Wikipedia

Mormonism

This article is about the doctrine in the Latter Day Saint movement. For the main branch of this movement commonly called the "Mormon Church", seeThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.For the people commonly known as Mormons, seeMormons.For the general religious movement, seeLatter Day Saint movement.For other uses, seeMormon (disambiguation).

Mormonismis the theology and religious tradition of theLatter Day Saint movementofRestorationistChristianitystarted byJoseph SmithinWestern New Yorkin the 1820s and 1830s. As a label, Mormonism has been applied to various aspects of the Latter Day Saint movement, although since 2018 there has been a push fromThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints(LDS Church) to distance themselves from this label.[1]A historian,Sydney E. Ahlstrom,wrote in 1982 that, depending on the context, the term Mormonism could refer to "a sect, a mystery cult, a new religion, a church, a people, a nation, or an American subculture; indeed, at different times and places it is all of these."[2][3]

TheBook of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

A prominent feature of Mormon theology is theBook of Mormon,which describes itself as a chronicle of earlyIndigenous peoples of the Americasand their dealings withGod.[4]Mormon theology includes mainstream Christian beliefs with modifications stemming from belief in revelations to Smith and other religious leaders. This includes the use of and belief in theBibleand other religious texts, including theDoctrine and Covenantsand thePearl of Great Price.Mormonism includes significant doctrines ofeternal marriage,eternal progression,baptism for the dead,polygamy or plural marriage,sexual purity,health (specified in the Word of Wisdom),fasting,andSabbath observance.

The theology itself is not uniform; as early as 1831, and most significantly afterSmith's death,various groups split from theChurch of Christthat Smith established.[5]Other than differences in leadership, these groups most significantly differ in their stances on polygamy, which theUtah-based LDS Church banned in 1890, andTrinitarianism,which the LDS Church does not affirm. The branch of theology which seeks to maintain the practice of polygamy is known asMormon fundamentalismand includes several different churches.[6]Other groups affirm Trinitarianism, such as theCommunity of Christ(formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and describe their doctrine as TrinitarianChristian restorationist.[7]

Cultural Mormonismis a term coined bycultural Mormonswho identify with the culture, especially present in much of theAmerican West,[8]but do not necessarily identify with the theology.[9][10]

Historical overview

See also:Mormon (word),History of the Latter Day Saint movement,History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Early life of Joseph Smith,andLife of Joseph Smith from 1827 to 1830
Artist's depiction of theFirst Vision

The doctrines of Mormonism began with the farmboy Joseph Smith in the 1820s inWestern New Yorkduring a period of religious excitement known as theSecond Great Awakening.[11]Smith, at 14 years old, was determined to find out whichchurchtaught the "true"doctrineofGod.He believed that God existed, but was confused by what he believed to be contradictions in the beliefs of churches available to him. InJoseph Smith-History,he wrote: "While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading theEpistle of James,first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.' "After praying about whichdenominationhe should join, Smith said he received a vision in the spring of 1820.[12]Called the "First Vision",Smith said thatGod the Fatherand his son,Jesus Christ,appeared to him and instructed him to join none of the existing churches because they were all wrong.[13]During the 1820s, Smith chronicled several angelic visitations, and was eventually told (by the angels) that God would use him to re-establish the "true Christian church."[14]

Joseph Smith said theBook of Mormonwas translated into English from writings he found ongolden platesin areformed Egyptianlanguage; they were translated with the assistance of theUrim and Thummimandseer stones.He saidan angelfirst showed him the location of the plates in 1823; they were buried ina nearby hill.With the assistance ofMartin Harris,an early follower, Smith began dictating the text of the Book of Mormon on April 12, 1828. Despite interruption of translation work bypersecution,Smith's continued employment in order to support his family, and Harris's loss of116 pages,the Book of Mormon manuscript was finished in June 1829.[15]Smith said the plates were returned to the angel after he finished the translation. During the time Smith said he possessed the plates,15 people were allowed to witness their existence.

The Book of Mormon claims to bea chronicleof earlyIsraeliteswho left theNear Eastand traveled to theAmericas.The book beginsc. 600BC with the departure fromJerusalemof the family of the prophetLehiat the urging ofGod,and their sailingc. 589BC to the Americas. It tells of people in the Americas (i.e.,First Nations Americans) with a belief inChristhundreds of years beforehis birth;their witnessing his personal visitation to them afterhis resurrection;and of their eventually losing Christianity after generations of wars andapostasy.The Book of Mormon andcontinuing revelationswould be the means of establishing correct doctrine for therestored church.Smith,Oliver Cowdery,and other early followers beganbaptizingnew converts in 1829, and formally organized in 1830 as theChurch of Christ.[16]Smith was seen by his followers as a modern-dayprophet.[17]

