Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure :
138-581: Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: Chrismation consists of the sacrament or mystery in the Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches , as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East initiation rites. The sacrament
276-575: A Manifesto that officially suspended the practice of polygamy. Although this Manifesto did not dissolve existing plural marriages, relations with the United States markedly improved after 1890, such that Utah was admitted as a U.S. state in 1896. After the Manifesto, some Mormons continued to enter into polygamous marriages, but these eventually stopped in 1904 when church president Joseph F. Smith disavowed polygamy before Congress and issued
414-508: A prophet , while under inspiration, is considered to be the word of God. Thus, the Bible, written by prophets and apostles, is the word of God, so far as it is translated correctly. The Book of Mormon is also believed to have been written by ancient prophets and is viewed as a companion to the Bible. By this definition, the teachings of Smith's successors are also accepted as scripture, though they are always measured against and draw heavily from
552-559: A " Second Manifesto " calling for all plural marriages in the church to cease. Eventually, the church adopted a policy of excommunicating members found practicing polygamy, and today actively seeks to distance itself from " fundamentalist " groups that continue the practice. During the early 20th century, Mormons began reintegrating into the American mainstream. In 1929, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir began broadcasting
690-727: A 1978 reversal that was prompted in part by questions about mixed-race converts in Brazil. In general, Mormons greeted the change with joy and relief. Since 1978, black membership has grown, and in 1997 there were approximately 500,000 black church members (about 5 percent of the total membership), mostly in Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Black membership has continued to grow substantially, especially in West Africa, where two temples have been built. Some black Mormons are members of
828-466: A broad level, the mysteries are an affirmation of the goodness of created matter, and are an emphatic declaration of what that matter was originally created to be. Despite this broad view, Orthodox divines do write about there being seven "principal" mysteries. On a specific level, while not systematically limiting the mysteries to seven, the most profound Mystery is the Eucharist or Synaxis , in which
966-510: A connection to, the same chrism which was sanctified by the Apostles in the first century, and thus is a symbol of apostolic succession . The Coptic Orthodox Church follows a tradition that states while the Apostles used to give Confirmation by the laying on of the hands, they found they were not able to travel to lay hands as the number of converts grew. Thus they ordered the collection of
1104-497: A culture of their own. As the faith spread worldwide, many of its more distinctive practices followed. Mormon converts are urged to undergo lifestyle changes, repent of sins, and adopt sometimes atypical standards of conduct. Practices common to Mormons include studying scriptures , praying daily, fasting regularly, attending Sunday worship services, participating in church programs and activities on weekdays, and refraining from work on Sundays when possible. The most important part of
1242-657: A farming community in the desert. From 1849 to 1852, the Mormons greatly expanded their missionary efforts, establishing several missions in Europe, Latin America, and the South Pacific. Converts were expected to "gather" to Zion, and during Young's presidency (1847–77), over seventy thousand Mormon converts immigrated to America. Many of the converts came from England and Scandinavia and were quickly assimilated into
1380-578: A linen cloth, let him be anointed with Chrism, as one who is baptized. And let him put on a new robe in the manner of those who have been baptized. If ... one who is of age has renounced his impending torment ... then let him be washed and anointed with Chrism according to the accepted Rite. And when the Liturgy is celebrated, let him be counted worthy of the Holy Things, occupying himself in Church and
1518-543: A majority of Mormon fundamentalists have never been members of the LDS Church. Liberal Mormons, also known as Progressive Mormons, take an interpretive approach to LDS teachings and scripture. They look to the scriptures for spiritual guidance, but may not necessarily believe the teachings to be literally or uniquely true. For liberal Mormons, revelation is a process through which God gradually brings fallible human beings to greater understanding. A person in this group
SECTION 10
#17327659993851656-610: A man and a woman. Same-sex marriages are not performed or supported by the LDS Church. Church members are encouraged to marry and have children, and Latter-day Saint families tend to be larger than average. Mormons are opposed to abortion, except in some exceptional circumstances, such as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape or when the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy. Many practicing adult Mormons wear religious undergarments that remind them of covenants and encourage them to dress modestly. Latter-day Saints are counseled not to partake in any form of media that
1794-789: A mob in Carthage, Illinois . Because Hyrum was Smith's logical successor, their deaths caused a succession crisis , and Brigham Young assumed leadership over most Latter Day Saints. Young had been a close associate of Smith's and was the senior apostle of the Quorum of the Twelve . Smaller groups of Latter-Day Saints followed other leaders to form other denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. For two years after Joseph Smith's death, conflicts escalated between Mormons and other Illinois residents. To prevent war, Brigham Young led
1932-400: A people with a strong sense of unity and commonality. From the start, Mormons have tried to establish what they call " Zion ", a utopian society of the righteous. Mormon history can be divided into three broad periods: (1) the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith , (2) a "pioneer era" under the leadership of Brigham Young and his successors, and (3) a modern era beginning around
2070-531: A religious duty, with the number of plural marriages reaching a peak around 1860 and then declining through the rest of the century. Besides the doctrinal reasons for plural marriage, the practice made some economic sense, as many of the plural wives were single women who arrived in Utah without brothers or fathers to offer them societal support. By 1857, tensions had again escalated between Mormons and other Americans, primarily due to accusations involving polygamy and
2208-577: A strong sense of community that stems from their doctrine and history. One of the central doctrinal issues that defined Mormonism in the 19th century was the practice of plural marriage , a form of religious polygamy . From 1852 until 1904, when the LDS Church banned the practice, many Mormons who had followed Brigham Young to the Utah Territory openly practiced polygamy. Mormons dedicate significant time and resources to serving in their churches. A prominent practice among young and retired members of
2346-446: A united family that lives and progresses forever is at the core of Latter-day Saint doctrine, and Mormons place a high importance on family life. Many Mormons hold weekly Family Home Evenings , in which an evening is set aside for family bonding, study, prayer, and other activities they consider to be wholesome. Latter-day Saint fathers who hold the priesthood typically name and bless their children shortly after birth to formally give
