Mormonism

The Mormons contributed to America because they believe that America is a special nation and that God was involved in its founding.

In the Book of Mormon, the American continent is described as the 'Promised Land', the place where Zion will be established. The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church says that the constitution of the United States was established by God and that the Founding Fathers recieved inspiration from Him. (section 101:80) For these reasons, Mormons (at least American Mormons) love America and strive to serve their country.

No. Costco is a publically traded company owned by shareholders. Of course, some of these shareholders may be Mormon but it would be nearly impossible to keep track as stocks are bought and sold every day. The CEO of Costco, W. Craig Jelinek, is not a Mormon either.

If a person who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) puts a star on their home, it is probably just used as a simple decoration or symbol of patriotism. This would be the case unless it is an active-duty military star on a door or window, which means a family member is currently serving in the military.

On historic Mormon buildings, stars were often used as a symbol of Christianity. Historically, stars have been used in Christianity to represent many things, including the five wounds of Christ and the five joys of Mary (Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascention, and Assumption). In Mormonism, the star may also have different symbolism. If there are both large and small upright five-pointed stars they will represent the governing and saving power of the priesthood. Upright stars with no size variation, espeically when combined with suns and moons, represent the Terrestrial Kingdom of God, and inverted five-pointed stars represent the 'morning stars' - the sons of God. (Revelation 22:16) If there are both inverted and upright stars, they may represent the our prayers ascending to heaven (upright stars), and the anwers to the descending (inverted stars). A six pointed star may represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel or the actual stars as a symbol of creation.

To see examples of star symbolism on historic Mormon buildings, see the "Related Links" below.

Totally! They are actually very encouraged to date, but not until they turn 16. After that, the church suggests that they go on double-dates for a while after that.

If you'd like to learn more about Mormon teens and dating, check out the "Related Links" below.

The Mormon religion is is not the wealthiest in the world. The Mormon church as a whole get the funding from tithing. In the Mormon religion it is believed that paying tithing saves you in the last days (when Jesus comes again). People who pay it pay it by choice. They are definitely not forced to pay tithing. Tithing is 10% of the money that you get (even pocket money). Mormons use this money to build temples, wards and help people in need. In fact the Mormon church is always one first to help after a disaster or others in need. Many people call this church the Mormon church but this is really a nickname. The church is really called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. LDS is also another nickname.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) used whatever forms of transportation were available to them. This included horseback, covered wagon, carriage, train, boat, and handcart. The handcart has become a symbol of the Mormon pioneers - a two-wheeled cart pulled by people on foot. It was a much cheaper way for the poor Mormons to travel across the Mormon Trail.

Several years earlier, before Joseph Smith was murdered, he had prophesied that the Latter-day Saints would have to move west to the Rocky Mountains to flee persecution. Because of this prophesy, Brigham Young knew to lead them west. He had seen the Salt Lake Valley in particular in a vision, and insisted they continue traveling until God lead them there. When Brigham Young first saw the valley as they came over the mountains, he said "This is the right place." And once they got down into the valley, he put his walking stick in the ground and said "Here we will build the temple of our God." That very spot is now one of the corners of the Salt Lake Temple.

The Church members then and now believe that this Temple is a fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah in Isaiah 2:2 which says "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the tops of the mountains..." The Temple is considered the House of the Lord, and the word "Utah" literaly means "top of the mountains" in the language of the native Ute indians.

You forgot to mention a key part in the decision to move to Utah. The Mormons were given information concerning the Salt Lake valley from Father Pierre DeSmet, a Belgian Catholic Missionary who traveled the west before the Mormons were ever even there. Through his description of the area the Mormons decided to move there.

The growth of the Mormons in the area of Nauvoo Illinois caused concern among the locals, leading to violence. In order to preserve the public peace, the government asked the Mormons to leave the state.

One of the major reasons the Mormons moved to Utah is because nobody else wanted to live there. It was a vast empty land with very little water or trees. There were several Native American groups living there at the time, most of which were friendly with the new Mormon settlers.

All women are daughters of a kind Heavenly Father. They were put upon the earth to be a helpmate to their spouses. They stand at his side equal in all things. They are councilors, teachers of her children and advisers to the husband. They bring love to the home, and help make a house a home. In fact they are the very heart of the home. Though the woman does not hold the priesthood they share in all of the blessings that the priesthood has to offer. No man is complete without the help of a good woman, one who he wishes to spent the eternities with.

Yes. Julianne and Derek Hough are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church).

Aside from the fact that Mormons shop at Walgreens, no.

