Who are the Mormons? The fastest-growing of America’s homegrown religions, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Mormonism – began as a small sect in New York and is now a global church with 14 million members. Beginnings Practice 1830 Joseph Smith Lay priesthood Men share (1805-44), living in rural responsibility for congregations, New York, publishes serve as missionaries for two Book of Mormon, years; church led by a president, a translation of counselors revelations he said he Smith got from the angel Moroni 1830s Smith, his followers begin move west to escape persecution for beliefs, especially polygamy (no longer practiced)

1847 Mormon pioneers, led Latter-day Saints missionaries by Brigham Young, settle in Salt Lake Temples Only Mormons can valley; Young designs enter; used for baptism, marriage; Salt Lake City Sunday services held in chapels, Young called “wards” Major belief Family Dominated by men, who confer blessings on family God as three distinct persons • The Father, an eternal being Ancestors Church runs world’s with a glorified body, who created all largest genealogy library because people as spirit-children before Earth Mormons believe the dead can be was made baptized • His Son, Jesus Famous choir Christ, who was born of the Virgin Mary and died on the cross for people’s sins • Holy Ghost, a divine spirit

Baptism Mormon Tabernacle Choir for remission 360 volunteers; weekly live of sins, life after radio broadcasts since 1929 death, physical resurrection 14 million of body 2010 12 Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Mormons’ headquarters 9 Mormon growth Church membership worldwide, 6 in millions 1950 1.1 million 3 1900 283,765 1830 280

1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Utah” by Tom and Gayen Wharton © 2011 MCT