2484-434: A variety of reasons, including a belief that it is better to concentrate on the reality behind the symbols; however, it does not forbid its members from receiving sacraments in other denominations. The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) also do not practice formal sacraments, believing that all activities should be considered holy. Rather, they are focused on an inward transformation of one's whole life. Some Quakers use
2622-468: A visible symbol of the reality of God , as well as a channel for God's grace . Many denominations , including the Roman Catholic , Lutheran , Presbyterian , Anglican , Methodist , and Reformed , hold to the definition of sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo : an outward sign of an inward grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacraments signify God's grace in a way that
2760-531: A weekly performance on national radio, becoming an asset for public relations. Mormons emphasized patriotism and industry, rising in socioeconomic status from the bottom among American religious denominations to the middle class. In the 1920s and 1930s, Mormons began migrating out of Utah, a trend hurried by the Great Depression , as Mormons looked for work wherever they could find it. As Mormons spread out, church leaders created programs to help preserve
2898-470: Is a prerequisite for chrismation—an initiate must always be validly baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost before any further sacraments can be administered. The use of economia is at the discretion of, and subject to the guidelines imposed by, the local bishop . Converts from non-Christian religions also need to be baptized before chrismation. The sacrament of chrismation is an extension of
SECTION 20
#17327659993853036-513: Is distinct from the Passion and Resurrection. Whereas in the western churches (e.g. Roman Catholic and Anglican ) confirmation is typically reserved to those of "the age of reason", chrismation in the Eastern churches (including Eastern Rite Catholic Churches ) is ordinarily administered immediately after baptism , most commonly infant baptism. After receiving this sacrament, the recipient
3174-582: Is eligible to receive the Eucharist ; one who has not been chrismated is viewed as not qualified to receive the Eucharist, since they have not yet received the Holy Ghost. Baptism is followed immediately (or at least soon afterwards) by the person's first reception of Holy Communion. The sacramental rite of chrismation may be performed by a presbyter (priest). In the Eastern tradition, chrismation shows
3312-418: Is likely that about 40 percent of Mormons in the United States and 30 percent worldwide regularly attend worship services. Reasons for inactivity can include rejection of the fundamental beliefs, history of the church, lifestyle incongruities with doctrinal teachings or problems with social integration. Activity rates tend to vary with age, and disengagement occurs most frequently between age 16 and 25. In 1998,
3450-475: Is more commonly known in the West as confirmation , although some languages such as Italian and Portuguese normally use the terms cresima and crisma ("chrismation") rather than confermazione or confirmação , respectively ("confirmation"). The term chrismation comes about because it involves anointing the recipient of the sacrament with chrism (holy oil), which according to eastern Christian belief,
3588-557: Is obscene or pornographic in any way, including media that depicts graphic representations of sex or violence. Tattoos and body piercings are generally discouraged. LGBT Mormons remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from homosexual relations and obey the law of chastity. While there are no official numbers, LDS Family Services estimates that, on average, four or five members per LDS ward experience same-sex attraction. Gary Watts, former president of Family Fellowship , estimates that only 10 percent of homosexuals stay in
3726-634: Is outwardly observable to the participant. The Catholic Church , Hussite Church and the Old Catholic Church recognise seven sacraments: Baptism , Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Eucharist (or Holy Communion), Confirmation , Marriage (Matrimony), Holy Orders , and Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction). The Eastern Churches , such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church as well as
3864-432: Is sometimes mistakenly regarded by others within the mainstream church as a Jack Mormon , although this term is more commonly used to describe a different group with distinct motives to live the gospel in a non-traditional manner. Liberal Mormons place doing good and loving fellow human beings above the importance of believing correctly. In a separate context, members of small progressive breakaway groups have also adopted
4002-437: Is the "only true and living church" because of the divine authority restored through Smith. Mormons self-identify as being Christian, while many Christians, particularly evangelical Protestants, disagree with this view. Mormons view other religions as having portions of the truth, doing good works, and having genuine value. The LDS Church has a top-down hierarchical structure with a president–prophet dictating revelations for
4140-421: The Apostles sanctified and introduced for all priests to use as a replacement for the laying on of hands by the Apostles. Chrism consists of a "mixture of 40 sweet-smelling substances and pure olive oil " sanctified by a bishop with some older chrism added in, in the belief that some trace of the initial chrism sanctified by the Apostles remains therein. The priest anoints the recipient with chrism, making
4278-690: The Catholic tradition and the Protestant Reformation . The Catholic heritage is perhaps most strongly asserted in the importance Anglicanism and Methodism places on the sacraments as a means of grace and sanctification , while the Reformed tradition has contributed a marked insistence on "lively faith" and "worthy reception". Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians participating in an Anglican/Roman Catholic Joint Preparatory Commission declared that they had "reached substantial agreement on
Chrismation - Misplaced Pages Continue
4416-703: The Coptic Orthodox Church , Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church , and the Armenian Orthodox Church . The Czechoslovak Hussite Church recognizes seven sacraments: baptism , eucharist , penance , confirmation , holy matrimony , holy orders , and anointing of the sick . The Moravian Church administers the sacraments of baptism and eucharist, as well as the rites of confirmation, holy matrimony, and holy orders. Lutherans hold that sacraments are sacred acts of divine institution. Whenever they are properly administered by
4554-650: The Eastern Catholic Churches , also believe that there are seven major sacraments, but apply the words sacred mysteries corresponding to Greek word, μυστήριον ( mysterion ), and also to rites that in the Western tradition are called sacramentals and to other realities, such as the Church itself. Many Protestant denominations, such as those within the Reformed denomination of Calvinism , preach just two sacraments instituted by Christ,
4692-480: The Eastern Orthodox the term "sacrament" is a term which seeks to classify something that may, according to Orthodox thought, be impossible to classify. The Orthodox communion's preferred term is "Sacred Mystery", and the Orthodox communion has refrained from attempting to determine absolutely the exact form, number and effect of the sacraments, accepting simply that these elements are unknowable to all except God. On
