Mormonism

Polygamists have more than one spouse. Typically they are male with multiple wives.

See polygamy.

I don't know of any official statistics, but one can assume that they were Independents. They had been harassed by both Democratic and Republican governments in Washington D.C. and probably wanted nothing to do with either party at that time. Joseph Smith ran for President of the United States under an Independent platform in the 1844 election, and Brigham Young ran for territorial governor of Utah apparently without stating a party and received 100% of the 10,000 votes.

They were Anti-Slavery, Pro-State's Rights, Pro-Women's Sufferage, and deeply rooted in the defence of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.

Almost half of US states do allow first cousins to marry-- and not just the ones that show up in bad jokes about the rural south. But that still only applies to government laws, and has no bearing on whether LDS (Latter Day Saints) allows it.

The state of Utah allows marriage of first cousins only in very limited circumstances: both parties must be over 65 or at least 55 and one is unable to reproduce. But once again, this is state law and not Mormon doctrine.

The first temple in Illinois was in Nauvoo, which was built in the 1840's. It was destroyed by fire in 1848 and rebuilt in 2002. There is also a temple near Chicago. You can read about the Navuoo temple here:

www.ldschurchtemples.com/nauvoo and the Chicago temple here:

www.ldschurchtemples.com/chicago

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is unique in that it lies somewhere in between traditional and contemporary.

For example, Mormon meetinghouses themselves are quite contemporary. Rather than large ornate cathedrals, Mormons tend to build smaller buildings with a focus on simplicity and utility. Even the architecture and building materials tend to look more like a home than a religious building.

Mormon worship services follow a more contemporary pattern. They are much less ceremonial and rigid than the services found in more traditional faiths such as Catholicism and Anglicanism. However, while the pattern is contemporary, the worship is not. Mormons use traditional-style hymns and sermons - there are no bands, pop/rock style worship music, or power-point sermons like you would find in a 'contemporary' Christian church. Mormons also stick to the traditional King James Version Bible rather than the more contemporary English versions.

Mormons are more traditional in their values and beliefs. They actively preach about things such as modesty, traditional gender roles, sexual abstinence, tithes, diet, and other traditions that are often ignored in contemporary churches.

Unlike traditional faiths, Mormons have strong focus on lay leadership. Nearly all the leadership of the Mormon church are volunteers with little or no formal training. There are no priestly robes, no parsonages, seminary degrees, etc. Every congregation member is given a chance to preach, rather than having one pastor or priest preach each week.

Another contemporary characteristic of Mormonism is their focus on media. The Church has many media outlets on television, radio, internet, and mobile. Mormons believe that the media is the best way to stay unified and spread their message abroad. Therefore they provide sermons, lesson manuals, music, films, mobile apps, and other resources free online. This keeps the general membership engaged and involved, unlike many traditional faiths where the general membership is simply expected to show up and listen.

Also like many contemporary religions, Mormonism focuses on having a personal relationship with God. Many traditional faiths have the view of the pastor or priest 'leading the flock'. Mormons take the approach of 'everyone helping everyone' - each person is expected to develop a relationship with God and share their knowledge and faith with each other.

Both Mormons and Jews believe in the passover (when God sent a plague to Egypt which passed over the Hebrews, who were currently slaves there, if they would put a sheep's blood on their doors), though only Jews celebrate it. Mormons and Jews both worship only one god. They also both believe in the Old Testament, but Mormons also believe in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Mormons and Jews have a lot more different than they have in common. Mormons are Christian - they believe in Jesus Christ. In fact, their real name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jews, however, are definitely not Christian. They celebrate Hanukkah, while Mormons and other Christians celebrate Christmas .

Actually, "Mormon" is the other name. The official name of the Church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members prefer to be called "Latter-day Saints" or "LDS". "Mormon" is a nickname given to them by those who oppose the Church.

All the 350 or so members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church). This is one of the requirements for membership in the choir.

