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Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

The Christian Protestant religion of Mormonism has an estimated 2,800,000 to 11,000,000 followers or Mormons or Latter Day Saints. Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) at Fayette, New York on April 6, 1830 and shortly afterwards, migrated to Missouri and then, to Ohio.

The early Mormon movement met opposition at many places, as they moved out west. Opposition in Ohio resulted in the violent death of Joseph Smith. Under the leadership of Brigham Young, a group of Mormons moved from Ohio to Salt Lake City, Utah circa 1846-1847. The headquarters of the largest Mormon sect, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) still resides in Salt Lake City.

Under the leadership of Emma Smith, who was the first wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., and Jason Briggs, another group moved back to Independence, Missouri. They established the "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS)", now called the "Community of Christ" church. One issue of concern of Mormonism was their practice of polygamy or having more than one wife, which was ended by the LDS church years later circa 1890-1907.

Furthermore, several more Mormon divisions were formed later. This includes the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS)" formed in Colorado City, Arizona and Hildale, Utah in 1935.

The foundation scriptures of the religion of Mormonism is titled the Book of Mormon. According to Joseph Smith, Jr., the "Book of Mormon" was written by Mormon (circa 428 A.D.) in some Egyptian dialect that had to be translated to him by angels. Also, Mormon was a direct descendent of one of the tribes of Israel that ended up in America and the father of Marconi, who later appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. in the form of an angel on various occasions.

According to the Book of Mormon, America is the "Land of Zion", where a new Jerusalem would be built. If it was built, the new Jerusalem would be either Salt Lake City, Utah or Independence, Missouri.



The main symbols of Mormonism are the cross and the Star of David (as used by Jews in Judaism). In Mormonism, God (the father) is called Elohim, which is one of the names that is commonly used for God by Hebrews. Mormons respect Jews and Judaism.

However, unlike Jews and Judaism, they believe that Jesus Christ was their Messiah. Furthermore, they consider themselves to be Christians and Joseph Smith and his successors to be prophets.

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah