The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the city's Temple Square.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, is the largest and most well-known denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement (a form of Restorationism founded by Joseph Smith, Jr.). The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has established churches and temples worldwide, counting over 12 million members on its rolls.

Adherents to the church (usually called Mormons or Latter-day Saints) regard Jesus as the head of their church and count themselves as Christians, but do not consider themselves part of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant traditions. Instead, they believe that the church is a restoration of 1st century Christianity. They believe the church is authorized and directed by God through Joseph Smith and his successors, who have introduced new books of scripture to the church's Biblical canon, such as the Book of Mormon. Historically, the church has distinguished itself from traditional Christianity by its former practice of polygamy (officially discontinued in 1890), and by its unique doctrinal views. In recent decades, however, the church has united with traditional Christian churches in promoting humanitarian and moral causes.

LDS Standard Works

History of the Church

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

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith, Jr. in Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith was the first president of the church until he was killed in 1844. Brigham Young was the second president, and he led a massive exodus of members west to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Early history

Main article: History of the Latter Day Saint movement

Stained glass depiction of the first vision of Joseph Smith, Jr., completed in 1913 by an unknown artist (Museum of Church History and Art)

Organization

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Fayette, New York, on April 6 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. Smith was raised in northwestern New York, where he reported a number of heavenly visions and visitations by angels. According to his own account, when he was 14 years old, in 1820, Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in what is known as the First Vision. Smith also said he was told where to find an ancient record referred to as the Golden Plates from an angel named Moroni, and dictated a translation of those plates, which he published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon.

Restoration of the Priesthood

According to Joseph Smith and his close associate Oliver Cowdery, an angel conferred to them the authority to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ and to restore 1st-century Christianity. This church, originally called the Church of Christ, was formed on April 6, 1830 in Manchester or Fayette, New York, but soon after the conversion of Church of Christ (Campbellite) minister Sidney Rigdon in Kirtland, Ohio, most of its members moved to Ohio in 1831.

Church in Kirtland

In Ohio, the church built a temple, and sent missionaries to various places, including Jackson County, Missouri, where the church built up branches. After a series of financial problems with Kirtland Safety Society, a bank, the main body of members moved briefly to Missouri in 1838, but after the 1838 Mormon War, and the Extermination Order signed by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs that same year, they were forced to leave Missouri. The Church settled in Commerce, Illinois, established a new center, and renamed the city Nauvoo, Illinois.

In Nauvoo, the church grew rapidly, began building a temple, and sent out missionaries to Canada and England. Joseph Smith served as a religious, political, and military leader. In 1844, after a conflict with an antagonistic newspaper over Smith's alleged practice of "spiritual wifery", Smith and his brother Hyrum were arrested, taken to Carthage, Illinois, and then both of them were killed by a mob on June 27 1844.

In the aftermath of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, his presumed successor, several church leaders campaigned to lead the church, a time known as the Succession Crisis. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by Brigham Young, claimed succession. The missionaries quickly returned from their missions in America and abroad and were accepted as successor by the largest body of adherents.

Establishment in Utah

See also: Mormon pioneers and History of Utah

In 1846, Brigham Young led a large group of Mormon pioneers out of Nauvoo, Illinois to Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley (initially part of Mexico but soon annexed by the United States as the Utah Territory), where the first company arrived on July 24, 1847. Isolated from any neighbors, Brigham Young initially governed the Utah Territory as a pseudo-theocracy, and under his direction many colonizing groups were sent to various sites to begin settlements in what was referred to as the State of Deseret. In 1857, however, federal troops replaced him with a non-Mormon territorial governor, in a period called the Utah War or "Buchanan's blunder."

Beginning in 1852, and contributing substantially to the Utah War, many prominent church leaders began openly practicing a previously-secret form of polygamy called plural marriage. Because plural marriages were viewed as immoral by non-Mormon Americans, the US Government passed a series of anti-polygamy laws, starting with the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862, which were aimed specifically at eradicating this practice among Mormons. The Mormons unsuccessfully protested that such marriages were protected by their Freedom of Religion, which they claimed was guaranteed under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Under the new laws Church leaders were imprisoned and the church was eventually disincorporated, and its property seized. The Church officially abandoned its practice of polygamy in the 1890 Manifesto, issued by church president Wilford Woodruff. This Manifesto prohibited future plural marriages, and the Church issued a "Second Manifesto" in 1904 by President Joseph F. Smith. Eventually, the church adopted a policy of excommunicating polygamist members. This discontinuance of polygamy led those who refused to give up the practice to establish separate churches which still embrace polygamy. People who belong to these splinter churches are referred to generically as Mormon Fundamentalists.

