Top 10 Unusual Mormon Beliefs

Every faith has its own distinctive doctrines. Here’s a compilation of peculiar LDS teachings, each supported by direct quotes from LDS scriptures to ensure their authenticity.

10. Tithing

Although tithing is a common practice in many religions, it is seldom compulsory. According to LDS doctrine, paying a full and honest tithe is a requirement to enter the highest level of heaven.

D&C 119: 3-6 3 This marks the commencement of tithing among my people. 4 Following this, those who have been tithed shall contribute one-tenth of their annual income; this shall remain an everlasting ordinance for my sacred priesthood, declares the Lord. 5 Truly, I say unto you, all who gather in the land of Zion must tithe their surplus possessions and adhere to this law, or they shall not be deemed worthy to dwell among you. 6 If my people fail to uphold this law, to keep it sacred, and to sanctify the land of Zion for me, so that my statutes and judgments may prevail, making it most holy, then I declare unto you, it shall no longer be a land of Zion for you.

This is among the most well-known tenets of LDS teachings and the source of numerous misconceptions about Mormons. In essence, it prohibits coffee, drugs, and tobacco.

D&C 89: 5-13 5 Drinking wine or strong beverages among you is not good nor acceptable in the sight of your Father, except when gathered to offer sacraments before Him. 6 This wine should be pure, made from the grape of the vine, of your own production. 7 Strong drinks are not for consumption but for cleansing the body. 8 Tobacco is not for the body or consumption; it is harmful to man but useful as an herb for treating bruises and sick cattle, to be used wisely. 9 Hot drinks are also unsuitable for the body or consumption. 10 All wholesome herbs are ordained by God for the well-being and use of man— 11 Every herb and fruit in its season, to be used with gratitude and moderation. 12 The flesh of animals and birds is also ordained for man’s use, but sparingly and with thanksgiving. 13 It is pleasing to me that they be used only in winter, cold, or famine.

This belief is distinctive to the LDS faith. Every person on earth existed as a spirit before birth. After death, spirits separate from bodies; the righteous go to “spirit paradise,” while the wicked go to “spirit prison.” The spirit world serves as a temporary dwelling until the second coming.

D&C 138: 8-14 8 “He went and preached to the spirits in prison; 9 “Those who were once disobedient during the patience of God in Noah’s time, as the ark was being prepared, where eight souls were saved through water.” (1 Peter 3:18—20.) 10 “For this reason, the gospel was preached to the dead, so they might be judged as humans in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6.) 11 As I reflected on these scriptures, my understanding was enlightened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, revealing the hosts of the dead, both small and great. 12 An innumerable multitude of righteous spirits, faithful in their testimony of Jesus during mortality, were gathered together. 13 They had sacrificed in likeness to the Son of God and endured trials in His name. 14 All these had passed from mortal life, steadfast in the hope of a glorious resurrection through the grace of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Most people familiar with the Mormon faith are aware they have a prophet. However, many are unaware that any official statements made by the prophet are regarded as sacred scripture.

D&C 43: 2-9 2 Verily, I say unto you, you have received a commandment as a law for my church through the one I have appointed to receive commandments and revelations from me. 3 Know assuredly that no one else is appointed to receive commandments and revelations until he is taken, if he remains faithful to me. 4 No one else shall be given this gift except through him; if it is taken from him, he will only have the authority to appoint a successor. 5 This is a law for you: do not accept teachings from anyone claiming to bring revelations or commandments. 6 I give this to you to prevent deception, so you may discern what is not from me. 7 Those ordained by me will enter through the gate and teach the revelations you have received and will receive through my appointed servant. 8 I command you to instruct and uplift one another when gathered, so you may know how to govern my church and act upon my laws and commandments. 9 Thus, you will be instructed in my church’s laws, sanctified by what you have received, and bound to act in holiness before me.

The Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the LDS faith, parallels the timeline of the Bible and is set in the Americas. It narrates the histories of two tribes descended from Lehi’s family. According to LDS belief, Jesus visited the inhabitants of the Americas after His resurrection.

3 Nephi 11: 7-12 7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased and have glorified my name—listen to Him. 8 As they comprehended, they looked heavenward again and saw a Man descending in a white robe. He stood among them, and the multitude gazed in silence, unsure of His identity, thinking He was an angel. 9 He extended His hand and declared: 10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the One prophesied to come into the world. 11 I am the light and life of the world, having partaken of the bitter cup given by the Father, glorifying Him by bearing the sins of the world and fulfilling His will in all things. 12 Upon hearing His words, the multitude fell to the ground, recalling prophecies that Christ would appear to them after His ascension.

