Mormons in Utah

I intend to prove that the Mormon religion, which began to rise in both
reputation and numbers in Utah, is a strange mixer of Christianity, American
pragmatism, millennialist expectations, economic experimentation, political
conservation, evangelical fervor and international activity, but is still a high
ly
followed, rapidly growing, and successful religion.
Mormonism is a major modern religion with more than 8 million
members, and over 4 million in the United States. Mormonism was founded
in 1830 by Joseph Smith who was known as the prophet. This is a young age
for such a widely practiced religion, and its numbers grow daily.
Mormonism is officially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. Its founding doctrine is based on the assumption that Christianity was
too corrupt and ungodly, and that restoring true Christian values was
necessary. A revelation like this may only come through God who needs to
put the true, pure forms of Christianity in a divine authority.
The Mormons, who follow four books including The Bible, The Book
of Mormon, Doctrine of Covenants, and Pearl of a Great Price do believe
that all religions have some amount of truth to them and do good in one form
or another, but it is only their religion that is " the only true and living chu
rch
upon Earth".
In 1820 , Mormonism was founded by a teenage Joseph Smith during
the 19th century United States religious movement known as the "Second
Great Awakening". On April 6, 1830, The Book of Mormon was completed
and a new religion was born.
Mormonism attracted many people and the firs official home of the
Mormons was in Fayette, New York. In 1831, the Mormons moved to
Kirtland, Ohio, now known as Kirtland Hills. Other Mormon areas were
being established, especially in Mississippi. Newly proclaimed Mormons
were rushing to their new religious grounds, mainly in norttheastern Ohio and
western Mississippi.
Although the Mormons were thrilled with their "perfect" religion, there
were many problems where they had established themselves. The people who
were already present in strongly populated Mormon areas began to get upset
and act very hostile. Threats were made, and the Mormons became very
scared-scared enough to move. So they did. The Mormons reestablished
themselves somewhere along the Mississippi River at a place known as
Commerce, Illinois. They Mormons were granted permission by Chicago to
latter rename their property as Nauvoo. The Mormons still were not wanted.
The people living around the Mormons became worried about their local
economy and the affects the block voting done by the Mormons would have.
The Mormons were allowed to set up their own army to protect themselves.
Soon, rumors of monarchical powers and the practice of polygamy began
floating around. This enraged locals even more and the federal government
sent armies into Mormon territory to see if they could dispel any of these
rumors. This only caused more of an upset. In 1844, Joseph Mormon and his
younger brother were placed into a prison in Illinois on charges of treason
and conspiracy. After they were released they were promised protection by
the government, but this was not the case because shortly after their release,
they were assassinated.
The leadership of the Mormons fell onto the shoulders of a group of
men known as the 12 Apostles. The 12 Apostles, knowing they couldn't stay
in Illinois, decided they had to move. Brigham Young, who took over as
prophet and president of the Mormon group, decided to move the Mormons
in 1847. They moved from Illinois to Great Basin in the rocky Mountains in
Utah. salt Lake City was set up as the main Mormon city of worship, and
soon over 300 other cities of worship sprouted up nearby. The Mormon
religious territories spread from California to Colorado, and from Mexico to
Canada.
In their new land, the Mormons thought they were safe, and 10% -20%
openly practiced polygamy. The rumors about this had proved to be true and
the government sent in an army to stop this form of worship. This propelled
the supposed Utah War that lasted from 1857 to 1858.
The Mormons went through battle after battle of judicial trials. Finally
,
in 1890, the church president at that time, Wilford Woodruff, publicly ended
all Mormon polygamy. The Mormons finally were left alone and their little
city in Utah created thousands more cities like it.
The contemporary Mormon church still has many problems, and while
it is seen as a conservative Christian church, their ideas about God's nature
and salvation greatly differ from other Christian religions. However, the
Mormons have constantly proved they believe their religion is worth fighting
for.
In this report, I have proven the Mormons are an odd mixture of
Christianity, American pragmatism, millennialist expectations, economic
experimentation, political conservation, evangelical fervor, and international
activity, and continue to grow because they are a highly followed rapidly
growing, successful religion.