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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, is the largest and best-known denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement and views itself as the restoration of the original Christian church.

Members of the Church—known as Latter-day Saints or Mormons—regard Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior, who overcame death, atoned for the sins of all humanity, and invites all mankind who have ever lived to accept the supernal gift of His divine mercy by exercising faith in Him, repenting sincerely, being baptized as He was, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and becoming "perfected in him" through making and keeping sacred covenants, thus doing all He expects His followers to do. (Moroni 10:30-33, 2 Ne. 25:23). They believe that Jesus Christ appeared with God the Father to Joseph Smith, Jr. and called him to be a prophet and to organize the original church established by Jesus Christ on Earth through a restoration which included the return of priesthood authority and the calling of new Apostles. They also believe that Jesus Christ, as head of the Church, is actively leading them through ongoing revelation. They accept the Bible to be scripture, "as far as it is translated correctly" and use the King James Version of the Bible. In addition to the Bible, they accept additional writings such as the Book of Mormon as inspired scripture (see Standard Works), and do not consider the canon to be closed. Thus, they consider themselves Christians, but not part of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant traditions.

The Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and its current president is Gordon B. Hinckley. The Church reports a worldwide membership of more than 12.5 million people. LDS Standard Works

History

LDS view of early church history

Members believe their church to be the divine restoration of the church established by Jesus Christ in New Testament times. Following the ascension of Jesus into heaven, He continued to direct His church through His Apostles, but as men rejected them and began to kill them, the authentic Christian church, along with its authority and many of its teachings, began to disappear. This led ultimately to the Great Apostasy. The original teachings of Christ were thereafter corrupted by Hellenistic philosophy and false doctrines which led to the misinterpretation and misteaching of many scriptures. By the fourth century, the Priesthood — or the authority to act in the name of God — had been lost from the Earth completely, meaning that no man thereafter had valid authority from God to baptize and perform other sacred ordinances. Under these circumstances, the growth of the true church as established by Christ was lost from the earth, despite continued various teachings about Christ in the world. Thus, according to LDS doctrine, a restoration was required to bring back the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Restoration by Joseph Smith, Jr.

According to the founder of the Church, Joseph Smith, Jr., when he was 14 years old, in Palmyra, New York, in the spring of 1820, he became concerned with which of several competing churches had the truth. He went into the woods near his house to pray for an answer. He reported that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in response, and that Christ commanded him to join none of the existing churches. Smith said that through this and other revelations God called him to be a prophet. On April 6, 1830, Smith and five associates established the Church in the company of some 56 men and women in Fayette, New York.

In the process, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received authority to direct Christ's church, and perform baptism and other ordinances from resurrected beings who held the authority anciently. These included John the Baptist (May 15, 1829, Aaronic Priesthood), the apostles Peter, James and John (May or June 1829, Melchizedek Priesthood), and ancient prophets: Elijah, Moses, and Elias (April 3, 1836).

Such beliefs were held by several different groups in the same time and place as the founding of the LDS. Such movements are described under Restorationism.

Movement of Church headquarters

In the Church's first decade, the main body of Saints moved from New York, to Kirtland, Ohio, to western Missouri, to Nauvoo, Illinois, at least partly to escape persecution. In Missouri, the governor, Lilburn W. Boggs, even issued an official extermination order. Smith was eventually killed by a mob on June 27, 1844 in Carthage Jail, Carthage, Illinois. Brigham Young, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was later sustained by the majority of the Church as the next Prophet and President of the Church (see also succession crisis). Faced with continuing harassment in Nauvoo and surrounding towns, most members of the Church eventually followed Young to the Salt Lake Valley, and settled a large area of the western United States.

Practice of polygamy

At one time in its early history, the Church endorsed a form of polygamy which it called "plural marriage". The Church acknowledges that Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other early members and leaders of the Church were simultaneously married to more than one wife. Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants dating from 1843 describes the "eternity of the marriage covenant" and the laws governing the plurality of wives. The practice of polygamy was publicly announced by the Church in 1852, during the colonizing period in Utah. During the crossing to Utah and the Mormon expansion in the West, Church leaders encouraged more wealthy and established men to engage in plural marriage for both religious and practical reasons. Taking additional wives reduced the financial struggles of widows and their children, as well as young women without families, by providing a husband and family network. However, traditional marriages for young couples continued as the social norm in LDS communities.

