Is Satan real? Yes. But before you ask yourself “Is Satan real?”, you must first examine if you believe that Christ is real. Once you know the answer, it is obvious to see two opposing teams in the world—namely Jesus and Satan. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Morman Church” by others) stated:

Jesus Christ represents all that is good, true, virtuous, merciful, just and godly. Lucifer is the adversary of everything that Christ stands for. He embodies all that is evil, false, immoral, and devoid of any trace of goodness or divine light. He is the enemy of God and of every human being who seeks to follow Christ (Newsroom, December 12, 2007).

This post answers the question “Is Satan real?” and how one can withstand his temptations.

Who Is Satan Really?

Satan is known as the adversary, the devil, Lucifer, Satan, Perdition, and the serpent who tempted Adam and Eve. The modern prophet Thomas S. Monson has taught that:

Lucifer, that clever pied piper, plays his lilting melody and attracts the unsuspecting away from the safety of their chosen pathway, away from the counsel of loving parents, away from the security of God’s teachings. He seeks not just the so-called refuse of humanity; he seeks all of us, including the very elect of God. King David listened, wavered, and then followed and fell. So did Cain in an earlier era and Judas Iscariot in a later one. Lucifer’s methods are cunning; his victims, numerous. We read of him in 2 Nephi: “Others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security.” “Others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell … until he grasps them with his awful chains.” “And thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (“The Three Rs of Choice“, Ensign, November 2010)

Is Satan really bad? Yes, Lucifer is bad because he rejected God and His plan for us. The devil wanted to take all of God’s glory and power for himself. Satan really wants us all to be as miserable as he is. Once someone understands the plan of salvation, it is easy to know the answer to the question “Is Satan real?”. One needs only glance at a newspaper to read about all the evil in the world today such as robberies, violence, and wars. Fortunately, the choice to choose good/evil is ours. Our modern prophet Thomas S. Monson taught the importance of agency or the right to choose for ourselves:

We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us. He had no confidence in the principle of agency or in us and argued for imposed salvation. He insisted that with his plan none would be lost, but he seemed not to recognize—or perhaps not to care—that in addition, none would be any wiser, any stronger, any more compassionate, or any more grateful if his plan were followed.

We who chose the Savior’s plan knew that we would be embarking on a precarious, difficult journey, for we walk the ways of the world and sin and stumble, cutting us off from our Father. But the Firstborn in the Spirit offered Himself as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all. Through unspeakable suffering He became the great Redeemer, the Savior of all mankind, thus making possible our successful return to our Father (Thomas S. Monson, “The three Rs of choice”, Ensign, October 2010).

Is Satan real? Yes. He tempts us to disobey God and choose things that take us further away from Him. But there is also hope through Jesus Christ and one can overcome such temptations through our Savior.

How is Satan Real?

Ancient prophets in the Americas wrote in the scriptures (Introduction, The Book of Mormon) to invite us to Christ and have taught us how to recognize if Lucifer is real.

Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him (Moroni 7:12-17).

Little children seem to have an innate ability to feel or know right from wrong. Some people may consider this their conscience yet others may consider it guidance from the Holy Ghost or the Light of Christ. God has given us the Holy Ghost to guide us and help us know right from wrong. The Holy Ghost can help us recognize if something will take us closer to God or further away and towards the devil. Therefore, the Holy Ghost can answer the question “Is Satan real?” if you ask in sincerity. This can be done through prayer. Since we are all children of God, we have the right to ask Him anything. If you don’t believe me, ask for yourself and you will get an answer (most likely through the Holy Ghost).

Additional Resources:

Read another article about Satan.

Visit a local “Mormon” meetinghouse near you.

Mormon Beliefs: Is Satan really part of God’s plan?

Caitlin is a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the “Mormon Church” by friends of other faiths). She is currently taking a class where she was asked to write a paper about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her specific discipline in school (which is exercise science) are related. Mormons are counseled in modern-day scripture to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). She shares her thoughts and feelings concerning this principle below:

In our class discussion regarding Egyptology, we were able to see just how much we learn from revelation. There are so many things we think that we know, only in later years to realize how wrong we really were. In my discipline, which is exercise science, I am able to learn about the body and its movement through biology and chemistry classes. Through my studies, I have learned first-hand how little we know. The book I used at the beginning of my study would no longer be applicable at this time in my trek. So much of modern science changes month to month upon receiving new information. These “revelations,” help us to be the most accurate in our study. That’s not to say that what we found first was wrong, just that it was incomplete information.

