The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" redirects here. For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation).

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the city's Temple Square.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, is the largest denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, which describes itself as the restoration of the original 1st century Christian church. Adherents view themselves as Christians, though not part of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant traditions.

The church teaches that Jesus Christ appeared with God the Father to Joseph Smith, Jr. and called him to be a prophet and to re-organize the original church established by Jesus Christ through a restoration of elements that had been missing from Christianity since the Great Apostasy. This restoration included the return of priesthood authority, new sacred texts, and the calling of twelve apostles. Like other Latter Day Saint denominations, the Church claims succession to the Church of Christ founded by Smith in April 6 1830, following his translation of the Book of Mormon from which adherents—also called Latter-day Saints—get their nickname Mormons.

Smith led the church until his violent death in 1844. After a period of confusion where the church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and various claims of succession were made, Brigham Young led a group of Mormon pioneers away from the former church headquarters in Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley of Utah in July 1847. Young was ordained President of the church in December 1847, and the group following him became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Now an international organization, the church has its world headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah where Gordon B. Hinckley serves as its fifteenth President. In 2005 the church reported a worldwide membership of over 12.5 million. LDS Standard Works

History

Main articles: History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and History of the Latter Day Saint movement

Early history

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states that it is the divine restoration of the church established by Jesus Christ in New Testament times. Members believe that following the ascension of Jesus into heaven, He continued to direct His church through His Apostles, but as men rejected them and began to kill them, the authentic Christian church, along with its authority and many of its teachings, began to disappear, leading to what the LDS Church calls the Great Apostasy. According to LDS doctrine, the original teachings of Christ were thereafter corrupted by Hellenistic philosophy and false doctrines which led to the misinterpretation and misteaching of many scriptures, and that by the fourth century, the Priesthood (which Mormons believe is the authority to act in the name of God) had been lost from the Earth completely, meaning that no man thereafter had valid authority from God to baptize and perform other sacred ordinances. Under these circumstances, the growth of the true church as established by Christ was lost from the earth, despite continued various teachings about Christ in the world. Thus, according to LDS doctrine, a restoration was required to bring back the true Church of Jesus Christ.

First Vision

Main article: First Vision

Stained glass depiction of the first vision of Joseph Smith, Jr., completed in 1913 by an unknown artist (Museum of Church History and Art).

In his personal history (since canonized as ), Joseph Smith, Jr. reported that at the age of 14, he became concerned about how he could know which church he should join. Accordingly, he went into the woods near his house to pray for an answer. In response to his prayer, Smith reported that the heavens were opened and God the Father and Jesus Christ, appeared as described in Smith's history:

When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Jesus Christ then commanded Smith to join none of the existing churches. Smith came to understand that through this and other revelations God had called him to be a prophet. This event is refered to as the First Vision.

Book of Mormon

Main article: Book of Mormon

According to Joseph Smith, on September 22, 1823, he was directed by God through the angel Moroni to the place where an ancient record written on golden plates was stored. He was not immediately allowed to take them, but after four years was finally entrusted with them. Through the power of God and two seer stones he was able to translate the characters (which, according to the Book, were related to 600 BC Egyptian with Hebrew influence into English).

According to the account presented in the book, it is an abridgment of earlier records by Mormon and his son, Moroni, about 400 AD. At the end of Moroni's ministry (approximately 421 AD), he hid these plates along with several other items in a stone box in a hillside (now named the Hill Cumorah) near Palmyra, New York.

Smith was commanded to show the plates to several people and no one else. Accounts by these individuals are recorded in the front of the Book of Mormon as "The Testimony of Three Witnesses" and "The Testimony of Eight Witnesses." Most of the witnesses at some point became disaffected with Joseph Smith's leadership and the Church, but none withdrew their testimony of what they witnessed.

The Book of Mormon was published by Joseph Smith, in March 1830 in Palmyra, New York. The purpose of the Book of Mormon, as stated on its original title page, "is to show the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord has done for their fathers" and to convince "Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself to all nations."

The book declares that it was written by ancient prophets of the Western Hemisphere who traveled there from ancient Israel, probably between 625-575 BC. Joseph Smith is said to have translated the record by divine inspiration with assistance from the Urim and Thummim from gold plates, which he claimed were returned to the angel Moroni later on.

Establishment of the Church

Profile of Joseph Smith, Jr. (circa 1843) by Bathsheba W. Smith, first wife of Apostle George A. Smith. Joseph Smith was the founder and first President of the Church.

On April 6, 1830, Smith and five associates established the Church of Jesus Christ in the company of some 40-50 men and women in Fayette, New York. The name of the church was later expanded to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. - see Name of the Church below.

According to church history, Joseph Smith had additional revelations and spiritual experiences wherein he was visited by ancient prophets who confered upon him, and in some cases Oliver Cowdery, the authority to direct Christ's church, and perform baptism and other ordinances. Smith reported visits from: John the Baptist on May 15, 1829, who restored the Aaronic Priesthood; the apostles Peter, James and John in May or June 1829 who restored the Melchizedek Priesthood; and the ancient prophets: Moses, Elias and Elijah on April 3, 1836 who restored "the keys to the gathering of Israel," "the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham," and the sealing power, respectively.

Movement of headquarters

By 1831, the Church's headquarters were established in Kirtland, Ohio and Smith urged the membership to gather there or to a second outpost of the Church in Jackson County, Missouri called by Smith the City of Zion near the town of Independence. Temples were planned for both cities but only the Kirtland temple was completed.

