Mormonism 101: What is Mormonism?

Seen missionaries around your town? Just watched a true crime documentary and found out Ted Bundy was baptized into the Mormon church? Or maybe you’re wondering why a popular TikTok influencer doesn’t drink coffee due to her religion. I’ll cover all the basics, whether you have limited or extensive knowledge about Mormons.

Answering Common Mormon Questions:

The quick answer

Mormonism is a religion, officially named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Its members are often called Mormons.

Are Mormons Christian?

Under most definitions, Mormons are considered Christian. They seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and worship him as the Son of God. They share many beliefs with other Christians but stand out for their differences.

Mormons believe in a form of Christianity called restorationism. Restorationist religions believe that Jesus Christ’s original teachings have been lost or adulterated over time. Other popular restorationist religions include the Seventh-day Adventist church and Jehova’s Witnesses.

Mormons believe a “modern-day prophet” named Joseph Smith restored the “fullness of the gospel” in the early 1800s. This restored gospel includes unique beliefs, practices, and traditions that set the church apart from most Christian religions.

The Origins of Mormonism

Mormonism began in the early 1800s with Joseph Smith. Smith claimed he had been visited by God and Jesus Christ who told him that all existing religions were false. They instructed him to establish a new church. In 1830, Joseph Smith established the Church of Christ, renamed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1838.

Mormon denominations

Since Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, multiple religions have branched off from the religious movement he started. The most well-known are:

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS): The largest and most well-known branch (reports approx. 17 million members).
2. Community of Christ (Formerly RLDS): Originally known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (reports approx. 250 thousand members).
3. Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS): A group that split off from the LDS Church over the issue of polygamy in the early 1900s (reports approx. 6-10 thousand members).

Why are they called Mormons? What is The Book of Mormon?

The word “Mormon” comes from The Book of Mormon, a book of scripture used by Joseph Smith and his followers. It is intended to be used in addition to the Bible and is subtitled “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” as a nod to the Old and New Testaments.

The Book of Mormon tells the story of a family from Jerusalem traveling to and settling in the Americas. It covers roughly 1000 years of history from 600 BC to 400 AD. It includes the history of that family’s descendants, their spiritual teachings, and Jesus Christ’s visitation to the Americas. Around 350 AD, a prophet named Mormon compiled and abridged his people’s history into a single book. His book, engraved on golden sheets bound by three rings, became known as “the golden plates”. Mormon’s son, Moroni, finished the book and buried the plates in a place he called the Hill Cumorah.

Joseph Smith claimed Moroni appeared to him as an angel and directed him to the plates, which were buried 3 miles from his home in Manchester, New York. Joseph then translated the plates from “reformed Egyptian” into English and published The Book of Mormon.

Mormon became a nickname for the followers of Joseph Smith. In 2018, the leader of the LDS church, Russel M Nelson, encouraged church members and others to discontinue using “Mormon” and other nicknames to refer to the church or its members.

Who are Mormon missionaries?

Mormon missionaries are volunteer representatives of the church, typically recognized for traveling in pairs and for their dress (a white shirt, black name tag, tie, and trousers). Most missionaries are full-time volunteers dedicated to proselytizing (attempting to convert others to their religion). Young men, young women, and retired couples may serve a mission. Missionaries finance their missions themselves or with assistance from family or other church members.

Young men aged 18 to 25 are expected to serve a full-time mission for two years. This is considered a rite of passage within church culture. Young women may choose to serve a mission up to 18 months.

After meeting a minimum standard of worthiness and completing an application, a prospective missionary receives their mission assignment. Mission assignments include a mission location (usually far from the missionary’s home, including other countries) and whether the missionary is required to learn a new language.

Depending on their gender, missionaries are called either “Elder” or “Sister” followed by their surname. A mission president appoints each missionary to a same-gender companionship in a specific area. Most missionaries only spend a few months at a time with any companion before they or their companion is transferred to another area. Missionaries are required to follow a strict dress code and schedule, avoid all forms of “worldly entertainment”, and to limit their personal relationships.

What do Mormons believe?

Mormons hold many common Christian beliefs including the divinity of Christ and the authority of the Bible. Some beliefs, practices, and traditions that set Mormons apart from most Christian religions include:

Modern Prophets & Apostles

Beginning with Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been led by the president or prophet of the church and twelve apostles.

Polygamy (Practiced until 1890)

Polygamy is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. Leadership and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints practiced polygamy until 1890. During the following decades into the early 1900s, the Fundamentalist church was formed as a result and continues to practice polygamy today.

Tithing (Financial donations)

The church requires members to contribute 10% of their income to the church without any minimum or maximum. These donations contribute to the church being considered the wealthiest religious organization in the world with an estimated $265 billion USD in assets.

No alcohol, coffee, or tea

In 1833, Joseph Smith published a revelation called “The Word of Wisdom” which includes dietary guidelines and prohibits the use of alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and recreational drug use. Compliance with these guidelines are necessary to join the church and participate in various functions.

The Law of Chastity (Sexual guidelines)

The church has strict guidelines on sexual purity. Members are instructed to dress modestly, abstain from sex before marriage, and to never view pornography or masturbate.

Temples & garments

There are nearly 200 Mormon temples in operation around the world. These temples are used to conduct secret rituals. During one of these rituals, members promise to wear “garments,” a specific type of underwear manufactured and sold by the church, at all times for the rest of their lives.

Additional Scriptures

Mormons believe in multiple books of scripture including: The Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. They also consider the words of their living prophets and apostles to be scripture.