Neo-Mormon Church
Beliefs
The statement below was produced through careful reading of the early Latter-day Saint record. Other than the standard works, the Lectures on Faith and the sermons of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and James E. Talmage provided the primary documents from which we started. Critics have called these positions “Neo-Mormonism,” meaning a recent invention. Each belief below is therefore listed alongside the scriptures and the earlier teachings we think explain why we hold it.
Explanation of our beliefs
1. God Has Always Been God
We believe Heavenly Father has always been divine, rather than progressing from a non-divine mortal into godhood.
Scripture
“…even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
Psalm 90:2
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Malachi 3:6
“And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?”
Moses 1:3
“For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?”
Mormon 9:9
“For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.”
Moroni 8:18
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“There is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 20:17 · 1830
D&C 20:17, discussed in Charles Harrell, This Is My Doctrine, p. 153. View source
“He is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.”
Lectures on Faith, Lecture 3 · 1835
Lectures on Faith, p. 36. View source
“I believe that God is Eternal. That he had no beginning and can have no End.”
Joseph Smith · February 5, 1840
Matthew L. Davis's eyewitness account, published in Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, vol. 7, p. 177 (archive PDF p. 386). View source
2. One Supreme Godhead
We believe the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost constitute a single supreme divine unity, rather than one among multiple independent Godheads.
Scripture
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
Deuteronomy 6:4
“…this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.”
2 Nephi 31:21
“…the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God…”
Alma 11:44
“And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.”
3 Nephi 11:36
“Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.”
Doctrine and Covenants 20:28
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“These three constitute the great, matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things.”
Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5 · 1835
Lectures on Faith, p. 53. View source
“But to us you know there is only one God.”
John Taylor · March 1, 1880
“Sustaining the Authorities—Power of the Priesthood—Faithfulness Required, Etc.”. View source
“There is one God, one Father, one Jesus, one hope of our calling, one baptism.”
Joseph Smith · April 6, 1844
“Character and Being of God—Creation—Salvation of the Dead—The Unpardonable Sin—Resurrection—Baptism of the Spirit, Etc.” (Journal of Discourses report). View source
3. Exaltation Through Participation in God's Divinity
We believe exaltation means receiving God's fullness, becoming one with the Godhead, and participating in divine life, not necessarily becoming an independent deity ruling a separate universe.
Scripture
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
John 17:21
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;…”
Romans 8:16-17
“…that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…”
2 Peter 1:4
“…that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is…”
Moroni 7:48
“…if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.”
Doctrine and Covenants 93:19-20
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“All those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.”
Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5 · 1835
Lectures on Faith, p. 53. View source
“Through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, they are to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.”
Lectures on Faith, Lecture 5 · 1835
Lectures on Faith, p. 54. View source
“We are to become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.”
Heber C. Kimball · September 20, 1857
“Possession of the One Spirit—Blessings Pertaining to the Righteous—Trial of the Saints, Etc.”. View source
4. Eternal Human Existence and Spirit Birth
We believe human intelligence or spirit has an eternal dimension, while the precise mechanism by which heavenly parents beget spirit children is not exhaustively defined.
Scripture
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
“…shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”
Hebrews 12:9
“…the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;…”
Abraham 3:22-23
“All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.”
Doctrine and Covenants 93:30
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“I believe that the Soul is Eternal. It had no beginning; it can have no End.”
Joseph Smith · February 5, 1840
Eyewitness report by Matthew L. Davis, Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, vol. 7. View source
“Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.”
Doctrine and Covenants 93:29 · 1833
D&C 93:29, reproduced and discussed in Blake Ostler, “The Development of the Mormon Concept of Grace,” p. 73. View source
“Intelligence is eternal and exists upon a self-existent principle. It is a spirit from age to age, and there is no creation about it.”
Joseph Smith · April 6, 1844
“Character and Being of God—Creation—Salvation of the Dead—The Unpardonable Sin—Resurrection—Baptism of the Spirit, Etc.” (Journal of Discourses report). View source
5. Salvation and Exaltation Depend Upon Grace
We believe grace is not merely a reward granted after sufficient human effort. It is the divine gift that enables redemption, transformation, and eternal life.