In the Church's first decade, religious persecution, threats against the lives of leaders and members by apostate factions and the disruption caused by court actions and criminal charges brought against the Church and its leaders from apostates and others drove the main body of Saints to Nauvoo, Illinois. Smith may well have decided to leave Ohio for another reason: the unchartered (called for by law) bank Joseph Smith helped found in Kirtland in January 1837, called "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company," folded by November 1837 with total losses to shareholders of about $40,000, amidst other bank failures of the time due partly to the popularity of speculating on rising property values amidst unsecured credit.; Smith was deemed responsible for the debacle by many in and out of the Church; he and Sidney Rigdon were fined $1,000 each for violating an Ohio banking statute; on January 12, 1838, Smith and Rigdon, threatened by "apostate mobocracy...left Kirtland, on horseback, to escape mob violence, which was about to burst upon us under the color of legal process," Smith wrote in his diary; Smith later appointed a business agent, Oliver Granger, to work on satisfying his remaining debts in Ohio. [1] In Missouri, the governor, Lilburn W. Boggs, issued an official extermination order to General John B. Clark on October 26, 1838 to drive the Mormons from the state "if necessary for the public good" after they had responded to several instances of mob violence by defending themselves.

The Mormons had been mistrusted for several years because of their voting block potential, the perception that they were against slavery, and the rhetoric of their religious newspapers and speeches claiming Missouri was to become a center place of Zion.The order may have been issued as a response to one particularly inflammatory speech given by Sidney Rigdon (and approved by Joseph Smith) on July 4th, 1838 that declared: "And that mob that comes on us to disturb us, it shall be between us and them a war of extermination; for we will follow them until the last drop of their blood is spilled; or else they will have to exterminate us, for we will carry the seat of war to their own houses and their own families, and one party or the other shall be utterly destroyed".

Smith, Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and others were imprisoned in the Liberty Jail amidst miserable conditions and treatment from December 1838 until they were let go in April 1839. While encarcerated, Joseph Smith wrote several letters instructing and encouraging the Saints, parts of which were later published as Sections 121, 122, and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Death of Joseph Smith

Main article: Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.

After a period of Church and community growth in Nauvoo, several of Smith's disaffected associates joined together in June 1844 to publish a newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor. In response to public outrage generated by the first issue of the paper, the Nauvoo city council passed an ordinance declaring the newspaper a public nuisance designed to promote violence against Smith and his followers. Under the council's new ordinance, Smith, as Nauvoo's mayor, in conjunction with the city council, ordered the city marshal to destroy the paper and the press on June 10, 1844. After breaking down the locked door to the press office, the marshal "quietly" destroyed the press.

Warrants from outside Nauvoo were brought in against Smith and dismissed in Nauvoo courts on a writ of habeas corpus. Smith wrote asking for intervention and offering the services of the Nauvoo Legion, a trained civil militia authorized by the state, to Illinois Governor Thomas Ford on June 16, then declared martial law on June 18 and called out the Nauvoo Legion to protect Nauvoo from outside violence.

Smith’s critics said that he had violated freedom of the press. Some sought legal charges against Smith for the destruction of the press, including charges of inciting riot and treason.Violent threats were made against Smith and the Mormon community, fostered by a neighboring newspaper, the Warsaw Signal.

Illinois Governor Thomas Ford proposed a trial by a non-Mormon jury in Carthage, the county seat, and guaranteed Smith's safety.Smith reluctantly agreed and submitted to arrest as advised by his brother, Hyrum, to "see the thing out.".

The judge ordered Joseph and Hyrum Smith to be held in jail until they could be tried for treason, a capital offense. The Smith brothers and their companions were held at the Carthage Jail, joined there by Willard Richards and John Taylor.

Before the trial could be held, a mob of about 200 armed men stormed the jail. Smith, Taylor, and Richards attempted to defend themselves. Taylor and Richards attempted to use walking sticks in order to deflect the guns as they were thrust inside the cell, from behind the door. Smith used a small pepper-box pistol that Cyrus Wheelock gave him when Wheelock had visited the jail earlier that day. It is unclear whether Smith injured anyone by the shots.

John Taylor was shot four or five times and was severely injured, but survived, one shot being stopped by his pocketwatch (the hands stopped at 5:16). Richards escaped unscathed by hiding under the bed.

Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed on June 27, 1844.

Succession crisis

Main article: Succession crisis (Mormonism)

Prior to Smith's death, church leaders were already looking to move the Church to a safer location where they would be free from mob attacks and persecution.They had established a small community in Cardston Alberta, Canada, but were looking West toward California or the open desert plains of the Utah territory. Joseph Smith had anticipated an early death at the hands of his enemies, and many in the Church anticipated his brother Hyrum to be the next Prophet and leader of the Church. When both men died together, there was a time of confusion as to who the successor of the presidency would be. Brigham Young, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was sustained by the majority of the Church as the next Prophet and President of the Church. He planned and organized the mass exodus to Utah. Faced with continuing harassment in Nauvoo and surrounding towns, most members of the Church eventually followed Young to the Salt Lake Valley, and settled the territory of Utah calling it Deseret.

Migration to Utah

Mormon pioneers first came to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. At the time, Utah was still Mexican territory. As a consequence of the Mexican-American War, the land became the territory of the United States upon the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848. The treaty was ratified by the United States Senate on March 10. In 1850, the Utah Territory was created with the Compromise of 1850, and Fillmore was designated the capital. In 1856, Salt Lake City replaced Fillmore as the territorial capital.

The practice of polygamy called plural marriage had been taught and practiced by a select few prior to the saints arrival to the Salt Lake valley. It was publicly announced by the Church in 1852, during the colonizing period in Utah. Disputes between the Latter-day inhabitants and the US Government intensified as the practice became more common place among its members. The Mormons were pushing for the establishment of the State of Deseret. The U.S. Government, which was reluctant to admit a state the size of the proposed Deseret into the union, opposed the polygamous practices of the Mormons.

After news of their polygamous practices spread, the members of the LDS Church were quickly viewed as un-American and rebellious. In 1857, after news of a false rebellion spread, the government sent troops on the "Utah expedition" to quell the supposed rebellion and to replace Brigham Young as territorial governor with Alfred Cumming. The resulting conflict is known as the Utah War.

As troops approached Salt Lake in northern Utah, Mormon settlers and Paiutes attacked and killed 120 immigrants from Arkansas in southern Utah. The attack became known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The massacre became a point of contention between LDS leaders and the federal government for decades. Only one man, John D. Lee, was ever convicted of the murders, and he was executed at the massacre site.

During the 1870s and 1880s, laws were passed to punish polygamists, and in the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896.

The Church's position was reiterated and clarified in 1904 (commonly referred to as "The Second Manifesto") by President Joseph F. Smith, with an additional request that no Church members enter into any form of plural marriage, regardless of their location, local customs, or legality. Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found to be engaging in multiple marriage relationships are excommunicated. Converts from areas where polygamy is an accepted practice typically must end such relationships.

The Church has repeatedly excommunicated members who engage in multiple simultaneous earthly marriages. Excommunication is the most severe disciplinary action the Church undertakes. The Church has made it clear that it is the prerogative of the government to enforce marriage laws and the Church does not involve itself in this endeavor.

The Church today

Name of the Church

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The Church's official logo since 1995

When the Church was organized in 1830 it was called the "Church of Christ". It was also referred to as the "Church of Latter Day Saints" to differentiate the church of this era from that of the New Testament, and was generally known by that name between 1834 and 1838. In April 1838, the full name was stated as "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". When the Church was incorporated in 1851, the legal documents used the current standardized spelling and punctuation, capitalizing the first article, "The", and hyphenating "Latter-day": The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There was no standard spelling or punctuation for its official title in church publications prior to 1851, so "the" may sometimes be capitalized or sometimes not in early publications. The Church currently uses the word "The" as part of its official name, as opposed to a modifying article.

The Church is also commonly referred to as the "LDS Church" and the "Mormon Church". Church members are often known simply as "Mormons" or "Latter-day Saints," both being appellations accepted among Latter-day Saints themselves. The nickname "Mormon" arose soon after the publication of The Book of Mormon in 1830. Although originally used pejoratively to refer to the Church or its members, the term came to be used widely within the Church.

The Church requests that the official name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be used where possible, stating: "This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838." It also encourages the use of "the Church" or "The Church of Jesus Christ" as shortened references although "LDS Church" is commonly used within the Church's own publications and the Church officially uses "Mormon" as a descriptive term for itself in the name of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When referring to members of the Church, it suggests "Latter-day Saints" as preferred, although "Mormons" is acceptable. Despite the Church's efforts, the Associated Press continues to recommend "Mormon Church" as a proper second reference in its Style Guide for journalists.

Gordon B. Hinckley

Main article: Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon B. Hinckley has been President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since March 1995. Additionally, at times when President Hinckley's predecessors were in poor health, Hinckley performed many of the duties of the Church's presidency as established by precedent and revelation. As president of the Church, he is considered by members to be a prophet, seer, and revelator of God's will on behalf of humanity.

Hinckley also serves as Chairman of the Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees that govern the Church Educational System.

During his service as prophet, the Church has more than doubled the number of temples (see List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also initiated the Perpetual Education Fund, which provides loans to students in developing countries.

Current membership

The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,560,869 as of December 31, 2005, with 6.7 million members residing outside the United States. It is the fourth largest religious body in the United States. The Church membership report includes all baptized members, and also "children of record" - unbaptized children under the age of 8. (Children cannot be baptized before the age of 8.) Members living in the US and Canada constitute 47% of membership, Latin America 36%, and members in the rest of the world 17%. (See membership distribution and growth history). A Survey by the City College of New York in 2001 extrapolated that there were 2,787,000 self-identified LDS adults in the United States in 2001, an increase of 1.3% over their 1991 survey, making the LDS Church the 10th-largest religious body in their phone survey of over 50,000 households.

Sacred texts

The Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints printed in the Quadruple Combination format

Under the Church's doctrine of continuing revelation, the Church has an open scriptural canon which thus far includes The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These scriptural writings comprise the Standard Works of the Church.

Holy Bible

See also: Bible

English-speaking members use the King James Version of the Bible (based on the 1769 KJV edition). Though the Bible is part of the canon and members believe it to be the word of God, they believe that omissions and mistranslations are present in even the earliest known manuscripts. Although they believe the majority of the Bible to be correct, they say that the errors in the compilation and translation of the Bible have led to incorrect interpretations of certain passages. Because of this, Joseph Smith created his 're-translation' of selected verses of the Bible. His incomplete work is known as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (or the Inspired Version).The Church does not use the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible as canon because it was never completed; Smith died before he was able to complete it. However, the Bible issued by the Church does contain cross references and major excerpts from the Joseph Smith Translation.

Book of Mormon

File:Christ visits the Americas cropped center detail.jpg

According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ visited the people of the American Continents shortly after His resurrection

Main article: Book of Mormon

The introduction of The Book of Mormon describes the book as follows:

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come

According to his record, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God through the Urim and Thummim. Eleven witnesses signed testimonies of its authenticity, which are now included in the preface to the Book of Mormon; three witnesses testified to having seen an angel present the gold plates, and to having heard God bear witness to its truth, and eight others stated that Joseph Smith showed them the plates and that they handled and examined them.

Doctrine and Covenants

Main article: Doctrine and Covenants

First published in 1835, The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of revelations, policies, letters, and statements given to the modern Church. This record contains Church doctrine as well as direction on Church government.

