The Mormon Religion by: Kyle W. 5th
a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
History of Mormonism
Mormonism started one quiet April day in 1820. Joseph Smith, a 14-yr.- old boy, had been contemplating which church to join for some time now. The night before, he had been reading his bible and he read John 1:5, which says, "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God...". He decided that he would pray to God and ask which church to join.
The next morning, he went into a small forest, now owned by the Church and named "The Sacred Grove", and prayed. While he was praying, a glorious light came upon him and he looked and beheld God the Father AND the Son. He asked them which church he should join, and God said none of them. They had all strayed from the true path and teachings.
God promised Joseph that he would restore the church to this earth.
Then, Moroni (the last Nephite) came to Joseph and told him where to find the Golden Plates, which were inscribed with the teachings of the Nephites. For the next four years, Joseph waited patiently until FINALLY he was allowed to translate them. It was long and tedious work but it was finally completed. The Book of Mormon was finished.
However, Mormons were scrutinized and laughed at, so they decided to move to Kirtland, Ohio. They were prosperous, and built a temple, but were run out. They resettled in Nauvoo (which means beautiful in some Native American language), Illinois. Once again, they were very happy and built another temple. They lived in Nauvoo for many years, but were once again run out of town. Another problem was that Joseph Smith had recently been martyred at Carthedge Jail. Without a clear leader, and a clear choice on what they should do next, they were very scared. Some of the Mormons believed Joseph's son should be the next prophet. Most thought God would tell them who would lead. This caused the Succession Crisis of 1844. The Mormons who followed Joseph's son created a new church and are no longer considered true Mormons.
God did tell the Mormons who would lead. Brigham Young was a strong man and said that the Mormons should head west and God would tell them when to settle. Many stops were taken along the way (including Omaha, site of the Winter Quarters temple!), but they finally settled in a small valley that is now called Salt Lake City, Utah, home of the 223-ft. tall Salt Lake City temple. Now all they had to do was spread this wondrous word.
The Book of Mormon
The Bible
Jesus appears to the Nephites
Beliefs of Mormons
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
This Article reminds us that we believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (or Ghost) and that they are SEPARATE beings. We call these beings members of the Godhead.
2. We believe that a man will be punished for his own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
This Article gives us comfort and tells us that no matter what Adam and Eve did, it is not your fault. This is why babies born into the Mormon religion are not "baptized". We also believe that if a child dies before the age of 8 (baptism age), they immediately go straight to the holiest form of heaven, the Celestial kingdom.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
This Article tells us that if we live a good life and follow the commandments and believe in Christ, then we will be saved on the Last Day.
4. We believe in, first, faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, second, repentance, third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This Article tells the four stages of getting ready for a baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy, or by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances there of.
This tells us that someone must be called by God to lead our church or smaller branches of them. After being called, they must be blessed by the laying on of hands. Only then can they lead our church.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth.
This means that the way the church was organized by Joseph Smith is the same way it is organized now.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues and so forth.
This means that we believe that everyone has a talent and these gifts can help you on your missions.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.
This means that as long as they are written correctly, these works are the truth and written by the prophets.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things, pertaining to the kingdom of God.
This Article tells us that God has a hand in everything, and that he will reveal things in the future if we are ready for them.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, that Zion will be built upon the American continent, that Christ will reign personally upon the Earth and that the Earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
This is saying that we believe that Christ is the King of Earth, and that one day we will all live happily on a glorified Heaven-on-Earth.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God, according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may.
This Article tells Mormons that while we may be the one true Church, we should not brag or consider other religions as evil (except maybe Satan worshipers). We are taught to respect others and, when possible, teach them about our church.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
This means that we live peacefully all over the world and are taught to respect the laws of our country. However, if a law is that we MUST be a certain religion, we will fight it in order to continue being Mormons.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the Admonition of Paul--- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and we hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
This Article says that we need to be nice and kind to all men and women. If there is any way to become nicer or kinder, we seek after how to do so.
Current Statistics
- In 1830, when the Mormon religion was declared an official religion, there were only about 6-8 members. In 2014, there were about 15,082,028 members world-wide!
- There are more than 88,000 Mormon missionaries worldwide, in exactly 406 missions.
- There are 4 Mormons in this very room-- including me! :)
- There are 4 mostly Mormon-centered collages, all named Brigham Young University (BYU)!
Salt Lake City temple
Orginization of the Religion
Mormons worship in groups in Church meetinghouses. Every October and April, we have General Conference, which is aired on T.V. and allows millions to watch.
Mormons have 4 sacred texts, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price (which are additional teachings of Moses and Abraham) & the Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes referred to as the D&C) which tell Joseph Smith's story.
Bibliography
Religions Facts.com
Mormon Statistics.com