What is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what do Mormons believe and how popular is the religion?
Here we explain what Mormonism is, what Mormons believe, and how popular it is
MORMONS often put themselves out in the community knocking on doors - but how much do you really know about their beliefs?
Here we explain what Mormonism is, what Mormons believe, and how popular it is.
What is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Followers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - often known as the Mormon Church - believe that other Christian churches have gone astray and theirs is a restoration of the Church as Jesus had intended.
It was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.
It claims to have over 16million members - most of which are based in the United States.
It is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, after moving to the desert state in the 1850s.
What do Mormons believe?
Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon tells the story of God's dealing with Americans in the ancient world.
It was first published by Joseph Smith in 1830, and is believed to have been narrated by the prophet-historian Mormon who is said to have lived in the 4th century AD.
Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon was translated correctly, unlike the Bible, and is the word of God.
In addition to the ten commandments, Mormons follow 13 articles of faith.
The 13 Mormon Articles Of Faith
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
- We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
- We believe in the same organisation that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
- We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
- We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
- We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
- We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law.
- We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
They also believe that human beings can become gods, and that god has a physical human body.
And "sins" such as gambling, smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, tea, coffee, homosexuality, pornography and sex outside of marriage are forbidden.
How popular is Mormonism?
Mormonism has grown rapidly in the 21st century, going from 11million members in 2000 to 16million in 2018.
The church claims to have 159 temples worldwide, and the Book of Mormon has been published in 188 languages.
Devout Mormon Mitt Romney hurled the religion into mainstream public consciousness when he ran for President of the United States in 2012.
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