Religious Studies: Mormonism as a World Religion
RELG 1001- Introduction to Religious Studies
University of Cincinnati
December 5, 2023
History of the Mormons
There are about 14 million members of the religion around the world.
The church or religion is now found in many nations around the world
(and has approximately 30, 000 congregations around the world).The
religion has also been given many other names including Latter-Day
Saints, LDS Church, LDS, Mormonism, but was formerly officially
known as “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (Mormon).
Today, members emanate from more than one culture, nation, and
race, and have members outside the United States, although it was
believed that it was a church for the America. This paper discusses the
history and formation of the church/religion, as well as the beliefs and
practices.
Mormon religion was established in the 1844 at Nauvoo by Smith
Joseph. People have sought to understand the church in various
contexts. The announcements revealed that he had revelations to
restore the primitive apostolic church and to open the “Kingdom of
God on earth” (Brooke, 3). The 24 year old was said to have come up
with a new church as well as a new dispensation. It would finally
become the universal true religion by sweeping other religions,
according to the young man’s vision. The restoration comprised of its
own prophet, testament and sacred tabernacles. The prophet of the
religion claimed to take a position to open “a channel of divine power
between the visible and invisible worlds” and he would act as a
“vehicle of the continuing revelation of the Word” (Brooke, 3). The
prophet claimed authority of the prophets in the bible who went to
heaven with their bodies through divine power (namely Enoch and
Elijah). The “miraculous writing of the Book of Mormon” was used to
inaugurate the restoration, and the translation for this book was done
by “divine power from golden plates buried by the last survivor of an
ancient people” (Brooke, 3). Sacred temples would be built in various
places, namely Utah, Illinois and Ohio, to realize such dispensation. It
was argued that divine privileges would be given to Mormons in the
divine presence of the Lord who would “come into his tabernacle”
(Brooke, 3). The leader prophesied of the “granting of keys and
unfolding mysteries to come” and promised the Marmon faithful that
they would be gods if they remained true to the church ordinances and
church commandments. He is said to have not only defied the ideals
of the “evangelical church of the Second Great Awakening” and also
the “most ardent contemporary advocates of the imminence of the
millennium” by declarations regarding promising godhood, “assuming
the revelatory” prophetic powers, “announcing a new dispensation” as
well as “blurring the lines between spirit and matter” (Brooke, 4). His
followers were placed beyond the “radical fridge of the Christian
tradition” through his claim for dispensational authority (Brooke, 4).
Brooke has argued that Mormon cosmology was founded in
hermeticism which is a broad term for human perfection philosophy
and metallic transmutation philosophy. Hermeticism has been
awarded by the author as the root for Freemasonry and treasure-
divining by the author, who argues that the Smith was a “money-
digger” and “treasure-diviner” (Brooke, 4). He has argued that
“alchemy”, “counterfeiting”, “conjuring” and “witchcraft”, formed the
magical practice culture that guided his discovery of the “Golden
Plates of the Book of Mormon” (Brooke, 4). The time he announced
the promise for divinity is when he had a “renewed interest in
freemasonry” (Brooke, 4). During the same time, there was interest in
the Freemasonry, which came as a result of stigma “imposed by the
Antimasonic furor over the murder of William Morgan” (Brooke, 4).
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Beliefs and Practices of Mormons
It is argued that the religion begun as a quest for truth by Joseph
Smith, when some have regarded it as a “search for knowledge,
values, and structures” (Magocsi, 983). Mormons refer to it as the
“gaining a testimony” and they regard testimonies as crucial to
commitment to their beliefs and willingness for community
involvement. They hold the idea of being a “covenant people” as
established in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The converts have a
focus for their faith through the commemoration of ordinances and
ceremonies to keep commandments of God. They have made
commitment to obey God’s commandments and live righteously, and
these covenants are made and renewed. They reflect the practices
found in the bible because they believe in the restoration of the
primitive Christian church.
For a child, a ritual is performed in which it is offered an impromptu
blessing by its father or a priest. The child is also recorded as a church
member in this ritual, and named during this ritual. The blessing is
offered with a proclamation that the one passing the blessing is doing
it in the name of Jesus.
Mormons offer baptism to recruit their members (into full
membership now) from people who have attained eighteen years of
age. This baptism is through immersion. In addition, members will
thereafter receive a laying of hands ritual and “conferral of the gift of
the Holy Ghost” (Magocsi, 983). It is allowed for members to request
the assistance of the priesthood at any time including a time for illness
as well as asking for “direction for one’s life course from a patriarch”
(Magocsi, 983). They belong to a “modern Israel within a Christian
framework” through their belief and ritual (Magocsi, 983). The culture
of the Mormons, their priesthood organization, temple characteristics
depicts the blend for the modern Israel and Christianity (Judeo-
Christian blend). Mormons are to connect pasts, present and future of
the generations in the temples (as the purpose of the temples) and
there are temple ordinances specifically dedicated to their ancestors.
Identification of the ancestors is a practice carried by the Mormons.