We discussed how revealed revelation helped the Church in understanding more about how to run. Joseph Smith was able to receive new scripture purely off of revelation; through those revelations we have learned more about this Gospel. Revealed revelation should add to our knowledge and help us understand that we are always learning. Something may not have been in our prior knowledge, but that doesn’t mean we won`t learn it at some point. In my discipline then, I need to make sure I am learning all that I can, but keeping an open mind that some things may later be revealed that add to or are contrary to a previous thought. Being stuck on one idea leaves us close-minded and naïve. Most areas of study would like to believe we know everything. That is fine, but we know better. Never take something as concrete, unless it is the sole fact that God lives and loves us. This knowledge will help me to realize nothing is quite set in stone. More information can be given to us at any point.

Obviously finding and discovering information for ourselves is a big way to learn in my field, but that doesn’t mean it is the only way to learn. I hope to become a physical therapist someday, and realize that different theories could change from now to when I am actually out working. This is fine. It will teach me that I need to have an open mind to received information. I know the Gospel, I know the principles, and I know my Heavenly Father is there and that He will reveal to us what we need to know, at the right time. With this information, I know that everything is second to the Gospel. That if I learn something in my field contrary to what I know to be true, I simply can pray and my Father will help me to understand what is to be learned. If I take my discipline as law, then I will find my faith shaken and confused. The Gospel is always true, though my field of study, scientifically founded as it is, is not. I need to listen closely to the prophets and to what my Father personally tells me and with and open mind  learn what my discipline has to teach me.

Additional Resources:

Read/watch/listen to a talk titled “In Tune with the Music of Faith” given by one of today’s apostles Quintin L. Cook.

Learn more about the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Also known as Mormons) believing in modern revelation.

Request a free copy of the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Written by Haley Soelberg, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

Heavenly Father Loves All of His Children

In the Pearl of Great Price, a book of scripture held sacred by Latter-day Saints “Mormons”, we learn that the most paramount truth Moses learned from speaking with God is that he is God’s son (See Moses chapter one in the Pearl of Great Price). The relationship between a father and his son is dependable and familiar, filled with trust, admiration and love. This is never truer than when describing the relationship between our Heavenly Father and his children. As Moses came to learn of his divine nature as a son of the Father, it became a source of strength for him in difficult times. The knowledge that an all-knowing God, the creator of the universe, is ever-present and endlessly supportive was undoubtedly an immense comfort to Moses. When suddenly faced with Satan’s temptations in verse 12, Moses was able to say with confidence, “Who art thou? For I am a son of God…” No amount of enticement from the adversary could quell this inherent truth. As I learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormon Church”, my testimony of this fact is continually reinforced. I am a daughter of God and as such I have an inherently divine nature. Like Moses, I gain strength and assurance from this every day. Though I may not conduct myself the way the world expects a young woman to, I know it does not matter. I know that I can walk in confidence as long as I measure up to God’s standard. The opinions of man hold little value and my worth is not contingent upon them. I know who I am and I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows who I am. He is aware of me and anxious for me to achieve the best things in this life. As my knowledge of what it truly means to be a daughter of God grows, I am constantly reminded of the profound love our Heavenly Father has for each of His children. As I strive to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior each day, I know that I, much like Moses, will be continually edified and the knowledge of this sacred relationship reinforces my resolve to strive to live up to my divine potential.

Additional Resources:

Chat with Mormon missionaries online.

Learn simple ways to become more spiritual in life.

The Bible and the Book of Mormon are testaments of Jesus Christ. Request free copies today.

Written by Taylor Berhow, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

Understand God the Father

In Moses chapter one, found in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses is transfigured (a special change of nature to a more glorified state) by God the Father, allowing him to see the Almighty face to face. These few precious verses that we have had revealed to us provide significant insight to Moses’ relationship with God; it is easy, and important, for us to apply what Moses learned about his relationship with God to our own lives.