Although many non-members believe polygamy to be a defining practice of the Church, it was officially withdrawn in a declaration called "The Manifesto" which was given by President Wilford Woodruff in 1890, and which advised Church members to obey the marriage laws of their land. After the Manifesto, LDS Church members living in Mexico and Canada, some in communities with a high percentage of polygamist families, continued the practice of plural marriage as they were under little or no legal pressure in those countries. The Church's position was reiterated and clarified in 1904 (commonly referred to as "The Second Manifesto") by President Joseph F. Smith, with an additional request that no Church members enter into any form of plural marriage, regardless of their location, local customs, or legality. Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found to be engaging in multiple marriage relationships are excommunicated. Converts from areas where polygamy is an accepted practice typically must end such relationships.

The Church has repeatedly excommunicated members who engage in multiple simultaneous earthly marriages. Excommunication is the most severe disciplinary action the Church undertakes. The Church has made it clear that it is the prerogative of the government to enforce marriage laws and the Church does not involve itself in this endeavor.

Current membership

The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,560,869 as of December 31, 2005, with 6.7 million members residing outside the United States. It is the fourth largest religious body in the United States. The Church membership report includes all baptized members, and also "children of record" - unbaptized children under the age of 8. (Children cannot be baptized before the age of 8.) Members living in the US and Canada constitute 47% of membership, Latin America 36%, and members in the rest of the world 17%. (See membership distribution and growth history). A Survey by the City College of New York in 2001 extrapolated that there were 2,787,000 self-identified LDS adults in the United States in 2001, an increase of 1.3% over their 1991 survey, making the LDS Church the 10th-largest religious body in their phone survey of over 50,000 households.

Name of the Church

When the Church was organized in 1830 it was called the "Church of Christ". It was also referred to as the "Church of Latter Day Saints" to differentiate the church of this era from that of the New Testament, and was generally known by that name between 1834 and 1838. In April 1838, the full name was stated as "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". When the Church was incorporated in 1851, the legal documents used the current standardized spelling and punctuation, capitalizing the first article, "The", and hyphenating "Latter-day": The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There was no standard spelling or punctuation for its official title in church publications prior to 1851, so "the" may sometimes be capitalized or sometimes not in early publications. The Church currently uses the word "The" as part of its official name, as opposed to a modifying article.

The Church is also commonly referred to as the "LDS Church" and the "Mormon Church". Church members are often known simply as "Mormons" or "Latter-day Saints," both being appellations accepted among Latter-day Saints themselves. The nickname "Mormon" arose soon after the publication of The Book of Mormon in 1830. Although originally used pejoratively to refer to the Church or its members, the term came to be used widely within the Church.

The Church requests that the official name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be used where possible, stating: "This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838." It also encourages the use of "the Church" or "The Church of Jesus Christ" as shortened references although "LDS Church" is commonly used within the Church's own publications and the Church officially uses "Mormon" as a descriptive term for itself in the name of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When referring to members of the Church, it suggests "Latter-day Saints" as preferred, although "Mormons" is acceptable. Despite the Church's efforts, the Associated Press continues to recommend "Mormon Church" as a proper second reference in its Style Guide for journalists.

Mormons use the term "saints" to refer to members of the church, which reflects the belief that anyone who becomes converted to the gospel and covenants by baptism to follow Christ is a saint. Members believe using the term "saint" in this context is consistent with the writings of Paul and other apostles in the New Testament, and in harmony with Daniel's ancient prophecy that in the last days God's true Kingdom would be given to "the saints," (Daniel 8:21-27).

Major beliefs

First principles and ordinances of the Gospel

The Church's Fourth Article of Faith states: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Faith In the Lord Jesus Christ

Latter-day Saints believe that faith in Jesus Christ is a fundamental requisite to salvation. Having faith in Jesus Christ means accepting Him as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, and attempting to obey His commandments. Joseph Smith taught, “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

Latter-day Saints are encouraged by church leaders to develop personal faith through study, prayer, service, and obedience to God's commandments.

Latter-day Saints often refer to their personal faith as their "testimony" and refer to telling others about their faith as "bearing testimony."

Repentance

Latter-day Saints believe in the principle of repentance, which includes a sincere regret, or "godly sorrow", as well as restitution when possible and then abstinence from the sin committed. Key to the repentance process is a person's personal, prayerful confession to God, which includes asking for forgiveness and resolving not to repeat the mistake. It is important to confess serious sins to a Bishop, who can offer advice and encouragement. Bishops can also take other actions. Consistent with the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words from which it is translated, repentance denotes "a change of mind", a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Thus, a return to sin shows that the repentance process is not truly completed. Repentance is for small and large sins and is an ongoing process.

Baptism By Immersion for the Remission of Sins

The Church of Jesus Christ practices baptism by immersion in water. Baptism is symbolic of burial, resurrection, and spiritual rebirth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. A person who truly repents and is baptized has all prior sins remitted.

