Jesus Christ's Church | Mormon.org Jesus Christ's Church What was Jesus Christ’s original Church? Seeking divine guidance or help is among the most fundamental of human instincts. It is how we know we’re not alone. It is how Jesus Christ’s Church was returned to His people. God loves us and has consistently revealed light to His children. The embodiment of that light came to earth in the form of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ—whose birth had long been foretold by prophets. During His mortal life, Jesus declared His gospel, appointed Apostles, gave righteous men God’s priesthood, and directed followers in the performing of specific ordinances, such as baptism by immersion. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice fulfilled ancient promises made by God, promises that included the establishment of Christ’s Church on earth. But during the time after Christ’s Resurrection, there was considerable chaos and dissent; Apostles were martyred, and the foundational principles of Christ’s Church became diluted. As a result, the members of His Church were scattered. Left with only remnants of the original truth, each generation of earnest followers strayed further from the true teachings and doctrine of Christ’s Church until the priesthood authority was eventually lost to the world.

Expand Text In the 16th century, faithful religious reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin brought considerable enlightenment to a world darkened by apostasy. Luther proclaimed his “95 Theses,” where he outlined how Christianity had strayed. The movement spread all over Europe and created a crucial momentum of fervor for religious freedom. It became the rallying cry for pilgrims colonizing the New World, a place unique on earth for many reasons. Some 1,500 years earlier, Jesus Christ had visited people in the Americas before leaving this earth, teaching them as He did the people in the Old World. A record of His visit and the history of these faithful followers were recorded on golden plates and buried in the earth by an ancient prophet who lived on the American continent. It was here, in a land blessed with religious freedom, that Jesus Christ chose to restore His original Church. In 1830, He did just that through Joseph Smith, a young man who was called of God to bring forth the ancient record and, through the divine gift of translation, transcribe it. This work is called the Book of Mormon. This book of scripture bears witness to the divinity and teachings of Jesus Christ.

It calls us to repentance and helps us lead better and happier lives. We have a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayers. Our Heavenly Father answers the kinds of prayers where we earnestly petition Him for insight, wrestle with doubt, or implore Him for mercy. Sometimes when we pray, we do all of these things at once. It is through prayer that a boy named Joseph Smith came to a grove of trees in upstate New York in 1820, asking God to know which church to join. Earlier he had come across a scripture in the Bible, James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” As many of us do, Joseph was seeking light, and he found it, literally. He later related, “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.

One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17). Joseph was told that through him Jesus Christ would eventually restore His original Church, which had been lost through the apostasy of the previous millennia. Joseph was also told that in the coming years he would be called as a prophet. God chose Joseph Smith as a prophet much as He chose the ancient prophets—often from among the most humble and unlikely of candidates. With the clear-eyed dedication of youth, the farm boy from upstate New York eventually became God’s instrument for the considerable temporal work required to reestablish the truths, structure, and authority of Christ’s Church on earth. The Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church started from Joseph’s desire to know God and to serve Him, the sincere request from a young man kneeling in prayer. The answer to that prayer has blessed all of us who have done likewise, and we are promised that if we pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of the Restoration of Christ’s Church, we too will receive our own personal witness that they are true.

Mormon Church established - Apr 06, 1830 - HISTORY.com Mormon Church established Publisher A+E Networks In Fayette Township, New York, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, organizes the Church of Christ during a meeting with a small group of believers. Born in Vermont in 1805, Smith claimed in 1823 that he had been visited by a Christian angel named Moroni who spoke to him of an ancient Hebrew text that had been lost for 1,500 years. The holy text, supposedly engraved on gold plates by a Native American historian in the fourth century, related the story of Israelite peoples who had lived in America in ancient times. During the next six years, Smith dictated an English translation of this text to his wife and other scribes, and in 1830 The Book of Mormon was published. In the same year, Smith founded the Church of Christ–later known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–in Fayette Township. The religion rapidly gained converts, and Smith set up Mormon communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.

