Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition
of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist
Christianity started by Joseph Smith in Western
New York in the 1820s and 30s.
After Smith was killed in 1844, most Mormons
followed Brigham Young on his westward journey
to the area that became the Utah Territory,
calling themselves The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Other sects include Mormon fundamentalism,
which seeks to maintain practices and doctrines
such as polygamy, and various other small
independent denominations.
The second-largest Latter Day Saint denomination,
the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, since 2001 called the Community
of Christ, does not describe itself as "Mormon",
but instead follows a Trinitarian Christian
restorationist theology, and also considers
itself Restorationist in terms of Latter Day
Saint doctrine.
The word Mormon originally derived from the
Book of Mormon, a religious text published
by Smith, which he said he translated from
golden plates with divine assistance.
The book describes itself as a chronicle of
early indigenous peoples of the Americas and
their dealings with God.
Based on the name of that book, early followers
of Smith were more widely known as Mormons,
and their faith was called Mormonism.
The term was initially considered pejorative,
but Mormons no longer consider it so (although
generally preferring other terms such as Latter-day
Saint, or LDS).Mormonism shares a common set
of beliefs with the rest of the Latter Day
Saint movement, including use of and belief
in the Bible, as well as in other religious
texts including the Book of Mormon and Doctrine
and Covenants.
It also accepts the Pearl of Great Price as
part of its scriptural canon, and has a history
of teaching eternal marriage, eternal progression,
and polygamy (plural marriage) (although the
LDS Church formally abandoned the practice
of plural marriage in 1890).
Cultural Mormonism, a lifestyle promoted by
Mormon institutions, includes cultural Mormons
who identify with the culture, but not necessarily
with the theology.
== Brief history ==
Mormonism originated in the 1820s in western
New York during a period of religious excitement
known as the Second Great Awakening.
After praying about which denomination he
should join, Joseph Smith, Jr. said he received
a vision in the spring of 1820.
Called the "First Vision", Smith claimed God
the Father instructed him to join none of
the existing churches because they were all
wrong.
During the 1820s Smith reported several angelic
visitations, and was eventually told that
God would use him to re-establish the true
Christian church, and that the Book of Mormon
would be the means of establishing correct
doctrine for the restored church.
Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and other early followers,
began baptizing new converts in 1829.
Formally organized in 1830 as the Church of
Christ.
Smith was seen by his followers as a modern-day
prophet.Joseph Smith claimed the Book of Mormon
was translated from writing on golden plates
in a reformed Egyptian language, translated
with the assistance of the Urim and Thummim
and seer stones.
Both the special spectacles and the seer stone
were at times referred to as the "Urim and
Thummim".
He said an angel first showed him the location
of the plates in 1823, buried in a nearby
hill, but he was not allowed to take the plates
until 1827.
Smith began dictating the text of The Book
of Mormon around the fall of 1827 until the
summer of 1828 when 116 pages were lost.
Translation began again in April 1829 and
finished in June 1829, saying that he translated
it "by the gift and power of God".
After the translation was completed, Smith
said the plates were returned to the angel.
During Smith's supposed possession, very few
people were allowed to "witness" the plates.
The book described itself as a chronicle of
an early Israelite diaspora, integrating with
the pre-existing indigenous peoples of the
Americas, written by a people called the Nephites.
According to The Book of Mormon, Lehi's family
left Jerusalem at the urging of God c. 600
BC, and later sailed to the Americas c. 589
BC.
The Nephites are described as descendants
of Nephi, the fourth son of the prophet Lehi.
The Nephites are portrayed as having a belief
in Christ hundreds of years before his birth.
Historical accuracy and veracity of the Book
of Mormon was and continues to be hotly contested.
No archaeological, linguistic, or other evidence
of the use of Egyptian writing in ancient
America has been discovered.To avoid confrontation
with New York residents, the members moved
to Kirtland, Ohio, and hoped to establish
a permanent New Jerusalem or City of Zion
in Jackson County, Missouri.
