Creeds: It's All In The Wording

The Mormon Creed

"Mainstream Christian religions typically subscribe to a creed that enumerates (in carefully crafted language) their basic beliefs. The Nicene Creed, first formulated at an ecumenical council of the Christian church in 325 AD, is the prime example of a Christian creed. If asked about their basic beliefs, Mormons will often refer to the Articles of Faith, a short list of thirteen statements such as "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." But the Articles of Faith are not a creed; they are far too general and do not convey the essential points of belief that distinguish Mormons from other Christians. Mormonism, in fact, has no creed. Why not? Primarily because there is no agreement on what exactly are the distinguishing points of Mormon doctrine--Mormonism has no theologians. Of course, any Mormon thinks they know and can identify their essential distinguishing beliefs. But every Mormon will give you a slightly different response, and the problem is not alleviated by reference to the Mormon canon or to the statements of its leaders.

One can, however, "reverse engineer" a Mormon Creed by working backwards from the list of questions asked of each Mormon who obtains a temple recommend. The questions are put to Mormons in one-on-one, confidential interviews with their minister. All must be answered properly in order to obtain a "temple recommend," required to enter any Mormon temple and participate in the sacred ordinances and rituals performed there. Recommends expire and must be renewed by the same process every two years. The temple recommend questions reveal specific institutional concerns and priorities of the Church and its leaders. By defining what it means to qualify as a "temple Mormon," these questions provide the basis for constructing a Mormon Creed that expresses exactly what it means to be "a good Mormon." Here is my formulation of The Mormon Creed, reverse-engineered from Mormon temple recommend questions.

A Mormon must have faith in God the Eternal Father, in Jesus Christ His Son who atoned for our sins as Savior and Redeemer, and in the Holy Ghost; believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in these latter days; and believe that the priesthood keys of authority to direct the Church and perform the ordinances of the gospel are held exclusively by the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and no other.

A Mormon must sustain the President of the Church, his counselors, and other members of the Quorum of the Twelve as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators whose authority derives from the priesthood keys of authority; sustain the other General Authorities and local Church leaders as exercising properly delegated priesthood authority; and not support or belong to any group whose teachings or practices are in conflict with those of the Church.

To stand approved of God, a Mormon must live the law of chastity, pay a full financial tithe of ten percent, follow the dietary laws of the Church, strictly follow the dress code of the temple, be honest when dealing with other people, honor financial commitments to former spouses and dependent children, and attend Church meetings." (http://radio.weblogs.com)

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About Me

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Michigan, United States
I spent a lot of time deciding if I should write this blog or not. I'm not a great writer and I'm not going to pretend to be. I need to share what I have learned and I might not make some people happy with what I am saying. This blog is a way for me to release the thoughts and feelings that come with knowing I grew up in the wrong religion. A healing process if you will.

How To Read This Blog

Please start with the month of February 2007 and read backwards. This is the most effective way to understand, in order, why I say what I do.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.