However, the Christian sect was also heavily criticized for its unorthodox practices, such as polygamy, and on June 27, 1844, Smith and his brother were murdered in a jail cell by an anti-Mormon mob in Carthage, Illinois. Two years later, Smith’s successor, Brigham Young, led an exodus of persecuted Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois, along the western wagon trails in search of religious and political freedom. In July 1847, the 148 initial Mormon pioneers reached Utah’s Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Upon viewing the valley, Young declared, “This is the place,” and the pioneers began preparations for the tens of thousands of Mormon migrants who would follow them and settle there. Related Videos Mormon Church Fast Facts - CNN.com Mormon Church Fast Facts CNN Library Updated 4:00 PM ET, Tue November 17, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

(CNN) Joseph Smith, Jr., (December 23, 1805-June 27, 1844) founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints around 1830. He is seen as a living prophet. "The Book of Mormon" is believed to be the result of Joseph Smith's communion with the divine. It is also the source of the common nickname for the church and its followers, Mormons. Beliefs/Practices: Joseph Smith claimed to have begun receiving messages at age 14 from God, Jesus Christ and other heavenly messengers. Read More Mormons consider themselves to be Christians. They follow the teachings found within the Christian "Bible," "The Book of Mormon," "Doctrine and Covenants" and "Pearls of Great Price." "The Book of Mormon" tells the story of Israelites who left Jerusalem around 600 B.C. and traveled to North America after a calling from God. They set up civilizations and centuries later witnessed an appearance by Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and resurrection. They believe that God sent many prophets to spread his word after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. The church is led by a prophet who also serves as president of the church.

The president serves for life. The church organization hierarchy is the all male General Authorities: the First Presidency (the president and two counselors), the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Quorum of the Seventy, the Second Quorum of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric (the bishop and two counselors); and the General Auxiliaries: the Primary, the all female Relief Society, Sunday School, Young Men and Young Women. Children are baptized at age eight. New members are also baptized. There are two orders of priesthood. A young man 12 or older can enter into the Aaronic priesthood, seen as an earthly priesthood. Melchizedek priesthood can be obtained when a man turns 18. This entails spiritual and heavenly duties. Follow a strict health code that prohibits the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee. They are encouraged to tithe - giving 10% of their earnings to the church. Many Mormons, between the ages 18 and 25 for males and 19 and 25 for females, become missionaries . Single men serve for two years; single women for 18 months. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Timeline: 1827 - Joseph Smith is purportedly shown by an angel the burial site of engraved golden plates that tell the story of American prophets living in the New World. 1830 - He publishes "The Book of Mormon," the translation of the golden plates deciphered through special stones and divine guidance. July 17, 1831 - Smith claims to have received the revelation commanding the practice of plural marriage. April 14, 1832 - Brigham Young is baptized into the church. 1835 - "Doctrine and Covenants" is published as a record of prophecies foretold to Joseph Smith. Smith writes in Section 132 that God has told him he can marry as many women as he wants. 1839 - Smith leads his followers to Commerce, Ill., where he becomes mayor and renames the town Nauvoo. February 1844 - Smith announces his candidacy for president of the United States. February 1844 - Smith along with his brother Hyrum are jailed on charges of treason after using militia to protect Nauvoo from violence instigated by those opposed to Smith's church.

June 27, 1844 - The jail, in Carthage, Illinois, where Smith and Hyrum are held is attacked, by an anti-Mormon mob and both men are killed. The death of Smith causes the church to splinter into three groups. A large group follows Brigham Young. Others follow Joseph Smith's son James and others follow James Strang. 1846-1847 - Brigham Young and his followers leave Illinois, settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. Young becomes president of the church. March 4, 1851-March 3, 1859 - Dr. John M. Bernhisel becomes the first Mormon to be elected to the U.S. Congress where he serves as the delegate for the Utah Territory in the House of Representatives. April 6-8, 1877 - Dedication for the first operating Mormon Temple in Utah, in St. George. It is the only temple completed during Brigham Young's tenure as president. September 24, 1890 - The practice of polygamy is banned by the church. By 1910 members who continue the practice are excommunicated.

