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Mormonism
Questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as Mormonism.
3,455 Questions
Who helped Mormons to move west?
By a large margin, which group made up the majority of California's population in 1840?
Where can a Mormon have two wives?
Nowhere. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) has outlawed the practice of polygamy amongst it's members since 1890 - even in nations where polygamy is legal. Any Mormon man found to have two wives (no matter where he lives) is excommunicated from the church.
What is the charge for polygamy?
All states in the US have laws against bigamy. You can be charged with bigamy if you get a legal marriage license for more than one person at a time.
Polygamists generally avoid this by only legally marrying the first woman.
Do Mormon fast the first Sunday of the month?
Yes. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) do fast as a religious practice. Mormons believe that prayerful fasting is a way to become more spiritually in-tune, and are encouraged to fast when they are in need of special blessings from God.
The Church published reference book "True to the Faith" says this about fasting:
"Fasting is one way of worshipping God and expressing gratitude for Him. You can fast as you ask God to bless the sick or afflicted. Fasting may help you and those you love receive personal revelation and become converted to the truth. Through fasting you can gain strength to resist temptation. You can fast as you strive to humble yourself before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. You may fast to receive guidance. Fasting may also accompany righteous sorrow or mourning." (pg. 67)
The Church holds a monthly fast day (usually the first Sunday of the month) in which church members skip two consecutive meals. The money that would have been spent on these meals is given to provide meals for the needy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) does not own or operate any hotels.
Many individual Church members may own or operate hotels. While it would be impossible to know about each one, we do know of some large national chains that are either owned by Mormons or have Mormons in high level positions. For example, the CEO of LaQuinta is a Mormon, and the founders and owners of the Marriott chain are Mormon.
What is the difference between Mormonism and spiritualism?
To let you know there is a "Big" difference between Spiritualism and Jehovah Witness. First let's get the definition for the word Spiritualism or Spiritism: Belief that a spirit part of humans survives death of the physical body and can communicate with the living, usually through a person who serves as a medium. Some people believe that every material object and all natural phenomena have indwelling spirits. Sorcery is the use of power that is acknowledged to be from evil spirits. All forms of spiritism are strongly condemned in the bible. Please read in your bible these very verse to help you to get God view on Spiritism. Jehovah God has always encourage his people to avoid this harmful practices: let's read this together in your personal copy of the bible. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 read "When you have entered into the land that Jehovah your God is giving you, you must not learn to imitate the detestable practices of those nations. There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone who practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer. Anyone blinding others with a spell, anyone who consult a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable practices Jehovah your God is driving them away from before Jehovah has promise something very wonderful for people who want to serve him according to his will and purpose. What is God's purpose for mankind? God's purpose is for the earth is really wonderful. Jehovah wants the earth to filled with happy, healthy people. The bible says that " God planted a garden in Eden" and that he "made to grow...every tree desirable to one's sight and good for food." After God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, He put them in that lovely home and told them: " Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:28; 2:8,9.15) So it was God's purpose that humans have children, extend the boundaries of that garden home earth wide, and take care of the animals. Question: Do you think that Jehovah God's purpose for people to live in an earthly paradise will ever be realized? What will life on earth be like in the future? From a study of the bible look for those treasure and you will be glad, like many other whom had come to examine "What the bible really teach? in more than 230 land and 233 languages. jw.org
Were Mormons lazy during the 1820's1830'sand 1840's?
1820's: There were no Mormons to be lazy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded in 1830. In the 1820's it was pretty much just Joseph Smith, who was between the ages of 14 and 24. He spent the decade working at various jobs to help provide for his family (parents and siblings), occasionally receiving visions and visitations from heavenly messengers, and got married.
1830's: The brand-new Church was founded and began it's aggressive international mission campaign. Church membership increased from 6 to 16,800. Church headquarters moved from New York to Ohio, where a temple was built along with many homes and businesses. Members began moving to Missouri where they faced extreme persecution as they tried to establish a new settlement. Zion's Camp marched from Ohio to Missouri to protect the Mormons there, endured a cholera epidemic, and then walked all the way back to Ohio. Also facing persecution in Ohio, it was decided that the church would move to Illinois. I'm sure some of those nearly 17,000 people were lazy - but the church as a whole was quite ambitious.