An important idea that is revealed to Moses is the fact that God created the world and all of the things, which exist upon it. Moses must have been greatly impressed with these creations, as he “marveled and wondered,” over them. The idea of creation is one, which completely overwhelms me. The complexity of each living creature on this planet is so immense; it is a wonder how life processes exist and function in the effective and miraculous way that they do. Creation is an example of the awesome power held by our Heavenly Father, but more importantly than the endless and limitless abilities of God the Father, is the personal relationship each one of his creations can choose to have with him. This is another concept that Moses’ interaction with God in Moses, chapter one, teaches us.

The Father has infinite power to create life and create all things, yet he still chooses to uplift and support even his smallest, seemingly insignificant creations. Moses learns that without the support and fortification of God the Father, he has no strength. When God’s glory was removed from Moses, “Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth” (See Moses 1:9) When he is left alone, lacking the presence of God, he truly understands his own nothingness and exclaims, “Now for this cause, I know that man is nothing” (See Moses 1:10)

There is another important concept gleaned from this scene on the mountain. After the strength of the natural man is returned to Moses, he is visited and tempted by Satan, who commands Moses to worship him. Moses learns something incredibly vital to us all. In a time of immense temptation and difficulty, God dwells with Moses and strengthens him. Likewise, when Satan enters our lives, whether it be directly or in a way less obvious to us, or those around us, God the Father will provide strength if we ask for it. Often, he strengthens us when we forget to ask, or when an excess of pride blinds us from the way. Moses’ experience with these uplifting truths is a testimony to myself, and to all of the Father’s children, that our Heavenly Father loves and supports us in our greatest times of need. Our relationship with him is contingent on our efforts to improve it, but his love has no qualifications, for he truly has an infinite love for all of his children.

Additional Resources:

Request a free copy of the Bible, a testament of Jesus Christ–comparable to the Book of Mormon.

Read the Articles of Faith, 13 statements that summarize Mormon fundamental beliefs.

Moses was a prophet. Learn about modern-day prophets who live on the earth today.

Written by Rebecca Tyle, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known, as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

Heavenly Father Helps Us Discern

In Moses chapter one, found in scripture held as sacred by Latter-day Saints “Mormons” known as the Pearl of Great Price, God is speaking to Moses. He is explaining how He is eternal, endless, etc. Yet three times, He calls Moses His son, and that Moses is “in the similitude of mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:6). Later, after communing with God, Moses
mentions, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed” (Moses 1:10). This applies to every single person. For me, I can replace “son” with “daughter,” and it would have the exact same meaning. This reminds me of a talk President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (member of the First Presidency in the “Mormon Church”) gave in the October 2011 General Conference titled “You Matter to Him.” The basic idea of his talk is that even though God is all, is everything, is endless and eternal, and even though we are small and insignificant human beings, Heavenly Father still cares about us, loves us, and is always there for us. He still loves and cares for me, even with my imperfections, and my state of nothingness, in comparison to Him. As Moses learned these revealed truths about himself, and received such a strong knowledge of it, he was also able to cast out Satan when Satan appeared to him. Moses said when Satan appeared, “I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten” (Moses 1:13), and discerned that Satan was seeking to deceive. This also applies. For me, I know that the more I know about myself, or am reminded of who I am, a daughter of God, the easier it is for me to discern Satan and his tactics to bring me down, and the easier it is for me to tell him as Moses did, to “get thee hence” (Moses 1:16). As Moses learned that he was a son of God, he could withstand Satan and cast him out. So it is for me. I am a daughter of the Almighty, not the “[daughter] of man” (Moses 1:12), as Satan would put it. All in all, I am literally a child of God, my Father in Heaven.

Additional Resources:

We can live again with God. Learn more at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

God the Father sent His son Jesus Christ.

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon or Bible.

Written by Tom Brinton, a BYU student, studying a volume of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price, which is written by prophets; members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “Mormons” revere it as sacred text. This post comes from a book within the Pearl of Great Price known, as The Book of Moses; it is an extraction from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet, June 1830—February 1831.

God the Father and Moses

When Moses encountered God, with all of his greatness, Moses stated, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed” (See the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:10—a book of scripture held sacred by Latter-day Saints “Mormons”). Moses had believed in God up to this point, however it was not until he saw with his spiritual eyes the creations of our universe that he realized the vast difference between an exalted being, such as God, our Father in Heaven, and mortal man. In fact, after the presence of God departed from him, and Moses was left to his own strength, he fell to the earth from exhaustion (See Moses 1:9).

It is important for me to remember this verse of scripture from time to time as I become wrapped up in self-important thought patterns. On many days, I suppose that “Tom” is everything. It is good for me to be humbled by the simple words of Moses, reminding me that next to God I am nothing. Not, perhaps, in the stereotypical, Reformation loathing of mankind. This scripture doesn’t mean that we mean nothing to God, but simply that He is greater in goodness, power, and intelligence than we are. In fact, we know that each one of us is immensely precious to Him.

This leads to the next thing that Moses learned. God referred to him as “Moses, my son” (See Moses 1:6). And this is meant in a very direct and telling way. God does not mince words. Moses here learns that he is literally spiritually descended from God himself.

What does this mean to me? Everything. To know that I am a son of God, that He loves me, that He has blessings waiting for me is very important in my life. It helps me face challenges with hope and to exercise greater faith through disappointments and confusion. It helps me remember who I am, a spiritual being on a mortal journey.

This was important knowledge for Moses to have as he faced an immediate challenge to his new spiritual insights. Satan came offering Moses the opportunity to worship him. Because of the contrast between the glory of God and that of Satan, Moses was able to discern Satan’s lies. The spirit of God was with Moses and gave him power to dispel Satan from his midst.

I too have had times in my life where the influence of Satan was manifest strongly while I was seeking out God. Through previous experiences in prayer, I was able to tell the difference between these spirits and follow the Spirit of God. I am grateful that I received the testimony and experience to prepare me for this challenge in my life.

After Satan departed, God manifested himself again to Moses, calling him blessed and giving him further revelation. He had given Moses knowledge, and had departed from him, allowing him to be tested. Moses remained steadfast and resolute and after the trial of his faith was blessed with greater revelation and a divine calling as a prophet.

This gives me hope that my trials will be fruitful if I endure them patiently and with faith. The experiences I am given can prepare me to serve God more effectively if I approach them as Moses did, with a clear mind and a strong heart.

There are many other things that Moses learns within the verses of Moses, chapter 1. He learns that God has a body, that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father and that it was through Him that creation occurred. Moses learned the history of mankind and saw every particle of the earth and heavens. Finally, we learn God’s purpose. What motivates Him? What is His goal? It is “to bring to pass our own immortality and eternal life of man” (See Moses 1:39). God works to help each of us reach our potential to be like Him.

Additional Resources:

God the Father is our Heavenly Father. Learn more at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Learn more about our Heavenly Father.

Find a local meetinghouse.

By Amy Choate-Nielsen

Deseret News
Published: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. MST

David Letterman knows how to get a laugh.Like most comics, he riffs on the day’s news, deadpans the camera and revels in audacity.”Oh, did you hear about this?” the host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman asked his audience recently. “A campaign staffer on the Newt Gingrich campaign was fired because he was making negative comments about Mormons. I thought, now, wait a minute — isn’t Newt in favor of multiple wives?”
Laughter rumbled from the audience followed by applause. The polygamy punch line is a familiar one when it comes to poking fun at Mormons — as though Mormons and polygamy are synonymous in mainstream media. Ironically, the practice that’s most linked to Mormons is a practice most Mormons oppose, according to a groundbreaking new study of Mormons in America released Thursday by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and Public Life.

According to the study, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unequivocally reject polygamy — only 2 percent said the practice is morally acceptable — evidence of a yawning gap in what Mormons believe and how they are perceived. Mormons’ opinions are overwhelmingly conservative, the study shows, but in many ways, their views are also surprising — especially when it comes to opinions on moral issues, divorce, homosexuality and polygamy.

Morality

Mormons also take a significant stance on moral issues in other areas, such as divorce, sex outside of marriage and consumption of alcohol.

Although teachings from the LDS Church emphasize the importance and eternal nature of the family, only 25 percent of Mormons surveyed said divorce is morally wrong, according to the study. That means Mormons are slightly less morally opposed to divorce than the general public.

“For Catholics, divorce does not exist. They think it is not only wrong but it is impossible,” said Matthew Bowman, member of a board of expert advisers to the Pew Research Center for the study and author of “The Mormon People,” a book on the history of the LDS Church. “That has not been true for Mormons. There is theological space for divorce within Mormonism. It is undesirable, but Mormons recognize it is sometimes necessary and sometimes the right thing to do.”

