Mormonism

The short answer is that the Mormons kept moving in an attempt to find somewhere they could live in peace. Despite various reasons raised by non-Mormons for their moves, the Saints declared that the PRIMARY reason for the need to uproot and move were mounting persecutions of various kinds, including literal slaughter and burnings of homes and properties, although other circumstances regarding each move were slightly different.

1. The Mormons moved first from from Palmyra, New York to Kirtland, Ohio.
2. The Mormons abandoned Kirtland AFTER ONLY A SHORT TIME. MOST OF THE MORMONS HAD MOVED TO MISSOURI (SEE BELOW) WHILE KIRTLAND WAS STILL AN ACTIVE SETTLEMENT. A LOCAL RECESSION WAS THE REASON FOR LEAVING THE AREA. THE CHURCH HAD FORMED A LOCAL BANK, OF WHICH Joseph Smith WAS AN OFFICER, AND IT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL WHICH WAS BROUGHT DOWN BY THE CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY.
3. WHILE STILL LIVING IN Kirtland, they established a second center in Independence, Missouri. THERE WERE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MAINLY NEW ENGLANDER MORMONS AND THE MAINLY SOUTHERN MISSOURIANS WHICH LED TO MOB VIOLENCE. AT ONE POINT A COUNTY WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR MORMONS IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM A THE ALL-MORMON VOTE. MOB VIOLENCE BEGAN AGAIN IN THE NEW COUNTY. THE GOVERNOR, ACTING ON FALSE REPORTS OF A MORMON REVOLT, ISSUED AN ORDER TO EXPEL ALL MORMONS FROM THE STATE OR EXTERMINATE THEM. THIS WAS THE DEAD OF WINTER AND THEY CROSSED EAST INTO ILLINOIS.
4. From Missouri the Mormons established a new center in Nauvoo, Illinois. WHEN MOB VIOLENCE, SIMILAR TO THAT IN MISSOURI, BEGAN AGAIN SEVERAL SCOUTING PARTIES WERE SENT WEST TO CONSIDER A NEW LOCATION. MAINLY THIS WAS CAUSED BY EXCOMMUNICATED MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AND OPPOSITION TO THE NEW TEMPLE ORDINANCES AND PLURAL MARRIAGE. JOSEPH SMITH WAS MARTYRED DURING THIS PERIOD. AFTER THE death OF Joseph Smith MOB VIOLENCE BECAME MORE EXTREME AND THE CHURCH LEADERS FOLLOWED UP ON THE PRIOR EFFORT TO MOVE WEST WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE SCOUTING REPORT.
5. ALTHOUGH NOT ACTUALLY ENACTED, AT ONE POINT THE CHURCH CONSIDERED ANOTHER MOVE SOUTH INTO MEXICO. THIS WAS JUST AFTER THE CHURCH HAD BEGUN TO SUCCESSFULLY FARM THE DESERT BASIN. HOWEVER THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AGAIN ACTING ON BAD INFORMATION, SENT AN ARMY TO PUT DOWN THE MORMON REVOLT. WHILE THE CHURCH WAS READY TO LEAVE THEIR NEW DESERT AND MOVE AGAIN, COMMON SENSE PREVAILED AND THE ARMY FOUND THE "REVOLT" DID NOT ACTUALLY EXIST.

I believe you mean 'Mormon', not 'morman', because you posted the question on the 'Mormonism' question site. Maybe not, it is also possible that you are asking about the word 'morman', because you wouldn't misspell the word because the word 'Mormonism' is the title of this site.

Anyway to answer your question: 'What does the word morman mean?'

From: Wikipedia

Morman (died 818) was a Breton chieftain who was declared King (rex) after the death of the Bretons' Frankish overlord Charlemagne in 814. He is the first personage known by name to be described as a Breton "king" and he probably ruled a warband with members drawn from throughout Brittany. He had a stronghold defended by ditches, hedges, and marshes.

Morman had been a faithful follower of Charlemagne, having sworn oaths to him and performed the giving of hands, probably becoming his vassus, although the Bretons rose up in rebellion in 811. Morman's rebellion against Frankish lordship in 814 threatened the integrity of the empire recently inherited by Louis the Pious. While the Bretons may have contended that the elevation of Morman on the death of the incumbent Charlemagne was legitimate, the Frankish writers Astronomus and Ermold the Black viewed it as a usurpation. Louis sent Abbot Witchar to negotiate with Morman. According to Ermold, the abbot asked, "Do you not remember your sworn fealty, or your right hand to the Franks / often given, and to Charles the service you showed?" But after failing to bring Morman around to accepting Frankish rule, Louis prepared an army to invade Brittany.

In the spring of 818, the army, composed of forces from all the Carolingian regna (literally "kingdoms", but actually subkingdoms), assembled at Vannes, the westernmost point of sure Frankish control, and marched to Priziac in the far west of the county of the Vannetais on the bank of the Ellé. The Franks launched a series of attacks on various Breton fortresses and, after Morman was killed in battle, resistance collapsed. According to the Chronicle of Moissac, Louis returned with a "triumph of victory", although the Bretons revolted again in 822 under Wihomarc.