Historical accuracyand veracity of the Book of Mormon was, at the time of its publication and continuing to the present day,hotly contested.Along with disputes over the Book of Mormon, the early Church of Christ faced persecution from residents of several towns when they tried to gather and "establish God's kingdom on the earth".[4]To avoid confrontation inPalmyra, New Yorkthe members moved toKirtland, Ohio,and hoped to establish a permanentNew JerusalemorCity of ZioninJackson County, Missouri.[18]However, they were expelled from Jackson County in 1833 and fled to other parts of Missouri in 1838.Violencebetween the Missourians and church members resulted in the governor of Missouri issuingan "extermination order"against the Mormons, as they were called, which again forced the church to relocate.[19]The displaced church fled to Illinois, to a small town called Commerce. Under Smith's direction, the church bought the town, renamed itNauvoo,and lived with a degree of peace and prosperity for a few years.[20]However, tensions between Mormons and their neighbors again escalated and in 1844Smith was killedby a mob, precipitatinga succession crisis.[21]

The largest group of Mormons followedBrigham Youngas the new prophet and, under his direction, emigrated to what became theUtah Territory.[22]There, the church began the open practice ofplural marriage,a form ofpolygynywhich Smith had instituted in Nauvoo. Plural marriage became the faith's most sensational characteristic during the 19th century, but vigorous opposition by theUnited States Congressthreatened the church's existence as a legal institution. Further, polygamy was also a major cause for the opposition to Mormonism in the states of Idaho and Arizona.[23]In the1890 Manifesto,church presidentWilford Woodruffannounced the official end of plural marriage.[24]

Due to this formal abolition of plural marriage, several smaller groups broke with the LDS Church and formed denominations following what they calledMormon fundamentalism.[25]However, the LDS Church has experienced the most growth out of any of the churches following Mormonism, with a current membership of over 16 million.[26]

Theology

See also:Teachings of Joseph Smith

Nature of God

Main article:God in Mormonism

In orthodox Mormonism, the termGodgenerally refers to the biblicalGod the Father,whomLatter Day Saintsrefer to asElohim,[27][28][29]and the termGodheadrefers to a council of three distinct divine persons consisting of God the Father,Jesus Christ(his firstbornSon,whom Latter Day Saints refer to asJehovah), and theHoly Ghost.[27][29]Latter Day Saints believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three distinct beings, and that the Father and Jesus have perfected, glorified, physical bodies, while the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body.[27][30][31]Latter Day Saints also believe that there are other gods and goddesses outside the Godhead, such as aHeavenly Mother—who is married to God the Father—and that faithful Latter-day Saints may attain godhood in the afterlife.[32]Joseph Smithtaught that God was once a man on another planet before beingexaltedto Godhood.[33]

This conception differs from the traditional ChristianTrinityin several ways, one of which is that Mormonism has not adopted or continued to hold the doctrine of theNicene Creed,that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of thesame substanceor being.[27]Also, Mormonism teaches that the intelligence dwelling in each human is coeternal with God.[34]Mormons use the termomnipotentto describe God, and regard him as the creator: they understand him as being almighty and eternal but subject to eternal natural law which governs intelligences, justice and the eternal nature of matter (i.e. God organized the world but did not create it from nothing).[35]The Mormon conception of God also differs substantially from theJewish traditionofethical monotheismin whichelohim(אֱלֹהִים) is a completely different conception.

This description of God represents the Mormonorthodoxy,formalized in 1915 based on earlier teachings. Other currently existing and historical branches of Mormonism have adopted different views of god, such as theAdam–God doctrineand Trinitarianism.

Restoration

Main article:Restoration (Latter Day Saints)
A depiction of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receivingPriesthood authorityfromJohn the Baptist

Mormonism describes itself as falling withinworld Christianity,but as a distinct restoreddispensation;it characterizes itself as the only true form of the Christian religion since the time of a "Great Apostasy"that began not long after theascension of Jesus Christ.[36]According to Mormons this apostasy involved the corruption of the pure, original Christian doctrine withGreekand other philosophies,[37]and followers dividing into different ideological groups.[38]Additionally, Mormons claim themartyrdomof theApostlesled to the loss ofPriesthood authorityto administer the Church and its ordinances.[39][40]

Mormons believe that God re-established the1st-centuryearly Christian churchas found in theNew Testamentthrough therestorationof Joseph Smith.[41]In particular, Mormons believe that angels such asPeter,James,John,andJohn the Baptistappeared to Joseph Smith and others and bestowed variousPriesthood authoritieson them.[42]Mormons thus believe that their Church is the "only true and living church" because divine authority was restored to it through Smith. In addition, Mormons believe that Smith and his legitimate successors are modern prophets who receive revelation from God to guide the church. They maintain that other Christian religions have a portion of the truth and are guided by thelight of Christ.[43][44]

Cosmology

Main article:Mormon cosmology

Smith's cosmology is laid out mostly in Smith's later revelations and sermons, but particularly theBook of Abraham,theBook of Moses,and theKing Follett discourse.[45]Mormon cosmologypresents a unique view of God and the universe, and places a high importance on humanagency.In Mormonism, life on earth is just a short part of an eternal existence. Mormons believe that in the beginning, all people existed as spirits or "intelligences", in the presence of God.[46]In this state, God proposed aplan of salvationwhereby they could progress and "have a privilege to advance like himself."[47]The spirits were free to accept or reject this plan, and a "third" of them, led bySatanrejected it.[48]The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth and receiving bodies with an understanding that they would experience sin and suffering.

