|
|
|
|
Mormonism
|
| |
|
| |
Mormonism is a term used to describe the religious, ideological and cultural elements of the Latter Day Saint movement, and specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
The term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term to describe those who believed in the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that adherents believe to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" and testifies of the Bible as part of the religion's canon.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Mormonism' Start a new discussion about 'Mormonism' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Mormonism is a term used to describe the religious, ideological and cultural elements of the Latter Day Saint movement, and specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
The term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term to describe those who believed in the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that adherents believe to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" and testifies of the Bible as part of the religion's canon. There are many subsects of Mormonism, all of which claim to be the true interpretation of Joseph Smith's original teachings. It is common for the different denominations of Mormonism to object to use of the term by other groups. The LDS Church, the largest subsect of Mormonism, states that the term is only "acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Historically the term has been used very broadly and can mean members of the LDS Church, smaller offshoot faiths, or members of Fundamentalist Mormon faiths, with little agreement on a definitive use.
Basic beliefs
Because of the diversity of beliefs among various Mormon sects, the basic tenets of Mormonism can only be described in the broadest sense. The foundation of Mormonism is that Joseph Smith, Jr. was visited by God the Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. These divine beings instructed him that he was to join no organized religion and that he was to prepare himself for a greater work that would follow. Joseph Smith later brought forth (The Book of Mormon) that was written by ancient Christian Prophets who lived in the American Continent, and he also restored what he called the true religion as founded by Jesus Christ himself, with all rites, rituals, and doctrines as they were in primitive Christianity.
Articles of Faith
A document laying out the beliefs of Mormonism, the Articles of Faith were composed by Smith as part of an 1842 letter sent to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat. Most Latter Day Saint members view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology.
The Articles of Faith are as follows:
- 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 organization 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 paradisiacle 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, honoring, 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.
Mormonism and the “Trinity”
Latter-day Saints, typically do not use the word "Trinity" as it is not a term used in the King James Bible, while the word "Godhead" is used in Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; and Colossians 2:9. In the Latter-day Saint view of the Godhead, three physically distinct Individuals (The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost; D&C 130:22) are "one" in the same sense that Christ admonished His followers to be one: united in philosophy, spirit, love, and purpose with Him, as He states in John 17:11. The Father is considered the Heavenly Father, or Father of the spirit of every human being including Jesus Christ, His Firstborn and Only Begotten in the flesh. Christ is the Son because He was born in the flesh as the Son of the Father. He is also the designated Agent of the Father, the Mediator between Man and God.(John 3:34-35; D&C 93:2-17) Having received of the fullness of the Father, and therefore permitted to bind the Father covenantly, Christ also becomes the Father of the faithful to those who repent, or are born again of the Holy Ghost; thus, in one sense he is both the Father and the Son, as Mosiah 15:1-5 explains.
The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is the third being of the Godhead. He is a Testator, or Witness, of the Father and His Only Begotten Son. According to Mormonism, after baptism by immersion, the gift of the Holy Ghost (or right to his companionship) is given by the laying on of hands (4th Article of Faith). Mormons believe the Holy Spirit inspires or guides people to God's truth.
Covenants
Latter-Day Saints believe the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a God of covenants. (Gen. 12:1-3; 17:7,9,19) In return for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s faith and obedience, God promised them (1) a numberless posterity, (2) a chosen land, and (3) the blessing of all nations through their posterity and the priesthood of their posterity, the “blessings of heaven.” God promised Jacob’s son, Joseph, additional blessings, a special land and a righteous branch to be separated from the rest of the house of Israel. (Gen. 48; 49:22-26) Even later, promises and assurances were given through Moses and other prophets that, even though all Israel should be scattered and many persecuted, the earlier promises would not be forgotten, and a day of restoration and gathering would come in which all the tribes of Israel would be united in peace under the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Book of Mormon is a witness to the truth of these promises, and it is an assurance that more of them will not be left unfulfilled.
Three primary covenants are administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the heading “new and everlasting covenant,” called “new” because they have been restored again and “everlasting” because they are eternal with God. Specifically, they are the gospel, or baptismal covenant; the priesthood covenant; and the marriage covenant. The latter two are administered in the temple. Each covenant, or “contract,” between God and Man has one or more pre-requisites, offers one or more rewards, and specifies punishment for breaking it.
