BELIEFS AND STORIES FROM MEMBERS OF
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Personal Response by Karen R. Merkley

Mormons believe that true followers of Christ are counted as “saints”–those who have followed Him into baptism by immersion through His priesthood power as held by ordained members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who continue in the path of righteousness. Members of Christ’s Church established when he was on the earth are the early saints, and members of His Church today are referred to as “Latter-day Saints.” Many of all faiths live a Christ-like life and are saintly and good. The literal term, “saint,” or “latter-day saint,” however, in our theology is reserved for those who qualify as described above.

Mormons do not beatify (call blessed in a formal sense) or canonize (declare a higher state of sainthood) anyone who is a member of the Church. (more…)

Personal Response by Karen Merkley

Mormons partake of the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper–initiated by Christ–every Sunday, as Catholics partake of Communion. The LDS ordinance, however similar in purpose to that of the Catholics’ Eucharist, differs in a couple of profound respects. The Sacrament, we believe, is an ordinance that can be performed only in a given prescribed manner revealed by the Lord. Only holders of His authority or priesthood, as present in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can actually rightfully administer the emblems of the Sacrament. The true manner of blessing the Sacrament is found within revealed modern scriptures: The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.

The prescribed manner of administering the blessing of the bread is set forth as follows:
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Personal Response by Karen Merkley

A rosary is a set of chained beads used to mark the recitation of certain prayers by Catholics. Typically, it consists of 50 beads, in groups of ten (a decade), with a larger bead before each decade. Specific memorized prayers are recited as a way of remembering aspects of the life and mission of the Savior.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) don’t use a rosary, or set of beads marking a series of prayers, as used by Roman-Catholics or Anglo-Catholics. (more…)