The Mormon religion was founded in the 1820s by Joseph Smith, who claimed divine visions revealing the true church had been lost. Smith published the Book of Mormon in 1830 based on golden plates he translated. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was then organized. Mormons believe their religion was restored through Joseph Smith and that he received further revelation, including allowing polygamy. The religion emphasizes family values and continues to grow internationally.

2.  America in the 1820’s was full of revolutionary changes
that helped cultivate the ideals, values, stock, and
pride of the nation. For example in 1820, a group of
freed Black colonists left New York, NY to go to Africa to
Freetown, Sierra Leone. In 1821 for the 1st time the
Saturday Evening Post is published as a weekly
newspaper by Atkinson and Alexander, in 1827 a
statute was passed in New York that would end slavery
in that state and the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad
was the 1st commercial railroad to offer transportation of
people and goods in the United States. Also in the
1820’s arose a religious movement that would cause
great controversy in the years to come, that movement
was headed by Joseph Smith founder of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

3. Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was, “chosen by God to
restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.” According to
legend, in 1820 14-year-old Joseph Smith went into a grove of
trees near his home in Palmyra, New York to pray. While in
prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to
him, in similar fashion to the appearances prophets like Moses
and Paul experienced. From this divine visitation, Joseph tells
others that he learned that the Church originally organized by
Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth. In the following years,
Joseph Smith says he was visited by other heavenly messengers,
including the angel Moroni in 1823- that Smith claims guided him
to buried gold plates inscribed by ancient Native Americans. The
recovered gold plates was supposed to be the “fullness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ.” In 1827, Smith translated the gold plates
into English in 60 days, “by the inspiration of God,” this translation
is published as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus
Christ. The Church of Christ was organized in Fayette, New York,
on 6 April 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith. The name
of the church was later changed to The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints in 1838.

4. Who were important people/leaders/empires in the
religion/philosophy?
 Joseph Smith – Visionary and founder of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints formerly
named The Church of Christ
 Brigham Young – Endearingly referred to as
“American Moses” for leading the “Mormon
Pioneers” to the “promised land” – the territory
which is now the state of Utah.
 Thomas Monson – Current President of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Became a
bishop at 22 years old, leading view includes
preserving the sanctity of marriage

5. Are there religious texts or other primary sources that are
important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
 The King James Holy Bible – written through out time,
inspired of God, translated from Hebrew, Aramaic, &
Greek
 The Book of Mormon – written by Joseph Smith,
named after angel “Moroni”, based on translation of
gold plates & papri
 The Pearl of Great Price- written by – Joseph Smith
Includes various books and “The Articles of Faith”
 The Covenants & Doctrines – part of the “open
canon” and continues to be edited/ revised today.
Contains two parts: lectures setting up basic church
doctrine, and a compilation of important revelations

6. Excerpts from The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, &
The Pearl of Great Price to explain the religion
The “true church”
 "And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only;
the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the
church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church
of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church which is the
mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1
Nephi 14:10).
 "And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out
upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable
church of all the earth, whose foundation is the devil, then, at that
day, the work of the Father shall commence. . ." (1 Nephi. 14:17).
The Holy Bible
 "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is
translated correctly. . ." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon
Church).
 "Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through
the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are
many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which
is the book of the Lamb of God," (1 Nephi 13:28).

7. God
 "Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature
perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and
bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
 "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be
from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be
above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods,
because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (D&C
132:20).
Jesus
 "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was
the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood - was begotten of
his Father, as we were of our fathers," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115).
 "Christ Not Begotten of Holy Ghost ...Christ was begotten of God. He was not
born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of
Salvation, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1954, 1:18).
The Trinity
 "Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are
only one God. I say that is a strange God [anyhow]--three in one and one in
three. . .It is curious organization… All are crammed into one God according
to sectarianism (Christian faith). It would make the biggest God in all the
world. He would be a wonderfully big God--he would be a giant or a
monster," (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 372).

8. Does this religion claim their text to be inerrant, inspired, &
the final authority?
 “On February 17, 1835, after the committee had
selected the book's contents, the committee wrote that
the resulting work represents "our belief, and when we
say this, humbly trust, the faith and principles of this
society as a body.” (D&C section 156)
 The Mormons allow for an “open canon” of their
religious writings giving provisions for changes, additions,
and removals to the written works that they subscribe
to.
 In conclusion the Mormons believe in and practice from
what is taught in their religious texts emphatically until a
change is made, then adapt to the new belief.

9. What are the basic principles &practices of the
religion/philosophy? (from the 13 Articles of Faith)
 Mormons believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His
Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. (#1)
 Mormons believe that men will be punished for personal
sins, not for Adam’s transgression. (#2)
 Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as
it is translated correctly; & also believe the Book of
Mormon to be the word of God.(#8)
 The privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the
dictates of your own conscience, in Mormonism allows all
men the same privilege: letting them worship how, where,
or what they may. (#11)
 Mormons 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… (#13)

10.  Mormons believe they have the potential of becoming a
god
 Mormons believe in many gods, including a goddess who is
depicted as the mother of Jesus & satan.
 In Mormonism there are three levels of heaven: telestial,
terrestrial, and celestial.
 Mormons believe that if it had not been for Joseph Smith and
the restoration, there would be no salvation.
 Mormons believe that God used to be a man on another
planet who was made a god by his god.
 They also believe that once a Mormon obtains godhood
they will get their own planet.
 In Mormonism The Book of Mormon is considered to be “more
correct than the Bible”
 Some Mormons believe in & practice polygamy

11. Are there any doctrines within the religion/philosophy?
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – Largest
group practicing Mormonism, with varying beliefs & practices
 Mormon Fundamentalists - believes in the practice of plural
marriage, although only about half of the members actually
practice polygamy
 Community of Christ - Formerly known as the Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, rejects certain
beliefs & practices of the LDS church, such as marriage
sealing for eternity. Allows women into the priesthood.
 Apostolic United Brethren - Disagrees with the LDS' decision to
allow ordination of African-Americans & allowing women
leadership positions.
 LGBT Mormons - LGBT Mormons members self-identify as gay,
lesbian, or bisexual. To Participate in this church member
have to remain in good standing in the church by abstaining
from homosexual relations & obeying the Law of Chastity.