Pearl of Great Price

Main article: Pearl of Great Price (Mormonism)

The Pearl of Great Price contains:

• Excerpts from Joseph Smith’s translation of Genesis, called the Book of Moses, and of Matthew 24, called Joseph Smith—Matthew;
• Joseph Smith’s translation of some Egyptian papyrus that he acquired in 1835 (and subsequently lost, although some pages were purportedly rediscovered in 1967), called the Book of Abraham;
• An excerpt from The Documentary History of the Church containing a letter written by Joseph Smith in 1838, called ;
• An excerpt from another one of Joseph Smith's letters called the Articles of Faith, thirteen statements of belief and doctrine.(see Articles of Faith 1)

Other publications

The Church runs its own publishing house called Deseret Book. Owned wholly by Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by the LDS Church, Deseret Book is managed independently, but distributes uplifting media in accord with church doctrine. As a publisher, Deseret Book publishes under four imprints with media ranging from doctrine and LDS fiction books, to electronic resources and sound recordings such as Mormon Tabernacle Choir albums.

Deseret Book also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States.

The Deseret Morning News is a newspaper published in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is Utah's oldest continually published daily newspaper. It has the second largest daily circulation in the state behind The Salt Lake Tribune. The Deseret Morning News is owned by Deseret News Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is a for-profit business holdings company owned by the LDS Church.

The newspaper is published by Newspaper Agency Corporation, which it co-owns with the Tribune under a joint operating agreement. Its circulation is roughly half of the Tribune's.

The Deseret Morning News also publishes a weekly tabloid, the LDS Church News, which is included as a section in the newspaper and also distributed as a separate publication outside Utah.

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The May 2006 issue of Ensign magazine, featuring Gordon B. Hinckley, current President of the Church.

Ensign is an official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The magazine was first issued in January 1971 along with the correlated New Era (for youth) and the Friend (for children), all of which replaced the older church publications Improvement Era, Relief Society Magazine, Woman's Exponent, the Instructor, and the Millennial Star. Unlike some of its predecessors, Ensign magazine contains no advertisements.

As an official church publication, the Ensign contains faith-promoting and proselytizing information, stories, sermons, and often apologetic scholarship.

Biannually, the Ensign gives a full report of the proceedings of the annual and semi-annual LDS General Conferences of the Church. It contains the full talks and business of the conferences, as well as a current photographic list of the highest officers of the Church, referred to as the General Authorities.

The full text and page layout of every issue of the magazine is available on the Church's web site. This applies to all past and current issues.

Liahona is also the name of the official international magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, named after the usage in the Book of Mormon. The Liahona is regularly published in fifty different languages, from two to twelve times a year depending on the language. It is generally equivalent to Ensign magazine.

Beliefs and practices

First principles and ordinances of the Gospel

The Church's Fourth Article of Faith states: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost."

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Latter-day Saints believe that faith in Jesus Christ is a fundamental requisite to salvation. Having faith in Jesus Christ means accepting Him as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, and attempting to obey His commandments. Joseph Smith taught, “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

Latter-day Saints are encouraged by church leaders to develop personal faith through study, prayer, service, and obedience to God's commandments.

Latter-day Saints often refer to their personal faith as their "testimony" and refer to telling others about their faith as "bearing testimony."

Repentance

Latter-day Saints believe in the principle of repentance, which includes a sincere regret, or "godly sorrow", as well as restitution when possible and then abstinence from the sin committed. Key to the repentance process is a person's personal, prayerful confession to God, which includes asking for forgiveness and resolving not to repeat the mistake. It is important to confess the most serious sins to a Bishop, who can offer advice and encouragement or take other actions. For instance, if a person fails to demonstrate repentance for a wrongdoing, the Bishop may decide to take disciplinary action such as excommunication or disfellowship.[2] Repentance denotes "a change of mind", a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Thus, a return to sin shows that the repentance process is not truly completed. Repentance is for small and large sins and is an ongoing process.

Baptism by immersion

The Church practices baptism by immersion in water. Baptism is symbolic of burial, resurrection, and spiritual rebirth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Church teaches that a person who truly repents and is baptized has all prior sins remitted through divine grace.

A person is eligible for baptism beginning at age eight. According to church doctrine, the age of eight was given in latter-day revelation as the age when children become accountable for their sins, that is, they are able to discern between right and wrong. If a person is unable to discern between right and wrong (e.g. those with severe intellectual impairment) they are not baptized regardless of their age; they are viewed as fully saved through the Atonement of Christ. The Book of Mormon and modern revelation specifically forbid the practice of infant baptism. Baptism is recognized only when performed by one holding at least the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, thus baptisms from other churches are not accepted because they have not been performed by those holding the restored priesthood of the New Testament.

Gift of the Holy Ghost

Following baptism by immersion, individuals are confirmed members of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by priesthood-bearers. This blessing entitles the newly confirmed recipient to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as a guide and guardian so long as the recipient lives worthy of the gift. Accompanying this gift, are the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, ennumerated in 1 Cor. 12 — 13, D&C 46, and Moroni 10, (emphasized in this last chapter of the Book of Mormon). Members believe that those who have not been confirmed may still receive inspiration and a witness from the Holy Ghost but are not entitled to constant companionship available through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Godhead

Latter-day Saints believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ, as depicted in the Christus Statue in the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City

LDS theology maintains that God the Father (Heavenly Father), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct beings who together constitute the Godhead. It is different from the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, which maintains that the three are one being. All three members of the Godhead are eternal and equally divine, but play somewhat different roles. While the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body, God the Father and Christ both possess distinct, perfected, physical bodies of flesh and bone. Although Mormon theology sees the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as separate beings, they are considered to be "one God" in purpose. Because they are omniscient and have the same purpose, Jesus Christ speaks often in the scriptures as though knowing perfectly the will and the words of the Father. God the Father is the spirit father in premortal life of the spirits of all people who are or have been born on this earth. He is also both the spirit Father and the Father in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is thus the Only Begotten Son, inheriting from His Father power over death.