April 6-24, 1893 - The Salt Lake Temple is dedicated in Salt Lake City. It is the largest in square footage and took 40 years to complete. 1917-1940 - William H. King (D-UT) is the first Latter-Day Saints member to be a U.S. senator. He also serves in the House from 1897-1900. January 4, 2007 - Harry Reid (D-Nev) is elected Senate majority leader, the highest office obtained by a Mormon in U.S. history. February 4, 2008 - Thomas S. Monson is chosen as the new president to replace Gordon B. Hinckley after Hinckley's death January 27. 2008 and 2011 - Mormon and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney , is a presidential aspirant for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. January 27, 2015 - At a press conference, Mormon leaders pledge to support anti-discrimination laws for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, as long the laws also protect the rights of religious groups.

They also state that this pledge does not change church doctrine -- including its opposition to gay marriage and that it is "unfair" to characterize the church's announcement as a national nondiscrimination campaign. How Mormonism Was Founded - Business Insider print Cumorah Hill in upstate New York -- the place where it all began. Our next President may be a Mormon, so it seems a good time to learn some things about that particular religion. For example: Do Mormons have any weird beliefs or practices that might make a President do strange things? Is there a Mormon "pope" or other boss that a President might feel some greater allegiance to? Can Mormons truly separate "church" and "state"—or do they think that their "God's law" is higher than American law? And so on... And how did Mormonism come to be, anyway? Wasn't it founded only a relatively little while ago by some dude in upstate New York? (Upstate New York?!) I didn't know the answer to any of these questions. So, I've begun searching for answers. My first stop, which all the information below comes from, was John Krakauer's 2003 book Under The Banner Of Heaven: A Story Of Violent Faith .

Krakauer's book is mainly about the horrific killing of a mother and her baby by two "Fundamentalist" Mormons in Utah, who believe that God ordered them to do it. These fundamentalists don't have much to do with mainstream Mormonism, in the same way that fundamentalists in most religions don't have much to do with the mainstream in those religions. But Krakauer's book also tells the story of Mormonism in general, with several chapters devoted to the founding of the religion, the "exodus" that took the early Mormons west, the current church, and one of the favorite Mormon topics of non-Mormons, polygamy (more on this soon, I promise). Anyway, on the assumption that many of you might also be interested in Mormonism—and, importantly, with what the Mormonism of our President might mean for the rest of us non-Mormons—I'm going to tell you some of what I've learned. As I do so, I'd love to hear from Mormons and other Mormon experts. Krakauer is obviously only one source (albeit, I think, a neutral one). Does Krakauer get it right? Is there an important other side to these stories?

What should people know about Mormons and Mormonism? Please share your thoughts in the comments below (or email me at hblodget@businessinsider.com). Joseph Smith, the fellow who founded the Mormon church. Wikipedia In the meantime, I'll start with some cool tidbits about the founding of Mormonism: The fellow who founded Mormonism, Joseph Smith, was a 24-year self-professed psychic who lived in Palmyra, in upstate New York. In 1826, Smith was accused of fraud for pretending he could use "seer" stones to figure out where a lost cache of silver was (he didn't) As Smith and his followers later described it, in 1823, when Smith was 17, a few years before the fraud charge, he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who had quite a story to tell. Moroni told Smith that some gold plates containing a sacred 1,400 year-old text were buried on a hill nearby. The angel told Smith to go dig on the hill, which he did. Smith dug up a box that contained the gold plates. When he tried to take them, they disappeared. Moroni.

Wikipedia Moroni demanding that Smith show up on the hill once a year to receive instruction...but without being allowed to touch the plates. Then, in 1826, Moroni told Smith that he would be given one chance to have the plates the following year—as long as he married a girl named Emma Hale. Smith had alread met Hale (and, Krakauer implies, taken a liking to her). Smith asked Hale's father repeatedly to let her marry him. The father refused—on account of Smith having been convicted of fraud. Smith persuaded Emma to elope with him. Smith and his new wife, Emma Hale, went to the special hill on the appointed night. Emma turned her back on Smith. He unearthed a box. The angel, Moroni, allowed him to take the gold plates this time. Several of Smith's followers later said they saw and held the plates, which had "Egyptian" characters on them. The plates have since disappeared. Cumorah Hill, where Joseph Smith dug up the gold plates Smith said the angel, Moroni, had also given him special glasses that allowed him to "read" the characters on the plates.

