Prague, Czech Republic—Leaders of the LDS Church were invited to speak at a UPF meeting about their beliefs, practices and values.
The meeting titled “On the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”—who also are known as Mormons—was held at the UPF offices on April 27, 2023, as one of a series of talks introducing religions, churches and religious communities.
The speakers were the current president of the LDS Church in the Czech Republic, Jan Pohořelický, and his wife, Paulína.
The history of the church started with the American prophet Joseph Smith, who lived from 1805 to 1844. He received a revelation and gospel for the new continent—the Book of Mormon—which was revealed to him by the angel Moroni.
God speaks through the prophets, the speakers said, and the LDS leadership consists of 12 prophets.
The members of the LDS Church try to establish good and sustainable families as the foundation of a good nation. The family is very important, because through the family we can experience God’s love and presence.
Church members are expected to follow a moral code called the law of chastity, which prohibits adultery, homosexual behavior, and sexual relations before or outside marriage.
Within the LDS Church young members voluntarily spend two to three years as missionaries in a foreign country. This is a very good way of educating young people, the speakers said.
In LDS theology, a temple is considered to be a holy building, dedicated as a "House of the Lord," and is more sacred than a typical meetinghouse or chapel. In temples, church members participate in ceremonies that are considered the most sacred in the church, including marriage and making covenants with God.
Because temples are considered by church members to be the most sacred structures on earth, operating temples are not open to the public.
The presentation was authentic and lively. The participants received information about the LDS Church firsthand. They appreciated the speakers’ openness and honesty in the discussion that followed.
