Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Overview: Mormonism, represented here chiefly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a restorationist Christian tradition that arose in the United States in the nineteenth century. Its central self-understanding is that of a restoration of the primitive church through divine revelation, renewed priesthood authority, new scriptures, and specific ecclesiastical organization. Its members often prefer the designation Latter-day Saints, although the term Mormonism remains widely used in comparative studies and historical language.

Origin and development: The tradition began with Joseph Smith Jr., who reported visions, revelations, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. After the formal organization of the church in 1830, the movement experienced migrations, social conflicts, internal divisions, and later institutional consolidation under the leadership of Brigham Young and other successors. Its main contemporary expression became a strongly centralized global organization, with intense missionary expansion and significant presence in the Americas, Oceania, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Scriptures and authority: In addition to the Bible, the tradition recognizes the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as scripture. Church leadership is structured around a president-prophet, apostles, quorums, bishops, and general authorities, and continuing revelation is an important institutional principle. Scripture is read together with later revelation and interpretation authorized by ecclesiastical leadership.

Central beliefs: Among the most distinctive beliefs are the restoration of priesthood authority, the continuation of modern prophets, the central role of the Book of Mormon, a plan of salvation that includes premortality and eternal progression, proxy ordinances for the dead, eternal family sealing, baptism by immersion performed by proper authority, and strong emphasis on sacred covenants. The idea of Zion, the church's eschatological mission, and the cooperation of grace, faith, repentance, ordinances, and perseverance are also important.

Practices: Religious life includes Sunday worship, home and communal scripture study, tithing, fasting, missionary work, family history, extensive lay service, and participation in temple ordinances for members considered worthy according to the tradition's own standards. The moral code includes chastity outside marriage, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and traditional tea in the context of the Word of Wisdom, and strong appreciation of family life.

Debates and diversity: In comparative studies, there is debate over whether the movement should be classified as a Christian tradition within a broader field or as a distinctive theological system because of major differences concerning scripture, authority, revelation, anthropology, deification, the nature of God, and church history. There are also differences between the main church headquartered in Salt Lake City and other branches of the Latter Day Saint movement. When addressing the topic, it is useful to distinguish current official doctrine, historical teachings, older theological speculations, discontinued practices, and popular reception among members.