Mormonism is the theology and religious tradition of theLatter Day Saint movement ofRestorationistChristianity started byJoseph Smith inWestern New York in the 1820s and 1830s. As a label, Mormonism has been applied to various aspects of the Latter Day Saint movement, although since 2018 there has been a push fromThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to distance itself from this label.[1] One historian,Sydney E. Ahlstrom, wrote in 1982 that, depending on the context, the term Mormonism could refer to "a sect, a mystery cult, a new religion, a church, a people, a nation, or an American subculture; indeed, at different times and places it is all of these."[2][3]
The theology itself is not uniform; as early as 1831, and most significantly afterSmith's death, various groups split from theChurch of Christ that Smith established.[5] One source estimated over 400 denominations have sprung from founderJoseph Smith's original movement.[6] Other than differences in leadership, these groups most significantly differ in their stances on polygamy, which theUtah-based LDS Church banned in 1890, andTrinitarianism, which the LDS Church does not affirm. The branch of theology which seeks to maintain the practice of polygamy is known asMormon fundamentalism and includes several different churches.[7] Other groups affirm Trinitarianism, such as theCommunity of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and describe their doctrine as TrinitarianChristian restorationist.[8]
The doctrines of Mormonism began with the farmboy Joseph Smith in the 1820s inWestern New York during a period of religious excitement known as theSecond Great Awakening.[11] Smith, at 14 years old, was determined to find out whichchurch taught the "true"doctrine ofGod. He believed that God existed, but was confused by what he believed to be contradictions in the beliefs of churches available to him. InJoseph Smith-History, he wrote: "While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading theEpistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.'" After praying about whichdenomination he should join, Smith said he received a vision in the spring of 1820.[12] Called the "First Vision", Smith said thatGod the Father and his son,Jesus Christ, appeared to him and instructed him to join none of the existing churches because they were all wrong.[13] During the 1820s, Smith chronicled several angelic visitations, and was eventually told (by the angels) that God would use him to re-establish the "true Christian church."[14]
In 1830 Smith published theBook of Mormon which he claimed to have translated from ancient writings found ongolden plates. He saidan angel first showed him the location of the plates in 1823, buried ina nearby hill. After obtaining the plates in 1827, Smith began dictating the text of the Book of Mormon in April 1828 with the assistance ofMartin Harris and laterOliver Cowdery. After several interruptions, Smith completed the manuscript in June 1829.[15] Smith said the plates were returned to the angel after he finished the translation.
The Book of Mormon claims to bea chronicle of earlyIsraelites who left theNear East and traveled to theAmericas. The book beginsc. 600 BC with the departure fromJerusalem of the family of a prophet namedLehi, and their sailing to the Americas. It tells of people in the Americas (presumablyNative Americans) with a belief inJesus hundreds of years beforehis birth; their witnessing Jesus's personal visitation to them afterhis resurrection; and of their eventually losing Christianity after generations of wars andapostasy. According to Smith, theBook of Mormon andother revelations would be the means of establishing correct doctrine for arestored church. Smith beganbaptizing new converts in 1829, and formally organized theChurch of Christ in 1830.[16] Smith was seen by his followers as a modern-dayprophet.[17]
The early church encountered criticism and persecution from residents ofPalmyra, New York and surrounding several towns when they began to organize.[4] To avoid confrontation, Smith and the early church members, known asMormons, moved West toKirtland, Ohio, andJackson County, Missouri where they hoped to establish a permanentNew Jerusalem orCity of Zion.[18] However, they were expelled from Jackson County in 1833 and fled to other parts of Missouri. In 1838, fightingbetween the Missourians and Mormons resulted in the governor of Missouri issuingan "extermination order" against the Mormons, forcing them to flee the state.[19] The displaced church relocated to Illinois where under Smith's direction, the church bought a small town, renamed itNauvoo, and lived with a degree of peace and prosperity for a few years.[20] However, tensions between Mormons and their neighbors again escalated. In 1844Smith was killed by a mob, precipitatinga succession crisis.[21]