The first, the gospel covenant, is entered into after the sincere communicant fulfills the pre-requisite of exercising faith in Christ, repents of his sins, is baptized by proper authority, receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, and promises to endure to the end of his mortal life continuing to exercise faith in Christ and repentance from his sins. He also agrees to stand as a witness for Christ at all times and in all places, and bear the burdens of his fellow servants. (Mosiah 18:9) The scriptures are replete with references to all these gospel elements. (3 Nephi 27:13-22) The covenant maker receives the reward of the gift of the Holy Ghost, receives membership in the Church of Jesus Christ, receives forgiveness of sins, peace of conscience, a rebirth of the Spirit (Mosiah 4:1-13), grace, a hope in Christ, salvation or eternal life, and the joy of the saints. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or partaking of bread and wine instituted by Jesus, is in remembrance of this covenant, in remembrance of His blood, or atonement for sins, and His resurrection, or body. The “milk” of the kingdom of God has to do with learning of and keeping this gospel covenant, which has several equivalent names in the scriptures. The “meat” is “going on unto perfection,” or entering into subsequent covenants, to obtain a fullness of the life God leads. (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1-4; John 17:3)
See also Wikipedia: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Scripture
Mormonism teaches that the Gospel of Christ has existed since the days of Adam and Eve, and that throughout history apostasy from this gospel in its pure form led to the need for a restoration. Mormons believe that their doctrine has existed on the Earth throughout history, but at different eras was lost and later restored. Most notably Mormons believe the Great Apostasy occurred after the death of Saint Peter and the other original twelve apostles and the calling of Joseph Smith marked a new restoration that has continued to this day.
The Book of Mormon, published in 1830 in Palmyra, New York, claims to be a sacred record written by Prophets of God practicing Christianity on the American Continent between 600 BC and 400 AD. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is holy scripture and, as another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion to the Bible. Some "traditional" Christians hold that the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith, and that the Bible is the only book that should be accepted as scripture, the Book of Mormon denying the self-sufficiency of the present-day Bible as the only word of God. On the other hand, Joseph Smith only had a third grade education, and many claim that there is no way a young man with his education could have composed such a complex, internally coherent, theological work. Mormons usually use this as evidence of his divine inspiration.
The Church's most distinctive scripture, the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, was published by founder Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830. It is believed to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" and bears that subtitle as of 1982.[138] Smith stated that he translated the Book of Mormon from metal plates that had "the appearance of gold" that he found buried near his home. His history records:
"At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the 22nd day of September 1827, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected."[139]
The Book of Mormon cannot be lightly passed over, as Joseph Smith said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion." (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, p. 57)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands or falls, based on the genuineness of that Book. If it came forth, was translated from gold plates by means of ancient seer stones, from reformed Egyptian, was declared correctly translated by an angel to three witnesses besides Joseph Smith, the plates being seen and handled by still eight other witnesses, was partly sealed (Isa. 29:11-18), and actually was an ancient spiritual record of Christ's dealings with a fallen people on the American continents, as Joseph Smith, Jr. said it was, then he is a prophet. If any detail of his unusual account is false, then he is false. If the Book is true, as millions now believe, then he and his successors are genuine prophets, and the church he established under Divine guidance is also genuine and correct.("Testimony of Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses" at the front of Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants 84:54-59; Moroni 10:4-5 in the Book of Mormon)[140]
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, including in the courts of the land, a testimony presented by two competent witnesses is considered more convincing than the testimony of one, especially if that single witness is testifying in his own cause. The Bible and Book of Mormon set forth the Divine practice of furnishing "two or three witnesses" to important Divine acts.(Deut. 17:1; 2 Cor. 13:1; Ether 5:4) Every religion except that taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has only one witness and that is the religion itself. Latter-day saints have witnesses from each of two widely separated nations for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one book originating in ancient Israel and one in ancient America, and the two testify of the same God and each other. Those nations produced the Bible and the Book of Mormon, "the stick of Judah" and "stick of Ephraim," which agree in one in testifying that Jesus is the Messiah, the true and livng God of Israel.(Ezekiel 37:15-19; 2 Nephi 3:12; 29:2-14; Isa. 29:11-18; Gen. 48; Jer. 3:18; John 10:16; Acts 10:34-36; Alma 46:24-26; 3 Ne. 10:16, 17; 15:16-24; 16:1-7; 20:22; D&C 3:16; 20:11-12; 42:11-12)[141]
Only those declarations, publications, and teachings received by common consent in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are binding upon its members. Specifically, when a member is accepted by baptism and confirmation into the Church, he or she covenants to accept as binding upon him or her the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the pronouncements of the living prophet, or President of the Church, as the word of God, plus everything accepted by common consent up to that time. Any other teachings or publications are compared for accuracy against those criteria, and may or may not be true, and are not necessarily binding upon the members. [165] Latter-day Saints believe the Holy Bible is important, instructive, and miraculous even as it stands, but that it has been tampered with over the millenia. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ says "many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord" have been deleted from the Bible. (1 Nephi 13:29-39) Every new translation of the Bible, or attempt to clarify its meaning, is a de facto confirmation of this same position. And contrary to some popular opinions, Latter-day Saints believe more of the Bible, and can explain more of it than many who claim to believe it exclusively. The King James Version of the Bible is the official Bible used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with cross-references to the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and to the Joseph Smith Translation, also called the Inspired Version of the Bible, a King James Version partly corrected (1830-1833) by Joseph Smith.
