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Definition:
Officially known as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormon church was
established by Joseph Smith (1805-1844) in 1830 in upstate New York, then again in
1831 in Ohio after he was forced to move. During his lifetime he was not able to
create a permanent home for his followers, and after his death most took the long
journey to Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young (1805-1877), where they founded
Salt Lake City and created a home.
Mormon doctrines are based upon the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price, all the product of communication with God and all of which are regarded as scripture on an equal level with the Bible.
There are a number of Mormon groups which have broken off of from the main LDS church. The largest is the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, based in Independence, Missouri. It was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr., who refused to move to Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young. Today it has around 250,000 members who are often called "Missouri Mormons" to distinguish them from the Utah cousins. The fundamental disagreement between the two groups was based upon succession after the murder of Joseph Smith: should his successor be from his family lineage, or from a high church office? Those who stayed in Missouri believed the former whereas those who followed Young believed the latter.
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What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