Other moral views revealed in the survey — 54 percent said drinking alcohol was morally wrong, compared with 15 percent of the general public — set Mormons apart, Bowman says. The assumption on the part of non-Mormons is that if Mormons think drinking alcohol is wrong, then they must think everyone who imbibes is morally flawed. That apprehension can make people suspicious of Mormons, and wary of an elitist attitude, he says.

Differences in moral viewpoints can create a stumbling block for Mormon acceptance — not only in high-profile arenas, such as a presidential election, but also in communities.
“What you find throughout the report is a tension,” said David Campbell, assistant professor at Notre Dame and an adviser on the study. “Mormons like to use the phrase, ‘Be in the world but not of the world.’ They are certainly living their lives in the world. They are active and involved in their communities, but they have these beliefs and practices that set them apart a little bit, and sometimes there is conflict.”

Homosexuality

Mormons have some of the most conservative opinions when it comes to homosexuality. The survey asked Mormons if homosexuality should be accepted by society or discouraged by society, with an option for neither, both or “don’t know.” The response — 26 percent said homosexuality should be accepted, 65 percent said it should be discouraged — puts Mormons as the least likely to say homosexuality should be accepted by society. But a 26 percent acceptance rate, with roughly 1 in 4 Mormons saying homosexuality should be accepted, might be surprisingly high to some.

Of particular interest is the fact that only 8 percent of Mormons surveyed identified themselves as liberal, and 66 percent said they were conservative. That means some of those who said homosexuality should be accepted also identify themselves as politically conservative, Bowman says. That distinction illustrates the complexity of Mormons’ opinion on sexuality — that it is rooted more in religious precepts than politics.
Still, it’s difficult to draw a conclusion about Mormons‘ views on homosexuality based on the study, says Pew Research Center adviser Terryl Givens, professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond.

“Results need to be viewed cautiously,” Givens says. “Official LDS pronouncements insist there is a distinction between (sexual) orientation and behavior, but the survey blurs that difference, probably leaving many Mormons unsure how to answer that question. What is clear, however, is that Mormons are trending toward greater acceptance of same-sex relationships, just as society as a whole is, although by a much smaller percentage.”

Polygamy

At one point 120 years ago, some Mormons practiced plural marriage, hence the association between Mormons and polygamy. The practice was discontinued in 1890, but the cultural association persists, perhaps in part because Mormons are sometimes confused with members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church, a polygamist group not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the October-November 2011 study of a national sample of 1,019 Mormons, 86 percent said polygamy is morally wrong. That’s a number that surprises Bowman.

Were it not for the confusion surrounding Mormons and the FLDS Church practice of plural marriage, Bowman says that statistic might not be as high.

“It’s my experience that Mormons have a fraught relationship with polygamy,” Bowman said of the study results. “There is a sense that rejecting polygamy identifies a member of the LDS Church and distinguishes us from the fundamentalists. That is a cultural signifier as much as a theological statement.”

Some who responded to the survey, 11 percent, said polygamy is not a moral issue.
Email: achoate@desnews.com

A recent The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted an in-depth survey of Mormons in the United States. Mormon is a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fourth article in a series that appears in Deseret News is evaluating the results of this survey and providing context for the results.

Immigration is a controversial topic in the United States. The survey asked one question on this topic. They were asked which of two statements most closely matched their view, even if they didn’t completely agree. They were asked whether immigrants strengthen or burden the nation. No distinction was made between legal and illegal immigration, leaving those polled to decide for themselves what the question meant.

In the general U.S. population, 45 percent of Americans feel that immigrants strengthen the country, while 44 percent burden it. 12 percent feel that neither or both are true or they have no opinion on the subject. Mormon views closely mirror these statistics. 45 percent of Mormons also believe immigrants strengthen the nation, although a smaller number, 41 percent, consider them a burden on society. The number of Mormons who accept both or neither or who have no opinion is higher, at 14 percent.

These numbers put them at odds with evangelical Christians, one of the few political areas in which they disagree. Within the white evangelical population, 59 percent believe immigrants are a burden, and 27 percent believe they strengthen the country. Like Mormons, 14 percent answered both, neither, or no opinion.