The largest group of Mormons, now called theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, followedBrigham Young as the new prophet and, under his direction, emigrated to what became theUtah Territory.[22] There, the church began the open practice ofplural marriage, a form of religiouspolygamy which Smith had instituted in Nauvoo. Polygamy became the faith's most sensational characteristic during the 19th century, and vigorous opposition by theUnited States Congress threatened the church's existence as a legal institution. Further, polygamy was also a major cause for the opposition to Mormonism in the states of Idaho and Arizona.[23] In the1890 Manifesto, church presidentWilford Woodruff announced the official end of plural marriage.[24]
Due to this formal abolition of plural marriage, several small groups broke from the LDS Church forming many smallerMormon fundamentalist denominations.[25] During the latter half of the 20th century theLDS Church grew rapidly, going from about 1.7 million members in 1960 to around 7.7 million members in 1990. Growth since then has slowed, and the church claimed a membership of 16 million in 2020.[26]
In orthodox Mormonism, the termGod generally refers to the biblicalGod the Father, whomLatter Day Saints refer to asElohim,[27][28][29] and the termGodhead refers to a council of three distinct divine persons consisting of God the Father,Jesus Christ (his firstbornSon, whom Latter Day Saints refer to asJehovah), and theHoly Ghost.[27][29] Latter Day Saints believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three distinct beings, and that the Father and Jesus have perfected, glorified, physical bodies, while the Holy Ghost is a spirit without a physical body.[27][30][31] Latter Day Saints also believe that there are other gods and goddesses outside the Godhead, such as aHeavenly Mother—who is married to God the Father—and that faithful Latter-day Saints may attain godhood in the afterlife.[32]Joseph Smith taught that God was once a man on another planet before beingexalted to Godhood.[33]
This conception differs from the traditional ChristianTrinity in several ways, one of which is that Mormonism has not adopted or continued to hold the doctrine of theNicene Creed, that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of thesame substance or being.[27] Also, Mormonism teaches that the intelligence dwelling in each human is coeternal with God.[34] Mormons use the termomnipotent to describe God, and regard him as the creator: they understand him as being almighty and eternal but subject to eternal natural law which governs intelligences, justice and the eternal nature of matter (i.e. God organized the world but did not create it from nothing).[35] The Mormon conception of God also differs substantially from theJewish tradition ofethical monotheism in whichelohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a completely different conception.
This description of God represents the Mormonorthodoxy, formalized in 1915 based on earlier teachings. Other currently existing and historical branches of Mormonism have adopted different views of god, such as theAdam–God doctrine and Trinitarianism.[citation needed]
Mormonism describes itself as falling withinworld Christianity, but as a distinct restoreddispensation; it characterizes itself as the only true form of the Christian religion since the time of a "Great Apostasy" that began not long after theascension of Jesus Christ.[36] According to Mormons this apostasy involved the corruption of the pure, original Christian doctrine withGreek and other philosophies,[37] and followers dividing into different ideological groups.[38] Additionally, Mormons claim themartyrdom of theApostles led to the loss ofPriesthood authority to administer the Church and its ordinances.[39][40]
Mormons believe that God re-established the1st-centuryearly Christian church as found in theNew Testament through therestoration of Joseph Smith.[41] In particular, Mormons believe that angels such asPeter,James,John, andJohn the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and others and bestowed variousPriesthood authorities on them.[42] Mormons thus believe that their Church is the "only true and living church" because divine authority was restored to it through Smith. In addition, Mormons believe that Smith and his legitimate successors are modern prophets who receive revelation from God to guide the church. They maintain that other Christian religions have a portion of the truth and are guided by thelight of Christ.[43][44]
Smith's cosmology is laid out mostly in Smith's later revelations and sermons, but particularly theBook of Abraham, theBook of Moses, and theKing Follett discourse.[45]Mormon cosmology presents a unique view of God and the universe, and places a high importance on humanagency. In Mormonism, life on earth is just a short part of an eternal existence. Mormons believe that in the beginning, all people existed as spirits or "intelligences", in the presence of God.[46] In this state, God proposed aplan of salvation whereby they could progress and "have a privilege to advance like himself."[47] The spirits were free to accept or reject this plan, and a "third" of them, led bySatan rejected it.[48] The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth and receiving bodies with an understanding that they would experience sin and suffering.
