Facts About Mormonism

We have a Mormon presidential candidate for the first time in United States history, but what do Mormons actually believe? Below is a list of some statistics and facts about the Mormon church in hopes to educate any and all readers.

• Mormonism is a religious tradition branching from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
• The church was formally organized in 1830.
• According to the National Council of Churches, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the second-fastest-growing church in the United States.
• Worldwide, the church has 14,441,346 members.
• The church believes each person lived a pre-mortal life in heaven with God, but then was sent to earth for a time of learning. The learning included sin–a separation from God–that could only be remedied by Jesus Christ, the first person to conquer sin and death. Through Jesus’ atonement, all people can return to heaven and live with God forever.
• The purpose of a person’s time on earth is to find happiness by doing as much good in the world as possible.
• The Book of Mormon is the primary text of the Mormons and Latter-Day Saints, although they do believe in the Bible as God’s Word as well.
• Mormons believe marriage to be between one man and one woman.
• The church believes God has spoken against the use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, coffee and tea, with great blessings for those who follow this Word of Wisdom given to Joseph Smith by God in 1833.
• The church is against abortion except in situations of rape and health of the mother.
• In 1998, then President of the church, Gordon B. Hinckley, declared, “This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church…. If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.”
• Family is of the utmost importance to the Mormon church and they believe families will be linked together eternally, not just during life on earth.

Sources:
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/plan-of-salvation2
http://mormon.org/faq/topic/about-mormons
http://mormon.org/what-do-mormons-believe