What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ and the Godhead? - the fact and myth cheat sheet

This is true.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their God;^[1] Lord,^[2] Redeemer,^[3] Savior,^[4] and King.^[5] Mormons believe that Christ is a separate being from God the Father,^[6] but all of their worship goes to Christ^[7] who they believe in turn gives all the glory to the Father.^[8]

This is false.

Mormons believe that Jesus is divine.^[9] They believe that he was chosen to be the savior of mankind before the earth was ever created because of his divinity.^[10] Though Mormons view Christ as a separate being from the Father, they view Christ as God,^[1] Lord,^[2] Redeemer,^[3] Savior,^[4] and King.^[5] Mormons believe him to have all power^[11] and knowledge.^[12] Mormons believe he is a member of the Godhead because of his divinity.^[13]

This is true.

Mormons believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct individuals.^[6] The technical classification for Mormon belief in the Godhead is called Social Trinitarianism.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is God,^[1] though he is believed to be a separate being from God the Father.^[6] All of Mormon worship, dedications, and prayers are all done in the name of Christ.^[14] Mormons believe that the Father created the spirits of all mankind,^[15] and that he is the architect of all creation.^[16] They usually refer to the Father as God too, but their worship is to Jesus Christ who they believe gives all the glory to the Father.^[8] Mormons also refer to the Father as their Father in Heaven or Heavenly Father because of their belief that he created mankind's spirits. Sometimes they also refer to him as Elohim, which is a Hebrew word that means God. Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the second member in what is referred to as the Godhead after the Father, and that he created all things under direction from the Father.^[17]

This is false.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah. The Book of Mormon identifies Christ directly as the Messiah more than half a dozen times starting with 2 Nephi chapter 25, and indirectly claims he is the Messiah about 2 dozen times. Both the KJV and NIV Bible's also claim Christ directly as the Messiah in John 1 and 4, and the KJV includes several additional occurrences indirectly.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, as stated in the Bible and the testimony of the twelve apostles of the LDS church entitled "The Living Christ."

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ's atonement saves all mankind, both the wicked and the good. However they believe there is a difference between being saved and being joint heirs with Christ, which they believe is given to those according to their faith and works.^[18]

This is true.

Mormons believe that a loving and all knowing God would provide a way for all his children to be saved, regardless of where or when they were born. Mormons believe that there are certain sacraments that a person needs in order to return to the presence of God and reach their fullest potential.^[19] Mormons believe that Christ has provided a way for all of the people on the earth to receive these required ordinances^[20] and be saved according to their faith and works regardless of when or where they lived. For example, Mormons get baptized not only to be obedient to a commandment and take on the name of Christ, but baptism is also believed to be a requirement because it gives an individual the authoritative right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Mormons believe that one of the roles of the Holy Ghost is to teach the truth of all things to a person, which in turn will allow a person to learn more about the mysteries of God, giving them the ability to progress and become like God and joint heirs with Christ if they remain worthy of that companionship. Mormons believe that part of their temple work allows someone that has passed on to have the option to receive the baptismal rights and authority in the next life.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ physically died on the cross so that all of mankind will live again. They believe it to be the culminating act of the atonement. Mormonism has more of an emphasis on the resurrection of Christ than on the crucifixion, which is why Latter-day Saints don't use the symbol of the cross as often as others do. It is also why you do not see it on LDS churches and temples.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ died on the cross so that all of mankind will live again. They believe it to be the culminating act of the atonement. Mormonism has more of an emphasis on the resurrection of Christ than on the crucifixion, which is why Latter-day Saints don't use the symbol of the cross as often as others do. It is also why you do not see it on LDS churches and temples.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ suffered the full effects and pain of being crucified. They believe it was the final event of the atonement. Latter-day Saints believe that he could not die on the cross unless he did it of his own free will.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ was physically resurrected, joining his spirit and body together in an immortal state. Latter-day saints believe that this immortal state is no longer subject to death or disease.

This is true.

Mormons believe that the atonement started in Gethsemane, but was not complete until the crucifixion on the cross. Latter-day Saints believe that the events that occurred in Gethsemane allow mankind to be forgiven of their sins, and that the events on the cross allow mankind to be resurrected.