Traditional Christians sometimes take umbrage at the Church's rejection of Trinity,and even have called the Church "non-Christian" for not accepting the creeds and beliefs held by the larger Christian Community. See Mormonism and Christianity.

Although Mormonism does not base its theology on creeds, many beliefs are widely held and generally agreed upon, such as the belief that God the Father is Elohim. The God of the Old Testament is, by most Mormons, considered to be a different being; he is referred to as Jehovah or Yahweh and is considered by them to be the pre-mortal identity of Jesus Christ. Other views such as Jesus Christ being the Son of Jehovah may be held by individual Mormons, and may be supported by the standard works of the Church as well as being included in early publications by the First Presidency, Apostles and General Authorities of the Church as well as by some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the primary emphasis of a Godhead consisting of separate personages has been a common factor.

Mormonism generally posits the same attributes to the members of the Godhead that mainstream Christianity posits to the Triune God: omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence, eternality, immutability, immortality, and immanence in the universe although not transcendence of it.

Although it is not specifically stated in the canonical scriptures, Joseph Smith and other church leaders have taught that God the Father is an exalted man who once lived like His Son, Jesus Christ. (Compare, however, Moses 6:57, and recall that Jesus consistently referred to his relationship with God as literally father and son, that his father was greater than he.) Joseph Smith reportedly said:

These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did; and I will show it from the Bible . . . Jesus treads in the tracks of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children . . . It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.

To a Latter-day Saint, the study of theology or the characteristics of God involves focus on the mortal human state as a brief stage in an eternal life cycle. The ability to return to live in Heaven with God the Father and Jesus Christ (with their loved ones) is seen as paramount.Church leaders teach that each and every human soul is a spirit child of God, with divine potential and capacity to become as God and dwell with Him and Jesus Christ.This echoes some teachings of early Christian groups, such as the Cathars, who are categorized as Gnostic philosophies. To some, these teachings are seen as evidence that LDS Church doctrine is indeed a restoration of ancient, original teachings.

Latter-day Saint theology also allows for the existence of a Heavenly Mother. She is not referred to in scripture or other Church canons, but there is some support for Her existence. She is not worshipped nor is she made the object of prayer.

Though other Gods or divine beings may exist, Mormons do not consider them relevant to salvation or to this earth.

See also: Godhead (Mormonism), King Follett Discourse, Exaltation (Mormonism), and Plan of Salvation

Continued revelation

Latter-day Saints believe literally in the principle of revelation from God to his children. Individual members are entitled to divine revelation for confirmation of truths, gaining knowledge or wisdom, meeting personal challenges, etc. Parents are entitled to revelation for raising their families. Divine revelation for the direction of the entire Church comes from God to the president of the Church, who is viewed by Latter-day Saints as a prophet in the same sense as Abraham, Moses, Peter and other biblical leaders.

Because of this, when prophets and general authorities speak as "moved upon by the Holy Ghost", their words are considered modern-day scripture, particularly in the case of the president of the Church (although these words are rarely added to the Standard Works). Members are encouraged to ponder and pray to determine for themselves the truthfulness of doctrine.

Leadership and the priesthood

File:Hinckley message.jpg

Gordon B. Hinckley is seen by church members as God's prophet upon the Earth today.

Members of the Church believe that God has brought a portion of his authority, known as the Priesthood, to rest upon worthy male members of the Church, who are expected to use it righteously to serve and bless their families and others. It is to be used in order to officiate and preside over the Church, or portions of the Church, amongst other things. Holding the priesthood is a stated prerequisite for all of the offices discussed below.

The Church teaches that Christianity as a whole departed from what it considers to be the true gospel expounded by Jesus sometime after the death of the original apostles. Christianity as a whole effectively fell into apostasy, resulting in God's withdrawal of priestly authority. It believes that this authority was given specifically to Joseph Smith and the church he founded. This claim has caused some strife amongst other Christian religions who reject the LDS belief in exclusive authority. See Mormonism and Christianity

The leader of the Church is termed President, whom the members revere as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and is seen as holding the same divine calling as did Joseph Smith. He is entitled to receive revelation from God to guide the Church and the world as His mouthpiece. The president of the Church serves as such until death, after which the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will meet, pray, and receive revelation as to whom the next prophet should be. Although not specified within the Church canon, the senior apostle has historically become the new President of the Church.

The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the first and second Quorums of the Seventy are all known as General Authorities because they are the people who direct the work of the entire church, throughout the world. They work full-time for the Church, and those who need it receive a stipend from the Church using income from Church-owned investments.

Other authorities of the Church (who are limited in their geographical areas of authority) include all other Quorums of the Seventy, Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and other quorum presidents.

The Church has no general salaried ministry. Area and local authorities are unpaid and continue in their normal occupations while serving in leadership positions. Many callings are limited to priesthood holders, with qualifications usually related to the particular calling. Even those who are called as General Authorities, who minister full-time (sometimes for life) would not be considered a vocation or occupation as they are often called at the age of retirement receiving little or no money for their efforts. (See Laity)

From 1849 until 1978, men of African descent had not been permitted to receive the priesthood or marriage in the temple, although they could become members and serve within the Church. Many people of other dark-skinned ethnicities not of African descent (such as the Māori) could receive the priesthood prior to this time. That changed when, in 1978, an official declaration of the First Presidency directed all worthy men to be ordained to the priesthood. This change came about because Church President Spencer W. Kimball reported that he had received a revelation directing that this change should take place. (See Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Women have never been allowed ordination into the LDS priesthood. This has caused some contention with the feminist movement. (See Women and Mormonism.)