In Latter-day Saint families, children are typically baptized soon after their eighth birthday. The age of eight was given in latter-day revelation as the age when children become accountable for their sins, that is, they are able to discern between right and wrong. If a person is unable to discern between right and wrong (e.g. those with severe intellectual impairment) they are not baptized regardless of their age; they are viewed as fully saved through the Atonement of Christ. The Book of Mormon and modern revelation specifically forbid the practice of infant baptism. Baptism is recognized only when performed by one holding at least the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, thus baptisms from other churches are not accepted because they have not been performed by those holding the restored priesthood of the New Testament.

Because they believe all people must be baptized to be saved, Saints also practice baptism for the dead. This ordinance is a baptism by proxy, performed in a temple. The baptism is believed to only take effect if the deceased person accepts the ordinance.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

Following baptism by immersion, individuals are confirmed members of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by priesthood-bearers. This blessing entitles the newly confirmed recipient to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as a guide and guardian so long as the recipient lives worthy of the gift. Accompanying this gift, are the supernal gifts of the Spirit, innumerated in 1 Cor. 12-13, D&C 46, and Moroni 10, (emphasized in this last chapter of the Book of Mormon). Members believe that those who have not been confirmed may still receive inspiration and a witness from the Holy Ghost but are not entitled to constant companionship available through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Enduring to the end

Church members are taught to "endure to the end", which includes continuing actively to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, to repent, and to honor their baptismal covenant and other gospel covenants throughout their lives.

The Godhead

LDS theology maintains that God the Father (Heavenly Father), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct beings who together constitute the Godhead. It is different from the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, which maintains that the three are one being. All three members of the Godhead are eternal and equally divine, but play somewhat different roles. While the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body, God and Christ do possess distinct, perfected, physical bodies of flesh and bone. Although Mormon theology sees the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as separate beings, they are considered to be "one God" in purpose. Because they are omniscient and have the same purpose, Jesus Christ speaks often in the scriptures as though knowing perfectly the will and the words of the Father. (In a similar way, many times Biblical prophets speak in the first person as though they are the mouthpiece of the Lord). God the Father is the spirit father in premortal life of the spirits of all people who are or have been born on this earth. He is also both the spirit Father and the Father in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is thus the Only Begotten Son, inheriting from His Father power over death.

Although Mormonism does not base its theology on creeds, many beliefs are widely held and generally agreed upon, such as the belief that God the Father is Elohim. The God of the Old Testament is, by most Mormons, considered to be a different being; he is referred to as Jehovah or Yahweh and is considered by them to be the pre-mortal identity of Jesus Christ. Other speculative views such as Jesus Christ being the Son of Jehovah may be held by individual Mormons, and may be found in early Mormon publications, but the primary emphasis of a Godhead consisting of separate personages has been a common factor.

Mormonism generally posits the same attributes to the members of the Godhead that mainstream Christianity posits to the Triune God: omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence, eternality, immutability, immortality, and immanence in the universe although not transcendence of it.

Although it is not specifically stated in the canonical scriptures, Joseph Smith and other church leaders have taught that God the Father is an exalted man who once lived mortally, like His Son Jesus Christ. (Compare, however, Moses 6:57, and recall that Jesus consistently referred to his relationship with God as literally father and son, that his father was greater than he, and implying that he would progress to become like his father.) Joseph Smith reportedly said:

These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible . . . Jesus treads in the tracks of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children . . . It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.

To a Latter-day Saint, the study of theology or the characteristics of God involves focus on the mortal human state as a brief stage in an eternal life cycle. The ability to return to live in Heaven with God the Father and Jesus Christ (with their loved ones) is seen as paramount. Church leaders teach that each and every human soul is a spirit child of God, with divine potential and capacity to become as God and dwell with Him and Jesus Christ. This echoes some teachings of early Christian groups, such as the Cathars, who are categorized as Gnostic philosophies. To some, these teachings are seen as evidence that LDS Church doctrine is indeed a restoration of ancient, original teachings.

Latter-day Saint theology also allows for the existence of a Heavenly Mother. She is not referred to in scripture or other Church canons, but there is some support for Her existence. She is not worshipped nor is she made the object of prayer.

Though other Gods or divine beings may exist, Mormons do not consider them relevant to salvation or to this earth.

Scriptures

Under the Church's doctrine of continuing revelation, the Church has an open scriptural canon which thus far includes The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. These scriptural writings comprise the Standard Works of the Church.

The Church counsels English-speaking members to use the King James Version of the Bible. Though the Bible is part of the canon and members believe it to be the word of God, they believe that omissions and mistranslations are present in even the earliest known manuscripts. Even though they believe the majority of the Bible to be correct, they say that the errors in the Bible have led to incorrect interpretations of certain passages. Because of this, Joseph Smith created his 'retranslation' of selected verses of the Bible. His incomplete work is known as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (or the Inspired Version).The Church does not use the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible as canon because it was never completed; Smith died before he was able to complete it. However, the Bible issued by the Church does contain cross references and major excerpts from the Joseph Smith Translation.

