The Mormon religion, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), is a distinctive branch of Christianity founded in the early 19th century in the United States. The church is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ restored His true church through the prophet Joseph Smith in the 1820s. Mormons, or Latter-day Saints, follow a unique set of religious teachings that include additional scriptures beyond the Bible, most notably the Book of Mormon, and they believe in modern-day prophets, continuous revelation, and specific ordinances such as baptism for the dead.
This article provides a detailed exploration of the history, beliefs, and practices of the Mormon faith, including its origins, key doctrines, sacred texts, and the cultural and social impacts it has had in the world.
Historical Origins of the Mormon Religion
Joseph Smith and the First Vision (1820s)
The founding of the Mormon religion is inseparably tied to the life of Joseph Smith Jr., who was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont. Raised in a deeply religious environment during the era of the Second Great Awakening, Smith was troubled by the multitude of Christian denominations, all claiming to hold the true gospel of Jesus Christ. According to Mormon belief, in 1820, at the age of 14, Smith prayed for guidance regarding which church he should join.
In what is now called the First Vision, Joseph Smith claimed that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, instructing him not to join any of the existing churches, as they had all strayed from the true teachings of Christ. This event is considered the foundational moment of the Latter-day Saint movement.
The Revelation of the Book of Mormon (1823–1830)
In 1823, Smith reported being visited by an angel named Moroni, who revealed the location of a set of ancient golden plates buried near Smith’s home in Palmyra, New York. According to Smith, these plates contained the record of an ancient American civilization and their dealings with Jesus Christ. After years of preparation, Smith retrieved the plates in 1827 and, through what is described as divine inspiration, translated the text into English.
The resulting book, The Book of Mormon, was published in 1830 and is considered by Mormons to be another testament of Jesus Christ, complementing the Bible. The Book of Mormon tells the story of a group of Israelites who migrated to the Americas around 600 BCE and were later visited by the resurrected Christ after His crucifixion. The book’s narrative ends with a cataclysmic battle that leads to the destruction of the righteous Nephite civilization.
The Establishment of the Church (1830)
On April 6, 1830, The Church of Christ was formally organized by Joseph Smith and a small group of followers in Fayette, New York. The name was later changed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to emphasize its role in restoring Christ’s original church. From its inception, the church faced significant opposition and persecution, largely due to its unique doctrines and its rejection of mainstream Christian denominations.
Early Mormon Migration and Persecution (1831–1846)
Move to Ohio and Missouri
After its establishment, the church quickly grew in membership, but its rapid expansion and unique beliefs—such as continuing revelation and the rejection of traditional Christian creeds—led to friction with local communities. In 1831, Smith moved the church headquarters to Kirtland, Ohio, where the first LDS temple was built. However, financial difficulties and internal dissension led to the collapse of the Kirtland settlement.
At the same time, church members were encouraged to gather in Jackson County, Missouri, which Joseph Smith identified as Zion, the place where Christ would return to establish His millennial kingdom. However, tensions with local settlers in Missouri, who were wary of the growing Mormon population, led to violent confrontations, and the Mormons were eventually expelled from the state in 1838, following the issuance of Missouri Executive Order 44 (known as the Extermination Order), which declared that Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state.”
Nauvoo and the Death of Joseph Smith (1839–1844)
After being forced out of Missouri, the Mormons regrouped in Nauvoo, Illinois, where they established a thriving city under Joseph Smith’s leadership. Nauvoo quickly became one of the largest cities in Illinois, and Smith introduced new religious practices, including the construction of a temple and the practice of plural marriage (polygamy), which would become one of the church’s most controversial doctrines.
Smith’s growing political and religious influence alarmed non-Mormons in Illinois, and tensions reached a peak when Smith ordered the destruction of a local press that had published criticisms of him and the church. He was arrested and jailed in Carthage, Illinois, where, on June 27, 1844, a mob stormed the jail and killed Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. This event left the church leaderless and plunged the Mormon community into uncertainty.
The Great Mormon Exodus and Settlement of Utah (1846–1847)
Following Joseph Smith’s death, a leadership struggle ensued. Brigham Young, then the head of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emerged as the new leader of the church. Facing continued hostility in Illinois, Young decided to lead the Mormons westward to find a place where they could practice their religion freely.
In 1846, the Mormon Exodus began, with thousands of church members traveling westward in wagons and on foot. After a long and arduous journey, the Mormons reached the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah in 1847. Brigham Young declared, “This is the right place,” and the church established its new headquarters in what would become Salt Lake City. Under Young’s leadership, the Mormons built an enduring settlement in the Utah Territory, and Salt Lake City remains the center of the LDS Church to this day.