The statistics for Mormons shows a strong divide based on age, income, and education, as well as on religious commitment. Only 36 percent of highly committed Mormons see immigrants as a burden, while 50 percent of those who are less committed see them as a burden. This largely correlates with economic status. 84 percent of Mormons who are highly committed to their religion are college graduates. (The church strongly encourages education, which may be a factor in this.) Only 50 percent of those with high school educations are strongly committed to their faith. This statistic is very unusual in the religious world. For most religions, the least educated are the most religious.

49 percent of Mormons under age 50 see immigrants as a strength. 39 percent of Mormons over 50 see it as a strength.

Beyond the study’s statistics, several other factors influence the Mormon view of immigration. Many Mormons serve missions for their church. For two years, they live wherever they are sent, learning the language and living as the people in that community live. They go into the homes, attend the churches, and do service work in addition to their missionary work. Many of those serve in Spanish countries and have a realistic view of the hardships faced by those people. They come home with a compassionate view of the world and an understanding that Americans have much easier lives than most. The love missionaries almost invariably develop for the people they served influences their views on immigration.

Finally, the church has taken very specific stands on the subject of illegal immigration in recent years. Mormons believe God has sent a prophet to lead His church, just as He has always done in ancient times, and so, Mormons are asked to sustain the prophet as the leader of the Church. Official statements from the prophet or the Church are considered to be from God.

The Church officially endorsed the basic principles of the Utah Compact, a law working to create a balanced legal approach to immigration. In November, 2011, L. Whitney Clayton gave an official statement from the church in honor of the first anniversary of the bill. The statement said in part:

The Utah Compact is consistent with three principles we believe should be carefully balanced when considering immigration:

• We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors. The meaning of neighbor includes all of God’s children, in all places and in all times.
• We recognize an ever-present need to strengthen families. Families are meant to be together. Forced separation of working parents from their children weakens families and damages society.
• We acknowledge that every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders.

We continue to encourage lawmakers everywhere to consider laws that properly balance love of neighbors and the importance of keeping families together, within the framework of just and enforceable laws.” (See Utah Compact One-Year Anniversary Marked by Utah Community Leaders.)

The official Mormon position is to encourage its members to stay in their homelands or to immigrate legally, but once they are here, however they came, they are to be treated with love, dignity, and respect, and laws should not separate families.

For a more in-depth look at the issue of Mormons and immigration, read the Deseret News article: Mormons’ immigration attitudes set them apart, by Eric Schulzke, Deseret News, published: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 8:12 p.m. MST.

Of all the numbers in the Pew Research Center’s recently released survey of “Mormons in America,” the highest, most overwhelming numbers are these: 98 percent of respondents said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion.

This comes on the heels of earlier surveys indicating that 32 percent of non-LDS U.S. adults say the LDS Church is not a Christian religion, and an additional 17 percent are unsure of LDS Christianity. The theological and semantic reasons for this can be complex, but for the 1,019 self-identified Mormons who participated in the Pew survey, their theological position is clear: Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, and they consider themselves to be Christian.

“Certainly in Latter-day Saint theology is this idea that if you understand who you are, you understand that there’s a purpose in life, you understand your connection to God, that certainly has an impact on how you live your life and what you do, but also how you feel about your life and what you are doing,” said Michael Purdy of the LDS Church Public Affairs office.

For the vast majority of Latter-day Saints surveyed, those life choices have much to do with their religious beliefs. Eighty-two percent of survey respondents indicate that religion is “very important” to them, 83 percent say they pray every day and 77 percent say they attend church at least once a week. Beyond that, a stunning 69 percent of respondents fit all three descriptions, saying that religion is very important to them, that they pray every day and that they go to church every week.

“By this measure,” the report says, “Mormons exhibit higher levels of religious commitment than many other religious groups, including white evangelical Christians.”

Part of the explanation for these high numbers may be that the survey focused only on those who self-identified as Latter-day Saints.

“The method they used tended to identify people who are strongly committed,” said BYU sociologist Marie Cornwall , who advised the Pew Forum on the new survey. “They don’t have the people who are kind of marginal. But that’s okay; we just have to be careful with the way we interpret the findings.”

One such finding is the relationship between religious commitment and education among Mormons.

David Campbell, a University of Notre Dame associate professor and another adviser on the survey, noted that the more educated respondents were, the higher their levels of religious commitment.