In Mormonism, the central part of God's plan is theatonementof Jesus Christ.[49]Mormons believe that one purpose of earthly life is to learn to choose good over evil. In this process, people inevitably make mistakes, becoming unworthy to return to the presence of God. Mormons believe that Jesus paid for the sins of the world and that all people can be saved through his atonement.[50]Mormons accept Christ's atonement through faith, repentance, formal covenants or ordinances such as baptism, and consistently trying to live a Christ-like life.

According to Mormon scripture, the Earth's creation was notex nihilo,but organized from existing matter. The Earth is just one of many inhabited worlds, and there are many governing heavenly bodies, including the planet or starKolob,which is said to be nearest thethrone of God.

America

Mormons believe that the U.S. Constitution is the result of divine inspiration. Fundamentalists believe in the relatedWhite Horse Prophecy.

Mormon theology teaches that theUnited Statesis a unique place and that Mormons are God'schosen people,selected for a singular destiny.[51]TheBook of Mormonalludes to the United States as being the Biblicalpromised land,with theConstitution of the United Statesbeingdivinely inspired,and argues thatAmerica is an exceptional nation.[51][52][53]

InUpstate New Yorkin 1823, Joseph Smith claimed to have had a vision in which theAngel Moronitold him about engravedgolden platesburied in anearby hill.[54][55]According to Smith, he received subsequent instruction from Moroni and, four years later, excavated the plates and translated them from "reformed Egyptian"into English; the resultantBook of Mormon—so called after anancient American prophetwho, according to Smith, had compiled the text recorded on the golden plates—recounts the history of a tribe ofIsraelites,led by the prophetLehi,who migrated fromJerusalemto theAmericasin the 7th century BCE.[54][55]In Mormonism, these Israelite tribes who migrated to the Americas centuries before the birth ofJesus Christare considered to be among the ancestors ofpre-ColumbianNative Americans.[51][54][55]

Joseph Smith argued that themillennialNew Jerusalemwas to be built in America (10thArticle of Faith).[52]In theDoctrine and Covenants,Smith records God as saying "it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:79–80). To Mormons, this places America as the originator ofreligious libertyand freedom, while noting a need to expand these American values worldwide.[56]

Although officially shunned by the LDS Church,fundamentalist Mormonsbelieve in theWhite Horse Prophecy,which argues that Mormons will be called upon to preserve the Constitution as it hangs "by a thread".[57][58]

Ordinances

In Mormonism, anordinanceis a religiousritualof special significance, often involving the formation of acovenantwith God.[59]Ordinances are performed by the authority of thepriesthoodand in the name ofJesus Christ.The term has a meaning roughly similar to that of the termsacramentin other Christian denominations.

A young manbaptizinga child into the LDS Church in Panama

Saving ordinances (or ordinances viewed as necessary for salvation) include:baptismbyimmersionafter theage of accountability(normally age 8);confirmationand reception of thegift of the Holy Ghost,performed by laying hands on the head of a newly baptized member; ordination to theAaronicandMelchizedek priesthoodsfor males; anendowment(includingwashing and anointing) received intemples;andmarriage(orsealing) to a spouse.[60]

Mormons also perform other ordinances, which include theLord's supper(commonly called thesacrament),naming and blessing children,givingpriesthood blessingsandpatriarchal blessings,anointing and blessing the sick,participating inprayer circles,andsetting apartindividuals who are called to church positions.

In Mormonism, the saving ordinances are seen as necessary for salvation, but they are not sufficient in and of themselves. For example, baptism is required forexaltation,but simply having been baptized does not guarantee any eternal reward. The baptized person is expected to be obedient to God's commandments, to repent of any sinful conduct subsequent to baptism, and to receive the other saving ordinances.

Because Mormons believe that everyone must receive certain ordinances to be saved, Mormons performordinances on behalf of deceased persons.[61]These ordinances are performed vicariously or by "proxy" on behalf of the dead. In accordance with their belief in each individual's "free agency", living or dead, Mormons believe that the deceased may accept or reject the offered ordinance in thespirit world,just as all spirits decided to accept or reject God's plan originally. In addition, these "conditional" ordinances on behalf of the dead are performed only when a deceased person's genealogical information has been submitted to a temple and correctly processed there before the ordinance ritual is performed. Only ordinances for salvation are performed on behalf of deceased persons.

Scripture

TheStandard Worksconstitute the LDS Churchscripturalcanon.

Mormons believe in theOldandNewTestaments, and the LDS Church uses theAuthorized King James Versionas its official scriptural text of theBible.While Mormons believe in the general accuracy of the modern day text of the Bible, they also believe that it is incomplete and that errors have been introduced.[62][63][64]According to Mormon theology, many lost truths are restored in theBook of Mormon,which Mormons hold to be divine scripture and equal in authority to the Bible.[65]

The Mormon scriptural canon also includes a collection of revelations and writings contained in theDoctrine and Covenantswhich contains doctrine and prophecy and thePearl of Great Pricewhich addresses briefly Genesis to Exodus. These books, as well as theJoseph Smith Translation of the Bible,have varying degrees of acceptance as divine scripture among different denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement.