1840's: The Mormons moved from Ohio and Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois. They built an entire city with a population rivalling Chicago in a mosquito infested swamp. They built a large and beautiful temple, established homes, farms, and businesses - mostly from scratch as they had little time to prepare or sell their homes before moving. In 1844, Joseph Smith was killed. In 1845 the Mormons left Nauvoo, spent a year in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and then went on to what was then Mexico (now Utah). They heeded the government's call to send men to fight in the Mexican-American War, walked all the way there to find the war was over, then had to walk back to Utah through California and Nevada to do additional work for the army. They established Salt Lake City and many other smaller cities while essentially being cut off from the rest of the country. Meanwhile the missionary effort continued and membership grew from 16,800 to 51,800 with many of these new converts leaving all they had to walk 2,500+ miles across the plains and join the saints. If you were a lazy Mormon in the 1840's, you would not survive.
Where did the angel of Moroni come from?
Moroni was originally a man found in the Book of Mormon. There are two mentioned there. One who is a military captain, and another who is the son of Mormon (the man who compiled the Book of Mormon). Angel Moroni is Moroni, son of Mormon. This Moroni is the last prophet of the Book of Mormon, who lived in about 421 a.d.
As the last rememaining prophet before all the world went apostate (the Christians in the Old World had already fallen away by this time), it was his duty to restore what was lost to these latter days. He did so by returning to the earth as an angel, teaching Joseph Smith and giving him the Book of Mormon. A statue of the Angel Moroni is found on the majority of the Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as he has become a symbol of the restoration of ancient truths.
Are Mormon men to wear certain undergarments at different times?
Sure. So long as the temple garment is worn properly, anything may be worn over it. Most Church members don't want to wear regular underwear (aside from women's bras) over the temple garment because it just adds extra bulk.
What was the Mormons life like while moving west?
They experienced lots of hardship but, were usually more fortunenate than others. Some at least were more lucky! They were blessed because they followed the lord and did what he asked even when is was really hard.
In what states is polygamy legal?
polygamy is illegal in the United states of america. Marrying a second wife while you are still married to the previous one is Bigamy which is clearly contrary to the law.Thus, if a man wants another wife he must have divorced the previous one.
Is it okay to let your Mormon teenage daughter wear a thong?
What your daughter wears is obviously between you and her, however you asked with specific reference to your faith. For such questions, your local Bishop will be in the best position to assist you in your concern.
Why can't non Mormons go to the church?
Yes! Anyone is welcome to attend a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called "Mormon") worship service or other congregation activity. In fact, most of the church buildings say "visitors welcome" on them.
If you do go, missionaries may approach you and ask if you would like to learn more about the church. If you aren't interested, don't hesitate to tell them that you are just visiting. Depending on the size and location of the congregation, others might introduce themselves as well. No matter what, anyone will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Usually, the main worship meeting, "Sacrament Meeting" is first. It is about 70 minutes. In this meeting, congregation members sing hymns, pray, and listen to sermons given by other members of the congregation. They also partake of the "sacrament", which is similar to the Lord's Supper or Communion. Following this meeting there are Sunday School classes, as well as study groups for toddlers, children, youth, men, and women. Anyone is welcome to attend these classes as well, just ask a member of the congregation to show you which room you should go to next.
You are welcome to come as you are to a Mormon church, as nobody will be turned away. Usually, the men will wear dress pants, dress shirts, and ties, and the women will wear skirts or dresses.
We have a sign on our churches that says "all visitors welcome."
Is Deseret Industries open on Christmas Eve?
YES. Provo, UT store open Pioneer Day, Monday, July 25, 2011 until 6pm.
What is the sixth article of faith?
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 paradisaical glory.
Why do Mormons fold their arms when they pray?