In Mormonism, the central part of God's plan is theatonement of Jesus Christ.[49] Mormons believe that one purpose of earthly life is to learn to choose good over evil. In this process, people inevitably make mistakes, becoming unworthy to return to the presence of God. Mormons believe that Jesus paid for the sins of the world and that all people can be saved through his atonement.[50] Mormons accept Christ's atonement through faith, repentance, formal covenants or ordinances such as baptism, and consistently trying to live a Christ-like life.
According to Mormon scripture, the Earth's creation was notex nihilo, but organized from existing matter. The Earth is just one of many inhabited worlds, and there are many governing heavenly bodies, including the planet or starKolob, which is said to be nearest thethrone of God.[citation needed]
America
Mormons believe that the U.S. Constitution is the result of divine inspiration. Fundamentalists believe in the relatedWhite Horse Prophecy.
Joseph Smith argued that themillennialNew Jerusalem was to be built in America (10thArticle of Faith).[52] In theDoctrine and Covenants, Smith records God as saying "it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:79–80). To Mormons, this places America as the originator ofreligious liberty and freedom, while noting a need to expand these American values worldwide.[56]
Although officially shunned by the LDS Church,fundamentalist Mormons believe in theWhite Horse Prophecy, which argues that Mormons will be called upon to preserve the Constitution as it hangs "by a thread".[57][58]
Ordinances
In Mormonism, anordinance is a religiousritual of special significance, often involving the formation of acovenant with God.[59] Ordinances are performed by the authority of thepriesthood and in the name ofJesus Christ. The term has a meaning roughly similar to that of the termsacrament in other Christian denominations.
A young manbaptizing a child into the LDS Church in Panama
In Mormonism, the saving ordinances are seen as necessary for salvation, but they are not sufficient in and of themselves. For example, baptism is required forexaltation, but simply having been baptized does not guarantee any eternal reward. The baptized person is expected to be obedient to God's commandments, to repent of any sinful conduct subsequent to baptism, and to receive the other saving ordinances.
Because Mormons believe that everyone must receive certain ordinances to be saved, Mormons performordinances on behalf of deceased persons.[61] These ordinances are performed vicariously or by "proxy" on behalf of the dead. In accordance with their belief in each individual's "free agency", living or dead, Mormons believe that the deceased may accept or reject the offered ordinance in thespirit world, just as all spirits decided to accept or reject God's plan originally. In addition, these "conditional" ordinances on behalf of the dead are performed only when a deceased person's genealogical information has been submitted to a temple and correctly processed there before the ordinance ritual is performed. Only ordinances for salvation are performed on behalf of dead people.[citation needed]
Mormons believe in theOld andNew Testaments, and the LDS Church uses theAuthorized King James Version as its official scriptural text of theBible. While Mormons believe in the general accuracy of the modern day text of the Bible, they also believe that it is incomplete and that errors have been introduced.[62][63][64] According to Mormon theology, many lost truths are restored in theBook of Mormon, which Mormons hold to be divine scripture and equal in authority to the Bible.[65]
The Mormon scriptural canon also includes a collection of revelations and writings contained in theDoctrine and Covenants which contains doctrine and prophecy and thePearl of Great Price which addresses briefly Genesis to Exodus. These books, as well as theJoseph Smith Translation of the Bible, have varying degrees of acceptance as divine scripture among different denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement.[citation needed]
In Mormonism,continuous revelation is the principle that God or his divine agents still continue to communicate to mankind. This communication can be manifest in many ways: influences of theHoly Ghost (the principal form in which this principle is manifest), visions, visitations of divine beings, and others. Joseph Smith used the example of the Lord's revelations to Moses inDeuteronomy to explain the importance of continuous revelation:
God said, "Thou shalt not kill"; at another time he said, "Thou shalt utterly destroy." This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted, by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the Kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.[66]
Mormons believe that Smith and subsequent church leaders could speak scripture "when moved upon by the Holy Ghost."[67] In addition, many Mormons believe that ancient prophets in other regions of the world received revelations that resulted in additional scriptures that have been lost and may, one day, be forthcoming. In Mormonism, revelation is not limited to church members. For instance, Latter Day Saints believe that theUnited States Constitution is a divinely inspired document.[68]
Mormons are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Ghost and receive personal revelation for their own direction and that of their family.[67] The Latter Day Saint concept of revelation includes the belief that revelation from God is available to all those who earnestly seek it with the intent of doing good. It also teaches that everyone is entitled topersonal revelation with respect to his or herstewardship (leadership responsibility). Thus, parents may receive inspiration from God in raising their families, individuals can receive divine inspiration to help them meet personal challenges, church officers may receive revelation for those whom they serve.
