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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 term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term to describe those who believe 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 used in reference to the Utah-based LDS Church, including cultural Mormons, several smaller denominations, and sects of Mormon fundamentalism whose adherents embrace the term despite opposition by the LDS Church. Most other Latter Day Saint movement denominations oppose use of the term in reference to their faith, and such usage is now rare even though that is what they have been called until modern usage.

Mormonism and Christianity

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Mormonism is a Christian religion, but has had an uneasy relationship with traditional Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion and most branches of Protestantism.

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 was on the Earth throughout history, but at some points was lost and later restored again. Mormons 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.

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 Mormons' practices and political clout in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois also contributed to early animosity.

The Mormon church has joined with 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 Catholic and Protestant denominations have declared Mormonism not to share their apostolic Christian tradition, and have declared Mormon baptisms to be invalid. Today, the major differences between Mormonism and other Christian churches include the LDS's unique beliefs on the Trinity, temple worship, and its expanded canon. One recent Pew Research poll shows 52 percent of Americans say Mormonism is a Christian religion. 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."

Mormonism and Judaism

Because of the incorporation of many Old Testament ideas into its theology, Mormonism has a historical affinity for Judaism and things Jewish. The beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Jews, Judaism, and certain elements of Jewish culture. This is primarily from what are historical and doctrinal connections with Judaism.

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.

Conversely, there has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. 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.'".

Mormonism and polygamy

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 first acknowledged and promoted after the LDS church's move to 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". Not all members practiced polygamy, however.

Upon learning about the practice, mainstream religions 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 dissolving 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 church's disincorporation and forfeiture of 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.

The 1890 renunciation of polygamy by the LDS Church also led to a number of schisms involving relatively small groups who describe themselves as Mormon fundamentalists, 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.

Basic beliefs

In Mormonism, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. as part of an 1842 letter sent to "Long" 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).

See also

• 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

Notes

1. Terms used in the LDS Restorationist movement ReligiousTolerance.org
2. Discourse given by Joseph Smith on May 12, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Samuel W. Richards; quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith, ed. Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook , 371)~~~~
3. Pew Research Center, "Public Expresses Mixed Views of Islam, Mormonism", 2007-09-25.
4. "Poll: Americans More Negative on Islam". The Associated Press, 25 September 2007. Pulled from Google News. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-25-2828128831_x.htm.
5. BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies
6. Pyle, Richard. ""Mormons, Jews sign agreement on baptizing Holocaust victims."". Retrieved 2007-01-04. AP Newswire, May 5, 1995.
7. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.20, p.28 - p.29, Joseph F. Smith, July 7, 1878)

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

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• Mormonism