4830-508: The Evangelist Blessing , and administration to the sick". The enumeration, naming, understanding, and the adoption of the sacraments formally vary according to denomination , although the finer theological distinctions are not always understood and may not even be known to many of the faithful. Many Protestants and other post-Reformation traditions affirm Luther's definition and have only Baptism and Eucharist (or Communion or
4968-538: The Genesis Group , an organization of black members that predates the priesthood ban and is endorsed by the church. The LDS Church grew rapidly after World War II and became a worldwide organization as missionaries were sent across the globe. The church doubled in size every 15 to 20 years, and by 1996, there were more Mormons outside the United States than inside. In 2012, there were an estimated 14.8 million Mormons, with roughly 57 percent living outside
5106-775: The Latin sacrō ( ' hallow, consecrate ' ), itself derive from the Latin sacer ( ' sacred, holy ' ). In Ancient Rome , the term meant a soldier's oath of allegiance . Tertullian , a 3rd-century Christian writer, suggested that just as the soldier's oath was a sign of the beginning of a new life, so too was initiation into the Christian community through baptism and Eucharist . Roman Catholic theology enumerates seven sacraments: Baptism , Confirmation (Chrismation), Eucharist (Communion), Penance (Reconciliation, Confession), Matrimony (Marriage), Holy Orders (ordination to
5244-580: The Mormon pioneers (constituting most of the Latter Day Saints) to a temporary winter quarters in Nebraska and then, eventually (beginning in 1847), to what became the Utah Territory . Having failed to build Zion within the confines of American society, the Mormons began to construct a society in isolation based on their beliefs and values. The cooperative ethic that Mormons had developed over
5382-721: The New Jerusalem ). In 1833, Missouri settlers, alarmed by the rapid influx of Mormons, expelled them from Jackson County into the nearby Clay County , where local residents were more welcoming. After Smith led a mission, known as Zion's Camp , to recover the land, he began building Kirtland Temple in Lake County, Ohio , where the church flourished. When the Missouri Mormons were later asked to leave Clay County in 1836, they secured land in what would become Caldwell County . The Kirtland era ended in 1838 after
5520-773: The diaconate , priesthood , or episcopate ) and Anointing of the Sick (before the Second Vatican Council generally called Extreme Unction). The list of seven sacraments already given by the Second Council of Lyon (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) was reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which stated: CANON I. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or that they are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation,
5658-499: The martyrdom of the apostles led to a loss of priesthood authority to administer the church and its ordinances. Mormons believe that God restored the early Christian church through Joseph Smith. In particular, Mormons believe that angels such as Peter , James , John , John the Baptist , Moses , and Elijah appeared to Smith and others and bestowed various priesthood authorities on them. Mormons believe that their church
Chrismation - Misplaced Pages Continue
5796-654: The sign of the cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet using the following words each time: "The seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost " (in Greek : Σφραγὶς δωρεᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου ; in Church Slavonic : Печать дара Духа Святаго ). The chrism is washed off by a priest seven days later, according to the written rubrics , the newly baptized wearing their white chitons and not washing their anointed parts for that period. However, in
5934-463: The theocratic rule of the Utah Territory by Brigham Young. In 1857, U.S. President James Buchanan sent an army to Utah, which Mormons interpreted as open aggression against them. Fearing a repeat of Missouri and Illinois, the Mormons prepared to defend themselves, determined to torch their own homes if they were invaded. The relatively peaceful Utah War ensued from 1857 to 1858, in which
6072-497: The visible church , and in it all the benefits of Christ are offered to the baptized. On the Lord's supper, Westminster takes a position between Lutheran sacramental union and Zwinglian memorialism: "the Lord's supper really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under
6210-475: The 19th century, Mormon converts tended to gather in a central geographic location, a trend that reversed somewhat in the 1920s and 1930s. The center of Mormon cultural influence is in Utah , and North America has more Mormons than any other continent, although about 60% of Mormons live outside the United States. As of December 31, 2021, the LDS Church reported a membership of 16,805,400. The terminology preferred by
6348-533: The Assyrian Church of the East, which recognizes only two ecumenical councils, the First Council of Nicaea and the First Council of Constantinople . Sacrament A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence, number and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be
6486-580: The Augsburg Confession defines sacraments, according to the German text, as "outward signs and ceremonies that have God's command and have an attached divine promise of graces". His Latin text was shorter: "rites that have the command of God, and to which is added a promise of grace". This strict definition narrowed the number of sacraments down to three: Holy Baptism , the Eucharist , and Holy Absolution . Lutherans do not dogmatically define
6624-634: The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments are necessary for salvation. Through each of them, Christ bestows that sacrament's particular healing and transforming grace of the Holy Spirit, making them participants in the divine nature through union with Christ. Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: The Eastern Orthodox tradition does not limit
6762-599: The Eucharist (or Holy Communion) and Baptism. The Lutheran sacraments include these two, often adding Confession (and Absolution) as a third sacrament. Anglican and Methodist teaching is that "there are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord," and that "those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of
6900-510: The Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema . [...] CANON IV. – If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification; – though all (the sacraments) are not necessary for every individual; let him be anathema. During
7038-660: The Gospel ... but have not the like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained by God." These phrases have led to a debate as to whether the five are to be called sacraments or not. A recent author writes that the Anglican Church gives "sacramental value to the other five recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches" but these "do not reveal those essential aspects of redemption to which Baptism and Communion point". Some Anglicans maintain that
SECTION 50
#17327659993857176-506: The Gospel." Some traditions, such as The Religious Society of Friends do not observe any of the rites, or, in the case of Anabaptists , hold that they are simply reminders or commendable practices that do not impart actual grace—not sacraments but " ordinances " pertaining to certain aspects of the Christian faith. The English word sacrament is derived indirectly from the Ecclesiastical Latin sacrāmentum , from
