Mormon Beliefs: Jesus Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are often known as Mormons, are Christians. While they are not creedal Christians, they are New Testament Christians, rejecting the doctrines voted in at the various councils. His name is in the very center of the name of the church and at the heart of the church’s mission.

The Book of Mormon, which Mormons consider a companion to the Bible, is a second witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Early in the book, one of the ancient authors explains the purpose of the book:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Ne. 25:26).

The Book of Mormon tells of a visit Jesus Christ made to the Americas after His death. There He preached the gospel to His “other sheep:”

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

The Book of Mormon proves the divinity of Jesus Christ, because it testifies that He appeared to others after He died, others who had no access to His mortal ministry. It demonstrates that He is the Savior of all the world, not just of a small group of people in the Holy Lands. In a time when even some churches are choosing to claim Jesus was not divine, Mormons have proof that He is.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was born of a mortal mother—Mary—and an immortal father, God. They believe Mary was a virgin when she gave birth and teach that we do not know how the conception occurred, only that it was in a manner respectful to Mary.

His purpose for coming to earth was to serve a mission, teaching the gospel to all who would listen and later to all the world through the scriptures. More importantly, though, was that He came to atone for our sins. This was a voluntary sacrifice that allowed all of us to be saved. Through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, everyone who came to earth would be able to overcome death, live forever, and choose to repent. This is unconditional and is given to everyone equally and freely, regardless of the individual’s choices in life or his level of faith and obedience. This is called everlasting life or grace. Those who choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, which includes being baptized by a person with the proper authority and obeying the commandments, can activate the full measure of the atonement and receive eternal life in the presence of God.

Mormons do not believe you can “work your way into Heaven.” The Bible makes it very clear obedience to the commandments, not just faith or saying certain words, is required for entrance to Heaven:

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).

This scripture helps us to understand that mere words are not enough, because it is possible to perform any act, including speaking, without meaning it. For obedience to have an effect on our eternal life, it must be done as a measure of our deep love for God and Jesus Christ. A person cannot choose to obey the commandments solely for the purpose of getting rewards. Without the proper spirit of faith and love, the actions are meaningless.

Mormons believe that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct individuals. The Bible demonstrates this in the baptism of Jesus, when all three members were present at the same time and when God said He was pleased by His Son, a statement Jesus would obviously not make about Himself. In addition, when Stephen was killed, it was because he testified of a vision in which he saw Jesus on the right hand of God. This vision teaches several critical truths about God and Jesus.

John 10:30 says, “I and my Father are one.” What type of oneness does this scripture refer to? We find the answer in the Great Intercessory Prayer given by Jesus Christ. He said, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

Here Jesus Christ spoke of His desire that His followers would be one in the same way God and Jesus are one—entirely unified. He did not want them to share a physical substance; He merely wanted them unified in doctrine, purpose, and love.

Mormons teach even their youngest children to study the example of Jesus Christ and to emulate it. The children sing a song about trying to be like Jesus and another about imagining Jesus standing beside them—how would that impact their behavior? In their classes, they study the life of Christ and learn how to begin to follow Him. This formal instruction begins at age eighteen months, but begins even sooner in the home.

At baptism, which occurs at age eight, children commit to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ. This, they are taught, is a powerful responsibility. It means they must be proper representatives of Him at all times. Each week, when Mormons take the Sacrament (communion) they renew that baptismal covenant. Teen girls recite a pledge weekly to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ at all time, in all things, and in all places. Every member of the Church is expected to appropriately represent what the Savior taught.

Prayer is an important part of Mormon Christianity. Mormons pray to God through Jesus Christ. As soon as they are old enough, they are encouraged to pray for a personal testimony of Jesus Christ and of His church. Even children are told it is important that they not believe in Jesus Christ and His church merely because their family, friends, and teachers told them to. They must gain a personal testimony of Jesus Christ and commit themselves to Him. They are expected to do this prior to their baptisms, but are encouraged to continue praying for a testimony as they grow up. Mormons have faith in the promise of the Bible (James 1:5) that if we lack wisdom, we can receive it by praying to God.

This personal witness, given to us directly from God, is why Mormons have such a powerful testimony of the Savior.

Learn more about Mormon beliefs about Jesus Christ.