The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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 originating from the Latter Day Saint movement (a group of churches and adherents who follow the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr.). The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has established churches and temples worldwide, counting nearly 13 million members on its rolls.[1]
Adherents to the church (usually called Mormons or Latter-day Saints) believe that Jesus as the head of their church via revelation given to the President of the Church whom they consider to be a prophet. They 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 in the Old Testament and New Testament, but have added three books to their Biblical canon: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Historically, the church has distinguished itself from modern Christianity by its biblical practice of polygamy (officially discontinued in 1890), and by its other unique doctrines and practices such as the Endowment, baptism for the dead, and its views on the Godhead. The church teaches that it is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth",[2] but it has cooperated with other churches in promoting humanitarian and moral causes.
History of the Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest church that claims a continuation of the Church of Christ, founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. on April 6 1830 in either the Manchester-Palmyra area or Fayette, New York.[3] Joseph Smith established this early church soon after publishing the Book of Mormon. Largely due to the convincing power of this book, which Smith said he translated by a heavenly power, the church rapidly gained a large following who viewed Smith as a prophet.
In late 1830, Smith envisioned a "city of Zion" in Native American lands near Independence, Missouri. In October 1830 he sent his second-in-command Oliver Cowdery and others on a mission to the area.[4] Passing through Kirtland, Ohio, the missionaries converted a congregation of Disciples of Christ led by Sidney Rigdon, and in 1831, Smith decided to temporarily move his followers to Kirtland until the Missouri area could be colonized. The church headquarters remained in Kirtland from 1831 to 1838; meanwhile, the church built its first temple, and grew in size.
On July 20, 1831 Smith circulated a written revelation that Independence, Missouri was to be the center place for the city of Zion.[5] Though many of Smith's followers attempted to colonize Missouri throughout the 1830s, and Smith himself moved there in 1838, the church faced political and military opposition by other Missouri settlers. After a series of raids on Mormon settlements, the church formed its own militia and the Mormon War of 1838 ensued, culminating in the religion being expelled from the state under an Extermination Order signed by the governor of Missouri. The church then established its new headquarters in Nauvoo, Illinois, a city they built on drained swampland by the Mississippi River, where Joseph Smith Jr. served as mayor. There, the church built a new temple, and thrived until Smith and his brother Hyrum, whom most agree would have been Joseph's successor, were killed by a mob in 1844. They were awaiting trial for their decision to destroy a local newspaper that said Smith was practicing a form of polygamy and that he intended to establish himself as a theocratic king. Joseph Smith Jr., at the time, was a minor candidate for President of the United States.
After Joseph and Hyrum's death, some church leaders campaigned to lead the church during a time known as the Succession Crisis. The majority of adherents voted to accept the succession claims presented by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by Brigham Young. After continued difficulties in Illinois, Brigham Young left Nauvoo in 1846, and led his followers (called the Mormon pioneers during this period) to what later became Utah (then part of Mexico), and began to colonize the area with numerous small cities.
In Utah, Young incorporated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a legal entity under the laws of the Territory of Utah. He initially governed his followers as a theocratic leader, and openly encouraged the practice of plural marriage, which Joseph Smith had tried to keep secret. When word of the practice got back to Washington, D.C., the United States sent federal troops there in 1857, deposed Young, and replaced him with a non-Mormon territorial governor, though Young still wielded significant political power as President of the Church. Young was followed by other powerful leaders, who were defiant in the face of U.S. efforts to outlaw polygamous marriages in the territory. Political and legal wrangling over the polygamy issue escalated until 1890, when the church issued a Manifesto officially suspending the practice. Church relations with the United States markedly improved after 1890, and especially after 1904, when church president Joseph F. Smith disavowed polygamy before the United States Congress and issued a "Second Manifesto" calling for all polygamous marriages in the church to cease. Since about the 1930s, the church has adopted a policy of excommunicating its members found practicing polygamy.