However, they were expelled from Jackson County
in 1833 and fled to other parts of Missouri
in 1838.
Violence between the Missourians and church
members resulted in the governor of Missouri
issuing an "extermination order," again forcing
the church to relocate.
The displaced Mormons fled to Illinois, to
a small town called Commerce.
The church bought the town, renamed it Nauvoo,
and lived with a degree of peace and prosperity
for a few years.
However, tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons
again escalated, and in 1844 Smith was killed
by a mob, precipitating a succession crisis.The
largest group of Mormons (LDS Church) accepted
Brigham Young as the new prophet/leader and
emigrated to what became the Utah Territory.
There, the church began the open practice
of plural marriage, a form of polygyny which
Smith had instituted in Nauvoo.
Plural marriage became the faith's most sensational
characteristic during the 19th century, but
vigorous opposition by the United States Congress
threatened the church's existence as a legal
institution.
Further, polygamy was also a major cause for
the opposition to Mormonism in the states
of Idaho and Arizona.
In the 1890 Manifesto, church president Wilford
Woodruff announced the official end of plural
marriage.Because of the formal abolition of
plural marriage in 1890, several smaller groups
of Mormons broke with the LDS Church forming
several denominations of Mormon fundamentalism.
Meanwhile, the LDS Church had become a proponent
of monogamy and patriotism, has extended its
reach internationally by a vigorous missionary
program, and has grown in size to a reported
membership of over 15 million.
The church is becoming a part of the American
and international mainstream.
However, it consciously and intentionally
retains its identity as a "peculiar people,"
believing their unique relationship with God
helps save them from "worldliness" (non-spiritual
influences).
== Theology ==
=== 
Nature of God ===
Like most other Christian groups, Mormonism
teaches that there is the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, but unlike trinitarian
faiths, the LDS Church teaches that they are
separate and distinct beings with the Father
and Son having perfected physical bodies and
the Holy Ghost having only a body of spirit.
While the three beings are physically distinct,
in Mormon theology they are one in thoughts,
actions, and purpose and commonly referred
to collectively as the "Godhead".
Also, Mormonism teaches that God the Father
is the literal father of the spirits of all
men and women, which existed prior to their
mortal existence.
The LDS Church also believes that a Heavenly
Mother exists.
Further, it is believed that all humans as
children of God can become exalted, inheriting
all that God has, as joint-heirs with Christ,
and becoming like him as a God.
Lorenzo Snow is quoted as saying "As man now
is God once was: As God now is, man may be."
=== Restoration ===
Mormonism describes itself as falling within
world Christianity, but as a distinct restored
dispensation; it characterizes itself as the
only true form of the Christian religion since
the time of a Great Apostasy that began not
long after the ascension of Jesus Christ.
According to Mormons this Apostasy involved
the corruption of the pure, original Christian
doctrine with Greek and other philosophies,
and followers dividing into different ideological
groups.
Additionally, Mormons claim the martyrdom
of the Apostles
led to the loss of Priesthood authority to
administer the Church and its ordinances.Mormons
believe that God re-established the early
Christian Church as found in the New Testament
through Joseph Smith.
In particular, Mormons believe that angels
such as Peter, James, John, and John the Baptist
appeared to Joseph Smith and others and bestowed
various Priesthood authorities on them.
Mormons thus believe that their Church is
the "only true and living church" because
divine authority was restored to it through
Smith.
In addition, Mormons believe that Smith and
his legitimate successors are modern prophets
who receive revelation from God to guide the
church.
They maintain that other religions have a
portion of the truth and are guided by the
light of Christ.
=== Cosmology ===
Smith's cosmology is laid out mostly in Smith's
later revelations and sermons, but particularly
the Book of Abraham, the Book of Moses, and
the King Follett discourse.
Mormon cosmology presents a unique view of
God and the universe, and places a high importance
on human agency.
