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Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City

Mormonism, is a new religious movement founded by Joseph Smith in the early 1800's. The official name of the church today is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes shortened to LDS to refer to both the church or its members. Mormonism is one of the few young religions, based on Christianity, along with Jehovah's Witnesses and Scientology, to have survived with any significant membership. Their primary holy texts are their denomination specific translation of the Christian Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. [1]


The Church headquarters are currently located in Salt Lake City, Utah. In that region, the church is popular and influential in the politics.



The church believes they are maintaining the early structure of the Christian church. The leader of the church, currently Thomas S. Monson, is called the church president and is considered to be a prophet. He is assisted by counsellors and apostles. [2] The church leadership is said to be chosen by God.


Joseph Smith

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:
Portrait of Joseph Smith, Jr.

Joseph Smith Jr. was born in Sharon, Vermont, to Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith, on December 23, 1805. Smith grew up on a series of tenant farms in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. Smith's education consisted of a very limited exposure to the reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is known however that his Father Joseph Sr. was a school teacher. Joseph Smith Jr. claimed to be able to divine for buried treasure and in 1827 appeared in court accused of being an imposter i.e. a fraud.

Smith claimed that he received a vision in 1820 of two shining personages, Jesus and God the Father, who told him that all existing churches were false; this incident is referred to as the "first vision". In 1823, Smith said he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him of an ancient record containing God's dealings with the former inhabitants of the American continent. These writings served as the foundation of the Mormon religion, with Joseph Smith as the first prophet.

Brigham Young


Many of those who rejected Brigham Young's leadership joined their own denomination that is today known as the Community of Christ. [3]

Holy Books

Mormons do not rely solely upon the Bible as a basis for their beliefs. According to Mormonism's Articles of Faith, Mormons "believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly" [4]. In fact, Joseph Smith did hazard a retranslation of the Bible. Because Mormons believe in a living prophet and continuing revelation, other official church publications are considered to be part of church doctrine.

Book of Mormon

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:
Main Article: Book of Mormon


Moroni 10:4 and a foreword to the Book of Mormon contains the promise that readers may pray to God for a confirmation of it's authenticity. This promise is used extensively by Mormons (especially missionaries) in proselytizing.

"You can know that Mormonism is true [by] praying with a sincere heart and with real intent. [5]"

Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of "revelations" that Joseph received from Jesus Christ. It contains amoung other things instructions for how the church should be run. It was originally called the "Book of Commandments"


Pearl of Great Price


For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Smith claimed to have translated an ancient Egyptian scroll to reveal the Book of Abraham. The original scrolls were original papyri of ancient Egypt, purchased at a travelling show and believed to have been lost for decades after Smith's death. However, the church reacquired them in 1967 and are known now as the Joseph Smith Papyri. What is interesting about the papyri is modern translations do not match Joseph Smith's translation at all, and are in fact a common funerary text and nothing to do with Mormonism.



Other official Mormon publications

Journal of Discourses



Holy Bible: Joseph Smith Translation

Joseph Smith also performed a "re-translation" of the King James version of the Bible. Mormon's include these translations as footnotes in their versions of the Bible. In his translation, Smith attempts to clarify contradictory passages to fit more precisely with the Book of Mormon and his other writings.


For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Joseph Smith was involved in Freemasonry, along with many other early church leaders. Many ritualistic elements of the Freemasons were imported into Mormonism, such as the oaths used in temple, the grips (secret handshakes), the five points of fellowship and the square and compass emblem. [6] Some of these practices have been phased out in the Mormon church.


Male priesthood

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:
Melchizedek priesthood
high priest
Aaronic priesthood
"The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. [7]"
For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormonism differs from most other Christian denominations in that all male adherents older than 12 years are within the priesthood. The priesthood is constituted by various offices and privileges, called keys, that form the Mormon leadership hierarchy. The Melchizedek Priesthood is considered to be greater than the Aaronic Priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood, which may be gained at 18 years of age, has leadership responsibilities and may conduct certain rites or "ordnances". The Aaronic Priesthood may administer some lesser rites. [8] The priesthood is passed, by the laying on of hands, from one priesthood holder higher up on the hierarchy. All the rituals of the Mormon church are conducted by authorized priesthood holders, including baptisms, temple weddings (known as sealings), and general-purpose blessings.