The important consequence of this is that each person may receive confirmation that particular doctrines taught by a prophet are true, as well as gain divine insight in using those truths for their own benefit and eternal progress. In the church, personal revelation is expected and encouraged, and many converts believe that personal revelation from God was instrumental in their conversion.[69]
Since its beginnings, the faith has proclaimed itself to be Christ's Churchrestored with its original authority, structure and power; maintaining that existing denominations believed in incorrect doctrines and were not acknowledged by God as his church and kingdom.[77] Though the religion quickly gained a large following of Christian seekers, in the 1830s, many American Christians came to view the church's early doctrines and practices[78] as politically and culturallysubversive, as well as doctrinally heretical, abominable, and condemnable. This discord led to a series of sometimes-deadly conflicts between Mormons and others who saw themselves as orthodox Christians.[79] Although such violence declined during the twentieth century, the religion's unique doctrinal views and practices still generate criticism, sometimes vehemently so. This gives rise to efforts by Mormons and opposing types of Christians to proselytize each other.[citation needed]
Some notable differences with mainstream Christianity include a belief that Jesus began hisatonement in the garden ofGethsemane and continued it to his crucifixion, rather than the orthodox belief that the crucifixion alone was the physical atonement;[84] and an afterlife with threedegrees of glory, withhell (often calledspirit prison) being a temporary repository for the wicked between death and the resurrection.[85] Additionally, Mormons do not believe in creationex nihilo, believing that matter is eternal, and creation involved God organizing existing matter.[86]
Much of the Mormon belief system is geographically oriented around theNorth andSouth American continents. Mormons believe that the people of theBook of Mormon lived in thewestern hemisphere, that Christ appeared in the western hemisphere after his death and resurrection, that the true faith was restored inUpstate New York by Joseph Smith, that theGarden of Eden was located in North America, and that theNew Jerusalem would be built inMissouri.[citation needed] For this and other reasons, including a belief by many Mormons inAmerican exceptionalism,Molly Worthen speculates that this may be whyLeo Tolstoy described Mormonism as the "quintessential 'American religion'".[87]
Although Mormons do not claim to be part ofJudaism, Mormon theology claims to situate Mormonism within the context of Judaism to an extent that goes beyond what most other Christian denominations claim. The faith incorporates manyOld Testament ideas into its theology, and the beliefs of Mormons sometimes parallel those of Judaism and certain elements of Jewish culture. In the earliest days of Mormonism, Joseph Smith taught that theIndigenous peoples of the Americas were members of some of theLost Tribes of Israel. Later, he taught that Mormons were Israelites, and that they may learn of their tribal affiliation within the twelve Israelite tribes. Members of the LDS Church receivePatriarchal blessings which declare the recipient's lineage within one of the tribes of Israel. The lineage is either through true blood-line or adoption. The LDS Church teaches that if one is not a direct descendant of one of the twelve tribes, upon baptism he or she is adopted into one of the tribes. Patriarchal blessings also include personal information which is revealed through a patriarch by the power of the priesthood.
Smith hired Joshua (James) Seixas, son ofGershom Mendes Seixas and Hebrew school teacher atCongregation Shearith Israel, to teach Mormon leaders Hebrew. Smith himself attended some of these classes and went on to use his basic Hebrew in teachings. For example, Smith named the largest Mormon settlement he foundedNauvoo, which means "beautiful" (pl.) inBiblical Hebrew. Brigham Young named a tributary of theGreat Salt Lake theJordan River. The LDS Church has aJerusalem Center inIsrael, where students focus their study on Near Eastern history, culture, language, and the Bible.[88]
There has been some controversy involving Jewish groups who see the actions of some elements of Mormonism as offensive. In the 1990s, Jewish groups vocally opposed the LDS practice ofbaptism for the dead on behalf of Jewish victims ofthe Holocaust and Jews in general. According to LDS Churchgeneral authority Monte J. Brough, "Mormons who baptized 380,000 Holocaust victims posthumously were motivated by love and compassion and did not understand their gesture might offend Jews ... they did not realize that what they intended as a 'Christian act of service' was 'misguided and insensitive'".[89] Mormons believe that when the dead are baptized through proxy, they have the option of accepting or rejecting the ordinance.