Revelation

Further information:Revelation (Latter Day Saints)

In Mormonism,continuous revelationis the principle that God or his divine agents still continue to communicate to mankind. This communication can be manifest in many ways: influences of theHoly Ghost(the principal form in which this principle is manifest), visions, visitations of divine beings, and others. Joseph Smith used the example of the Lord's revelations to Moses inDeuteronomyto explain the importance of continuous revelation:

God said, "Thou shalt not kill"; at another time he said, "Thou shalt utterly destroy." This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted, by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the Kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.[66]

Mormons believe that Smith and subsequent church leaders could speak scripture "when moved upon by the Holy Ghost."[67]In addition, many Mormons believe that ancient prophets in other regions of the world received revelations that resulted in additional scriptures that have been lost and may, one day, be forthcoming. In Mormonism, revelation is not limited to church members. For instance, Latter Day Saints believe that theUnited States Constitutionis a divinely inspired document.[68]

Mormons are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Ghost and receive personal revelation for their own direction and that of their family.[67]The Latter Day Saint concept of revelation includes the belief that revelation from God is available to all those who earnestly seek it with the intent of doing good. It also teaches that everyone is entitled topersonalrevelation with respect to his or herstewardship(leadership responsibility). Thus, parents may receive inspiration from God in raising their families, individuals can receive divine inspiration to help them meet personal challenges, church officers may receive revelation for those whom they serve.

The important consequence of this is that each person may receive confirmation that particular doctrines taught by a prophet are true, as well as gain divine insight in using those truths for their own benefit and eternal progress. In the church, personal revelation is expected and encouraged, and many converts believe that personal revelation from God was instrumental in their conversion.[69]

Relationship with other faiths

Relationship with mainstream Christianity

See also:Mormonism and Nicene Christianity
Mormons see Jesus Christ as the premier figure of their religion.[70]

Mormonism categorizes itself withinChristianity,and nearly all Mormons self-identify asChristian.[71][72][73]For some who define Christianity within the doctrines ofCatholicism,EasternandOriental Orthodoxy,theChurchesof the East,andProtestantism,Mormonism's differences place it outside the umbrella of Christianity.[74][75][76]

Since its beginnings, the faith has proclaimed itself to be Christ's Churchrestoredwith its original authority, structure and power; maintaining that existing denominations believed in incorrect doctrines and were not acknowledged by God as his church and kingdom.[77]Though the religion quickly gained a large following of Christian seekers, in the 1830s, many American Christians came to view the church's early doctrines and practices[78]as politically and culturallysubversive,as well as doctrinally heretical, abominable, and condemnable. This discord led to a series of sometimes-deadly conflicts between Mormons and others who saw themselves as orthodox Christians.[79]Although such violence declined during the twentieth century, the religion's unique doctrinal views and practices still generate criticism, sometimes vehemently so. This gives rise to efforts by Mormons and opposing types of Christians to proselytize each other.[citation needed]

Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as the literalSon of GodandMessiah,his crucifixionas a conclusion of asin offering,and subsequentresurrection.[80]However, Latter-day Saints (LDS) reject theecumenical creedsand the definition of theTrinity.[81][82](In contrast, the second-largest Latter Day Saint denomination, theCommunity of Christ,is Trinitarian andmonotheistic.) Mormons hold the view that theNew Testamentprophesied both theapostasyfrom the teachings of Christ and his apostles as well as therestorationof all things prior to the second coming of Christ.[83]

Some notable differences with mainstream Christianity include a belief that Jesus began hisatonementin the garden ofGethsemaneand continued it to his crucifixion, rather than the orthodox belief that the crucifixion alone was the physical atonement;[84]and an afterlife with threedegrees of glory,withhell(often calledspirit prison) being a temporary repository for the wicked between death and the resurrection.[85]Additionally, Mormons do not believe in creationex nihilo,believing that matter is eternal, and creation involved God organizing existing matter.[86]

Much of the Mormon belief system is geographically oriented around theNorthandSouth Americancontinents. Mormons believe that the people of theBook of Mormonlived in thewestern hemisphere,that Christ appeared in the western hemisphere after his death and resurrection, that the true faith was restored inUpstate New Yorkby Joseph Smith, that theGarden of Edenwas located in North America, and that theNew Jerusalemwould be built inMissouri.[citation needed]For this and other reasons, including a belief by many Mormons inAmerican exceptionalism,Molly Worthenspeculates that this may be whyLeo Tolstoydescribed Mormonism as the "quintessential 'American religion'".[87]

Relationship with Judaism

See also:Mormonism and Judaism

Although Mormons do not claim to be part ofJudaism,Mormon theology claims to situate Mormonism within the context of Judaism to an extent that goes beyond what most other Christian denominations claim. The faith incorporates manyOld Testamentideas into its theology, and the beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism and certain elements of Jewish culture. In the earliest days of Mormonism, Joseph Smith taught that theIndigenous peoples of the Americaswere members of some of theLost Tribes of Israel.Later, he taught that Mormons were Israelites, and that they may learn of their tribal affiliation within the twelve Israelite tribes. Members of the LDS Church receivePatriarchal blessingswhich declare the recipient's lineage within one of the tribes of Israel. The lineage is either through true blood-line or adoption. The LDS Church teaches that if one is not a direct descendant of one of the twelve tribes, upon baptism he or she is adopted into one of the tribes. Patriarchal blessings also include personal information which is revealed through a patriarch by the power of the priesthood.