As for being a member of the Mormon Tabernacle, that's impossible. It's just the name of the building where the choir performs, and doesn't have members of it's own. It is not home to any congregation or regular worship services aside from Choir performances.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" or "LDS" church) come from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, nations, etc. but are united by common beliefs. You can learn more about individial members as well as about what Mormons believe at the "Related Links" below.

Polygamy is having more than one spouse at a time. Usually it is referring to a man having more than one lawful wife (Polygyny), it can however refer to a woman having more than one husband (Polyandry). In so called civilized countries it is against the law to have more than one spouse at any given time. Though the practice of having more than one wife may be acceptable in some cultures, and it might work well, the Christian society believes in the Scriptures where it says a man shalt have only one wife. " Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" Genesis2:24. Though this has not always been so in biblical times, it is nonetheless against the will of God to have more than one wife.

Jesus reminded the Pharisees of God's purpose in marriage: "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." Matthew 19:5. Two become one in marriage, constitutes God's plan. This was contrary to the divorce, of which they asked Jesus. He said: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." v.6.

Utah is home to the most temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) with 16 (three of which are under construction as of July 2012).

Other states with a lot of temples are California (7 temples), Arizona (5 temples), Idaho (5 temples), Texas (4 temples), and Washington (3 temples). Most other states have one or two. 15 states do not yet have temples of their own.

Please note that Mormon Temples are different than churches/meetinghouses. Mormon Temples are only for special ceremonies, but meetinghouses are where regular Sunday worship is held. Utah has between 2,000 and 3,000 meetinghouses, each housing from 1 to 4 congregations. California and Idaho have the next highest numbers, with about 400-500 meetinghouses each.

Yes, they do. Several sources from the Church, both historically and modern, refer to the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. For example:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Apostle from 1972 to 1985, stated, "Our Lord is the only mortal person ever born to a virgin... Modernistic teachings denying the virgin birth are utterly and completely apostate and false." (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed pp. 822)

Elder James E. Talmage, Apostle from 1911 to 1933, wrote much about the virgin birth in his exhaustive volume, Jesus the Christ, including this phrase, "Mary the Virgin gave birth to her firstborn, the Son of the Highest, the Only Begotten of the Eternal Father, Jesus the Christ." (pp. 92)

Alexander B. Morrison, a Seventy from 1987 to 2000, said, "He, the literal Son of God, the offspring of a virgin mother and the Mighty Father, preached his wondrous gospel of love... Scholars make a mockery of Christ by denying his virgin birth and resurrection." (Liahona, April 1995, pp. 11)

President Ezra Taft Benson said that the virgin birth of Jesus Christ was the first of the five marks of His divinity. He warns against trying to give "natural explanations to those things which are divine" and that the "paternity of Jesus is one of the 'mysteries of godliness', which may only be comprehended by the spiritually minded." (New Era, Dec. 1980, pp. 44)

To deny the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is to deny the prophesies of the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon, as well as the Gospels of the New Testament, especially the Gosepl of Luke, which goes quite in depth as to how Jesus Christ was concived of a virgin mother and a divine Father. Mormons believe that the conception of Jesus Christ happened just as Luke 1:35 and Alma 7:10 describe, she was overshadowed by the power of God the Father. Because God the Father is perfectly divine and immortal, Mary remained a virgin (meaning that she 'knew no man' in the Biblical definition) until after the birth of Jesus Christ, when she and Joseph consummated their marriage.

The Extermination Order was issued by Governor Lillbourn W. Boggs of Missouri in October 1838. It came after fighting between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) and non-Mormons had escalated to the point that it was a huge problem.