During the 20th century, the church experienced a period of exponential growth, due to a high birth rate and extensive proselytism.[citation needed] In 1978, after years of internal discussion within the church hierarchy, the church ended its practice, since the days of Brigham Young, of not allowing blacks to hold the priesthood or to participate in temple ceremonies thought necessary for the highest degree of salvation. Since the 1990s, the church's growth rate is no longer exponential, but it continues to gain about 300,000 new members per year.[citation needed] The church has played a prominent role in political matters, supporting prohibition, opposing an MX (Peacekeeper) missile base in Utah,[citation needed] opposing the Equal Rights Amendment, opposing legalized gambling, supporting bans on same-sex marriage,[6] and opposing legalized physician-assisted death.[7] Other than what it considers moral issues, however, the church usually maintains a position of political neutrality.[8]
Beliefs and practices
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have many beliefs in common with Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, but also some significant departures. Some of the church's unique beliefs, circa 1842, are discussed in Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints). A comparison between LDS Church doctrine and traditional Christian faiths are discussed in Mormonism and Christianity. There are also numerous articles discussing Latter Day Saint movement perspectives on various doctrinal issues, which discuss the specific doctrines of the LDS Church as part of that movement. A summary of the church's major distinctive beliefs and practices are discussed below.
God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
The church believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are "one God", in the sense that they are one "in purpose", but does not accept the Nicene Creed's definition of Trinity, that the three are one "in substance". Rather, the church teaches that the Father and the Son are two distinct beings with bodies of flesh and bone but immortal, while the Holy Ghost is a distinct being with a "spirit body".[9] God the Father is understood to be the father in premortal life of all the spirits who inhabit this earth,[10] and both the spirit father and natural father of Jesus with Mary as his natural mother. Mormons believe that Jesus was part God and part man, which gave him power over death.
The church embraces Jesus as its central focus, and emphasizes that his suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross paid for the sins of humanity. The church also believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus' body, his body and spirit reunited never to be separated. Because of its emphasis on Jesus' resurrection and his status as the head of the church, the church places less emphasis on Jesus' crucifixion, and does not officially use the symbol of the Christian cross. Instead, the church tends to focus on the belief that Jesus overcame suffering and death and that he lives today.
The church follows what it understands to be the teachings of Jesus, both in the Bible and in other scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which is said to contain the teachings of Jesus to a small group of Israelites that left Jerusalem prior to its destruction in 586 BCE and populated the ancient Americas. The church also teaches that Jesus is the god Jehovah of the Old Testament. Because Jesus is thought to be omniscient and has the same purpose as the Father, the church teaches that Jesus Christ speaks often in the scriptures as though he were the Father, because he is fulfilling the will of the Father.
Official church materials refer to "Heavenly Parents," implying the existence of a Heavenly Mother.[11] Belief in such a figure is common among members, and she has also been mentioned in talks by church officials, as well as in the hymns of the church.[12][13] However, no specific doctrine on the subject has been released by the church.
Apostasy and restoration
In common with other Restorationist churches, the church believes in a Great Apostasy. It teaches that after the death of Christ and the Twelve Apostles, the priesthood authority was lost and some important doctrinal teachings, including the text of the Bible, were changed from their original form, thus necessitating a restoration prior to the Second Coming. That restoration, according to church doctrine, took place during the life of Joseph Smith, Jr., the religion's founder.
The church teaches that Jesus Christ and God the Father appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. and instructed 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.[14] According to the LDS Church, the unique doctrines taught by it are a result of revelations received from God by Joseph Smith, Jr. and his successors.[15][16][17][18][19]
Priesthood
The LDS Church teaches that the authority to act in God's name is called the Priesthood. As a matter or course, the priesthood is given to all male members of the church older than the age of 12 who generally follow the church's code of morality. They receive the priesthood by ordination, which consists of a blessing and the laying on of hands. For the most part, ordination to the priesthood is a prerequisite to leadership in the church, although women are given non-priesthood leadership roles over children and other women.