The introduction of The Book of Mormon describes the book as follows:

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come

According to his record, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God through the Urim and Thummim. Eleven witnesses signed testimonies of its authenticity, which are now included in the preface to the Book of Mormon; three witnesses testified to having seen an angel present the gold plates, and to having heard God bear witness to its truth, and eight others stated that Joseph Smith showed them the plates and that they handled and examined them.

The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of revelations, policies, letters, and statements given to the modern Church. This record contains Church doctrine as well as direction on Church government.

The Pearl of Great Price contains:

• Excerpts from Joseph Smith’s translation of Genesis, called the book of Moses, and of Matthew 24, called Joseph Smith—Matthew;
• Joseph Smith’s translation of some Egyptian papyrus that he acquired in 1835 (and subsequently lost, although some pages were purportedly rediscovered in 1967), called the Book of Abraham
• An excerpt from The Documentary History of the Church containing a letter written by Joseph Smith in 1838, called Joseph Smith—History;
• An excerpt from another one of Joseph Smith's letters called the Articles of Faith, thirteen statements of belief and doctrine.

Latter-day Saints believe literally in the principle of revelation from God to his children. Individual members are entitled to divine revelation for confirmation of truths, gaining knowledge or wisdom, meeting personal challenges, etc. Parents are entitled to revelation for raising their families. Divine revelation for the direction of the entire Church comes from God to the president of the Church, who is viewed by Latter-day Saints as a prophet in the same sense as Abraham, Moses, Peter and other biblical leaders.

Because of this, when prophets and general authorities speak as "moved upon by the Holy Ghost", their words are considered modern-day scripture, particularly in the case of the president of the Church (although these words are rarely added to the Standard Works). Members are encouraged to ponder and pray to determine for themselves the truthfulness of doctrine.

Church leadership and the priesthood

Members of the Church believe that God has brought a portion of his authority, known as the Priesthood, to rest upon worthy male members of the Church, who are expected to use it righteously to serve and bless their families and others. It is to be used in order to officiate and preside over the Church, or portions of the Church, amongst other things. Holding the priesthood is a stated prerequisite for all of the offices discussed below.

The leader of the Church is termed President, whom the members revere as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. He is entitled to receive revelation from God to guide the Church and the world as His mouthpiece. The president of the Church serves as such until death, after which the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will meet, pray, and receive revelation as to whom the next prophet should be. Although not specified within the church canon, the senior apostle has historically become the new President of the Church.

The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the first and second Quorums of the Seventy are all known as General Authorities because they are the people who direct the work of the entire church, throughout the world. They work full-time for the Church, and those who need it receive a stipend from the Church using income from Church-owned investments.

Other authorities of the Church (who are limited in their geographical areas of authority) include all other Quorums of the Seventy, Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and other quorum presidents.

The Church has no general salaried ministry. Area and local authorities are unpaid and continue in their normal occupations while serving in leadership positions. Many callings are limited to priesthood holders, with qualifications usually related to the particular calling. Even those who are called as General Authorities, who minister full-time (sometimes for life) would not be considered a vocation or occupation as they are often called at the age of retirement receiving little or no money for their efforts. (See Laity)

From 1849 until 1978, men of African descent had not been permitted to receive the priesthood or marriage in the temple, although they could become members and serve within the Church. Many people of other dark-skinned ethnicities not of African descent (such as the Māori) could receive the priesthood prior to this time. That changed when, in 1978, an official declaration of the First Presidency directed all worthy men to be ordained to the priesthood. This change came about because Church President Spencer W. Kimball reportedly received a revelation directing that this change should take place. (See Blacks and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

The Plan of Salvation

The term Plan of Salvation is used to describe how the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring about the immortality and eternal life of mankind.

The first element, immortality, is believed to be a gift freely given to everyone, made possible by Jesus' resurrection.

The Book of Mormon teaches:

The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

— Alma 11:43-44

The second element, salvation from sin and spiritual death, is also believed to be made possible only by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which washes clean the metaphorical stains of one's imperfections, and justifies and sanctifies one for admission into the kingdom for which that person has qualified. Therefore, one's eternal reward is conditional upon acceptance of, and true faith in, Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, which is demonstrated through baptism and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, including repentence.

After death, people who have not been offered the chance to hear the doctrines of Jesus Christ during life on Earth will have the opportunity to do so prior to the judgment. All of humnaity will then be resurrected and judged by Jesus.

The final element, assignment to one of three Degrees of Glory (known as the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom), occurs after this.

