The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Mormon Church” by the media) invites other people to come unto Christ. All services and activities center around the Savior Jesus Christ.

Who Funds the “Mormon Church”?

Many other Christian churches may pay their clergy but the “Mormon Church” depends upon volunteers. The bishop (local pastor) asks members to teach classes or volunteer their time and talents to bless those around them. Under the bishop’s direction, I have enjoyed teaching various gospel doctrine classes, play the piano, play the organ, organize musical numbers and plan activities. My family has helped clean the chapel, cooked meals for sick neighbors, and done various community service projects.

Members of the Latter-day Saint Church pay tithing money (10% of one’s income) which is distributed as needed.”Tithing funds are used to build churches and temples, to sustain missionary work, and to build the kingdom of God on earth (Tithing, “The Guide to the Scriptures”).” Tithing has always been a commandment from God and modern prophets today have taught us to still obey this commandment.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings… Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3: 8, 10).

What Happens in the Mormon Church?

A person can attend services on Sunday that consist of three hours. Typically the first hour called “sacrament meeting” is when members partake of the sacrament and renew their baptismal covenants (promise made with God). This “Mormon church” meeting also includes prayers, singing hymns about Christ, and listening to other members who have prepared doctrinal messages. Families sit together and people dress in their best “Sunday clothes” (usually dresses, suits, ties, etc.).

The second hour is when members split into different groups according to ages and gender. Because each person learns at a different rate and may be in a different developmental stage in life, the gospel is taught on a level that one would understand. The young babies are watched in “Nursery” which is similar to a care-center with toys and snacks. The children under 12 attend “Primary”. Depending on the size of the Primary, the children may be split into classes by age group. The children sing songs, and have lessons and activities based upon teachings in the scriptures.

The teenagers attend (ages 12-18) attend a “Sunday School” class where they study gospel doctrine in the scriptures and listen to a lesson from a teacher. Adults also attend a “Sunday School” class and study scriptures which are rotated yearly from The Bible, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon (contains writings of ancient prophets in the Americas), and The Doctrine and Covenants (contains revelations from modern prophets).

During the final hour, the youth split into classes by gender called “Young Women” and “Young Men”. The adults also split into groups and the women attend “Relief Society” and the men can attend “Elder’s Quorum”. Again, a lesson is taught using a manual the church provides. This year, the lessons are from teachings of the eighth modern prophet (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith).

During the week, people can attend activities at the church such as dances, play basketball, or a service project. When a baptism is performed it may be done inside of the church building in a font that is filled with water for the occasion. Twice a year, churches broadcast General Conference (meetings where the modern prophet and apostles address the world). There is a special spirit inside of “Mormon churches” because all activities in the church are designed to bring us closer to Jesus Christ. Anyone is welcome to attend and draw closer to the Savior.

Additional Resources:

Visit a local “Mormon Church” near you.

LDS Religious Commitment High, Pew Survey Finds

All Visitors are Welcome

by Roy

Perhaps all of us will agree to the notion that most of the successful men and women in any field anywhere in the world are largely a product of good nurturing and teaching at home. The mother plays a very important role in the home. She is the most effective teacher and nurturer. And with the help of her husband in establishing righteousness in the home, they create an excellent place to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which church is frequently misnamed the “Mormon Church“) shared a story about the essence of motherhood:

The story is told that in ancient Rome a group of women were, with vanity, showing their jewels one to another. Among them was Cornelia, the mother of two boys. One of the women said to her, “And where are your jewels?” To which Cornelia responded, pointing to her sons, “These are my jewels.” Under her tutelage and walking after the virtues of her life, they grew to become Gaius and Tiberius Gracchus—the Gracchi, as they were called—two of the most persuasive and effective reformers in Roman history. For as long as they are remembered and spoken of, the mother who reared them after the manner of her own life will be remembered and spoken of with praise also (“These, Our Little Ones,” Ensign, December 2007).

In God’s Plan of Salvation, a father and a mother have equal responsibilities in building family relationships.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:18–24).

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon women are highly valued and are given great care and respect. The Church believes in the capacity of these Mormon women in building righteousness in their own homes as well as in their communities. The Church also, under the direction of the Lord, organized the societies of Mormon women commonly known as the Young Women Organization for women ages 12–17 and the Relief Society Organization for women ages 18 and older to help them develop sisterhood and to teach one another the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping each other develop their testimonies of Jesus. In the Relief Society and in the Young Women organizations, women are also taught about their temporal well-being like modesty in dress and action, according to the standard of the Church, home-making skills, and most importantly, about their divine potential as daughters of God.

