Mormonism: Delving into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
According to statistics gathered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the formal name for the Mormon Church), more than two-thirds of Utah’s inhabitants are Mormon. The current Church membership is almost 13 million people worldwide, and Mormonism is allegedly the second fastest growing U.S. religion. The Church is the most affluent church per capita in the United States. Despite all these facts and figures, the Church remains shrouded in much mystery and misrepresentation, though the presidential run of Mitt Romney has given Mormonism much more public attention. This guide will teach you about Mormon beliefs, practices, and history; introduce you to Mormon news sources and illustrate the religion’s place in current events; and help you connect with the Mormon online community.
Expand All Guide SectionsMormon Beliefs and Practices and Church Structure
As aforementioned, Mormon beliefs are not well known internationally or even in the United States, ... read more »
The History of the Mormon Religion
Mormonism is a fairly young religion. It was founded by Joseph Smith in the first half of the ... read more »
Mormon News, Current Events, and Contemporary Issues
Mormonism has existed for more than 175 years now, but recently it has spent significant time in the spotlight. With the Mormon Mitt Romney running for president, the American public, which has elected only one non-Protestant candidate before, is seeking more information about the religion. Use the links below to learn how Mormonism has entered the mainstream news. There are also sites in this section for Mormon news and opinion publications, so you can keep up with current events in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Keep in mind that the sources listed under “For a Mormon perspective on the news …” may not provide the most complete picture of the news. To see more sides of an issue, you should compare these sources with other non-Mormon publications.
- If you’d like more information on Romney, findingDulcinea’s Beyond the Headlines thoroughly discusses the man, his religion, and his presidential bid.
Dulcinea's Picks
For a Mormon perspective on the news …
The LDS.org Newsroom
is the Mormon “Official Resource for News Media, Opinion Leaders, and the Public.” You’ll find press releases and news regarding the Church, and Church statistics, such as membership and the number of missions. The “Background Information” section provides various Church-related facts.
LDS Today
compiles information about the Church found in media throughout the world. This site is not affiliated with the Church, but it’s primarily meant to show Church members how Mormonism is portrayed worldwide. As the site notes, not all the information is favorable to the Church: the articles that the editor feels are most relevant to Church members and leaders are located at the top, while those that are not as applicable or show the Church in a less flattering light are located lower on the page.
Meridian Magazine
is an online magazine that presents the news from a Mormon perspective, with stories updated daily. The publication has a strong religious bent, strewing its articles with quotes from the Bible. You’ll also come across features such as the “Family Value of the Month” and the “Myth of the Month.”
Mormon Matters
is a weekly podcast “exploring Mormon current events, pop culture, politics and spirituality.” Listen to the podcast straight from the site or use iTunes. The site also posts an abundance of responses to each week’s podcast.
For information about Mitt Romney …
The Mitt Romney for President
official Web site contains a transcript of the “Faith In America” speech Romney gave regarding his religion on December 6, 2007. CNN.com offers this article summarizing the speech.
TIME
Magazine examines the role played by Mormonism in the political life of Mitt Romney. The article suggests that Romney will probably focus more on the family values that his religion espouses than on the theology of Mormonism.
The New York Times
featured this op-ed piece on April 9, 2007, analyzing the issues involved in Mitt Romney’s presidential run. This piece examines the differences between Mormonism and the Protestant Christianity that has been such a dominant force in American politics.
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
has this transcript from a speech and discussion forum that occurred on May 14, 2007, in Florida, called “Mormonism and Politics: Are They Compatible?” This interesting speech and question-and-answer period traces the history of the Mormon faith and its relation to the Mitt Romney presidential bid.
For a scholarly Mormon journal …
Dialogue
is “A Journal of Mormon Thought.” Although edited by Mormons, this quarterly journal is independent of the Church’s executive clergy. The journal examines issues relevant to the Mormon religion and its relation to the secular world. Its purpose is to bring Mormon beliefs “into dialogue with the larger stream of world religious thought and with human experience as a whole.” A one-year subscription costs $37; it’s $30 for students and seniors. Some of the articles are available on the site for free.
Connecting With the Mormon Community
There are many more ways to become a part of the Mormon community besides staying on top of the ... read more »
Mormon Blogs
The Mormon blogging community is extensive and has a lot to say. Not only are these blogs a ... read more »
Exploring Mormon education, arts, and culture
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an influential entity, and its strictures reach ... read more »
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