Using these magic "interpreters," he transcribed 116 pages of the story they told. Then, a neighbor whose wife was skeptical that Smith was actually "translating" anything borrowed the manuscript to persuade her. The manuscript disappeared. The prevailing theory is that the neighbor's wife, furious that her husband was being taken in by a con man, destroyed it. Smith prayed. The angel gave him another chance. The following year, 1828, Moroni gave him the plates back—but not the magic glasses. So, this time, Smith used one of his favorite "seer" stones. "Day after day...Joseph would place the magic rock in an upturned hat, bury his face in it with the stack of gold plates sitting nearby, and dictate the lines of scripture that appeared to him out of the blackness. He worked at a feverish pace during this second phase of the translation, averaging some thirty-five hundred words a day, and by the end of June 1829, the job was finished." The words that Joseph Smith dictated while staring at a rock in a hat became "The Book Of Mormon," which Smith immediately self-published.

Smith was broke and couldn't pay the $3,000 printing tab—so he told his neighbor that God ordered the neighbor to pay the bill. This neighbor was the one whose wife had freaked out about the original manuscript (she had since grown so exasperated that she had divorced him). Smith told the neighbor that God had threatened the neighbor with "misery," including the "destruction of thyself and property" if the neighbor refused. The neighbor sold his farm and paid the bill. The 588-page Book of Mormon rolled off the presses. A week later, on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith incorporated his new religion. Some thoughts: First, although one's first instinct is obviously to howl with laughter at the fact that an entire religion is based on a book written by a self-professed psychic staring into a hat, this "genesis" story probably isn't all that much more ridiculous than the stories and texts involved in the founding of many other religions. The book that Joseph Smith dictated while staring into a hat. flickr Second, as far as religions go, Mormonism is strikingly new—less than 200 years old—so most people aren't used to it yet.

After another couple of millennia, Mormonism may well enjoy the same "establishment" position as Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and other major religions. Third, Joseph Smith would later be called a "religious genius," and if the history of Mormonism reveals anything it's that the religion would never have had a leg to stand on if it weren't for his vast powers of persuasion and promotion. Most entrepreneurs have to scratch and claw and wheel and deal to get their enterprises off the ground, and the power to persuade others to drop their skepticism and pick up the torch is often critical to success. Smith had that in spades, and his genius rubbed off on others. In the span of less than 200 years, Mormonism has become one of the world's major religions. So that's how Mormonism began. Next up: The Book Of Mormon... UPDATE: Many readers have weighed in with thoughtful, smart comments below. I've featured several of them. (Thank you: This is exactly what I hoped would happen.) UPDATE 2: One of the words above that many readers objected to was my use of the word "psychic" to describe Smith.

Krakauer uses the word "seer," which to me means much the same thing. The Wikipedia definition of "psychic" supports this view, I think, and it lists "seers and prophets" as a section. It's possible that the word "psychic" has a negative connotation that "seer" did not have. Jesus Christ's Church | Mormon.org Jesus Christ's Church What was Jesus Christ’s original Church? Seeking divine guidance or help is among the most fundamental of human instincts. It is how we know we’re not alone. It is how Jesus Christ’s Church was returned to His people. God loves us and has consistently revealed light to His children. The embodiment of that light came to earth in the form of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ—whose birth had long been foretold by prophets. During His mortal life, Jesus declared His gospel, appointed Apostles, gave righteous men God’s priesthood, and directed followers in the performing of specific ordinances, such as baptism by immersion. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice fulfilled ancient promises made by God, promises that included the establishment of Christ’s Church on earth.