Relationship with UFOlogy
Many Mormons are believers, experiencers, or promotors ofUFOs as an interstellar or non-human phenomenon. Matthew Bowman, scholar ofMormon Studies, writes that while some people use this to try to make Mormonism look silly, "a good number of Latter-day Saints" have welcomed being associated with UFOs. "Latter-day Saints have pointed to the phenomenon as either entirely consistent with their faith or even proof of it. ... These folks are the heirs to a strain of theology going back to Brigham Young that peaked with the early 20th-century writings of church leaders likeB.H. Roberts orJohn Widtsoe."[90]
Mainstream Mormonism is defined by the leadership of the LDS Church which identifies itself as Christian.[72] Members of the LDS Church consider their top leaders to be prophets andapostles, and are encouraged to accept their positions on matters of theology, while seeking confirmation of them through personal study of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Personal prayer is encouraged as well. The LDS Church is by far the largest branch of Mormonism. It has continuously existed since thesuccession crisis of 1844 that split the Latter Day Saint movement after the death of founder Joseph Smith, Jr.
The LDS Church seeks to distance itself from other branches of Mormonism, particularly those that practice polygamy.[92]The church maintains a degree of orthodoxy by excommunicating or disciplining its members who take positions or engage in practices viewed as apostasy. For example, the LDS Church excommunicates members who practice polygamy or who adopt the beliefs and practices of Mormon fundamentalism.[citation needed]
One way Mormon fundamentalism distinguishes itself from mainstream Mormonism is through the practice ofplural marriage.[93] Fundamentalists initially broke from the LDS Church after that doctrine was discontinued around the beginning of the 20th century. Mormon fundamentalism teaches that plural marriage is a requirement forexaltation (the highest degree of salvation), which will allow them to live as gods and goddesses in the afterlife. Mainstream Mormons, by contrast, believe that a singleCelestial marriage is necessary for exaltation.
In distinction with the LDS Church, Mormon fundamentalists also often believe in a number of other doctrines taught and practiced byBrigham Young in the 19th century, which the LDS Church has either abandoned, repudiated, or put in abeyance. These include:
Mormon fundamentalists believe that these principles were wrongly abandoned or changed by the LDS Church, in large part due to the desire of its leadership and members to assimilate into mainstream American society and avoid the persecutions and conflict that had characterized the church throughout its early years. Others believe that it was a necessity at some point for "a restoration of all things"[This quote needs a citation] to be a truly restored Church.
Some LDS Church members have worked towards a more liberal reform of the church.[citation needed] Others have left the LDS Church and still consider themselves to becultural Mormons.[citation needed] Others have formed new religions (many of them now defunct). For instance theGodbeites broke away from the LDS Church in the late 19th century, on the basis of both political and religious liberalism, and in 1985 theRestoration Church of Jesus Christ broke away from the LDS Church as anLGBT-friendly denomination, which was formally dissolved in 2010.[citation needed]
As the largest denomination within Mormonism, the LDS Church has been the subject of criticism since it was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.
Perhaps the most controversial, and a key contributing factor for Smith's murder, is the claim thatplural marriage (as defenders call it) orpolygamy (as critics call it) is biblically authorized. Under heavy pressure—Utah would not be accepted as a state if polygamy was practiced—the church formally and publicly renounced the practicein 1890. Utah's statehood soon followed. However, plural marriage remains a controversial and divisive issue, as despite the official renunciation of 1890, it still has sympathizers, defenders, and semi-secret practitioners within Mormonism, though not within the LDS Church.
^McLoughlin, Williamn G.; Ahlstrom, Sydney E. (June 1973). "A Religious History of the American People".The Journal of American History.60 (1): 508.doi:10.2307/2936335.ISSN0021-8723.JSTOR2936335.