7314-717: The LDS Church is to serve a full-time proselytizing mission . Mormons have a health code that eschews alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and addictive substances . They tend to be very family-oriented and have strong connections across generations and with extended family, reflecting their belief that families can be sealed together beyond death. They also have a strict law of chastity , requiring abstention from sexual relations outside heterosexual marriage and fidelity within marriage. Mormons self-identify as Christian , but some non-Mormons consider Mormons non-Christian because some of their beliefs differ from those of Nicene Christianity . Mormons believe that Christ's church
7452-436: The LDS Church published a style guide that encourages the use of the terms "the Church", the "Church of Jesus Christ" or the "restored Church of Jesus Christ" as shortened versions after an initial use of the full name. According to church historian Bowman, 'the term "restored" refers to the idea that the original Christian religion is obsolete, and Mormons alone are practicing true Christianity.' The 2018 style guide rejects
7590-489: The LDS Church reported having 16,565,036 members worldwide. Chile , Uruguay , and several areas in the South Pacific have a higher percentage of Mormons than the United States (which is at about 2 percent). South Pacific countries and dependencies that are more than 10 percent Mormon include American Samoa , the Cook Islands , Kiribati , Niue , Samoa , and Tonga . Isolation in Utah had allowed Mormons to create
7728-537: The LDS Church. In some cases, they may not be members of the LDS Church. Mormons have a scriptural canon consisting of the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), the Book of Mormon , and a collection of revelations and writings by Joseph Smith known as the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price . Mormons, however, have a relatively open definition of scripture . As a general rule, anything spoken or written by
7866-491: The Liturgy, as them that are baptized ... Although normally administered in conjunction with baptism, in some cases chrismation alone may be used to receive converts to Orthodoxy through the exercise of economia . Although practice in this regard varies, in general, if a convert comes to Orthodoxy from another Christian confession and has previously undergone a rite of baptism in the Trinitarian Formula ("in
8004-464: The Lord's Supper (Eucharist), ordination (for males), initiatory (called Chrismation in other Christian traditions), endowment (similar to a monastic initiation involving the taking of vows and reception of priestly clothing), and marriage. In the Community of Christ , eight sacraments are recognized, including "baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, the Lord's Supper, ordination , marriage,
8142-692: The Lord's Supper affirms "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ". In the Exhortations of the Prayer Book rite, the worthy communicant is bidden to "prepare himself by examination of conscience, repentance and amendment of life and above all to ensure that he is in love and charity with his neighbours" and those who are not "are warned to withdraw". This particular question
8280-460: The Lord's Supper) as sacraments, while others see the ritual as merely symbolic, and still others do not have a sacramental dimension at all. In addition to the traditional seven sacraments, other rituals have been considered sacraments by some Christian traditions. In particular, foot washing as seen in Anabaptist , Schwarzenau Brethren , German Baptist groups or True Jesus Church , and
8418-557: The Lord's Supper. He and all Reformed theologians following him completely rejected the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation and the treatment of the Supper as a sacrifice. He also could not accept the Lutheran doctrine of sacramental union in which Christ was "in, with and under" the elements. The Westminster Confession of Faith also limits the sacraments to baptism and the Lord's Supper. Sacraments are denoted "signs and seals of
SECTION 60
#17327659993858556-646: The Lutheran church. Luther himself around the time of his marriage and afterwards became one of the greatest champions of Marriage (Holy Matrimony), and the other two ( Confirmation and Ordination ) were kept in the Lutheran Church for purposes of good order. Within Lutheranism, the sacraments are a Means of Grace , and, together with the Word of God , empower the Church for mission. Anglican and Methodist sacramental theology reflects its dual roots in
8694-609: The Middle Ages, sacramental records were in Latin. Even after the Reformation, many ecclesiastical leaders continued using this practice into the 20th century. On occasion, Protestant ministers followed the same practice. Since W was not part of the Latin alphabet, scribes only used it when dealing with names or places. In addition, names were modified to fit a "Latin mold". For instance, the name Joseph would be rendered as Iosephus or Josephus. The Catholic Church indicates that
8832-601: The Mormon community. Many of these immigrants crossed the Great Plains in wagons drawn by oxen, while some later groups pulled their possessions in small handcarts. During the 1860s, newcomers began using the new railroad that was under construction. In 1852, church leaders publicized the previously secret practice of plural marriage , a form of polygamy . Over the next 50 years, many Mormons (between 20 and 30 percent of Mormon families) entered into plural marriages as
8970-436: The Mormons purchased the small town of Commerce, converted swampland on the banks of the Mississippi River, renamed the area Nauvoo, Illinois , and began constructing the Nauvoo Temple . The city became the church's new headquarters and gathering place, and it grew rapidly, fueled in part by converts immigrating from Europe. Meanwhile, Smith introduced temple ceremonies meant to seal families together for eternity, as well as
9108-486: The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"), he or she may be received into the Orthodox Church through the sacrament of chrismation, after which he or she would receive the Holy Eucharist. On the other hand, if a convert comes from a group which practices an invalid, non-Trinitarian baptism (such as Mormons , Jehovah's Witnesses , or Oneness Pentecostals ) or from one that does not practice baptism at all (such as Quakers or The Salvation Army ), baptism
9246-400: The Truth. "You have an anointing ( chrisma ) from the Holy One, and know all things" ( 1John 2:20 ). Chrismation in Oriental Orthodoxy is similar to that of Eastern Orthodoxy but is performed according to their sacramental theology, and may vary according to the particular church. Whereas in Western Christian theology, confirmation is seen as completing or sealing of the baptismal covenant,
9384-439: The U.S., Mormons tend to be more culturally and politically conservative than members of other U.S. religious groups.) Utah Mormons often emphasize pioneer heritage more than international Mormons, who generally are not descendants of the Mormon pioneers . Mormons have a strong sense of communality that stems from their doctrine and history. LDS Church members have a responsibility to dedicate their time and talents to helping
9522-409: The United States. It is estimated that approximately 4.5 million Mormons – approximately 30% of the total membership – regularly attend services. A majority of U.S. Mormons are white and non-Hispanic (84 percent). Most Mormons are distributed in North and South America, the South Pacific, and Western Europe. The global distribution of Mormons resembles a contact diffusion model, radiating out from
