Mormonism is a term used to describe the religious, ideological, and cultural elements of certain branches of the Latter Day Saint movement, and specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The Latter Day Saint movement (a subset of Restorationism) is a group of religious denominations and adherents who follow at least some of the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (disambiguation). ... Various Religious symbols, including (first row) Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Bahai, (second row) Islamic, tribal, Taoist, Shinto (third row) Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Jain, (fourth row) Ayyavazhi, Triple Goddess, Maltese cross, pre-Christian Slavonic Religion is the adherence to codified beliefs and rituals that generally involve a faith in a spiritual... An ideology is an organized collection of ideas. ... In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a set of people with a set of behaviors and beliefs, culture, which could be distinct or hidden, that differentiate them from the larger culture to which they belong. ... The Latter Day Saint movement (a subset of Restorationism) is a group of religious denominations and adherents who follow at least some of the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (disambiguation). ...

The term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term^[1] to describe those who believed in the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that adherents believe to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" and testifies of the Bible as part of the religion's canon. Today, Mormonism is properly used in reference to the Utah-based LDS Church; however, several smaller denominations, and sects of Mormon fundamentalism also embrace the term despite opposition by the LDS Church. Most other Latter Day Saint movement denominations reject use of the term in reference to their faith, and such usage is now rare even though the term was used in the past. This article is about the history and use of the word Mormon. For information about the religious beliefs and culture of Mormons, see Mormonism. ... // The Book of Mormon [1] is one of the sacred texts of the Latter Day Saint movement. ... For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Teens From Polygamous Families protested on August 19, 2006 In Salt Lake City Mormon fundamentalism (also called fundamentalist Mormonism) is a belief in the validity of selected fundamental aspects of Mormonism as taught and practiced in the nineteenth century, usually during the administration of Brigham Young as president of The...

Mormonism and Christianity

Main article: Mormonism and Christianity

Mormonism is a restorationist Christian religion.^{[citation needed]} However, other traditional Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion and most branches of Protestantism have had an uneasy relationship with it. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A sermon is an oration by... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      This article... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Ecumenism (also oecumenism, Å“cumenism) refers to initiatives aimed at greater religious unity or cooperation. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Christian movements are theological, political, or philosophical intepretations of Christianity that are not generally represented by a specific church, sect, or denomination. ... Christian music (sometimes marketed as Inspirational music, Praise music, Worship music, or Contemporary Christian Music/CCM) is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      A liturgy is a... For Dom Guérangers series of books, see The Liturgical Year. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christian... Throughout the history of Christianity, a wide range of Christians and non-Christians alike have offered criticisms of Christianity, the Church, and Christians themselves. ... For other usages, see Dispensationalism, Restoration Movement, and Restoration The term Restorationism is used to describe both the late middle ages (15-16th century) movement that preceded the protestant reformation, and recent religious movements. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... Orthodox icon of Pentecost. ... Main article: Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is a world-wide affiliation of Anglican Churches. ... Topics in Christianity Preaching Prayer Ecumenism Relation to other religions Movements Music Liturgy Calendar Symbols Art Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ...

Mormonism teaches that the Gospel of Christ has existed since the days of Adam and Eve, and that throughout history a series of departures from this gospel in its pure form (see apostasy) have occurred, always followed by a restoration; meaning that the doctrine taught by the LDS Church is believed to have been on the Earth throughout history, but at different eras was lost and later restored. LDS teach that one such apostasy occurred after the death of Saint Peter and the other original twelve apostles, and that the calling of Joseph Smith, Jr. marked a new restoration continued to this day.^[2] Michelangelos Creation of Adam, from the Sistine Chapel. ... Apostasy (from Greek αποστασία, meaning a defection or revolt, from απο, apo, away, apart, στασις, stasis, standing) is a term generally employed to describe the formal renunciation of ones religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. ... St Peter redirects here. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      For... Joseph Smith redirects here. ...

The publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, in Palmyra, New York, aroused great animosity among Protestants. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is holy scripture and, as another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion to the Bible. Some of the Mormon practices and political clout in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois also contributed to early animosity. // The Book of Mormon [1] is one of the sacred texts of the Latter Day Saint movement. ... Palmyra, New York may be: Palmyra (town), New York Palmyra (village), New York This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

The church has joined with other Christian denominations in political operations, such as conducting service and humanitarian operations worldwide and opposing same-sex marriages. Many conflicts between Mormonism and other Christian denominations have remained and several denominations have declared Mormonism not to share their apostolic Christian tradition, and have declared Mormon baptisms to be invalid.^[3] Same-sex marriage (also called gay marriage, and—less frequently—homosexual marriage) refers to marriage between partners of the same gender (for other forms of same-sex unions that are different from marriages, see the articles linked in that section). ...

