Religious and Ethnic Diversity
Religious and Ethnic Diversity
ETH 125
February 3, 2013
Religious and Ethnic Diversity
Mormonism is a uniquely American religion, have been founded by Joseph Smith Jr., of New York ("The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints", 2013). Mormonism originated in the 1820s, as described by the Church’s website, when Joseph Smith Jr. was confused and frustrated by the various Christian religions and was unable to choose one to follow. He turned to the Bible, which told him to ask God when he lacked wisdom. So he prayed to God, and was visited by the Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. According to one of the members of the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bruce McConkie (1958), “Mormonism is indistinguishable from Christianity”. However, there are some distinct differences between Mormonism and other Christian religions, and other religions in general. These differences have led to a history of discrimination and persecution, so much though that the Church today keeps many of its ceremonies, practices, and beliefs private. The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints has had a vast impact on American culture which includes a recent Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.
The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are subtle. Mormons believe that their Church is the “True Church of Christ”. According to their scripture study publications, the Christian religion became corrupted during “The Great Apostasy” shortly after Christ’s death and resurrection ("The Message Of The Restoration Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ", ). God, The Heavenly Father, chose to reestablish the true Church on earth through Joseph Smith Jr. Basically, Mormons are saying that other Christian religions, although based on the same truths, also have errors or omissions in their beliefs. Other differences between these religions lie in their cosmology. But perhaps the biggest aspect that sets Mormonism apart from almost all other
ETH 125
February 3, 2013
Religious and Ethnic Diversity
Mormonism is a uniquely American religion, have been founded by Joseph Smith Jr., of New York ("The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints", 2013). Mormonism originated in the 1820s, as described by the Church’s website, when Joseph Smith Jr. was confused and frustrated by the various Christian religions and was unable to choose one to follow. He turned to the Bible, which told him to ask God when he lacked wisdom. So he prayed to God, and was visited by the Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. According to one of the members of the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bruce McConkie (1958), “Mormonism is indistinguishable from Christianity”. However, there are some distinct differences between Mormonism and other Christian religions, and other religions in general. These differences have led to a history of discrimination and persecution, so much though that the Church today keeps many of its ceremonies, practices, and beliefs private. The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints has had a vast impact on American culture which includes a recent Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.
The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are subtle. Mormons believe that their Church is the “True Church of Christ”. According to their scripture study publications, the Christian religion became corrupted during “The Great Apostasy” shortly after Christ’s death and resurrection ("The Message Of The Restoration Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ", ). God, The Heavenly Father, chose to reestablish the true Church on earth through Joseph Smith Jr. Basically, Mormons are saying that other Christian religions, although based on the same truths, also have errors or omissions in their beliefs. Other differences between these religions lie in their cosmology. But perhaps the biggest aspect that sets Mormonism apart from almost all other
References: Bushman, R. L. (2008). Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. MConkie, B. R. (1958). Mormon Doctrine. : Bookcraft Pubs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (2013). Retrieved from http://mormon.org/joseph-smith The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (). Retrieved from http://www.lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___06_03-1_TheRestoration__36617_eng_006.pdf Utah History Encyclopedia. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MANIFESTO_PLURAL_MARRIAGE.html