Elder Douglas L. Callister, one of the general authorities of the Church, shared an experience that illustrates the sweet essence of womanhood:

I once visited briefly with the great actress Audrey Hepburn while she was making the movie My Fair Lady. She spoke of the opening scene in the movie in which she depicted a modest, unpolished flower girl. Her face had been besmirched with charcoal to make her seem part of her surroundings. “But,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “I was wearing my perfume. Inside I still knew I was a lady.” It doesn’t take expensive perfume to make a lady, but it does require cleanliness, modesty, self-respect, and pride in one’s appearance (“Your Refined Heavenly Home,” BYU Devotional, September 19, 2006).

Mormon women are also actively participating in different righteous acts, whether that be a Church-run activity or a community faith-promoting experience. They strive to follow the examples of Dorcas in the New Testament.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive (Acts 9:36–41).

Although people may sometimes forget the face or the name of a person who once served them or helped them in their difficult times, the righteous acts will always be there in their hearts. Mormon women strive to be like their Savior, serving those around them in love and righteousness.

Additional Resources:

Mormon Families

Mormon View of Jesus Christ

Roy Patrick is currently working as a Call Center Agent in the Philippines. He served a full-time mission in San Francisco, CA. His family is one of the pioneers of the LDS Church in Panay Island, Philippines.

Fasting is a familiar term among Christians, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon Church) make it a regular practice to participate in a twenty-four hour fast on the first Sunday of every month. Not only is this fast beneficial to ourselves, helping us draw closer to the spirit and cleanse our bodies, but we find that fasting with a purpose can work like a prayer in seeking out particular blessings for those in need. We help further that purpose by paying a fast offering each month.

Churches are run on donations, and in most denominations a collection plate is passed around for people to place their donations in. Latter-day Saint members are encouraged to pay a tithe of 10% of their income to the Church, but such is not collected during meetings. We can pick up envelopes with tithing slips from our bishop’s office and hand our offerings to a member of the bishopric. The fast offering is a special offering separate from our tithing, and there is a spot on the tithing slip to specify the amount we are paying for a fast offering. We are advised to have the amount of the offering be the amount of money we saved on food by participating in the monthly twenty-four hour fast, making it roughly the cost of two meals. Those with the means are encouraged to be generous and pay more, but the actual amount members pay for a fast offering is entirely up to the individual.

Because we have a lay leadership, all our payments and offerings are used to further the four-fold mission of the Church to “proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints, redeem the dead, and care for the poor and afflicted.” Fast offerings, specifically, are used for this last purpose: the care of the poor and afflicted. Fast offerings help stock what is known as the Bishop’s Storehouse with foodstuffs and basic necessities. Members in need can speak to their bishop about receiving church welfare which can include visits to this storehouse.

I have personally been blessed by the fast offerings of members when I went through a period of about a year where all the food and basic needs for my family was provided by the Bishop’s Storehouse. It was a difficult and humbling time that has heightened my own dedication to the payment of fast offerings and volunteering at the storehouse.

Fast offering funds are also used to provide relief in troubled areas after natural disasters, in third-world countries, and other places in dire need. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is typically one of the first responders after disasters, and we have several locations for the preparing of basic food provisions that go to third-world countries. It is a blessing to know that my offerings go straight to such a good cause, and that I can help in providing relief to those who are suffering by paying my offerings and volunteering my time to aid in this great work.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about the basic Mormon Belief of fasting.

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Attend  a local meetinghouse.

Tiffany Sowby is a mother of five and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon” woman). She tries to find humor, joy, and contentment in the little things life has to offer.

While a student at the University of Utah, I passed the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often mistakenly called the Mormon Church) on my drive to school each day. At that point in my life, I was able to count on two hands the number of times I had entered into a Mormon temple to do what we Latter-day Saints (or “Mormons”) believe to be temple work for those that have passed on before us. This temple work consists of performing certain ordinances, by proxy, for family members who passed away without an opportunity to receive those ordinances. Specifically, at that time in my life, I was limited to participating in baptisms for the dead only. Worthy Latter-day Saints age 12 and older have the opportunity to participate in baptisms for the dead, the first of the essential ordinances.