Women are not ordained to offices in the priesthood, although many adherents believe that women are under the influence of their husband's or father's priesthood. Many adherents also believe that women are given priesthood power and authority in the church's Endowment ceremony, where they are washed and anointed to be "queens and priestesses", are clothed in the "robes of the priesthood", and are made eligible to administer temple ordinances to other women. This view is controversial. See Women and Mormonism
The church further teaches that this authority was given to Joseph Smith by Peter, James and John. Smith was instructed to organize the church[20] 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, maintained from 1849 until 1978, that most men of African descent[21] were not permitted to receive the priesthood or marry in the temple, although they could become members of the church and hold callings within the church. See Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Blacks 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.[22] In 1835, Smith and Cowdery clarified that this authority was the "Aaronic, or Levitical priesthood".[23]
The Melchizedek Priesthood, or, the "Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God"[24] is recognized as a "higher" order of priesthood, or the "high priesthood" and takes its name from Melchizedek who "was such a great high priest".[25] 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."[26]
Ordinances
Latter-day Saint sacraments are called ordinances, and there are two types: saving ordinances and non-saving ordinances. Saving ordinances are those required for salvation, and include baptism (by immersion), confirmation (laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit), ordination to an office of the priesthood (for males), the Endowment, sealing, and arguably the Second Anointing (which is rarely performed today). Non-saving ordinances include various kinds of blessings, the "sacrament" (the Latter-day Saint version of the Eucharist or Communion)(taken each Sunday) in which adherents renew the covenants that they made at baptism and start out the next week clean, the dedication of graves, the dedication of buildings, the prayer circle, the Hosanna Shout, and the washing of dust from the feet against one's enemies (very rare). All ordinances must be performed by a man ordained to the appropriate priesthood office, with the exception of certain parts of the Endowment and Second Anointing ordinances, which are performed by "endowed" women in their role as "priestesses".
The church teaches that to obtain the highest degree of salvation (referred to as "exaltation" or the Celestial Kingdom), all people who have lived past the age of eight must participate in each of the saving ordinances, either in person or by proxy after they are dead. Therefore, church members participate in the saving ordinances on behalf of dead relatives and others whose names have been extracted from historical records. These proxy ordinances are one of the functions of the church's temples. Additional ordinances performed are the live endowment, and sealing or eternal marriage.
Apart from sealings to parents, the church does not perform saving ordinances for those younger than age eight (they are not considered to be at the age of accountability) or who have died before the age of eight because church doctrine states that these individuals are made alive in Christ and do not require the saving ordinances. In particular, the Book of Mormon forbids infant baptism, and states that children who die before becoming accountable for their sins are automatically saved by the grace of Jesus.[27]
Purpose of life
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.[28]
The church teaches that prior to being born, everyone on earth lived with Heavenly Father (God) as his spirit child.[29][30] 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, a veil that blocks the memories of the pre-mortal life facilitates 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...".[31]
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;”[32]
The church teaches that all will be resurrected and receive immortality as a gift made possible by Jesus' death and resurrection.[33]
The church also teaches that prior to resurrection, the spirits of those who die will await their resurrection in either Spirit prison or paradise.
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,[34] the Terrestrial Kingdom,[35] and the Telestial Kingdom.[36]
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 had the opportunity to do so prior to the judgment through missionary work that goes on in the spirit world. Upon Christ's death it is believed that he visited spirit paradise and taught the gospel to those that awaited him, and that there are those in paradise that have been assigned to go and preach the gospel among those in spirit prison.
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",[37] and direct the government or governments that will exist.[38] 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.[39] As the earth transitions into the Millennial period, only those good and honorable people who stand to inherit the Celestial Kingdom will continue on the earth completing the work of the dead that all may be resurrected prior to the time of judgement.
Theology of family and gender
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[40] and supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment.[41]
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 recreational activities that encourage family togetherness.
Donations of time and service
- See also: Worship and Culture below
Latter-day Saints have a high degree of participation in religious activites outside of worship services. Active church membership can entails missionary work, family history, participation in church callings, Family Home Evening, and payment of tithes and other free will offerings. Other forms of charity are encouraged, including donations of money, clothing and time. The church teaches its members should be self-sufficient and avoid unnecessary debt.[42][43]
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.[44]
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, including assisting the needy to become self-reliant. Payment of a monthly generous fast offering is not mandatory but is highly recommended.[45]
Lifestyle code
The Word of Wisdom is a health guideline encouraging healthy eating and discouraging the injestion of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea. It was originally given as a warning with a promise of health, but in 1851, it was given to the church as a commandment.[46]
The law of chastity teaches sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage. Members are counselled to learn to control their thoughts and desires and avoid doing anything that may arouse inappropriate sexual feelings, such as masturbating, viewing pornography or participating in any forms of sexual intimacy with anyone besides their spouse.[47] Members are counselled to be modest in dress and appearance. The church condemns abortion, but members may procure an abortion without repercussion in the case of rape or incest.