But during the time after Christ’s Resurrection, there was considerable chaos and dissent; Apostles were martyred, and the foundational principles of Christ’s Church became diluted. As a result, the members of His Church were scattered. Left with only remnants of the original truth, each generation of earnest followers strayed further from the true teachings and doctrine of Christ’s Church until the priesthood authority was eventually lost to the world. Take the Quiz Why was Jesus Christ’s Church restored? Jesus Christ’s request to His disciples was simple: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). During His ministry on earth, it was He who personally chose and called His twelve Apostles when He organized His Church. Jesus Christ answered the questions of truth seekers and troublemakers alike and explained His gospel to all who would listen. He also gave direction to His chosen leaders—to the Apostles after He was resurrected and later to Paul on the road to Damascus. In every case, the direction of Christ’s Church came from Jesus Christ Himself. One might wonder then, why, if Jesus Christ is central to every Christian denomination, all Christian churches are not the same? Consider the children’s game of telephone.

In this game, one person speaks a few words or sentences in his or her neighbor’s ear, that person then tells the next person, and the words continue to be passed down the line. The message begins clearly enough, but as it is shared from person to person, words are inadvertently lost, added, or changed, and the resulting communication isn’t the same as the original. If you repeat the activity with the same phrase or sentence, the result is a little different every time. The Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ had heard His words directly. But they and the other leaders they selected were eventually martyred. Because the words of Christ’s gospel were being shared by various people in diverse places, it’s no surprise that differences in the doctrine appeared along the way. Moreover, just as in the times of Noah, Moses, and other prophets, the refusal of people in later periods of time to accept divine commandments limited God’s communication with humankind. But it never limited His love for His children. Play I HAD A FAITH—But Could I Have More? Brian Donahue was well versed in the Bible and had a strong religious upbringing, but he still felt something was missing.

In his search to discover what that was, he never thought the answer would come directly from God. “When I prayed to ask God if what the missionaries taught me was true, it brought a feeling of love, joy, and peace.” How can I know His true Church today? Throughout the ages and regardless of culture or continent, God has heard—and answered—the prayers of the faithful. The Bible is written documentation of God’s communications through prophets to His people. History is also replete with accounts from people who have felt God’s guiding hand aiding them in their personal efforts and trials. But it was not until 1830, in answer to a fervent prayer by a young man named Joseph Smith, that our Heavenly Father reestablished the original Church of Jesus Christ on earth again. Joseph Smith had prayed to know which of all of the churches was true. In answer, Jesus Christ and God the Father appeared to him and spoke directly to him, telling him that none of the churches had the fulness of the gospel. They told Joseph that he would be the instrument to reestablish Christ’s Church as it had been organized during Jesus’s earthly ministry. By Christ’s authority, twelve Apostles were again called to lead that Church and receive direct revelation.

This direct communication with the Savior continues today, and He is at the head of and directs the work of His Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is as its name attests: it is the Church of Jesus Christ. As with the early Church that we read about in the scriptures, it is led by a prophet who instructs God’s people under the Savior’s direction. And because it is Christ’s Church, Church members continue to fulfill His commandment to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them . . . [and] teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). They also strive to live His other commandments and to follow His example by serving and loving those around them. Today, as disciples have before us, we too can fulfill Christ’s commandment to “follow me.” History of the Mormon Church Early History of the Mormon Church 1805 Joseph Smith, is born in Sharon, Vermont 1820 Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray concerning which church to join. He had his First Vision of God the Father and Jesus who appeared to him and told him not to join any of the denominational churches.

(Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2:3 & 17-19). other dates given with a different versions of the vision 1832, 1835, 1840, 1842, 1855, and 1879). 1823 Sept. 21 An angel called Moroni, a resurrected being who is supposed to be the son of Mormon who was the leader of the Nephites who had previously lived in the Americas. Moroni directed Smith to the hill Cumorah in upstate NY. He could dig and find these golden tablets (plates) which was written in reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics a sacred record of the people who lived on the American continent prior to the time of the Indians. Joseph examined the plates once a year until 1827. 1826 March, He was found guilty of the misdemeanor of "glass looking" by Justice Albert Neely (claimed to find treasures and lost property by looking into a hat containing seer stones) 1827 Sept.