In Mormonism, life on earth is just a short
part of an eternal existence.
Mormons believe that in the beginning, all
people existed as spirits or "intelligences,"
in the presence of God.
In this state, God proposed a plan of salvation
whereby they could progress and "have a privilege
to advance like himself."
The spirits were free to accept or reject
this plan, and a "third" of them, led by Satan
rejected it.
The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth
and receiving bodies with an understanding
that they would experience sin and suffering.
In Mormonism, the central part of God's plan
is the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Mormons believe that one purpose of earthly
life is to learn to choose good over evil.
In this process, people inevitably make mistakes,
becoming unworthy to return to the presence
of God.
Mormons believe that Jesus paid for the sins
of the world and that all people can be saved
through his atonement.
Mormons accept Christ's atonement through
faith, repentance, formal covenants or ordinances
such as baptism, and consistently trying to
live a Christ-like life.
According to Mormon scripture, the Earth's
creation was not ex nihilo, but organized
from existing matter.
The Earth is just one of many inhabited worlds,
and there are many governing heavenly bodies,
including the planet or star Kolob, which
is said to be nearest the throne of God.
=== Ordinances ===
In Mormonism, an ordinance is a religious
ritual of special significance, often involving
the formation of a covenant with God.
Ordinances are performed by the authority
of the priesthood and in the name of Jesus
Christ.
The term has a meaning roughly similar to
that of the term "sacrament" in other Christian
denominations.
Saving ordinances (or ordinances viewed as
necessary for salvation) include: baptism
by immersion after the age of accountability
(normally age 8); confirmation and reception
of the gift of the Holy Ghost, performed by
laying hands on the head of a newly baptized
member; ordination to the Aaronic and Melchizedek
priesthoods for males; an endowment (including
washing and anointing) received in temples;
and marriage (or sealing) to a spouse.Mormons
also perform other ordinances, which include
the Lord's supper (commonly called the sacrament),
naming and blessing children, giving priesthood
blessings and patriarchal blessings, anointing
and blessing the sick, participating in prayer
circles, and setting apart individuals who
are called to church positions.
In Mormonism, the saving ordinances are seen
as necessary for salvation, but they are not
sufficient in and of themselves.
For example, baptism is required for exaltation,
but simply having been baptized does not guarantee
any eternal reward.
The baptized person is expected to be obedient
to God's commandments, to repent of any sinful
conduct subsequent to baptism, and to receive
the other saving ordinances.
Because Mormons believe that everyone must
receive certain ordinances to be saved, Mormons
perform ordinances on behalf of deceased persons.
These ordinances are performed vicariously
or by "proxy" on behalf of the dead.
In accordance with their belief in each individual's
"free agency", living or dead, Mormons believe
that the deceased may accept or reject the
offered ordinance in the spirit world, just
as all spirits decided to accept or reject
God's plan originally.
In addition, these "conditional" ordinances
on behalf of the dead are performed only when
a deceased person's genealogical information
has been submitted to a temple and correctly
processed there before the ordinance ritual
is performed.
Only ordinances for salvation are performed
on behalf of deceased persons.
See also: Baptism for the dead.
=== Scripture ===
Mormons believe in the Old and New Testaments,
and the LDS Church uses the King James Bible
as its official scriptural text of the Bible.
While Mormons believe in the general accuracy
of the modern day text of the Bible, they
also believe that it is incomplete and that
errors have been introduced.
In Mormon theology, many lost truths are restored
in the Book of Mormon, which Mormons hold
to be divine scripture and equal in authority
to the Bible.The Mormon scriptural canon also
includes a collection of revelations and writings
contained in the Doctrine and Covenants which
contains doctrine and prophecy and the Pearl
of Great Price which addresses briefly Genesis
to Exodus.
These books, as well as the Joseph Smith Translation
of the Bible, have varying degrees of acceptance
as divine scripture among different denominations
of the Latter Day Saint movement.