Heeding the challenge of my bishop (a Mormon ecclesiastical leader), I began to attend the temple more frequently. As Latter-day Saints, (“Mormons“), we believe baptism by immersion to be the first ordinance of the gospel that begins our way back to eternal life. The Fourth Article of Faith (which Articles of Faith Mormons believe to be the basic guidelines and principles of the religion) states, “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Before long, it became a weekly habit for me and my best friend to visit the Salt Lake Temple early each Wednesday morning before our college classes began. At times, it became a somewhat social event as other college friends often joined us, not to mention the dear friendships we gained with the workers that worked that early Wednesday morning shift. The weekly reminder of an important gospel principle had an impact on my young adult life.

by Roy

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also called Mormons) put a great deal of emphasis on the importance of genealogy, or family history. Some people wonder why this is. Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) believe that the family unit is meant to be eternal, but can only be made eternal when sealed by the power of the holy priesthood in Mormon temples. Ordinances which are received in Mormon temples are considered earthly ordinances, however. They must be received on this earth. So, what about all those who died without the chance to receive those ordinances? Others must do the work for them.

The first of these earthly ordinances is that of baptism and confirmation. The Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example of this principle of the gospel. Though he was sinless, he was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist, who held the authority of God. The Apostle Paul spoke of the principle of baptisms for the dead to the Corinthians. He said, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). He posed an impeding question to unbelievers about the rights of all God’s children to partake the blessings of the gospel. He spoke of our ancestors, the non-Christian nation and to those people living in the remotest part of the world where the fullness of the gospel hadn’t penetrated yet.

Many of our ancestors and non-Christian people died without the knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ and blessings of the gospel. Through the inspiration of God, Joseph Smith, one of the Mormon prophets, said, “And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (Doctrine and Covenants 128: 15).

The Apostle Peter testified of the necessity of the ordinances for the dead, he said, “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6).

God loves us so much. He is our Father in Heaven. Temple ordinances are essential in bringing us incomparable blessings in our lives as well as to dead loved ones.

Latter-day Saints around the world have been encouraged by the living prophet and other leaders to seek out and search for their ancestors. There is a wonderful website established by the Church to help Church members as well as friends of other faiths search for their ancestors. The collected names are taken to Mormon temples by family members, where sacred ordinances for the dead are performed. Taking family names to the temple is the primary goal of one’s personal genealogy. However, many more blessings come from learning about one’s family history. Mormons believe that ordinances performed by proxy for dead loved ones are conditional upon the person for whom the ordinances were done accepting that work. Nothing is forced upon them, but if the ordinances are completed, individuals then have a choice to accept them, whereas before, they were helpless.

We are all children of God and therefore are all entitled to the same blessings given to those who are obedient and who are willing to follow His commandments.

Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross (Doctrine and Covenants 138:32–35).

Latter-day Saints hope all will sanctify themselves in order to be worthy to enter into God’s house and partake of the higher ordinances that can lead us towards eternal life.

And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day (3 Nephi 27:19–22).

Family history is taking the world somewhat by storm. Many people who have never even heard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now feeling an unquenchable desire to seek out their ancestors. They may do so by using the Church’s facilities. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has some of the most amazing family history resources in the world, and they are all available for free to anyone who wishes to use them.

Additional Resources:

Family History Website

Family History Library Near You

Mormon View of Jesus Christ

Roy Patrick is currently working as a Call Center Agent in the Philippines. He served a full-time mission in San Francisco, CA. His family is one of the pioneers of the LDS Church in Panay Island, Philippines.

The recent PEW study released on Mormons in America has added to the discussion in the media about Mormon beliefs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is commonly referred to as the “Mormon Church” by those of other faiths, is still plagued by misconceptions which run rampant in the media and in society.

One of the most prevalent topics of discussion by critics of The Church of Jesus Christ is that of polygamy. Mormon polygamy was a reality for several decades in the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith, the first latter-day Mormon prophet, received revelation from God to re-institute the practice of one man having more than one wife. Many theories about why the institution existed have been put forward by different people, both in and outside of the Church, but the truth is there is nothing in Mormon historical records which show that the Lord gave any reason. For faithful Latter-day Saints, what it boils down to is that God gave a commandment and it was to be obeyed.