Today, the major differences between Mormonism and other Christian churches include the LDS church's views on the Trinity, its temple worship, and its open canon. One recent Pew Research poll shows 52 percent of Americans say Mormonism is a Christian denomination. However, among non-Mormon Christians, more than six in ten said Mormonism and their own religion are very different and 57 respondents out of 1,461, 3.9%, associated Mormonism with the word "cult."^[4][5] Mormonism, depending on era and denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, has accommodated a diverse range of views of the concept of the Christian Godhead including forms of modalism, binitarianism, tritheism, henotheism, and trinitarianism. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ... A biblical canon is a list of Biblical books which establishes the set of books which are considered to be authoritative as scripture by a particular Jewish or Christian community. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Mormonism and Judaism

See also: Mormonism and Judaism

Because of the incorporation of many Old Testament ideas into its theology, Mormonism has a historical affinity for Judaism. The beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism and certain elements of Jewish culture. This is primarily from what are historical and doctrinal connections with Judaism. Latter-day Saints believe themselves to be either direct descendants of the House of Israel, or adopted into it. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Note: Judaism... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Joseph Smith Jr. named the largest Mormon settlement he founded Nauvoo, which means "to be beautiful" in Hebrew. Brigham Young named a tributary of the Great Salt Lake the "Jordan River." The LDS Church created a writing scheme called the Deseret Alphabet, which was based, in part, on Hebrew. Currently, the LDS Church has a Jerusalem Center in Israel, at which some college-aged youth study and learn to appreciate and respect the region.^[6] Daguerreotype which some experts believe to be an original 1843 photograph of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... There is also a Nauvoo, Alabama, and a Nauvoo, Pennsylvania Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew NÃ¥vu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... Nauvoo (נאוו to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city located in Hancock County, Illinois. ... Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah, is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere,[1] the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world,[2] and the 33rd largest lake on Earth. ... The Jordan River is a river in Utah in the United States. ... The Deseret alphabet is a phonetic alphabet developed in the mid-19th century by the board of regents of the University of Deseret (later the University of Utah) under the direction of Brigham Young, second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near-Eastern Studies is a study center for Brigham Young University situated on Mount Scopus in East Jerusalem. ...

The LDS church also teaches that its adherents are members of the House of Israel. Patriarchal blessings are received by most individuals in their youth. Among other things, this blessing's purpose is to declare one's lineage; in other words, to which tribe the individual belongs.

Conversely, there has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see the actions of some elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the LDS practice of baptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish victims of the Holocaust and Jews in general. According to LDS Church general authority Monte J. Brough, "Mormons who baptized 380,000 Holocaust victims posthumously were motivated by love and compassion and did not understand their gesture might offend Jews ... they did not realize that what they intended as a 'Christian act of service' was 'misguided and insensitive.'"^[7]. Baptism for the dead is an ordinance performed today in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for those who have died without having been baptized by one having authority. ... “Shoah” redirects here. ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a general authority is a member of a select body of approximately 100 men with administrative and ecclesiastical authority in the church. ...

Mormonism and polygamy

Main articles: Plural marriage and Mormon fundamentalism

Mormonism has been closely associated in public discourse with polygamy. In the 1830s, Joseph Smith, Jr. instituted a form of polygamy referred to as plural marriage, which Brigham Young acknowledged and promoted after the LDS church's move to the Utah Territory. According to his own statements, Joseph Smith, Jr. was more than a little uneasy at facing the institution of plural marriage, and said that he did so only after being warned through subsequent divine revelation that he should begin the practice or "be destroyed" ^[8]; however, not all members practiced polygamy. Plural marriage is a type of polygyny taught by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Teens From Polygamous Families protested on August 19, 2006 In Salt Lake City Mormon fundamentalism (also called fundamentalist Mormonism) is a belief in the validity of selected fundamental aspects of Mormonism as taught and practiced in the nineteenth century, usually during the administration of Brigham Young as president of The... The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning the practice of multiple marriage) is used in related ways in social anthropology, sociobiology, and sociology. ... Joseph Smith redirects here. ... Plural marriage is a type of polygyny taught by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see Brigham Young (disambiguation). ... The Utah Territory was an organized territory of the United States that existed between 1850 and 1896. ...

Upon learning about the practice, mainstream churches and political forces in the United States mounted a vigorous campaign to stamp it out. The United States Congress passed laws criminalizing the practice and dissolved polygamous families, disincorporated the LDS Church, and began seizing church property. A few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of the Federal government's actions to disincorporate the LDS church and force the forfeiture of its property, the church issued its 1890 Manifesto renouncing the practice of polygamy. Today, the LDS Church asserts the time for polygamy has ended, rejects the practice, and excommunicates members who engage in it. In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy." Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... Mormon Church v. ... The 1890 Manifesto, sometimes simply called The Manifesto, was a historical statement which officially renounced the practice of polygamy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church; see also Mormon). Signed on by LDS President Wilford Woodruff in September of 1890, the Manifesto was a...