22, Angel Moroni gives Smith the Golden Plates and instructs him on how to begin the translation process which will later become the Book of Mormon . 1828 June; Joseph Smith joined the Methodist church but was given an ultimatum of either withdrawing his name or standing an investigation. He withdrew his name. "We (members of the church) thought it was a disgrace to the church to have a practicing necromancer, a dealer in enchantments and bleeding ghosts, in it." (The Anboy Journal p. 1 June 11, 1879) Question? Why Did Smith try to join this church after he already received the revelation that they were all abominable? "I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were and abomination in his sight, that those professors were all corrupt.... (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith--History 1:19, Page 49) Wouldnt this be considered disobedience and even joining what he called the apostates. 1829 Smith finishes translation of the Golden Plates, publishes Book of Mormon.

(Smith did this by looking into a hat with a seer stone "peepstones", prior to using this method of translating the book of Mormon He would place his face into the hat and see visions of buried treasure, lost property, of which he was formerly convicted of glass looking.) 1829 "After the completion of the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829, the angel (Moroni) again appeared to Joseph Smith and received back the plates into his keeping," (Essentials In Church History, Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 68). 1829 May, John the Baptist allegedly conferred the priesthood of Aaron upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. And baptized Smith to accomplish the restoring the true church by preaching the true restored gospel which, had been lost from the earth. 1829 Peter, James, and John, appeared and conferred the priesthood of Melchizedek upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. D and C 7. says "John the beloved shall live until hard at the Lord's work bringing souls to Christ." the Lord comes. According to Mormon teachings, four apostles are to stay alive until Jesus second coming. History shows they all died.

Many Mormon leaders still claim they have received spiritistic contacts from their dead "masters"Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, other church presidents (Journal of Discourses, Vol., p. 369; Vol. 7, p. 240; Crowther, op. cit., p. 60) 1830 April 6, Joseph Smith, Jr. founded the church called the Church of Christ. (An Address to All Believers in Christ, David Whitmer, p. 73) 1830 March, first publication of the Book of Mormon. 1831 Moves to Kirtland, OH., Temple was commenced to be built on March, 27, 1836. 1833 Smiths First 65 revelations are printed in Book of Commandments. 1834 Why did Smith change the Name of the Church after God already told him 4 years before what to name it? "In June, 1829, the Lord gave us the name by which we must call the church, being the same as He gave the Nephites.

We obeyed His commandment, and called it The Church of Christ until 1834, when, through the influence of Sydney Rigdon, the name of the church was changed to The Church of the Latter Day Saints, dropping out the name of Christ entirely..." (An Address to All Believers In Christ Witmer, p. 73). Now to be called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). 1834 New First Vision information on Joseph Smith's age. "I shall, therefore, pass over that, till 1 come to the 15th year of his life," (Vol. 1, Messenger and Advocate, Dec. 1834, p. 42) 1844 June 27, mob attacks jail in Carthage, Ill., Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum are killed. Smith was smuggled in a pistol and he defended himself During the attack, Joseph Smith killed two men and wounded a third with a small pistol he had smuggled into him. (History of the Church, Vol. 7, p. 103). Hardly a martyr as the describe him. Brigham Young was a member of the church's Council of Twelve Apostles.

When Smith was killed, Young succeeded him as leader of the church 1844 Several splinter groups break off from main group in Nauvoo during the next few years (Divergent Paths of the Restoration). 1846 In February Brigham Young lead the Mormons out of Nauvoo, IL, choosing the site which is now Salt Lake City. 1847 July 24, Mormons arrived in Salt Lake City. 1847 BrighamYoung officially becomes the second prophet of the LDS Church. (Deseret News Church Almanac, 19n, p. 92). 1852 Brigham Young teaches Adam-God doctrine. "When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael the Archangel the Ancient of Days! About whom holy men have written and spoken -- He is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 50). 1855 Doctrine & Covenants, Brigham Young preaches in a sermon.