Growth into a Worldwide Church

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Church has undergone a period of nearly exponential growth, due to a high birth rate and extensive proselytism. Additionally, the Church has gained more prominence and has taken firm stands on a number of social issues: supporting prohibition, opposing gambling, opposing abortion (with some exceptions), opposing same-sex marriage, and opposing euthanasia. The church also maintains a position of political neutrality and on the issue of stem-cell research, but is a staunch supporter of civic involvement.

In 1978, through a revelation to the prophet from God, the Church extended the Priesthood to all worthy male members, regardless of lineage. This ended the longtime practice of denying the Priesthood to members of African descent. The current President of the Church is Gordon B. Hinckley. In 2007 the Church reported that its worldwide membership was "approaching 13 million".

Beliefs and practices

See also: Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have many beliefs in common with Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. Some of the major differences in belief are mentioned here; for more detailed information see Mormonism and Christianity.

Jesus Christ

Main article: Jesus

Latter-day Saints believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ, as depicted in the Christus Statue in the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City

The church teaches that Jesus Christ is the son of God, who taught all His gospel and the way to return to live with God the Father. Christ's birth, atonement, death and resurrection provide the means whereby God's children can be resurrected and redeemed from their sins through repentance. The church teaches that after the death of Christ and His apostles, the priesthood authority was lost and some important doctrinal teachings were changed over time from Christ's original teachings; thus necessitating a restoration of His Church and true doctrines before the Second Coming.

The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.

Main article: Joseph Smith, Jr.

The Church teaches that Jesus Christ and God the Father appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr., instructing him to begin the reestablishment of Christ's Church on earth as prophesied in Acts 3:19–21. Joseph Smith, Jr. wrote that Christ had called him to be a latter-day Prophet to tell people of the gospel message and restore the authority from Christ to perform acts in His name. According to the LDS Church, the unique doctrines taught by the Church are a result of revelations received from God by Joseph Smith, Jr. and his successors.

Nature of God

Main article: Godhead (Latter Day Saints)

The Church teaches of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They are three separate and distinct beings who together constitute the Godhead, united in purpose rather than in substance. All three members of the Godhead are eternal and equally divine, but have different roles. While the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body, God the Father and Christ both possess distinct, perfected, physical bodies of flesh and bone. God the Father is the spirit father in premortal life of the spirits of all people who are, have been, will be 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. Since Christ is omniscient and has the same purpose as the Father, the church teaches that Jesus Christ speaks often in the scriptures as though knowing perfectly the will and the words of the Father. Nontrinitarianism is a point of disagreement with Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. The Church teaches that God the Father is in union with a Heavenly Mother but Christ and the Holy Ghost are not specified in this manner.

See also: King Follett Discourse, Exaltation (Mormonism), and Mormonism and Christianity

Purpose of life

Main article: Plan of Salvation

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

The Church teaches that prior to being born, everyone on earth lived with Heavenly Father (God) as his spirit child. After progressing up to a certain point, further learning and progress was not possible without taking on a mortal body and going through trials while largely separated from God's presence and influence. All those born on this earth were the ones who endorsed Christ's offer to facilitate God's Plan of Salvation involving free-agency as opposed to a plan of forced obedience. As a condition of being born into mortality, each person agreed to have nearly all memory of the pre-mortal life erased so as to facilitate the exercise of free-agency as well as test the humility and faith of each individual. In confirming this, the Book of Mormon teaches "...this life [is] a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God..."(Alma 12:24).

Further encapsulating the purpose of life are the verses taken from the Book of Abraham where the Creator says: “...We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;”

The Church teaches that all of humanity will be resurrected and receive immortality as a gift made possible by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Following the resurrection all will be judged by Jesus Christ. As part of this judgment, each person will be assigned to one of three heavenly kingdoms (sometimes called Degrees of Glory): the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom.

