All About Mormons

Introduction

I’ve been surprised at the number of messages this site receives from Hindus interested in learning more about Christianity. This article is designed to help those who wish to become Christians. There are many denominations within Christianity, as in Hinduism (e.g, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, Smartism, etc.). I’ve found great joy in a worldwide Christian church called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known by the nickname “the Mormon Church.” This article will focus specifically on Mormon Christianity. (Continue reading, or jump directly to: Mormonism and Hinduism: Notable Similarities, What of Cultural Concerns?, or Mormon Growth in India / History.)

Quick Answer

Doubtless many people just want a simple answer to the question “How can I convert to Mormon Christianity?” Only a few steps are required:

Mormon Missionaries: An Introduction

• Learn about Mormon beliefs. Fortunately, there are over 80,000 missionaries in the world who visit people in their homes to teach them more about Jesus Christ. Most people who are interested in Mormonism learn about our basic beliefs from these missionaries. You can request a missionary visit online. That having been said, Mormon Christianity still hasn’t arrived in many Indian cities, though it is growing. If there are no missionaries serving in your area, you can also chat with a missionary online from anywhere in the world.
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  What is it like to visit a chapel?
  If possible, visit a Mormon chapel to see how we worship. You can learn the address of the Mormon chapel nearest your house online. Please don’t hesitate to visit us any Sunday morning (usually around 9:00) to see how we worship. Mormons love visitors. If there is no Mormon chapel in your area, you can also see how we worship online.
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  Jesus Christ was Himself baptized in the Jordan river to provide an example for each of us. (Reflections of Christ)

  Accept baptism. Once you’ve studied Christianity and have decided you want to become a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ, you can officially join the church through Baptism. Baptism is a sacred ceremony that symbolizes one’s decision to dedicate their life to Christ’s teachings. First, the convert enters into the waters of baptism, as if being buried. This symbolizes the end of the old life. When the convert leaves the waters, it symbolizes a new birth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. As water is also involved in Hindu purification rituals, perhaps this symbolism isn’t entirely foreign to you. When the time comes, the missionaries can explain how to schedule your baptism.

• Cultivate your faith. Becoming a true Christian isn’t a single event. It’s a process that should last a lifetime. After baptism, it’s important that you continue to cultivate and strengthen your Mormon Christian faith. The best way to do this is by attending church services, but if there is no Mormon place of worship in your city, you can also cultivate your faith through regular study of these excellent online resources:
  • The official Mormon website for those who want to learn more about the church.
  • The official website for members of the church (but others are welcome to visit!).
  • The official site for Mormons in India.
  • The latest Mormon News from India.
  • Mormon scriptures (sacred books like the The Vedas in Hinduism).
  • The Ensign, one of the church’s official magazines.
  • The New Era, a magazine for younger Mormons.
  • Instructive manuals that explain the basics of Mormon Christian teachings.
  • If you prefer to read in Hindi, much of our church’s materials have been translated. Material is also available in Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, and Urdu.

Mormonism and Hinduism: Notable Similarities

Mormonism is a Christian religion, so obviously there are important differences between Hindu and Mormon beliefs. But, compared to many other Christian churches, Mormonism is notably similar to Hinduism in many ways. For a Hindu who wishes to transition to Christianity, Mormon Christianity is an excellent and natural choice.

To illustrate, allow me to describe some of the similarities I’ve noticed. I’m no expert on Hindu theology, so I invite any corrections in the comments below.

• Ātman. Hindus believe the ātman (soul) is eternal and that it can progress over time. This same idea is also central to Mormon belief.
• Brahman. While Hindu practices vary by region, ranging from monotheism to polytheism to even atheism, there’s a common belief in “Brahman,” a supreme spirit. This notion of a single supreme spirit is very similar to the Mormon concept of God, who we often call “the Heavenly Father.” Just as many Hindus believe that ātman and Brahman are closely related, Mormons also see the soul as being God’s paramount creation and thus possessing a spark of divinity.
• Mokṣa/nirvana/samadhi. Nirvana in the Hindu tradition is a final state where the soul becomes one with God. The Mormon concept of exaltation is somewhat similar. Mormons believe that, under God’s guidance, we can become one in purpose with Him after death, though we will retain our identities as individuals. In this sense, exaltation is similar to the Hindu concept of mokṣa.
• The descent of God to Earth in corporeal form. Many Hindu epics and the Puranas describe God descending to earth in physical form in order to restore truth (dharma), thereby helping to guide people to mokṣa. It’s easy to draw parallels between this belief and the Mormon belief that Jesus Christ, “God the Son,” came to earth as a mortal albeit perfect man to enlighten God’s children through divine truth, leading them ultimately to salvation/exaltation/mokṣa.
• Reincarnation. Mormons don’t believe in reincarnation, but we do believe the soul passes through various stages, which we sometimes metaphorically call “lives.” Our existence prior to birth is sometimes called the “pre-mortal life,” our current mortal existence is sometimes called the “mortal life,” and the next life after death is sometimes called the “post-mortal life.” Eventually, our spirits and bodies will be reunited in a resurrection (a kind of “reincarnation,” if you will), and we will begin a new “life” with God in a place called “heaven” or the “Celestial Kingdom.” It is similar in many ways to loka, as understood by the followers of Dvaita.
• Karma. The Hindu concept of karma is similar in some ways to the Mormon concept of divine justice. Like Hindus, Mormons believe in a moral law of cause and effect. While there is not always justice in this life, we can have faith that God will reward the righteous in the end.
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  The Tabernacle Choir, a famous Mormon singing group
  Bhajan. Music (hymns) play an important role in Hinduism. While Mormon music is different than the Hindu  bhajan, both religions share a deep love for the spiritual power of song.
• Spirituality and food. While Hindu dietary customs vary from region to region, there is a rich tradition in Hinduism that links spirituality and diet. Similarly, Mormons also have strict dietary customs. Though these customs differ from those adopted by many Hindus, the underling principle of drawing closer to God by avoiding certain substances is common to both traditions.
• Kāma. As in Hinduism, kāma is celebrated within Mormonism, more so than in some other Christian denominations. Mormons, like Hindus, believe that kāma is only appropriate within marriage.
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  Mormon temples
  Temple worship. Like Hindus, Mormons place great emphasis on temple worship. Though our temples are based on those of ancient Israel rather than those of ancient India, our two religions share a love of temple worship. Some Hindus see mokṣa as the realization of one’s eternal relationship with God. This same concept is absolutely central to Mormon temple worship.