The church also teaches that members should obey the laws of the country in they live and visit.
Church members who commit serious violations of the standards of the church (such as the commission of felonies, infidelity, abortion, drug use, or apostasy) may be subject to church disciplinary action, including disfellowshipment or even excommunication. Such individuals are encouraged to continue attending church services, but are not permitted to hold callings or offer public prayer at any church meeting (although personal prayer is encouraged); excommunicated members are also prohibited from paying tithing or fast offerings. Other members are frequently unaware of the status of such individuals.[48]
Everyone is welcome to attend the public meetings of the church, whether or not they adhere to the church's lifestyle code.
Homosexuality and Mormonism
President Gordon B. Hinckley told reporters: “Now we have gays in the church. Good people. We take no action against such people – provided they don’t become involved in transgression, sexual transgression. If they do, we do with them exactly what we’d do with heterosexuals who transgress.”[49]
Homosexuals are expected to keep the same law of chastity as heterosexuals, which includes learning to control inappropriate thoughts, desires and feelings, sexual abstinence before marriage, and fidelity afterwards. If they do, they can “go forward as do all other members of the church.”[50] Church leaders recognize that heterosexual marriage may not be a possibility for some homosexuals and expects celibacy of those members.[51] Homosexual activity is specifically forbidden, but those involved are still welcome to attend church and associate with other members of the church. The church opposes same-sex marriages and has issued an official statement supporting a constitutional amendment to ban it in the United States.[52]
Transgender persons are accepted in the church and may be baptized, but may not receive the priesthood or a temple recommend if they are considering or have undergone elective sexual reassignment surgery.[53]
Origin of Native Americans
Latter-day Saints believe in a covenant relationship between God and the House of Israel, as described in the Old Testament.[54] 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 two groups of "Israelites" that migrated to the western hemisphere. The first group are members of two of the Lost Tribes of Israel, Ephraim and Manasseh, that migrated to the Americas shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The second group migrated shortly after the city's fall and the two groups eventually became integrated in the Americas. A portion of The Book of Mormon also contains the records of people that migrated to the western hemisphere shortly after the confusion of tongues resulting from the building of the Tower of Babel.
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: "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."[55]
Africans 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 church 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. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color."[56] Prior to this, men of African descent were not permitted to receive the priesthood.[57] This revelation helped to fulfill what Mormons believe was a promise to Abraham: "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."[58]
Sacred texts and other publications
The church accepts as canon the Bible,[59] 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 are intended to clarify the teachings of the Standard Works.
Holy Bible
The church continues to use the words of founder Joseph Smith in articulating its position on the Bible: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly".[60] Smith used the King James Version of the Bible (KJV), but considered the translation to have some omissions and mistranslations; thus he began the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (sometimes called the Inspired Version). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the King James Version of the Bible for English-speaking adherents,[61] and includes portions of Smith's translation in the footnotes and appendices.[62] The translation recommended by the church varies for other languages.
Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
[[Image:Book of Mormon English Missionary Edition Soft Cover.jpg|left|thumb|150px|The church's latest edition of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is also considered canon. The book is named after the prophet/historian Mormon, who, according to the text, compiled most of the book onto gold plates. 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 around 600 BCE. The church teaches that the gold plates were delivered to him by an angel and that Smith translated the record by divine inspiration with assistance from the Urim and Thummim and a seer stone. Smith said that upon completing the translation process, he returned the plates to the angel, identified as Moroni.
Doctrine and Covenants
First published in 1835, The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern day revelations, policies, letters, and statements given by the president of the church. Most of the material in the Doctrine and Covenants was written by Joseph Smith, although there are a few additions by his successors to the presidency. This record contains church doctrine as well as direction on church government. It is also considered to be canon.