Very few of the Saints ever practiced polygamy. It was generally viewed as something people did not want to participate in. No one was ever forced to live this commandment and even the women who did choose to participate had the option of divorce if they found themselves unhappy in the situation. When the early Saints began to practice polygamy, it was not clearly illegal. This quickly changed, however, when opponents of the practice took up the cause and the U.S. Congress eventually passed acts clarifying that the practice was now illegal anywhere in the country. Joseph Smith and the other Saints felt that what they considered as a religious act was protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Over decades, societal pressure became so great that Church leaders who were following what they believed to be a commandment from God were forced into hiding. Eventually, Wilford Woodruff, fourth president of the Church, received another revelation from God. In this revelation, God told Woodruff that if Church members continued to practice polygamy, the government would disenfranchise them and destroy all they had built. God withdrew the commandment for His Saints to practice polygamy at that time. In a declaration which Woodruff issued in 1890, which came to be called the Manifesto, the practice ceased. Those who had previously entered into polygamous marriages continued in them, supporting their wives and children. However, no more polygamous marriages were sanctioned by the Church after that time. Those who continue the practice today are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though some refer to themselves as “Mormons” they are fundamentalists.

The PEW study states that among the people it studied, many found polygamy to be morally wrong. At least, this is how the PEW study stated their findings. Taken out of context, it is hard to define what this means—if the participants said this, or if this is how PEW interpreted what the participants said. If this is what the participants meant, then this shows that the negative portrayal of fundamentalists practicing polygamy today has had a profound influence upon current members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormon doctrine clearly states that the original practice of polygamy was under a direct command from God. This means that doctrinally it is not considered morally wrong. When God withdrew the command to live polygamy, that did not mean something about the practice had suddenly become evil. It merely meant that God did not find it prudent at that time for His Saints to practice it any more.

This may seem capricious and even contradictory, when Latter-day Saints believe in the scriptures which say that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. They continue to believe that. However, men do change; radically and frequently. What might be prudent for one generation of mankind may not be prudent for another. The omniscient God knows what is best for His children and gives them commandments accordingly.

The practice of polygamy is not morally wrong. It may go against everything we have been raised to think, but that is largely a societal influence. Christians who today believe in the Bible easily look over the practice of polygamy in the Old Testament. Just because it was practiced anciently does not mean it is savage and barbaric. God led His people then just as He does now. That does not make His commandments easy to live. God is the sure standard, and what He says is right is right, and what He says is wrong is wrong when He says it is.

Accepting that polygamy has been a commandment of God for His people in the past and that it is not presently, is a trial of faith.

Additional Resources:

Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Mormon Families

Mormon Polygamy

Of all the numbers in the Pew Research Center’s recently released survey of “Mormons in America,” the highest, most overwhelming numbers are these: 98 percent of respondents said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion.

This comes on the heels of earlier surveys indicating that 32 percent of non-LDS U.S. adults say the LDS Church is not a Christian religion, and an additional 17 percent are unsure of LDS Christianity. The theological and semantic reasons for this can be complex, but for the 1,019 self-identified Mormons who participated in the Pew survey, their theological position is clear: Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, and they consider themselves to be Christian.

“Certainly in Latter-day Saint theology is this idea that if you understand who you are, you understand that there’s a purpose in life, you understand your connection to God, that certainly has an impact on how you live your life and what you do, but also how you feel about your life and what you are doing,” said Michael Purdy of the LDS Church Public Affairs office.

For the vast majority of Latter-day Saints surveyed, those life choices have much to do with their religious beliefs. Eighty-two percent of survey respondents indicate that religion is “very important” to them, 83 percent say they pray every day and 77 percent say they attend church at least once a week. Beyond that, a stunning 69 percent of respondents fit all three descriptions, saying that religion is very important to them, that they pray every day and that they go to church every week.

“By this measure,” the report says, “Mormons exhibit higher levels of religious commitment than many other religious groups, including white evangelical Christians.”

Part of the explanation for these high numbers may be that the survey focused only on those who self-identified as Latter-day Saints.

“The method they used tended to identify people who are strongly committed,” said BYU sociologist Marie Cornwall, who advised the Pew Forum on the new survey. “They don’t have the people who are kind of marginal. But that’s okay; we just have to be careful with the way we interpret the findings.”