Mormonism and Christianity
Mormonism is one of numerous denominations that arose during the nineteenth century, sometimes described by the term 'Restorationism', which like others before and since have rejected traditional Christianity and the denominations that represent it. For their part, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics, each with their distinctive emphases, teach that the Christian faith has been passed on in the church since the time of the Twelve Apostles. Traditional Christian churches teach that the scriptural canon is closed to new revelation, which ceased with the end of the Apostolic Age. The creeds of traditional Christian churches, such as the Nicene creed (A.D. 325), describe the faith that has been preserved. Traditional Christians teach that this transmitted faith is the biblical doctrine, preserved by the guidance of the Holy Spirit; especially, the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism teach that this Faith is a necessary accompaniment to the Bible. By inference, any who depart from the faith preserved by the Holy Spirit cannot authentically proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation through Christ. Traditional belief, especially the belief in Trinitarianism and the conviction that new public revelation ended with the death of the last apostles, implies that the Latter Day Saints' additional scriptures and other revelations alienate them from the Christian tradition of faith.
Despite these differences, Mormons hold conservative views on social issues that are similar to those of other conservative Christians with whom they often join forces in political or humanitarian causes, most recently opposing same-sex marriages with Proposition 8. However, doctrinal conflicts between Mormonism and other Christian denominations remain. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not accept the baptism of any other Christian church including other denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement and rejects the apostolic succession of those churches that lay claim to it. Some Christian denominations have acknowledged that Mormonism does not share their apostolic Christian tradition and have also declared Mormon baptisms to be invalid. Some of the points of difference are discussed below; however, whether or not these differences argue for or against the inclusion of Mormonism within the category of Christianity depends entirely on individual viewpoints.
Restored gospel
Its late emergence in the historical Christian tradition makes it part of the Christian restoration movement rather than traditional Christian churches. There are differences of religious practice that are not found in other Christian churches such as the ordinances of the Mormon temple. Mormons generally avoid use of the cross in ritual, decoration, or apparel. Mormons celebrate the Christian holidays (Christmas and Easter) and testify of Jesus Christ as the Savior and head of their faith, with prophets, apostles, seventies, and other leaders acting as his servants.
Scripture
See entry above: Scripture
Mormonism and Judaism
Because of the incorporation of many Old Testament ideas into its theology, Mormonism has a historical affinity for Judaism. The beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism and certain elements of Jewish culture. This is primarily from what are historical and doctrinal connections with Judaism.
Joseph Smith Jr. named the largest Mormon settlement he founded Nauvoo, which means "to be beautiful" in Hebrew. Brigham Young named a tributary of the Great Salt Lake the "Jordan River." The LDS Church created a writing scheme called the Deseret Alphabet, which was based, in part, on Hebrew. Currently, the LDS Church has a Jerusalem Center in Israel, at which some college-aged youth study and learn to appreciate and respect the region.
The LDS Church also teaches that its adherents are members of the House of Israel. Patriarchal blessings are received by most individuals in their youth. Among other things, this blessing's purpose is to declare one's lineage; in other words, to which of the twelve tribes of Israel the individual belongs.
