with the new year, I've decided to study religions/denominations/beliefs more intently. in some ways i miss being a student. i miss the days i had immense amounts of information coming my way. course you dont have to be in school to have information, so let's talk about mormons.
Mormons believe some hebrews, known as the Lehi clan, came to the new world before Jesus was born. A man named Mormon wrote the records of this clan, and his son Moroni added records of the Jaredites. Many believe these were the native americans.
Many centuries later, Joseph Smith was a young american man searching to understand the many religions and find faith himself. He felt called by God that none of these religions were true and an angel appeared. This angel, Moroni, showed Joseph the templates w
ith the records and accounts. Joseph interpreted them and this became the book of Mormon, seen as holy as the bible.Mormons believe God is still working through a prophet to this day. Joseph started as the first prophet, others followed after him. With the prophet as the direct communicator to God, 2 counselors serve as vice-presidents under him. Then there is the Quorum of 12 apostolates and/or bishops. Over time, the movement fled west and it's main site was settled in Salt Lake City. To this day, their main university provides an attraction to that area.
Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as a prophet, Joseph Smith as a prophet, the book of mormon, and the holy priesthood. The trinity is three literal beings of their own. Each human comes from heaven to earth as a test. The more godly you are, the better chance you have in being glorified in heaven. There are degrees of exualtation in heaven (like a caste system), with the highest being a god yourself. Here on earth, the number of children (and for some, the number of wives) greatly improves your chances in heaven. Therefore, the family is central to mormons, and celebacy is not an option. The family is so important, family members buy spaces for their non-mormon family members in heaven, sometimes even baptising those who have passed before knowing the faith. Marriages are so holy, it is believed to last through past death. This is how modern belief that we will see our loved ones in heaven came about.
Of note, "Mormon" is the name for the quote founder. Mormons are actually "the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". They call themselves saints (everyone not mormon are gentiles)
Mormons are forbidden to do drugs, have tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. Meat is to be ate sparringly. All young men are expected to obtain a form of priesthood. At a young age they begin proving themself worthy up until they can baptise others. at this point they are young men and are expected to do two years of missionary work. (this is where my mom would be like "right, the guys in the suits who go door to door") Missionaries can also be young women (only 18 months of service is necessary here) or older adults. Missionaries also support themselves financially, family can help.
The temple is central to Mormons, kinda like holy temples in the past. The temple is not for everyone, though. It can only be entered by worthy mormons. Mormons must go through an interview with a bishop to be deemed worthy, and if so able to go in, mormons wear all white to signify purity.
While I was reading different books on the religion, i was really thrown into a loop reading the Prophet's Prey, by Sam Brower. The book looks into the Fundamentalist group of the mormon church. If you think mormons are strange, believe me-- things get lots weirder, cult-like, in fact. To this day there are people obediently following the crazy rulings of one dictoral prophet and living polygomist. It's funny what happens when people believe only one person can hear the direct ruling of God. How's the saying go.. absolute power absolutely destructs. Read the book.
feel free to make comments and correct things. as any other religion, it depends who you are around to show what is really practiced and what is just of the past.