The Practice of Polygamy and its Controversy (1850s–1890)
One of the most controversial aspects of early Mormonism was the practice of polygamy, or plural marriage. Joseph Smith introduced polygamy to select members of the church in Nauvoo, though it wasn’t publicly acknowledged until the 1850s, under Brigham Young. The practice was seen by Mormons as a divine commandment, and many church leaders and members participated in plural marriages.
However, polygamy drew intense criticism from the broader American public, leading to legal battles and increasing pressure on the church to abandon the practice. In 1890, under pressure from the U.S. government, which had passed anti-polygamy laws and confiscated church property, LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto, formally ending the church’s endorsement of polygamy. Though some fundamentalist groups continued the practice, the mainstream LDS Church denounced plural marriage, and it remains forbidden in the church today.
Key Beliefs and Doctrines of the Mormon Religion
The Mormon faith is distinct from other Christian denominations in several key areas, particularly its belief in modern-day prophets, continuing revelation, additional scripture, and unique ordinances and practices.
1. The Book of Mormon and Other Scriptures
While Mormons consider the Bible to be the word of God, they also hold the Book of Mormon as equally authoritative scripture. Along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the LDS Church recognizes two additional texts as scripture: the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations and writings given to Joseph Smith and other church leaders, and the Pearl of Great Price, which contains additional writings by Joseph Smith, including the Book of Abraham and his account of the First Vision.
The belief in these additional scriptures is one of the key factors that distinguishes Mormons from other Christian groups.
2. The Nature of God and the Godhead
Mormons believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three distinct beings, unified in purpose but separate in substance. This contrasts with the traditional Christian belief in the Trinity, which sees God as three persons in one being. Mormons teach that God has a glorified physical body, as does Jesus Christ, while the Holy Ghost is a spirit.
3. The Plan of Salvation
The Plan of Salvation is central to Mormon theology and describes humanity’s journey from pre-mortal existence to eternal life. Mormons believe that all humans lived as spirit children with God before being born on Earth. Life on Earth is seen as a testing ground where individuals can choose to follow God’s commandments and progress toward eternal life with Him. Salvation is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for humanity’s sins.
After death, Mormons believe in a process of resurrection and judgment, where individuals will be assigned to one of three degrees of glory: the Celestial Kingdom (for the most faithful), the Terrestrial Kingdom, or the Telestial Kingdom. The highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is reserved for those who have received all the necessary ordinances, including temple sealing, and who have lived a righteous life.
4. Modern-Day Prophets and Revelation
One of the most unique aspects of the LDS Church is its belief in modern-day prophets. Mormons believe that after the death of the apostles, the true church was lost in a Great Apostasy, but it was restored through Joseph Smith. Since then, the church has been led by a succession of prophets, believed to receive direct revelation from God to guide the church. The current prophet is considered the highest authority in the church.
5. Temples and Sacred Ordinances
LDS temples are considered the most sacred spaces in Mormonism, distinct from regular meetinghouses where Sunday worship services are held. In temples, Mormons participate in sacred ordinances such as baptism for the dead, eternal marriage (sealing), and endowments, which are necessary for exaltation in the afterlife.
The practice of baptism for the dead allows living members to be baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors, giving the dead the opportunity to accept the gospel in the afterlife.
Social Structure and Cultural Influence
The LDS Church has a highly organized social structure, with a lay clergy that includes bishops, stake presidents, and quorums of the Seventy. Church members are encouraged to contribute to the community through callings and volunteer service. Family is central to Mormon belief, and the church emphasizes traditional family values, education, and community involvement.
Mormon culture has had a significant impact on the American West, particularly in Utah, where the LDS Church’s headquarters are located. The state of Utah has a predominantly Mormon population, and the church plays a significant role in the state’s cultural and political life.
Conclusion
The Mormon religion, founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century, has grown from a small, persecuted religious movement to a global faith with millions of members. With its distinctive beliefs in modern prophets, additional scripture, and sacred ordinances, the LDS Church continues to shape the lives of its adherents and influence broader cultural and religious conversations.
While Mormons share many beliefs with other Christians, they stand apart due to their unique theology and practices, rooted in Joseph Smith’s revelations and the centrality of the Book of Mormon. Today, the church remains a dynamic and growing religious community, with a global presence and a strong emphasis on family, faith, and service.