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Mormonism is a term used to describe the religious, ideological, and cultural elements of certain branches of the Latter Day Saint movement, specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

The term derives from the word Mormon, which was originally used as a pejorative term to describe those who believe in the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that has been added to the religion's canon in addition to the Bible (Old and New Testaments). Today, Mormonism is used in reference to the Utah-based LDS Church, including cultural Mormons, and several smaller denominations and sects of Mormon fundamentalism whose adherents embrace the term despite opposition by the LDS Church. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members rarely describe their beliefs as Mormonism. Most other Latter Day Saint movement denominations oppose use of the term in reference to their faith, and such usage is now rare even though that is what they have been called until modern usage.

Mormonism and Christianity

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Mormonism has historically associated itself with Christianity, but has had an uneasy relationship with traditional Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and most branches of Protestantism. This is primarily due to the fact that adherents to Mormonism claim that the movement is a "restoration" of the earliest Christian and Judaic doctrines.

Mormons teach that the Gospel of Christ has existed since the days of Adam and Eve, and that throughout history a series of apostasies have occurred, always followed by a restoration; meaning that the doctrine taught by the LDS church was on the Earth throughout history, but at some points was lost and later restored again. Mormons teach that one such apostasy occurred after the death of Saint Peter and the other original twelve apostles, and that the calling of Joseph Smith, Jr. marked a new restoration continued to this day.

The publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, in Palmyra, New York, aroused great animosity among Protestants. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is holy scripture and as another testament of Jesus Christ, a companion to the Bible. Some of the Mormons' practices and political clout in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois also contributed to early animosity. Mormonism's greatest conflict with other branches of Christianity has been over the issues of traditional views of Christ, additions to the scriptural canon and plural marriage (a form of polygamy, wherein a man can marry multiple wives, that was officially discontinued by the LDS Church in 1890). In fact, animosity to plural marriage was so great in the 19th century that for the only time in U.S. history, a law was passed nullifying a particular practice associated with a religion, in direct contravention of the first amendment but in keeping with the dominant cultural norms.

Since the early 20th century, Mormonism has engaged in a long-term campaign to counter perceptions that it is not a Christian faith. It has also joined with many other Christian denominations in political operations, such as opposing same-sex marriages and conducting service and humanitarian operations worldwide. Many conflicts between Mormonism and other Christian denominations have remained and several Protestant and Catholic denominations have declared Mormonism not to share their apostolic Christian tradition, and have declared Mormon baptisms to be invalid. Today, the major differences between Mormonism and other Christian churches include the LDS's unique beliefs on the Trinity, temple worship, and its expanded canon. Yet, one recent AP poll shows a majority of Americans view Mormonism as a Christian religion.

Mormonism and Judaism

Because of the incorporation of many Old Testament ideas into its theology, Mormonism has a historical affinity for Judaism and things Jewish. Mormons as a religious body generally embrace Jews, Judaism, and some elements of Jewish culture with enthusiasm. This commitment derives primarily from what Mormons believe are historical and doctrinal connections with Judaism.

Joseph Smith Jr. named the largest Mormon settlement he founded Nauvoo, which means "beautiful" in Hebrew. Brigham Young named a tributary of the Great Salt Lake the "Jordan River." The LDS Church created a writing scheme called the Deseret Alphabet, which was based, in part, on Hebrew. Currently, the LDS Church has a Jerusalem Center in Israel, at which some college-aged youth study and learn to appreciate and respect the region.

Conversely, there has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. According to LDS official Monte J. Brough, "Mormons who baptized 380,000 Holocaust victims posthumously were motivated by love and compassion and did not understand their gesture might offend Jews ... they did not realize that what they intended as a 'Christian act of service' was 'misguided and insensitive.'".

Mormonism and polygamy

Mormonism has been closely associated in both public discourse and LDS scriptures with polygamy. In the 1830s, Joseph Smith, Jr. instituted a form of polygamy referred to as plural marriage, which Brigham Young first acknowledged and promoted after the LDS church's move to Utah Territory. According to his own statements, Joseph Smith, Jr. was more than a little uneasy at facing the institution of plural marriage, and said that he did so only after being warned through subsequent divine revelation that he should begin the practice or "be destroyed." Not all members practiced polygamy however.

Upon learning about the practice, mainstream religions and political forces in the United States mounted a vigorous campaign to stamp it out. The United States Congress passed laws criminalizing the practice and dissolving polygamous families, disincorporated the LDS Church, and began seizing church property. A few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of the church's disincorporation and forfeiture of property, the church issued its 1890 Manifesto renouncing the practice of polygamy. However, as mentioned above, the action of the U.S. government was in contravention of the first amendment rights of a religious group to develop its own practices, but was in keeping with the cultural and religious norms of the majority of Americans. Today, the LDS Church strongly rejects the practice and excommunicates members who engage in it.

The 1890 renunciation of polygamy by the LDS Church also led to a number of schisms involving relatively small groups who describe themselves as Mormon fundamentalists, who still practice polygamy as well as other elements of 19th century Mormonism that have been rejected or denounced by the LDS Church. These organizations believe that their doctrines and practices are more true to the original teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young.

Sidney Rigdon, an early church leader, and others within the Latter Day Saint movement strongly opposed plural marriage and continuously labeled it as a sin. The largest group from this part of the movement is The Church of Jesus Christ, which has its headquarters in Monongahela, Pennsylvania.

Notes

1. Terms used in the LDS Restorationist movement ReligiousTolerance.org
2. "Poll: Americans More Negative on Islam". The Associated Press, 25 September 2007. Pulled from Google News. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hTksThQ9olB92Z8Mrw3KrYI6HujA.
3. Pyle, Richard. ""Mormons, Jews sign agreement on baptizing Holocaust victims."". Retrieved 2007-01-04. AP Newswire, May 5, 1995.
4. Joseph Smith's 12 July 1843 polygamy revelation, in which Jesus Christ (D&C 132:24) states through Smith that "a new and an everlasting covenant" of plural marriage is given, contains numerous Biblical references to and justifications of polygamy, as well as the demand that Smith's first wife, Emma, accept all of Smith's plural wives, and warns of damnation if the new covenant is not observed; The Doctrine and Covenants, 132:1–4, 19, 20, 24, 34, 35, 38, 39, 52, 60–62.

See also

• Latter Day Saints
• Mormons
• Blacks and the Latter Day Saint movement
• Latter-day Saint theology and Judaism
• Criticism of Mormonism
• List of articles about Mormonism
• Mormonism and Christianity
• Polygamy within Mormonism

External links

• pbs.org/mormons/ PBS special on Mormons
• Mormon.org Church beliefs
• Lds.org Church Website

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• Mormonism