Contrary to popular belief, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) is NOT connected to a large number of multi-national corporations. (actually, it's not connected to any...) Their only corporate connections are with a few companies in the western United States. These are:

Deseret Book (a religious book and gift store)

Bonneville International (a newsmedia outlet)

Temple Square Hospitality (cafes and reception centers in Salt Lake City)

Deseret Management (manages a handful of apartments and office buildings in Salt Lake City)

Beneficial Life Insurance

Mormons will eat just about anything if they're hungry enough. What they won't do is smoke, drink alcohol, take illegal drugs, drink coffee or tea (though they will drink herbal tea). This comes from a code of health given the Mormons or "Latter-day Saints" as they prefer to be called, called the Word of Wisdom. It was given to the prophet Joseph Smith at a time when it science hadn't specified the dangers of these substances as in depth as they are specified today. Latter-day Saints believe what it says in the New Testament, that the body is a temple, and shouldn't be defiled: which would include filling it with substances that are harmful to the body. Yes, they also encourage members to eat healthy foods. But the Latter-day Saints do enjoy things like Prime Ribs smothered in honey-mustard barbecue sauce, tender and juicy Sirloin steaks, pumpkin cookies packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, double fudge German chocolate ice-cream cake smothered in dark-chocolate and vanilla frosting, Delicious cream-filled Maple bars and other donut varieties, etc. They do believe, however, that such foods should be eaten sparingly. But it isn't a "commandment", it is just counsel; a way of living the principle from the New Testament and a code of health found in what they refer to as "modern revelation" more fully.

The Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) were kicked out of Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois in the 1800's. Although the Church now exists in these states, it didn't for about half a century afterwards. In fact, an Extermination Order against the Mormons was still on the books in Missouri until the 1970's.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is on of the largest churches in Latin America because that is where The Book of Mormon is primarily based. Also, there are many things that prove the validity of The Book of Mormon in Latin America.

African-Americans have always been allowed to attend, though with discrimination. Joseph Smith seemed to support the laws of that time, and blamed slavery on the "curse of Ham," but otherwise remained an abolitionist. Slaves were allowed to attend, but they had to get permission from their masters to be baptized. After the Mormons were expelled from Missouri, they took on a stronger anti-slavery position and even ordained a few Black Mormon men as priests within Joseph Smith's lifetime.

When Brigham Young took over, many men of color were excluded from the priesthood. Black men were not again allowed to to become participating members of the Mormon priesthood until 1978, after Brigham Young had died, and after the church realized how impractical it was to determine bloodlines. A 'revelation' given to the elders of the Mormon Church was responsible for the change in attitude. The FLDS sect still holds to the position that dark skin is a curse for sin, and supposedly is traced back to Cain. Women still are not allowed to participate in the priesthood in any segment of the LDS.

There are currently (in 2010) 13 temples operating in Utah and 2 under construction.

The temples in Utah are:

St. George

Logan

Manti

Salt Lake

Ogden

Provo

Jordan River (in South Jordan)

Bountiful

Mount Timpanogos (in American Fork)

Vernal

Monticello

Draper

Oquirrh Mountain (In South Jordan)

Those under construction are:

Brigham City

Payson

Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes or gaining advantage. Many (but not all) pacifist point to the Bible or other Holy Books as the source of wisdom which leads them to this position. Mormons have never been pacifists. Throughout their brief history, they have never shunned war. They have taken up arms in defense of their lives and their liberty. They serve in the militaries of many different countries. There are even stories of Mormon facing each other on the battle fields as members of opposing armies.

The temples in Utah were completed in:

St. George: April 1877 (remodeled and rededicated 1975)

Logan: May 1884 (remodeled and rededicated 1979)

Manti: May 1888 (remodeled and rededicated 1985)

Salt Lake: April 1893

Ogden: January 1972 (currently being remodeled, rededication expected 2014)

Provo: February 1972

Jordan River: November 1981

Bountiful: January 1995

Timpanogos: October 1996

Vernal: November 1997

Monticello: July 1998

Draper: March 2009

Oquirrh Mountain: August 2009

Brigham City: September 2012

Payson: under construction, completion expected in 2015

Provo City Center: under construction, completion expected in 2015

Cedar City: in planning

You can see a list of every LDS temple sorted by the dates they were completed and dedicated at the "Related Links" below.

According to 2008 year-end records (2009 records will not be released until April 2010), there are 755,747 baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" Church) in California.

Mormons don't necessarily have a food diet per say they don't believe in drinking caffeine, drink alcohol or beer, smoking, drugs, or basically most things other churches consider morally wrong. i mean, they don't drink coffee, tea, wine, beer, etc. And you can trust me, I'm Mormon, I would know.

In New York state. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, lived in Palmyra, NY when he first started the Mormon church.

- "Mormonism" began with Adam. The religion of the Old Testament became corrupt over time and Jesus came to this earth to fulfill and restore His church (The New Testament). Then, after the death of Jesus and His apostles, the doctrines and authority were lost again. Jesus Christ brought about a final resoration through Joseph Smith (The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants). "Mormonism" is simply a nickname. The name of the church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" because it differentiates them from the ancient.

Mormonism began in the Palmyra/Fayette area of upstate New York, USA in the early 1800's.

You can learn more about the beginnings of Mormonism by checking out the "Related Links" below.

Our scriptures say nothing about the topic. However, a book called "For the Strength of the Youth" Tells us to avoid such things till we are older (after 16). Many of our prophets advise us that it would do good for us to follow this instruction. So for a short answer, Yes.

Oh brother. Of course they can! Go kiss one and find out!

There is a difference between a chaste kiss , an affectionate kiss , and a salacious kiss . Mormon young people are taught what is appropiate and when.