This is inaccurate.

Saying that Mormons believe that Satan is Jesus' brother is about as accurate as claiming that your neighbors cat is your aunt. Mormons believe that God created all things, including Jesus, Satan, you and me. And that cat. So according to Mormon belief you were spiritually created by the same Father in Heaven that also created everything else. In this way Mormons view all mankind, including you and me, as well as the angles, Christ, and Satan to be spiritual sons and daughters of God. Latter-day Saints don’t believe that Satan was ever born on earth, and that Christ is about as related to Satan as anyone else is.

This is true.

Mormons believe God created all of the souls of mankind spiritually before the earth was ever created. Mormons believe this not only includes you and me, but also the angels, Christ, and Satan. In this way Mormons consider all of mankind to be spiritual sons and daughters of God.

This is false.

Mormons believe that before the earth was formed, God the Father presented a plan for mankind that required a redeemer and savior. They believe that Christ offered to go and follow the plan presented by God, giving the glory to the Father. At this time they believe that Satan tried to present a different version of the plan that would give himself the glory, but that plan was rejected by the Father directly. Latter-day Saints believe that Christ was then chosen by the Father to be the savior and redeemer of mankind because of his divinity and willingness to do the Father's will. There was no vote involved.

This is false.

There is nothing in Mormon doctrine that states that Jesus was married and very little information to even support this idea. Most Mormons do not believe this.

Yes, someone has actually claimed this. This is false.

Mormons do not believe that Jesus was polygamist. There is little support for a claim that he was even married. This claim originates from the God Makers which is a publication and movie that was deemed as "sensationalism" and "offensive" by the National Conference for Christians and Jews;^[21] a group not affiliated with the LDS church.

This is false.

Mormons believe that Christ was Christ before the foundations of the earth, and that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This is true.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament. They believe that God is all knowing and believe that Christ was established as the redeemer long before the earth was formed. They believe the same gospel has been taught through several ages of mankind, including the time of the Old Testament.

This is true.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ from the New Testament and Jehovah from the Old Testament are one and the same.

This is false.

Mormons believe in only one God which they believe will be God forever. Mormons believe that there are others like the Father, but that they are not God and cannot be worshipped. Mormons also believe that mankind can become like god but this does not replace God as deity or change the focus of worship. Mormons subscribe quite literally to the statement of Paul in the New Testament which states "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." They believe that our relationship with God as God is eternal; similar in nature to how parenting works. When you become a parent it does not change the relationship of you in relation to your own parents. They still remain your parents regardless of your situation.

Polytheism is the belief that there are multiple gods, usually within a pantheon in which an individual can pray to one or another or many. Mormons do not believe there are other gods that can be worshipped.

In the Mormon interpretation of the Godhead there is one supreme deity that has all knowledge, power, and authority. This is God the Father, who Latter-day Saints believe is the architect of all creation, the creator of all of mankind's spirits, and is the divine authority of which all things that are. Latter-day Saints believe that God the Father will be God through all eternity and will continue being worshipped as God forever regardless of what happens to mankind. There is another in the Godhead that is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the divine creator of all the things that exist under direction from the Father. He is the author of the gospel, Lord, King Redeemer, and the Judge of all mankind. Latter-day Saints believe that he was chosen to be the Savior of mankind because of his divinity. In LDS belief he is worshipped as God, but it is believed that he gives all the glory to the Father. They believe that Christ will be worshipped as Lord and King forever. The best understanding of this can be found in the KJV Bible in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 which states 'For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.' Latter-day Saints believe that there are others like the Father, but that they are not God and cannot be worshipped. Latter-day Saints also believe that mankind can become like god but this does not replace God as deity or change the focus of their worship.

Henotheism is the belief that there is one god that is worshipped from a group of many possible gods. Mormons do not believe there are other gods that can be worshipped.

