here are five Mormon beliefs that might surprise those who aren’t familiar with the faith.

1. God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost Are Three Distinct Beings

Some have wondered: do Mormons believe in the Trinity? Many Christian denominations teach that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are one being in three persons, unified in substance. Latter-day Saints, however, believe they are three separate and distinct beings who are perfectly united in purpose, love, and doctrine.

This belief is rooted in the Church’s understanding of the Godhead as revealed through the Bible and modern revelation. For example, during Jesus’ baptism in the New Testament, the Father’s voice is heard from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Ghost descends like a dove—three distinct presences working in perfect harmony.

For members of the Church, this understanding emphasizes a personal relationship with each member of the Godhead. God the Father is literally a Father in Heaven; Jesus Christ is His Son, the Savior and Redeemer; and the Holy Ghost is a separate being who guides, comforts, and testifies.

This view helps explain why prayer is directed to the Father, in the name of the Son, with the help and witness of the Spirit. It also underscores the Latter-day Saint belief that the divine is not distant or abstract, but personal and deeply involved in the lives of His children.

2. Everyone Lived With God Before They Were Born

What is a Mormon belief that sets them apart? Mormons believe all human beings lived as spirit children of God before being born. Known as the “premortal life,” this doctrine teaches that existence did not begin at birth but extends back into eternity.

In the premortal realm, God taught His spirit children and presented a plan for them to come to earth and gain physical bodies so they could learn through experience. According to this plan (often called “the Plan of Salvation” or “the Plan of Happiness”) everyone has the opportunity to choose right from wrong, grow in wisdom, and ultimately return to live with God again.

Jesus Christ is central to this plan. He was chosen to be the Savior, offering a way for people to overcome sin and death through His atonement. This perspective helps Latter-day Saints see life’s challenges not as random or meaningless, but as part of a larger divine story.

3. The Atonement of Jesus Christ Covers More Than Just Sin

Some people wonder: what are Mormons beliefs about Jesus? Most Christians view the atonement of Jesus Christ as the means by which humanity can be forgiven of sin. Latter-day Saints definitely believe that, but they go even further. They believe Jesus not only redeems from sin, but also provides spiritual strength, healing, and comfort for every aspect of mortal experience.

According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus “took upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people” (Alma 7:11). This means Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross covered not only sins, but also grief, loneliness, physical pain, mental illness, and every other form of human suffering.

In Mormon beliefs, the atonement is an ongoing source of grace and empowerment. Jesus allows people to change, to forgive and be forgiven, and to find peace amid the trials of life. This expansive view of Christ’s sacrifice invites a deeply personal connection with Him, as Latter-day Saints believe He knows and understands every individual perfectly.

4. Families Can Be Together Forever

One of the most cherished doctrines in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that family relationships do not have to end at death. Through sacred ordinances performed in temples, marriages and family bonds can be “sealed” for eternity.

This belief stems from Christ’s promise in the New Testament that what is “bound on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). In temples, husband and wife can be married not just “till death do us part” but for “time and all eternity.” Children can also be sealed to parents, linking generations together in what Latter-day Saints call the “eternal family.”

This doctrine influences nearly every aspect of what is Mormon. It encourages strong marriages, dedicated parenting, and a sense of duty to ancestors through family history work. It also offers profound comfort to those who lose loved ones, affirming that separation through death is temporary.

In a world where families often feel fragile, the Latter-day Saint view of eternal families stands as a message of hope, promising that love and relationships can endure forever through Christ’s power.

5. God Still Speaks Through Living Prophets

Perhaps one of the most distinctive and defining beliefs of the Church is that God continues to speak to His children today through living prophets and apostles, just as He did in ancient times.

The Church is organized with a prophet and twelve apostles who are regarded as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Members believe these leaders receive revelation from God to guide the Church in modern circumstances.

This belief is rooted in the idea that God’s pattern for communicating with His people has never changed. As the Bible says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Modern prophets have taught principles that help Latter-day Saints navigate today’s challenges by emphasizing faith in Christ, moral integrity, compassion, and the importance of personal revelation. Members are encouraged not to follow blindly, but to pray and decide for themselves if what prophets teach is true. This belief underscores the Church’s conviction that Heaven is not silent. 

Mormons Have A Faith for Troubled Times

While these five Mormon beliefs may be surprising to some, they form part of a broader picture of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint: a follower of Jesus Christ who believes in eternal families, divine purpose, and ongoing revelation.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that truth is eternal and that God’s plan is filled with love and hope. Every belief carries the message that life has meaning and every soul is precious to God.

For members of the Church, these teachings are not just doctrines to be studied, but principles to live by. And for those who look a little deeper, they reveal a faith both ancient in its roots and alive in its modern expression.

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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