Week 6 (5-11.01.2015): All about Mormons

source

Last term I obligated myself to write about different religions every term, so I want to keep my promise, but with a small change. In spite of speaking about well-known religions – Christianity, Islam – I would like to make an article about those, which are more enigmatic. So this year, instead of those two, mentioned earlier, I would like to write about Mormons and later about Scientology.

I’m sure that for many of you Mormonism is more like a cult rather than actual religion. Something strange and exotic, but in Utah, 60% of people claim themselves Mormons. Why? Let’s go through brief history of Mormonism.

“How it all began…”

Like in many religions, this movement was started by one man – a prophet and visionary - Joseph Smith. He stated that in 1823 an angel named Moroni (the child of Mormon) came, in a vision, while he was praying. In it, God’s sender revealed the location of a book made of golden plates along with the tools to decrypt them. After many years of search, Smith succeeded to find them and translate those into modern English in 1830 as “The Book of Mormon”.

source

Firstly, Mormons lived in Kirtland (Ohio), where they built a big temple called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (that is as well the official name of Mormonism; that’s also why Mormons are referred to as Latter-day Saints), later the centre of their religion was moved to Jackson Country (Missouri), but then, they were forced to move to Illinois, where they created a new city called Nauvoo.

source

Joseph Smith became the mayor, enacting many unique laws, both for the city and his church – in this case he used the title of President. One of which was polygamy, probably due to god-creating ideology of Mormons (it will be described later on in this article). Mormons set up very big families - it’s believed that Smith had around 30 wives. The whole community thought they found a nice place to prosper,  but once again they were thrown out from their homes. After Smith’s death (while he was held imprisoned for "immoral practices” and causing riots, he was brutally killed by an armed mob), his successor and student -  Brigham Young– decided to move Latter-day Saints’ religion to Utah, where soon he founded the city of Salt Lake City (the current capital of the state).

“Mormonism 101”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, as many other religions, very distinctive believes, which may be shocking to others. I picked three the most interesting (in my opinion of course):

I. Be a good Mormon and you will be a god!

It’s hard to imagine, but according to Mormons’ belief,  after your death, you can “exist” as a god and create other gods. How? First of all you’re a god’s child. Literally. You’re a fruit of a divine intercourse. Mormons believe that long time ago a „council” of gods decided that they will procreate and send new-borns to different planets. The Earth’s god (who lives near a star called Kolob) is a child of that kind of relationship and we’re all his descendants sent to get into flesh and live among each other. If we fulfil some terms (described later on), we will become a god to our own planet.

II. There is no hell… there are only heavens.

Becoming a god is of course only possible in the “best” heaven, but it’s not a certainty. Even if you were a “good” Mormon, but you didn’t have a celestial marriage, you won’t become a god, but an angelic servant. The second heaven is for good non-Mormons and the third one is for bad. We will all be judged by our god, who is harsh, but fair.
A celestial marriage – I used this term and now I want to explain it. In the beginning Mormons practiced polygamy, but in 1890 they changed their point of view and started pro-family way of life. Actually to become a god in your afterlife you have to have a “celestial marriage” during your life time, but it’s not the only requirement.

source

III. Be good, pray, reproduce, pay… but you don’t need to be white anymore.

Latter-day Saints believes that it’s very important to live not only by the Bible, but by the Book of Mormons as well. They need be consistent in faith and try their best to understand and follow god’s will. Mormons are also obligated to give 10% of their earnings to church and most of them are sent on a mission or work for the church in other way. Boys for 2 years when they reach an age of 19 and girls for 18 months when they’re 21. The church decides how this service looks like or where one should go, but he/she must pay for it by him/herself. Usually they’re supposed to converse foreigners to Mormon’s faith, but sometimes they work in the church’s office, as a guide or in humanitarian missions. What’s about the part of being white? Believe it or not, but till 1978 black people weren’t allowed to become Mormons’ priests. Why? Because it was actually written in the Book of Mormons that black people are children of Kain (a biblical character who killed his brother because of jealousy). What’s more interesting, it was commonly believed that strong faith could make you white, on the other hand – being bad could make your pigment become darker. Mormons are also not supposed to drink tea, coffee, alcohol or smoke, but many religions have that kind of commandments.

source

There are so many more interesting facts about Mormonism, like “Baptism for the dead”, the whole idea of “the other Jesus” or special 'temple garment' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTz_NQqKA8), which may seem odd to you, but I must say for sure – they look like really happy people.

And if you don’t want to read this whole presentation… Just watch this movie:

http://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s07e12-all-about-mormons

Some questions which can help you comment:

1. What are your thoughts about other religions? How much do you know about this topic?

2. Would you consider becoming a Mormon?

3. Did this presentation give you any new information? Did I inspire you to learn more about it (in my opinion it’s worth it!)

4. What was your score in that quiz: http://helloquizzy.okcupid.com/tests/the-what-kind-of-mormon-are-you-test
5. Would you like to read a presentation about Scientology?

Sources:
https://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/mormonism
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/
http://www.mormon.org/
http://mormonvoices.org/
http://clindquist-rudeawakening.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-10-list-of-unusual-mormon-beliefs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormons
http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-do-mormons-really-believe-part-1-58401/