While most faiths believe in God, the LDS faith teaches that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are distinct beings. They also believe that God, Jesus, and resurrected beings possess tangible bodies of “flesh and bone.”

D&C 129:1-5 1 In heaven, there are two types of beings: Angels, who are resurrected individuals with bodies of flesh and bones— 2 As Jesus said: Touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as I do. 3 Secondly, the spirits of righteous individuals made perfect, who are not yet resurrected but inherit the same glory. 4 If a messenger claims to bring a message from God, offer your hand and ask to shake theirs. 5 If they are an angel, they will comply, and you will feel their hand.

D&C 130: 22-23 22 The Father possesses a tangible body of flesh and bones, as does the Son; however, the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body. Without this distinction, the Holy Ghost could not dwell within us. 23 A person may receive the Holy Ghost, and it may descend upon them but not remain.

In the LDS faith, any worthy male can receive the priesthood and is assigned specific responsibilities. Black individuals were excluded from holding the priesthood until 1978, and women are still not permitted to hold it.

D&C 107: 1-5 1 The church recognizes two priesthoods: the Melchizedek and the Aaronic, which includes the Levitical Priesthood. 2 The first is named the Melchizedek Priesthood in honor of Melchizedek, a great high priest. 3 Before his time, it was known as the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. 4 To avoid frequent repetition of the Supreme Being’s name, the ancient church renamed it the Melchizedek Priesthood out of reverence. 5 All other church offices and authorities are extensions of this priesthood.

Official Declaration – 2, 1978 Mindful of the promises by past prophets and Church presidents that, in God’s plan, all worthy brethren would eventually receive the priesthood, and observing the faithfulness of those previously denied, we have fervently prayed for divine guidance on their behalf, spending countless hours in the Temple’s Upper Room.

According to LDS teachings, there are three heavens: the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. The Celestial Kingdom is the highest, home to God and those who obeyed His laws. The Terrestrial Kingdom is the middle realm, inhabited by followers of the Law of Moses. The Telestial Kingdom is the lowest, reserved for those who lived by carnal laws.

D&C 76: 94-98 94 Those who dwell in His presence belong to the church of the Firstborn; they see and know as they are seen and known, having received His fullness and grace. 95 He grants them equal power, might, and dominion. 96 The glory of the celestial realm is singular, like the glory of the sun. 97 The glory of the terrestrial realm is singular, like the glory of the moon. 98 The glory of the telestial realm is singular, like the glory of the stars, where each star differs in brightness, just as individuals differ in glory within the telestial world.

In LDS doctrine, all sins can be forgiven except two: denying the Holy Spirit and committing murder. God’s forgiveness is boundless until the second coming. After that, one’s eternal fate is sealed without any possibility of change.

D&C 76: 43-45 43 He who glorifies the Father saves all His creations, except the sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him. 44 Thus, He saves all but them—they will endure everlasting punishment, endless and eternal, reigning with the devil and his angels, where their torment is unceasing, and the fire is never extinguished. 45 No one knows the end, the place, or the extent of their torment.

D&C 18: 42 18 I speak to the church: Thou shalt not kill. Those who kill will find no forgiveness in this world or the next.

D&C 76: 111-112 111 They will be judged by their deeds, and each will receive according to their works and dominion in the prepared mansions. 112 They will serve the Most High but cannot enter where God and Christ dwell, worlds without end.

This concept requires elaboration. Mormons teach that God created numerous worlds, each inhabited by people. They also believe in the existence of multiple Gods, each governing their own universe. Humans are subject only to their God, and by attaining the highest level of heaven, they can become gods themselves.

D&C 76: 24 24 Through Him, by Him, and of Him, the worlds were created, and their inhabitants are begotten as sons and daughters of God.

D&C 93: 10 10 He made the worlds, He made mankind, and all things were created by Him, through Him, and of Him.

Moses 1: 33 33 I have created worlds beyond number, each for my own purpose, and through my Only Begotten Son, I brought them into existence.

D&C 76: 108 108 He will then be crowned with the glory of his reign, seated on the throne of his power to rule eternally.

D&C 131: 1-5 1 The celestial glory consists of three heavens or degrees; 2 To attain the highest, one must enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage through the priesthood; 3 Without this, the highest degree cannot be achieved. 4 One may enter the other degrees, but their kingdom will have no further increase. 5 (May 17th, 1843.) The surest prophecy is knowing one is sealed to eternal life through revelation, the spirit of prophecy, and the Holy Priesthood.

Contributor: Mystern