Scripture
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“…there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah…”
2 Nephi 2:8
“…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
2 Nephi 25:23
“…then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ…”
Moroni 10:32
“…my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me…”
Ether 12:27
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“Both are the gifts of free grace.”
Orson Pratt · March 1, 1850
“The Earth—Its Fall, Redemption, and Final Destiny—The Eternal Abode of the Righteous.” Pratt distinguishes unconditional redemption from the Fall and conditionally received redemption from personal sins.. View source
“The grace of God is bestowed upon all.”
Brigham Young · September 2, 1860
“Diversity Among Men As to Their Capacity for Receiving Truth.”. View source
“All will have to come to the Lord and be sanctified through the grace of Christ.”
Brigham Young · June 25, 1871
“The Celestial Glory—Modern Civilization—Family Government.”. View source
“I can also say to them that free grace and freewill are scripturally true.”
Brigham Young · October 9, 1859
“Intelligence, Etc.”. View source
6. Prophets and Apostles Are Not Infallible
We believe prophets have genuine divine authority, but their personal opinions and theological interpretations are not automatically authoritative revelation.
Scripture
“We also are men of like passions with you…”
Acts 14:15
“And if there be faults they be the faults of a man.”
Mormon 8:17
“Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him;…”
Mormon 9:31
“…these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;…”
Doctrine and Covenants 1:24-25
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“A prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such.”
Joseph Smith · February 8, 1843
Joseph Smith's journal account, reproduced in History of the Church, 5:265. View source
“The First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility.”
George Q. Cannon · April 7, 1895
General Conference, “Discourse.” Cannon explicitly distinguished the fallibility of Church leaders from God's infallibility.. View source
“What I have to say with regard to it, I express as my own opinion.”
Wilford Woodruff · May 14, 1882
“Liberty of Conscience—Man Accountable to God.” Woodruff was explaining his interpretation of the Fall of Adam and Eve.. View source
“I am subject to like passions as other men, like the prophets of olden times.”
Joseph Smith · July 23, 1843
Discourse on friendship, reported by Willard Richards, in Roberts, History of the Church (Volumes 1–7), p. 2991 (archive page). View source
“Our judgment is not perfect; and as we are not perfect in our sphere, we need not expect to find others perfect in theirs”
John Taylor · April 6, 1861
“Union Human and Divine Government, Etc.”. View source
7. Members Should Independently Seek Confirmation of Prophetic Teachings
We believe personal revelation and spiritual discernment matter, and that members should not surrender their individual judgment entirely to religious leaders.
Scripture
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 17:11
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”
1 John 4:1
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Moroni 10:4
“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”
Doctrine and Covenants 9:8
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him.”
Brigham Young · January 12, 1862
“Eternal Punishment—‘Mormonism,’ &c.”. View source
“Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.”
Brigham Young · January 12, 1862
Same sermon, same paragraph.. View source
“I examined the matter studiously for two years before I made up my mind to receive that book.”
Brigham Young · August 8, 1852
“The Gospel of Salvation—A Vision—Redemption of the Earth and All that Pertains to It.” Young is describing his own investigation of the Book of Mormon.. View source
“I considered it to be my right to know for myself, as much as any man on earth.”
Brigham Young · August 8, 1852
Same sermon, preceding paragraph.. View source
8. Other Christian Churches Preserve Genuine Truth
We believe the Restoration did not invent Christianity anew. Truth can be found in Catholicism, Protestantism, and other Christian traditions.
Scripture
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
John 10:16
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Acts 10:34-35
“Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men…”
2 Nephi 29:7
“For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.”
Alma 29:8
“…there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it…”
Doctrine and Covenants 123:12
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“Are you a Catholic, and have got the truth? That is my doctrine, and I will not quarrel about it.”
