Founded by Joseph Smith in the 1800s, they have since grown into an incredibly large and prominent group within the US. If you didnt know this already, Stephanie Meyer, author of The Twilight Saga, is a Mormon. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Smith also asserted that John the Baptist appeared to him while he was translating the Book of Mormon and instructed him to restore the church by preaching the true gospel. They were descendants of Nephi, who was the son of a prophet who had come to the Americas from Jerusalem. They even believed the Garden of Eden was in Missouri. It is a record of God's dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel. We are the Latter-day Saints. We have a Mormon presidential candidate for the first time in United States history, but what do Mormons actually believe? Mormons embrace four different texts: The Christian Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Thats right, somewhere in Jackson County, Missouri, a snake talked Eve into defying Gods commands. Members then donate at least the cost of the meals to charity. God the Father is the father of every human spirit, and all men and women are created in His image. Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith. Because of this, the Mormon church receives around 5 billion dollars every year. Family life, good deeds, respect for authority and missionary work are important values in Mormonism. The Pearl of Great Price is composed of two lost books from the Bible, a translation of the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph Smiths history, and the 13 Articles of Faith. He was baptized on 10 March 1998 in Reykjavik, Iceland while serving on active duty in the United States Navy in Keflavic, Iceland. To Learn What Makes Mormons Tick, Go to Church, Sacred Sabbath: Mormons Keep Sunday a Special Day. He died, was resurrected, glorified, and grew into his deified status. In March 2010, the 100 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon was printed. History Suggests It Isnt. In 1826, Smith was charged with being a disorderly person in the state of New York. Within Mormonism, Jesus is identified with the Yahweh of the Old Testament. Unlike Christian Trinitarianism (one God existing in three Persons), Mormons believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate gods. Large majorities of Mormons believe that families can be bound together eternally in temple ceremonies (95%) and that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate, physical beings (94%). Mormons practice clothing rituals that include wearing special undergarments that have religious significance. 8. At least, the ones Ive met are, with very few exceptions. Church: Mormon founder Joseph Smith wed 40 wives. God the Father is the father of every human spirit, and all men and women are created in His image. Mormonism is a Christian restorationist religious movement that was founded by Joseph Smith. Anyone can access the millions of pieces of family history data mounted by the Church of Jesus Christ at FamilySearch.org, too. If you like what I do here and want to support my work, you can donatehereor become a patronhere. Latter-day Saints believe in resurrection and exaltation. Mormons do too, but they manage to weave their religion in it. However, he also removed allusions to other folk practices in his life, like magic circles and seer stones. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum (One of the 8 witnesses) were murdered by a mob whilst they were held in jail at Carthage, near Nauvoo, on June 27, 1844. The main events described within the Book of Mormon take place between 600BC and 421AD, although parts go right back to the Tower of Babel, some 2,000 years ago! As a part of their doctrine, Mormons believe that their church president is a modern-day prophet. Other interesting facts about Mormons: With a membership of 14,441,346 (end 2011) and total of 28,660 congregations, you can formally worship as a Mormon most anywhere in the worldin fact the Church is found in 185 different countries, nations and territories. Essentially, the group splintered off into two, one of which chose not to live as God commanded. Men and women are married in temples to seal their relationships throughout eternitynot just "until death do us part.". In addition to that the Church owns 400 welfare farms and 220 canneries/welfare storehouses to care for the poor. With unique insights, beliefs, and practices, many people outside of the religion don't truly know what the faith revolves around. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7). However, it seems as though these ideas are starting to shift. Someone may identify as a Mormon, but not be a member of the LDS Church. There are a lot of scientists that believe in extraterrestrial life. But after the body is reunited with the spirit, humans go to different places: Celestial Glory The highest level of the celestial heavenly kingdom is for (married) Mormons who have kept all the Celestial laws and commandments (this is what they refer to by eternal life). Mormons aren't Christian. Founded in the 1820s, Mormonism is one of the world's newest and fastest-growing religions. Latter-day Saints also believe that after the Resurrection, mankind can be exalted to the highest level of salvation. This video includes facts that are devastating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Below is a list of some statistics and facts about the Mormon church in hopes to educate any and all readers. Fact #4: Latter-day Saints believe in modern-day prophets and apostles. 