Mormonism Essay Research Paper Mormonism is a

Mormonism Essay, Research Paper

Mormonism is a very unique and interesting religion. Originally founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in Sharon, Vermont. Smith had a vision, and formed a sect based on his visions and teachings from God.

There are many beliefs that Mormons have that many people do not understand. In this paper I will present some of them and offer an explanation of why they have these beliefs. I will also give a detailed description of the history and the members of this community. In closing I will offer my opinion on this religion sect.

History: Joseph Smith was born in 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. He was a religious seeker and at the age of fourteen felt a strong desire to affiliate himself with a belief, and a church. He found that many different beliefs and stories were being preached. There were many conflicting arguments, and he became frustrated with the Christian faiths and denominations. He was determined to figure out what was the .true. religion.

Joseph went into the woods one spring morning in 1820, hoping to find guidance in his decision. According to him, while he was praying, God and his son Jesus Christ appeared. They told him they knew of his struggle, and instructed him not to join any of the churches. They spoke of the .true. religion and said the church originally organized by God would soon be restored upon the earth. Deeply touched by what he had encountered, Joseph didn.t join any of the churches.

Three years later on the evening of September 21, 1823, while Joseph was sleeping a light appeared in his room. An angel appeared, claiming to be a heavenly messenger sent from the presence of God. His name was Moroni. He claimed to be the lost survivor of a lost race. He spoke of work that God had for Joseph, and spoke of a book written upon golden plates.

He proved himself to Moroni, by keeping the knowledge of the plates a secret. In 1827 Moroni directed to the hills of Cumorah, where the golden plates were buried. He then instructed Joseph to translate the writings and then copy the onto paper. The golden plates were a written testimony to the spiritual history of early America.

In June of 1829, Joseph dictated the translations to a man named Cowdery. Together they finished what is today known as .The Book of Mormon.. In 1830 it was published and has since then been translated into twenty-six different languages.

Beliefs: Mormons incorporate in their religious belief, all of the ethical standards and basic doctrines of The New Testament. They teach the necessity for good works, faith, virtue and honor. Primary among Mormon teaching is belief and faith in God-the father, Jesus Christ- his son, and the Holy Ghost. (Hinckley)

God is in form of a man, he is wise and powerful, merciful and kind, he is the father of the spirits of all men.

Jesus Christ is his son, he lived, died and was resurrected, and he was the savior and redeemer of men.

Holy Ghost is a personage of a spirit-yet nonetheless an individual personality.

The Mormons believe man is a child of God, and that the individual is the most important in the universe. According to them, all men are brothers and man is God.s greatest creation.

Life:

The Mormons believe that life on earth in the mortal body, is an opportunity for experience, for improvement, and for growth. They believe that the soul will continue to live and grow after death, that individuality will be retained, and that people will know each other there as they know each other here. However, there is nothing of reincarnation, nothing of Nirvana, and nothing of a heaven, nor a hell in the Latter- Day Saints philosophy.

Priesthood:

Priesthood in Mormonism has something of the same meaning as is attached to it by other churches. Authority to act in the name of God, but among the Latter- day Saints it is not restricted to a few who have been trained in seminaries and universities. Every man and boy over twelve years of age may hold the priesthood provided he conforms to the standards of the church.

There are two orders of Priesthood- the Aaronic, which mainly deals with temporal affairs of the church. The Melchizedek, which deals with spiritual affairs of the church. Within each of these orders are various grades: Deacon, Teacher, and Priest in the Aaronic and Elder, Seventy, and High Priest in the Melchizedek. Young boys are ordained deacons at age twelve provided their lives conform with the principles of the gospel.

Revelation:

In Mormon theology, the principle of modern revelation is relevant. They believe that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, they believe that he will yet reveal many more great and important things. Mormonism maintains that the need for divine guidance is as great in the modern world as it was in the comparatively simple times of the Hebrews.

Bible:

They believe the bible is the word of God, written by men. The Latter- day Saints recognize that errors have somehow crept into this sacred work because of the manner in which the book has come to us. They regard it as not being a complete guide. Supplementing the Bible, the Latter- Day Saints have three other books. These along with the bible constitute the standard works of the church. They are known as the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl o

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