Teachings of Joseph Smith
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a number of teachings that sets it apart from other Christian religions. Joseph Smith was instrumental in establishing these unique doctrines, which are believed to be eternal truths, but were lost with the apostasy of the primitive Church of Christ that the Savior established when He was on the earth.
Nature of God
Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a vision. Joseph Smith taught that “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).
Joseph Smith taught that man is made in the image of God. God is literally the Father of the spirits of mankind. He is concerned about His children and hears and answers their prayers. God wants mankind to progress and become like Him. His son, Jesus Christ is our example, both of what God is like and of His love for all men and women.
Joseph Smith wrote, “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.”1 Joseph Smith also testified that Christ was the Savior of the world and it was only through Him that mankind could be saved.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church) are taught to pray in the name of Christ because He is our advocate with the Father.
Plan of Salvation
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that all mankind existed as spirits and lived with God in heaven before they were born. The purpose of life is to be tested, to become like Christ, and eventually return to live with God. Birth was not the beginning; and death is not the end.
Concerning the resurrection, Joseph Smith said, “I will merely say that all men will come from the grave as they lie down; whether old or young, there will not be added unto their stature one cubit, neither taken from it.” He also taught that children who die are sinless “having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” 2
While Joseph Smith was studying the Bible he said, “It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body, the term ‘Heaven,’ as intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one.” 3 When he asked God about it, God revealed that there are three degrees of glory, which a person can receive. These three degrees, or kingdoms, of glory are often (see 1st Corinthians 15:41, for example) compared to the sun, the moon, and the stars, the highest being the celestial, or the glory of the sun.
The Celestial Kingdom is where God dwells. We want to return to His presence. This is possible through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of one who has authority, and by enduring to the end. In short, by keeping all the commandments of God.
Families are central to God’s plan. Joseph Smith taught that family relationships can extend beyond the grave. Families who live worthily and are sealed in the temple (sometimes referred to as the Mormon Temple) can be together forever.
Because of the teachings of Joseph Smith The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the Mormon Church) places a great emphasis of family history work. Members of the Church believe that it is their responsibility to seek out and do temple work for their ancestors.
The Book of Mormon
Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from ancient gold plates. It is a record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. It is also another testament of Jesus Christ. One prophet in the Book of Mormon testified, “And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17). The purpose of the Book of Mormon, therefore, is “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.” 4
Joseph Smith taught “that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” 5
The Word of Wisdom
In 1833, the Lord revealed a code of health to Joseph Smith. Members were asked to not partake of tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. In return the Lord promised members shall receive “health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary and shall walk and not faint.” 6
At first the Word of Wisdom was not mandatory but was later adopted as a commandment and is now a requirement to be a member of the Church in full faith (and therefore in order to enter the temple).
Temples
God’s chosen people have always built temples. Joseph Smith taught the importance of temples and the Saints built two temples under his direction. One was abandoned, the other destroyed. The Church, however, continues to build temples in countries all over the world. There are now over 125 temples worldwide.
Within Mormon temples, as they are sometimes called, the ordinances necessary to enter the Celestial Kingdom are performed for the both the living and as proxy for the dead.
To read more about Temples, go to the Mormon Temples page.
(1) Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-23
(2) Cook, Lyndon. The Words of Joseph Smith. Grandin Book Co. 1991. pp. 106-109
(3) Doctrine and Covenants 76:chapter heading
(4) Book of Mormon, title page
(5) Book of Mormon, introduction
(6) D&C 889:18-20