Mormons’ present and future generations get directions at the temples,
as well as are instilled in them hope that they can enjoy greatest
happiness as individuals and families by progressing “towards a closer
union with divinity” (Magocsi, 983). Temple ceremonies that “scale”
parents and children also exist to confirm the “external nature of
marriage and the family” (Magocsi, 983). Family is the greatest
channel of blessing, although both the family and the person are units
of salvation.
The religion is not resemblance or deviates from the traditional
Christian definitions as well as, and sought to produce “coparticipants
in divinity” and “play a direct role in the supernatural cosmos of the
invisible world” (Brooke, XIV). The author identifies two problems
relating to the study of mormon religion; namely the specification of
the role of “hermeticism in relation to” the Christian elements in this
religion; and secondly, the conveyance of this hermeticism “from late-
sixteen-century Europe to the New York countryside in the early
nineteen century” (Brooke, XIV)
This religion has been argued that it arose as a need to handle the
“social stress experienced by poor families in the north-estern
countryside” as well as being “frontier in the wake of the American
Revolution” (Brooke, XIV). This view has been propagated by the
functionalists. The author has argued that a serious examination of
content regarding this religion was discouraged following the
unification of the historical examination of their origins (as held by
both the Mormon historians and the functionalists (non-Mormon
historians)-who sought to study American religions in relation to the
social-scientific interactions happening in America in 1960s.
Mormon was earlier on discussed by theological explorations in terms
of “millennial beliefs current in evangelical Protestantism” (Brooke,
XIV).The exploration by the functionalists since 1960s has helped in
the further understanding of the Mormon origins, although it has a
deletion effect on the religion, because it influences the diversion from
the understanding of religion in divine and other terms by injecting the
social-scientific approaches. The Mormon message has been
interpreted in revelation to the restoration concept. The Mormon
prophet had his religious authority on the “announcement that his
visions and revelations were the divine interventions” that were
needed for restoration of a true church, but it was not rested on the
prediction of the end time. This restoration would be a “third
dispensation that inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth and
superseded all previous dispensations as corrupted” (Brooke, XIV).
The author is of the opinion that it is not possible for the functionalist
theory to explain the “theological distinct message of the Mormon
church” or provide a sufficient explanation of the social origins of the
converts, although it is possible for this theory to “explain the
potential for the emergence of a radical restorationist movement, and
the potential for a response to such a message” (Brooke, XIV). Brooke
is of the opinion that it is important to look at cosmology in the
understanding of Mormon. The “diffuse and divergent trails of
cultural continuity” that prepared Joseph and certain people to build
religious tradition with “most radical doctrines of early modern
Europe’s religious crucible” need to be explored, and not to just rely
upon the “milieu to memory” or the explanation of the functionalist
(XIV).
In addition to believing in the Biblical verses, the Mormons also
believe in the Book of Mormon, also as the word of God. In fact, the
believers use the King James Version for their study. The book is
claimed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” and that it
records how God deals “with the inhabitants of the Americas”
(Mormon). It has been argued that the finding of the book was
inspirational, that an angel appeared to Smith-the founder, and
directed him where it would be found (on the gold plates). The angel
also told him that “he was to bring forth the record known as the Book
of Mormon” (Mormon). He was allowed to retrieve and translate the
book in 1827 and translated it arguably with the power of God, first
into English. The first 5000 copies of the book were published in 1830
and it has seen the selling of approximately 130 million copies. Again,
it has been distributed in many languages around the world. There are
some controversies that have been noted regarding the religion, when
compared to the Christian doctrine they seem to copy from. These
include the belief and teaching that there is more than one god,
although they believe in the biblical teachings and in Jesus Christ as
central. The teaching that human beings are capable of becoming god
has been faulted. Those achieving godhood are taught that they would
have “spirit children” to worship them as Christians do the God (IRG).
Other controversies include the argument that Jesus’ atonement sought
to bring “resurrection and immortality to all people regardless whether
they receive Christ by faith” (IRG). The Mormon also contends that
there has been corruption of the bible with a claim that it misses many
parts that are precious.
Conclusion
The paper analyzes the Mormon religion, with an examination of the
origin, criticism and their beliefs. The religion has no doubt been
existence for many years. In addition, they coincide with the Christian
beliefs in some aspects but differ in others. The coincidence includes
the belief in Jesus Christ, some practices such as baptism; believe in
the bible and its teachings. The differences include the existence of
Critics doubt the inspirations on the religion foundation, with an
arguments that they were inspired by the existing conditions existing
in the Nauvoo, and that they are based on occultism; “counterfeiting”,
“conjuring” and “witchcraft” (Brooke, 4). The religion has been
understood through exploration on different perspectives including
social-cultural/economic perspective, religious and historical
perspective.
Works Cited
Brooke, John.HThe refiner’s fire: The making of Mormon cosmology,
1644-1844.HCambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994.
IRG.HMormons in transition. IRG. 2010.
Magocsi, Paul., Ed.HEncyclopedia of Canada’s peoples.HLondon:
University of Toronto Press Incorporated, 1999.
Mormon Religion.HFacts. Mormon Religion. n.d.a. 2010.
Mormon Religion.HBook of Mormon.#Mormon Religion. n.d.b. 2010.