Conversely, 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 of baptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish victims of the Holocaust and Jews in general. According to LDS Church general authority Monte 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.'".
Mormonism and polygamy
Mormonism has been closely associated in public discourse with polygamy, but is not directly connected. In the 1830s, Joseph Smith, Jr. instituted a form of polygamy in which one man would have several wives, referred to as plural marriage, which Brigham Young promoted after the LDS Church's move to the Utah Territory. According to his own statements, Joseph Smith, Jr. was more than a little uneasy at facing the institution of plural marriage, and said that he did so only after being warned through subsequent divine revelation that he should begin the practice or "be destroyed"; however, not all members practiced polygamy.
Upon learning about the practice, mainstream churches and political forces in the United States mounted a vigorous campaign to stamp it out. The United States Congress passed laws criminalizing the practice and dissolved polygamous families, disincorporated the LDS Church, and began seizing Church property. A few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of the Federal government's actions to disincorporate the LDS Church and force the forfeiture of its property, the Church issued its 1890 Manifesto renouncing the practice of polygamy. Today, the LDS Church asserts the time for polygamy has ended, rejects the practice, and excommunicates members who engage in it. In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy."
The 1890 renunciation of polygamy by the LDS Church also led to a number of schisms involving relatively small groups who today describe themselves as Mormon fundamentalists and who still practice polygamy as well as other elements of 19th-century Mormonism that have been rejected or denounced by the LDS Church. These organizations believe that their doctrines and practices remain true to the original teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young. At times, the press has claimed there are as many as 37,000 Mormon fundamentalists, with fewer than half of them living in polygamous households, although there may be as few as 25,000.
Missionary work
Missionary work is one of the key aspects of the LDS Church. Young men and women range in age from nineteen for men and twenty-one for women. Older couples also may serve in missionary labor throughout the world. Missions are opened throughout the free world with the only restrictions are to areas where governments do not allow missionaries to preach (currently these areas are composed of the Middle East, some African Countries, as well as China, with the exception of Hong Kong). Presently, as of 2008, there are around 52,686 missionaries serving at 348 mission sites.
The first LDS missionary efforts began as early as 1830, with Samuel Smith, Brother to Joseph Smith, Jr. as the first missionary. The Church first called for full-time missionaries in 1974, when the prophet of the Church, President Spencer W. Kimball, called young people to serve the Church in full-time missionary work. Today, every young man that is both morally and physically capable of missionary work is expected to participate in a mission.
LDS missionary work is performed in pairs. Before a missionary is sent to their respective mission, they must first attend a Missionary Training Center (MTC). Currently there are seventeen MTCs throughout the world. In order to ensure a focus on Jesus Christ, and the preaching of his gospel, missionaries cease activities such as attending parties, dating, and other forms of entertainment. Mission life is a time of prayer, scripture study, teaching, and searching for those are seeking a stronger relationship God. The average timespan for a mission for a young man is two years, whereas the average time span for a young woman is eighteen months.
"The average missionary in 1989 brought 8 people into the church, while in 2000 the average missionary brought 4.6 people into the church. When one accounts for actual activity and retention rates, with the great majority of LDS convert growth occurring in Latin America and other areas with low retention, and only 20-25% of convert growth occurring in North America, one finds that of the 4.6 persons baptized by the average missionary each year, approximately 1.3 will remain active. This declining growth comes in spite of unprecedented increase in opportunity. From 1990 to 2000, the LDS Church opened an additional 59 nations to proselyting."
"241,239 LDS convert baptisms were reported for 2004, the lowest number of converts since 1987. Other recent years have also demonstrated decelerating church growth. Over the past decade, LDS missionaries have been challenged to double the number of baptisms, but instead the number of baptisms per missionary has halved."
"The LDS Church is one of the few Christian groups with a large missionary program to experience declining growth rates in spite of widening opportunities. An analysis of annual LDS statistical reports published in the May Ensigns of each year demonstrates that LDS growth has declined progressively from over 5% annually in the late 1980s to less than 3% annually from 2000 to 2004."
Mormonism and families
The most comprehensive statement on families made by the First Presidency came in 1995 and has since been the source of growing controversey and hostility:
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
See also
External links
- — PBS special on Mormon belief
|
| |
|
|