In case you were asking about Mormon and not Morman,

Mormon is a common nickname for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were given this nickname because of their belief in the Book of Mormon, which they use as scripture along with the Bible. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is a record of an ancient American civilization which was transcribed by an ancient prophet named Mormon. Since Mormon is a name it doesn't really have any meaning, but some Mormons have suggested that it should mean "more good."

Check out the "Related Links" below to learn more about Mormons and what they believe.

The definition of a religious sect is: 'a subdivision of a larger religious group.'

Which Christian church came first? The Roman Catholic Church was the first Christian Church and today it is the largest with 1.1 billion members. Therefore every Christian denomination by definition is a subdivision or SECT of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now we come to the question. "Is Mormonism considered a sect?" It may be considered a sect by uneducated people, but Mormonism by definition it is not a SECT. The LDS Church (Mormonism) does not claim its roots as a break away or subdivision of the Roman Catholic Church or any other church. The LDS Church (Mormonism) has its roots as a independent Christian Church. Therefore Mormonism is NOT a Sect.

There were many reasons why Mormons were persecuted in the 1800's. Essentially, it is because they were seen as a threat to the typical American Christian way of life at the time as well as because of their political ideas. Here are some reasons Mormons were persecuted in the 1800's:

-They were anti-slavery. This was especially bad for them in pro-slavery Missouri, where they were ordered out on extermination order from the Governor who made it legal to kill a Mormon.

-They believed in a "new" religion. While Mormons believe their religion is a restoration of ancient Christianity, traditional Christians of the time did not like that Mormons differed from Christian norms. They had a modern prophet, additional books of scripture, and other beliefs that simply didn't exist in mainstream Christianity.

-They believed in the concept of 'gathering'. Mormons were encouraged to gather and live near each other, which resulted in them nearly overtaking small towns. (Imagine the population of your town doubling when a bunch of outsiders from a weird religion move in all at once!) Residents fought back in a struggle to maintain their identity. Some made it illegal for Mormons to vote or hold public office to preserve their preferred political climate.

-In some cases, the Mormons believed the land they were in was a "promised land" given to them by God, and could treat those who already lived there unkindly.

-Often, Mormons would favor going to stores that were owned by other Mormons rather than using goods and services offered by non-Mormons.

-Mormons had some practices viewed as ungodly or immoral by outsiders. This included the practice of polygamy (having more than one wife) which Mormons believed was in accordance with a Biblical restoration. Also some Mormon communities lived a communal lifestyle "having all things in common" as the New Testament describes. Mormons were also known for enjoying music and dancing, even in worship, which was forbidden by many Christians at the time.

-Mormons were also seen as being very liberal. Once in Utah, Mormon women were allowed to vote, they were encouraged to have jobs, were given a voice and responsibility in the congregation, were sent to universities, established hospitals and schools, and even wore short skirts with pants underneath! They assisted and worked with the native tribes, had a good rapport with most racial minorities, and encouraged their people to gain both secular and religious education.

-Finally, some people who persecuted Mormons were simply misguided or uninformed. Rumors were rampant in newspapers of the day, saying that Mormons were secretly devils and had horns to prove it, Mormons were money diggers, that they had satanic practices, they operated a secret mafia that killed defectors, that they kidnapped young girls and threw them off the pinnacle of the temple if they refused to marry. All these things were, of course, untrue, but the people had no way to know that.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has many different teachings. The most basic list of these would be The Articles of Faith which follow:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and 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.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We 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-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

So, you see that Latter-Day Saints are Christians who believe in the Bible and many other truths found in different faiths. However, the most prominent differences are that the Church has modern-day Prophets and the Priesthood.

There is one Prophet (currently President Thomas S. Monson) who holds all the keys and authorities of the Priesthood. He has two counselors. There are also the Twelve Apostles and the Seventies. The First Presidency (President Monson and his counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve are all esteemed as prophets, seers, and revelators, but only the President of the Church has all of the Priesthood keys.

The Priesthood is the power of God, given to worthy males (those who believe in Christ and try their best to do what is right) in order to bless the lives of all. With the Priesthood, members and nonmembers can be healed, given comfort, and blessed with strength. Holders of the Priesthood are also the only ones who can baptize and give people the gift of the Holy Ghost, along with other ordinances such as further Priesthood ordinations and the ordinances performed in the temple.

Worthy members of the church may go to the temples of the Lord to make covenants with the Lord and be sealed to their families. Also, they do all of these saving ordinances by proxy for the dead. They do not dig up dead bodies and baptize them, but rather those members that go to the temple do what those the dead cannot do for themselves in their stead: be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, etc.

Any more questions? Check out the main church website (http://lds.org/?lang=eng) or the church's blogs (http://mormon.org/?gclid=COKVxYq726gCFUNd5Qodjmmx2A). You should be able to find lots of people willing to give you info. Also, you can look up the closest church building in your area and attend church on Sunday. If you want to do this, don't be scared- they are very friendly and love visitors. You'll probably get lots of hand-shakes and invitations to come again.

If you don't feel comfortable about attending, you may look up the LDS missionaries in your area. They're usually young men in suits and wearing tags which identify them as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.