• The Celestial Kingdom is the highest kingdom, where the righteous will live with God and with their families. As mentioned above, accountable individuals must repent, be baptized, and follow Jesus Christ to gain entrance to the Celestial Kingdom; all children who die before the age of accountability automatically inherit the celestial kingdom. This kingdom includes multiple degrees of glory, the highest of which is exaltation. Exaltation is the reward which Latter-day Saints believe is given to the righteous. Through exaltation, a person can eventually become like Jesus Christ, or as it is expressed in scripture, a joint-heir with Him.

• The Terrestrial Kingdom is for those good people who are not valiant in following Jesus and those who do not accept the Gospel. This kingdom is one of great glory, but without the presence of God the Father. An ultimate willingness to keep the Ten Commandments is considered essential to enter this kingdom.

• The Telestial Kingdom is the kingdom for murderers, adulterers, and others who do not accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is also considered a kingdom of glory and has been described as being much better than even earthly life. All those who do not qualify for a higher degree of glory will enter this kingdom unless they deny the Holy Ghost, a sin it is believed very few people are able to commit.

Those few people who do, after gaining a full knowledge of the Gospel, willfully deny and contend against the Holy Ghost, inherit no glory. Most members of the Church refer to this state as Outer Darkness (not to be confused with traditional Christianity's definition of the term). An individual so banished is called a Son of Perdition. Forgiveness is not possible for these souls, though they will be resurrected.

Meetings

Weekly worship services, including sacrament meetings, are held on Sundays, in neighborhood based religious units. Congregations for Sunday services are grouped geographically, with larger (~200 to ~400 people) congregations known as wards, and smaller (2 through ~200 people) congregations known as branches. These neighborhood congregations meet in meetinghouses, also referred to as "chapels" or "stake centers", on property most often owned by the Church. In some geographic areas, rental property may be used as a meetinghouse. Although the building may sometimes be referred to as a "chapel", the room used as a chapel for religious services is actually only one component of the standard meetinghouse.

All people, regardless of belief or standing in the Church are welcome to attend. The sacrament (similar to Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist in other churches) is offered weekly. Latter-day Saints come together in meetinghouses for various activities throughout the week (except Mondays, which are reserved for family time).

Sunday services

Sunday services consist of a three-hour block of time divided into three segments. The primary Sunday service is sacrament meeting, which is slightly more than an hour in length, and attended by the combined congregation. The foremost purpose of sacrament meeting is the blessing and passing of the sacrament — consecrated bread and water in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ — to members of the Church. After the sacrament, the service usually consists of two or three "talks" (lay sermons) prepared and delivered by members of the congregation. Hymns (accompanied by piano or organ) are sung throughout the service, as a form of worship through music. Once a month, usually on the first Sunday, instead of prepared talks, members are invited to bear their testimonies about gospel principles. These testimonies are generally impromptu statements of personal faith.

During the other two segments, the congregation divides into smaller groups based on age and gender. The Church publishes manuals for each type of class, usually including a teacher's manual as well as a student booklet for youth and adult classes.

Sunday School classes are grouped by age and sometimes by background. The most common adult Sunday School class is Gospel Doctrine, which meets each week and consists of a teacher presenting gospel messages drawn from the Scriptures, with participation from class members. A second adult class is the Gospel Essentials class, designed for new members and non-members who are interested in learning more about the Church (often referred to as "investigators"). Additional adult classes are held at various times, depending on the specific needs of each congregation. These classes include topics such as Family Relations, Family History, Teacher Preparation, and Temple Preparation. Youth Sunday School classes are divided by age (12-13, 14-15, and 16-18). These classes may be combined if class sizes are small.

In addition to Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School, a third block of meetings is held where attendance is based on age and sex. Men and boys age 12 and up attend priesthood classes, women attend Relief Society, and girls ages 12-18 attend Young Women. Although all women and girls meet together briefly at the beginning of the hour for a prayer, hymn, and announcements, they then separate into classes. The Young Women group is divided into Beehive (ages 12-13), Mia Maid (ages 14-15), and Laurel (ages 16-18) classes. Although all men and boys meet together briefly at the beginning of the hour for a prayer, hymn, and announcements, they then separate into classes. The men separate by priesthood office to attend Elder's Quorum or High Priest's Group, the latter usually being older men and/or those who have held leadership positions in the Church. Youth are likewise divided into priesthood quorums: Deacons (ages 12-13), Teachers (ages 14-15), and Priests (ages 16-18). Classes may be combined if class sizes are small.

Children younger than 12 attend Primary, which spans the two time blocks described above. Primary is divided into two large groups: Senior Primary (ages 8-11) and Junior Primary (ages 4-7); young children from 18 months to 3 years of age attend nursery class. Primary classes generally consist of all the children who were born in the same year. Usually one half of the Primary meets in separate classes while the other half meets together in sharing and singing time, and at the end of the hour, the two are reversed.

