Mormonism

They traveled with either covered wagons (wagons with a semicircle frame on the top and covered by canvas material) or by handcart.

Mormons eventually settled everywhere! There are over 14 million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) all over the world, and Mormon congregations are found in almost every nation.

The headquarters of the Church has been located in Salt Lake City, Utah since 1847. At the time church headquarters moved there, nearly all Mormons moved there as well. However, since that time, the Church has continued to grow and expand. Approximately 10% of all Mormons live in Utah today.

Although both groups are considered by most to be "Christian" faiths and are identified to a greater or lesser degree with a public preaching work, there are many notable doctrinal differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

Jehovah's Witnesses believe only the Bible to be God's inspired word (1 Tim 3: 16).

The Mormons use the Bible and "The Book of Mormon" which they also view as God's inspired Word.

Mormons believe that God still calls prophets and apostles to guide his people.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the last prophet.

Mormons believe that Jesus is Jehovah in the Old Testament.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the name of Almighty God, the father of Jesus Christ.

Mormons often refer to God (the Father of Jesus) as Heavenly Father, and believe his name is Elohim.

Jehovah's Witnesses call him by his personal name, Jehovah (Psalms 83:18) .

Mormons believe "that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent."

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that New Jerusalem is a heavenly Kingdom (government) established, not in America, but in the heavens.

Mormon missionaries (mostly young men and women, some retired couples) preach for a set period of time, usually 2 years.

All of Jehovah's Witnesses (male & female, young & old) preach the gospel for the rest of their lives, as did the apostles & Christians in the first century.

Mormons believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that because of their rejection of Christ, the nation of Israel permanently lost its privileged position as God's special people. Thus the nation of natural Jews no longer figure as a people in Bible prophecy, but God's anointed ones (from all nations) are designated as "spiritual" Israelites.

Mormons believe "that Christ will reign personally upon the earth."

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ will rule from heaven as a spirit king.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that death is the result of Adamic (from Adam) sin. Genesis 2:15-17; Romans 5:12

Mormons do not believe that Adam & Eve sinned, and that "men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression".

Mormons believe that after resurrection, we will be assigned to one of three 'levels' of heaven.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15), the majority living on the earth forever, but a select few (144,000) ruling in heaven with Christ. (Psalm 37:9-11, 29; Matthew 5:5, Revelation 5:10; 20:4)

Mormons believe that our "spirits" were created long before our bodies, and that our spirits existed in heaven with God in a "pre-mortal" life.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe one's existence begins at conception.

Mormons believe that all Christians receive the gifts of the holy spirit through "the laying on of hands" (gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues).

Jehovah's Witnesses believe this was a first century arrangement limited to the period of the apostles and as such, these miraculous gifts have ceased. (1 Corinthians 13: 8, 9.)

Mormons use the King James Version Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

Jehovah's Witnesses use many different Bible translations but mainly bring the New World Translation to their worship services.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus died on an upright stake.

Mormons do not have any restrictions or teachings regarding common medical practice.

Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from blood & do not accept blood transfusions. Acts 15:28,29

Mormons are encouraged to be active in politics, the military, & government to support and defend liberty & democracy of their own countries.

Jehovah's Witnesses follow Jesus' example and do not participate in the military or political affairs of any country.

Mormons celebrate most "Christian" and national holidays as well as birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or any holidays associated with pagan origins, spiritism, or nationalism.

Mormons believe in performing ordinances (baptism, etc) in behalf of those who have died. These ordinances are performed by proxy in Temples. They believe this provides the deceased with the opportunity to accept Christ and be saved.

Jehovah's Witnesses have no such practice.

Mormons count their total membership number as anyone who has been baptized into the faith and has not requested their name to be taken off the records, even if those baptized are not 'active' or practicing in the faith. They do not report the numbers of those whom have been baptized posthumously.

Jehovah's Witnesses count their total membership number only from those who are regular and active in the public preaching & teaching work.

Mormons hold Sunday worship services in meeting houses, while additional (optional) worship services are held throughout the week in temples.

Jehovah's Witnesses hold public worship services in Kingdom Halls at least twice a week.

Mormons expect all members to tithe one tenth of their income to the church. This income goes to humanitarian work, printing supplies, building maintenance, etc. Mormon clergy is unpaid.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not tithe or take up collections; all contributions are anonymous and voluntary, and all of their Kingdom Halls are built and maintained by unpaid volunteers.

Mormons' standard worship service is similar in format to most Protestant churches, with hymns, prayers, the Sacrament ('Communion' or the 'Lord's Supper'), and a couple of short sermons.

Jehovah's Witnesses' standard worship services include prayers, singing, and study directly out of the Bible, sometimes using other theocratic books as study aids.

Both Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons claim their organizations reflect the "Primitive Church" (follow the first century Christian model).

Both churches seek to spread their word abroad and are known for going door-to-door to do so. Their intent is not to convert or baptize every person they speak to, but to give everyone in the world an opportunity to hear their message & the good news about God's Kingdom. Matthew 24:14

Both faiths have heath codes which outline proper diet, etc, but what these codes contain differs.

According to The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 1.7% of Americans are of the Mormon tradition.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of United Sates at 304,059,724. Therefore, 1.7% of 304,059,724 equals 5,169,015.

The answer is approximately 5 million Mormons live in the United States today.

The BSA has not released detailed statistics on Eagle Scouts by age, race, ethnicity or religion.

The first thing he did was he traveled west with the LDS Saints. Once in the area now considered Utah, he assigned several families to settle certain areas throughout Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Those families would travel to those areas and work to build a thriving community. Many of those communities continue to this day. Spanish Fork and Salt Lake City are just a couple that have grown into large cities.

