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Mormonism is an exotic mixture of innovative Americana and unconventional Christianity. Mormon history states that Joseph Smith founded the church in Fayette, New York, in 1830 after being directed by the angel Moroni to dig up a set of inscribed golden plates. On these plates were the written history of the ancient people in America. The name of the hill was Cumorah.
They were the ancient Hebrews who migrated to North America around 600 B.C. Later Jesus Christ, after his death, came to preach to these lost tribes of Israel in America. Mormons take the scripture John 10:16 to justify this belief. The tribes eventually split and became enemies, the Nephites and Lamanites. The Lamanites practiced genocide upon their neighbors, and the punishment for that was to have their skin turned dark to show God's displeasure. This was stated in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 5:21 & 23. The Lamanites are the ancestors of the American Indians.
Mormon belief also stated that when the American Indians accepted Mormonism they'd have their skin turn white again as a reward. The scripture for that is found in 2 Nephi 30:6. Mormons believed in this revelation so strongly they talked themselves into watching it happen. Finally increased pressure from outside the Church caused this belief to be changed. With a revised set of scriptures in 1981, the above scripture has been changed.
This brings up in interesting dilemma. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon 'is the most correct book in Earth'. Every word in it has the approval of God and the Prophet as being truthful and pure. Now, if the old version was perfect, than changing it in 1981 contradicted God, making it false. On the other hand, if the new one is correct, than the old one was false to begin with.
I've received a great deal of feedbacks challenging that the original edition contained the phrase 'white and delightsome'.
An example of Mormon folklore concerning the Book Of Mormon.
Mormons use four books that they believe are inspired and of God.
Mormonism has an even more checkered past concerning their beliefs about Blacks.
Smith, who was assassinated in 1844 in Carthage, Illinois, taught that the trinity was comprised of three individual gods. God the Father was once a man who lived on another Earth. He obeyed all the laws of his god, and as a result achieved divinity. When the time came to start his own world (ours), he used a surplus of people from another earth.
For more information about pre-existence beliefs.
The creation story isn't as straightforward for Mormons as it is for mainstream Christianity.
Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden was a good thing.
In Mormon theology, the Garden of Eden is located in what is now Independence, Missouri.
The early prophets of Mormonism taught doctrine that goes against mainstream Christianity concerning the conception of Jesus Christ.
They also believed that Jesus Christ was married, and also a polygamist.
If Christ's blood wasn't spilt on the Cross, the Atonement would've been invalid.
Mormons have a complex system of the afterlife - there is a three-tier realm of glory with the highest world reserved for believers, the next for well-meaning non believers, the last for the lowest of the low. The devil and his angels are called Sons of Perdition who dwell in outer darkness. Mormons are told that it would've been better that those people were never born.
Joseph Smith taught that men whose marriages are sealed and approved by the Church will become gods in the hereafter, populating their own worlds. They will create their own versions of Jesus and Satan. For more information about after-life beliefs.
Members worried about their non believer ancestors can have deceased relatives baptized by them via proxy. Mormons zealously compile genealogies so that not only all their ancestors, but everyone who ever lived can eventually be baptized. Every famous and/or historical person who ever lived has most likely been baptized by proxy. Spirits who have been overlooked have also appeared to Mormon prophets to request the work be done for them. This is being done despite the fact that Mormons have been commanded to limit their work to their own family line.
In the late 1990's the Jewish faith has been very upset with the Mormons. They found out that the victims of Nazi Germany have been baptized into the Mormon faith. For more information about this, Jewish baptism.
The Mormon belief in baptism for the dead is central to their faith, but that wasn't always the fact. During Joseph Smith's lifetime, he had at least six different and evolving beliefs on this subject. This ordinance can only be performed in Mormon temples. I'll write a great deal about Temples as time permits.
I've participated in baptism for the dead several times growing up.
Mormon baptism is the first big step for members.
When a member reaches a certain age, he/she can request a patriarchal blessing.
Getting married and having a large family are also strongly taught. Needless to say, practicing birth control is considered a serious sin.
The Mormon Church is very traditional about the belief that a woman's place is in the home.
Perhaps the most well-known trait of Mormonism is their avoidance of alcohol and tea. This is called the Word of Wisdom
Tithing is an important part of being a Mormon.
The leadership has four levels of punishment it can impose upon
its members when they feel a spiritual sin has been committed.
The Mormon Church is gaining members at an astonishing rate. The main reason for this is through the efforts of their missionary program.
A practice called 'the laying on of hands' is used for several reasons.
Mormonism isn't a 1 hour a Sunday religion, members have programs that encompass the entire week.
Song has a special place in every religion, and Mormonism is no exception.
While Mormonism doesn't have a 'creed' like many other churches, they do have the Articles of Faith.
Mormonism is based on the belief that all other churches are corrupt and have fallen into apostasy. This was the reason Joseph Smith was needed, to restore the true church of Christ. Much has been said about other religions, but the attack on Catholicism is the strongest.
Every religion has folklore, stories that are mythical in nature but are repeated as having happened 'to a friend of a friend.' I remember hearing such stories while growing up and here are some examples.
A list of Mormon prophets up to the present.
Splinter groups from the Mormon Church.