Mormons

Mormons are a religious and cultural group linked to Mormonism, a part of the Latter Day Saint movement. It began with Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the Second Great Awakening. After Smith died in 1844, the group split, and most followed Brigham Young. Today, “Mormon” usually means members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the biggest group that followed Young.

Members of this church have a strong sense of community. They are known for helping others, and many young and retired members choose to serve missions to share their faith. Mormons follow a health code that avoids alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and other harmful substances. They value families very much and believe families can stay together forever.

Mormons see themselves as Christians, though some others think differently because their beliefs are not the same as traditional Christianity. They believe Joseph Smith restored Christ’s church and that it is led by living prophets and apostles. Mormons respect the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They believe everyone is a spirit child of God and works to live with God by following Jesus Christ.

Terminology

Main article: Mormon (word) § Popular usage

The name of this church has changed over time. At first, people called anyone who believed the Book of Mormon a Mormon. Both outsiders and church members used this name. Later, some people used the word Mormon in a mean way. But church leaders still used the name.

Today, the church prefers to use its full name instead of Mormon. This helps make it clear that the church is Christian. It also helps separate the church from smaller groups that do things the main church does not support. In 2018, the church asked people to use names like “the Church of Jesus Christ” instead of Mormon. Some smaller groups still use the term Mormon.

History

Main article: History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The history of the Mormons helped shape who they are today. From the start, Mormons wanted to create a special place called "Zion," where good people could live together. Mormon history has three main parts: the early days with Joseph Smith, the pioneer time under Brigham Young, and the modern era that started in the early 1900s.

Beginnings

See also: History of the Latter Day Saint movement

The Mormon movement started in 1830 when Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon. Smith said an angel showed him old plates that told the story of ancient American people. On April 6, 1830, Smith started the Church of Christ. The church grew as Smith sent out missionaries. In 1831, they moved to Kirtland, Ohio, and later to Missouri where they planned to build Zion. But local people sometimes did not welcome them.

In 1839, the Mormons moved to Commerce, Illinois, which they renamed Nauvoo. Here, Smith introduced new ideas about families. Sadly, Smith and his brother Hyrum died in 1844, and Brigham Young became the new leader for most Mormons.

Pioneer era

For a few years after Joseph Smith's death, there were problems with local people. To stay safe, Brigham Young led most Mormons to Utah in 1847. They built a community there, working together to farm and survive. They also sent out missionaries to share their beliefs with people all over the world.

In 1852, church leaders talked about plural marriage, which caused problems with the government. In 1857, there was a conflict called the Utah War. Later, in 1890, the church stopped the practice of plural marriage, which helped improve relations with the United States. Utah became a state in 1896.

Modern times

Further information: Mormonism as a world religion

In the early 1900s, Mormons started to become more involved in American society. They created groups for young people and programs to help those in need. During the 1960s and 1970s, Mormons focused more on family and traditional values.

For many years, the church had a policy that prevented men of black African descent from certain leadership roles. This changed in 1978, and since then, black membership has grown, especially in Africa and South America.

The church has grown quickly since World War II and now has members all over the world. Many Mormons live outside the United States, especially in South America, the South Pacific, and Western Europe.

Culture and practices

Main article: Culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mormons have their own special culture, especially in Utah. Even as their faith spread around the world, many traditions stayed strong. Mormons are taught to make good choices, sorry for any mistakes, and follow special rules.

Common practices for Mormons include reading holy books, praying every day, going to church on Sundays, and joining in church activities during the week. The most important part of Sunday services is the sacrament, where members remember promises they made when they were baptized. Mormons also try to live by teachings from Jesus Christ, such as being honest, obeying the law, and being faithful in marriage.

Mormons believe strongly in helping each other. They give time and help to support others and build their church. Local church groups are called wards, and several wards make up a stake. Many leaders in the church are volunteers. Mormons also give 10 percent of their money to the church. Many young men and women choose to serve full-time missions, helping others learn about their faith without getting paid.

Mormons follow health guidelines called the Word of Wisdom, which means they don’t use tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, or harmful drugs. They are encouraged to keep extra food and money for hard times. Families are very important to Mormons, and many families spend one night a week together doing fun activities. Mormon parents often give special blessings to their children shortly after they are born.

Mormons are taught to treat each other with respect and to get married before having close relationships. They believe marriages should be between a man and a woman, and they hope to have families with many children. Mormons are also encouraged to avoid anything that might be harmful or upsetting.

Groups within Mormonism

See also: Mormon spectrums of orthodoxy and -praxy, List of denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints membership statistics

Note that the categories below are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Latter-day Saints ("LDS")

Members of the LDS Church, also known as Latter-day Saints, make up most Mormons. The beliefs and practices of LDS Mormons follow the teachings of LDS Church leaders. Some smaller groups have different beliefs.

LDS Church members who do not go to church regularly are sometimes called "less-active" or "inactive". The LDS Church does not share numbers about how often people attend church. Some people choose not to be active for different reasons. Many people become less active when they are younger, but some return to church later. The LDS Church has noticed that fewer young people are staying active.

Fundamentalist Mormons

Some groups left the LDS Church because they believed in and practiced plural marriage. These groups are known as fundamentalist Mormons. The largest groups include the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church), the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB), and the Latter Day Church of Christ. The LDS Church does not support these groups.

Liberal Mormons

Liberal Mormons, also called Progressive Mormons, interpret LDS teachings in a flexible way. They use scriptures for guidance but may not believe every teaching is literally true. Liberal Mormons focus on doing good and loving others. Sometimes people mistakenly call them a Jack Mormon, but this term usually means something else.

Cultural Mormons

Cultural Mormons are people who may not believe in all the doctrines or practices of the LDS Church but still feel connected to Mormon identity. This often happens because they grew up in the LDS faith or were members for a long time. Cultural Mormons may or may not be involved with the LDS Church today. In some cases, they are not even members of the LDS Church.

Beliefs

Main articles: Mormonism and Mormon cosmology

Mormons believe in several holy books. These include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other writings by Joseph Smith. They believe that when a prophet speaks with inspiration, it is the word of God.

Mormons believe that God wants everyone to live forever and be happy.

They also believe that people lived as spirits before coming to earth. God had a plan for them to get bodies, learn, and grow. Jesus Christ, God's oldest son, came to earth to help people. Mormons believe everyone will live again after death, and most will go to a good place. To be with God, people need to believe in Christ, change their lives, and follow special steps like baptism.

Mormons believe that after Jesus went up to heaven, the true Christian church was lost. It was later restored by Joseph Smith. They believe angels gave Smith special powers to lead the church. Mormons see themselves as Christians, but some other Christians disagree. Mormons pray and believe God speaks to them through feelings in their hearts and minds.