What is a Mormon?

Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith rooted in Christianity. While the term “Mormon” is often used informally to refer to members of this faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the formal and preferred name of the religion.

Mormons believe in and follow Jesus Christ, accepting Him as their Savior and Redeemer. As such, they look to the Bible as the true word of God, alongside and in some cases superseding the Book of Mormon, which is another key and sacred text of the Church. This book is a compilation of ancient records detailing God’s interactions with His people over the centuries. Together, these scriptures are what Mormons rely upon to learn the truths of the gospel and understand the purpose of life.

Living Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by living prophets and apostles, giving it an authority structure very similar to that of the ancient Church of Christ as described in the New Testament. These modern-day prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders are responsible for faithfully sharing and preserving God’s will and gospel on Earth.

The Church also offers the opportunity for its members to be involved in worship and participate in special ordinances like baptism, confirmation, and the sacrament—what we commonly refer to as communion in some churches. The scriptures, ordinances, teachings, and guidance of the Church serve to help its members draw nearer to God, come to a greater understanding of the gospel, and live more enlightened lives.

Finding Inner Peace

Mormonism is ultimately focused on helping us come closer to God, and one of its fundamental beliefs is that each of us can come to know God in a personal way by having faith in Jesus Christ, studying the scriptures, and living an upright life. Mormons strive to live their faith by living the commandments and honing their characters with the help of the Holy Ghost.

Mormons are committed to striving to build Zion, an ideal spiritual and physical community that representatives of all ages, ethnicities, races, backgrounds, and cultures will eventually make up. They believe that if one follows the Lord’s commandments, he or she can find true peace in this life and even peace in the life to come.