Top 10 Captivating Facts about the Church of Jesus Christ

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Top 10 Captivating Facts about the Church of Jesus Christ

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is often known as LDS Church. The church is considered to restore the original church that Jesus Christ founded. The church has over 16.8 million members and 54, 538 full-time missionaries, it is the fourth-largest Christian denomination in the U.S.

Church theology includes the Christian doctrine of salvation only through Jesus Christ. The church has four spiritual texts that are used during services and teachings. The texts include the Bible, the book of Mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price.

Due to the other scriptures and doctrinal differences, Catholic and Protestant churches believe that the church of Jesus Christ is separate from mainstream Christianity.

Faithful members of the church adhere to church laws of sexual purity, health, fasting, and Sabbath observance. The church also teaches about sacred ordinances, this can be shown through making covenants with God. This includes baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, priesthood ordination, endowment, and celestial marriage.

1. The Beginning of The Church

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The history of the church is divided into three time periods, the early history during the time of Joseph Smith, a pioneer era under the leadership of Brigham Young, and a modern era beginning around the turn of the 20th century.

In 1830, Joseph Smith organized the church as the Church of Christ. He later changed the name to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He intended to establish the New Jerusalem in North America called Zion. In 1831, Joseph began to establish an outpost in Jackson County, Missouri. This is where he wanted to move the church headquarters.

The LDS Church believes Joseph Smith was a prophet and founder of their religion. His vision of righteous people would be given the power to become gods in the afterlife. This became the most important event in human history since the resurrection of Jesus.

2. The Captivating Pioneer Era

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After the death of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young led the church. He incorporated the LDS church as a legal entity and he governed both the church and the state as a theocratic leader. In 1852, he publicized the practice of plural marriage, and 20 percent of families in the church participated in the practice.

Tensions began to rise between Mormons and other Americans by the time 1857 came around. The Utah-Mormon War ensued from 1857 to 1858, which resulted in a relatively peaceful invasion of Utah by the United States Army. After the war, the church became the target of significant media criticism for it.

Brigham agreed to step down from power and was replaced by a non-Mormon territorial governor Alfred Cumming. The LDS church was still and was followed by other church presidents who wielded significant political power in the Utah Territory.

Brigham Young died in 1877, he was followed by other presidents who resisted the efforts of the United States Congress which wanted to outlaw Mormon polygamous marriages. The conflict began between Mormons and the U.S government escalated to the point that in 1890 the LDS church was incorporated and most of its assets were seized,

The church president Wilford Woodruff issued a manifesto that officially suspended the practice of polygamy. However, this manifesto did not dissolve existing plural marriages and no new marriages were t be performed in the United States. 

3. Mormon Cosmology

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The Mormon cosmology and plan of Salvation include the doctrines of a pre-mortal life, an earthly mortal existence, three degrees of heaven, and exaltation. These doctrines teach that every human spirit is a spiritual child of a Heavenly Father. It teaches how each person can learn, grow, and progress in the eternities. 

The latter ordinance is known as a sealing ceremony that reflects a singular LDS view with respect to families. In the LDS Church theology, men and women are sealed to one another so that their marital bond continues into the eternities.

The Most significant ordinances may be performed via proxy on behalf of those who have died. The church teaches that all will have the opportunity to hear and accept or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or the next.

4. Prophetic Leadership

The church is led by a president who is considered to be a prophet. he is the only person who is authorized to receive revelation from God on behalf of the whole world. The church teaches that he is essentially infallible when speaking on behalf of God. His pronouncements are considered to be authoritative within the church.

Modern declarations with broad doctrinal implications are often issued by joint statements of the First Presidency, they are joined by the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles.

5. Sources of Doctrine

The theology of the LDS Church consists of a combination of biblical doctrines with modern revelations. The most authoritative sources of theology are the faith’s canon of four religious texts. Included in the standard works are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine ad Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

The book of Mormon is a sacred book for the church. The LDS church teaches that Angel Moroni told Smith about golden plates containing records and guided him to find them. The angel also provided him with the means of translating them from Reformed Egyptian.

The book of Mormon is very important to modern Latter-day Saints who consider it the world’s most perfect text. As for the Bible, its believed to be the word of God. Most Often, the church uses the Authorized King James Version, they believe that sections of the Bible may have been lost over the centuries.

The church teaches that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are prophets. Their teachings are generally given under inspiration from God through the Holy Spirit.

6. The Captivating Worship

In LDS theology, a temple is considered to be a holy building that is dedicated as a ‘House of the Lord and held as more sacred than a typical meetinghouse or chapel. Church members participate in ceremonies that are considered the most sacred in the church. 

Temples are considered by church members to .be the most sacred structures on earth. Permission to enter is reserved only for church members who pass periodic interviews with ecclesiastical leaders.

Church members are instructed not to share details about temple ordinances with non-members or even converse about them outside the temple itself. 

7. Interesting Conference Sessions

Twice each year, general authorities address the worldwide church through general conferences. The sessions are translated into as many as 80 languages and broadcasted from the 21,000 seats. During the conference, church members officially acknowledge the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets.

8. The Interesting Priesthood Hierarchy

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The LDS Church is organized in a hierarchical priesthood structure administered by its male members. The Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus leads the church through revelation and has chosen a single man as his spokesman on earth.

Normally, there would be two counselors who are ordained apostles and form the First Presidency. The presiding body of the church, twelve other apostles form the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When a president dies, his successor is invariably the most senior of the remaining apostles. 

All males who are living the standards of the church are considered for the priesthood and are ordained to the priesthood as early as age 11. Ordination occurs through a ceremony where hands are laid on the head of the one ordained.

The priesthood is divided into an order for young men aged 11 and older is called the Aaronic Priesthood while an order for men 18 years of age and older is called the Melchizedek priesthood.

9. Captivating Media and Arts

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LDS Media includes a cinema, fiction, websites, and graphical art such as photography and paintings. The church owns quite a number of bookstores called Deseret Book.

They provide a channel through which publications are sold. Prominent church leaders have authored books and sold them through the publishing arm of the bookstore.

The church’s official choir is known as the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. It was formed in the mid-19th century and performs in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. They have traveled to more than 28 countries and are considered one of the most famous choirs in the world. The choir has received a Grammy Award, three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and the National Medal of Arts.

Some notable members of the church in the media and arts include Donny Osmond an American singer, Orson Scott author of Ender’s Game, Stephenie Meyer author of the Twilight series, and Glenn Beck a conservative radio host, and television producer.

10. Political Involvement

 The LDS church stated that it will not endorse any political parties or candidates. The church however encourages its members to play an active role as responsible citizens in their communities. 

The official church stance on staying out of politics does not include if there are instances of what church leaders deem to be moral issues. The church has opposed a few political decisions like gambling, storage of nuclear waste, and many more. 

In the 117th United States congress, there are nine LDS church members including all six members of Utah’s congressional delegation all of whom are republicans.