I am not at all sure most Mormons know what they are supposed to believe. The LDS church has for decades if not more than a century been promoting itself as an offshoot of conventional New Testament Christianity. The more bizarre and sometimes laughable teachings of Joseph Smith are downplayed, denied, or have been reversed altogether by his successor “prophets”.
I am not at all sure most Mormons know what they are supposed to believe.
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Part of that is the complete lack of systematic theology in Mormonism. Thier theology is haphazard which makes it easier to keep control on its members (harder to see the contradictions) and easier to dismiss its critics (”we don’t believe that anymore” cry even though many members do)
The things listed in the OP are very common teachings and would be known by all members.
I should add that LDS has no appeal whatsoever to me. But I am not going to condemn individual Mormons for being members of what I find to be a laughable concoction church created by a skilled and charismatic 19th century con artist. When thinking of Islam and Scientology all I can say is: I have seen worse faiths a person might choose to follow than the LDS.
Good point!
In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, for our salvation depends on them.
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say Thus Saith the Lord, to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by mens reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidencythe highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidencythe living prophet and the First Presidencyfollow them and be blessedreject them and suffer.
I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captainhow close do our lives harmonize with the Lords anointedthe living ProphetPresident of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.
Ezra Taft Benson
(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University) http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng
TRANSLATION:
Just do what Headquarters tells you to do this month.If it changes NEXT month; just do that, to.