Definition of unique :
1: being the only one
2 being without a like or equal
3: unusual
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, certainly fall into the category of unique in numerous ways.
11. The Godhead - The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in three separate Gods: the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. The Mormon Gods are not incomprehensible, unknowable, or an immaterial essence that fills space and is everywhere and nowhere in particular, without body, parts, or passions. If Jesus is one in spirit with his Father, without body or form, so large that He fills the universe and so small that He dwells in each heart, then what meaning has the resurrection which is commemorated each Easter in the Christian churches, and what did He do with His body after showing it to so many people? Personally, I believe that these are the false Gods that are spoken of in the Bible. The Mormon Gods are real, that we look like Them, and They us, for we believe that we were actually created in the image of God. The Mormon Gods has body parts just as we do…..just as Jesus Christ did as He ascended to His Heavenly Father with His resurrected body - with numerous witnesses looking on.
The following is taken from one of my previous posts entitled “False Gods”: If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, then turn to Exodus 33:11: And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…. I think that verse is pretty clear and no explanation is necessary. Moses spoke to God face to face.
In Hebrews 1:3, we read about Christ sitting down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. How could that be if He had no form to have a right hand?
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about John the Baptist and what a great man he was. We read in Matthew 3:16 - 17: “And Jesus, when He was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. From this I glean a couple of things. First, my God must have a mouth for He spoke, and second, this is evidence of three separate and distinct Beings; The voice of the Father, the Son being baptized, and the Holy Ghost descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove.
Yes, we Mormons are unique in our belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Three separate personages with a oneness of purpose.
12. The Sabbath Day - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the Sabbath day is a holy day, a day of worship, of renewing our covenants, partaking of the Sacrament, and the feeding of our souls upon the things of the Spirit. It is a day spent in worshiping and giving praise unto our God. It is a day to visit the sick, the widow, those in need, and to do the Lord’s work only on this day. Mormon’s do not typically shop, or do any unnecessary work or recreation on the Sabbath. Indeed, we are admonished to “do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with a singleness of heart.” D & C 59:13
Today, keeping the Sabbath day holy is one of the great tests which divides the righteous from the worldly and wicked. There was a time spoken of in the Bible where death was the penalty for violating the Sabbath. Ex. 31:12-17 One only has to observe all that is around him on the Sabbath to see how much the Lord’s Day has become just another day to satisfy natural mans’ greed and need.
13. The Law of Tithing - One tenth of the interest or increase of each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is payable as tithing to the Church each year. There are several references to tithing in the Bible. In Hebrews 7: 1-2, 4 we learn of the great patriarch Abraham paying tithing to Melchizedek. In Leviticus 27:30 we read: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.”And in Deuteronomy 14:22-23: “….the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks….” There are many other scriptures in the Bible referring to the law of tithing. Tithing is not a new commandment. Many other churches have tried to adopt the law of tithing, but with little success.( See this article in the WSJ : http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119576921737201375.html ) To be a member in good standing in the Mormon church, and to be able to enter into the House of the Lord, one must be a tithe payer. Tithing becomes one of the great tests of personal righteousness of church members. In Malachi we read this: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Alcoholic drinks (see D&C 89:5–7).
Tobacco (see D&C 89:8).
Tea and coffee (see D&C 89:9; latter-day prophets have taught that the term “hot drinks,” as written in this verse, refers to tea and coffee).
When people purposefully take anything harmful into their bodies, they are not living in harmony with the Word of Wisdom. Mormons are unique in that they abstain from all alcohol, all tobacco products, and the drinking of coffee and tea. To be able to enter into The House of the Lord, one must be adhearing to the principles of the Word of Wisdom.
15. Fasting - ( Excerpt from LDS.org) Church members are encouraged to fast two consecutive meals, refraining from food and drink, usually on the first Sunday of each month. The money which would have been used to purchase those meals is donated to help the poor—a practice referred to as fast offerings.“Every dollar given to the local leaders as a fast offering goes to assist the poor,” explained Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve. “When donations exceed local needs, they are passed along to fulfill the needs elsewhere.”
Concern for others becomes another reason for fasting. Individuals with serious illnesses often become the focus of a fasting period. Mormons seek help with personal decisions or health problems by applying the principle of fasting coupled with prayer.This I also found on LDS .org under “newsroom” : A study presented to the American Heart Association indicates that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who regularly fast are less likely to have coronary heart disease.The Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study seeks to explain why research from the 1970s showed that Mormons generally have lower rates of heart disease compared to the United States national average.
16. Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching - Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are visited each month by both the Priesthood and the Relief Society. Both the Priesthood and the Relief Society members go out in pairs to visit, teach, and help when needed. This method of visiting with both active and inactive members allows the Church to keep aware of each member and offer assistance when needed.
17. Emergency Awareness - Mormons are encouraged to have at least a three month supply of food and water on hand for emergencies. Of course, other supplies are also needed, such as clothing, first aid kits, prescription medications, radios, etc. As witnessed by the natural disasters that occur frequently around the world, there is a definite need to provide for your self and your family in time of emergencies. I know of no other religion that counsels their members in emergency awareness as does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
18. Family Home Evening - Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend Monday together as a family. Families either study and read the scriptures together, play games together, watch movies together, and in general, just spend time together as a family. In the fast paced world that we live in today, LDS members believe that it is paramount that families spend at least one night together. No success in the world can compensate for failure in the world is one of the more favorite quotes of LDS members.
19. Revelation - Mormons believe that revelation has not ceased in this day. Mormons believe that they have a living prophet today who can and does receive revelation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established and founded upon revelation. But Mormons also believe that every obedient, devoted, and righteous person on earth can also receive revelation from our Heavenly Father.
20. There are many, many, other ways in which Mormons are truly unique from other Christian religions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ, patterned after the church during His day. If you read the Articles of Faith, many of those articles also make the Mormons unique, but I especially like the last article of faith: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
To be LDS is a special blessing……..for we know this gospel message is true, and we know that this church will not be destroyed but will continue to grow until Christ comes again to rule and reign at the head of His Church. It is good to be unique. IMHO