One such finding is the relationship between religious commitment and education among Mormons.

David Campbell, a University of Notre Dame associate professor and another adviser on the survey, noted that the more educated respondents were, the higher their levels of religious commitment.

“I was a little surprised by that,” said Campbell, who is LDS and who has extensively studied on the role of religion in the public square. “The more educated a Mormon is, the more likely they are to be wholehearted in their commitment to the church and its teachings.”

That is different from other churches, he said, where more education tends to lead to more religious skepticism.

Pew Research Center officials also noted “a significant gender gap in religious commitment, with more Mormon women than men exhibiting a high level of religious commitment (73 percent vs. 65 percent).”

According to the Pew report, a similar “gender gap” is seen among the general public. A 2007 survey found 36 percent of U.S. women exhibited a high level of religious commitment, compared with 24 percent of men.

One series of questions asked about what it means to be a good Mormon. According to the respondents, in order to be a good Mormon it is “essential” to believe Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ (80 percent), work to help the poor (73 percent), hold regular family home evenings (51 percent), not drink coffee and tea (49 percent) and not watch R-rated movies (32 percent).

Combining those who said “essential” with those who said “important but not essential,” the order changes a little bit: working to help the poor (97 percent), holding regular family home evenings (96 percent), believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ (93 percent), not drinking coffee and tea (81 percent) and not watching R-rated movies (79 percent).

“I think that result is rather interesting,” said Cornwall. “Mormons are known for not drinking coffee or tea and not watching R-rated movies. But compared to believing that Joseph Smith saw God and working for the poor, Mormons don’t seem to focus on the coffee and tea as much as people probably think.”

Other manifestations of religious commitment in the survey included:

The number of respondents (65 percent) who say they hold a current temple recommend (a certificate from local ecclesiastical leaders, issued every other year, indicating that an individual has permission from the church to enter LDS temples and participate in temple rites and sacraments)

The number (79 percent) who say they pay tithing (donating 10 percent of their income to the church)

The number (27 percent) who have served full-time missions for the church (this number includes 43 percent of men and 11 percent of women and varies significantly according to the age and education of the respondent, as well as whether or not the respondent was raised Mormon)

The number (82 percent) who keep food in storage for emergencies or disasters, as they have been counseled to do by LDS Church leaders (This number includes 23 percent who say they have three months’ worth, 35 percent who say they have more than three months’ worth and 23 percent who say they have less than three months’ worth)

The percentage who pay tithing is especially interesting to break down. According to the survey tabulations, “tithing is most common among Mormons with the highest levels of religious commitment (96 percent) … fully 91 percent of college graduates say they pay tithing … compared with 66 percent of those with a high school diploma or less education. And among those whose family income exceeds $30,000, 83 percent say they pay tithing, compared with 69 percent of those with incomes of less than $30,000.”

While previous surveys have clearly established LDS agreement with certain key Christian doctrines — 90 percent of Mormons believe in God, 91 percent believe the Bible is the word of God and 98 percent believe in life after death — the new survey explores Mormon confidence in points of doctrine that are unique to LDS theology. And in these points of doctrine, Mormons proved to be unified and believing. They believe overwhelmingly that God and Jesus Christ are separate physical beings (94 percent), that the president of the LDS Church is a prophet of God (94 percent), that families can be bound together eternally in temple ceremonies (95 percent) and that the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets and translated by Joseph Smith (91 percent).

Overall, 77 percent say they believe “wholeheartedly” in all of the teachings of the LDS Church. That number increases to 82 percent among Mormons ages 18-49, and to 85 percent among Mormons who are college graduates.

“Ultimately, I suppose other Americans will judge our church — and perhaps all churches — by their relevance in how they touch and improve human lives right here on Earth as well as what they offer in the life to come,” wrote Michael Otterson, Public Affairs director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his “On Faith” blog in the Washington Post. “Meanwhile, we welcome the friendship and regard of all groups, even as we retain our commitment to a unique identity. In the end … Latter-day Saints will strive to be good Mormons, true believers, kind neighbors and faithful friends.”

