What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ?
Mormons regard Jesus as their literal Savior. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and eternal reality are considered to be the most important doctrines of the Mormon Church. This doctrine has been taught since the church’s founding to today. Mormons assert that a fundamental belief in the salvific mission of Jesus Christ makes Mormonism Christian.
Joseph Smith published a list of common questions that he had been asked about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Mormon Church. Among these questions was one that asked “What are the fundamental principles of your religion.” Smith’s written response to this question was that the central doctrines of the Mormon Church are the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, ‘that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven;’ and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion.”
Mormons believe that Jesus is God, that Heavenly Father is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. So, how are Mormons different than Christians? Mormons believe that all the members of the Godhead work together, but are separate beings. The Book of Mormon teaches about the godly nature of Jesus Christ, “For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.”
References
- Elders’ Journal, Far West, Caldwell Co., MO, July 1838. Joseph Smith Papers, accessed January 30, 2024, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-1838/12
- 2 Nephi 11:7