9660-484: The Utah Territory. At Young's death in 1877, he was followed by other LDS Church presidents , who resisted efforts by the United States Congress to outlaw Mormon polygamous marriages. In 1878, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. United States that religious duty was not a suitable defense for practicing polygamy. Many Mormon polygamists went into hiding; later, Congress began seizing church assets. In September 1890, church president Wilford Woodruff issued
9798-411: The actual theology is sacramental in nature. Latter-day Saint ordinances are understood as conferring an invisible form of grace of a saving nature and are required for salvation and exaltation . Latter-day Saints often use the word " sacrament " to refer specifically to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, also known as the Lord's Supper , in which participants eat bread and drink wine (or water, since
9936-471: The attendant gifts of the Spirit that are given to all the faithful, and any unique or special gifts that God deems appropriate for that person, to enable him or her to realize his or her intended potentiality as a child of God and as a unique member of Christ's Body, the Church. Hence the significance of the sacrament or mystery of chrismation is understood quite distinctly from that of baptism, much as Pentecost
10074-414: The bishop to perform the sacraments (see faculty ). Although priests in the Eastern churches are universally granted this faculty, it is thus ultimately considered a sacrament granted by a bishop and associated with that Apostolic office. Furthermore, because some of the previously sanctified chrism is mixed with the newly sanctified chrism, there is a belief that the chrism contains a remnant of, or at least
10212-556: The bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance as the elements themselves are to their outward senses." Irvingian denominations such as the New Apostolic Church teach three sacraments: Baptism , Holy Communion and Holy Sealing . Members of the Latter-day Saint movement often use the word " ordinance " in the place of the word "sacrament", but
10350-432: The case of infant baptism (and often also with adult chrismation contemporary practice), the ablution is performed immediately after the rite of chrismation. Typically, one becomes a member of the Church by baptism and chrismation performed by a priest as a single service, or subsequent to baptism performed by a layman. While chrismation is often performed without baptism, baptism is never performed without chrismation; hence
10488-488: The center of cultural influence for Mormonism. Utah Mormons (as well as Mormons living in the Intermountain West ) are on average more culturally and politically conservative than those living in some cosmopolitan centers elsewhere in the U.S. Utahns self-identifying as Mormon also attend church somewhat more on average than Mormons living in other states. (Nonetheless, whether they live in Utah or elsewhere in
10626-436: The child a name. Mormon parents hope and pray that their children will gain testimonies of the "gospel" so they can grow up and marry in temples. Mormons have a strict law of chastity , requiring abstention from sexual relations outside opposite-sex marriage and strict fidelity within marriage. All sexual activity (heterosexual and homosexual) outside marriage is considered a grave sin, with marriage recognized as only between
10764-465: The church is a Christian church. The term Mormon also causes concern for church leaders because it has been used to include splinter groups such as Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints , who practice polygamy , which the LDS Church does not; Mason said "For more than 100 years, the mainstream LDS Church has gone to great pains to distance itself from those who practice polygamy. It doesn't want to have any confusion there between those two groups." In 2018,
10902-481: The church itself has varied over time. At various points, the church has embraced the term Mormon and stated that other sects within the shared faith tradition should not be called Mormon. The word Mormon was initially coined to describe any person who believes in the Book of Mormon as a scripture volume. Mormonite and Mormon were originally descriptive terms used both by outsiders to the faith, church members, and occasionally church leaders. The term Mormon later
11040-751: The church reported that most less active members returned to church activity later in life. As of 2017, the LDS Church was losing millennial -age members, a phenomenon not unique to the LDS Church. Former Latter-day Saints who seek to disassociate themselves from the religion are often referred to as ex-Mormons . Members of sects that broke with the LDS Church over the issue of polygamy have become known as fundamentalist Mormons ; these groups differ from mainstream Mormonism primarily in their belief in and practice of plural marriage . There are thought to be between 20,000 and 60,000 members of fundamentalist sects (0.1–0.4 percent of Mormons), with roughly half of them practicing polygamy. There are many fundamentalist sects,
11178-454: The church services is considered to be the Lord's Supper (commonly called sacrament ), in which church members renew covenants made at baptism . Mormons also emphasize standards they believe were taught by Jesus Christ , including personal honesty, integrity, obedience to the law, chastity outside marriage, and fidelity within marriage. In 2010, around 13–14 percent of Mormons lived in Utah,
11316-421: The church. Many of these individuals have come forward through different support groups or websites discussing their homosexual attractions and concurrent church membership. Note that the categories below are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Members of the LDS Church, also known as Latter-day Saints, constitute over 95 percent of Mormons. The beliefs and practices of LDS Mormons are generally guided by
11454-600: The conferral of full membership, the perfecting one's bond with the Church, and/or the strengthening of gifts of the Holy Ghost to enable the recipient to live the Christian life, in the Eastern Orthodox tradition chrismation is understood more fundamentally as the bestowal of the Holy Ghost—that is, as the transmission to that person of the experience of the Day of Pentecost (cf. Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4ff), along with
11592-408: The covenant of grace". Westminster speaks of "a sacramental relation, or a sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other". Baptism is for infant children of believers as well as believers, as it is for all the Reformed except Baptists and some Congregationalists . Baptism admits the baptized into
11730-459: The day of Pentecost , when the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Apostles. It is by chrismation that a person becomes a layperson — a member of the laos (laity), the people of God. Metropolitan Kallistos (Timothy Ware) explains: Through Chrismation every member of the Church becomes a prophet, and receives a share in the royal priesthood of Christ; all Christians alike, because they are chrismated, are called to act as conscious witnesses to
11868-509: The doctrine of the Eucharist". Similarly, Methodist/Roman Catholic Dialogue has affirmed that "Methodists and Catholics affirm the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This reality does not depend on the experience of the communicant, although it is only by faith that we become aware of Christ's presence." The Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council jointly understand the word "sacrament" as referring not only to
