Mormonism Case

Mormonism

What comes to mind when you think about Mormons and Mormonism? What is the religion all about? Many people have the wrong idea when it comes to what Mormons believe in and what and how they worship. Mormons believe in family, helping others and of course Jesus Christ. They believe Jesus Christ to be the son of god and the Savior to the world. There is even a Mormon running for the U.S. presidency right now. This paper will attempt to bring information to form a better understanding of the Mormon religion, its beliefs, the text it follows, and what being Mormon means. This paper will hopefully bring some education and light to a religion that many people misunderstand.

The Mormon Church is known to it members as "The church of latter-day saints" and has been on this earth since 1830. The religion was founded by a young man Named Joseph Smith, in New York sometime in the 19th century (Matt, 2008). When Joseph Smith was a young man he went in search of the true religion and prayed to his father in heaven for guidance. He found what he considered the truth through an answer form his father in heaven and formed the Mormon religion. He was the first president, or as the Mormons would call them, Prophet of the church of latter-day saints. Upon his untimely death in 1844, Brigham Young took over as prophet and fearing for the lives of his followers moved them to the Utah valley we now know as Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City id now the headquarters for the Mormon Church, and the prophet today is Thomas S. Monson.

Many people wonder what it is that Mormons believe in, and if they are even Christian. Yes Mormons are Christian and they believe in Jesus Christ. They believe Jesus Christ to be the son of god. They believe that God made a plan for mankind long before we were brought here to live on this earth. One of the tools used to guide Mormons in this plan are the 13 articles of faith. As stated before Mormons believe in God. They believe him to be the almighty father and the creator of all things good or bad, and that he loves everyone and forgives everyone their sins. Although the beliefs of the Mormons have many similarities to those of other religions, there are also many differences. Mormons believe that through god we will find happiness and eternal life. Mormons believe the church of latter-day saints to be the only true church. They believe that there are three degrees of glory in the kingdom of heaven and that all people can become gods as long as they stay true and loyal to god the father. Mormons believe that through the church of latter-day saints Christianity has been restored to what it was in the time of the Apostles. They also believe that we lived with god before we were born and that we will return to him upon our death.

Mormons do believe in the "Trinity" or the "Godhead" as many call it, but they believe a bit different than other Christian religions. Most believe the Trinity to be that the Father is god, the son is god, and the Holy Spirit is god. Not as three separate gods but only one god or being (Pritchard, 2012). Latter-day saints believe in "god, the eternal father, his son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost" (Stacey, nd). Mormons believe they are one in purpose and mission, but that they are three different beings (Stacey, nd). Mormons also believe in salvation and that Christ died for mankind so that we may be able to be resurrected after death.

Muslims follow the writings of the Qur'an and Christians follow the writings of the bible, what text do the Mormons follow or believe in? As Christians Mormons also follow the teachings of the bible, and believe it to be the word of god, as long as they are translated correctly. There are some other texts that the Mormons believe in and follow the teaching of. These are, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. The Book of Mormon, established by Mormon, Tells the account of God's communications with the American Continent. Mormon was a prophet and he engraves the words of god on to gold plates that were later buried by his son Moroni, for safe keeping, upon the death of his father. It was Moroni, who in 1832 disclosed the location of the buried gold plates to Joseph Smith. Using the Urim and Thummim, or a seer stone, Joseph Smith translated the words of the book through the power of god and put them on paper (Maxwell, 1998). Mormons believe the book of Mormon to be the true word of god.

In the Mormon religion family is very important. Mormons believe family to be the most important thing that they can achieve here on earth. The foundation of the family starts with a Man and a woman, and yes the Mormon religion only believe in the union of man and woman, being married for time and all eternity in the temple. When it comes to rising their children it is preferred, if at all possibly, for the woman, or wife, to stay home with the children while the man, or husband, goes out in to the world to make the money and provide for the family. Mormons do believe strongly though that both parents should be present in the family home throughout the children's lives. If for financial reasons the wife and mother should find it necessary to work it is not looked down on, but many families would first pray to god for guidance in this area. Mormons also believe in having their families sealed in the temple. This means that what shall be bound here on earth shall be bound in heaven too, meaning Mormons believe that if they are sealed here on earth their family unit will be bound together in heaven.

To the Mormons and the Mormon religion the importance of temple are very strong. The temple is a place of worship that is safe from the influences of evil. Mormons go to the temple to do many things. The as stated earlier are married and sealed in the temple, they also use