Smith hired Joshua (James) Seixas, son ofGershom Mendes Seixasand Hebrew school teacher atCongregation Shearith Israel,to teach Mormon leaders Hebrew. Smith himself attended some of these classes and went on to use his basic Hebrew in teachings. For example, Smith named the largest Mormon settlement he foundedNauvoo,which means "beautiful" (pl.) inBiblical Hebrew.Brigham Young named a tributary of theGreat Salt LaketheJordan River.The LDS Church has aJerusalem CenterinIsrael,where students focus their study on Near Eastern history, culture, language, and the Bible.[88]

There has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see the actions of some elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the LDS practice ofbaptism for the deadon behalf of Jewish victims ofthe Holocaustand Jews in general. According to LDS Churchgeneral authorityMonte J. Brough, "Mormons who baptized 380,000 Holocaust victims posthumously were motivated by love and compassion and did not understand their gesture might offend Jews... they did not realize that what they intended as a 'Christian act of service' was 'misguided and insensitive'".[89]Mormons believe that when the dead are baptized through proxy, they have the option of accepting or rejecting the ordinance.

Relationship with UFOlogy

See also:Mormonism and UFOs

Many Mormons are believers, experiencers, or promotors ofUFOsas an interstellar or non-human phenomenon. Matthew Bowman, scholar ofMormon Studies,writes that while some people use this to try to make Mormonism look silly, "a good number of Latter-day Saints" have welcomed being associated with UFOs. "Latter-day Saints have pointed to the phenomenon as either entirely consistent with their faith or even proof of it.... These folks are the heirs to a strain of theology going back to Brigham Young that peaked with the early 20th-century writings of church leaders likeB.H. RobertsorJohn Widtsoe."[90]

Theological divisions

Mormon theology includes three main movements. By far the largest of these is "mainstream Mormonism", defined by the leadership ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). The two broad movements outside mainstream Mormonism areMormon fundamentalism,and liberal reformist Mormonism.

Mainstream Mormon theology

See also:Beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mainstream Mormonism is defined by the leadership of the LDS Church which identifies itself as Christian.[72]Members of the LDS Church consider their top leaders to be prophets andapostles,and are encouraged to accept their positions on matters of theology, while seeking confirmation of them through personal study of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Personal prayer is encouraged as well. The LDS Church is by far the largest branch of Mormonism. It has continuously existed since thesuccession crisisof 1844 that split the Latter Day Saint movement after the death of founder Joseph Smith, Jr.

The LDS Church seeks to distance itself from other branches of Mormonism, particularly those that practice polygamy.[91] The church maintains a degree of orthodoxy by excommunicating or disciplining its members who take positions or engage in practices viewed as apostasy. For example, the LDS Church excommunicates members who practice polygamy or who adopt the beliefs and practices of Mormon fundamentalism.

Mormon fundamentalism

Main article:Mormon fundamentalism

One way Mormon fundamentalism distinguishes itself from mainstream Mormonism is through the practice ofplural marriage.[92]Fundamentalists initially broke from the LDS Church after that doctrine was discontinued around the beginning of the 20th century. Mormon fundamentalism teaches that plural marriage is a requirement forexaltation(the highest degree of salvation), which will allow them to live as gods and goddesses in the afterlife. Mainstream Mormons, by contrast, believe that a singleCelestial marriageis necessary for exaltation.

In distinction with the LDS Church, Mormon fundamentalists also often believe in a number of other doctrines taught and practiced byBrigham Youngin the 19th century, which the LDS Church has either abandoned, repudiated, or put in abeyance. These include:

Mormon fundamentalists believe that these principles were wrongly abandoned or changed by the LDS Church, in large part due to the desire of its leadership and members to assimilate into mainstream American society and avoid the persecutions and conflict that had characterized the church throughout its early years. Others believe that it was a necessity at some point for "a restoration of all things"[This quote needs a citation]to be a truly restored Church.

Liberal reformist theology

See also:Bickertonite

Some LDS Church members have worked towards a more liberal reform of the church. Others have left the LDS Church and still consider themselves to becultural Mormons.Others have formed new religions (many of them now defunct). For instance theGodbeitesbroke away from the LDS Church in the late 19th century, on the basis of both political and religious liberalism, and in 1985 theRestoration Church of Jesus Christbroke away from the LDS Church as anLGBT-friendlydenomination, which was formally dissolved in 2010.

Criticism

Main article:Criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement

As the largest denomination within Mormonism, the LDS Church has been the subject of criticism since it was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.