The Church also teaches that those people who have not had an opportunity to hear the doctrines of Jesus Christ during life on Earth will have the opportunity to do so prior to the judgment.

Eschatology

Latter-day Saints teach Millennialism, in which, after a period of tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus will occur, followed by a thousand years of peace, after which will occur the Last Judgment. Distinctive within Latter-day millennialism, however, is the idea that Jesus will reign "personally upon the earth" (Article of Faith 1:10), and direct the government or governments that will exist. Jackson County, Missouri is expected to have an important LDS temple during the Millennium, and Jerusalem is expected to be an important center of government in the world. As the earth transitions into the Millennial period, only those good and honorable people who stand to inherit the Celestial Kingdom or Terrestrial Kingdom will continue on the earth, because all others will either repent or die by means of disasters and in-fighting among themselves.

Theology of family and gender

See also: Eternal Marriage, The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and Family Home Evening

The LDS Church teaches that, through the ordinances of the restored gospel, families can be sealed together so that spouses may remain together after death and live together eternally. Not only do spouses live together forever, LDS doctrine also teaches that children continue in that familial bond in the afterlife; only marriages and sealings performed in LDS temples will continue after death. Therefore, the Church teaches that all who qualify will be sealed by proxy where living people are sealed vicariously on behalf of those that have died without being sealed.

Because of these beliefs, the LDS Church places a strong emphasis on the importance of the family to individuals and society. In particular, the Church views the nuclear family (father, mother and children) as the most important single unit in the Church, as well as in society. In 1995, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles published The Family: A Proclamation to the World, a document explaining major LDS doctrine concerning the family. LDS Church leaders and doctrine support the traditional definitions of family and marriage, including opposing same-sex marriage and supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment.

In the early part of the 20th century, Church members were counseled to set aside Monday night as a time to dedicate to their own families. No other church meetings were to be held on this night. The Church still encourages members to meet Monday nights in a Family Home Evening to pray, read scriptures, and engage in other familial recreational activities.

Priesthood

See also: Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)

The LDS Church teaches that the authority to act in God's name is called the Priesthood. All worthy male members of the Church may hold the Priesthood and are expected to use it righteously to serve and bless their families and others. Holding the priesthood is a stated prerequisite to hold offices within the hierarchy of the church as the Priesthood provides the authority to officiate and preside over the Church, or portions of the Church. The Church further teaches that this authority was given to Joseph Smith by Peter, James and John. Smith was instructed to organize the Church and to confer the Priesthood on others. The LDS Church holds Gordon B. Hinckley as the successor to Joseph Smith Jr. and the person who has the Priesthood authority to preside over and receive revelation for the Church as a whole.

The Church teaches that one such revelation was received by Spencer W. Kimball in 1978, when he directed that all worthy men be ordained to the priesthood. This changed a long tradition, from 1849 until 1978, that men of African descent were not permitted to receive the priesthood or marry in the temple, although they could become members and hold callings within the Church. See Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Blacks and Mormonism

In the early days of the church, women sometimes gave blessings to the sick, which is generally considered a priesthood ordinance. Also, some women claimed to hold the priesthood through their husbands because of temple ordinances. The Church teaches that women cannot receive the Priesthood, but places strong emphasis on the importance of motherhood. Motherhood is considered one of the most sacred responsibilities. The Church also teaches that God listens to and answers the prayers of his daughters. The feminist movement has been displeased with the fact that women are unable to hold the priesthood. See Women and Mormonism

The LDS Church also teaches that the priesthood is divided into two parts: the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. The Aaronic Priesthood (also called the Levitical Priesthood), is considered to be a lesser priesthood tracing its roots to Aaron the brother of Moses through John the Baptist. Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery said that they received this Priesthood on May 15, 1829, when they were ordained by John the Baptist. In 1835, Smith and Cowdery clarified that this authority was the "Aaronic, or Levitical priesthood".

