Angela Martin

RELS2400

Mormonism in America
I have learned about many different minority religions in America. Of them, I found
Mormonism to be unique and interesting. In the society we live in here in Utah, Mormons are
spread all over the state, but I dont even know what or where Mormonism came from. I will be
discussing the history, beliefs, practices, community contributions, and outlooks on diversity that
Mormons have toward other religions.
I have found that Mormonism has a very violent/brutal history in establishing their
religion. The first prophet and founder of Mormonism, also known as Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints (LDS), was a man named Joseph Smith (1805 1844). He founded
Mormonism in Fayette, New York in 1830 with 5 members. The LDS began to grow rapidly and
persecution started to break out against the LDS. To escape persecution they fled to Kirkland,
Ohio then Missouri, and finally Nauvoo Illinois with persecution finding them in every area they
settled. The non-Mormon population was afraid that the LDS would take over the economy and
officials of Nauvoo due to the dramatic increase of LDS population.
According to lds.org, one of the biggest events in LDS history occurred here in the city of
Nauvoo. Enemies of the Church believed if they got rid of Joseph Smith, the Church would fall
apart. They started a newspaper that degraded Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith, mayor of Nauvoo,
called a meeting of the city council; they declared the newspaper a public nuisance, then
ordered the town marshal to destroy the press used to print the paper. Enemies of the Church
thought this was justification for more persecution of the LDS. The governor of Illinois

demanded Joseph Smith and the other members to come to Carthage, Illinois, to stand trial for
the destruction of the press.
The governor promised the men would be safe but Joseph thought/knew otherwise.
Joseph thought the persecutors only wanted him and his brother, Hyrum, so they went into hiding
and decided to move west with their families. A group from Carthage came to Nauvoo to
threaten their city if Joseph and Hyrum werent found. Members of the LDS were afraid of the
men and called Joseph and Hyrum cowards for trying to leave Nauvoo. Hearing this made
Joseph depressed, and he said, If my life is of no value to my friends it is of none to me.
Joseph and Hyrum decided to go back to Carthage (www.lds.org).
They went to Carthage on June 25, 1844 and were accused of rioting and treason. Joseph
Smith, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor and Willard Richards were thrown in jail. They told the
governor that their lives were in danger, but his reply was that the people arent that cruel, the
governor then left Carthage. The four men left in jail had two guns and 2 walking canes given to
them by friends.
At five oclock that afternoon, a mob of nearly one hundred men attacked the jail. The
men had covered their faces with mud and gunpowder to hide their identity. Members of the mob
shot at the windows of the jail while others ran up the stairs to shoot into the room where the
Church leaders were. They tried to hold the door and use their weapons to fight the mob. Joseph
Smith with a pistol and John Taylor with a cane tried to defend their lives.
Hyrum was killed from multiple gunshots and Joseph was shot multiple times as he went
out of the second story window as he fell to his death. John Taylor had tried to jump out the
window for safety, but a bullet fired from inside the jail hit his leg and he started to fall out the

window. A second bullet from outside hit his pocket watch in front of his heart with such force
that it pushed him back into the room, saving his life; he was hit with three more bullets as he
crawled under the bed. Willard Richards heard John Taylor cry out from under the bed and
carried him out and to safety after the mob left.
After the murder of their prophet, the LDS appointed Brigham Young as their new leader.
They then traveled west to Salt Lake City, Utah and established themselves once again and have
grown since. This is one of the events in LDS history that gives them a strong testimony of their
religion. It shows what kind of great lengths people will go through to gain their freedom of
religion.
Many Mormon beliefs are also based on their prophet Joseph Smith. They say that when
he was as young as 14 years old, he was contemplating what religion he should join. They
believe he found his answer while reading the bible; If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. He then went
into the woods to pray but was overcome by a dark being/substance. This being left because
two beings commanded it to do so. They believe these two beings were Heavenly Father, God,
and his son, Jesus, their Savior. They claim that the lord spoke to him saying that none of the
churches were correct and to join none of them.
In 1823 Mormons believe the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph and told him that he was
Gods chosen servant to restore the church to the fullness of the gospel. Moroni appeared to
Joseph again in 1827 showing him the location of the golden plates. Joseph Smith took the
plates and translated them into what we now know as the Book of Mormon. Mormons believe
that the Book of Mormon is the most remarkable book in the world from a doctrinal, historical,