See also: Priesthood (Mormonism), First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority, Apostle (Mormonism), and President of the Church (Mormonism)

Plan of Salvation

Main article: Plan of Salvation

The term Plan of Salvation is used by the LDS Church to describe how the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring about the immortality and eternal life of mankind.

The first element, immortality, is believed to be a gift freely given to everyone, made possible by Jesus' resurrection.

The Book of Mormon teaches:

The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. (Alma 11:43–44)

The second element, salvation from sin and spiritual death, is also believed to be made possible only by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which washes clean the metaphorical stains of one's imperfections, and justifies and sanctifies one for admission into the kingdom for which that person has qualified. Therefore, one's eternal reward is conditional upon acceptance of, and true faith in, Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, which is demonstrated through baptism and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, including repentence.

After death, people who have not been offered the chance to hear the doctrines of Jesus Christ during life on Earth will have the opportunity to do so prior to the judgment. All of humanity will then be resurrected and judged by Jesus.

The final element, assignment to one of three Degrees of Glory (known as the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom), occurs after this.

• The Celestial Kingdom is the highest kingdom, where the righteous will live with God and with their families. As mentioned above, accountable individuals must repent, be baptized, and follow Jesus Christ to gain entrance to the Celestial Kingdom; all children who die before the age of accountability automatically inherit the celestial kingdom. This kingdom includes multiple degrees of glory, the highest of which is exaltation. Exaltation is the reward which Latter-day Saints believe is given to the righteous. Through exaltation, a person can eventually become like Jesus Christ, or as it is expressed in scripture, a joint-heir with Him.

• The Terrestrial Kingdom is for those good people who are not valiant in following Jesus through making and keeping covenants with Him, and those who hear the Gospel but do not receive "the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it." (D & C 76:74) This kingdom is one of great glory, but without the presence of God the Father and without the sealing of families.

• The Telestial Kingdom is the kingdom for murderers, adulterers, and others who do not accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to repent until after they suffer for their own sins and finally "confess to him" (D & C 76:110). This is also considered a kingdom of glory and has been described as being much better than even earthly life. All those who do not qualify for a higher degree of glory will enter this kingdom unless they deny the Holy Ghost by fighting openly against Jesus Christ, a sin it is believed few people are able to commit.

Those few people who do, after gaining a full knowledge of the Gospel, willfully deny and contend against the Holy Ghost, inherit no glory. This state is referred to as Outer Darkness (not to be confused with traditional Christianity's definition of the term). An individual so banished is called a Son of Perdition. Forgiveness is not possible for these souls because of their wilfull and continuous rebellion, though they will be resurrected.

Tithes and offerings

The Law of Tithing is practiced by Latter-day Saints. Members are expected to give ten percent of their income to the Church. These funds are used for operating costs, including the construction of meetinghouses and temples.

fast offerings (named for their collection each month after fasting for two meals). Fast offerings are generally expected to be the cost of food for the monthly day of fast practiced by members and go towards humanitarian aid.

While payment of tithing is a requirement in order to attend the denomination's temples (not meetinghouses where regular worship is conducted), payment of fast offerings is optional, but highly recommended.

The Church has always taught that its members should be self sufficient and avoid falling into debt.. This has become a concern in Utah recently where increases in personal bankruptcies have increased to about twice the national average on any given year, usually the highest of all 50 states.

Other forms of charity are encouraged, including donations of money, clothing and time to worthy causes. The Church's charitable contributions are handled through an organization called Deseret Industries

Emphasis on Family

The LDS Church places a strong emphasis on the importance of the family to individuals and society. In particular, the Church views the nuclear family (father, mother and children) as the most important single unit in the Church, as well as in society. In 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles published The Family: A Proclamation to the World, explaining major LDS doctrine concerning the family including the doctrines of human nature, the eternal potential of families, traditional roles of husband and wife, sacredness of marriage and marital vows, as well as the spiritual dimensions of family life.

In the latter part of the 20th Century, Church members were counseled to set aside Monday night as a time to dedicate to their own families. No other meetings were to be held on said night. The Church still encourages members to meet Monday nights in a Family Home Evening (or FHE) to pray, read scriptures, and engage in other familial and recreational activities. (See The Family: A Proclamation to the World.)

LDS Church leaders and doctrine support the traditional definitions of family and marriage. In particular, the Church leadership has released a number of statements concerning their opposition to same-sex marriage, which is, according to the Church, contrary to God's plan for His children. In accordance with this position, the Church supported the Federal Marriage Amendment.

An important belief in LDS theology is that of Eternal Marriage. Church doctrine teaches that only marriages performed in LDS Temples will continue after death, rather than "til death do you part." Members also believe that children continue in that familial bond in the afterlife, and children are also seen as an essential part of a family. Childbearing is encouraged, and it is not uncommon for families to have multiple children.

The Church's opposition to homosexual relations has resulted in the creation of multiple LDS-oriented support groups not affiliated with the Church. These groups include both those dedicated to affirming gay identity, such as Affirmation and Gamofites, as well as those dedicated to helping those who wish to change, such as Evergreen International. More recently, a small liberal branch of Mormonism has been established calling itself Reform Mormonism.

Missionary program

Main article: Mormon missionary

From the first publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the Church has sent our missionaries to the world to proclaim the restoration of Christ's church. In a letter written to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, Joseph Smith wrote:

Our missionaries are going forth to different nations . . . the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

Young men between the ages of 19 and 26 who are considered worthy (follow the teachings of the Church), are encouraged to consider a two-year, full-time proselyting mission. Women who serve a mission must be at least 21 and generally serve 18-month missions. Elderly, retired couples are encouraged to serve missions as well, and their length of service varies from 3 to 36 months.