"Without the priesthood and the saving ordinances thereof, 'the whole earth would be utterly wasted' [9]"
"Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. [10]"

Proselytising by missionaries

Two Mormon missionaries (R) speaking to man

The most visible aspect of Mormonism is doorstep proselytising by missionaries; the church has perhaps the most active missionary program of any contemporary religion. Missionaries are often young adults who work pairs, each wearing a dark suit. Many missionaries participate in an unpaid, self funded, full-time mission tour of 18 months to 2 years, often in a different country. When proselytising, they will often encourage non-Mormons to pray and to seek for God. Missionaries are motivated by religious fervour or social pressure. While missionary work is voluntary, there can be family or community pressure on Mormons to participate.

"Looking back, I see a lot of missionaries just go because it is expected of them, it's what everyone else is doing, and maybe there is a lot of social pressure on the young men to do so. [11]"

Their favorite apologetics include:

  • Praying can authenticate the Book of Mormon: pray to God and "he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Moroni 10:4-5). The feeling that it is true during prayer is said to be a "burning in the bosom [chest]". This feeling is more likely to be produced by the power of suggestion because the missionary stated this would happen. Research has shown that suggesting someone will experience a sensation can actually trigger the sensation without the normal stimulus. [12] It is also a poor way to authenticate a holy book because many believers of other religions also have spiritual experiences, making it a broken compass argument.
  • Belief will make you happy
  • Appeal to emotion - missionaries sometimes show a video and ask what emotions the viewer is feeling.

Women's roles

Mormon society, perhaps even more than most other Christian denominations, is a patriarchy. Women are subordinate to men in the organization of the church and family structures. Women are prohibited from holding either of the church's two priesthoods, and thus are prohibited from holding priesthood based callings or leadership positions within the church. [13] [14]

"Mormonism has created an ingenious system of oppression, in which opposition towards men is tantamount to arguing with God. [15]"

Church leaders repeatedly recommend that women, when possible, should stay at home and rear children rather than pursue professional careers. [16] Women do hold leadership positions in the church's women's organizations, such as the Relief Society. During the Mormon church's bi-annual broadcasts, known as general conference, the majority of the speakers are the male leaders of the church. As children, girls and boys are separated by gender into separate Sunday school classes. They also share co-ed classes and meetings as part of the regular three hour block of Sunday meetings. Some liberal believers have transferred to the Community of Christ denomination which is similar to Mormonism but is more progressive in terms of women's roles. [3]

Behaviour and clothing

Template garments

Adult mormons are expected to wear sacred "template garments" once they have participated in their endowment ceremony. [17] In the section known as the "Word of Wisdom", the Doctrine and Covenants forbids consumption of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks (including tea and coffee). [18] Believers are expected to tithe 10% of their income to the church. [19]

Meetinghouse and temples

A meetinghouse is a place of worship for a local ward or branch of believers, and allow visitors. Temples are distinct from meetinghouses and are restricted to devout Mormons. The Mormon church has around 144 temples worldwide. [20] Only Mormons, who have been screened by local priesthood leaders for a "temple recommend," may enter the temple to perform ceremonies. Mormon temples are the setting for many of the church's secretive rituals, including marriages, sealings and the mysterious Endownment ceremonies.

Former policies against blacks

Blacks were prohibited participation in temple endowment, sealing ordinances or priesthood from 1852 until 1978. [21] Earlier teachings consider blacks to be limited to being "servant of servants". Since blacks have been within the church since its beginnings, this belief has a danger of causing self-hatred among believers. [22]

Historic polygamy



Church Doctrine

Study of Mormon doctrine is complicated by statements of church leaders, even though they are considered living prophets, are not necessarily held to be church doctrine. [23] The church has a rarely used procedure for new doctrine to be officially accepted. [24] This section describes generally held doctrine rather than strictly official church doctrine.

While Mormons agree with other Christians on doctrines like the resurrection and divinity of Jesus, atonement, speaking in tongues and the fall of man, they have many distinctive beliefs. Mormons reject the concept of original sin and salvation by faith alone.

Great apostasy

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons consider other Christian denominations have deviated from the true faith and are therefore apostates. They consider Mormonism to be a revival of original Christianity. [25] Mormons believe that without living prophets, mankind tends towards apostasy. Mormons believe that God has promised the current line of prophets will not be broken until the return of Jesus.