4. Then theres the outer darkness, where the morally bankrupt end up. There are three levels of heavencelestial, terrestrial and telestialin Mormonism. Would good people like this remain committed to an organization like the LDS church if they knew some of the shocking facts I know? Mormons are a pretty sought-after demographic for law enforcement and intelligence organizations, like the FBI or CIA. The US wanted to control this new territory, politically and culturally, while the LDS church wanted Utah to reflect the values and politics of their Mormon beliefs. Eventually, his successor, Brigham Young, would lead the Mormons to the Salt Lake area of Utah, where they would settle on their own and face a struggle with the US government. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by prophets and apostles just as Christ's Church was led in ancient times. At 14-years old, he wandered around America, looking for the correct sect of Christianity and came to the conclusion that they were all wrong. Oh, but it gets even crazier. It is one of the fastest-growing religion in the US With 6 million members, Mormonism is the fourth largest religion in the US. Some Mormons like Mitt Romney even moved from simply being businessmen into the political sphere. Although, shes not exactly mainstream to the Mormon religion. An active Mormon spends a lot of time volunteeringin fact much more than the average American. Really? Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. Smith sealed his union to 14-year-old Helen Mar Kimball in May of 1843. All Rights Reserved. Those that die in the baptism will be reborn with healthy bodies and will never be the same. More devout Mormons will abstain from drugs or alcohol. Instead, they believe the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate gods. God authored a great and merciful plan by which His children could come to earth to gain a body and become more like Him. LDS General Conference is also a great offering from the Church to its members. Although growth has slowed over the last few years, the LDS church continues to see an increase in membership each year. This is a clear, well-written guide that will help readers comprehend one of the world's fastest-growing belief systems in light of the clear teaching of the Bible. C. S. Lewis and Mrs. Moore: Relationship of Sin or Sanctification? His words are essentially viewed as additional scripture. Perfect for individual study and group discussions. Together, theyre known as the Godhead. Most Mormons are white. Copyright The Delite, All Rights Reserved. Salt Lake City would soon become the bustling center of life in theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are sent to earth in families, to test us and see if we will make decisions that are in keeping with God's commandments. The Book of Mormon teaches that only fools say the Bible is sufficient and that other scripture is not needed (Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. (2 Nephi 29:6)). The Holy Ghost does not have a physical body, but is a spirit who acts as a messenger and reveals truth to all of God's children. However, all hot drinks? A lot of Christian sects, if not all of them, believe that Jesus will eventually return. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not drink tea, coffee, alcohol, smoke tobacco, or take illegal drugs. In more than half of the states in the U.S., Mormonism is the fastest-growing religion. They believe that the will of God and Jesus is constantly being revealed to them through said president. Study Shows that Mormons Are the Fastest-Growing Religious Group in the U.S. Remembering the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The Doctrine and Covenants is composed of modern-day revelation from God. Mormons are known for having particularly large families with many children. After numerous visits from an angel called Moroni, Joseph Smith started translating the Book of Mormon from ancient golden plates, which were revealed to him to be hidden on the top of Hill Cumorah. At a family council, God the Father told the spirit-children that according to his plan of salvation they would have to leave their heavenly home, take on human bodies, and be tested before they could progress to godhood. Your email address will not be published. Mormons follow the religious traditions of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and predominantly practice in. People have an assumption that Mormons are afraid of large bodies of water. That means that it would apply to both men and women. The church teaches that all humans existed in spirit form and lived with God before they were born on Earth. While they faced ample prejudice, they also used their numbers and gospel to take over the towns they traveled to. 5. Two years after the massacre, members of the US army arrived under orders to bury the remains of those massacred. Fact #1: Latter-day Saints believe in the Godhead. And they mostly eat fruit and vegetables, with only a little bit of meat. According to Mormons, in 600 BCE, members of the Abrahamic religious family (the religion that would eventually become Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), traveled from the Middle East to the Americas. Thats right, the namesake of one of Americas most recognizable post-secondary institutions collected wives faster than I collect hate mail. Most sects perceive these as different aspects of the same god. The idea is that when theyre around water, theyre away from Gods protection. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament have undergone changes over the centuries, read more, When Brigham Young and his band of Mormon settlers marched into Utah in 1847, they saw a vast expanse of land they envisioned as a sanctuary. Mormonism Overview: Historical Events and Notable Doctrines, Latter-day Saint Doctrine versus Biblical Christianity, Testing the Book of Mormon by Moroni 10:4, Joseph Smith and the Biblical Test of a Prophet, Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons, Witnessing to Mormons with the Book of Mormon, Witnessing to Mormons with the Book of Abraham. Jesus Christ also has a glorified, physical body of flesh and bone. https://www.history.com/topics/religion/mormons. He also serves as an associate pastor at McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Virginia. I honestly wish I was making this up. Despite similarities in practice, their lack of involvement in the greater LDS church means that they arent considered actual Mormons. Although the plates were first revealed to him on September 22, 1823, Smith said he was not allowed to retrieve them until September 1827. The Book of Mormon states that God cursed people of colour. The Book of Mormon actually mentions Jesus Christ 3,925 times, which is an average of every 1.7 verses. Why Do Christians Insist On Speaking To Us Like This? It inspired me to write this post and I hope it inspires you to share it and keep talking about it. They come to the priest. The Saints engaged in a war in Jackson, Missouri and fled to Illinois, where their prophet, Joseph Smith would be killed as a result of tension with non-Saints there. Children are said to be free of sin and incapable of sinning until the age of 8, then they become accountable for their actions. Apparently Mormons dont just like the play, but they reenact it as well. The most important meeting of the Sunday worship is the sacrament meeting (communion) where Mormons sit together as families and worship Jesus Christ. In the early years of the LDS church, the Saints were forced to hop from place to place and in each new town they settled, they faced extreme prejudice from the other, non-LDS residents. Fact #3: Latter-day Saints accept four volumes of written scripture. Mormon doctrines not only ban the consumption of alcohol among its practitioners, but also any hot drink that isnt herbal tea. Here are lesser-known facts about Mormon that you should know. This was following the death of a Mormon apostle, Parley P. Pratt. Alex Boys Living Testimony of the Power of the Gospel, Six LDS Sisters Share Useful Tips for the Entire Family, LDS Teen Jordy Collins Rising Surfer Star, Lest They Forget Inaugural Canadian Black History Summit, That They May Hear the Gospel in Their Own Tongue. Required fields are marked *. Mormons follow a strict healthy lifestyle that doesnt allow them to consume alcohol, tobacco, coffee or tea. As of 2011, there were between 12-15 million members worldwide. Here are some more interesting facts about the religion: Fact #1: Latter-day Saints believe in the Godhead. 6. This in-often spoken of event led to the death of 140 migrants from Arkansas. This is referring to a messenger from God, or an angel. Additionally, Mormons are completely prohibited from getting tattoos. by Keith L. Brown | Sep 18, 2012 | About Mormons | 0 comments. Thats a few years higher than the average U.S. life expectancy of 78 years old. They were all, for the most part, perfectly lovely people. Did you know that the LDS church was founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830? Some modern Mormon women pray to an entity known as the Heavenly Mother. Mormonism is the religious tradition and theology of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity started by Joseph Smith in Western New York in the 1820s and 30s.. Some experts believe that if present trends continue, there could be 265 million Mormons worldwide by 2080. Mormons believe in God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost existing as three separate individual beings or personages. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. President Joseph Fielding Smith (President of the LDS Church in the early 1970's) stated: "Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. Members of the Church believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, after physical death, each person's body and spirit will reunite and no longer be subject to disease or death. When his plan was not accepted, Lucifer is said to have rebelled and taken the third part of the hosts of heaven with him to the earth to serve as tempters. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). "If you don't fear death, then atheism is working for you. In recent years, Mormonism has crept its way into popular American culture. Baptism is a big part of any Christian religious sect, especially with the Mormons. Members believe that God speaks to His prophets to teach, warn, and inspire His children. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hell (Outer Darkness) Eternal hell is for Satan, demons, and sons of perdition (e.g., those whodeny the Holy Spirit after receiving it:). 2016 Statistical Report for 2017 April Conference. (. Tom Hanks collects typewriters and has over 250 of them in his collection. Nine-in-ten Mormons believe that the president of the LDS church is a prophet of God (94%) and that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets (91%). In Mormon theology, the purpose and project of man is not to glorify or to serve God, but rather the inverse. The founder had up to 48 wives while the exact number of women who married the prophet Joseph Smith is in dispute, the only people who deny he practised plural marriage are those devoted to the image of the LDS church. Everyones familiar with who the Mormons are, but not nearly as familiar on what they do. Every young Mormon expects to serve a two-year mission overseas. Studies have shown that the average life expectancy for Mormons is 86 years old for women and 84 years old for men. Mormons believe the Bible and the Book of Mormon to be the word of Godboth testifiers of Jesus Christ. However, they still find the practice acceptable in Heaven. According to the book, some Jews came to America to avoid persecution in Jerusalem. Heres the gist. Mormons, however, view the trinity as three distinct entities. Here at The Fact Site, we have a team dedicated to checking our content for accuracy. Everyone should live a healthy lifestyle, but the Mormons seem to elevate that idea, at least just a little. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The well-known musical comedy, The Book of Mormon, has also brought attention to the religion, although its caused mixed reactions within the Mormon community. It was founded in 1830 in upstate New York by Joseph Smith, who said he received the word of God from an angel named Moroni, son of Mormon. And over half believe that a marriage where the husband goes to work and the wife stays home is preferable to both spouses having jobs. That makes them, in general, good neighbors. Smith and his followers were persecuted heavily during their early years and chased out of several towns before they ended up in Utah. Mormons are mandated to wear these special undergarments, every day and night and to important church functions. The Godhead is made up of three unique individuals: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Some people actually believe that these undergarments protect those that wear them from harm. Mormonism is growing. The Lamanites, however, grew more powerful and destroyed the other tribes after falling out of favor with God. Welcome to Ohio. It's called onionringsworldwide. Particularly, the idea of celestial marriage. This plan, often called the plan of salvation, helps Latter-day Saints answer important questions such as "Where did I come from?" However, as it turns out, a majority of Mormons actually spoke out against the idea of polygamy, even in 1830 when Joseph Smith founded the church. He revealed that the book was inscribed on golden plates near Palmyra, New York, which was close to where Smith lived at the time. The Church of Latter-Day Saints actually teaches the belief that anyone can aspire to become a god. Mormon women are second-class citizens. The changes in politics and economics in the places they went to eventually let to the death of Joseph Smith, the founder. Theres another reason why Mormons werent looked upon favorably by other Christian sects, and even other non-Christian US citizens. Some have blamed Brigham Young, while others say the local leaders in southern Utah were at fault. According to them, when youre reunited in Heaven with all of your previous spouses, because of any unfortunate deaths, all of those marriages will be honored in Heaven. The Book of Mormon also tells the reader that after Jesus resurrection, he visited America and other lands to talk to Gods children. Fast. All religions have their rites of passage and manners to indoctrinate others. Their numbers were large and they were loyal to each other and so they had a tendency to change the economics and politics of the places in which they would settle. Mormons tend to be very family-centered people who love life, their families and God. They are a sect of Christianity with unique practices. They believe that after someone dies not in the faith, they will be sent to a Spirit Prison to be to learn the Mormon Gospel until a living person is baptized on their behalf. In temples, Church members draw closer to the Lord, learn about God's plan, and receive ordinances for the living and on behalf of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have a surprisingly high hiring rate relative to available positions. However, Mormons really go above and beyond in that aspect. While most adapt interesting practices as a result, Mormons also have unique ways of greeting each other. Still, a small number of fundamentalists, who broke from the church, continue to practice plural marriage. Its my deep respect for many Mormons Ive gotten to know over the years that makes me wonder if they truly understand their own religion. He enjoys the world of tech and the religions of the world. People in this lower group cannot become gods. For those more familiar with Christianity, its not too farfetched of an idea. Sealing records show that Young was indeed sealed to 54 women after he became a Latter Day Saint and legal records show marriage to one woman prior. Although the LDS church banned the practice of polygamy in 1890, Mormons have historically wed many wives. This misconception may come from a canoe journey made by Joseph Smith and some Mormon elders in the 19th Century. The Book of Mormon contains many linguistic similarities to the King James Bible, including entire passages duplicated word-for-word. 7. No matter what, you must wear these under your clothes. Although Mormons consider their church to a restorationistmovement within Christianity (they believe the Great Apostasy occurred between the time of the New Testament church and its restoration under Joseph Smith), Mormonism differs radically from the orthodox Christian teachings and beliefs. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon" (. Long before the Europeans arrived in the Americas, the Book suggests, there was a group of people living there called the Nephites. Founded by Joseph smith in 1830, it has grown from a small group of outcasts to a significant size of nearly seven million followers. I am here to give you some statistics and facts; and I am a Mormon, so you can consider what you learn here from the source. To begin, we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswe are commonly called Mormons because of our belief in the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe that the Lamanites are the ancestors of Native Americans. These groups arent to be confused with or identified as Mormons, however. But that life would rest read more, The Inquisition was a powerful office set up within the Catholic Church to root out and punish heresy throughout Europe and the Americas.
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