Again, I don’t mean to suggest that Hinduism and Mormonism are identical. There are important differences. But Mormons do believe that many Hindu teachings have important elements of truth. If you were to become a Mormon Christian, many of your true Hindu beliefs could be easily adapted to the Mormon framework.

What of Cultural Concerns?

Hinduism isn’t just a religion; it’s also a culture. Some may be understandably reluctant to become Christian because they don’t want to abandon that culture. Others are concerned about offending family members who remain Hindu. Thankfully, Mormon Christianity is in many ways unique among Christian denominations in how generously and compassionately it views other faiths.

For example, while Mormons certainly believe they have important divine truths to offer the world that can’t be found elsewhere, we are generally quick to recognize and honor the good in other religions. Honoring the religious beliefs of others, such as family members who choose to remain Hindu, helps ease the family tensions that can sometimes accompany religious conversions. Consider this quote from Gordon B. Hinckley, a recently deceased worldwide leader of our church:

“We recognize the good in all churches. We recognize the value of religion generally… We invite [those of other faiths] to come and learn from us, to see if we can add to [the true teachings you’ve already received] and enhance your life and your understanding of things sacred and divine.”

An official statement released by our church in 1978 also emphasizes that there is great truth in other religions, including Hinduism:

“The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.”

As a final example of how Mormons honor other religions, consider the Hare Krishna temple in Utah, a state in the United States that is mostly Mormon. This temple is highly respected by the surrounding Mormon community. Thousands of people attend the Festival of Colors there every year to celebrate the beauty of Hindu culture. In fact, I suspect far more Mormons attend the festival than do Hindus! I was pleased to learn that the Mormon Church even helped finance the construction of that temple to show solidarity with our Hindu brothers and sisters. If you choose to become Mormon, you can continue to honor all that is beautiful and true, including the true things you formerly learned and experienced as a Hindu.

In saying that, I don’t mean to imply that all Hindu beliefs and practices are compatible with Christianity. Some beliefs do have to be changed if you want to fully embrace Christ. But Mormon Christianity encourages its members to honor those aspects of their own cultures that are compatible with their new Mormon faith. As an illustration, consider these examples:

A church-sponsored celebration of Hawaiian culture

Hmong Mormons from Laos celebrate their traditional dances at a Mormon Thanksgiving Party in one of our chapels

As a Hindu convert to Mormonism, you wouldn’t have to give up celebrating those cultural aspects of Hinduism that are compatible with your new faith.

Mormon Growth in India / History

Some interested in becoming Mormon Christians might want to know a little of the history of Mormonism in India. In 1850, Mormon sailors visiting Calcutta shared our message with the people they encountered. Our church sent its first official missionary to India (Joseph Richards) in 1851. Following several more baptisms, the first Mormon chapel (house of worship) was constructed to accommodate the growing number of Indian Mormons.

More missionaries arrived in 1853. They brought the message of Jesus Christ to many other cities, including Madras, Bombay, Rangoon, Karachi, and Poona. Unfortunately, establishing the church in India proved difficult. Some of the people who converted to Mormonism decided to emigrate to Utah, a place in the U.S. where many Mormons live. Subsequent missionaries also had a very hard time learning the many languages of India. There was at least one Mormon congregation in India as late as 1903, but eventually the work there stalled.

Recent growth of the “Mormon Church” in India

Conclusion

I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Life can be so complex and difficult; personal peace requires a solid spiritual anchor to bring stability to all this chaos. For me, that anchor has been Jesus Christ. His teachings, which I’ve learned and loved as a Mormon Christian, have transformed my life for the better. I hope you find the same joy in this wonderful faith. Chat with some of our missionaries today!