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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Description
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830, 10 years after a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, prayed to God to ask Him what Church to join. Members of the Church believe that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Smith to answer his prayers. They told him that the Church started by Jesus no longer existed on Earth because Christians had fallen away from Jesus’ original teachings. Smith was instructed not to join any existing church and was chosen by God to restore His Christian Church. Over the next 10 years, other heavenly messengers visited him. Smith transcribed their messages. They also gave him the Book of Mormon, part of which was derived from golden tablets found on top of a hill near Palmyra, New York. The book is named for the prophet Mormon, one of the prophets whose words are recorded in it.
The Book of Mormon is the testimony of prophets not recorded in the Bible. One of the prophets, Lehi, was commanded by God to lead a group of followers to North America in 600 BCE to found a civilization. God continued to call prophets among these ancient Americans. Their writings are transcribed on the golden tablets delivered by the angels and translated by Joseph Smith.
In 1830, with the translation of the Book of Mormon completed, Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, colloquially called Mormons.
Mormons believe in God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. They believe that Christ died so that human sin would be forgiven, and they believe that having faith in God and following the ordinances of the Gospels can accomplish this. God calls priests to the Church. Those who have faith may have special abilities, such as prophecy, visions, interpreting tongues, or healing. The Mormons also believe in the gift on tongues, which symbolizes baptism in the holy spirit.
Mormons believe that the New Jerusalem, Zion, will be built in North America and that Jesus Christ will reign. They also believe that one must obey the rules of law and the leader of the land, such as the king or president. They believe that all people have the right to pursue their own way of worship and that other religions should be appreciated as that.
Mormons also believe that families are a central part of God’s plan for humans, and they encourage family togetherness and strong family connections. The family is seen as a focal point for development and for understanding the teachings of God and Jesus Christ.
Religious Elements
Scriptural and Doctrinal Sources
Sacraments
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sacramental rituals are termed ordinances:
Naming and blessing children. Faith: To grow closer to God, believers must have trust and confidence in Him and be willing to act on their own belief in Him. Baptism by immersion in water: Baptism is administered at the age of 8, the age of accountability ordained by God. Gift of the Holy Ghost: Immediately after baptism, the ordinance of confirmation is performed: the baptized individuals sit on chairs at the front of the congregation, and a “priesthood holder” places his hands on them and accepts them as members of the Church. Priesthood ordination: At the age of 12, males are received into the Aaronic priesthood, a lesser priesthood. At age 14, they become teachers. At age 16 they are ordained priest, and at age 18, they become Melchizedech priests and elders. There are a further four levels of priesthood, the highest being apostle. Each level has designated authority. A Melchizedech priest is empowered to administer in all spiritual matters within the Church. Patriarchal blessing: Given to teenagers or new converts, this blessing is intended to provide spiritual or temporal direction. Civil marriage: This ordinance is performed outside the temple, and it endures for life. Temple wedding: This ordinance is performed by a Melchizedech priest designated as a temple sealer. Its purpose is to seal a couple together for all eternity. Repentance: When one has sinned, one must confess sins to God and ask His forgiveness and that of the people one has sinned against and make reparations to them. After this, one must forsake the sin and not repeat it. Temple covenants: Members are encouraged to link their family generations together for all time by recording the names of ancestors in the temple and atoning for their sins, ensuring they will be together as families for eternity.
Moral Code
The Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Emphasis on being honest, virtuous and chaste. Obedience to civil law. No sexual relations outside marriage.
Houses of Worship
The Mormons have two places of worship, meetinghouses and temples. Meetinghouses are essentially chapels where weekly Sunday worship takes place. In 1999 there were 60 temples worldwide, with another 50 being built or planned. Temples are finely crafted and landscaped beautifully. After a temple is dedicated, only Mormons may enter it. A temples may also be called the house of the Lord. At temples, members seek instruction concerning the purpose of their lives and their relationship to God. Some ordinances take place only in temples. The temple has several rooms, each suited for a different ceremony, such as wedding ceremonies or baptism. Inside the temple, only white clothes are worn, to symbolize purity and reverence.
Devotional Practices and Services Weekly worship takes place at meetinghouses. Worship includes prayer, partaking in the Lord’s sacrament of the Aaronic priesthood, discussion of spirituality, and reading of Scriptures. Men and boys over age 12 have priesthood gatherings to learn about the gospel and be instructed in priesthood, as well as to report on their assignments. Women gather to study the gospel and to report on their assignments, given by the Woman’s Relief Society. Temples are used for certain ordinances and are designed to accommodate specific events. Twice a year, conferences are held to discuss Church leadership and the word of the prophets. Families are encouraged to gather privately on Monday night in their homes to pray and study Scriptures as well as strengthen the family bond.
Clergy, Organization and Government
There are six orders of priesthood. The church leader is the president and prophet. Two counsellors assist the president. Together, the three constitute the first presidency. Twelve apostles, who act as witnesses to the world, assist the first presidency. Leaders called seventies assist the apostles and serve in locations around the world. Leaders of local congregations are called bishops. Teachers and clerks teach children through their adulthood about the principles of the Church and their purpose in life and provide priesthood training that includes subjects related to the family.
Propagation of the Faith
Missionary work is a strong tradition in the Church. More than 60,000 missionaries, mostly young people between 19 and 21 years of age, are active at any given time. They serve for 1.5–2 years. Missionaries teach the Gospel to those who are interested and perform community service work in health care and welfare.
Major Celebrations and Observances
Days of Regular Observance
Sunday is a regular day of worship. Mormons observe the major Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter, as well as the national holidays of the country of residence, such as Canada Day. Families are encouraged to set aside time for regular prayer, teaching and discussion and games sessions once a week.
Special Observances
Public ordinances: baptism, confirmation or wedding, as needed. Pioneer Day: 24 July, honouring the arrival of Church pioneers in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, in 1847. General conference for all members: the first weekends of April and October.
Dress Requirements
Generally, Mormons adhere to the dress norms of the culture in which they live. White clothing must be worn inside the temple and for some ordinances, such as baptism. Men and women wear a special, white undergarment as a reminder to remain chaste.
Dietary Requirements
Mormons fast on the first Sunday of each month by abstaining from two consecutive meals. According to the Word of Wisdom given to Joseph Smith by God, healthy eating is encouraged as a spiritual benefit. Specifically, the Word of Wisdom prohibits the consumption of
Tobacco Alcohol, tea and coffee Illegal drugs.
Medical and Health Requirements
The Church is opposed to abortion, except where the life of the mother is threatened or she has been a victim of rape and is suffering severe emotional difficulties. In such cases the mother should seek counselling from priesthood authorities and ask for divine confirmation of her course of action through prayer. Homosexual activity is considered immoral, though people with such tendencies are not condemned for their tendencies.
Death and Burial
Mormons believe in eternal life after death, and this belief helps them experience and express grief. Mormons follow Christian burial practices. Funerals, directed by bishops, are held in chapels.
Other
In the early days of the Church, male members practised plural marriage, polygamy, on the basis of divine instructions. In 1890, following a divine revelation to the Church leader, the practice was banned. Members who practise polygamy are excommunicated.
Sources of Additional Information
http://www.mormon.org/ — official website of the Mormons.
http://www.lds.org/ — official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Toronto Ontario Temple
10060 Bramalea Road
Brampton, ON L6R 1A1
Phone: (905) 799-1122
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Regina Saskatchewan Temple
111 Wascana Gate North
Regina, SK S4V 2J6
Phone: (306) 545-8194
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