Mormonism refers to the Latter Day Saint movement begun by Joseph Smith in the 1820s and 1830s, and often known as Mormons for the Book of Mormon, published by Smith.
Smith's followers became known as Mormons. After Smith was killed by a mob in 1844, most of his followers joined Brigham Young, forming the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the LDS Church, which is still the largest of the Mormon sects.
Over the years, there have been several divisions, many of which did not survive. Most of the breakaway Mormon sects are quite small. The second-largest Mormon denomination was known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until 2001, when it was renamed the Community of Christ.
Mormons share a common set of beliefs with the rest of the LDS movement, including the use of the Bible, as well as on other religious publications, such as the Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price.
First published in 1835, the Doctrine and Covenants was originally made up of two parts, a series of lectures on church doctrine, and a collection of revelations or covenants of the church. However, the LDS Church and the Community of Christ have removed the portion of the book on doctrine, leaving the covenants, most of which were written by Joseph Smith.
The Book of Mormon is considered sacred by most segments of the Mormon movement, which hold that it contains the writings of ancient prophets who resided on the American continent from 2200 BC to 421 AD. Mormon tradition is that the book was originally written in a language known as Reformed Egyptian, and engraved on golden plates.
According to Smith, the last prophet to contribute to the Book of Mormon was Moroni, who buried the plates in what is now New York. Moroni appeared to Smith as an angel in 1827, revealing the location of the plates, after which Smith translated it.
The Pearl of Great Price is a collection of articles written by Smith, discussing various aspects of the doctrine and teachings of the LDS Church. It is part of the canon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and some of the other Mormon sects.
English-speaking Mormons use the Authorized King James Version of the Bible.
Mormons teach that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate beings and that the Holy Spirit has only a spirit body. Mormonism also holds that God the Father is the literal father of the spirits of all men and women. The LDS Church also believes in a Heavenly Mother.
Children of God can become exalted, becoming co-heirs with Christ, inheriting all that God has including deity.
Mormonism holds that the original Christian doctrine has been corrupted and that it is the only true form of Christianity. They believe that God reestablished His Church through Joseph Smith. Angels such as James, John, John the Baptist, and Peter appeared to Joseph Smith. Other Christian religions have only a portion of the truth.
To Mormons, life on earth is a short part of eternal existence, its purpose being to learn to choose good over evil. Earth is only one of several inhabited worlds.
Mormons practice several ordinances, which may differ from one sect to another, including ordinances for salvation that may be performed on behalf of the deceased.
Mormons consider themselves to be within the category of Christianity, although Mormonism is considered a cult by many other Christian denominations.
The several divisions in Mormonism can be considered in three main movements. The largest, of course, is mainstream Mormonism, as characterized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The others include Mormon fundamentalism and Mormon liberalism.
The LDS Church distances itself from the other Mormon branches, and is quick to excommunicate or discipline members who take positions outside of mainstream Mormonism, such as polygamy.
A characteristic that sets fundamental Mormonism apart from the mainstream is the practice of polygamy. Once a practice of the mainstream LDS Church, the larger body discontinued the practice in the early 1900s. Fundamentals teach that plural marriage is a requirement for exaltation, allowing them to live as gods and goddesses in the afterlife. Fundamentalists may also believe in other doctrines taught by Brigham Young in the 1800s, but which have been abandoned by the mainstream LDS body.
Liberalism has found its way into Mormonism as it has in the rest of Christianity, including LGBT-friendly denominations, and others that have rejected some of more of the teachings of Joseph Smith.
Websites representing any denomination with roots in Mormonism may be submitted to this category, as well those in opposition to Mormonism.
Categories
Recommended Resources
Created by a team of students of the Nephite scripture who seek to improve understanding and engagement with the Book of Mormon, the site features an interactive Scriptures application, which is a word by word exegesis of the text linked to the LDS canon and the archive. The archive is a digital repository of textual, visual, and audio resources relevant to the Book of Mormon. Notes, essays, memes, podcasts, and videos are also available.
https://bookofmormoncentral.org/
Centennial Park Action Committee
Representing the Mormon breakaway group known as The Work of Jesus Christ, the fundamentalist Mormon body is headquartered in Centennial Park, Arizona. Although there is no formal relationship between the FLDS Church and the Centennial Park group, it broke with Leroy S. Johnson, the senior member of the Priesthood Council of the FLDS Church in the 1980s. Its mission statement and informational articles are set forth.
http://www.cpaction.org/
Unaffiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this site is a project of the Nauvoo Land and Records Office and the Pioneer Research Group of the "Winter Quarters" Nebraska area, this site compiles and relates the early history of the Mormon Church, including the trails, the pioneers, settlements, cemeteries, and places that were touched by them before they settled in Utah.