12. Modern Mormons
 Early 20th century, Mormons started to reintegrate with the
American mainstream. They emphasized patriotism and
industry, rising in socioeconomic status from the bottom
among American religious denominations to middle-class;
identifying with current events.
 Customize a television commercial campaign depicting
family values, launched to draw new converts:
http://youtu.be/L53wRnYmMZQ
http://youtu.be/P3RnuwCGLg4
http://youtu.be/6Kc-Xj8pxHM
 Celebrity Mormons: Don Bluth, Gladys Knight, Billy Barty,
Ted Bundy, Marie Osmond, Mitt Romney, & Katherine
Heigl. More famous Mormons here:
http://www.famousmormons.net/

13. How did the religion view revelation,
illumination, & inspiration?
 In Mormonism there is favorable regard
for revelation and inspiration proved by
J. Smith’s testimony. However because
they subscribe to an open canon, there
can be no illumination for the standard is
not really set.

14. Topic The Book of Mormon / The Holy Bible
The Doctrine &
Covenants
Jesus Born to the Father & Equivalent member of the
Mother Gods, spirit brother Godhead, Son of God
of satan, God in the God through virgin birth, the
head Messiah/Redeemer/Savior
(Matt. 1:18, 3:16-17)
The Holy The Holy Ghost differs from Third person of the Trinity.
Ghost the Holy Spirit. Is a spirit Same as Holy Spirit. Can be
man & can only be at one in more than one
place at one time. person/place at a time.
(1John 5:7)
Marriage Bonding of husband & wife The Holy covenant
that continues in eternity. between a man and a
Will continue to bear woman that is broken at
children in eternity. death. (Mark 12:25)

15. Melchizedek A greater priesthood in A priesthood held by Jesus
Priesthood the LDS church held by alone
elders (Hebrews 7:11 AMP)
Trinity Three distinct gods: a The one and only God in
god referred to as the all existence who is
Father; a god called the comprised of three
son; a god referred to as persons: Father, Son, and
the Holy Ghost. Holy Spirit. (1 John 5:7)
Kingdom of Celestial heaven. The All the believers of Christ
God kingdom of God on earth (Matt. 13:41-43)
is the LDS church.
Fall of Man A blessing according to ( The open rebellion of
Mosiah 3: 11-16). Also a Adam and Eve against
necessary step in the God resulting in their
progression of humanity condemnation and the fall
to the level of Godhood. of mankind. (Genesis 3)

16.  1805 - Joseph Smith is born
 1820 - God the Father & the Son appear to Smith
 1823 - Angel Moroni appears to Joseph Smith telling
him the location of the golden plates.
 1827 - Joseph Smith receives the golden plates that
were buried in the Hill Cumorah.
 1830 – The Book of Mormon is published and the
Mormon “Church of Jesus Christ” is organized.
 1838 – The name of the church is changed to “The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”
 1843 – The revelation that polygamy is permitted is
received by Smith.
 1844 – Joseph Smith & followers destroy a Nauvoo
Expositor’s printing press and are put in jail.
While in jail Smith & brother Hyrum are killed by a mob

17.  1846 - Led by Brigham Young the Mormons leave
Nauvoo.
 1851 - The Pearl of Great Price’s first edition is published
 1857 - On September 11, the Mountain Meadows
Massacre occurred where more than 120
men, women, and children were killed by
Mormons and Indians.
 1862 - Polygamy is outlawed in the US
 1890 - President Wilford Woodruff requests Mormons
to stop practicing polygamy
 1967 - The Original papyri Smith used to translate the
Book of Abraham are rediscovered -- it was
found to be the Book of Breathings, a funeral
text.
 1978 - Blacks are allowed to hold the priesthood

18.  http://mormon.org/chat?utm_source=Yahoo_MSN&utm_medium=
CPC&utm_term=Mormonism&utm_campaign
=Mormonism_Mormonism%2BCore
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism
 http://carm.org/mormonism
 http://carm.org/mormon-beliefs
 http://carm.org/mormon-definitions
 http://carm.org/is-mormonism-cult
 http:/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Sa
/carm.org/chronology-of-mormonism
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ_(Latter_Day_Saints)
 http://americasbesthistory.com/abhtimeline1820.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_and_Covenants
 http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/

19.  http://carm.org/mormon-beliefs
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon#Groups_within_Mormonism
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_Doctrine
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sects_in_the_Latter_Day_Saint_
 http://www.religionfacts.com/mormonism/denominations.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_of_Great_Price_(Mormonis
m)
 http://explorationsinfaith.blogspot.com/2010/02/most-
influential-mormon-leaders.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_S._Monson
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism_and_Freemasonry