Overview of Themes Unique to the Restoration
(List generated by ChatGPT 2025)
Continuing Revelation – God still speaks to prophets today.
The Plan of Salvation – A detailed view of pre-mortal life, mortal testing, and eternal progression.
Three Degrees of Glory – Heaven is tiered (Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial), not simply Heaven or Hell.
Divine Potential of Humans – “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become” (deification/exaltation).
Family Centrality – Eternal families sealed in temples are a core value.
Agency – Human free will is sacred and essential for growth.
Jesus Christ as Savior – Central to the faith, though LDS doctrine differs on his nature from traditional Christianity.
Pre-Mortal Existence – Humans lived with God before birth.
Theosis/Exaltation – Godhood as a future for righteous humans.
Temple Rituals and Covenants – Sacred ordinances not practiced in other Christian traditions.
Proselytizing as a Duty – Missionary work is central.
Scriptural Canon Beyond the Bible – Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price.
Restored Priesthood Authority
Baptism for the Dead
Polygamy – discontinued.
Heavenly Mother – hinted, not emphasized.
LDS writers may manifest these through:
- Strong themes of personal agency and moral choice.
- Emphasis on family bonds and self-improvement.
- Stories of pre-mortal identity and eternal purpose.
- Glorifying individual progression and becoming more godlike.
Brandon Sanderson is a good example: while not preaching LDS doctrine, his works reflect moral agency, honor, and the idea of personal transformation toward divine potential.
Potential Conflicts with Traditional Christianity:
- The nature of God – Traditional Christianity teaches that God is eternal, unchanging spirit. LDS doctrine includes the idea that God was once a man.
- Polytheism vs. Monotheism? – LDS belief in many divine beings (though worship of one God) can appear as henotheism or soft polytheism.