Pew Study Reflects Mormons’ Religious Commitment to Christ, Mormon Beliefs in Tithes and Temples

Mormons in America

By Amy Choate-Nielsen

Deseret News
Published: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. MST

David Letterman knows how to get a laugh. Like most comics, he riffs on the day’s news, deadpans the camera and revels in audacity.”Oh, did you hear about this?” the host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman asked his audience recently. “A campaign staffer on the Newt Gingrich campaign was fired because he was making negative comments about Mormons. I thought, now, wait a minute — isn’t Newt in favor of multiple wives?”
Laughter rumbled from the audience followed by applause. The polygamy punch line is a familiar one when it comes to poking fun at Mormons — as though Mormons and polygamy are synonymous in mainstream media. Ironically, the practice that’s most linked to Mormons is a practice most Mormons oppose, according to a groundbreaking new study of Mormons in America released Thursday by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and Public Life.

According to the study, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unequivocally reject polygamy — only 2 percent said the practice is morally acceptable — evidence of a yawning gap in what Mormons believe and how they are perceived. Mormons’ opinions are overwhelmingly conservative, the study shows, but in many ways, their views are also surprising — especially when it comes to opinions on moral issues, divorce, homosexuality and polygamy.

Morality

Mormons also take a significant stance on moral issues in other areas, such as divorce, sex outside of marriage and consumption of alcohol.

Although teachings from the LDS Church emphasize the importance and eternal nature of the family, only 25 percent of Mormons surveyed said divorce is morally wrong, according to the study. That means Mormons are slightly less morally opposed to divorce than the general public.

“For Catholics, divorce does not exist. They think it is not only wrong but it is impossible,” said Matthew Bowman, member of a board of expert advisers to the Pew Research Center for the study and author of “The Mormon People,” a book on the history of the LDS Church. “That has not been true for Mormons. There is theological space for divorce within Mormonism. It is undesirable, but Mormons recognize it is sometimes necessary and sometimes the right thing to do.”

Other moral views revealed in the survey — 54 percent said drinking alcohol was morally wrong, compared with 15 percent of the general public — set Mormons apart, Bowman says. The assumption on the part of non-Mormons is that if Mormons think drinking alcohol is wrong, then they must think everyone who imbibes is morally flawed. That apprehension can make people suspicious of Mormons, and wary of an elitist attitude, he says.

Differences in moral viewpoints can create a stumbling block for Mormon acceptance — not only in high-profile arenas, such as a presidential election, but also in communities.
“What you find throughout the report is a tension,” said David Campbell, assistant professor at Notre Dame and an adviser on the study. “Mormons like to use the phrase, ‘Be in the world but not of the world.’ They are certainly living their lives in the world. They are active and involved in their communities, but they have these beliefs and practices that set them apart a little bit, and sometimes there is conflict.”

Homosexuality

Mormons have some of the most conservative opinions when it comes to homosexuality. The survey asked Mormons if homosexuality should be accepted by society or discouraged by society, with an option for neither, both or “don’t know.” The response — 26 percent said homosexuality should be accepted, 65 percent said it should be discouraged — puts Mormons as the least likely to say homosexuality should be accepted by society. But a 26 percent acceptance rate, with roughly 1 in 4 Mormons saying homosexuality should be accepted, might be surprisingly high to some.

Of particular interest is the fact that only 8 percent of Mormons surveyed identified themselves as liberal, and 66 percent said they were conservative. That means some of those who said homosexuality should be accepted also identify themselves as politically conservative, Bowman says. That distinction illustrates the complexity of Mormons’ opinion on sexuality — that it is rooted more in religious precepts than politics.
Still, it’s difficult to draw a conclusion about Mormons‘ views on homosexuality based on the study, says Pew Research Center adviser Terryl Givens, professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond.

“Results need to be viewed cautiously,” Givens says. “Official LDS pronouncements insist there is a distinction between (sexual) orientation and behavior, but the survey blurs that difference, probably leaving many Mormons unsure how to answer that question. What is clear, however, is that Mormons are trending toward greater acceptance of same-sex relationships, just as society as a whole is, although by a much smaller percentage.”

Polygamy

At one point 120 years ago, some Mormons practiced plural marriage, hence the association between Mormons and polygamy. The practice was discontinued in 1890, but the cultural association persists, perhaps in part because Mormons are sometimes confused with members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church, a polygamist group not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the October-November 2011 study of a national sample of 1,019 Mormons, 86 percent said polygamy is morally wrong. That’s a number that surprises Bowman.

Were it not for the confusion surrounding Mormons and the FLDS Church practice of plural marriage, Bowman says that statistic might not be as high.

