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{{Infobox_Contents |
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'''Mormonism''' refers to the practices, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture culture], and particularly the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion religion] of followers of the [[Latter Day Saint Movement]]. The movement first began in 1820 with the first vision of [[Joseph Smith]] Jr. As directed by [[God]], he restored the church that Christ established during his [[mortal]] ministry on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth Earth]. As there were many dissenters and persecutors that plagued the the newly established Church, the [[Saints]] were forced to move several times, eventually starting their own city, Nauvoo, in the swamplands near the Mississippi River. In 1844, due to severe persecution and injustice, Smith, a self-proclaimed [[prophet]], was [[martyr]]ed in Carthage, Illinois at Liberty Jail.
 
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topic_name = Mormonism
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[[Image:Salt_lake_temple.jpeg|thumb|center|The temple at [[Salt Lake City]].]] |
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subtopics = [[History of Mormonism]], [[Joseph Smith]]
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* [[Divisions of Mormonism]] - [[The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints]], [[Community of Christ]], [[Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)|Bickertonite]], [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)|Strangite]], [[Church of Christ (Temple Lot)|Temple Lot]], [[Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]], [[Church of Christ with the Elijah Message|Elijah Message]]
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* [[Mormon Beliefs]] - [[Book of Mormon]], [[Mormonism: Polygamy|Polygamy]], [[Mormonism: God|God]]
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* [[Mormonism Today]] |
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opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
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* [[Mormonism (G.G.)]] |
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}}
   
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Mormonism is a [[religion]] originating in the early 1800s as a product of the teaching of [[Joseph Smith]] and the Latter Day Saint movement. The term Mormonism is also often used to refer specifically to [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], which is by far the most numerous and well-known sects claiming derivation from Joseph Smith. Mormons believe that the original teaching of [[Jesus Christ]] was lost after his death and that Christ's teaching and church was restored by Joseph Smith and his followers. It has an uneasy relationships with mainstream Christianity.
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Though the movement had a large share of dissenters previous to this time, this incident led to the largest fracture thus far. The resulting groups chose to follow different leaders, most following and sustaining [[Brigham Young]] as the second president of the Church, and made a migration to the west eventually setting the area now known as Utah, while others chose to stay in Nauvoo. The most popular alternative to Young at this point was a man named James J. Strang, baptized four months previous, he claimed he had been appointed by Smith as the rightful Successor of the Church. Though ultimately rejected by the body of the church and excommunicated , Strang led a following for several years until he was assassinated by a disaffected saint on Beaver Island. Others believed that Joseph Smith III, Joseph Smith's son to be the rightful successor. Joseph Smith III responded that he would only assume the church presidency if he were inspired by God to do so. In 1860, 16 years after his fathers death, Smith said that he had received inspiration that he was to preside over Gods church. He was sustained as President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
 
   
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The result today is several religions that have a root in the teachings of Joseph Smith, but with variance. Of these groups The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the followers of Brigham Young, is the largest having on record around 13,000,000 followers. While the Community of Christ, the followers of Joseph Smith III, (formerly The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)is the second largest with around 250,000 followers. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the third largest following with around 30,000 members.
  
   
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{{pedia|Mormonism}}
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===[[History of Mormonism]]===
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[[Book of Mormon]]
  
   
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[[Image:joseph_smith_picture.jpg|thumb|right|Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism]]
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[[category:Latter Day Saints]]
  
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The '''Mormonism''' movement began in 1820 near Palmyra, New York. [[Joseph Smith]], the founder of Mormonism, claimed to have received a series of visions in which he was told by God that all the churches were "wrong", their "creeds were an abomination in his sight", and all their "professors were corrupt". He was told that God would restore the true New Testament church using him as a mouthpiece. Consequently, Mormons consider Joseph Smith the first prophet of a new dispensation. Despite Smith's clear affirmations, Mormons generally minimize statements about other churches being false. They prefer to say that all churches contain some truth, but that all truth may be found only within Mormonism.
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[[Category:Religions]]
  
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In the course of his visions, an angel named Moroni is said to have visited Smith to disclose the location of a book "written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this [American] continent, and the source from whence they sprang". Moroni also said that "the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants". Joseph Smith was instructed to retrieve the plates and translate them with God's assistance. The result, called the ''Book of Mormon'', was first published on March 26, 1830. Smith referred to the ''Book of Mormon'' as "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion". Following these first visions came a series of additional revelations that were later published in two books, the ''Doctrine and Covenants'' and the ''Pearl of Great Price''.
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Today there are many churches that claim to be the true successor of the church Joseph Smith founded. The largest of these is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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===[[Divisions of Mormonism]]===
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====[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]====
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====[[Community of Christ]]====
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====[[Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)|Bickertonite]]====
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====[[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)|Strangite]]====
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====[[Church of Christ (Temple Lot)|Temple Lot]]====
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====[[Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]====
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====[[Church of Christ with the Elijah Message|Elijah Message]]====
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===[[Mormon Beliefs]]===
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====[[Mormonism: Polygamy|Polygamy]]====
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====[[Mormonism: God|God]]====
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===[[Mormonism Today]]===
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==Quotes==
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==Links==
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latter_Day_Saint_movement Wikipedia - Latter Day Saint movement]
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* [http://www.lds.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]
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* [http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm Information about Mormonism at www.carm.org]
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* [http://www.mormonwiki.com/mormonism/Main_Page Free encyclopedia about Mormons from the perspective of faithful members]
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* [http://www.mormonwiki.org Mormonwiki.org An Evangelical wiki directed at dealing and exposing Mormon theology]
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{{returnto}} [[Religions]] | [[Christian cults]]

Revision as of 13:00, 17 January 2008

Mormonism
File:Salt lake temple.jpeg

The temple at Salt Lake City.
RELATED TOPICS
OPINIONS
  • Mormonism (discussion) (For short comments and opinions)
  • Mormonism (G.G.)

Mormonism is a religion originating in the early 1800s as a product of the teaching of Joseph Smith and the Latter Day Saint movement. The term Mormonism is also often used to refer specifically to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is by far the most numerous and well-known sects claiming derivation from Joseph Smith. Mormons believe that the original teaching of Jesus Christ was lost after his death and that Christ's teaching and church was restored by Joseph Smith and his followers. It has an uneasy relationships with mainstream Christianity.


History of Mormonism

File:Joseph smith picture.jpg

Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism

The Mormonism movement began in 1820 near Palmyra, New York. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed to have received a series of visions in which he was told by God that all the churches were "wrong", their "creeds were an abomination in his sight", and all their "professors were corrupt". He was told that God would restore the true New Testament church using him as a mouthpiece. Consequently, Mormons consider Joseph Smith the first prophet of a new dispensation. Despite Smith's clear affirmations, Mormons generally minimize statements about other churches being false. They prefer to say that all churches contain some truth, but that all truth may be found only within Mormonism.

In the course of his visions, an angel named Moroni is said to have visited Smith to disclose the location of a book "written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this [American] continent, and the source from whence they sprang". Moroni also said that "the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants". Joseph Smith was instructed to retrieve the plates and translate them with God's assistance. The result, called the Book of Mormon, was first published on March 26, 1830. Smith referred to the Book of Mormon as "the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion". Following these first visions came a series of additional revelations that were later published in two books, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

Today there are many churches that claim to be the true successor of the church Joseph Smith founded. The largest of these is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Divisions of Mormonism

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Community of Christ

Bickertonite

Strangite

Temple Lot

Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Elijah Message

Mormon Beliefs

Polygamy

God

Mormonism Today

Quotes

Links



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