Today there are more than 330 missions and aproximately 56,000 full time proselytizing missionaries serving throughout the world. In addition, about 5,100 missionaries are on on special assignments including health care specialists, doctors, craftsmen, artisans, construction supervisors, agricultural experts and educators for developing countries and educators, family history researchers and leadership trainers.

Relief Society

Main article: Relief Society

The Relief Society is the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois the organization, with the motto "Charity Never Faileth," today includes more than 5 million women in over 165 countries.

Worship service

Main article: Service Latter-day Saint worship services

Latter-day Saint chapel in suburban Salt Lake City

Weekly worship services, including sacrament meetings, are held on Sundays (or Saturday when local custom or law prohibits Sunday worship), in neighborhood based religious units, and twice each year the Church holds a worldwide General Conference. Congregations for Sunday services are grouped geographically, with larger (~200 to ~400 people) congregations known as wards, and smaller (2 through ~200 people) congregations known as branches. These neighborhood congregations meet in meetinghouses, also referred to as "chapels" or "stake centers", on property most often owned by the Church. In some geographic areas, rental property may be used as a meetinghouse. Although the building may sometimes be referred to as a "chapel", the room used as a chapel for religious services is actually only one component of the standard meetinghouse.

All people, regardless of belief or standing in the Church are allowed to attend. The sacrament (similar to Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist in other churches) is offered weekly. Except Mondays, which are reserved for Family Home Evening, members meet in meetinghouses for various activities throughout the week.

Women usually attend wearing skirts or dresses, while men wear suits or dress shirts (preferably white) and ties. However, this dress code is not required; people in different attire are also allowed.

Other meetings

In addition to weekly meetings, Latter-day Saints hold additional meetings and activities. These meetings, although focused on religious principles tend to be more casual and socially oriented.

Young men and women

Young men and women, aged 12 to 18, often have an additional meeting during the week (previously referred to as Mutual or MIA, which were short for Mutual Improvement Association), which can involve an activity, game, service project, or instruction. The young men and women may meet separately or take part in a combined activity. Usually, the young men participate in Scouting, including efforts to gain the Duty to God award and an award unique to the LDS Church, "On my Honor." Young women participate in a program titled Personal Progress. Both the young men and the young women try to live by the standards outlined in For the Strength of Youth.

Home, family, and personal enrichment

Four times a year the adult women (members of the Church's Relief Society) attend a Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting (formerly known as Homemaking Meeting). The meeting may consist of a service project, or of attending a social event, or of various classes being offered. In addition, Enrichment activities are offered (weekly, monthly, or as determined by ward Relief Society leaders) for women with similar needs and interests.

Social events and gatherings

In addition to these regularly scheduled meetings, additional meetings are frequently held at the meetinghouse. Auxiliary officers may conduct leadership meetings or host training sessions and classes. The ward or branch community may schedule social activities at the meetinghouse, including dances, dinners, holiday parties and musical presentations. Other popular activities are basketball, family history conferences, youth and singles conferences, dances and various personal improvement classes. Church members may also reserve the building for personal or family use, to accommodate such events as music recitals, family reunions, weddings and receptions, birthdays, or funerals.

General Conference

Main article: General conference (Mormonism)

Twice a year (Spring and Autumn), the Church holds General Conference, in which the Prophet and other leaders speak from Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. These talks, given in several sessions over two days, are carried worldwide by radio, television, satellite and Internet broadcasts. They are translated into numerous languages, and are later made available on DVD (complete with translations) and also printed in Church publications such as Ensign and Liahona. Attendees come from around the world.

Conference talks address doctrinal topics drawn from scriptures and personal experiences, messages of faith and hope, Church history and information on the Church as it expands throughout the world.

Throughout the 20th century, Conference talks were given from the Salt Lake Tabernacle. With a maximum capacity of about 8,000 per session, the Tabernacle would be filled and about thousands of other attendees would sit on blankets on Temple Square lawns. In 2001, the LDS Conference Center was opened, and since that time talks have been given in the Center's 22,000-seat main auditorium.

Conference satellite broadcasts may be watched, live, in thousands of chapels worldwide. The public is invited to attend General Conference, either through these broadcasts, in the Conference Center or other areas at Temple Square.

Temples

File:363px-Bern Tempel 20 Jan 1981.jpg

Bern Switzerland Temple, dedicated in 1955, was the first LDS temple in Europe

Main article: Temple (Mormonism)

Two years after the organization of the Church, in 1832, Joseph Smith, Jr., reported receiving a revelation that called upon church members to build a House of the Lord and restore the practice of temple worship. The Church built its first temple in Kirkland, Ohio in 1836. This temple was used primarily for instruction and learning.

In 1846 the Nauvoo Temple built was in Nauvoo, Illinois. With this temple came the introduction of special ordinances such as the endowment and baptism for the dead. — see Ordinance (Mormonism).

When the saints moved West to Utah, they were forced to abandon these temples. The Nauvoo temple was destroyed by fire and the Kirkland temple is owned by the Community of Christ. They began building several temples in Utah right away including the well known Salt Lake Temple, which took 40 years to complete. The Church continuted to build temples as membership grew and is still building temples today with 13 planned or under construction. There are currently 123 operating temples around the world today, including the Nauvoo Illinois Temple which was rebuilt in 2002 based on the original design.

Today, in addition to Sunday worship, faithful members of the Church are encouraged to attend temples and participate in ordinances there, such as baptism for the dead. The Church teaches that certain temple ordinances, including being married in the temple, are necessary for eternal exaltation. The Church also regards the temples as places of peace and refuge that are set apart from the world. Adult members who have performed a temple ordinance called an endowment also receive a temple garment, which they wear under their daily clothing. The Church considers the temple ordinances exceptionally sacred and does not discuss them publicly. Non-members or members without a temple recommend are not permitted to attend or observe these ordinances.