12006-608: The doctrines of eternal progression or exaltation and plural marriage. Smith created a service organization for women called the Relief Society and the Council of Fifty , representing a future theodemocratic "Kingdom of God" on the earth. Smith also published the story of his First Vision , in which the Father and the Son appeared to him when he was about 14 years old. This vision would come to be regarded by some Mormons as
12144-427: The early 1960s. Although black people have been members of Mormon congregations since Joseph Smith's time, before 1978, black membership was small. From 1852 to 1978, the LDS Church enforced a policy restricting men of black African descent from being ordained to the church's lay priesthood . The church was sharply criticized for its policy during the civil rights movement , but the policy remained in force until
12282-717: The effect of the sacraments comes ex opere operato , by the very fact of being administered, regardless of the personal holiness of the minister administering it. However, as indicated in this definition of the sacraments given by the Catechism of the Catholic Church , a recipient's own lack of proper disposition to receive the grace conveyed can block a sacrament's effectiveness in that person. The sacraments presuppose faith and, through their words and ritual elements, nourish, strengthen and give expression to faith. Though not every individual has to receive every sacrament,
12420-652: The effects of the sacraments. Some hold views similar to the Roman Catholic ex opere operato theory. Article XXVI (entitled Of the unworthiness of ministers which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament ) states that the "ministration of the Word and Sacraments" is not done in the name of the minister, "neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness," since the sacraments have their effect "because of Christ's intention and promise, although they be ministered by evil men". As in Roman Catholic theology,
12558-600: The end of the "Prayers of Purification for One Returning to the True Faith from Apostasy". This practice is thus attested to in the ninth century by Saint Methodius of Constantinople in "The Rule of Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, Concerning the Return from Apostasy of Various Persons to the True Orthodox Faith": If a child ... is in apostasy ... let him be washed. Upon leaving the bath, girded with
12696-487: The entire church. Lay Mormons are also believed to have access to inspiration and are encouraged to seek their own personal revelations . Mormons see Joseph Smith's First Vision as proof that the heavens are open and that God answers prayers. They place considerable emphasis on "asking God" to find out if something is true. Most Mormons do not claim to have had heavenly visions like Smith's in response to prayers but feel that God talks to them in their hearts and minds through
12834-435: The erosion of traditional values, the sexual revolution , the widespread use of recreational drugs, moral relativism , and other forces they saw as damaging to the family. Partly to counter this, Mormons put an even greater emphasis on family life, religious education, and missionary work, becoming more conservative in the process. As a result, Mormons today are probably less integrated with mainstream society than they were in
12972-499: The exact number of sacraments. Luther's initial statement in his Large Catechism speaks of two sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist, in addition to Confession and Absolution, "the third sacrament". The definition of sacrament in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession lists Absolution as one of them. It is important to note that although Lutherans do not consider the other four rites as sacraments, they are still retained and used in
13110-614: The failure of a church-sponsored anti-bank caused widespread defections, and Smith regrouped with the remaining church in Far West, Missouri . During the fall of 1838, tensions escalated into the Mormon War with the old Missouri settlers. On October 27, the governor of Missouri ordered that the Mormons "must be treated as enemies" and be exterminated or driven from the state. Between November and April, some eight thousand displaced Mormons migrated east into Illinois . In 1839,
13248-559: The hearing of the Gospel, as understood by a few Christian groups (such as the Polish National Catholic Church of America ), have been considered sacraments by some churches. The Assyrian Church of the East holds the Holy Leaven and the sign of the cross as sacraments. Since some post-Reformation denominations do not regard clergy as having a classically sacerdotal or priestly function, they avoid
13386-429: The highest kingdom, a person must fully accept Christ through faith, repentance, and through ordinances such as baptism and the laying on of hands . According to Mormons, a deviation from the original principles of Christianity, referred to by them as The Great Apostasy , occurred after the ascension of Jesus Christ , marked by the corruption of Christian doctrine by Greek and other philosophies, Mormons claim
13524-465: The label. Cultural Mormons are individuals who may not believe in certain doctrines or practices of the institutional LDS Church yet identify as members of the Mormon ethnic identity. Usually, this is a result of having been raised in the LDS faith or having converted and spent a large portion of one's life as an active member of the LDS Church. Cultural Mormons may or may not be actively involved with
13662-668: The largest two being the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) and the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB). In addition to plural marriage, some of these groups also practice a form of Christian communalism known as the law of consecration or the United Order . The LDS Church seeks to distance itself from all such polygamous groups, excommunicating their members if discovered practicing or teaching it, and today,
13800-476: The last decade and a half became important as settlers branched out and colonized a large desert region now known as the Mormon Corridor . Colonizing efforts were seen as religious duties, and the new villages were governed by the Mormon bishops (local lay religious leaders). The Mormons viewed land as a commonwealth, devising and maintaining a cooperative system of irrigation that allowed them to build
13938-404: The late 1800s) as tokens of the flesh and blood of Christ. In Latter-day Saint congregations, the sacrament is normally provided every Sunday as part of the sacrament meeting and, like other Latter-day Saint ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, is considered an essential and sacred rite. Latter-day Saint ordinances which are considered "saving" include baptism, confirmation, sacrament of
14076-484: The mercy of God." In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, "the sacraments are efficacious signs of grace , instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions." While
14214-480: The most important event in human history after the birth, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The early church grew westward as Smith sent missionaries to proselytize. In 1831, the church moved to Kirtland, Ohio , where missionaries had made a large number of converts and Smith began establishing an outpost in Jackson County, Missouri , where he planned to eventually build the city of Zion (or