=== Revelation ===
In Mormonism, continuous revelation is the
principle that God or his divine agents still
continue to communicate to mankind.
This communication can be manifest in many
ways: influences of the Holy Ghost (the principal
form in which this principle is manifest),
visions, visitations of divine beings, and
others.
Joseph Smith used the example of the Lord's
revelations to Moses in Deuteronomy to explain
the importance of continuous revelation.
"God said, 'Thou shalt not murder' at another
time He said, 'Thou shalt utterly destroy.'
This is the principle on which the government
of heaven is conducted–by revelation adapted
to the circumstances in which the children
of the kingdom are placed.
Whatever God commands is right, no matter
what it is, although we may not see the reason
thereof till long after the events transpire."
Mormons believe that Smith and subsequent
church leaders could speak scripture "when
moved upon by the Holy Ghost."
In addition, many Mormons believe that ancient
prophets in other regions of the world received
revelations that resulted in additional scriptures
that have been lost and may, one day, be forthcoming.
In Mormonism, revelation is not limited to
church members.
For instance, Latter Day Saints believe that
the United States Constitution is a divinely
inspired document.Mormons are encouraged to
develop a personal relationship with the Holy
Ghost and receive personal revelation for
their own direction and that of their family.
The Latter Day Saint concept of revelation
includes the belief that revelation from God
is available to all those who earnestly seek
it with the intent of doing good.
It also teaches that everyone is entitled
to personal revelation with respect to his
or her stewardship (leadership responsibility).
Thus, parents may receive inspiration from
God in raising their families, individuals
can receive divine inspiration to help them
meet personal challenges, church officers
may receive revelation for those whom they
serve.
The important consequence of this is that
each person may receive confirmation that
particular doctrines taught by a prophet are
true, as well as gain divine insight in using
those truths for their own benefit and eternal
progress.
In the church, personal revelation is expected
and encouraged, and many converts believe
that personal revelation from God was instrumental
in their conversion.
== Relations to other faiths ==
=== 
Relation to mainstream Christianity ===
Mormonism categorizes itself within Christianity,
and nearly all Mormons self-identify as Christian.
For some who define Christianity within the
doctrines of Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy,
and Protestantism, Mormonism's differences
place it outside the umbrella of Christianity.Since
its beginnings, the faith has proclaimed itself
to be Christ's Church restored with its original
authority, structure and power; maintaining
that existing denominations believed in incorrect
doctrines and were not acknowledged by God
as his church and kingdom.
Though the religion quickly gained a large
following of Christian seekers, in the 1830s,
many American Christians came to view the
church's early doctrines and practices as
politically and culturally subversive, as
well as doctrinally heretical, abominable,
and condemnable.
This discord led to a series of sometimes-deadly
conflicts between Mormons and others who saw
themselves as orthodox Christians.
Although such violence declined during the
twentieth century, the religion's unique doctrinal
views and practices still generate criticism,
sometimes vehemently so.
This gives rise to efforts by Mormons and
opposing types of Christians to proselytize
each other.
Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as the literal
Son of God and Messiah, his crucifixion as
a conclusion of a sin offering, and subsequent
resurrection.
However, Latter-day Saints (LDS) reject the
ecumenical creeds and the definition of the
Trinity (in contrast, the second largest Latter
Day Saint denomination, the Community of Christ,
is Trinitarian and monotheistic.)
Mormons hold the view that the New Testament
prophesied both the apostasy from the teachings
of Christ and his apostles as well as the
restoration of all things prior to the second
coming of Christ.Some notable differences
with mainstream Christianity include: A belief
that Jesus began his atonement in the garden
of Gethsemane and continued it to his crucifixion,
rather than the orthodox belief that the crucifixion
alone was the physical atonement; and an afterlife
with three degrees of glory, with hell (often
called spirit prison) being a temporary repository
for the wicked between death and the resurrection.
