Information assembled by Evan Nielsen – Nov. 2007 – find more at www.mormon.org
Facts:
1. Mormon is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church was restored in 1830 in upstate New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Today the headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Gordon B. Hinckley as the present prophet.
2. Mormons number over 13 million members in 176 countries. About 6 million members are in the USA making the Mormon Church the 4th largest Christian denomination in America and one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in the world.
3. The Church completes a new chapel every working day. Members pay a 10% tithing of their income to make such building projects and other extensive welfare programs possible.
4. Local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions. Leaders are called to serve and do not seek out leadership roles.
5. Brigham Young University and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are two very popular institutions associated with the Mormon Church.
6. Mormons are well represented in high and trusted positions in politics, government, business, medicine, law, education, media, sports and entertainment.
Faith:
7. We believe in the eternity of the soul, that God is the Father of our spirits, and that we can return to Him after death.
8. We believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior and Redeemer. We try to model our lives after Him and His teachings. We accept as fellow Christians all who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind. We have much in common with other Christian faiths. There is no other way for salvation except through faith in Jesus Christ.
9. We believe the original church Jesus Christ established was lost and has been restored in our day.
10. Priesthood authority has been restored again in our day. Priesthood is defined as the authority given to man to act in the name of God. We believe God has called apostles and a prophet to lead us.
11. We believe in the Holy Bible as the Word of God. We also believe in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture that support the Bible and testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Family:
12. Mormons place a strong emphasis on the family as the basic unit of the Church and of society. Marriage is defined as a union between one man and one woman. Polygamy was a limited practice in the early pioneer days of the church and was discontinued over 117 years ago.
13. Religious instruction is essential in the home and Mormons hold “Family Home Evening” each Monday night where parents regularly teach the Gospel and important values to their children.
14. The Church has auxiliary programs for men, women, youth and children as a support to the family to provide religious instruction, opportunities for Christian service, sports, music and Scouting.
15. Mormons focus on maintaining extended family ties, genealogy, and personal family history, providing young and old with a stronger sense of roots, identity and belonging.
Fruits:
16. Mormons live a longer healthier life than the national average by avoiding harmful substances and following “The Word of Wisdom” revealed to a modern prophet, Joseph Smith, in 1833.
17. Active Mormons have a lower divorce rate than the national and world average.
18. Mormons achieve an educational level that is higher than the national average.
19. Over 70,000 members at any given time are serving full-time 18-month or 24-month commitments to humanitarian service, church service, or missionary service throughout the world.
20. Mormons place a strong emphasis on self-reliance, a solid work ethic and community service.