^Smith's restoration differed significantly from otherrestorationist movements of the era (for instance, that of Alexander Campbell). Instead of using Bible analysis, Smith claimed to write and interpret scripture as the biblical prophets did.Bushman (2008, p. 5)
^Smith, Joseph Fielding; Galbraith, Richard C., eds. (1993) [1938].Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Deseret Book Company. p. 316.ISBN0-87579-647-8. ("Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true 'Mormons'.")
^Palmer; Keller; Choi; Toronto (1997).Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View. Brigham Young University. (Mormons take aninclusivist position that their religion is correct and true but that other religions have genuine value).
^Mormons differ among themselves about the form of man in the beginning ... but Smith's intention was to assert that some essence of human personality has always existed.Bushman (2008, p. 72)
^According to the Book of Moses, Lucifer offered an alternate plan that would guarantee the salvation ofall spirits, however, at the cost of their agency, essentially forcing them to be saved. God's plan allowed spirits the freedom of choice but left room for some to fall out of his presence into darkness.Bushman (2008, p. 73)
^Nineteenth century Mormonism defined itself against Calvinistic religions that asserted humans' incapacity and utter dependence on the grace of God. Early Mormon preachers emphasized good works and moral obligation; however in the late twentieth century, Mormons pulled back from an "entrenched aversion" to the doctrines of grace, and today have an attitude of trusting in the grace of Christ while trying their best to do good works.Bushman (2008, p. 76)
^An ordinance is generally a physical act signifying a spiritual commitment or a covenant. Failure to honor that commitment results in the ordinance having no effect. However, sincere repentance can restore the blessings associated with the ordinance.
^Bushman (2008, p. 8) ("As the name of the church ... suggests, Jesus Christ is the premier figure. Smith does not even play the role of the last and culminating prophet, as Muhammad does in Islam");"What Mormons Believe About Jesus Christ". LDS Newsroom. RetrievedNovember 11, 2011.; In a2011 Pew Survey a thousand Mormons were asked to volunteer the one word that best describes Mormons. The most common response from those surveyed was "Christian" or "Christ-centered".
^"Mormonism in America".Pew Research Center. January 2012. Archived fromthe original on January 15, 2012. RetrievedOctober 3, 2012.Mormons are nearly unanimous in describing Mormonism as a Christian religion, with 97% expressing this point of view.
^For example, a 2007 poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that one in three Americans surveyed do not consider Mormons to be Christian. See for exampleReligionNewsblog.comArchived October 4, 2009, at theWayback Machine
^"It is sometimes said that Mormonism is to Christianity as Christianity is to Judaism. Both Mormonism and Christianity established themselves by reinterpreting a preceding faith. Christianity built on Judaism but emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Mormonism began with Christianity but accepted new revelation through a modern prophet."Bushman (2008, p. 62)
^Teaching that existing denominations "were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged by God as his church and kingdom"Smith 1842a, p. 707 and "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight."Smith 1842c, p. 748
^Mormon scriptures speak of hell in two ways. The first is another name forspirit prison, a place for the spirits of people who have "died in their sins." The second is a more permanent place calledOuter Darkness, reserved for the Devil, his angels, and those who have committed the unpardonable sin.True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, 2004, LDS Church. "HellArchived 2010-06-16 at theWayback Machine," p. 81; See also:Christian views on Hell (Latter-day Saints)
^Urban, Hugh B (2015).Mormonism and Plural Marriage: The LDS and the FLDS. University of California Press.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^The LDS Church encourages journalists not to use the wordMormon in reference to organizations or people that practice polygamy"Style Guide – LDS Newsroom". April 9, 2010.Archived from the original on June 13, 2019. RetrievedNovember 11, 2011.; The church repudiates polygamist groups and excommunicates their members if discoveredBushman (2008, p. 91);"Mormons seek distance from polygamous sects". NBC News. 2008.Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. RetrievedApril 16, 2020.
Beckwith, Francis J.; Mosser, Carl; Owen, Paul, eds. (2002).The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.ISBN0-310-23194-9.
Shields, Steven L. (1990).Divergent Paths of the Restoration: a History of the Latter Day Saint Movement (Fourth revised and enlarged ed.). Los Angeles: Restoration Research.ISBN0-942284-00-3.