“I was a little surprised by that,” said Campbell, who is LDS and who has extensively studied on the role of religion in the public square. “The more educated a Mormon is, the more likely they are to be wholehearted in their commitment to the church and its teachings.”

That is different from other churches, he said, where more education tends to lead to more religious skepticism.

Pew Research Center officials also noted “a significant gender gap in religious commitment, with more Mormon women than men exhibiting a high level of religious commitment (73 percent vs. 65 percent).”

According to the Pew report, a similar “gender gap” is seen among the general public. A 2007 survey found 36 percent of U.S. women exhibited a high level of religious commitment, compared with 24 percent of men.

One series of questions asked about what it means to be a good Mormon. According to the respondents, in order to be a good Mormon it is “essential” to believe Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ (80 percent), work to help the poor (73 percent), hold regular family home evenings (51 percent), not drink coffee and tea (49 percent) and not watch R-rated movies (32 percent).

Combining those who said “essential” with those who said “important but not essential,” the order changes a little bit: working to help the poor (97 percent), holding regular family home evenings (96 percent), believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ (93 percent), not drinking coffee and tea (81 percent) and not watching R-rated movies (79 percent).

“I think that result is rather interesting,” said Cornwall. “Mormons are known for not drinking coffee or tea and not watching R-rated movies. But compared to believing that Joseph Smith saw God and working for the poor, Mormons don’t seem to focus on the coffee and tea as much as people probably think.”

Other manifestations of religious commitment in the survey included:

The number of respondents (65 percent) who say they hold a current temple recommend (a certificate from local ecclesiastical leaders, issued every other year, indicating that an individual has permission from the church to enter LDS temples and participate in temple rites and sacraments)

The number (79 percent) who say they pay tithing (donating 10 percent of their income to the church)

The number (27 percent) who have served full-time missions for the church (this number includes 43 percent of men and 11 percent of women and varies significantly according to the age and education of the respondent, as well as whether or not the respondent was raised Mormon)

The number (82 percent) who keep food in storage for emergencies or disasters, as they have been counseled to do by LDS Church leaders (This number includes 23 percent who say they have three months’ worth, 35 percent who say they have more than three months’ worth and 23 percent who say they have less than three months’ worth)

The percentage who pay tithing is especially interesting to break down. According to the survey tabulations, “tithing is most common among Mormons with the highest levels of religious commitment (96 percent) … fully 91 percent of college graduates say they pay tithing … compared with 66 percent of those with a high school diploma or less education. And among those whose family income exceeds $30,000, 83 percent say they pay tithing, compared with 69 percent of those with incomes of less than $30,000.”

While previous surveys have clearly established LDS agreement with certain key Christian doctrines — 90 percent of Mormons believe in God, 91 percent believe the Bible is the word of God and 98 percent believe in life after death — the new survey explores Mormon confidence in points of doctrine that are unique to LDS theology. And in these points of doctrine, Mormons proved to be unified and believing. They believe overwhelmingly that God and Jesus Christ are separate physical beings (94 percent), that the president of the LDS Church is a prophet of God (94 percent), that families can be bound together eternally in temple ceremonies (95 percent) and that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets and translated by Joseph Smith (91 percent).

Overall, 77 percent say they believe “wholeheartedly” in all of the teachings of the LDS Church. That number increases to 82 percent among Mormons ages 18-49, and to 85 percent among Mormons who are college graduates.

“Ultimately, I suppose other Americans will judge our church — and perhaps all churches — by their relevance in how they touch and improve human lives right here on Earth as well as what they offer in the life to come,” wrote Michael Otterson, Public Affairs director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his “On Faith” blog in the Washington Post. “Meanwhile, we welcome the friendship and regard of all groups, even as we retain our commitment to a unique identity. In the end … Latter-day Saints will strive to be good Mormons, true believers, kind neighbors and faithful friends.

Pew Study Reflects Mormons’ Religious Commitment to Christ, Mormon Beliefs in Tithes and Temples

Mormons in America

SMITHFIELD — After dinner, three baths, four bedtime stories and a half-a-dozen goodnight kisses for 2-year-old twins Brock and Isaac and 6-year-old Ellie, Erin and Brian Thompson finally sink into the couch with weary smiles.

Being parents is just what they always wanted. And they love it.