Women usually attend wearing skirts or dresses, while men wear suits or dress shirts (preferably white) and ties. However, this dress code is not required; people in different attire are also welcome.

Young men and women

Young men and women, aged 12 to 18, often have an additional meeting during the week (previously referred to as Mutual or MIA, which were short for Mutual Improvement Association), which can involve an activity, game, service project, or instruction. The young men and women may meet separately or take part in a combined activity. Usually, the young men participate in Scouting, including efforts to gain the Duty to God award and an award unique to the LDS Church, "On my Honor." Young women participate in a program titled Personal Progress. Both the young men and the young women try to live by the standards outlined in For the Strength of Youth.

Home, family, and personal enrichment

Four times a year the adult women (members of the Church's Relief Society) attend a Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting (formerly known as Homemaking Meeting). The meeting may consist of a service project, or of attending a social event, or of various classes being offered. In addition, Enrichment activities are offered (weekly, monthly, or as determined by ward Relief Society leaders) for women with similar needs and interests.

Other meetings and chapel uses

In addition to these regularly scheduled meetings, additional meetings are frequently held at the meetinghouse. Auxiliary officers may conduct leadership meetings or host training sessions and classes. The ward or branch community may schedule social activities at the meetinghouse, including dances, dinners, holiday parties and musical presentations. Other popular activities are basketball, family history conferences, youth conferences, youth dances and various personal improvement classes. Church members may also reserve the building for personal or family use, to accommodate such events as music recitals, family reunions, wedding receptions, birthdays, or funerals.

Temples

In addition to Sunday worship, faithful members of the Church are encouraged to attend temples and participate in ordinances there, such as baptisms for the dead. The Church teaches that certain temple ordinances, including being married in the temple, are necessary for eternal exaltation. The Church also regards the temples as places of peace and refuge that are set apart from the world. Adult members who have performed a temple ordinance called an endowment also receive a temple garment, which they wear under their daily clothing. The Church considers the temple ordinances exceptionally sacred, and does not discuss them publicly.

Culture and practices

Due to the differences in lifestyle promoted by church doctrine and history, a distinct culture has grown up around members of the Church. It is primarily concentrated around the Jello Belt of the United States (an area focused in the Rocky Mountains), but as membership of the church spreads around the world, many of its more distinctive practices follow. For example, active church members follow the Word of Wisdom, a health code prohibiting tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea.

Finances

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been cited as the most prosperous American religion.. As a tax exempt private organization, the church is not required to publish its financial data; however, its estimated collection of tithes during 1996 was $5.2 billion. The Church also has billions of dollars in investments in capital and real estate.

Sources of funds

The church receives most of its funding from tithes and fast offerings (named for their collection each month after fasting for two meals). About 10% of its funding also comes from income on investments and real estate holdings.

The vast majority of revenue comes from tithing. The LDS church asks that ten percent of each member's income be given to the church for operating costs, including the construction of meetinghouses and temples. Fast offerings are generally expected to be the cost of food for the monthly day of fast practiced by members. These funds go towards humanitarian aid. While payment of tithing is a requirement in order to attend the denomination's temples (not meetinghouses where regular worship is conducted), payment of fast offerings is optional, but highly recommended.

The Law of Tithing is often criticized for increasing personal bankruptcies in Utah, which rank about twice the national average on any given year, usually the highest of all 50 states. However, the relation of tithing to bankruptcy is minimized or ignored in Mormon sources. Disposable income for the state of Utah (the amount of income after taxes available for spending and saving) was ranked 45th in 2000. The family costs of supporting missionaries in the field is not deducted from tithing and is generally not paid for by the church.

Church holdings

The Church has holdings in real estate, as well as for-profit businesses managed through Deseret Management Corporation, estimated in 1996 at more than $30 billion. Some of the Church's known holdings include:

• AgReserves Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah - the largest producer of nuts in America.
• Beneficial Life Insurance Co. - assets of $1.6 billion.
• Bonneville International Corporation - the 14th largest radio chain in the U.S.
• Deseret Morning News - a daily Utah newspaper, second-largest in the state.
• Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch in Orlando, Florida - the world's largest beef ranch at 312,000 acres (1260 km²). The land alone is worth an estimated $858 million.
• Farmland Reserve, Inc - recently purchased 88,000 acres (356 km²) in Nebraska bringing its total in Nebraska to 228,000 acres (923 km²) second in Nebraska to Ted Turner's 290,000. Farmland Reserve also owns land east of Orlando, FL, appraised at $10 million.
• Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii - the leading for-profit visitor attraction in Hawaii.

