The aim of this article is to provide a brief history off Mormon background and you can theology. My goal is not so you can debunk Mormonism or even to show Christianity. But I hope this short survey tend to reveal that the 2 aren’t the same.
An easy note on the secondary provide: Religious material do not constantly beat Mormonism fairly or go this new a lot more distance presenting Mormon records due to the fact a beneficial Mormon perform accept them. That guide one does is Andrew Jackson’s Mormonism Explained: What Latter-time Saints Instruct and practice. I additionally strongly recommend Another type of God? The new Christ of one’s Latter-Date New orleans saints because of the BYU teacher Robert Millet. Richard Mouw concedes excessive within his Foreword and you may Afterword, but it’s nevertheless helpful to get Mormon Christology regarding good Mormon himself.
Joseph Smith was born in rural New york into the 1805, brand new fourth off 9 children. With little profits farming in North carolina, the fresh new Smith relatives moved western to Palmyra, Ny. There Joseph Smith are confronted by various other revival movements, and more than away from his family unit members became Presbyterians, even if Smith after said he leaned for the Methodism.
The current presence of a lot of differences out-of Christianity troubled Smith. What type try correct? How would he favor? From the you to definitely revival conference, a good preacher quoted off James 1:5 “Or no people lack insights, assist him ask away from God, you to giveth to all the men liberally, and upbraideth perhaps not; plus it are given him” (KJV). Smith, 14 years of age at the time, ran household, reflected throughout these conditions, and you may ran for the trees so you’re able to hope nydelig Amerikansk dame.
According to Mormon society, and here Joseph Smith had his first attention. Inside sight, that’s foundational into Mormon faith, Smith claimed to see a few “personages.” The one-Jesus the daddy-pointed to the other and you may told you, “This can be My personal Precious Child. Tune in to Him!” Smith expected them what sect he is join. It replied he is join not one of them. These people were most of the incorrect. All their creeds have been an enthusiastic abomination, as well as the believers were corrupt.
Three years after, Mormons trust Smith received a separate attention. Within sight the fresh new angel Moroni advised Smith away from fantastic plates tucked under a hill near Palmyra. The latest dishes had been shown for the 1827 whenever Smith are provided with one or two reading deposits-Urim and you can Thummim-where he might translate the written text (Smith claimed the latest dishes had been written in hieroglyphics). In the 1830 Smith typed The publication away from Mormon, that contains the storyline of lost Israelites just who moved to The usa about 6th century BC but was indeed killed from inside the battle inside Advertisement 428. Smith later gotten yet another vision from John brand new Baptist giving your the brand new Aaronic Priesthood.
One to exact same 12 months (1830) Smith oriented the newest “Chapel out-of Christ.” For the 1838 he changed the name so you can “The fresh Chapel out of Goodness Christ out-of Second-Time Saints.”
Smith proceeded to receive revelations informing your to go out of Brand new York to help you Ohio to Missouri and in the end to help you Illinois where the guy with his followers built a town entitled Nauvoo. Around Smith and his awesome followers made an effort to live out good utopian vision regarding community. However they instituted polygyny since the early Mormon management argued you to definitely Goodness had had of several wives. Smith and his sister was arrested from inside the 1844. Afterwards an effective mob stormed brand new prison and you will killed them one another. Mormons think Smith good martyr. Other people say he passed away within the a criminal shoot-aside.
After the Smith’s passing there’s a beneficial schism. A little group called the Joe the newest Reorganized Chapel that have headquarters inside Missouri. Most followed Brigham Young, exactly who turned the Earliest President and prophet. In the 1847, Younger got the fresh new followers so you can Utah and you can founded Sodium River City.