Authority of the priesthood

The two priesthoods that the Mormons claim are the Aaronic priesthood and the Melchizedek priesthood, referred to collectively as simply the Priesthood. They are considered to be the only authentic priesthoods on Earth. Mormons believe that Peter, one of Jesus's original apostles, was given the priesthood keys. Mormons believe that the chain of priesthood was broken and all other contemporary Christian denominations are bereft of any priesthood authority. God supposedly restored these priesthoods to the earth through Joseph Smith. The priesthood is currently maintained by a series of living prophets that lead the Mormon church, rather like the doctrine of apostolic succession.

Regarding, "The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name." Can't regular believers act in God's name? What about that random dude casting out devils but without being in Jesus's club? Luke 9:49-50 Bible-icon.png Jesus told his apostles not to stop him.

Pre-mortal existence and salvation

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons believe that human souls are eternal; they always have existed and will continue to exist. [14] Souls start in a "pre-existent" state as spirit children before they are born. [26][27] Human souls, like God, are self-existent:

"We say that God Himself is a self-existing being...Man does exist upon the same principles [28]"
"both [matter and spirit] are self-existent, they never began to exist, and they never can be annihilated [29]"

The Mormon view of salvation calls for both faith and works:

"If you are to return to live with God eternally, you must keep His commandments, accept Jesus Christ’s Atonement, and follow His example while you are on Earth. [30]"
"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.... [the] 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 [31]"

They reject the concept of salvation by faith alone.

If human souls always existed, it is impossible for them to be "offspring" or for a heavenly father (and mother) to conceive them. In what sense is God a father in Mormonism?

God the Father and the Godhead

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons believe that God the Father, known as Elohim or Ahman, is distinct from Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Mormons reject the concept of the Trinity but have a somewhat analogous doctrine of the Godhead which has the Father, Jesus and Holy Ghost united in will or purpose. God the Father has a physical body within space and time, and has omnipotence, omniscience and perfect love. [32]

Joseph Smith taught that God the Father had a father himself, implying an infinite ancestry of Gods and God the Father was one a man. This was repeated by other leaders of the church [14] but it is of uncertain status in official doctrine.

"God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. [14][26]"

Christ, the Holy Ghost and all human souls are considered the literal "spiritual offspring" of God the Father.

If God the Father achieved godhood without any help, then presumably anyone can do with - this makes the Mormon church redundant. If God required help to attain godhood from another deity, perhaps Mormons should be worshipping that entity instead. Or perhaps given an infinite number of Gods, God the Father is a valid choice among many possibilities and they are content with that.


Mormons are monolatrist in that they recognize may Gods exist but worship only the God the Father. Mormons believe that any spirit children can attain Godhood, just as Jesus did. They also reject deism and consider Gods to have physical bodies. [32]

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons also believe in a Heavenly Mother. [27]

Belief in multiple divine beings is even more polythiestic than regular Christianity. Since Mormons reject deism, claims made by Mormons are therefore subject to scientific inquiry and falsification.


  • Jesus was God's first born son but one of many children of God.
  • Jesus was not originally a God but achieved this state during his pre-existence (before his Earthly mission) "through consistent effort and continuous obedience". [34] In his pre-existent state, Jesus is referred to as Jehovah.
  • All humans and Lucifer are the spirit brothers of Jesus. "But both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers." [35]
  • Formerly, some church leaders taught Jesus was a married or a polygamist. [34] The modern church is neutral on the issue. [36]
  • A personal relationship with Jesus, as in evangelical Christianity, is rejected as "improper and perilous". [34] "some may be offended at the counsel that they should not strive for a special and personal relationship with Christ" [37] Prayers are directed rather to God (but in the name of Jesus).
  • The source of Jesus's divinity is God the Father [32]
  • After his resurrection, Jesus visited what was later known as North America. [38] The incident is described in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. He supposedly founded a just society which lasted for a few generations.