14352-456: The most important event in human history after the birth, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 1844, local prejudices and political tensions, fueled by Mormon peculiarity, internal dissent, and reports of polygamy, escalated into conflicts between Mormons and "anti-Mormons" in Illinois and Missouri. Smith was arrested, and on June 27, 1844, he and his brother Hyrum were killed by
14490-484: The most notable instance of violence was the Mountain Meadows massacre when leaders of a local Mormon militia ordered the killing of a civilian emigrant party that was traveling through Utah during the escalating tensions. In 1858, Young agreed to step down from his position as governor and was replaced by a non-Mormon, Alfred Cumming . Nevertheless, the LDS Church still wielded significant political power in
14628-511: The needs of poor members, which has since grown to include a humanitarian branch that provides relief to disaster victims. During the later half of the 20th century, there was a retrenchment movement in Mormonism in which Mormons became more conservative, attempting to regain their status as a "peculiar people". Though the 1960s and 1970s brought changes such as Women's Liberation and the civil rights movement , Mormon leaders were alarmed by
14766-482: The number of sacraments to seven, holding that anything the Church does as Church is in some sense sacramental . However, it recognizes these seven as "the major sacraments" which are completed by many other blessings and special services. Some lists of the sacraments taken from the Church Fathers include the consecration of a church, monastic tonsure , and the burial of the dead . More specifically, for
14904-456: The organization's headquarters in Utah. The church enforces general doctrinal uniformity, congregations on all continents teach the same doctrines, and international Mormons tend to absorb a good deal of Mormon culture, possibly because of the church's top-down hierarchy and missionary presence. However, international Mormons often bring pieces of their own heritage into the church, adapting church practices to local cultures. As of December 2019,
15042-541: The partakers, by participation in the liturgy and receiving the consecrated bread and wine (understood to have become the body and blood of Christ) directly communicate with God. No claim is made to understand how exactly this happens. The Eastern Orthodox merely state: "This appears to be in the form of bread and wine, but God has told me it is His Body and Blood. I will take what He says as a 'mystery' and not attempt to rationalize it to my limited mind". The seven sacraments are also accepted by Oriental Orthodoxy , including
15180-405: The poor and building the church. The church is divided by locality into congregations called " wards ", with several wards or branches to create a " stake ". Most church leadership positions are lay positions, and church leaders may work 10 to 15 hours a week in unpaid church service. Observant Mormons also contribute 10 percent of their income to the church as tithing . Paying tithing is one of
15318-440: The prerequisites for entrance into Mormon temples. Many LDS young men, women, and elderly couples choose to serve a proselytizing mission , during which they dedicate all of their time to the church without pay. Members are often involved in humanitarian efforts . Mormons adhere to the Word of Wisdom , a health law or code that is interpreted as prohibiting the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee and tea, while encouraging
15456-493: The principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into several groups following different leaders; the majority followed Brigham Young , while smaller groups followed Joseph Smith III , Sidney Rigdon , and James Strang . Most of these smaller groups eventually merged into the Community of Christ , and
15594-503: The sacerdotal role. Baptists and Pentecostals , among other Christian denominations , use the word ordinance rather than sacrament because of certain sacerdotal ideas connected, in their view, with the word sacrament . These churches argue that the word ordinance points to the ordaining authority of Christ which lies behind the practice. Some denominations do not have a sacramental dimension (or equivalent) at all. The Salvation Army does not practice formal sacraments for
15732-500: The sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments," and accordingly, "since Christ died for the salvation of all, those can be saved without Baptism who die for the faith ( Baptism of blood ). Catechumens and all those who, even without knowing Christ and the Church, still (under the impulse of grace) sincerely seek God and strive to do his will can also be saved without Baptism ( Baptism of desire ). The Church in her liturgy entrusts children who die without Baptism to
15870-416: The sacraments are necessary for salvation, though not every sacrament is necessary for every individual. The Church applies this teaching even to the sacrament of baptism, the gateway to the other sacraments. It states that "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament." But it adds: "God has bound salvation to
16008-731: The sacraments considered here, but also to Christ and the Church. Article XXV of the Thirty-Nine Articles in Anglicanism and Article XVI of the Articles of Religion in Methodism recognise only two sacraments (Baptism and the Supper of the Lord) since these are the only ones ordained by Christ in the Gospel. The article continues stating that "Those five commonly called Sacraments ... are not to be counted for Sacraments of
16146-489: The sacraments in the Catholic Church are regarded as means of Divine Grace, The Catholic definition of a sacrament is an event in Christian life that is both spiritual and physical. The seven Catholic sacraments have been separated into three groups. The first three Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. The two Healing Sacraments are Anointing of the Sick and Penance. The two Sacraments of Vocation are Matrimony and Holy Orders. The Church teaches that
16284-491: The scriptural canon. Mormons believe in "a friendly universe" governed by a God whose aim is to bring his children to immortality and eternal life. Mormons have a unique perspective on the nature of God , the origin of man, and the purpose of life. For instance, Mormons believe in a pre-mortal existence where people were literal spirit children of God and that God presented a plan of salvation that would allow his children to progress and become more like him. The plan involved
16422-478: The spices which were used to anoint Christ's body, and they were mixed with oil, forming, according to Coptic tradition, the first chrism, or "myron", which, according to tradition, was brought to Egypt by St Mark. The Coptic communion believes that, since that time, the "myron" has been remade 28 times. Some similar views to the Orthodox Churches regarding sacramental theology of chrismation are held by
16560-489: The spirits receiving bodies on earth and going through trials in order to learn, progress, and receive a "fullness of joy". The most important part of the plan involved Jesus , the eldest of God's children, coming to earth as the literal Son of God to conquer sin and death so that God's other children could return. According to Mormons, every person who lives on earth will be resurrected, and nearly all of them will be received into various kingdoms of glory . To be accepted into