“Of course we have our crazy moments,” Thompson says, “but for the most part we just try to find the good things in the day and remember that they’re only going to be little for so long.”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Thompsons believe that maintaining a strong marriage and raising and teaching children are essential keys to happiness and their most important responsibilities on earth.

In fact, 81 percent of Mormons say being a good parent is “one of the most important things in life,” according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion & Public Life — the first survey of Mormons about Mormons, by a non-LDS research organization.

The survey of more than 1,000 self-identified Latter-day Saints from across the country asked how accepted Mormons feel in American culture, as well as their thoughts on religious practices, political issues and family roles.

The survey showed that Mormons are more likely to be married than the general population, 67 percent of the sample size compared to 52 percent of the general public.

And 85 percent of married Mormons married other Mormons. Protestants marry other Protestants 81 percent of the time and Catholics marry each other 78 percent of the time.

With an emphasis on marriage, it should come as no surprise that the Mormons surveyed also had, on average, more children (2.6) than the general U.S. population (1.8).

Thompson grew up wanting to have a large family and be a good mother, but she and her husband have struggled with infertility for nearly nine years — a trial punctuated by the joys of two different adoptions, Ellie, then the twins.

“We said when we finally get to be parents, we’re going to actually sit down and take a little more time to focus on our kids,” Thompson said, who lives in northern Utah. “I’m not saying that other people don’t do that — the perspective we have is just a little different.”

Other Latter-day Saints share the Thompson’s enthusiasm to put family first.

“Family is at the core of our faith,” says Jane Clayson Johnson, a Latter-day Saint and former anchor of CBS’s “The Early Show” who prefers the title of mom to two young children and stepmom to three older ones. “There are so many distractions today that all force us outward, away from core relationships. What our faith does is turn us back toward deep, rich, meaningful relationships in families.”

“It teaches us that families are where we find meaning,” continued Clayson from her home in Boston. “The work I do in my family is the most important work that I’ll ever do.”

Among the general public, 50 percent list being a good parent as “one of the most important things in life,” with 44 percent listing it as “very important but not most important.”

That shouldn’t be taken to mean that the average American doesn’t value marriage or family, just that they don’t “go to church every week and get told that’s what they’re supposed to do,” says Marie Cornwall, a professor of sociology at Brigham Young University. Cornwall advised the Pew Center for this survey.

“There’s nothing to suggest that family life is less valued in the United States over time,” she said, “but there’s more that suggests that people are feeling like it’s not possible for them to attain that.”

The pressure comes when a “successful” marriage is defined as having a good job, a hefty retirement account and a lovely home with a white picket fence, Cornwall said. So when people can’t achieve that in today’s tough economy, many feel like they’ve failed.

“For Mormons, there’s a spiritual aspect brought to that (definition of success),” she said, “an effort, in terms of sermons, to try and downplay the material and place more emphasis on the relationships.”

When the survey asked Mormons about working arrangements in families, nearly six out of 10 Mormons indicated they would prefer a marriage where the man works and the woman stays home to care for the home and the children.

LDS college graduates liked this marital structure more than any other subgroup, with 71 percent of them preferring the man to work and the woman to stay home.

In the general population, only 30 percent of Americans would prefer a marriage where the husband works and the wife stays home. Among religiously unaffiliated Americans, it drops to 15 percent who would pick such a scenario.

Almost four-in-10 Mormons would prefer that both parents work and both parents help with child rearing and housework.

For American Fork mom Ruth Ann Dupaix, 37, it’s not a black-or-white decision. Throughout her marriage she has both worked and stayed at home.

“The way we look at it, we try to make it a partnership,” Dupaix says. “It’s more who’s able at the time to do it best. It’s working together, a give and take.”

When she and her husband, Geoff, were first married, her job helped pay for his school. When he finished, she kept working because her employer would pay for her to complete her degree, and education was important to both of them.

Dupaix stopped working when her sixth child was born but has recently gone back to work at a local grocery store three nights a week to help fulfill a family goal to reduce their debt load.

It’s a big pay cut from the job she used to have at a bank, but it’s a more family friendly schedule.

“As part of a family you make sacrifices,” she said. “I’m gone when the kids are asleep, but I’m still here during the day when they need me.”

Additional Resources:

For original source Deseret News article: Mormon family marriage focus Pew.

Mormons in America Pew Study.