Perhaps the most controversial, and a key contributing factor for Smith's murder, is the claim thatplural marriage(as defenders call it) orpolygamy(as critics call it) is biblically authorized. Under heavy pressure—Utahwould not be accepted as a state if polygamy was practiced—the church formally and publicly renounced the practicein 1890.Utah's statehood soon followed. However, plural marriage remains a controversial and divisive issue, as despite the official renunciation of 1890, it still has sympathizers, defenders, and semi-secret practitioners within Mormonism, though not within the LDS Church.

More recent criticism has concerned questions ofhistorical revisionism,homophobia,racism,[93]sexist policies,inadequate financial disclosure,and thehistorical authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

See also

References

Citations

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  26. ^"LDS Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership".mormonnewsroom.org.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2020.RetrievedMay 14,2019.
  27. ^abcdDavies, Douglas J.(2003)."Divine–human transformations".An Introduction to Mormonism.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.pp. 65–90.doi:10.1017/CBO9780511610028.004.ISBN978-0-511-61002-8.OCLC438764483.S2CID146238056.
  28. ^First Presidency;Quorum of the Twelve Apostles(April 2002)."Gospel Classics: The Father and the Son".Improvement Era.Intellectual Reserve, Inc.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  29. ^abRobinson, Stephen E.; Burgon, Glade L.; Turner, Rodney; Largey, Dennis L. (1992),"God the Father",inLudlow, Daniel H.(ed.),Encyclopedia of Mormonism,New York:Macmillan Publishing,pp. 548–552,ISBN0-02-879602-0,OCLC24502140,archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2021,retrievedMay 7,2021– viaHarold B. Lee Library
  30. ^Mason, Patrick Q.(September 3, 2015)."Mormonism".Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion.Oxford:Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.75.ISBN978-0-19-934037-8.Archivedfrom the original on November 30, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  31. ^Dahl, Paul E. (1992),"Godhead",inLudlow, Daniel H.(ed.),Encyclopedia of Mormonism,New York:Macmillan Publishing,pp. 552–553,ISBN0-02-879602-0,OCLC24502140,archivedfrom the original on May 12, 2021,retrievedMay 7,2021– viaHarold B. Lee Library
  32. ^Carter, K. Codell (1992),"Godhood",inLudlow, Daniel H.(ed.),Encyclopedia of Mormonism,New York:Macmillan Publishing,pp. 553–555,ISBN0-02-879602-0,OCLC24502140,archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2021,retrievedMay 7,2021– viaHarold B. Lee Library
  33. ^"Gospel Principles Chapter 47: Exaltation".ChurchofJesusChrist.org.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2020.RetrievedOctober 17,2017.
  34. ^Brown, Gayle O. (1992),"Premortal Life",inLudlow, Daniel H.(ed.),Encyclopedia of Mormonism,New York:Macmillan Publishing,pp. 1123–1125,ISBN0-02-879602-0,OCLC24502140,archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2021,retrievedMay 7,2021– viaHarold B. Lee Library
  35. ^Paulsen, David L. (1992),"Omnipotent God; Omnipresence of God; Omniscience of God",inLudlow, Daniel H.(ed.),Encyclopedia of Mormonism,New York:Macmillan Publishing,p. 1030,ISBN0-02-879602-0,OCLC24502140,archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2021,retrievedMay 7,2021– viaHarold B. Lee Library
  36. ^Missionary Department of the LDS Church(2004),Preach My Gospel(PDF),LDS Church,Inc, p. 35,ISBN0-402-36617-4,archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 2, 2010Mormons believe the Great Apostasy had been foretold by theApostle Paul,who knew that the Lord would not come again "except there come a falling away first" (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3)
  37. ^Talmage, James E.(1909),The Great Apostasy,The Deseret News, pp. 64–65,ISBN0-87579-843-8
  38. ^Richards, LeGrand(1976),A Marvelous Work and a Wonder,Deseret Book Company, p. 24,ISBN0-87747-161-4
  39. ^Talmage, James E.(1909),The Great Apostasy,The Deseret News, p. 68,ISBN0-87579-843-8
  40. ^Eyring, Henry B.(May 2008),"The True and Living Church",Ensign,LDS Church: 20–24,archivedfrom the original on December 29, 2019,retrievedJuly 17,2019
  41. ^Smith's restoration differed significantly from otherrestorationistmovements of the era (for instance, that of Alexander Campbell). Instead of using Bible analysis, Smith claimed to write and interpret scripture as the biblical prophets did.Bushman (2008,p. 5)
  42. ^SeeJSH 1:69,72ArchivedDecember 28, 2019, at theWayback MachineandDoctrine and Covenants 84:19-21ArchivedJune 20, 2019, at theWayback Machine
  43. ^Smith, Joseph Fielding;Galbraith, Richard C., eds. (1993) [1938].Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.Deseret Book Company. p. 316.ISBN0-87579-647-8.( "Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true 'Mormons'." )
  44. ^Palmer; Keller; Choi; Toronto (1997).Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View.Brigham Young University.(Mormons take aninclusivistposition that their religion is correct and true but that other religions have genuine value).
  45. ^Bushman (2008,pp. 64–71)
