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Mormonism is a religion practiced by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called Mormons or Latter-day Saints. Most of the church's membership is localized in the Western part of the United States, especially Utah; members are also located elsewhere in the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. It was reported in 1979 that the church had a worldwide membership of about 4 million. Today more than six million of the world's people are Mormons.
Joseph Smith, the son of a poor Vermont farmer founded the church in Fayette, New York in 1830. His family moved to New York in 1816. Smith reported having visions from God and said that an angel named Moroni appeared before him and told him he would be used to help restore the Christian church. Smith said Moroni then directed him to some solid gold plates, inscribed in an age-old writing. These plates contained the history of ancient peoples in the Americas.
Mormons believe Moroni gave Smith the plates on a hill near Palmyra, New York in 1827. Smith's translation of the plates was published as the BOOK OF MORMON in 1830. The book describes the history, warfare, and religious beliefs of a group of people who lived sometime between 600BC-AD421, who migrated from Jerusalem to America. At first Smith attracted a small following but because of persecution the church moved to Ohio. Later they moved to Missouri and finally settled in Nauvoo, Illinois where they built a big city. Again, people resented the Mormons and rumors began that Smith has slyly introduced polygamy into Mormonism.
Smith was put in jail and on June 27, 1844 an enraged and armed mob assassinated Smith. The mob then proceeded to burn Mormon homes and the Mormon people had to flee. After that, Brigham Young, the head of the church's Council of the Twelve Apostles was voted leader of the church. He organized the historic march from Nauvoo, Illinois across the plains and mountains to the Great Salt Basin.
The Mormons called this new home Deseret, but the Congress called it the Territory of Utah and in 1850, Congress appointed Brigham Young as the governor. In Utah the church continued to grow, but was challenged by the government because of polygamy and a war almost developed. After Congress passed some laws against polygamy, the Mormons officially ended the practice of plural marriage, settled into Salt Lake City and built the amazing Mormon Tabernacle.
The Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah is known for its spectacular acoustics. The tabernacle roof looks like an upside down bowl. Large timbers were cut and bent to make the roof curve. The builders secured the timbers together with large wooden pins. If you drop a needle on the floor at one end of the tabernacle, people at the opposite end can hear the "clink." That probably accounts for the reason so many people enjoy hearing the prestigious organ and choir in the Mormon Tabernacle.
Most Mormons live in Utah or the western states surrounding it. But today, the east is branching out with Mormons. They recently opened up a Mormon college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The Mormon Tabernacle is known for its world famous choir and the Mormons are praised for their outstanding work on genealogy. Because of their extensive research down through the years we can visit their library or their website and find out who our ancestors are. The Mormons have contributed much to our society.
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