Friday, January 4, 2013

Mormonism: Beliefs of the LDS Church

In Mormonism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830, starting out with only six members. Today the number reached over 14 million members. Though a very small amount in comparison to over 7 billion people, the church continues to grow, and faster than ever. Many people though wonder what the church believes, many say false things about them, and many just believe false ideas about them from rumors. This article is the truth about what these members (many call them "Mormons") believe and practice in their daily lives.
Attending Church: Every Sunday, (except for General Conference) Church members go to their assigned ward and they go to three sessions. Priesthood Session, (for elders. The women go to Relief Society) Sunday School, and Sacrament Meeting.
Sacrament Meeting is when all of the members of the ward go to the main room of the chapel, and partake of the sacrament, which was first established by Jesus Christ, in the Last Supper.
Daily Lives and Beliefs: After the sessions, and for everyday of their lives, members can choose to follow God's commandments, but when they commit a serious sin, they will be excommunicated (expelled) from the church. God's commandments include the Ten Commandments, the Word of Wisdom, and the knowing of right and wrong.
The Church also believes in the Book of Mormon as well as the Holy Bible. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith Jr. from the Gold Plates; a collection of ancient writings from ancient prophets in the Americas. The Book of Mormon is what the members refer to as, "The keystone to our religion."

Apostles, Prophets, Pastures, and Teachers: The Church is organized by a prophet which holds all the keys to the Priesthood. The prophet is accompanied by a first counselor, and a second counselor, and that makes up the First Presidency. The First Presidency leads the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This consists of twelve chosen men each holding some keys to the priesthood, all of them together hold the same keys as the prophet. They in turn lead the Quorums of the Seventy. Right now, there are eight quorums each consisting up to seventy members. They lead quorums of High Counselors, which are in charge of stake centers. They in turn lead the Stake Presidency, who leads the bishops who are in charge of the wards.

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