"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned."(Journal of Discourses vol.3 p.266) (Deseret News, Nov. 14, 1855). 1861 Brigham Young said, "Some years ago (9 to be exact) I advanced a doctrine with regard to Adam being our Father and God. That will be a curse to many of the elders of Israel because of their folly with regard to it. They yet grovel in darkness and will. It is one of the most glorious revealments of the economy of heaven. Yet the world holds it in derision." (Manuscript Addresses of Brigham Young, Oct 8, 1861). Church: Mormon founder Joseph Smith wed 40 wives - CNN.com Church: Mormon founder Joseph Smith wed 40 wives By Daniel Burke, CNN Updated 3:54 PM ET, Tue November 11, 2014 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

JUST WATCHED Mormon founder Joseph Smith wed 40 wives 01:59 Story highlights Mormon founder wed as many as 40 wives, church says The church had previously painted its prophet as married to one woman Revelation comes as painful shock to some Mormons (CNN) The founder of the Mormon church , Joseph Smith, wed as many as 40 wives, including some who were already married and one as young as 14 years old, the church acknowledged in a surprising new essay . Smith's marital history had been the subject of frequent historical debate, but until recently Mormon leaders had taken pains to present its founding prophet as happily married to one woman. Now, the church says, "careful estimates put the number between 30 and 40." The church, officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, disavowed plural marriage in 1890 under pressure from the U.S. government, which had imprisoned polygamists and seized their assets. Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Joanna Brooks, a faithful Mormon, believes there's room in her church for loving criticism.

For 10 years, she turned away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But now she's back, writing and blogging about a religion and people she couldn't love more. Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Brooks, a descendant of Mormon pioneers who struggled, is inspired by her heritage. She attends events like the annual Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day in San Diego to honor those who walked before her. Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Each night at dinner, daughters Ella, left, and Rosa, right, recite prayers for Brooks and her Jewish husband, David Kamper. Sometimes the girls are inspired by their Mormonism; other times by their Judaism. Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Ella, 8, wears her mother's bonnet while sitting in the driver's seat of a covered wagon at a historic site celebrating Mormon contributions to early San Diego history.

Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Rosa, 6, opens a large cabinet in the family's garage to reveal stockpiles of food, which could feed the family for up to nine months, Brooks says. The LDS Church recommends food storage in case of disasters. Hide Caption 5 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Rosa helps out in the kitchen, stirring the ingredients for pancakes. When her daughters are old enough, Brooks says, they will choose the religious path they want to walk. She's not worried about them because "God has a plan for everyone." Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – The Book of Mormon and a study guide sit among sections of The New York Times. Brooks is on a mission to humanize her often misunderstood faith and doesn't hold back in responding to editorials she views as unfair.

Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Brooks met her husband at a union party for teaching assistants when they were in graduate school. She honors his Judaism, has never asked him to convert, and her acceptance has helped him get over what they call his "Jesus allergy." Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Scattered on the family refrigerator are signs of this household's spirit. Among the magnets are some from the Feminist Mormon Housewives blog, including one that says, "Jesus loves us. Who cares what you think?" Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Brooks and Kamper are professors and department chairs at San Diego State University -- she in English and comparative literature, he in American Indian studies. At night, in their home office, she does her research and blogging.

Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – With Mitt Romney's presidential bid, curious eyes are trained on Mormonism. Brooks, an Obama supporter and longtime gay rights activist, hopes people emerge from this election cycle more educated about and accepting of others. Hide Caption 11 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Brooks recently self-published her memoir, "The Book of Mormon Girl: Stories from an American Faith." Writing it allowed her to heal from past hurts she's felt as a Mormon and will someday help her daughters better understand their mother. Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – She speaks openly about issues that many in the church wish she'd avoid. But Brooks is committed to being her authentic self. She refuses "to be ashamed of being Mormon" or of holding beliefs that don't mirror expectations.

Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – Brooks has emerged as an accidental and unofficial voice of Mormonism, all while serving as a full-time faculty member at San Diego State University. Her work ethic and ability to do so much at once don't surprise those who know her. Hide Caption 14 of 16 Photos: Photos: Keeping the faith, daring to be different Keeping the faith, daring to be different – As a young activist, Brooks watched her beloved church crack down on -- and even excommunicate -- her intellectual heroes. Today, she trusts that times are changing and that she can speak up without being cast into the wilderness. Hide Caption Mormon Church founded | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church. Metadata Make Gilder Lehrman your Home for History Already have an account? Please click here to login and access this page. How to subscribe Click here to get a free subscription if you are a K-12 educator or student, and here for more information on the Affiliate School Program, which provides even more benefits.