Pearl of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price is a compilation of several books. The Book of Moses is a selection from Smith's 1831 retranslation of the Book of Genesis. The Book of Abraham was derived from Egyptian papyrus that came into Smith's possession in 1835.[63] Joseph Smith—Matthew is a selection from Smith's retranslation of the Gospel of Matthew. Joseph Smith—History is an excerpt from The Documentary History of the Church containing a letter written by Joseph Smith in 1838 describing his early revelatory experiences. Lastly, the Articles of Faith is an excerpt from another of Smith's letters which contain thirteen succinct statements of belief and doctrine.[64] The Pearl of Great Price completes the church's canon.
Non-canonical publications
[[Image:77245_April2006Ensign_tn.jpg|right|thumb| The May 2006 issue of Ensign magazine, featuring Gordon B. Hinckley, current President of the Church.]] The Ensign is an official English language 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, The Children's Friend, 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.[65]
Semiannually, the Ensign gives a full report of the proceedings of the LDS General Conferences of the Church. It contains the full text of the sermons and the church 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.
Deseret Management Corporation, a for-profit company which is owned by the church, operates several companies which publish church-related material:
- 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 manages one Utah television station and over 30 radio stations in eight cities within the United States.
Worship and Culture
Worship services
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", located 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.[66]
All persons, regardless of their beliefs or their standing in or out of the church, are allowed to attend.[67] The sacrament (similar to Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist in other churches) is offered weekly to those wishing to participate. Except on Mondays, which are reserved for Family Home Evening, members meet in meetinghouses for various activities throughout the week.
Women usually attend worship services wearing skirts or dresses, while men typically wear suits or dress shirts (preferably white) and ties. Children are also typically in their "Sunday best."[68]
Temple worship
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 to restore the practice of temple worship.[69] The Church built its first temple in Kirtland, Ohio in 1836. This temple was used primarily for instruction and learning.[70]
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.[71] When the Latter-day 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 40 years to complete.[72] The church continued to build temples as membership grew. The LDS Church has 367 temples in various phases, which includes 197 dedicated temples (190 operating and 7 previously-dedicated, but closed for renovation[73]), 5 scheduled for dedication, 49 under construction, 1 scheduled for groundbreaking,[74] and 115 others announced (not yet under construction).[75] 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 salvation. 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 as underclothes. The church considers the temple ordinances exceptionally sacred and does not discuss them publicly. Non-members or members without a recommendation from church leaders to enter the temple are not permitted to attend or observe temple ordinances. For a member to receive a recommend to enter the temple they must be found worthy by local leaders of the church. However, the general public, member or non member, is invited to attend an open house of the temple prior to its dedication.
General Conference
Twice a year (spring and autumn), the church holds General Conference, in which the president of the church and other leaders speak from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. These sermons, 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.
Conference sermons 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 twentieth century, conference sermons were delivered in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. With a maximum capacity of about 8000, the Tabernacle would typically be filled and thousands of other attendees would sit on blankets on Temple Square lawns. In 2001, the church's Conference Center was opened, and since that time talks have been given in the Center's 22,000-seat auditorium.
Conference satellite broadcasts may be watched live or time-delayed in thousands of church buildings worldwide. The public is invited to attend General Conference, either through these broadcasts, in the Conference Center or other areas at Temple Square.
Culture
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 follow, such as following the Word of Wisdom, a health code prohibiting the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea, and other addictive substances.[76] Because of such prohibitions, the culture in areas of the world with a high concentration of Mormons tends to relect these restrictions.[77] The Church discourages gambling in all forms, including lotteries.[78]
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 (referred to as Mutual or (previously) MIA, which are 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 activities. In the United States and Canada, 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 comparable program called Personal Progress. Both the young men and the young women are encouraged to live by the standards outlined in the church's For the Strength of Youth booklet.
Institute of Religion
LDS Institutes of Religion are located throughout the United States and Canada, usually close to college and university campuses. They offer a variety of religion classes free of charge, which are open both to members and non-members of the church. Institutes of Religion are also designed to be places for young Latter-day Saint students to associate with one another 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
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.
