About the Mormon Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes known as "Mormons," was founded in 1830 in New York state. Today, the Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City and has more than 13 million members worldwide.

The primary purpose of the Church is to help individuals to live the teachings of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that embracing his teachings and living lives of decency, honesty, compassion, service and other Christ-like virtues allows an individual to one day return to live with God.

At the congregational level, the Church is characterized by an all-volunteer ministry. Millions of men and women and even young people serve and support each other. In the broader community, Church members are encouraged to reach out and engage in civic affairs and community service. The Church also operates a significant global humanitarian aid program, most of which assists people who are not members of the Church.

History of Mormonism

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that their church is a restoration of the biblical church that Jesus Christ founded, and which was lost during what is known as the Great Apostasy.

In 1820, the original church, its teachings and authority were restored through a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith. Confused by the religious excitement of the time, Joseph Smith wondered which church he should join. He was given a vision in which he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ told Joseph Smith not to join any of the churches because they did not have the complete truth. This event marked the beginning of an outpouring of modern scripture and truths known as the Restoration.

The Book of Mormon

As part of the Restoration, God provided a new book of scripture, called the Book of Mormon, which is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The Book of Mormon is a second witness of Christ and affirms the truth of the Bible. Latter-day Saints use the Bible and the Book of Mormon as companions to each other.

Why are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons?

Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon into English from an ancient record written on gold plates. The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon, an ancient prophet who compiled the record. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sometimes called "Mormons," a term taken from the title of this text. Latter-day saints do not object to the term "Mormons" when applied to members, but "Mormon Church" is generally discouraged because it omits the name of Jesus Christ from the church itself.

Leadership

Latter-day Saints believe that God continues to guide his Church on earth today through modern prophets, as He did in biblical times through the prophets of the Old Testament or the apostles of the New Testament. Joseph Smith was the first of the modern-day prophets. Today, the prophet and president of the Church is Thomas S. Monson, and he is assisted by two counselors: Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

President Monson, his counselors and other leaders of the Church speak on many occasions, but they hold two specific meetings each year, referred to as general conferences, which take place in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

These meetings are broadcast via satellite and streamed online and are translated into 92 languages.

While members of the Church honor prophets and leaders, they do not blindly follow them. Every member of the Church is encouraged to pray for personal confirmation of the prophets' messages.

Basic Beliefs

Families and Temples

Families are central to the plan of salvation. Latter-day Saints foster loving, successful families based on their faith in Jesus Christ, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities. Families are believed to be part of God's design and provide crucial environments for the raising of children as caring members of society.

Mormons place a special emphasis on families because they believe family units do not dissolve at death, but continue into the eternities. Families are united together as eternal families in special services in Mormon temples.

In temples, faithful members of the Church learn about the purpose of life, make covenants with God and participate in religious ceremonies that reach beyond mortality, such as baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors and eternal marriage. There are currently 130 temples worldwide. Temples are therefore quite different to the thousands of Mormon church buildings around the world that are used for regular Sunday services and other weekday activities.

The Godhead

In addition to modern revelation, another distinguishing tenet of Mormonism is members' belief in the nature of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Together, these form what many churches refer to as the Holy Trinity. Mormons believe the members of the Godhead are three separate and distinct beings and that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have tangible, immortal bodies. Though they are separate individuals, they are united in purpose.

Latter-day Saints refer to God as their Heavenly Father because He is the Father of all men and women's spirits. God knows His children personally and has provided a plan, called the plan of salvation, by which everyone can find happiness and peace. The plan includes a premortal existence, an earthly existence and a post-mortal existence. It explains the purpose of life and what can be expected after death.

Mormon Missionaries

While some people may not have heard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they might have seen young men in suits riding bicycles and wearing badges. These young men are Mormon missionaries, who volunteer to spend two years teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. To qualify to serve, young men must be at least 18 years old, and young women must be at least 19 years old. Retired couples are also invited to serve.

Mormon missionaries serve for one to two years and work with a companion. They receive no monetary compensation and pay for their own living expenses.

If you would like to visit with missionaries in your area or learn more about Mormons and their beliefs, please visit the following sites:

http://www.mormon.org
http://www.lds.org
http://www.youtube.co m/mormonmessages
http://www.FamilySearch.org
http://www.newsroom.lds.org

Note: This page is not official content from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.