http://www.earlylds.com/
Also known as the Aaronic Order or the Order of Aaron, the House of Aaron separated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1943 and is headquartered in Eskdale, Utah. Its history, beliefs, and a profile of the LDS body are set forth, along with a calendar of events, information videos and articles, music, and photographs. Membership information and an online shopping area are included.
http://www.houseofaaron.org/
Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ
Headquartered in Derbyshire, England, The Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ was founded in 2007 by Matthew P. Gill, who translated the Book of Jaraneck. Its beliefs, articles of faith, membership policies, and general information about the denomination are set forth, along with its organizational structure, leadership, a video archive, and a library of books accepted by the denomination. An online shopping area is included.
https://www.latterdaymormon.co.uk/
Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism
The site highlights the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Apostolic United Brethren, the Kingstons, the LeBarons, and the independent fundamentalist Mormon denominations and sects. For each, their formation and former relationships are examined, with an overview of their characteristic of differentiating doctrines and practices, organizational structure, and other details.
http://www.mormonfundamentalism.com/
Founded in 1965, the MHA is an independent, non-profit organization created for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating the study and understanding of Mormon history, and to publish the Journal of Mormon History, as well as a free digital newsletter available upon request. Its awards and publications, a calendar of conferences and events, contacts, and job openings are posted to the site.
https://mormonhistoryassociation.org/
Mormon Matters is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Wotherspoon that discusses subjects related to Mormonism, including news, theological and historical topics, and other events from a Mormon perspective. Policy information, a schedule of retreats and other events, an online bookstore, a blog, and a repository of podcasts of the show, sorted by topical category. Contributions may be made through the site.
https://www.mormonmatters.org/
Intended as a reference for orthodox Mormons, unorthodox Mormons, former Mormons, and those who are members of the church but aware of historical, theological or social issues within the body. The full range of beliefs within the Mormon family is outlined, including Mormon outreach to the LGBTQ community. An interactive map and directory show Mormon communities that may meet various needs.
https://www.mormonspectrum.org/
The MRM is a non-Mormon Christian organization that focuses on marking comparisons between Mormonism and what it terms biblical Christianity, offering a critical evaluation of Mormonism. Intended as an outreach to Mormon people and others who might be considering Mormonism, the organization is funded through private donations. Articles, essays, video, photographs, and an online shopping area are featured.
http://www.mrm.org/
Online since 1995, and not affiliated with any specific religion, the website is aimed at those who are questioning their faith in the Mormon Church, as well as those who are in need of support as they transition away from Mormonism to something else. It includes informational articles and documents, tips on resigning from the Mormon Church, and stories from former Mormons. An online discussion forum is included.
https://www.exmormon.org/
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Remnant Church is part of the Latter Day Saint movement which separated from what was then the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1999 and is headquartered in Independence, Missouri. A statement of faith, leadership, and administrative contacts are published to the site, along with a calendar of events, a library of scriptures and other publications of the church, and an online store are included.
https://www.theremnantchurch.com/
The Church of Christ with The Elijah Message
The denomination broke away from the Church of Christ (Fettingite) in 1943. The official denominational website offers an introduction to the church, a mission statement, and articles on various topics, such as salvation, articles of faith, and the foundation of the Church of Christ. Several church tracts are included, along with a blog, announcements, contacts, and a schedule of online broadcasts, which are live each Sunday morning.
http://www.elijahmessage.net/
The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerites)
Headquartered in Independence, Missouri, the LDS denomination was founded in 1853 by Alpheus Cutler, one of Joseph Smith’s Council of Fifty and member of the Nauvoo High Council. Claiming to be the only legitimate LDS church in the world, the church has only one branch. Its location, history, doctrines, and biographical information about its founder are set forth, along with announcements and contacts.
http://www.cutlerite.org/
Established in 1955 by Ross Wesley LeBaron, the church split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, claiming the lines of priesthood from Alma Dayer LeBaron, who had been ordained by Benjamin F. Johnson, who had himself received the keys to the priesthood from Joseph Smith. Its articles of faith, downloadable informational pamphlets, sermon audio, and a biography of Fred Collier are set forth.
http://church-of-the-firstborn.org/
The Mormon Church: Christian, Cult, or Both?
Created and presented by an anonymous author who claims to have been a high-ranking Mormon at one time, the site is focused on presenting evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult, beginning with the dictionary definition of the word, then detailing how the LDS Church meets the definition. An introduction to the site, along with links to additional information are included.
http://www.mormoncult.org/
Although not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or any other Mormon denomination, the site offers an introduction to Mormonism that covers a variety of topics, including the Book of Mormon and other Mormon scriptures, Mormon temple worship, their belief in and about Jesus Christ, the significance and potential of families, the testimony of the apostles, and a blog.er.
https://whymormonism.org/