Media community
The culture has created substantial business opportunities for LDS media. The largest of these communities are LDS cinema, and LDS Fiction, LDS websites, and LDS graphical art like photography and paintings. The church owns a chain of bookstores called Deseret Book which provide an avenue for much of this media to be sold. This culture also resides outside of heavily mormon populations and many LDS bookstores exist near many temples where many members commonly visit. Some of the titles that have become popular outside of the LDS community are "The Work and the Glory" series of novels, and "The Other Side of Heaven" movie. There are a number of titles that have become huge successes within the LDS community. These titles generally elaborate on LDS culture or historical fiction in some manner.
Church organization and leadership
Name of the Church
The church believes it is a continuation of the Church of Christ established in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr. This original church underwent several name changes during the 1830s, being called the Church of Jesus Christ, the Church of God,[79] and then in 1834, the name was officially changed to the Church of the Latter Day Saints[80] to differentiate it from the 1st century Christian church. In April 1838, the name again was officially changed by revelation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which, in the form of the revelation published by Joseph Smith did not contain the article in the title and spelled "Latter Day" without a hypen or lower-case "d".[81] There were several alternate spellings in use during Smith's lifetime, however, including a hyphenated "Latter-Day". After Smith died, Brigham Young and the largest body of Smith's followers retained the name, and when this body was incorporated as a church in 1851 by legislation of the State of Deseret,[82] the spelling and punctuation were standardized by hyphenating "Latter-day" and using a lower-case "d": The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[83] Since the mid-1900s, the church has consistently capitalized the initial article "The" to emphasize the church's position that it is "the" only true church of Jesus Christ.
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 by those who opposed the church, 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."[84] 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 and the website mormon.org. When referring to members of the church, it suggests "Latter-day Saints" as preferred, although "Mormons" is acceptable.[84] Despite these efforts, the Associated Press continues to recommend "Mormon Church" as a proper second reference in its Style Guide for journalists, and the church itself uses "Mormon Church" on some of its websites.
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 in the church; all are laymen and are not paid for their service.
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 responsibility is over the church as a whole. He is entitled to guide the church through revelation, acting as God's spokesman. The President of the Church serves as such until death. Historically, the senior apostle of the church has always become the new President of the Church. The current President 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 members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are accepted by the church 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 receive stipends from the church, using income from church-owned investments.[85] All area and local authorities 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 responsibility is concerned. Accordingly, revelation to direct the entire church comes to the President; 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 and divine guidance in raising their families and managing their personal 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",[86] as modern-day scripture, and members are encouraged to ponder and pray for revelation regarding the truthfulness of such statements.
Relief Society and women's status
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.[87] Every Latter-day Saint woman age 18 or older is a member of the Relief Society.
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 and the Young Women Organization, 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.[88]
Current membership
The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,868,606[1] (as of December 31, 2006) with approximately 6.7 million residing outside the United States. According to these statistics it is the fourth largest religious body in the United States.[89] The church membership report includes all baptized members and also "children of record"—unbaptized children under the age of nine. (Children are not baptized before the age of eight.) Members living in the U.S. 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.[90]
Finances
The LDS 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.[91]
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.[92]
Programs
Church Educational System
Latter-day Saints believe in the value of education. Joseph Smith taught that "the glory of God is intelligence."[93] Accordingly, the church maintains Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Idaho (formerly Ricks College), Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and LDS Business College. The church also has religious education programs. Seminary is a program for secondary 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 university and 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
Young men between the ages of 19 and 25 who meet minimum standards of worthiness and preparation are encouraged to consider serving a two-year, full-time proselytizing mission. Women (less encouraged but supported) who desire to serve a mission must be at least 21 and generally serve 18-month missions. Retired married couples are encouraged to serve missions as well, and their length of service varies from three to 36 months.[94]
Today there are 344 missions and approximately 53,000 full time proselytizing missionaries serving throughout the world.[1] In addition, about 3552 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.[1]
See also
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- Mormonism and Christianity
- Latter Day Saint
- Latter Day Saint movement
- Mormon
- Mormonism
- Criticism of Mormonism
- Jesus in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Book of Mormon
- General authority
- Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Animals in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Three Nephites
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)
Notes
- ^ a b c d Statistical Information, Retrieved May 2, 2007
- ^ {{lds|D&C|dc|1|30)
- ^ The majority of witnesses say the church was organized April 6 1830 in the log home of Joseph Smith, Sr. in the Manchester area, followed by a meeting the next Sunday in nearby Fayette at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr. Nevertheless, one of Smith's histories and a later reminiscence by David Whitmer say the church was organized at the Whitmer home in Fayette. See Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints). The Church refers to Fayette as the place of organization in all its official publications.