There is no official reason why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" Church) fold their arms while they pray. Church members do not have to fold their arms. Some might clasp their hands, hold hands with family members or friends nearby, or just put their arms to the side. It is the words that are said, not the position that one is in, that is important.
Church members fold their arms or clasp their hands during prayer for more practical reasons. The first is that prayer is meant to be a pleading with God, and must show respect and reverence to Him. Folding your arms or clasping your hands shows pleading, reverence, and respect. Another reason is to keep your hands from being distracted by something else. This is much the same reason why Church members close their eyes during the prayer. All focus and attention should be made toward God during prayer - by closing your eyes and folding your arms, you will not be distracted by touching or looking at other things.
Is there a relationship between the 'Church of Christ' and the 'Mormon church'?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) was originally known as the "Church of Christ" or the "Church of Jesus Christ" in the first couple years of it's existence. In order to avoidbeing confusedwith the many other churches and denominations also calling themselves the Church of Christ, the Mormons changed the official name of their church to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This name change took place in 1838.
The modern church/denomination called the Church of Christ is of no relation to the modern church/denomination called the "Mormons" or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Why don't Mormon women cut their hair?
Mormon women may do what they like with their hair. The Church only asks that members avoid 'extreme hairstyles'. What is 'extreme' is up for individual interpretation.
Most of the top female leaders in the Church have short hair. Check out the "Related Links" below to see images of typical Mormon women and their hair.
Yes. He's my mother's cousin, so I have it on good authority. However, his current lifestyle doesn't really mesh well with LDS doctrine.
Is the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints part of the Mormon religion?
Yes. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is usually considered the Mormon religion.
There are a handful of small religious groups who broke away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scholars sometimes consider these break-off groups to be Mormon since they share a similar background.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not accept members of these break-off groups as Mormon and insist that they are the only church with rights to the name "Mormon". When someone refers to the Mormon Church, they are referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There are over 14 million baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide, while those belonging to the various break-off groups number less than 500,000 combined.
Properly, the members of the church can be called "Mormons", as a nickname, but the only proper name of the church itself, is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".
Who were the original Mormons?
There are a few ways to answer this question:
First, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) believe that their religion was founded by God the Father and Jesus Christ, and so they may say that God was the original Mormon.
Second, members of the Church believe that their religion is the same which was followed by God's people in Biblical times, so they may answer that Adam and Eve were the original Mormons.
Third, some will answer with the names of the first six members of the Church - that is, the six men who were required by law at the time to sign on as members in order to incorporate the Church as a legal entity. These men were Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith (Joseph's brother), Samuel H. Smith (Joseph's brother), David Whitmer, and Peter Whitmer, Jr. Their first official meeting to legally organize the Church was held on April 6, 1830, with approximately 30 other men and women present. Some of these had previously been baptized and others were baptized following the meeting.
Why did some Mormons join the Mormon Battalion?
In the 1980's? The Church of Latter-Day Saints was created in the 1830's. Answering the questions why Joseph Smith created the church is kind of tricky. If you are a believer in the church then you would probably say that Joseph Smith created it because he was divinely inspired by a vision and was given the Book of Mormon; if you don't believe in it then you probably assume Joseph Smith created the church for selfish reasons or simply had an illness which caused him to think he had a vision and completely fabricate the Book of Mormon. The above answer is a very good summary of why he created the church. I will only add to what the person had said. Joseph was confused of to which sect to join so he asked the Lord, that's when he got his inspiration to restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The church had once existed in ancient times, to find out more I suggest you ask a local member, maybe a friend. * Smith and the Methodists It is interesting to note that as early as 1828 members of the Methodist Church were forced to make a decision with regard to Joseph Smith. Smith had taken steps to join their church, but they felt his dealings in witchcraft made him unfit to be a member. * The Mormon Prophet Attempts to Join the Methodists By Wesley P. Walters In June 1828 Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of Mormonism, joined the Methodist Church [probationary class] in Harmony, Pennsylvania. This was a strange thing for this prophet of a new religion to do, and seriously challenges the story he put out ten years later about the origin of his work.