In the Mormon interpretation of the Godhead there is one supreme deity that has all knowledge, power, and authority. This is God the Father, who Latter-day Saints believe is the architect of all creation, the creator of all of mankind's spirits, and is the divine authority of which all things that are. Latter-day Saints believe that God the Father will be God through all eternity and will continue being worshipped as God forever regardless of what happens to mankind. There is another in the Godhead that is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the divine creator of all the things that exist under direction from the Father. He is the author of the gospel, Lord, King Redeemer, and the Judge of all mankind. Latter-day Saints believe that he was chosen to be the Savior of mankind because of his divinity. In LDS belief he is worshipped as God, but it is believed that he gives all the glory to the Father. They believe that Christ will be worshipped as Lord and King forever. The best understanding of this can be found in the KJV Bible in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 which states 'For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.' Latter-day Saints believe that there are others like the Father, but that they are not God and cannot be worshipped. Latter-day Saints also believe that mankind can become like god but this does not replace God as deity or change the focus of their worship.

Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God that can be worshipped. This is accurate of Mormon belief.

In the Mormon interpretation of the Godhead there is one supreme deity that has all knowledge, power, and authority. This is God the Father, who Latter-day Saints believe is the architect of all creation, the creator of all of mankind's spirits, and is the divine authority of which all things that are. Latter-day Saints believe that God the Father will be God through all eternity and will continue being worshipped as God forever regardless of what happens to mankind. There is another in the Godhead that is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the divine creator of all the things that exist under direction from the Father. He is the author of the gospel, Lord, King Redeemer, and the Judge of all mankind. Latter-day Saints believe that he was chosen to be the Savior of mankind because of his divinity. In LDS belief he is worshipped as God, but it is believed that he gives all the glory to the Father. They believe that Christ will be worshipped as Lord and King forever. The best understanding of this can be found in the KJV Bible in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 which states 'For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.' Latter-day Saints believe that there are others like the Father, but that they are not God and cannot be worshipped. Latter-day Saints also believe that mankind can become like god but this does not replace God as deity or change the focus of their worship.

This is true.

Mormons believe that the Father has a physical body, and that he has had one before the earth was formed. Mormons believe that Christ did not have a physical body until he was born on earth. They believe that part of the resurrection is to rejoin the body with the spirit, thus Mormons believe that Christ now has a physical body after his resurrection.

This is true.

Mormons believe that when Christ said in the Bible that he had other sheep, he meant people like those found in the Americas and in other isles of the sea. Latter-day Saints believe that Christ visited the Americas after his resurrection.

This is false. Someone was on something illegal when they made this claim.

Mormons believe that God is an omnipotent, all powerful deity. Mormons do not believe that God became God through evolution, or that he is a space alien. Mormons believe that God created all things including the heavens and the earth, not that he evolved within them. Mormons believe that all of creation is his. This claim originates from a related claim from the God Makers which is a publication and movie that was deemed as "sensationalism" and "offensive" by the National Conference for Christians and Jews;^[21] a group not affiliated with the LDS church.

This is false. I'm assuming that the look on your face was just as funny as mine when I heard this.

Mormons believe that God is an omnipotent, all powerful deity. Mormons do not believe that God is a space alien. Aliens, whether they were biological, mechanical, or energy, would be subject to decay and would have a beginning and an end. Mormons believe that God is eternal. Mormons believe that God created all things including the heavens and the earth, not that he evolved within them. Mormons believe that all of creation is his. This claim originates from a related claim from the God Makers which is a publication and movie that was deemed as "sensationalism" and "offensive" by the National Conference for Christians and Jews;^[21] a group not affiliated with the LDS church.

This is false. And a little bit crazy to boot.

Mormons are counseled not to drink drinks that contain alcohol. This is why they don't use wine during the sacrament. The decision to use water instead of wine is found in The Doctrine and Covenants, chapter 27. Mormons believe that the blood shed in Gethsemane and the crucifixion are critical components to the atonement of Christ.

This is false.

Mormons believe that the Savior will return in power and glory at his Second Coming. Latter-day saints look forward to the Second Coming, and believe that it will usher in the Millennium.

This is false.

Elohim is the Hebrew word for God or gods. The 'im' (pronounced 'eem') is the Hebrew plural suffix. However, sometimes Mormons refer to God the Father as Elohim to distinguish Him from Christ.