- ^ D&C 32
- ^ D&C 57:1-3
- ^ "Same-Gender Attraction" (Press release). Newsroom.lds.org. 26 May 2005. Retrieved March 2007.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Euthanasia and Prolonging Life" (Press release). Newsroom.lds.org. Retrieved March 2007.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Political Neutrality" (Press release). Newsroom.lds.org. 19 October 2006. Retrieved March 2007.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Doctrine and Covenants 130:22
- ^ Abraham 3:21–26, Doctrine and Covenants 93:29
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family", Gospel Principles, 11 (1997).
- ^ Spencer W. Kimball, "The True Way of Life and Salvation", Ensign, May 1978, 4.
- ^ Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, #292 "O My Father".
- ^ >Lua error: Book <js_h> not found in Standard Works.
- ^ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Great Things Which God Has Revealed,” Ensign, May 2005, 80
- ^ Thomas S. Monson, “The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” Ensign, November 2005, 67
- ^ James E. Faust, “The Restoration of All Things,” Ensign, May 2006, 61
- ^ Boyd K. Packer, “The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected,” Ensign, November 2003, 24
- ^ Bruce R. McConkie, “Joseph Smith—The Mighty Prophet of the Restoration,” Ensign, May 1976, 94
- ^ Introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon.org.
- ^ People of other dark-skinned ethnicities not of African descent (such as the Māori) received the priesthood during this time.
- ^ Messenger and Advocate, 1(1), October 1, 1834.
- ^ D&C 3:2.
- ^ D&C 3
- ^ D&C 3:1.
- ^ Heb 7:11
- ^ See Moroni 8:4–23; D&C 68:27.
- ^ See also Moses 1:39.
- ^ D&C 93:29
- ^ Moses 3:5
- ^ See Alma 12:24–
- ^ See Abraham 3:24-25
- ^ See 1 Corinthians 15:22
- ^ See Romans 8:17
- ^ D&C 76:74
- ^ D&C 76:110
- ^ Article of Faith 1:10
- ^ Berrett, William E, Teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants, 1956, Ch. 42, p.280
- ^ Brewster, Hoyt W, Isaiah Plain and Simple: The Message of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, 1995, Ch. 2, p.10-13
- ^ First Presidency letter to Church leaders, 1994, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- ^ LDS.org Newsroom. "Church Supports Call for Constitutional Amendment". Retrieved 2006-10-22.
- ^ D&C 104:78
- ^ Benson, Ezra Taft. "Pay Thy Debt, and Live." Ensign. June 1987: p. 3. "Available online". Retrieved 2006-10-22.
- ^ The law of tithing. Mormon.org.
- ^ Victor L. Brown, “Fast Offerings: Fulfilling Our Responsibility to Others,” Ensign, May 1981, 37
- ^ Doctrine and Covenants section 89
- ^ Gospel topics, Chasity
- ^ Russell M. Ballard. "A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings". Ensign (Sept 1990). Retrieved 2007-02-11.
- ^ Lattin, Don (1997) Musings of the Main Mormon
- ^ Hinckley, G. (1998, November). What Are People Asking about Us? Ensign, 71.
- ^ Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman
- ^ First Presidency Statement on Same-Gender Marriage
- ^ Church Handbook of Instructions: Book 2, Stake Presidents and Bishoprics (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2006) at 41, 78.
- ^ Smith, Joseph Fielding, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, Ch. 13 (pp. 244-264)
- ^ See 2 Nephi 1:5–7
- ^ See Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration 2 2
- ^ Dark-skinned men from other locations, such as the Māori of New Zealand, could hold the priesthood. (see www.blackmormon.org)
- ^ See Abraham 2:9,11
- ^ See Articles of Faith 1:9
- ^ See Articles of Faith 1:9
- ^ Template:Harvard reference, pp. 146–147.
- ^ See Lua error: Book <jst> not found in Standard Works. for list of excerpts.
