Profile: Mormonism

Founded:   Officially incorporated as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr.

Current Organization:   Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Mormon Church is one of the fastest growing religious bodies in the United States. At the death of Joseph Smith, a split occurred, resulting in the establishment of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) which is headquartered in Illinois. The larger, better known LDS church represent those who followed Brigham Young to Utah.

Description:  . The Mormon Church currently claims about 9.7 million baptized members worldwide, up from about 2.5 million in 1970, and about equally divided between the U.S. (4.8 million) and all other countries. It is growing fastest in Latin America and Asia. The Mormon Church collects at least $4.5 billion a year from its members, and generates at least another $4 billion in sales from its various business enterprises. (At least 100 companies are controlled by the Mormon Church, and some estimate its total annual revenues in excess of $20 billion).
Part of the Church's income goes to operate an elaborate internal welfare system so its members avoid any governmental assistance. The Mormon Church also has a 50,000-plus missionary force working in 150 nations. (All boys, once they turn 19, are expected to dedicate two years of their lives to missionary service.) This $500 million per year effort reaps more than 500,000 new converts each year.

Sociologically, Mormonism is very tight knit, placing tremendous emphasis on family and church relationships. Their emphasis on education has also made them one of the most educated sects per capita. Because of their belief that only they have the "fullness of the Gospel", members are strongly discouraged from abandoning the teachings and rituals of the church.

Official Websites:  www.lds.org,
www.mormon.org

News Stories:       

Articles:   Difficulties in the Book of Mormon
The Book of Abraham
Deification and the Mormon Church

Links (PRO) : Foundation for Apologetics, Information and Research
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARM)
SHIELDS

Links (CON): Informer Article on Mormonism