The 1890 renunciation of polygamy by the LDS Church also led to a number of schisms involving relatively small groups who today describe themselves as Mormon fundamentalists and who still practice polygamy as well as other elements of 19th-century Mormonism that have been rejected or denounced by the LDS Church. These organizations believe that their doctrines and practices remain true to the original teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young. The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχισμα, schisma (from σχιζω, schizo, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization. ... Teens From Polygamous Families protested on August 19, 2006 In Salt Lake City Mormon fundamentalism (also called fundamentalist Mormonism) is a belief in the validity of selected fundamental aspects of Mormonism as taught and practiced in the nineteenth century, usually during the administration of Brigham Young as president of The... Joseph Smith redirects here. ... For other uses, see Brigham Young (disambiguation). ...

Basic beliefs

In Mormonism, the Articles of Faith are an informal creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. as part of an 1842 letter sent to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat. It is a concise listing of thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism. Most Latter Day Saint denominations view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology. Some denominations, such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have adopted the articles as scripture (see Pearl of Great Price). In Mormonism, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see Creed (disambiguation). ... Joseph Smith redirects here. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Wentworth letter was a letter written in 1842 by Latter Day Saint founder Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: John Wentworth (mayor) Long John Wentworth. ... The Chicago Democrat was the first newspaper in Chicago, Illinois. ... A Latter Day Saint is an adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement, a group of denominations tracing their heritage to the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (disambiguation). ... The Pearl of Great Price is part of the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormonism) and some other Latter Day Saint denominations. ...

See also

Latter-day Saints Portal

• Blacks and the Latter Day Saint movement
• Criticism of Mormonism
• God Loveth His Children (Homosexuality and Mormonism)
• List of articles about Mormonism
• Polygamy within Mormonism

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1065x800, 99 KB) Summary Christus statue on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah Taken by Ricardo630 in August 2005 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms... From 1830-1833, the Latter Day Saint movement had no policy regarding race. ... Life-size figure of Joseph Smith Criticism of Mormonism is the criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement, especially of the largest and most prominent group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (hereafter referred to as the LDS Church). ... In an effort to bring together pages on various religions, below is a list of articles that are about or reference Mormonism topics. ... The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning the practice of multiple marriage) is used in related ways in social anthropology, sociobiology, and sociology. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

External links

• pbs.org/mormons/—PBS special on Mormons
• Mormon.org—Church beliefs
• Lds.org—Church Website
• Jesus Christ, Son of God (LDS web site)
• Mormon Studies - what Mormons Really believe
• exmormon.org - Recovery from Mormonism

v • d • e Articles about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   History Joseph Smith, Jr.: Early Life, 1827-1830, 1831-1834, 1835-1838, 1838-1842, 1842-1844, Death • Latter Day Saint movement • History of the Latter Day Saint movement • First Vision • Oliver Cowdery • Sidney Rigdon • Brigham Young • Lucy Mack Smith • Mormon War • Haun's Mill massacre • Utah War • Mountain Meadows massacre • Mormon Battalion • Bear River massacre • Statistical Membership History v • d • e Beliefs and Practices Godhead • The Apostasy • Restoration • Revelation • Priesthood • Ordinances • Endowment • Plan of salvation • Plurality of gods • Celestial marriage • Family Home Evening • Perfection • King Follett discourse • Blacks and the Church • Homosexuality • Sexuality   Sacred Texts and Other Publications Standard Works • Bible: King James Version of the Bible, Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible • Book of Mormon: Golden plates • Doctrine and Covenants • Pearl of Great Price: Book of Moses, Book of Abraham, Articles of Faith • The Family: A Proclamation to the World   Worship and Culture Temples • General conference • Culture • Young Men • Young Women • Institute of Religion • Missionary Service   Organization and Leadership Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) • President • Thomas S. Monson • First Presidency • Quorum of the Twelve Apostles • Presiding Bishop • Quorums of the Seventy   Criticism and Controversy Joseph Smith, Jr. and polygamy • Blacks and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • Book of Abraham • Historicity of the Book of Mormon • Linguistics and the Book of Mormon • Archaeology and the Book of Mormon • Genetics and the Book of Mormon • Oath of vengeance • Mountain Meadows Massacre • Mark Hoffman • September Six • Criticism of Mormonism   Other Related Articles Mormon • Mormonism • Mormonism and Christianity • Church Finances • Church Educational System • Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies • membership statistics