Use of church funds

The Church uses most of its financial resources to construct and maintain buildings and other facilities. The church also spends much of its funds on providing social welfare and relief and supporting missionary, educational, and other church-sponsored programs.

Construction of church facilities

The Church builds additional chapels and temples as wards and branches of the Church are organized. The Church built about 40 smaller temples between 1998 and 2001. The Church currently has 122 temples around the world with 11 additional temples either announced or under construction.

Social welfare and relief

Total humanitarian aid given by the LDS church between 1984 and 1997 is reported to be 30.7 million dollars. According to the church, "The Church initiates humanitarian aid throughout the world. From 1985 to 2002, it contributed approximately $AUS 800 million in humanitarian and charitable assistance internationally." (approximately $600 million US).

The church operates a welfare distribution system, as it encourages members to seek financial assistance from family and church first before seeking public or state-sponsored welfare. AgReserves Inc., Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch, and Farmland Reserve, Inc. are part of its welfare distribution system. Welfare resources are distributed by local bishops but maintained by the Presiding Bishop. (See Preparedness above.)

Other church programs

The church also spends much of its money collected through tithing on numerous missionary, educational, and other programs which the church considers to be within its mission. Although the families of missionaries generally pay $400 a month for missions, additional general funds of the Church support missionaries unable to pay for their own missions. Additionally, the Church provides a mission office and mission home for each of its 300 missions and pays for television advertising offering free copies of the Book of Mormon, the Bible, Church videos, etc.

The Church also owns and subsidizes education at its three Universities (see Education above). It also supports Boy Scout programs for young men. In addition, it supports its Seminary and Institute programs with tithing money.

Criticism and controversy

Many doctrines and practices of the Church, both past and present, are viewed by many as controversial:

• The Church states that it is the exclusive restoration of the church founded by Jesus Christ and the sole source of priesthood authority necessary for ordinances of salvation (such as baptism). Early leaders of the Church referred to other Christian churches as 'corrupt' (i.e.,"teaching impure doctrines") and that their creeds were 'an abomination'. This has led to extensive criticism from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians, some of which label it a "cult", "sect," or "heretical", or dispute that it is truly "Christian".

LDS leaders often respond to such criticism by noting the Savior's teaching, "by their fruits ye shall know them," (Matthew 7:20), and join sincerely with other religions in humanitarian service endeavors in many parts of the world.

• The historical legitimacy of the Book of Mormon: there has been much contention over the accuracy of some of its archaeological and historical elements, with most non-Mormon sources failing to find any evidence (for example) for the pre-Columbian civilizations described in the book.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially ended the practice of polygamy with the 1890 Manifesto and, since 1904, has excommunicated members known to practice polygamy and prohibited polygamists from joining the Church. However, references to polygamy remain in LDS scriptures, such as Doctrines & Covenants 132. Church leaders say 19th Century members always were uncomfortable practicing polygamy, but it was commanded by God. The United States also jailed church members, confiscated church property and forbade Utah's statehood as long as Mormons did not discontinue polygamy.
• The Church's belief structure involves topics that are now of a political nature, such as Prohibition, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage.
• Women cannot be ordained to priesthood offices.

• Additionally, the religious group forbade black men from holding the priesthood until 1978, though church leaders emphasize the fact that blacks have always been able to receive baptism. Church leaders say that despite forbidding blacks to hold the priesthood, meetinghouses were unsegregated. There is some controversy over why the prohibition existed because Elijah Abel, a black man of African descent, was ordained to the office of Seventy under the direction of Joseph Smith. On June 9, 1978, a new revelation was announced, permitting all "worthy" males to receive the Priesthood.

• Cultural preservation and educational programs including the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Indian Placement Program.
• The Family: A Proclamation to the World is an official statement from 1995 that some people find controversial. The proclamation calls for the preservation of the traditional family, sometimes referred to as the nuclear family, consisting of a father and a mother who assume the traditional roles of provider and nurturer, respectively. It has been labeled as a homophobic statement by some gay activists. Others believe this statement to be openly anti-feminist.

• Latter-day Saints use the biblical word Godhead rather than Trinity to describe their belief in the relationship shared by God The Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost. According to LDS Church doctrine, the three are separate individuals who act in harmony one with another at all times. This differs from the doctrine of the Trinity, which is based on the Nicene creed, which considers God to be three separate beings, but one substance. LDS members argue that the Nicene creed was a panel that would vote on the nature of God rather than their belief of a prophet receiving such information from a greater source.
• The Church fought strongly against the Equal Rights Amendment of the late 20th Century.