“It’s my experience that Mormons have a fraught relationship with polygamy,” Bowman said of the study results. “There is a sense that rejecting polygamy identifies a member of the LDS Church and distinguishes us from the fundamentalists. That is a cultural signifier as much as a theological statement.”

Some who responded to the survey, 11 percent, said polygamy is not a moral issue.
Email: achoate@desnews.com

A recent The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted an in-depth survey of Mormons in the United States. Mormon is a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fourth article in a series that appears in Deseret News is evaluating the results of this survey and providing context for the results.

Immigration is a controversial topic in the United States. The survey asked one question on this topic. They were asked which of two statements most closely matched their view, even if they didn’t completely agree. They were asked whether immigrants strengthen or burden the nation. No distinction was made between legal and illegal immigration, leaving those polled to decide for themselves what the question meant.

In the general U.S. population, 45 percent of Americans feel that immigrants strengthen the country, while 44 percent burden it. 12 percent feel that neither or both are true or they have no opinion on the subject. Mormon views closely mirror these statistics. 45 percent of Mormons also believe immigrants strengthen the nation, although a smaller number, 41 percent, consider them a burden on society. The number of Mormons who accept both or neither or who have no opinion is higher, at 14 percent.

These numbers put them at odds with evangelical Christians, one of the few political areas in which they disagree. Within the white evangelical population, 59 percent believe immigrants are a burden, and 27 percent believe they strengthen the country. Like Mormons, 14 percent answered both, neither, or no opinion.

The statistics for Mormons shows a strong divide based on age, income, and education, as well as on religious commitment. Only 36 percent of highly committed Mormons see immigrants as a burden, while 50 percent of those who are less committed see them as a burden. This largely correlates with economic status. 84 percent of Mormons who are highly committed to their religion are college graduates. (The church strongly encourages education, which may be a factor in this.) Only 50 percent of those with high school educations are strongly committed to their faith. This statistic is very unusual in the religious world. For most religions, the least educated are the most religious.

49 percent of Mormons under age 50 see immigrants as a strength. 39 percent of Mormons over 50 see it as a strength.

Beyond the study’s statistics, several other factors influence the Mormon view of immigration. Many Mormons serve missions for their church. For two years, they live wherever they are sent, learning the language and living as the people in that community live. They go into the homes, attend the churches, and do service work in addition to their missionary work. Many of those serve in Spanish countries and have a realistic view of the hardships faced by those people. They come home with a compassionate view of the world and an understanding that Americans have much easier lives than most. The love missionaries almost invariably develop for the people they served influences their views on immigration.

Finally, the church has taken very specific stands on the subject of illegal immigration in recent years. Mormons believe God has sent a prophet to lead His church, just as He has always done in ancient times, and so, Mormons are asked to sustain the prophet as the leader of the Church. Official statements from the prophet or the Church are considered to be from God.

The Church officially endorsed the basic principles of the Utah Compact, a law working to create a balanced legal approach to immigration. In November, 2011, L. Whitney Clayton gave an official statement from the church in honor of the first anniversary of the bill. The statement said in part:

The Utah Compact is consistent with three principles we believe should be carefully balanced when considering immigration:

• We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors. The meaning of neighbor includes all of God’s children, in all places and in all times.
• We recognize an ever-present need to strengthen families. Families are meant to be together. Forced separation of working parents from their children weakens families and damages society.
• We acknowledge that every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders.

We continue to encourage lawmakers everywhere to consider laws that properly balance love of neighbors and the importance of keeping families together, within the framework of just and enforceable laws.” (See Utah Compact One-Year Anniversary Marked by Utah Community Leaders.)

The official Mormon position is to encourage its members to stay in their homelands or to immigrate legally, but once they are here, however they came, they are to be treated with love, dignity, and respect, and laws should not separate families.

For a more in-depth look at the issue of Mormons and immigration, read the Deseret News article: Mormons’ immigration attitudes set them apart, by Eric Schulzke, Deseret News, published: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 8:12 p.m. MST.

SMITHFIELD — After dinner, three baths, four bedtime stories and a half-a-dozen goodnight kisses for 2-year-old twins Brock and Isaac and 6-year-old Ellie, Erin and Brian Thompson finally sink into the couch with weary smiles.