  46. ^Mormons differ among themselves about the form of man in the beginning... but Smith's intention was to assert that some essence of human personality has always existed.Bushman (2008,p. 72)
  47. ^See King Follett discourse andBushman (2008,p. 73)
  48. ^According to the Book of Moses, Lucifer offered an alternate plan that would guarantee the salvation ofallspirits, however, at the cost of their agency, essentially forcing them to be saved. God's plan allowed spirits the freedom of choice but left room for some to fall out of his presence into darkness.Bushman (2008,p. 73)
  49. ^Bushman (2008,p. 77)
  50. ^Nineteenth century Mormonism defined itself against Calvinistic religions that asserted humans' incapacity and utter dependence on the grace of God. Early Mormon preachers emphasized good works and moral obligation; however in the late twentieth century, Mormons pulled back from an "entrenched aversion" to the doctrines of grace, and today have an attitude of trusting in the grace of Christ while trying their best to do good works.Bushman (2008,p. 76)
  51. ^abcBracht, John (2012) [1990]."The Americanization of Adam".In Trompf, G. W. (ed.).Cargo Cults and Millenarian Movements: Transoceanic Comparisons of New Religious Movements.Religion and Society. Vol. 29.BerlinandBoston:De Gruyter.pp. 97–142.doi:10.1515/9783110874419.97.ISBN978-3-11-087441-9.
  52. ^abBarlow, Philip L. (June 2012)."Chosen Land, Chosen People: Religious and American Exceptionalism Among the Mormons".The Review of Faith & International Affairs.10(2): 51–58.doi:10.1080/15570274.2012.682511.ISSN1557-0274.S2CID145547250.
  53. ^Yorgason, Ethan (2006)."The Shifting Role of the Latter-day Saints as the Quintessential American Religion".In Lippy, Charles H. (ed.).Faith in America: Changes, Challenges, New Directions. Volume 1: Organized Religion Today.Praeger Perspectives.London, U.K.andWestport, Connecticut:Praeger Publishers.pp. 141–163.ISBN978-0-313-04961-3.LCCN2006022880.
  54. ^abcGivens, Terryl L. (2003) [2002].""A Seer Shall the Lord My God Raise Up": The Prophet and the Plates ".By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion.New York:Oxford University Press.pp. 8–42.doi:10.1093/019513818X.003.0002.ISBN978-0-19-513818-4.OCLC1028168787.S2CID159734267.
  55. ^abcStark, Rodney(2005)."The Basis of Mormon Success".In Neilson, Reid L. (ed.).The Rise of Mormonism.New York:Columbia University Press.pp. 114–116.doi:10.7312/star13634-006.ISBN978-0-231-13634-1.LCCN2005045464.OCLC800910267.S2CID99224315.
  56. ^Edwards, Jason A.; Weiss, David (January 10, 2014).The Rhetoric of American Exceptionalism: Critical Essays.McFarland. p. 107.ISBN978-0-7864-8681-6.RetrievedJanuary 5,2021.
  57. ^Quammen, Betsy Gaines (May 10, 2020)."COVID-19 and the White Horse Prophecy: The Theology of Ammon Bundy".History News Network.Columbian College of Arts and Sciences: TheGeorge Washington University.Archivedfrom the original on October 11, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  58. ^Duncan, Charles (February 6, 2020)."Did Mitt Romney fulfill a Mormon prophecy with vote to convict Trump?".Miami Herald.Archivedfrom the original on April 14, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  59. ^An ordinance is generally a physical act signifying a spiritual commitment or a covenant. Failure to honor that commitment results in the ordinance having no effect. However, sincere repentance can restore the blessings associated with the ordinance.
  60. ^""OrdinancesArchivedDecember 26, 2019, at theWayback Machine,"True to the Faith,(LDS Church, 2004) p. 109.
  61. ^Bushman (2008,pp. 60–61)
  62. ^Encyclopedia of Mormonism,Macmillan 1992, pp. 106-107
  63. ^Matthews, Robert J.,A Bible! A Bible,Bookcraft, 1990, p. 13
  64. ^Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,Deseret Book, 1976 [1938], pp. 9–10, 327
  65. ^Encyclopedia of Mormonism,Macmillan 1992, pp. 111
  66. ^Smith, Joseph (August 27, 1842)."History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] [addenda], p.3 [addenda]".The Joseph Smith Papers.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 10,2021.
  67. ^abBushman (2008,p. 26) See also: Doctrine and Covenants 68:4
  68. ^Oaks, Dallin H.(February 1992),"The Divinely Inspired Constitution",Ensign,archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2022,retrievedJuly 17,2019;cf.The Doctrine and CovenantsSection 101:76–80
  69. ^"Continuing Revelation".Mormon.org.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2004.RetrievedAugust 5,2005.
  70. ^Bushman (2008,p. 8) ( "As the name of the church... suggests, Jesus Christ is the premier figure. Smith does not even play the role of the last and culminating prophet, as Muhammad does in Islam" );"What Mormons Believe About Jesus Christ".LDS Newsroom.RetrievedNovember 11,2011.;In a2011 Pew Surveya thousand Mormons were asked to volunteer the one word that best describes Mormons. The most common response from those surveyed was "Christian" or "Christ-centered".
  71. ^"Mormonism in America".Pew Research Center.January 2012. Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2012.RetrievedOctober 3,2012.Mormons are nearly unanimous in describing Mormonism as a Christian religion, with 97% expressing this point of view.