Brigham Young · July 24, 1853
“Effects and Privileges of the Gospel—The Latter-day Saints and the Christian World.”. View source
“Now the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes every word of truth believed in by the holy Catholic Church.”
Brigham Young · February 20, 1870
“The Saints Are a Strange People Because They Practise What They Profess.”. View source
“All who would follow the precepts of the Bible whether Mormon or not, would assuredly be saved.”
Joseph Smith, as reported by Matthew L. Davis · February 5, 1840
Davis's report, Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, vol. 7. View source
This is an observer's summary of Smith's statement, not an independently verified verbatim quotation.
“Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes.”
Joseph Smith · July 23, 1843
Discourse on friendship, reported by Willard Richards, in Roberts, History of the Church (Volumes 1–7), p. 2992 (archive page). View source
“Every faithful Methodist that has lived up to and faithfully fulfilled the requirements of his religion, according to the best light he had, doing good to all and evil to none, injuring no person upon the earth, honouring his God as far he knew, will have as great a heaven as he ever anticipated in the flesh, and far greater.”
Brigham Young · August 15, 1852
“Extensive Character of the Gospel—Comprehensiveness of Divine Revelation, Etc.”. View source
9. Truth Can Be Discovered Outside Established Teachings
We believe truth may come through scholarship, science, philosophy, and other religions, and that we should remain open to further learning.
Scripture
“…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
“…seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”
Doctrine and Covenants 88:118
“And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;”
Doctrine and Covenants 93:24
“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”
Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19
“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Articles of Faith 1:13
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“Truth is truth, and take it wherever you may find it, or from whatever source it comes.”
Orson Pratt · February 10, 1856
“The Salvation of the Soul of the Greatest Importance—Benefit of the Useful Sciences, Etc.”. View source
“I am not at liberty to say, and do not know that we shall ever see the time when we shall possess all truth.”
Brigham Young · June 3, 1871
“The Training of Children.”. View source
“Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God.”
Brigham Young · August 31, 1862
“Apostleship of Joseph Smith—Destruction Awaiting the Nations.”. View source
“They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true “Mormons.””
Joseph Smith · July 23, 1843
Discourse on friendship, reported by Willard Richards, in Roberts, History of the Church (Volumes 1–7), p. 2992 (archive page). “They” refers to the Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists he had just named.. View source
“The construction of the electric telegraph and the method of using it, enabling the people to send messages from one end of the earth to the other, is just as much a revelation from God as any ever given.”
Brigham Young · November 13, 1870
“Gathering the Poor—Religion a Science.”. View source
10. Scripture Is Not a Scientific Textbook
We believe scripture is inspired but was not necessarily intended to provide a literal account of geology, biology, or every detail of ancient history.
Scripture
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
2 Peter 3:8
“I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.”
1 Nephi 19:23
“…these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.”
Doctrine and Covenants 1:24
“…one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest.”
Abraham 3:4
Early Latter-day Saint sources
“Let us not try to wrest the scriptures in an attempt to explain away what we can not explain.”
James E. Talmage · 1931
The Earth and Man, p. 5 (archive page). View source
“We do not show reverence for the scriptures when we misapply them through faulty interpretation.”
James E. Talmage · 1931
The Earth and Man, p. 6 (archive page). View source
“These lived and died, age after age, while the earth was yet unfit for human habitation.”
James E. Talmage · 1931
The Earth and Man, p. 4 (archive page), discussing fossil evidence for prehuman life and death. View source
“Practically all religious teachers now interpret the six days to mean six PERIODS OF TIME, six 'geological ages' reaching over periods inconceivable to our mind.”
Los Angeles Examiner editorial, read by David O. McKay · October 4, 1929
General Conference, “It is expedient that the Church meet together.” McKay read the editorial to the congregation and then commented on it.. View source
“the inspired teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who in no way professed to have scientific information, but who always taught that he delivered the word of the Lord as that word was given to him.”
David O. McKay · October 4, 1929
General Conference, “It is expedient that the Church meet together.”. View source