Although small fights had occurred for several years, they were nothing out of the ordinary in frontier America. The first large battle is called the Gallatin Election Day Battle, which occured on August 6, 1838. In the city of Gallatin, Missouri, a political candidate (William Peniston) had said some disparaging things about Mormons in his speech, and told them not to vote in the election. Samuel Brown, a Mormon present in the audience, announced that the things Mr. Peniston had said about the Mormons were false, and that he would not be intimidated out of his right to vote. A brawl broke out in the audience, with several leaving the scene to obtain guns and ammunition. The next several months were filled with attacks on both sides, mostly involving the burning of homes and public buildings. Mormon men were taken from their homes and imprisoned or shot, and property was stolen. Two major battles taking place in October 1838, the Battle of Crooked River and the Haun's Mill Massacre. When the Mormon's fought back in attempt to defend themselves, an exaggerated record was sent to the Governor, stating that they had killed so many civillians in an uprising. The Governor concluded that the Mormons were at war with the state, and ordered the Extermination Order.

Because of the Extermination Order, Mormon leaders were tried under a military tribunal and convicted of high treason. Joseph Smith was ordered to be shot in the town square by General Alexander Doniphan. General Doniphan, however, felt that it was cold blooded murder because the Mormon leaders were not given a fair trial, and in turn allowed them to escape before their execution.

As the Mormons were attempting to gather their things and flee the state, mobs ransacked several of their villages, taking their weapons and valuables and burning their buildings. They finally were able to flee and join the rest of the Church members in Nauvoo, Illinois.

The Extermination Order was rescinded nearly 140 years later in 1976, when an official apology was given to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

You can see a photo of the actual handwritten Extermination Order at the "Related Links" below.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is a branch of Christianity and therefore has many similarities to other Christian groups.

For example, Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of Mankind. Mormons believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God and use it as sacred scripture. Mormons believe that they should accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and then follow the commandments and teachings of God.

Mormons follow many of the traditions that other Christians do as well. Mormons believe in baptism, the laying on of hands, and have a strong missionary tradition. They celebrate Christmas and Easter. They meet together at church on Sunday to worship and participate in the 'Sacrament' (Communion or Lord's Supper). They use many of the same hymns and art as other Christian groups.

Like most faiths, Mormons believe that they can recieve personal guidance through prayer. They also believe that God calls prophets to reveal His will on a larger scale. They promote strong moral values and provide charity and humanitarian work worldwide.

Check out the "Related Links" below to learn more about what Mormons believe, both what makes them similar and what sets them apart.

That depends on your definition of a cult. The technical definition of a cult is "A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object." by this definition, nearly every faith or religious group is a cult!

The Community of Christ is a relatively small group which split off from another faith (Mormonism), but they are very open about their beliefs and most of their doctrines align with mainstream Christianity. They do not live on compounds or closed societies and participate in mainstream society.

Check out the "Related Links" to go to their official website.

There are many people with the name John L. Smith. If you are referring to the Michigan State football coach, yes, he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" Church.)

The exact value of the Mormon church, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is not publicly disclosed as it is a private organization. However, estimates suggest its total worth is in the range of tens of billions of dollars, including assets such as real estate holdings, investments, and businesses. The church's financial resources are primarily used for funding its religious, educational, and humanitarian missions worldwide.

Mormon trail is the path the member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, took to reach the Salt Lake Valley in Utah State in the mid 19th century. It is 1300 miles long and it connects Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah.

No. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called "Mormons") who confesses to committing adultery does not have to reveal the name of the person he committed adultery with.

Mormons CAN eat chocolate, or it's at least never been specifically prohibited. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are counseled to be good stewards over their bodies, meaning that our bodies are gifts from God and should therefore be treated well. The Church has counseled against drinking caffeinated beverages or other habit-forming substances, but has never instituted this as an official position or a commandment; those who choose to drink caffeine are under no condemnation but are asked to be moderate in consuming it. Because chocolate has small amounts of caffeine, some Church members may choose to abstain from chocolate, but the Church itself has never spoken to this issue. Without an official position to go by, Church members are best to simply follow the general counsel to have moderation in all things; leaders have even echoed a popular sentiment that any virtue taken to an extreme can become a vice.