Humans by the process of exultation

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

According to Mormons, we are like Jesus and Lucifer in that we are spirit children of God. All spirit children have the potential, through eternal progression, to become gods in their own right by process of exaltation, provided they follow God's plan. [39] The purpose of Earthly life is as a training ground for new gods by gaining experiences that could not be gained by other means. After death, everyone is bodily resurrected into a perfected body, which is part of becoming like God the Father and Jesus Christ, who also have bodies of "flesh and bones" [40]

Baptism for the dead

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons also perform ceremonies, by proxy, for their ancestors who died before Mormonism came into being. [14] Baptism for the dead is a practice of initiating a deceased person into a religion. The church claims that ceremonies for the dead are limited to people for whom Mormons have discovered as ancestors through the church's extensive genealogy program. The Mormon genealogy data is a useful resource for genealogy researchers outside the church. However, the church has been criticized in the past for posthumously baptizing people without their consent, as well as those outside of their members' family trees, including many of the Founding Fathers and Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Adam-God doctrine

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:


This contradicts the perfection of God because Mormons also believe that Adam transgressed, leading to the fall of man.


For more information, see the Wikipedia article:


Eternal families

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons believe that marital and familial bonds can continue beyond death if those family members are sealed in a Mormon temple by a priesthood holder designated as a sealer. [14] Sealed families will remain families in the afterlife, and will be together if they all go to the same kingdom. Deceased family members may also be sealed, provide they have been baptised posthumously, by proxy.


Obedience brings blessings

Apologists claim that following God's law will lead to happiness. This is a version of the prosperity gospel which says God makes believers prosperous and/or happy.


Joseph Smith [42]

Seer stones

Early Mormons used seer stones for scrying (a form of divination) to receive revelations from God or to translate documents. Although fundamental to the narrative of the religion, seer stones are not openly used by the church today. The most significant in Mormonism were the Urim and Thummim.

In 2015, the church released photographs of a stone in its possession that was used in the production of the Book of Mormon. [43] If they want to provide evidence of their validity, they would demonstrate they still work (under scientifically controlled conditions). The James Randi Educational Foundation would be happy to help them organize a suitable demonstration and pay a large prize of they are successful. However, the church will not do this since divination is a fraud.

Curse of dark skin

The Book of Mormon claims that the Lamanites (the Native Americans) were cursed by God with dark skin because of their wickedness and so they would "not be enticing" to the Nephites (2 Nephi 5:21). Lamanites who obeyed God miraculously became white skinned. Of course, this is rather a racist thing to believe. The modern church now disavows the idea that black skin is a curse or sign of disfavor from God. [21] In order to reconcile this change with the Book of Mormon, apologists claim this was more a spiritual curse rather than a change of appearance. [44]

Celestial Kingdom, terrestrial kingdom, and telestial kingdom

For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Mormons believe that after death, people are resurrected, judged by God and sent to one of three kingdoms or Perdition. The kindoms are the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. Perdition is to be cast into the "outer darkness", which may be a permanent state for some people.

Opposition to homosexuality

The church opposes homosexual behaviours:

"[Homosexual] attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. [45]"

Changes to church rules in November 2015 stated that people in same sex marriages should be disciplined. This could lead to their excommunication. [46]

"adults who choose to enter into a same-gender marriage or similar relationship commit sin that warrants a Church disciplinary council. [47]"

Also, they ruled that children living with same sex parents could not be baptised, saying it was in the best interest of the child. [47] This lead to a wave of resignations with people disgusted with the church's stance. [48]

See also


  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. 3.0 3.1 [3]
  4. Articles of Faith, 8
  5. Comment by Courtney on How can I know Mormonism is true?
  6. [4]
  7. [5]
  8. [6]
  9. [7]
  10. [8]
  11. Jared comment on Why do Mormons go on missions?
  12. [9]
  13. [10]
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Rulon T. Burton, We Believe: Doctrines and Principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2004
  15. [11]
  16. [12]
  17. [13]
  18. [14]
  19. [15]
  20. [16]
  21. 21.0 21.1 [17]
  22. [18]
  23. [19]
  24. [20]
  25. [21]
  26. 26.0 26.1 [22]
  27. 27.0 27.1 [23]
  28. Joseph Smith, History of the Church 6:308-309
  29. Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:55
  30. [24]
  31. [25]
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 [26]
  33. [27]
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 [28]
  35. [29]
  36. [30]
  37. [31]
  38. Is it true that Jesus appeared in North America after his crucifixion and resurrection according to the Book of Mormon?,
  39. D&C 132:20
  40. D&C 130:22
  41. Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 50
  42. [32]
  43. Revealed: the stone that 'translated' the Book of Mormon
  44. [33]
  45. [34]
  46. Caught between apostasy and heartbreak: a Mormon lesbian love story
  47. 47.0 47.1 [35]
  48. [36]

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