Being parents is just what they always wanted. And they love it.

“Of course we have our crazy moments,” Thompson says, “but for the most part we just try to find the good things in the day and remember that they’re only going to be little for so long.”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Thompsons believe that maintaining a strong marriage and raising and teaching children are essential keys to happiness and their most important responsibilities on earth.

In fact, 81 percent of Mormons say being a good parent is “one of the most important things in life,” according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life — the first survey of Mormons about Mormons, by a non-LDS research organization.

The survey of more than 1,000 self-identified Latter-day Saints from across the country asked how accepted Mormons feel in American culture, as well as their thoughts on religious practices, political issues and family roles.

The survey showed that Mormons are more likely to be married than the general population, 67 percent of the sample size compared to 52 percent of the general public.

And 85 percent of married Mormons married other Mormons. Protestants marry other Protestants 81 percent of the time and Catholics marry each other 78 percent of the time.

With an emphasis on marriage, it should come as no surprise that the Mormons surveyed also had, on average, more children (2.6) than the general U.S. population (1.8).

Thompson grew up wanting to have a large family and be a good mother, but she and her husband have struggled with infertility for nearly nine years — a trial punctuated by the joys of two different adoptions, Ellie, then the twins.

“We said when we finally get to be parents, we’re going to actually sit down and take a little more time to focus on our kids,” Thompson said, who lives in northern Utah. “I’m not saying that other people don’t do that — the perspective we have is just a little different.”

Other Latter-day Saints share the Thompson’s enthusiasm to put family first.

“Family is at the core of our faith,” says Jane Clayson Johnson, a Latter-day Saint and former anchor of CBS’s “The Early Show” who prefers the title of mom to two young children and stepmom to three older ones. “There are so many distractions today that all force us outward, away from core relationships. What our faith does is turn us back toward deep, rich, meaningful relationships in families.”

“It teaches us that families are where we find meaning,” continued Clayson from her home in Boston. “The work I do in my family is the most important work that I’ll ever do.”

Among the general public, 50 percent list being a good parent as “one of the most important things in life,” with 44 percent listing it as “very important but not most important.”

That shouldn’t be taken to mean that the average American doesn’t value marriage or family, just that they don’t “go to church every week and get told that’s what they’re supposed to do,” says Marie Cornwall, a professor of sociology at Brigham Young University. Cornwall advised the Pew Center for this survey.

“There’s nothing to suggest that family life is less valued in the United States over time,” she said, “but there’s more that suggests that people are feeling like it’s not possible for them to attain that.”

The pressure comes when a “successful” marriage is defined as having a good job, a hefty retirement account and a lovely home with a white picket fence, Cornwall said. So when people can’t achieve that in today’s tough economy, many feel like they’ve failed.

“For Mormons, there’s a spiritual aspect brought to that (definition of success),” she said, “an effort, in terms of sermons, to try and downplay the material and place more emphasis on the relationships.”

When the survey asked Mormons about working arrangements in families, nearly six out of 10 Mormons indicated they would prefer a marriage where the man works and the woman stays home to care for the home and the children.

LDS college graduates liked this marital structure more than any other subgroup, with 71 percent of them preferring the man to work and the woman to stay home.

In the general population, only 30 percent of Americans would prefer a marriage where the husband works and the wife stays home. Among religiously unaffiliated Americans, it drops to 15 percent who would pick such a scenario.

Almost four-in-10 Mormons would prefer that both parents work and both parents help with child rearing and housework.

For American Fork mom Ruth Ann Dupaix, 37, it’s not a black-or-white decision. Throughout her marriage she has both worked and stayed at home.

“The way we look at it, we try to make it a partnership,” Dupaix says. “It’s more who’s able at the time to do it best. It’s working together, a give and take.”

When she and her husband, Geoff, were first married, her job helped pay for his school. When he finished, she kept working because her employer would pay for her to complete her degree, and education was important to both of them.

Dupaix stopped working when her sixth child was born but has recently gone back to work at a local grocery store three nights a week to help fulfill a family goal to reduce their debt load.

It’s a big pay cut from the job she used to have at a bank, but it’s a more family friendly schedule.

“As part of a family you make sacrifices,” she said. “I’m gone when the kids are asleep, but I’m still here during the day when they need me.”

Additional Resources:

For original source Deseret News article: Mormon family marriage focus Pew.