The Melchizedek Priesthood, or, the "Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God" is recognized as a "higher" order of priesthood, or the "high priesthood" and traces its roots to Melchizedek who "was such a great high priest". This priesthood was thought to be the order of priesthood held by Jesus, and a distinction is made between the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, which derives in part from the Epistle to the Hebrews, whose author argues that Jesus arose "after the order of Melchizedek, and not...after the order of Aaron."

Ordinances

Latter-day Saint Sacraments are called ordinances. Latter-day Saints believe in two types of ordinances: saving ordinances and non-saving ordinances. Saving ordinances, such as baptism, confirmation, plus temple endowment and sealing are required for entry into the Celestial Kingdom. Non-saving ordinances include various types of blessings and the "sacrament" (the Latter-day Saint version of the Eucharist or Communion). Ordination to a priesthood office is also considered to be an ordinance.

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

A person is eligible for baptism beginning at age eight. According to church doctrine, 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 dies who is unable to distinguish between right and wrong (e.g. infants and those with severe intellectual impairment), he or she is 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 since the Church believes that it alone possesses priesthood authority.

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 gifts of the Spirit, enumerated 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 the constant companionship available through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Donations of time and service

see also Worship and Culture below

Latter-day Saints have a high degree of participation outside of worship services. Active church membership generally entails missionary work, family history, participation in church callings, Family Home Evening, and payment of tithes. Other forms of charity are encouraged, including donations of money, clothing and time. The Church teaches its members should be self sufficient and avoid falling into debt.

The Law of Tithing states that members are expected to give 10% of their income to the Church. These funds are used to build meetinghouses and other buildings, to cover operating costs, education, produce materials for use in church classes and organizations, support the missionary program, and to support family history work and other church functions.

Fast offerings (named for their collection each month after fasting for two meals) are generally expected to be a minimum of the cost of food for the monthly day of fast practiced by members and go towards humanitarian aid. Payment of generous fast offerings is highly recommended.

Lifestyle code

The church has a lifestyle code, which includes the Word of Wisdom (a health code originally given as a warning with a promise of health by encouraging healthy eating and discouraging the unhealthy use of alcohol, tobacco, and coffee/tea. Later, in 1851, it was given as a commandment), the law of chastity before marriage, complete fidelity after marriage, and a requirement to obey the laws of the country in which the member lives.

The church condemns abortion and encourages a standard of modesty. With permission from a Bishop, members may procure an abortion in the case of rape or incest. Members with gay, lesbian, or bisexual desires are officially welcomed in the church, but only if they choose to control their sexual desires (which are deemed inappropriate by the church) and remain celibate or heterosexually married and monogamous. Transgendered persons are officially accepted in the church, but may not hold a priesthood office if they are post-operative, or if they are considering sexual reassignment surgery. (1999 Church handbook.)

The church considers "serious" cases to include felonies, abortion, drugs, non-heterosexual or non-married sex, apostasy, or public and vocal criticism of church leaders. Church members who fail to live the church's lifestyle code may, in more serious cases, be subject to church disciplinary action including disfellowshipment or even excommunication as part of the repentance process. Such individuals are encouraged to continue attending church services, but are not permitted to pay tithing, hold callings, or offer public prayer at any church meeting. Other members are frequently unaware of the status of such individuals.

Origin of Native Americans

Main article: Book of Mormon

Latter-day Saints believe in a covenant relationship between God and the House of Israel, as described in the Old Testament. As stated in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, they believe that Native Americans are included in this covenant, and that some are descended from members of two of the Lost Tribes of Israel (the tribes of Ephraim & Manasseh) that migrated to the Americas shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and also from another group of Israelites that migrated after the city's fall.

Controversy has developed regarding this belief as a result of recent genetic research.

America as Promised Land

A more expansive view of the Americas as a covenant land for people of whatever origin whose ancestors have been led by the "hand of the Lord" to settle there is included in Lehi's prophecy in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 1:5-7: "Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord... That there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring... Unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."

African Americans and Mormonism

The controversy regarding Blacks and Mormonism has begun to be dissipated since the 1978 revelation announced by letter on June 8 under the direction of LDS President Spencer W. Kimball. The letter stated that "the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple." (Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 2) This helped to fulfill the promise to Abraham that "thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; ...and in thy seed after thee ...shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal." (Abraham 2:9,11)

Area Conferences in Diverse Locations

LDS members in many parts of the world occasionally receive visits to area conferences from one of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, the First Presidency of the Church, or other leaders who provide encouragement and counsel. The messages are translated into the native language(s) of the area. These meetings are attended by tens of thousands of LDS members of many ethnic backgrounds.