There are currently 123 operating temples in the world with six more announced or under construction. See List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Education

Main article: Church Educational System

Latter-day Saints believe in the value of education. Joseph Smith taught that "the glory of God is intellegence". Accordingly, the Church emphasizes education maintaining Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Idaho (formerly Ricks College), and Brigham Young University-Hawaii. The Church also has Religious education programs. Seminary is a program for high school students held daily in conjunction with the school year. The Institutes of Religion program is for those enrolled in post-secondary education institutions with church owned buildings near college campuses dsignated for the purpose of religious education and cultural socialization.

In addition, the Church sponsors a low-interest educational loan program known as the Perpetual Education Fund. This fund is designed to benefit young men and women from all parts of the world who have served a mission, returned to their home, and need further education to become productive citizens in their respective countries. As they finish their education and enter the work force, they then are able to pay back the funds provided so that other individuals can attend both vocational technical schools and university.

Culture and practices

Main article: Culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Due to the differences in lifestyle promoted by church doctrine and history, a distinct culture has grown up around members of the Church. It is primarily concentrated around the Jello Belt of the United States (an area focused in the Rocky Mountains), but as membership of the Church spreads around the world, many of its more distinctive practices, such as following the Word of Wisdom, a health code prohibiting the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea, and other addictive substances, follow.

Because of the prohibition on such things as tobacco and alcohol, the culture in high Mormon populations reflects these restrictions.

The Church discourages gambling in all forms including lotteries.

Finances

The Church Administration Building with the LDS Church Office Building tower in the background

As a tax exempt private organization, the Church is not required to publish its financial data; however, Time Magazine cited it as the most prosperous American religion, and its estimated collection of tithes during 1996 was $5.2 billion. The Church also has billions of dollars in investments in capital and real estate.

Sources of funds

The Church receives most of its funding from tithes and fast offerings. About ten percent of its funding also comes from income on investments and real estate holdings.

Holdings

The Church has holdings in real estate, as well as for-profit businesses managed through Deseret Management Corporation, estimated in 1996 at more than $30 billion. Some of the Church's known holdings include:

• AgReserves Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah - the largest producer of nuts in America.
• Beneficial Life Insurance Co. - assets of $1.6 billion.
• Bonneville International Corporation - the 14th largest radio chain in the U.S.
• Deseret Morning News - a daily Utah newspaper, second-largest in the state.
• Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch in Orlando, Florida - the world's largest beef ranch at 312,000 acres (1260 km²). The land alone is worth an estimated $858 million.
• Farmland Reserve, Inc - recently purchased 88,000 acres (356 km²) in Nebraska bringing its total in Nebraska to 228,000 acres (923 km²) second in Nebraska to Ted Turner's 290,000. Farmland Reserve also owns land east of Orlando, FL, appraised at $10 million.
• Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii - the leading for-profit visitor attraction in Hawaii.

Use of funds

The Church uses most of its financial resources to construct and maintain buildings and other facilities. The Church also spends much of its funds on providing social welfare and relief and supporting missionary, educational, and other church-sponsored programs.

Construction of facilities

The Church builds additional chapels and temples as wards and branches of the Church are organized. The Church built about 40 smaller temples between 1998 and 2001. The Church currently has 123 temples around the world with 11 additional temples either announced or under construction.

Social welfare and relief

Total humanitarian aid given by the LDS church between 1984 and 1997 is reported to be 30.7 million dollars. According to an Australian news release from the Church, "The Church initiates humanitarian aid throughout the world. From 1985 to 2002, it contributed approximately $AUS 800 million in humanitarian and charitable assistance internationally," of which $AUS 131.3 million (approximately $US 83 million) was in cash form.

The Church operates a welfare distribution system, as it encourages members to seek financial assistance from family and church first before seeking public or state-sponsored welfare. AgReserves Inc., Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch, and Farmland Reserve, Inc. are part of its welfare distribution system. Welfare resources are distributed by local bishops but maintained by the Presiding Bishop. (See Preparedness.)

Other programs

The Church also spends much of its money collected through tithing on numerous missionary, educational, and other programs which the Church considers to be within its mission. Although the families of missionaries generally pay $400 a month for missions, additional general funds of the Church support missionaries unable to pay for their own missions. Additionally, the Church provides a mission office and mission home for each of its 300 missions and pays for television advertising offering free copies of the Book of Mormon, the Bible, Church videos, etc.

The Church also owns and subsidizes education at its three Universities (see Education above). It also supports Boy Scout programs for young men. In addition, it supports its Seminary and Institute programs with tithing money.

Controversies

Main article: Criticism of Mormonism

Main article: Controversies regarding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Main article: Anti-Mormon

See also

• Egyptian Names in the Book of Mormon
• Hugh Nibley
• Jesus in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Mormonism and Freemasonry
• Animals in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Mormon
• Mormon apologetics
• Mormon Corridor
• Mormonism
• Latter Day Saint movement
• Temple (Mormonism)

External links

• Utah History Encyclopedia
• MSN Encarta

Official websites of the Church

• LDS.org - The official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — with links to Gospel Library, Church History, Family Home Evening programs, and more
• Mormon.org - Information on basic beliefs, a meetinghouse locator, and a place to email questions

Church-related websites

• LDS Today - News related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Meridian Magazine - Webzine for Latter-day Saints; updated every weekday
• LDS Library - Full text search engine; more than 3,300 important LDS books.
• Mormon wiki - Wiki for and supported by Latter-day Saints
• LDSFAQ at byu.edu - A comprehensive index answering many common questions. Uses large portions of The Encyclopedia of Mormonism
• Audio Book of Mormon - free download, mp3 format

Academic forums

• FARMS - Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (BYU)
• FAIR - Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research
• Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought - An independent quarterly covering history, religion, science and social issues.
• The Mormon History Association