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Mormonism

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February 23, 2025

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Mormonism

Introduction

Mormonism, formally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS

Church), is a religious movement that originated in the early 19th century. Founded by Joseph

Smith, who claimed to have received divine revelations and translated the Book of Mormon, the

religion was officially organized in 1830 in New York (van Dyk, 2019). Facing persecution,

early Mormons migrated westward, eventually settling in Utah under Brigham Young's

leadership. Today, Mormonism has grown into a global religious movement with millions of

members worldwide, with significant populations in the United States, Latin America, and

Africa (Jindra, 2022).

Origins and Roots of the Belief System

Mormonism, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), is a

Christian-based religion with unique beliefs and scriptures. It began in the early 1800s when

Joseph Smith claimed to have had a vision of God and Jesus Christ, who told him to restore the

true church. This event, called the First Vision, is a key part of Mormon history (van Dyk, 2019).

Later, Smith said an angel named Moroni led him to a set of golden plates buried in New

York. He translated these plates into what became the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe

is another testament of Jesus Christ, alongside the Bible (van Dyk, 2019). Smith also introduced

new teachings, like continuing revelation, meaning God still speaks to prophets today.

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History of the Religion

After the LDS Church was founded in 1830, it faced a lot of challenges, including

opposition and persecution from people who disagreed with its beliefs. In 1844, the church’s

founder, Joseph Smith, was assassinated, which led to a crisis over who would lead the church

next. Eventually, Brigham Young became the main leader and guided thousands of church

members on a difficult journey to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. They moved there to escape

persecution and have the freedom to practice their religion. Once they arrived, they worked hard

to build a successful and self-sufficient community. Over time, the church expanded by sending

missionaries to different parts of the world, which helped increase its membership and spread its

teachings (Jindra, 2022).

Beliefs and Values

A key part of Mormon beliefs is the idea that Jesus Christ is divine and that God still

speaks to people today through prophets. Besides the Bible, Mormons also believe in the Book

of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as sacred books. Their faith

focuses on the importance of family, living a moral life, and sharing their beliefs with others

through missionary work. Mormons also follow a health code called the Word of Wisdom, which

teaches them to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances (Ashcraft, 2020).

Family is extremely important in Mormon culture, and traditional gender roles are often

encouraged. Many Mormon families have strict moral rules and structured parenting styles that

focus on discipline and obedience. Children are usually taught from a young age to respect

authority and follow religious teachings. In more conservative Mormon households, there are

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often strict rules about what kind of media kids can watch, how they should dress, and when they

can start dating, all based on church teachings. Parents are expected to guide their children’s

spiritual growth through regular prayer, reading scriptures, and participating in family home

evenings—weekly gatherings where families learn about their faith and spend time together

(Bialecki, 2022).

Demographics and Influence

The LDS Church has over 16 million members worldwide, with the largest group in the

United States, especially in Utah where the church's headquarters are. The church has also grown

a lot in places like Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region (Jindra, 2022). This

growth is partly because of the church’s focus on missionary work and creating a strong

community. Mormons are known for helping others and being active in church activities, which

makes the church feel like a close-knit group (Ashcraft, 2020).

In places like Latin America and Africa, the church’s teachings on family values and

living a good life have really connected with people. The LDS Church also does a lot of

community service, which helps them become more known around the world (Bialecki, 2022).

Their focus on family and traditional values continues to attract new members, helping the

church grow even more (van Dyk, 2019).

Important Figures

Important figures in Mormonism are Joseph Smith, who started the church and was its

first prophet; Brigham Young, who led people to Utah and became the second president of the

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church; and Russell M. Nelson, who is the current president and prophet. These leaders are

respected for their spiritual guidance and for helping the church grow (van Dyk, 2019).

Holidays, Celebrations, and Significant Days

Mormons observe traditional Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

Additionally, Pioneer Day on July 24th commemorates the arrival of the early Mormon pioneers

in the Salt Lake Valley. The church also holds semiannual General Conferences in April and

October, where leaders address members worldwide on spiritual and administrative matters

(Ashcraft, 2020).

Worship and Religious Practices

Worship in the LDS Church is an important part of members' lives, and it includes

several regular activities. Every Sunday, members gather for church services, which typically

consist of a sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and other auxiliary meetings for different age

groups or needs. The sacrament meeting is especially important, as it is when members take part

in communion, or the sacrament, which represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Sunday

School classes provide members with teachings from the scriptures and discussions about

applying those teachings in daily life (Bialecki, 2022).

In addition to weekly services, Mormons also participate in temple ordinances, which are

special sacred practices that are only performed in the church's dedicated temples. These include

baptisms for the dead, where members are baptized on behalf of deceased ancestors, and eternal

marriages, which are meant to bind couples together forever. These ordinances are seen as

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essential for spiritual progression and are considered some of the most sacred rituals in the faith

(Bialecki, 2022).

Missionary service is another key part of Mormon worship and religious practice. Young

members, typically between the ages of 18 and 25, are strongly encouraged to serve missions,

where they travel to different parts of the world to teach people about their faith. These missions

are voluntary, and many young Mormons view them as an important part of their religious

commitment. The church believes that sharing the gospel globally is crucial to fulfilling God's

plan for the world (Bialecki, 2022). Through these practices, the LDS Church focuses on

community, spiritual growth, and service to others.

Conclusion

Mormonism, founded by Joseph Smith in the early 1800s, has grown into a significant

global religion with millions of members. The church’s core beliefs, including continuing

revelation, the Book of Mormon, and a strong focus on family, have played a key role in its

worldwide growth (Jindra, 2022). Despite facing persecution in its early years, the LDS Church

established a strong foundation, especially under Brigham Young, who led members to Utah for

safety and religious freedom (van Dyk, 2019). Today, the church’s emphasis on missionary

work, service, and building supportive communities continues to attract new followers,

particularly in Latin America and Africa (Ashcraft, 2020). With its focus on helping others and

maintaining strong, tight-knit relationships among its members, the LDS Church has had a

lasting impact on religious practices and community life around the world (Bialecki, 2022).

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References

Ashcraft, W. M. (2020). Latter-day screens: Gender, sexuality & mediated Mormonism. International

Journal for the Study of New Religions, 11(2), 275–278. https://doi.org/10.1558/ijsnr.22348

Bialecki, J. (2022). Kolob runs on Domo: Mormon secrets and transhumanist code. Ethnos: Journal of

Anthropology, 87(3), 518–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2020.1770311

Jindra, I. W. (2022). Deconversion from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the quest

for identity. Pastoral Psychology, 71(3), 325–343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-022-01001-7

van Dyk, G. (2019). Understanding Mormonism: Foundational sources on its culture, history, and

theology. Theological Librarianship, 12(1), 50–60. https://doi.org/10.31046/tl.v12i1.531