Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
People Places Practices Philosophies
The angel Moroni trumpeting in the last days. Seen on all LDS temples.
People
Founder: Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844)
Local Leader: Elder or Bishop (males only). Polity is hierarchical.
Population: approximately 13.9 million
Places
Place of Origin: Fayette, New York
Date of Origin: April 6, 1830
Significant Holy City or Place: Salt Lake City, UT; Independence, MO; Nauvoo, IL; Kirtland, OH; Palmyra, NY; other historical
sites of significant church history.
Major Population Centre: Western United States with populations world-wide.
Place of Worship: Churches are termed meetinghouses called branches within jurisdictions known as wards or stakes.
Meetinghouses are open to the public. Temples are open only to church members in good standing.
Protocol for Visitors: No specific requirements
Practices
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The Latter-day Saint church places a high priority on family – both present-day and ancestral.
Young people age 19-25 (and many retired persons) – male and female – often choose to spend up to two years in
missionary service.
Temple ministry is a key practice in which sacramental ceremonies are performed on behalf of both the living and the
dead.
Philosophies
Divinity: Non-Trinitarian. God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit form a Godhead that is one in purpose but not one in
being. Each is separate and distinct.
Scriptures: Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants (open canon), Pearl of Great Price
Quotation: In the temples, members of the Church…can participate in the most exalted of the redeeming ordinances that have
been revealed to mankind. And when we have received these blessings for ourselves, we may officiate for those who have died
without having had the same opportunity. In the temples, sacred ordinances are performed for the living and the dead alike.
President Boyd K. Packer
Key Concepts:
• Through the process of revelation to Joseph Smith, Jr., the church as instituted by Jesus Christ was restored to earth.
Jesus continues to lead the church today through revelation and direction to the church’s Prophet-President.
• The Book of Mormon is a second testimony of Jesus Christ translated from golden plates divinely granted to Joseph Smith
by the angel Moroni. It is the story of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas from about 2500 BCE to 400 CE and includes
an account of Jesus’ visitation to and ministry among the people of ancient America.
• Special rites (known as sealings or endowments) performed in a temple extend unique blessings, ministerial roles, and
familial relationships into eternity.
Branches: After the assassination of Joseph Smith, Jr., many factions arose. The largest being the Mormons of Salt Lake City. The
second largest is the Community of Christ (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
headquartered in Independence, MO. There are scores of other factions across North America including some extreme
fundamental branches that espouse polygamy, a practice abandoned by the church in 1890.
copyright © 2006
Encounter World Religions Centre: People, Places, Practices, Philosophies
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