Well Mormon was an insulting nick name given to the LDS people in Illinois and Missouri, because of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, another witness to Jesus Christ. We have accepted it, but our true name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
If you read the letters of Paul, he calls the members of various cities Saints. We have adopted his true titles, not the title as used by the Roman Catholic Church, but as Paul used it.
We worship a God in heaven. According to scripture, we are created in his image. He is an all knowing personage of Flesh and Bones. We and I know he, by the Holy Ghost had a Son on earth. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of the LIVING God. He is God the Son. We believe in all the 10 commandments. Like the true church in the old testament, we build temples where marriages and other endowments are performed. We believe in the Gospel of Love thy neighbor.
We do have an embarrasment, that is the Fundamental LDS Church. An excommunicated group that practices polygamy and forces young women to marry old men, kicks young men out of he congregation, so older men can get the young girls etc. They are about 25,000 strong. We are 13,000,000 strong.
We are not just a Utah Church as one answerer has answered you. Less than 50?f people in Utah are LDS. We have many congregations all over the USA and all over the world. We have temples that dot the planet.
In the 1830's we were the smallest religion body in the USA, now we are the 4th Largest and one of the fastest growing religions in the world, adding a Million members about every 4 to 5years or so.
We are the only religion on earth that is led by a Prophet. Other churches claim prophecy died with Crists Apostles. We beleive God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and he guides our prophets today.
We believe the Bible is the word of God. On answers, I am sure we believe more of the bible than any other religion. If you quote a scripture on here that disagrees with them, they explain it away as nonsense. We accept both the Old and the new testament, and attempt to live by the teachings.
We are a caring church who sends goods and services to all the disasters of the world.
We pay tithes. Many people on answers believe we are forced to pay tithes, not true. Less than 50?f the active members pay tithes and have jobs in the church. Paying tithes is between us and the Lord. The Bishop likes us to attend tithing settlement at the end of the year, but there is no force. Many church members do not attend it.
We do not pass the plate in any meetings nor beg for money on national TV. Our buildings are all paid for before they are built. Each congregation has an annual budget which is supported by tithes returned to the organization. This pays the heat, light, water ,Janitor, yard maintenance and any building maintenance, plus an allowance for functions and parties.
At the local congregation level, there is no paid ministry, just like Paul and the Apostles who were not paid. There is not a bunch of adult deacons, who pick out the next preacher. All callings are made by Priesthood leaders who have the authority to act.
One of our church tennants is to live the laws of the land in which we live, so we are good citizens. Our embarrasment group, The Funnymentalists are not good citizens. They put their wives on welfare. YUK
We are pretty normal people, live and work in the communities we live in . We have had good members in high government positions where they have been highly recognized and commended. Ezra Taft Benson, Mitts Father Governor of Michigan, Morris Udal and many more.
Answered By: Ronnie B T - 1/24/2008 |