Sacred texts and other publications

The Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints printed in the Quadruple Combination format

The Church accepts as canon: the Bible (as "as far as it is translated correctly), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The four are considered the Standard Works. The church also publishes numerous periodicals, manuals, and sometimes "proclamations", which are not scripture, but clarify its teachings.

Holy Bible

See also: Bible

The church has articulated its position on the Bible, in the words of Joseph Smith, Jr. "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly". Smith used the King James Version of the Bible (KJV), but considered the translation to have omissions and mistranslations; thus he began the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (sometimes called the Inspired Version). The church considers the King James Version as the appropriate translation for English-speaking adherents, and includes portions of Smith's efforts at Bible translation in the footnotes or appendices to the version of the Bible it prints. The translation recommended by the church varies for different languages.

Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The church's latest edition of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Main article: Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is also considered canon. The book is named after one of the prophet/historians, Mormon, who, according to the text compiled most of the book. It was first published by Joseph Smith, Jr. in March 1830 in Palmyra, New York. The book describes itself as being written by ancient prophets of the Western Hemisphere who traveled there from ancient Israel circa 600 BC. The church teaches that Smith translated the record by divine inspiration with assistance from the Urim and Thummim, gold plates that were delivered to him by an angel. Joseph Smith Jr. said he returned the plates to the angel, identified as Moroni.

Doctrine and Covenants

Main article: Doctrine and Covenants

First Published in 1835, The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of revelations, policies, letters, and statements given to the modern Church, mostly by Smith. This record contains Church doctrine as well as direction on Church government. It is also considered to be canon.

Pearl of Great Price

Main article: Pearl of Great Price (Latter Day Saints)

The Pearl of Great Price is a compilation of several books. The "Book of Moses", which contains an excerpt from Smith's translation of Genesis. "Joseph Smith—Matthew" contains his translation of Matthew 24. The "Book of Abraham" was derived from Egyptian papyrus that came into Smith's possession in 1835. "Joseph Smith—History" is an excerpt from The Documentary History of the Church containing a letter written by Joseph Smith in 1838. Lastly, the "Articles of Faith" is an excerpt from another of Smith's letters which contain thirteen statements of belief and doctrine. The Pearl of Great Price completes the church's canon.

Non-canonical publications

File:77245 April2006Ensign tn.jpg

The May 2006 issue of Ensign magazine, featuring Gordon B. Hinckley, current President of the Church.

The Ensign is an official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The magazine was first issued in January 1971 along with the New Era (for youth) and the Friend (for children), all of which replaced the older church publications Improvement Era, Relief Society Magazine, Woman's Exponent, the Instructor, and the Millennial Star. Unlike some of its predecessors, the Ensign contains no advertisements. Content includes faith-promoting and proselytizing information, stories, and sermons.

Semiannually, the Ensign gives a full report of the proceedings of the annual and semi-annual LDS General Conferences of the Church. It contains the full text of the talks and business of the conferences, as well as a current photographic list of the highest officers of the Church, referred to as the General Authorities.

Liahona is also the name of the official international magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, named after an object used to guide the people in the Book of Mormon. The Liahona is regularly published in fifty different languages, from two to twelve times a year depending on the language. It contains material that is mostly for adults and is translated from articles in the Ensign magazine. It also contains stories from the New Era and Friend for readers of the respective age groups.

Latter-day Saint chapel in Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Deseret Management Corporation, a for-profit company which is owned by the church operates several companies which publish material:

• Deseret Book. Deseret Book is independently managed and publishes under four imprints and different media. Published materials include: doctrinal non-fiction books, LDS fiction books, electronic resources and sound recordings. Deseret Book also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States.
• Deseret Morning News. Utah's second largest daily newspaper is published in Salt Lake City, Utah and is Utah's oldest continually published daily newspaper. The newspaper is printed by Newspaper Agency Corporation, which it co-owns with the Salt Lake Tribune under a joint operating agreement. Deseret News also publishes a weekly publication, the LDS Church News, which is included each Saturday and distributed by mail as a separate publication outside Utah.
• Bonneville International owns and independently manages 1 television and over 30 radio stations in 8 cities within the United States.

