Giving a Presentation on Mormon Theology

[_mentalgymnast]

I have only twenty minutes to speak, so there's no way I can cover much.

Cover some of the basics that have been mentioned and then go through and recite the Articles of Faith to wrap it up. You still know them from memory, right?! For those in the congregation that desire to go beyond a twenty minute presentation, refer them to Gospel Principles.

The online version:

http://www.LDS.org/library/display/0,49 ... -1,00.html

Good luck!

Regards,
MG

[_harmony]

I have only twenty minutes to speak, so there's no way I can cover much.

Cover some of the basics that have been mentioned and then go through and recite the Articles of Faith to wrap it up. You still know them from memory, right?! For those in the congregation that desire to go beyond a twenty minute presentation, refer them to Gospel Principles.

The online version:

http://www.LDS.org/library/display/0,49 ... -1,00.html

Good luck!

Regards,
MG

The Articles of Faith are, for the most part, worthless. Our prophets don't follow them, so there's no point in using them to bolster a discussion.

[_mentalgymnast]

The Articles of Faith are, for the most part, worthless. Our prophets don't follow them, so there's no point in using them to bolster a discussion.

The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. 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.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. 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.

They're statements of belief harmony. I think some of these statements lend themselves very well to helping investigators understand Mormon beliefs and a bit of theology. They're a long way from "worthless".

Regards,
MG

[_cinepro]

The Articles of Faith are, for the most part, worthless. Our prophets don't follow them, so there's no point in using them to bolster a discussion.

Oh c'mon, that's a little harsh. Other than arguably imprecise wording for 6, 7, 8 and 12, they're still as good a notecard-sized intro to LDS beliefs as you'll find anywhere else

[_Analytics]

To me, a crucial difference between Mormonism and mainstream Christianity is the issue of priesthood authority. When you get down to the heart of it, two of the first four principles and ordinances of the gospel are only valid for Mormons.

That detail aside, I would focus on the Plan of Salvation and Saturday Warrior theme. We’re eternal beings, temporarily blinded by a veil as part of a test to see if we’ll be true to a commitment we made in a previous realm but don’t explicitly remember.

Here is the outline:
-Pre-mortal existence
-veil
-earth life
---faith
---repentance
---Mormon baptism/confirmation
---Mormon marriage
-paradise/spirit prison (baptism for dead)
-three degrees of glory
-Godhood!

[_Analytics]

The Articles of Faith are, for the most part, worthless. Our prophets don't follow them, so there's no point in using them to bolster a discussion.

Oh c'mon, that's a little harsh. Other than arguably imprecise wording for 6, 7, 8 and 12, they're still as good a notecard-sized intro to LDS beliefs as you'll find anywhere else

Didn’t Mitt Romney basically repudiate #10? #10 seems passé and irrelevant to the contemporary church.

[_Gazelam]

20 minutes does not give you much time. I would focus on three areas briefly:
1. The nature of God vs. the Trinity
2. The plan of salvation (pre-existence, earthly probation, kingdoms, exaltation).
3. The fall, original sin and faith & works.

That should highlight the key differences between Mormonism and mainline protestantism.

Theres a nice list Kim. You could spend 5 minutes on each topic, which leaves you 2 1/2 min before and after for an introduction and a summary.

Scriptures to use:

1) JSH 1:17, John 17:19-23

2) Abr 3:22-25, Alma 34:32-35, D&C 88:35-40, D&C 76:50-60, Moses 1:39

3) Moses 5:5-12, 2 Nephi 2:25-27, AofF 2, 2 Nephi 31:20, 3 Nephi 27:19, Matt 7:21-22, James 2:14-26