Additionally, Mormons do not believe in creation
ex nihilo, believing that matter is eternal,
and creation involved God organizing existing
matter.Much of the Mormon belief system is
geographically oriented around the North and
South American continents.
Mormons believe that the people of the Book
of Mormon lived in the western hemisphere,
that Christ appeared in the western hemisphere
after his death and resurrection, that the
true faith was restored in Upstate New York
by Joseph Smith, that the Garden of Eden was
located in North America, and that the New
Jerusalem would be built in Missouri.
For this and other reasons, including a belief
by many Mormons in American exceptionalism,
Molly Worthen speculates that this may be
why Leo Tolstoy described Mormonism as the
"quintessential 'American religion'".
=== Relation to Judaism ===
Although Mormons do not claim to be part of
Judaism, Mormon theology claims to situate
Mormonism within the context of Judaism to
an extent that goes beyond what most other
Christian denominations claim.
The faith incorporates many Old Testament
ideas into its theology, and the beliefs of
Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism
and certain elements of Jewish culture.
In the earliest days of Mormonism, Joseph
Smith taught that the Indigenous peoples of
the Americas were members of some of the Lost
Tribes of Israel.
Later, he taught that Mormons were Israelites,
and that they may learn of their tribal affiliation
within the twelve Israelite tribes.
Members of the LDS Church receive Patriarchal
blessings which declare the recipient's lineage
within one of the tribes of Israel.
The lineage is either through true blood-line
or adoption.
The LDS Church teaches that if one is not
a direct descendant of one of the twelve tribes,
upon baptism he or she is adopted into one
of the tribes.
Patriarchal blessings also include personal
information which is revealed through a patriarch
by the power of the priesthood.
The Mormon affinity for Judaism is expressed
by the many references to Judaism in the Mormon
liturgy.
For example, Smith 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.
The LDS Church has a Jerusalem Center in Israel,
where students focus their study on Near Eastern
history, culture, language, and the Bible.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'".
Mormons believe that when the dead are baptized
through proxy, they have the option of accepting
or rejecting the ordinance.
=== Relation to Islam ===
Since its origins in the 19th century, Mormonism
has been compared to Islam, often by detractors
of one religion or the other.
For instance, Joseph Smith was referred to
as "the modern mahomet" [sic] by the New York
Herald, shortly after his murder in June 1844.
This epithet repeated a comparison that had
been made from Smith's earliest career, one
that was not intended at the time to be complimentary.
Comparison of the Mormon and Muslim prophets
still occurs today, sometimes for derogatory
or polemical reasons but also for more scholarly
(and neutral) purposes.
While Mormonism and Islam have many similarities,
there are also significant, fundamental differences
between the two religions.
Mormon–Muslim relations have been historically
cordial; recent years have seen increasing
dialogue between adherents of the two faiths,
and cooperation in charitable endeavors, especially
in the Middle and Far East.Islam and Mormonism
both originate in the Abrahamic traditions.
Each religion sees its founder (Muhammad for
Islam, and Joseph Smith for Mormonism) as
being a true prophet of God, called to re-establish
the truths of these ancient theological belief
systems that have been altered, corrupted,
or lost.
In addition, both prophets received visits
from an angel, leading to additional books
of scripture.
Both religions share a high emphasis on family
life, charitable giving, chastity, abstention
from alcohol, and a special reverence for,
though not worship of, their founding prophet.
Before the 1890 Manifesto against plural marriage,
Mormonism and Islam also shared in the belief
in and practice of plural marriage, a practice
now held in common by Islam and various branches
of Mormon fundamentalism.
The religions differ significantly in their
views on God.
Islam insists upon the complete oneness and
uniqueness of God (Allah), while Mormonism
asserts that the Godhead is made up of three
distinct "personages."
Mormonism sees Jesus Christ as the promised
Messiah and the literal Son of God, while
Islam insists that the title "Messiah" means
that Jesus (or "Isa") was a prophet sent to
establish the true faith, not that he was
the Son of God or a divine being.
