Can you explain your belief on the priesthood? Is this just for men?
Also, what do you believe about men becoming like Jesus on different planets, if they do “well enough” in this life? This may just be a rumor, but I am very interested in hearing your beliefs on the topic.
Also, do you believe that your undergarments keep you holy, what is the purpose in wearing them, and is wearing them mandatory?
Thanks!
P.S. One more thing. What do you mean when you say, “progress spiritually after death”?
One Response to “Can you explain your belief on the priesthood? Is this…”
Felipe Delgado
2014-01-26 19:17:56
A congregation in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Dale Wight.
Hi Jordan. Thanks for your interesting questions. The "priesthood" is more complex than you might think. If by "priesthood" you mean "leadership" in the church (e.g., the way a Catholic Priest might lead a congregation), then the best way to answer your question is to explain that both Mormon men and women preach sermons, pray publicly, and hold leadership positions within the church, even on the global level.
If by "priesthood" you mean "the apostolic authority to guide the church in Christ's name" (the typical Mormon definition of "priesthood"), the answer is also that the priesthood benefits (is "for") both the men and women of the church. The highest priesthood blessings are given to both men and women together (temple marriage, for example). It is true, though, that men are currently responsible for "administering" the priesthood. Women administer other important aspects of our faith.
Regarding the idea of becoming like Jesus on other planets, what you describe is a very distorted, sensationalized version of our actual beliefs. You're right in recognizing that there are a lot of incorrect rumors about Mormons on the Internet. You can read more about our actual beliefs regarding what we call "exaltation" elsewhere on this site. These same pages explain a bit more about what "progress spiritually after death" means too.
Some Mormons choose to wear special clothing as a symbol of their faith, just as members of many other religions do. We don't believe our clothing makes us holy. The clothing simply serves as a symbol of sacred promises some Mormons have made with God in our temples. Rather than making us holy, this clothing is a constant reminder that we should try our best to let holiness into our lives. Since these feelings and goals are very private, we wear our "reminder" privately and inconspicuously underneath our street clothes.
If by "priesthood" you mean "the apostolic authority to guide the church in Christ's name" (the typical Mormon definition of "priesthood"), the answer is also that the priesthood benefits (is "for") both the men and women of the church. The highest priesthood blessings are given to both men and women together (temple marriage, for example). It is true, though, that men are currently responsible for "administering" the priesthood. Women administer other important aspects of our faith.
Regarding the idea of becoming like Jesus on other planets, what you describe is a very distorted, sensationalized version of our actual beliefs. You're right in recognizing that there are a lot of incorrect rumors about Mormons on the Internet. You can read more about our actual beliefs regarding what we call "exaltation" elsewhere on this site. These same pages explain a bit more about what "progress spiritually after death" means too.
Some Mormons choose to wear special clothing as a symbol of their faith, just as members of many other religions do. We don't believe our clothing makes us holy. The clothing simply serves as a symbol of sacred promises some Mormons have made with God in our temples. Rather than making us holy, this clothing is a constant reminder that we should try our best to let holiness into our lives. Since these feelings and goals are very private, we wear our "reminder" privately and inconspicuously underneath our street clothes.