Gospel Topics Essays

Latter-day Saint Doctrine

What the Church teaches about the parts of our doctrine that are different from other churches.

The concern

Some of what Latter-day Saints believe is different from what other churches teach — and that's on purpose. The Restoration brought back truths that had been lost or changed: the real nature of God, our literal relationship to Him as His children, our potential to become like Him, and the fact that we have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father. The Church has published essays that explain where these doctrines come from.

Latter-day Saints worship Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. We believe the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate, eternal beings perfectly united in purpose — that's what Joseph Smith saw in the First Vision (Acts 7:55–56). The essay explains how the Restoration returns to the original Christian witness.

Are Mormons Christian?

How Latter-day Saints follow Jesus Christ and how the Restoration returns to the original Christian view of God.

churchofjesuschrist.org ↗

One of the most powerful doctrines of the Restoration is that we're literal children of Heavenly Parents and can grow, through Jesus Christ, to inherit all that the Father has. This was taught by Joseph Smith in the King Follett Sermon and shows up in the writings of early Christian leaders. It's a huge answer to "why are we here."

Becoming Like God

The Latter-day Saint doctrine of eternal progression.

churchofjesuschrist.org ↗

Latter-day Saints know we have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father. Church leaders have taught this since Joseph Smith's day. The essay explains what's been taught and how the doctrine fits into the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mother in Heaven

The doctrine that we have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father.

churchofjesuschrist.org ↗

The doctrines of the Restoration answer the biggest questions a person can ask. Read them in the Church's own words, ask the Lord, and the Spirit will witness they're true.

Still have questions? Talk to your parents, your bishop, or a trusted leader. Questions are part of faith, not the opposite of it.