Despite opposition from other Christian denominations,
Mormonism identifies itself as a Christian
religion, the "restoration" of primitive Christianity.
Islam does not refer to itself as "Christian",
asserting that Jesus and all true followers
of Christ's teachings were (and are) Muslims–a
term that means submitters to God.
Islam proclaims that its prophet Muhammad
was the "seal of the prophets", and that no
further prophets would come after him.
Mormons, though honoring Joseph Smith as the
first prophet in modern times, see him as
just one in a long line of prophets, with
Jesus Christ being the premier figure of the
religion.
== Theological divisions ==
Mormon theology includes three main movements.
By far the largest of these is "mainstream
Mormonism", defined by the leadership of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS Church).
The two broad movements outside mainstream
Mormonism are Mormon fundamentalism, and liberal
reformist Mormonism.
=== Mainstream Mormon theology ===
Mainstream Mormonism is defined by the leadership
of the LDS Church which identifies itself
as Christian.
Members of the LDS Church consider their top
leaders to be prophets and apostles, and are
encouraged to accept their positions on matters
of theology, while seeking confirmation of
them through personal study of the Book of
Mormon and the Bible.
Personal prayer is encouraged as well.
The LDS Church is by far the largest branch
of Mormonism.
It has continuously existed since the succession
crisis of 1844 that split the Latter Day Saint
movement after the death of founder Joseph
Smith, Jr.
The LDS Church seeks to distance itself from
other branches of Mormonism, particularly
those that practice polygamy.
The church maintains a degree of orthodoxy
by excommunicating or disciplining its members
who take positions or engage in practices
viewed as apostasy.
For example, the LDS Church excommunicates
members who practice polygamy or who adopt
the beliefs and practices of Mormon fundamentalism.
=== Mormon fundamentalism ===
One way Mormon fundamentalism distinguishes
itself from mainstream Mormonism is through
the practice of plural marriage.
Fundamentalists initially broke from the LDS
Church after that doctrine was discontinued
around the beginning of the 20th century.
Mormon fundamentalism teaches that plural
marriage is a requirement for exaltation (the
highest degree of salvation), which will allow
them to live as gods and goddesses in the
afterlife.
Mainstream Mormons, by contrast, believe that
a single Celestial marriage is necessary for
exaltation.
In distinction with the LDS Church, Mormon
fundamentalists also often believe in a number
of other doctrines taught and practiced by
Brigham Young in the 19th century, which the
LDS Church has either abandoned, repudiated,
or put in abeyance.
These include:
the law of consecration also known as the
United Order (put in abeyance by the LDS Church
in the 19th century);
the Adam–God teachings taught by Brigham
Young and other early leaders of the LDS Church
(repudiated by the LDS Church in the mid-20th
century);
the principle of blood atonement (repudiated
by the LDS Church in the mid-20th century);
and
the exclusion of black men from the priesthood
(abandoned by the LDS Church in 1978).Mormon
fundamentalists believe that these principles
were wrongly abandoned or changed by the LDS
Church, in large part due to the desire of
its leadership and members to assimilate into
mainstream American society and avoid the
persecutions and conflict that had characterized
the church throughout its early years.
Others believe that it was a necessity at
some point for "a restoration of all things"
to be a truly restored Church.
=== Liberal reformist theology ===
Some LDS Church members have worked towards
a more liberal reform of the church.
Others have left the LDS Church and still
consider themselves to be cultural Mormons.
Others have formed new religions (many of
them now defunct).
For instance the Godbeites broke away from
the LDS Church in the late 19th century, on
the basis of both political and religious
liberalism, and in 1985 the Restoration Church
of Jesus Christ broke away from the LDS Church
as an LGBT-friendly denomination, which was
formally dissolved in 2010.
== See also ==
Anti-Mormonism
Black people and Mormonism
Black people and early Mormonism
Criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement
List of articles about Mormonism
The Joseph Smith Papers
== Notes