Worship and Culture

The chapel in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although within a downtown office building, it still follows the standard design of LDS chapels throughout the world.

Worship services

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

Weekly worship services, including sacrament meetings, are held on Sundays (or Saturday when local custom or law prohibits Sunday worship), in neighborhood-based religious units, and twice each year the Church holds a worldwide General Conference. Congregations for Sunday services are grouped geographically, with larger (~200 to ~400 people) congregations known as wards, and smaller (two 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 persons, regardless of their beliefs or their standing in or out of the Church, are allowed to attend. The sacrament (similar to Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist in other churches) is offered weekly to the members of the church. Except on Mondays, which are reserved for Family Home Evening, members meet in meetinghouses for various activities throughout the week.

Women usually attend wearing skirts or dresses, while men wear suits or dress shirts (preferably white) and ties. Children are also typically in their "Sunday best."

Temple worship

Main article: Temple (Latter Day Saints)

Two years after the organization of the Church, in 1832, Joseph Smith, Jr., reported receiving a revelation that called upon church members to build a House of the Lord and restore the practice of temple worship. The Church built its first temple in Kirtland, Ohio in 1836. This temple was used primarily for instruction and learning.

File:363px-Bern Tempel 20 Jan 1981.jpg

Bern Switzerland Temple, dedicated in 1955, was the first LDS temple in Europe

In 1846 the Nauvoo Temple was built in Nauvoo, Illinois. With this temple came the introduction of special ordinances, such as the endowment and baptism for the dead. When the saints moved West to Utah, they were forced to abandon these temples. The Nauvoo temple was destroyed by fire and the Kirtland temple is owned by the Community of Christ.

Soon after the arrival of the Saints in the Rocky Mountains, they began building several temples, including the well known Salt Lake Temple, which took more than 40 years to complete. The Church continued to build temples as membership grew. The LDS Church has 350 temples in various phases, which includes 195 dedicated temples (188 operating and 7 previously-dedicated, but closed for renovation), 7 scheduled for dedication, 46 under construction, 2 scheduled for groundbreaking, and 100 others announced (not yet under construction). See List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Today faithful members of the Church are encouraged to regularly attend temples and participate in ordinances there, such as baptism 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. Non-members or members without a temple recommend are not permitted to attend or observe these ordinances. For a member to receive a temple recommend they must be worthy. However, the general public, member or non member, is invited to attend an open house of the temple prior to its dedication.

General Conference

Main article: General conference (Mormonism)

Twice a year (Spring and Autumn), the Church holds General Conference, in which the Prophet and other leaders speak from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. These talks, given in several sessions over two days, are carried worldwide by radio, television, satellite and Internet broadcasts. They are translated into numerous languages, and are later made available on DVD (complete with translations) and also printed in Church publications such as Ensign and Liahona. Attendees come from around the world.

Interior of the LDS Conference Center where the Church holds its semi-annual General Conference

Conference talks address doctrinal topics drawn from scriptures and personal experiences, messages of faith and hope, Church history and information on the Church as it expands throughout the world.

Throughout the 20th century, Conference talks were given from the Salt Lake Tabernacle. With a maximum capacity of about 8,000 per session, the Tabernacle would be filled and thousands of other attendees would sit on blankets on Temple Square lawns. In 2001, the LDS Conference Center was opened, and since that time talks have been given in the Center's 22,000-seat main auditorium.

Conference satellite broadcasts may be watched, live, in thousands of chapels worldwide. The public is invited to attend General Conference, either through these broadcasts, in the Conference Center or other areas at Temple Square.

Culture

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

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 in the Rocky Mountains, but as membership of the Church spreads around the world, many of its more distinctive practices, such as following the Word of Wisdom, a health code prohibiting the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea, and other addictive substances, follow. Because of the prohibition on such things as tobacco and alcohol, the culture in high Mormon populations reflects these restrictions. The Church discourages gambling in all forms including lotteries.

