Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)
Mormonism is a religion founded in the United States.
A Brief History
Joseph Smith born in 1805
His family moves to Palmyra, New York – an area known as the “burned-over district” due to the number of evangelical revivals.
According to his account, he was visited by an angel that told him to look for golden plates buried in a hillside.
Smith found the plates and translated the text into what would be published as the Book of Mormon (1830). The book now serves as the sacred scriptures for Mormons around the world.
Smith led his followers to Kirtland, Ohio - first called Latter Day Saints – all male members could be priests, almost 3000 members by 1837. Smith built an Old Testament-style temple instead of a church. Due to financial difficulties, Smith, Young and others moved to Missouri.
In Missouri, Mormons were attacked - the governor issued an extermination order.
The Mormons fled to Nauvoo, Illinois and founded a theocratic town. Smith was killed and Mormons were asked to leave.
Brigham Young took over leadership and he lead a mass migration to the Salt Lake Basin - a new promised land. Hundreds died on the journey west and Mormons understand it to be an Exodus-type experience. Utah was a difficult place to found a community – but it was free of persecution.
Temples
Temples are are used for several different church ordinances or rituals
Only Mormons that are in good standing with the church are permitted to enter temples.
The Baptismal: Mormons believe that the ordinance of baptism is required to enter heaven. Ancestors are baptized by proxy, or a living person on their behalf.
Instruction Room: members are taught that life is an eternal journey that begins before they are born. Members are asked to make sacred promises or covenants to follow obey God and follow Jesus Christ.
Sealing Room: In the Mormon notion of marriage, husbands and wives are sealed together for all of eternity. Even deceased couple can be sealed together in this room.
Celestial Room: the room is meant to symbolize the kingdom of God or the eternal home for Mormons.
Latter-Day Saints Theology
LDS think of themselves not as Catholic or Protestant. They see themselves as a "restored" church - meaning that it is a restoration of the early church of Jesus.
By the Numbers:
There are around 15 million Mormons worldwide
There are 6 million in the U.S.
Resources
Mormon.org -- One feature of this website is the ability to live chat with LDS members across the globe. Their full time job is to answer questions.
Mormonnewsroom.org -- This is the official news and media hub for the LDS church.
Lds.org -- This site is geared more toward our members but still an important resource for someone wanting to learn more about the LDS church.
Familysearch.org -- This is an official LDS website, but both Mormons and non-Mormons can use it to research their ancestry.
