AMANDA - Where does the church stand on circumcision? I have read and studied the bible but is that still how the church feels?

JOEL - Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14) was the sign of the covenant Abram made with God (Gen. 17:10), in token of which his name was changed to Abraham (Gen. 17:5; cf. Luke 1:59, 2:21). In New Testament times circumcision as a necessity for salvation became a major controversy in early Christianity (Acts 10:45; 11:2; 15:1-31), mostly because it was considered to be associated with the Law of Moses which was fulliflled by Jesus Christ.
Near the end of Nephite history the Lord revealed to the prophet Mormon that "the law of circumcision is done away in me" (Moro. 8:8).
The rite is still observed in Judaism and Islam but not in the LDS church today. Most LDS males are circumcized, however it is done for cleanliness and health, not religious, reasons.

Return to top

Return to Questions

HOME