Meetings and outreach programs are held regularly and have become part of the Latter-day Saint culture.

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.

Institute of Religion

Main article: Institute of Religion

There are several LDS Institutes of Religion in the United States which are mostly close to colleges and universities. There are several religion classes which are offered for free in these institutes. Besides that, it is a place for young students to associate with other young Latter-day Saints and have activities.

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.

Social events and gatherings

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LDS stake center. Stake centers serve as meetinghouses for local congregations and headquarters for the local stake.

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 and singles conferences, 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, weddings and receptions, birthdays, or funerals.

Church organization and leadership

Name of the Church

File:Logo of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1995).gif

The Church's official logo since 1995

Church office building in Salt Lake City, Utah

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 known as the LDS Church and the Mormon Church. Church members are known 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 these efforts, the Associated Press continues to recommend "Mormon Church" as a proper second reference in its Style Guide for journalists.

Legal entities

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally incorporated in 1851. That corporation, however, was dissolved by an act of the United States Congress in 1887 because of the church's practice (now abandoned) of polygamy. Thereafter, the church has continued to operate as an "unincorporated religious association". However, the church has organized several tax-exempt corporations to assist with the transfer of money and capital. These include the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized in 1916 under the laws of the state of Utah to acquire, hold, and dispose of real property. In 1923, the church incorporated the Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah to receive and manage money and church donations. In 1997, the church incorporated Intellectual Reserve, Inc. to hold all the church's copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property.

Priesthood hierarchy

The Church has a hierarchical structure, with clearly defined stewardships or realms of responsibility for the various offices. Those who hold such offices do not elect to do so but are "called" by someone of a higher authority.

File:Hinckley message.jpg

Gordon B. Hinckley is regarded by church members as God's prophet upon the Earth today.

The leader of the Church is termed President, and church members revere him as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. The prophet is believed to hold the same divine calling as biblical prophets, and his stewardship is over the Church as a whole. He is entitled to guide the church through revelation, acting as God's veritable mouthpiece. The President of the Church serves as such until death. Historically, the senior apostle has always become the new President of the Church. The current prophet is Gordon B. Hinckley.

The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Bishopric and the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy are all referred to as General Authorities because they direct the work of the entire church throughout the world. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

Other church authorities are referred to as area authorities and local authorities and include all other Quorums of the Seventy, Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and other quorum presidents.

The Church has no salaried ministry; however, General Authorities who demonstrate need might receive a stipend from the Church, using income from Church-owned investments. All area and local authorities, as well as holders of all other positions, are unpaid and continue in their normal occupations while serving in leadership positions.

The Church teaches that revelation from God continues today, but only as far as one's own stewardship is concerned. Accordingly, revelation to direct the entire Church comes to the prophet; revelation to direct a stake comes to the stake president; for a ward, to the bishop, and so forth. Latter-day Saints also believe that individuals can receive personal revelation or divine guidance in raising their families and managing their life affairs. Because of their belief in modern revelation, Latter-day Saints give significant weight to the teachings of their church leaders. They revere the words their prophets and general authorities speak, when "moved upon by the Holy Ghost", as modern-day scripture, and members are encouraged to ponder and pray for revelation regarding the truthfulness of such statements.

See also: First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority, Apostle (Mormonism), and President of the Church (Latter Day Saints)

Relief Society and women's status

Main article: Relief Society

The Relief Society is the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, and with the motto "Charity Never Faileth", the organization today includes more than 5 million women in over 165 countries.

The status of women in church leadership has remained largely unchanged since the early 1900s. Although they are not ordained to the Priesthood, preaching and instruction by women is an integral part of weekly Latter-day Saint worship. Certain leadership positions are filled only by women, and in some of the Church's auxiliary organizations women may preside over men, such as in the Primary, in welfare programs, at a Family History Library, and so forth. Since the 1840s, women have officiated in certain ordinances (sacred rites) that take place inside temples.

Current membership

The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,560,869 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 eight. (Children are not baptized before the age of eight.) Members living in the US and Canada constitute 47% of membership, Latin America 36%, and members in the rest of the world 17%. (See 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.

