Mormons are a minority faith in America. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints, found themselves facing suspicion and hostility. Joseph Smith founded this Church in the early 19th century. Mormons were in tolerated for their beliefs and religious faith. In 1838, the governor of Missouri commanded that all Mormons be driven out of the state or "exterminated." They began to be forced out of their settlements repeatedly by mobs and militias. They burned their homes and destroyed their crops as well. 17 Mormon men and boys were killed in an attack against Mormon settlers in a rural township. They tried to get aid and protection from both state and national governments, but they found little help. Early church leaders, such as Joseph Smith, taught the importance of religious freedom. He introduced a city ordinance that would protect the freedoms of people of all faiths.
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Mormons believe in Jesus Christ. They declare that Jesus Christ is the head of the church and the central figure in their theology. They do not accept the Christ that emerges from centuries of debates and councils and creeds. Mormons go to temples on weekdays, never Sunday; the temples are closed on Sunday. Here, they discuss rituals. These rituals are considered to be so sacred that they are forbidden to be discussed outside of the temple itself. Such rituals performed in the temples: -Baptism for the dead -Endowment for the dead and the living -Sealing for the dead and the living -Sealing for husband and wife(marriage) -Sealing of children to parents -Second anointing(or second Endowment) Mormons wear temple garments under regular clothing, as a symbol of their beliefs and promises. They believed that God lives on a planet named "Kolob." |
Mormonism was formed around 1830 CE, and originated in the United States. This faith has about 13.5 Million followers worldwide. Before June of 1978, Mormons relegated back to a very 2nd class status within the church. The fact that they placed members of African descent in lower statuses, caused them pain. The racism also made the church an easy target for criticism and satire. However, Mormonism wasn't always troubled by anti-black racism.
Egalitarianism- a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs. Joseph Smith A high status religious leader who opposed slavery and tolerated the priesthood ordination of black men. The priesthood ban had sweeping ecclesiastical ordinances, like the endowment ceremony. The endowment ceremony prepares one for the after life. |
Mormon leaders were mostly white Americans. People saw Mormons as cruel and bad people because of their racist stances and discrimination. People said that men are "tyrannical patriarchs" or "cruel male household leaders." Women in the Mormon community were virtual slaves.
"What Mormons Believe" http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-introduction-videos "The History of Mormonism" http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-introduction-videos "The Church At a Glance(Mormons)" http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-introduction-videos |
The spread of Mormonism has grown 1/4 over the last 50 years. Currently, only 2% of the religious percentages in America are represented by Mormons.