REL150

1. *
The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints

2. * The church was founded by Joseph Smith (1805-1844)
* At 14, years old, Smith had prayed to God because he was
confused about the differences in the many Christian groups today.
* Smith then had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, telling
him that none of the Christian Dominations were correct, because
true Christianity had died out with the death of the early apostles.
* At 17, Smith had another vision, this time of an angel named
Moroni. The angel led him to dig up golden tablets inscribed with
foreign words. He also dug up a mysterious stones that he had
used to translate the words in the golden tablets.
* The translations were then entitled The Book of Mormon.

3. * Mormons believe they are the true form of Christianity
* Mormons have many similarities to Christians but also have
many differences
* Mormons call themselves Christian and are bothered by the
misconception of being called “Mormon” and not viewed as a
Christian
* The word Mormon came from the father of Moroni (the angel
who led Smith to the golden tablets).

4. * God the Father, as well as Jesus, have * Baptisms are practiced, and
unusually upon deceased family
a glorified body
members
* Souls of human beings were once
existed in spirit form, then sent into
* Attend their Ward (church), each
Sunday for study, worship and
the physical world to perfect
sacrament service.
themselves
* Three levels of “Heaven” * They restrict selves smoking,
drinking alcohol, drugs or even
* Celestial Realm (Highest) consuming caffeinated beverages
* Terrestrial Realm * They reserve one night a week, to
* Telestial Realm stay at home with families to enjoy
their bond as a family
* Couples who “seal” their marriages in
a temple will spend an eternity * Marriages are held in the sacred
together in the celestial ream, and temple, only Mormons are allowed
can become godlike, producing to enter.
spiritual children there.

5. Church President (The Prophet)
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
First & Second Quorum of the Seventies
Authorities and Stake Presidents
Bishops (Church Pastors)
Parishes (Male Members of Church)

6. * 14 million Mormons Worldwide
* Majority of members seen at the
Waimanalo Ward were of Hawaiian
* 5.1% of the Hawaii population are Mormon decent. I think that is a result of
totaling to an estimated 68,000 people
* 70% of members were not born into the the influence Mormon missionaries
church had on Hawaiians when the first
came to Hawaii.
* Members consisted mostly of
middle aged couples, their children
and elderly couples. I think
couples are common because
Mormons want to be married in the
temple, and to do that both
spouses must be mormon.
Front of Waimanalo Ward

7. * The Mormon Church is supported financially through voluntary
donations from it’s members
* Members of the church are expected to live “the law of
tithing.” Which is giving 1/10 of all income to the church.
* Bishops, teachers or any other service member are not paid.
All work done for the church is free
* Tithing is used to build temples, churches, print The Book of
Mormon, videos etc.

8. * Young men are expected to spend two years to go on a
“Mission” away from their home (often foreign countries)
to preach their religion
* Women are invited to go on missionary work, but the
length is shortened to 18 months rather than 2
* Missionaries spend their day going door to door, spreading
the word of god, in the hopes of gaining new members

9. Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religious group in the
world. Starting out with just one man, Joseph Smith, resulting
in over 14 million members today. The church financially
supports themselves through “voluntary” donations by their
members of the church. At the same time this voluntary
amount of money called “tithing,” is expected to be 10 percent
of it’s members earnings. The young men of the church are sent
around the world to recruit more members. Maybe the idea of
eternal life in heaven with family, entices people to believe in
their church. I for one, will never open my doors to any
missionaries, any time soon.

10. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition,
Challenge, and Change. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education, 2009. Print.
All About Mormons. "Number of Mormons." Number of Mormons.
All About Mormons. Web. 8 May 2012.
<http://www.allaboutmormons.com/number_of_mormons.php>.