Joseph Smith's Contributions to the Development of Mormons

Two of these denominations were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the African Methodist Episcopal. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - commonly known as Mormons was founded by Joseph Smith; he was inspired to create a new church faction by the revivals he experienced in the western area of New York called the "Burned Over District-" implying it had been "scorched" by so many revivals. Although not regarded as a splinter off from an existing Protestant denomination but a restoration of primitive Christianity having distinctive post-biblical doctrines, the Mormon Church is now a flourishing, worldwide denomination. On the other hand, during the revivals, Baptists and Methodists converted large numbers of blacks. However, because of the mistreatment they received from their fellow believers, under the leadership of Richard Allen, the black population broke away from the Methodist church while creating their own denomination; the African Methodist Episcopal.10 Both churches mentioned above, having developed and sprouted out other denominations over the years, still stand even today.

The writings, known as the Book of Mormon, describe how some Israelites traveled to the Americas to become the indigenous tribes (Gutjahr 7). The books and Joseph’s teachings laid out a faith that seemed radically different than any other. But Mormonism shares roots with other religions; it began as a form of Trinitarian Christianity. Like Christianity, it builds on Judaism; Mormonism also connects with the Jewish history as the Book of Mormon describes the families of a lost tribe of Israel. Like Protestantism, Mormonism can be considered a reformed version of Christianity. Mormonism, in fact, has much in common with Islam—both have Abrahamic roots and a modern prophet and sacred text. Mormon ideas may seem radical in some areas, but are Christian in many fundamental aspects. Mormons believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, although they see them as separate beings. They accept the Old and New Testament as the work of God, and believe in many Christian ideas such as sin, divine revelation, and God’s eventual return. The main difference, then, is simply that Mormonism is newer than other religions, and thus assumed to be invalid. As Noah Feldman summarizes, “Antiquity

Mormonism was founded in the 1820s’ by Joseph Smith. Smith, wanting to expand his religious following migrated to Illinois where he established a settlement that included a temple of worship and a village (Green 57). In Illinois the Mormon peoples’ were met with threats, violence, and occasionally they were even killed. This was the case for their leader Joseph Smith; Smith was met with disgust from non-mormons when he attempted to run for presidency and his church riddled with scandal when the word of polygamy got out. With his tarnished reputation, Smith was ultimately murdered by an outraged mob, who then threatened other Mormons that if they did not leave they would be met with the same fate (Mormons into the West). With that warning, the Mormons picked a new leader, Brigham Young, who wanted to flee the American Border. Young set for travel with his new followers to the Great Salt Lake, which at the time was located in Mexico.

Mormonism is a religion created by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830(The Mormon Trail), its believers are referred to as Mormons and practice the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) (The Mormon Trail). Smith believed himself to be a prophet destined to “restore the original pure church the Christians in the Book of Mormon had created (Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion).” However, he was killed by a mob in Illinois but was replaced by his successor, Brigham Young. Their beliefs include a particular set of deity, afterlife, and they practice polygamy, which is one of the reasons the Mormons sought religious freedom.

Brigham Young was born on June 1, 1801, in Whitingham Vermont. Even as a young boy, Brigham always wanted to know the truth. He enjoyed learning and finding out new things. In 1830, a man named Joseph Smith, declared the new church, to be named: “The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints”. This was, and is, the church of Heavenly Father, our God, and his Son

Based upon the information gathered from Robert Millet about the Mormon perspectives on their religion. The Mormons renounced a distant, unknowable god of the Neoplatonists God of philosophers and worshiping a God, who possesses every divine attribute.(251 Metzger) Some of the Mormons views of God is similar in nature to the Christianity God. Joseph Smith, who is the founder of the Mormons, do realize God is an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God. He also knows God is a Holy God, who desire to reveal himself to his people. Muck points out; Mormons believe in the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. They believe "salvation is in Christ and that it comes by and through his holy name. The Mormons

Latter Day Saints also known as “Mormons”, they are followers of Jesus Christ. They believe that Jesus

This book attempt to show the common ground between Christianity and Mormonism by examining the individual areas of Scripture, God, Christ, the Trinity and Salvation. The summation of the author’s findings is that although there are great differences there is also much common ground that can be used to strengthen our relationship together and bring unity to the ecumenical community.

Mormonism is a multilayered religious organization with many faces. The words “multilayered” and “organization” are carefully chosen as they represent the bulk of what we will discuss as we seek to unveil the true essence of the Mormon world as they see it. We will summarize this organization and in so doing we will discover that it was built on human fallacy and deception from its inception. We will then follow with a critical look the claims, doctrines, and documents that frame their beliefs.

Along with Joseph Smith another famous supporter of the Mormon faith was Brigham Young, a penniless carpenter who had been looking for direction when his wife was near death, discovered Joseph Smith and Mormonism. Young felt that he had found the right church and decided to convert to Mormonism. Joseph Smith continued to express locals by saying that with Mormonism you could talk to God and have a personal relationship. In 1831, he sent out missionaries to get more converts. In 1833 the first Mormon temple was built in Kirtland, Ohio and by 1837 there were more than 3,000 converts. However, when Smith lost some money, many of his followers believed that he was an unfit leader and questioned if he was indeed a profit.

His ability to bring people together is what made the transition to Mormonism so easy. One of the most powerful factors operating within Mormonism that explains much of its success is the sense of collective responsibility for the welfare of all its members, almost from the beginning Mormons took care of their own (Remini 88). The Mormon Church also operated differently than all the others, which new believers liked. Besides the proselytizing skills of its members, there are no clergymen in the Mormon Church, a fact that appealed to many Americans who abominated privilege and deference in this democratic age (Remini 86). Joseph Smith’s revelations made him a God among the mortals, the last enlightened person since the passing of the last biblical apostles, which gave him immense power over the aspect of religion.

Christianity is a widespread religion, but many people have never heard of Mormonism, a religion said to have branched from Christianity. However, if you take a closer look at the two faiths, you will find that there are several differences and few similarities.

On April 6, 1980, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormon Church) was founded. [It is interesting to note that according to Mormon doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 20:1), April 6 is the birthday of Jesus Christ.] 10 years prior to this event, in 1820, fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith

Mormonism is a name meaning the spiritual principles of followers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well known as Mormons. Mormonism defines the guidelines of the Church that were reestablished to the world by the Prophet Joseph Smith. If you would ask the question “what is Mormonism” to a member, there’s a high change they would respond by acknowledging their love of Jesus Christ, he is the dominant part of the religion. Where can you find a continuing participant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, well they're instituted at every level of civilization. For instance, in a charity, business, education, science, political parties, government, news media, and lastly the entertainment productions. The originator of The Church, Joseph Smith, wrote, “the essential philosophies of our religion are regarding Jesus christ, he died and was buried, rose again and on the third day ascended into the heavens; all supplementary things which relate to our religion is only accessories to it.”The main beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are that Jesus Christ is the redeemer of the earth and the Son of our