"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
Amos: 3:7
As "latter day saints" we accept that in accordance with Bible prophecy (examine New Testament references including 2 Thessolonians 2:1-12; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-2 and you will find many others) a universal apostasy must occur before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. With such a widespread loss of the true gospel it follows that ultimately there must also be a restoration of all things.
Evidence supports such a "great" apostasy was well underway within three hundred years of Christ's earthly ministry ending.
We believe the restoration commenced in 1820 when "two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description" visited with a fourteen-year-old boy in the woods near his home in Palmyra, western New York. One of them spoke calling the boy by name "and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" The boy was Joseph Smith Jr, the personages, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
There followed through this chosen prophet a restoration of the fullness of the gospel.
We testify that The Book of Mormon as translated by Joseph Smith Jr is a divinely inspired record - another testament of Jesus Christ.
One of "The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" states "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may."
Despite this many are critical of our beliefs charging that we are not christian. This even though we bear the name of Christ, teach and testify of Him, and accept His infinite atoning sacrifice. What then is a Christian? In examining the Holy Bible you will only find the term mentioned three times (Acts 11:26; 26:28: 1 Peter 4:16) and not one of these passages defines the meaning of it. However, if we refer to a reputable standard dictionary a christian is defined "as one who believes in Christ or one who has accepted the christian religious and moral principles of life." A definitive dictionary may go on to define the meaning as also including "a member of a church or group professing christian doctrine or belief." It is true what Benjamin Diraeli said "How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct."
Rather than placing your trust in any person or their individual bias we would encourage you to obtain and read The Book of Mormon for yourself, and follow the invitation contained in its introduction and the promise outlined in Moroni Chapter 10.