Yes. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, as well as all other National Holidays. It is popular for Mormon congregations in the US to focus on a theme of giving thanks in the month of November.

This name was officially confirmed by Jesus Christ himself when, on April 26, 1838, at Far West, Missouri, in a revelation addressed to the presiding officers of the Church, he said---and this is Christ himself speaking:

"Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also ... unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (D&C 115:1, 3--4; italics added.)

This declaration by the Lord is reminiscent of the account the Book of Mormon gives of Christ's statement to his disciples in America as he ministered among them immediately following his resurrection.

"And it came to pass [reads that record] that as the disciples of Jesus were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesus ... that the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting.

"And Jesus [this was the resurrected Jesus, in America] again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?

"And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter.

"And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

"Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

"And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.

"Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

"And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

"Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;

"And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

"But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

"For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.

"Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you---[this is the Christ, now defining his gospel] that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

"And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil---

"And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

"And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

"And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

"And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

"And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

"Now this is the commandment [by the risen Redeemer to the ancient Americans, and it is still his commandment]: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." (3 Ne. 27:1--20.)

Such is the name and such are the basic doctrines taught by the Church sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church.

Not only did the Redeemer personally name his Church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" as recounted already in these remarks, he also declared it to be "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (D&C 1:30).

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Visit the web site for more insight and learning first hand, don't listen to the rumors.

We, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

lds.org/ensign/1979/05/we-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng&query=name+church

Not at all. They don't believe in killing. Part of their religion in following the ten commandments. One of them is, "Thou shall not kill". In the original hebrew, it says "murder". Consequently, soldiers killed as required, they did not murder.

No, the first Mormon to run for president was Joseph Smith, during the 1844 election. Mitt Romney's father, George, ran for president in the 1968 election, Mitt Romney ran in 2008 and 2012, and another Mormon, Jon Huntsman, also ran for president in 2012. Mitt Romney is the first Mormon to be chosen as a major party candidate.

Yup! They are always supposed to be kept clean, it would be wasteful and expensive if you couldn't re-use them! They are made in a variety of machine washable fabrics, so they are usually just thrown in with the regular laundry.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) believe that the curse given to Ham for revealing his father's nakedness in Genesis 9 was dark skin. Ham's children then went on to populate Africa and Arabia. Mormons do not believe that modern African or dark-skinned people themselves are in any way cursed, but that their black skin is the result of a curse on their common ancestor, Ham.

Similarly, Mormons believe that the Native Americans have dark skin also as the result of a curse on their common ancestors the Lamanites, found in the Book of Mormon. This does not mean that modern-day Native Americans or Africans are cursed, only that their distant ancestors were.

People of all races are welcomed with open arms within the church and all are treated equally. The Book of Mormon says that the Lord "denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (See 2 Nephi 26:33)

Yes. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "the 'Mormon' church) believe that the Bible - Old and New Testaments - is the Word of God. English speaking Mormons use the King James Version of the Bible.

The Church is currently producing a series of short films depicting scenes from the New Testament.

Check out the "Related Links" to learn more about what Mormons believe about the Bible and to see the videos made by the church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon Church") does not have a pope, the Catholic Church does.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is lead by a 'president' or 'prophet'. Church members believe that he receives direct revelation from God in how to direct the members and affairs of the Church. The prophet is assisted by twelve Apostles.

Because nobody else wanted to live there, and it was rumored to be uninhabitable. The Mormons wanted somewhere where they could live and practice their religion in peace without anyone coming to bother them. They thought they could do this in Utah because nobody else wanted to go there.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the 'Mormon' church) has no policies, traditions, or guidelines regarding how long after death a burial should occur. It is a personal decision based on the desires of the family and the situation (for example, if an autopsy is required burial may be delayed).

If the church is a congregation, they would be called congregants. If it is a parish, they are parishioners.

As of January 2010 there were 24,300 baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) in Iowa. This includes all members age 8 years and older. The Church does not keep membership statistics based on age, so we cannot know how many of these are adults.

Brigham Young's youngest child was a daughter, Fannie Young, born to his wife Mary VanCott. She was born on January 14, 1870 when Brigham was 68 years old.

You can learn more about Fannie Young at the "Related Link" below.

No, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is not affiliated with any shipping companies, including UPS, FedEx, or others, aside from the fact that they do use these shipping services as customers. They have never owned or operated any shipping companies.

Sure! Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) can belong to any political party they choose. They are encouraged to be active in politics and to choose political candidates who have similar moral beliefs. During election seaons, the Church often sends letters to congregations affirming that all major political parties and candidates have their good and bad qualities, and should be chosen after much fasting and prayer. Other than these statements, the Church does not get involved in politics.

The Current U.S. Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, is a Democrat and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More about the Church's policies on politics can be seen at the "Related Links" below.

No. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) do not believe in the rapture. They believe that the rapture is an unbiblical doctrine that did not exist in original New Testament Christianity.

Instead, Mormons believe that all people will go through the tribulations of the last days. At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, those who have died will be resurrected, and all people will be judged. The righteous (regardless of their religion) will remain on the earth for the Millennium (a thousand year reign of Jesus Christ), while the wicked will be removed from the earth and endure a thousand years of torment. Following the Millennium, there will be a final judgment in which people are assigned their eternal reward (or punishment).

You can read another Mormon's response to this question at the "Related Links" below.

No. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) does not own ancestry.com, but they do own FamilySearch.org, a similar website.

See Related Links, below, for more information.