or philosophical point of view. They believe that the golden plates were taken up to Heaven after
Smith translated them. They also have two other main books called the Doctrine and Covenants
and The Pearl of Great Price.
The LDS are also well known for living polygamy in the earlier days of the church. They
allowed men to take more than one wife. Some of the church leaders believed they received
revelation in which God commanded them to practice polygamy. The public became outraged in
their practices and wanted an end to it. They then drafted the Manifesto (which can be found in
the back of the Book of Mormon) which stated that they would no longer live polygamy. During
my interview with an LDS institute instructor, David C. Greenman, he stated that they were
commanded by God to live according to the laws of the land. And as of today, God is actually
commanding them not to live polygamy.
Mormons believe that God speaks to their prophets and gives revelations to them to give
the church. They receive them in dreams, through visits from heavenly beings, but usually
through the still small voice of God to the spirit within. Individual members of the church may
also receive revelations, but it is most common through the prophets.
They believe in a Mormon Priesthood that allows men to act with authority in the name
of God. According to David C. Greenman, all members are considered equal whether male or
female. However, that may not be the actions in every individuals home. They can gain this
priesthood at age twelve if their beliefs are worthy of the position. They also allow baptisms at
the age of eight when they are considered accountable for their actions.
The sacrifice of Jesus allows all human kind to gain their salvation based on the way they
lived their lives. After death they can go to several different states or realms of Heaven. The

highest is only for those who lived all the laws of the church, and if they attain this, they
themselves can become Gods.
They believe that everyone has a premortal existence in Heaven before birth. Having the
chance of obtaining a human body is considered a great opportunity to live the lives planed for
them to return to the highest degree of Heaven. They believe humans are created in Gods image,
and when they die to return as a God, their families can remain together throughout eternity.
They believe in the well known Ten Commandments. They believe in the trinity, but
unlike other religions, they are separate entities; God, the son Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. They
also believe:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

God is in the form of a man whose glory defies description

He has a voice; He speaks
He is considerate and kind
He answers prayers
His Son is obedient to the Father and is the Mediator between God and man
The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans; the Son also; but the
Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit(www.lds.org).
They worship on Sundays and pay tithing to help support the church and church

programs to keep their membership. They are very big on family; one of the greatest
accomplishments in life is to raise a successful family.
A program they have is the missionary program. This is when young men and women are
sent out to different parts of the world to convert those who are willing into Mormonism. Their
goal is to cover the earth to restore everyone to the fullness of the gospel.

Mormons are known for helping people when it is needed. For example; they help people
who suffer through natural disasters, the homeless find shelter and food, give blessings of health
to those with poor health in hospitals and at home, and many other things as well.
They also have welfare programs to help not just people in need, but anything that needs
to be improved; such as buildings or parks. One of the largest ones is known as a store called
Deseret Industries. Deseret Industries is a nonprofit business enterprise owned and operated by
the Church, designed to provide employment and to aid in the economic rehabilitation of
disadvantaged persons. It gives people jobs to support themselves and gain experience.
Mormons are known for accepting diversity in their communities. David C. Greenman
explained that most of the programs they run are to help people get back on their feet. Many
people in these programs are from other religions. They are very positive towards pluralism. By
this, I mean they positively accept other religions in their communities.
However, David C. Greenman stated that the one type of religious groups they are
completely against and do not support are polygamist groups. He explained that when a
polygamist tries to convert to Mormonism, they had to go to the church leaders in the area and
prove that he was done with polygamy and would never practice it again.
Mormonism started out as a very small religious community of five people, to a rapidly
growing religion spread through several continents. According to a religious landscape study on
www. pewforum.org, 1.6% of Americans are Mormons. They are very strong with their beliefs
and history. They believe in free agency and support the diversity of other religions. They believe
that their religion is the one true religion but they still support others. Of many other minority
religions, I found Mormonism to be unique and interesting even more as I learned about them.

Sources

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/deseret-industries
https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-spencer-w-kimball/chapter-22?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/liahona/2002/06/joseph-smith-the-prophet?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/manual/primary-5-doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-

history/lesson-37-joseph-and-hyrum-smith-are-martyred?lang=eng
Interview of institute instructor, David C. Greenman
Religion In America, Julia Corbett Hemeyer, pg. 172 181.
http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/