The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, often incorrectly referred to as the Mormon Church (however I will ocasionally refer to them as the Mormons), traces its roots back to Joseph Simth Jr. in the early 1800's. In 1820, Joseph Smith prayed for wisdom on which of the four churches surrounding his area he should attend. At this time God and Jesus, as separate individuals, appeared to him telling him not to go to any of them. Three years later, a "messenger from the presence of God" named Moroni, revealed himself to Joseph. Moroni revealed to Joseph the gold plates on which the text, later to be known as the Book of Mormon, was enscribed. Moroni was the son of Mormon, the compiler of these plates. These plates were translated by Joseph Smith and first published to the world in 1830. This is also the year that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was formally established.
The Book of Mormon is only one of the books that the Church holds as authorized scripture. They aslo accept the Bible (Old and New Testament) as scipture, "insofar as it is correctly translated". This means they believe that parts of the Bible have been mistranslated. The Book of Mormon was translated with divine inspiration, therefore it is without error. Other authoritative books are the Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. These are known as the "Four Standard Works".
Most of the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-Day Saints are summarized in the "Articles of Faith", which can be found in the Pearl of Great Price. Some of the more important beliefs follow. The Mormons believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, but they do not believe that they are one in the same. In other words, they believe that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are 3 individuals. There evidence for this comes from the simultaneous appearence of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith in 1820. They also believe that all will live eternally (all ressurected), but that there is no hell. Just an eternal life with or without the presence of God. Those that obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel are able to live eternally with God. These laws and ordinances include faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentence of sins, baptism by immersion for the remission of sin, and laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is to say that salvation is by works along with faith, not by faith alone. It is through the Atonement of Christ that all mankind are given the chance to live eternally with God.
It is made clear above that Christ's role on earth was to pay for our sins. This is the belief in other branches of Christianity as well. On the other side of the things, however, how was sin brought into the world? According to Mormon scripture, Adam's role on earth was to bring sin in to the world, so that, the race of humans who now inhabit this earth might come into being and eventually reach godhood. Thus Adam's sin was predestined. This brings up another point. Mormons also believe that throughout eternity humans become more like God, and those who have been sealed by celestial marraige in a Mormon temple while upon the earth will eventually reach the state of godhood.
The Mormons believe that the word of God is still continuously being revealed by prophets. These prophets are ordained by God himself. The prophesies are recorded in the Doctrine & Covenants and become the accepted word of God.
Church leadership is based on what they believe to be the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church. The leader of the Church, who has all authority, is called the president. The president also selects two counselors to assist him. The presidency is for life. When a new president is is needed, he selected by the 12 apostles (not the original Apostles) in a unanimous decision. If a new apostle must be selected, that is done by the president.
On a regional level, the Church is broken up into stakes. Each stake is lead by the stake president and his self-selected two counselors. The stake president is assigned an apostle to report to. Under the stake president is the 12 members of the high council. Stakes are then broken up into smaller, local congregations, called wards. The wards are lead by a bishop and his 2 counselors. The bishop is responsible for everything that happens in the ward. On the temple level there are also deceons, teachers, priests, elders, and high priests.
At sunday service there are several events that take place every week. The main ceremony is the sacriment, which a symbolic ceremony that involves intake of bread and water (originally wine, but that changes 140 years ago). Weekly events also include priesthood meetings (attended by all positions of authority of all level mentioned above), Sunday school, youth program (teenagers), and primary program (children 12 and under). On a yearly basis, the president speaks to all in the Church. This reaches across the nation through a live satellite broadcast to all temples. On a personal level, there is also a mandatory 2 year missions trip for all men and women.
Many of the beliefs of Mormonism have developed from Christianity to form a new religion. The Mormon Church has had several branch offs, some of which are recognized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as being now Protestant churches, for example the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
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