  72. ^abRobinson, Stephanie (May 1998),"Are Mormons Christians?",New Era,LDS Church,archivedfrom the original on December 26, 2019,retrievedJuly 17,2019
  73. ^According toBruce R. McConkie,ageneral authorityof the LDS Church, "Mormonism is indistinguishable from Christianity."Bruce R. McConkie,Mormon Doctrine,p. 513
  74. ^For example, a 2007 poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that one in three Americans surveyed do not consider Mormons to be Christian. See for exampleReligionNewsblog.comArchivedOctober 4, 2009, at theWayback Machine
  75. ^"It is sometimes said that Mormonism is to Christianity as Christianity is to Judaism. Both Mormonism and Christianity established themselves by reinterpreting a preceding faith. Christianity built on Judaism but emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Mormonism began with Christianity but accepted new revelation through a modern prophet."Bushman (2008,p. 62)
  76. ^Examples of organizations that do not recognize Mormonism as Christian include:
    •Luther Seminary(Granquist, Mark A. (March 7, 2011),"The New (and Old) Religions Around Us"(PDF),Luther Seminary,archived fromthe original(PDF)on January 3, 2014);
    •Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary("Is Mormonism Christian?",Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,October 20, 2011, archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2013,retrievedMay 11,2013);
    •Southern Baptist Theological Seminary(Mohler, Albert(n.d.),"Is Mormonism Christian?",christianity.com,Salem Web Network,archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2012,retrievedMay 11,2013.
    See also:Christian countercult movement
  77. ^Teaching that existing denominations "were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged by God as his church and kingdom"Smith 1842a,p. 707 and "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight."Smith 1842c,p. 748
  78. ^,the most publicized of which includedabolitionism,plural marriageand the church'stheocratic aspirations(both now discontinued by the mainstream faith),
  79. ^For more information on historical conflicts, seeHistory of the Latter Day Saint movement.
  80. ^"What Mormons Believe About Jesus Christ—LDS Newsroom".Newsroom.lds.org.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2019.RetrievedNovember 27,2013.
  81. ^"Joseph Smith History 1:18-19".Scriptures.lds.org.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 27,2013.
  82. ^Smith, Joseph Fielding,ed. (1976) [1938],Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,Salt Lake City:Deseret Book,p. 370
  83. ^See, for instance,Thessalonians 2:2-3ArchivedDecember 26, 2019, at theWayback MachineandActs 3:19-21ArchivedJuly 13, 2019, at theWayback Machine
  84. ^McConkie, Bruce R. (May 1985),"The Purifying Power of Gethsemane",Ensign:9,archivedfrom the original on December 29, 2019,retrievedJuly 17,2019
  85. ^Mormon scriptures speak of hell in two ways. The first is another name forspirit prison,a place for the spirits of people who have "died in their sins." The second is a more permanent place calledOuter Darkness,reserved for the Devil, his angels, and those who have committed the unpardonable sin.True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference,2004, LDS Church. "HellArchived2010-06-16 at theWayback Machine,"p. 81; See also:Christian views on Hell (Latter-day Saints)
  86. ^Bushman (2008,p. 71)
  87. ^Worthen, Molly,"The Missionary PositionArchivedNovember 3, 2014, at theWayback Machine",Foreign Policy,June 13, 2011.
  88. ^"BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies".Ce.byu.edu.Archivedfrom the original on February 26, 2011.RetrievedNovember 27,2013.
  89. ^Pyle, Richard."Mormons, Jews sign agreement on baptizing Holocaust victims".Archivedfrom the original on December 18, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 4,2007.AP Newswire, May 5, 1995.
  90. ^"Matthew Bowman: Why some Latter-day Saints believe in UFOs and why these alien travelers fit with their religion".The Salt Lake Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2024.RetrievedMarch 14,2024.
  91. ^The LDS Church encourages journalists not to use the wordMormonin reference to organizations or people that practice polygamy"Style Guide—LDS Newsroom".April 9, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on June 13, 2019.RetrievedNovember 11,2011.;The church repudiates polygamist groups and excommunicates their members if discoveredBushman (2008,p. 91);"Mormons seek distance from polygamous sects".NBC News. 2008.Archivedfrom the original on August 14, 2020.RetrievedApril 16,2020.
  92. ^Hardy, B. Carmon (December 1, 2011)."The Persistence of Mormon Plural Marriage".Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.44(4): 43–106.doi:10.5406/dialjmormthou.44.4.0043.S2CID172005470.Archivedfrom the original on September 15, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 15,2022.
  93. ^"Skin Color in Mormon Scripture and Theology"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on January 22, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 6,2009.

Cited and general sources

Further reading

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