Otherwise, click here for information on a paid subscription for those who are not K-12 educators or students. Make Gilder Lehrman your Home for History Become an Affiliate School to have free access to the Gilder Lehrman site and all its features. Click here to start your Affiliate School application today! You will have free access while your application is being processed. Individual K-12 educators and students can also get a free subscription to the site by making a site account with a school-affiliated email address. Click here to do so now! Make Gilder Lehrman your Home for History Why Gilder Lehrman? Your subscription grants you access to archives of rare historical documents, lectures by top historians, and a wealth of original historical material, while also helping to support history education in schools nationwide. Click here to see the kinds of historical resources to which you'll have access and here to read more about the Institute's educational programs. Individual subscription: $25 Click here to sign up for an individual subscription to the Gilder Lehrman site. Make Gilder Lehrman your Home for History Upgrade your Account We're sorry, but it looks as though you do not have access to the full Gilder Lehrman site.

All K-12 educators receive free subscriptions to the Gilder Lehrman site, and our Affiliate School members gain even more benefits! How to Subscribe K-12 educator or student? Click here to edit your profile and indicate this, giving you free access, and here for more information on the Affiliate School Program . Not a educator or student? Click here for more information on purchasing a subscription to the Gilder Lehrman site. Mormonism's History | CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry by Matt Slick Mormonism began with Joseph Smith Jr., who was born on Dec. 23, 1805 in Vermont. He was the fourth child of Lucy and Joseph Smith. Joseph senior was known as a money digger and sought after buried treasure particularly that of Captain Kidd. His mother was highly superstitious. Joseph Smith Jr. stated that he was disturbed by all the different denominations of Christianity and wondered which was true. In 1820, when he was 14, he went into the woods to pray concerning this; and allegedly God the Father and Jesus appeared to him and told him not to join any of the denominational churches. Three years later, on Sept.

21, 1823, when he was 17 years old, an angel called Moroni, who was supposed to be the son of Mormon, the leader of the people called the Nephites who had lived in the Americas, appeared to him and told him that he had been chosen to translate the book of Mormon which was compiled by Moroni's father around the 4th century. The book was written on golden plates hidden near where Joseph was then living in Palmyra, New York. Joseph Smith said that on Sept. 22, 1827, he received the plates; and the angel Moroni instructed him to begin the translation process. The translation was finally published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon. Joseph claimed that during this translation process, John the Baptist appeared to him and ordained him to accomplish the divine work of restoring the true church by preaching the true gospel which, allegedly, had been lost from the earth. The Book of Mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the Middle-East to the Americas. It covers the period of about 600 B.C. to A.D. 400.

It tells of the Jaredites, people from the Tower of Babel who came to central America but perished because of their own immorality. It also describes some Jews who fled persecution in Jerusalem and came to America led by a man called Nephi. The Jews divided into two groups known as the Nephites and Lamanites who fought each other. The Nephites were defeated in A.D. 428. The Lamanites continued and are known as the American Indians. The Book of Mormon is the account of the Nephite leader, Mormon, concerning their culture, civilization, and appearance of Jesus to the Americas. After the publication of the Book of Mormon, Mormonism began to grow. Because their religion was so deviant from Christianity, i.e., plurality of gods, polygamy (Joseph is said to have had 27 wives), etc., persecution soon forced them to move from New York to Ohio, then to Missouri, and finally to Nauvoo, Illinois. After being accused of breaking some laws in Nauvoo (for destroying a printing press that was publishing harmful information on Mormonism), Joseph and his brother Hyrum ended up in jail.

A mob later broke into the jail and killed Joseph and his brother. After the shooting, the church divided into two groups: One led by his widow which went back to Independence Missouri. They are known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They claim to be the true Church and lay claim to the legal succession of the church presidency which was bestowed upon Joseph's son by Joseph Smith himself. The other group was led by Brigham Young; and they went to Utah where in 1847, they ended up in Salt Lake and founded Salt Lake City. Brigham had 25 wives and accumulated much wealth. This article is also available in: Español , Português

Question: Who founded the Mormon church?
Answer: Joseph Smith