• Child sexual abuse in the Mormon Church. Brian Evenson's novel Father of Lies addresses his criticisms of how the Church deals with child abuse]

See also

• Animals in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Criticism of Mormonism
• Egyptian Names in the Book of Mormon
• Hugh Nibley
• Jesus in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Mormonism and Freemasonry
• Mormon
• Mormon apologetics
• Mormon Corridor
• Mormonism
• Temple (Mormonism)

References

1. Introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon.org.
2. Who is Jesus Christ?. Mormon.org.
3. The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4. The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LDS.org
5. Statistical Report 2005, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
6. Smith, Joseph Fielding, Doctrines of Salvation, 1956, Vol. 3, Ch. 14
7. Talmage, James E., Jesus the Christ, 1915/1983, Ch. 40
8. Brigham Young University's LDS FAQ
9. Church-maintained spousal record of Smith
10. see Official Declaration 1
11. Statistical Report 2005, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
12. 2005 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, National Council of Churches. See article by Information Please® Database, Pearson Education, Inc.
13. Egon Mayer, Ph.D.; Barry A. Kosmin, Ph.D.; Ariela Keysar, Ph.D. "American Religious Identification Survey". cuny.edu. Retrieved 2006-07-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
14. D&C 115:3-4
15. ^ A style guide issued by the Church in 2001
16. Lee, Harold B., Stand Ye in Holy Places, 1974, Ch. 35)
17. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121
18. See D&C 68:27 and Moroni 8:4-23.
19. John 12:49-50,John 14,Matthew 26:39
20. Isaiah 53:12,Isaiah 61:1,Revelation 1:8,Revelation 22:16
21. Jaques John, Catechism for Children, Published by Apostle Franklin D. Richards 1854, p. 64
22. Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-48.
23. O My Father, LDS hymn #292, refers to a mother in heaven. The Family: A Proclamation to the World mentions "heavenly parents". Various LDS curriculum materials refer to a Heavenly Mother, for instance see the conclusion of The Latter Day Saint Women, Lesson 9
24. See the Ninth Article of Faith
25. FARMS article
26. When translating the Bible, Smith did not complete the translation in the order in which it is read. Rather, he moved from one subject to the next.
27. D&C 8:3-4
28. Ludlow, Daniel H., Latter-day Prophets Speak: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Church Presidents, 1948/1993, Ch. 32
29. See alsoMoses 1:39
30. See 1 Corinthians 15:22
31. See Romans 8:17
32. A church-maintained virtual tour of a typical meetinghouse
33. Open invitation to attend church, on Church-maintained website
34. Arizona Republic, 1991 report; Time Magazine, Vol. 150 No. 5, August 4, 1997. See the article, retrieved 2006-09-02
35. Ibid.
36. Mormon Inquiry article
37. Deseret News article
38. Netstate.com article.
39. Time Magazine, Vol. 150 No. 5, August 4, 1997. See the article, retrieved 2006-09-02
40. Temples of the World: Chronological List. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
41. Richard Ostling, Mormon America, p. 128.
42. lds.org press release
43. FARMS article on "Whore of Babylon"
44. "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (Orson Pratt,The Seer, p. 255).
45. "I was answered that I must join none of them (Christian Churches), for they were all wrong...that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight" (Joseph Smith History 1:19)
46. "The Roman Catholic, Greek, and Protestant church, is the great corrupt, ecclesiastical power, represented by great Babylon...." (Orson Pratt, Orson Pratt, Writings of an Apostle, "Divine Authenticity," no.6, p.84)
47. "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christiandom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common orgin. They belong to Babylon." (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, p.324)
48. "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness." (Orson Pratt, The Seer.)
49. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2005-02-28). "Germany: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2004". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (Report criticizing as a human rights violation, The Lutheran Church characterization of the LDS Church as a sect.)
50. See Acts 17: 29, Rom. 1: 20, Col. 2: 9.

External links

Official websites of the Church

• LDS.org - The official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — with links to Gospel Library, Church History, Family Home Evening programs, and more
• Mormon.org - Information on basic beliefs, a meetinghouse locator, and a place to email questions

Church-related websites

• LDS Today - News related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Meridian Magazine - Webzine for Latter-day Saints; updated every weekday
• LDS Library - Full text search engine; more than 3,300 important LDS books.
• Mormon wiki - Wiki for and supported by Latter-day Saints
• LDSFAQ at byu.edu - A comprehensive index answering many common questions. Uses large portions of The Encyclopedia of Mormonism
• Audio Book of Mormon - free download, mp3 format

Academic forums

• FARMS - Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (BYU)
• FAIR - Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research
• Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought - An independent quarterly covering history, religion, science and social issues.
• The Mormon History Association

• 1830 establishments
• Mormonism
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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• Latter Day Saint denominations
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• Religious organizations formerly tolerant of polygamy