Finances

The Church Administration Building with the LDS Church Office Building tower in the background

The Church receives most of its funding from tithes and fast offerings. About ten percent of its funding also comes from income on its investments and real estate holdings.

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 Financial Group - An insurance and financial services company with assets of $3.1 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.
• Farmland Reserve Inc - 228,000 acres (923 km²) in Nebraska, and over 312,000 acres (1,260 km²) in Florida (dba Deseret Cattle and Citrus).
• Hawaii Reserves Inc - Along with the Polynesian Cultural Center (the leading for-profit visitor attraction in Hawaii) and Brigham Young University-Hawaii, pumped $260 million into the Hawaii economy in 2005.

Use of 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 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 LDS Church has 350 temples in various phases, which includes 195 dedicated temples (188 operating and 7 previously-dedicated, but closed for renovation), 7 scheduled for dedication, 46 under construction, 2 scheduled for groundbreaking, and 100 others announced (not yet under construction). (See List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Social welfare and relief. 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. It also sends massive relief aids to numerous victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and others. The relief effort has been recognized through many organizations and political leaders, including the United States leaders in reaction to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort by the Church.

Other 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.

Programs

Church Educational System

Main article: Church Educational System

Latter-day Saints believe in the value of education. Joseph Smith taught that "the glory of God is intelligence." Accordingly, the Church emphasizes education maintaining Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Idaho (formerly Ricks College), and Brigham Young University-Hawaii. The Church also has religious education programs. Seminary is a program for high school students held daily in conjunction with the school year. The Institutes of Religion program serves young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 and those enrolled in post-secondary education institutions with church owned buildings near college campuses designated for the purpose of religious education and cultural socialization.

In addition, the Church sponsors a low-interest educational loan program known as the Perpetual Education Fund. This fund is designed to benefit young men and women from all parts of the world who have served a mission, returned to their home, and need further education to become productive citizens in their respective countries. As they finish their education and enter the work force, they then are able to pay back the funds provided so that other individuals can attend both vocational technical schools and university.

Missionary program

Main article: Mormon missionary

See also: Missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Young men between the ages of 19 and 26 who are considered worthy (follow the teachings of the Church) are encouraged to consider a two-year, full-time proselyting mission. Women (less encouraged but supported) who desire to serve a mission must be at least 21 and generally serve 18-month missions. Elderly, retired couples are encouraged to serve missions as well, and their length of service varies from three to 36 months. Elderly adult women also occasionally serve a mission, of varying lengths.

Today there are more than 330 missions and approximately 56,000 full time proselytizing missionaries serving throughout the world. In addition, about 5,100 missionaries are on special assignment missions, serving as health care specialists, doctors, craftsmen, artisans, construction supervisors, agricultural experts and educators for developing countries and educators, family history researchers and leadership trainers.

See also

• Mormonism and Christianity
• Animals in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Jesus in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Latter Day Saint
• Latter Day Saint movement
• Mormon
• Mormonism
• Criticism of Mormonism
• Three Nephites
• Book of Mormon

References

• Newell, Coke (2001-05-04). Latter Days: An Insider's Guide to Mormonism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0312280432. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
• Ostlink, Richard (2000-10-01). Mormon America: The Power and the Promise (1st ed.). HarperSanFrancisco. ISBN 0060663723. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Riess, Jana (2005-02-25). Mormonism For Dummies. For Dummies. ISBN 0764571958. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Shipps, Jan (1987-01-01). Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252014170. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
• Shipps, Jan (2000-12-09). Sojourner in the Promised Land: Forty Years Among the Mormons. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252025903. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
• Williams, Drew (2003-06-03). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism. Alpha. ISBN 0028644913. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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 locater, and a place to email questions
• FamilySearch.org - One of the largest collections of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world
• Newsroom.lds.org - The official source of public news releases and background information by the Church
• Provident Living - Self-reliance and welfare resources

Church-related websites

• Utah History Encyclopedia
• LDS Today - News related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• 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
• Mormon Momma - scholarship and fellowship for LDS women
• Audio Book of Mormon - free download, mp3 format
• GrupoSUD.com - A large general interest Spanish-language discussion group for LDS Church members.
• The LDS Woman - Free online social network and magazine for LDS women.

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