- ^ Peterson, H Donl, Story of the Book of Abraham, 1995, Ch. 19
- ^ See Articles of Faith 1
- ^ The full text and page layout of past and current issues are available on the church's web site."Church Publications". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- ^ A church-maintained virtual tour of a typical meetinghouse
- ^ Open invitation to attend church, on Church-maintained website
- ^ Mormon.org. "What to expect at Sunday meetings". Retrieved 2006-10-22.
- ^ Doctrine & Covenants 124:31
- ^ Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.2, KIRTLAND TEMPLE
- ^ Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.3, NAUVOO TEMPLE — see Ordinance (Mormonism)
- ^ "Granite and Faith: The Story of the Salt Lake Temple". Retrieved 2006-10-22.
- ^ Hill, Victoria (January 23, 2023). "Plans announced to rebuild, relocate Anchorage Alaska Temple". KUTV. Retrieved July 6, 2024. (The Anchorage Alaska Temple is being relocated and resized. While the new temple is under construction, the existing temple is open and will be decommissioned and demolished after the new one is dedicated).
- ^ Taylor, Scott (July 28, 2024). "A mid-year look at temple milestones for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Church News. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ (Additionally, the church has 1 historic site temple). "Sacred Sites and Historic Documents Transfer to Church of Jesus Christ". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. March 5, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ See Doctrine & Covenants, Section 89.
- ^ Salt Lake Tribune Editorial, Liquor stores: Banning phone listings, stores won't stop abuse.
- ^ Gambling. Gordon B. Hinckley, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- ^ Roberts, B. H., ed. (1905), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 3, LDS Church, pp. 23–24.
- ^
Smith, Joseph, Jr.; Williams, Frederick G.; Cowdery, Oliver (1834), "Minutes of a Conference of the Elders of the church of Christ, May 3, 1834", The Evening and the Morning Star, 2 (20): 160
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link). - ^
Smith, Joseph, Jr. (August 1838), Elders' Journal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1 (4): 52 http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs/eldjur04.htm
{{citation}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link). - ^ The initial incorporation by the non-existent State of Deseret[1] was not legally valid, but was soon ratified by the Territory of Utah in 1851[2] and 1855. See Late Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. Romney, 136 U.S. 44–45 (1890).
- ^ State of Deseret: An Ordinance, incorporating the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Feb. 4, 1851.
- ^ a b A style guide issued by the Church in 2001
- ^ Ludlow, Daniel H., Latter-day Prophets Speak: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Church Presidents, 1948/1993, Ch. 32
- ^ D&C 8:3–4. Members are encouraged to listen carefully to general conference but also feel they can rely on personal revelation in order to appreciate validity of such statements. (see Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, April 1902, and Howard W. Hunter in Conference Report, October 1981.)
- ^ "From Pioneer Group to Worldwide Society". newsroom.lds.org.
- ^ "Women and the priesthood". Mormon.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ 2005 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, National Council of Churches. See article by Information Please® Database, Pearson Education, Inc.
- ^ 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) - ^ Mormon Inquiry article
- ^ "Church Finances". newsroom.lds.org.
- ^ D&C 93:36
- ^ "Mormon Missionaries". Light Planet.
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
- Deseret Book - LDS bookstore owned by LDS Church
- Newsroom.lds.org - The official source of public news releases and background information by the Church
- Provident Living - Self-reliance and welfare resources
- The Genesis Group - Official website for black Latter-day Saints, their families and friends, and individuals interested in the LDS Church
- Church Educational System - Religious education for secondary and tertiary school students
- JosephSmith.net - Information on the life and mission of Church founder Joseph Smith
- Distribution Services - Church and gospel supplies available to order
- BeSmart.com - Tertiary education opportunities
- Polynesian Cultural Center - tourist attraction owned by LDS Church
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.
Music
- Church Music - official website
- Mormon Tabernacle Choir - official website
- Music and the Spoken Word - official website
- Saints Unified Voices
- HymnWiki - a wiki for hymns, with a large focus on LDS content (hymns of all faiths are welcome).
- Liahona.net - free LDS-type music in 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
- The Mormons - Frontline + American Experience four hour PBS documentary aired April 30-May 1, 2007