16698-474: The teachings of LDS Church leaders . However, several smaller groups substantially differ from "mainstream" Mormonism in various ways. LDS Church members who do not actively participate in worship services or church callings are often called " less-active " or "inactive" (akin to the qualifying expressions non-observant or non-practicing used in relation to members of other religious groups). The LDS Church does not release statistics on church activity, but it
16836-527: The term Mormon typically refers to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), as today, this branch is far larger than all the others combined. People who identify as Mormons may also be independently religious, secular, and non-practicing or belong to other denominations . Since 2018, the LDS Church has emphasized a desire for its members be referred to as "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", or more simply as " Latter-day Saints ". Mormons have developed
16974-480: The term "baptism" is construed as referring to the administration of both sacraments (or mysteries), one after the other. In the Eastern Orthodox Church the mystery may be conferred more than once as it is customary to receive apostates by repeating chrismation; according to the Book of Needs , the priest "taking the Holy Chrism, he anoints him (her) according to the order of those who are baptized ..." towards
17112-403: The term "sacrament", preferring the terms "sacerdotal function", "ordinance", or "tradition". This belief invests the efficacy of the ordinance in the obedience and participation of the believer and the witness of the presiding minister and the congregation. This view stems from a highly developed concept of the priesthood of all believers . In this sense, the believer himself or herself performs
17250-467: The term Mormons along with "Mormon Church", "Mormonism", and the abbreviation LDS. The second-largest sect, the Community of Christ , also rejects the term Mormon due to its association with the practice of polygamy among Brighamite sects . Other sects, including several fundamentalist branches of the Brighamite tradition, embrace the term Mormon . The history of the Mormons has shaped them into
17388-467: The tight-knit community feel of Mormon culture. In addition to weekly worship services, Mormons began participating in numerous programs such as Boy Scouting , a Young Women organization , church-sponsored dances, ward basketball, camping trips, plays, and religious education programs for youth and college students. During the Great Depression, the church started a welfare program to meet
17526-555: The turn of the 20th century. In the first period, Smith attempted to build a city called Zion, where converts could gather. Zion became a "landscape of villages" in Utah during the pioneer era. In modern times, Zion is still an ideal, though Mormons gather together in their individual congregations rather than in a central geographic location. The Mormon movement began with the publishing of the Book of Mormon in March 1830, which Smith claimed
17664-529: The unity of the church through the bishop in the continuation of the Apostolic faith, because the chrism used is prepared and consecrated by a bishop (normally the leading bishop of an autocephalous Church, or – for some autocephalous churches – by the Patriarch of Constantinople) and is presented to the priest by the bishop and (together with the antimension ) and is the symbol of the priest's permission from
17802-584: The use of "commonly" implies that the others can legitimately be called sacraments (perhaps more exactly "Sacraments of the Church" as opposed to "Sacraments of the Gospel"); others object that at the time the Articles were written "commonly" meant "inaccurately" and point out that the Prayer Book refers to the creeds "commonly called the Apostles' Creed" and the "Athanasian" where both attributions are historically incorrect. Anglicans are also divided as to
17940-420: The use of herbs, grains, fruits, and a moderate consumption of meat. The Word of Wisdom is also understood to forbid other harmful and addictive substances and practices, such as the use of illegal drugs and abuse of prescription drugs. Mormons are encouraged to keep a year's supplies, including food and financial reserves. Mormons also oppose behaviors such as viewing pornography and gambling. The concept of
18078-415: The use of the church's full name, rather than the terms Mormon or LDS. According to Patrick Mason, chair of Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University and Richard Bennett, a professor of church history at Brigham Young University , this is because non-church members have historically been confused about whether it represents a Christian faith, which concerns church leaders, who want to emphasize that
18216-440: The use of the physical component commanded by God along with the divine words of institution, God is, in a way specific to each sacrament, present with the Word and physical component. He earnestly offers to all who receive the sacrament forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. He also works in the recipients to get them to accept these blessings and to increase the assurance of their possession. Melanchthon 's Apology of
18354-404: The words "Baptism" and "Communion" to describe the experience of Christ's presence and his ministry in worship. The Clancularii were an Anabaptist group in the 16th century who reasoned that because religion was seated in the heart, there was no need of any outward expression through the sacraments. Mormons Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism ,
18492-613: The worthiness or unworthiness of the recipient is of great importance. Article XXV in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Anglicanism and Article XVI in the Articles of Religion in Methodism states: "And in such only as worthily receive the [sacraments], they have a wholesome effect and operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase for themselves damnation," and Article XXVIII in Anglicanism's Thirty-Nine Articles (Article XVIII in Methodism's Articles of Religion ) on
18630-508: Was restored through Joseph Smith and is guided by living prophets and apostles . Mormons believe in the Bible and other books of scripture, such as the Book of Mormon . They have a unique view of cosmology and believe that all people are literal spirit children of God. Mormons believe that returning to God requires following the example of Jesus Christ and accepting his atonement through repentance and ordinances such as baptism. During
18768-652: Was a translation of golden plates containing the religious history of an ancient American civilization that the ancient prophet-historian Mormon had compiled. Smith stated that an angel had directed him to the golden plates buried in the Hill Cumorah . On April 6, 1830, Smith founded the Church of Christ . In 1832, Smith added an account of a vision he had sometime in the early 1820s while living in Upstate New York. Some Mormons regarded this vision as
18906-459: Was fiercely debated in the 19th century arguments over Baptismal Regeneration , culminating in the Gorham Case , wherein the Church of England decided in favor of Baptismal Regeneration, but the secular court overruled them. John Calvin defined a sacrament as an earthly sign associated with a promise from God. He accepted only two sacraments as valid under the new covenant: baptism and
19044-444: Was sometimes used derogatorily ; such use may have developed during the 1838 Mormon War , although church members and leaders "embraced the term", according to church historian Matthew Bowman, and by the end of the 1800s it was broadly used. The LDS Church has made efforts, including in 1982, in 2001 prior to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics , in 2011 after The Book of Mormon appeared on Broadway, and again in 2018, to encourage
#384615