Category: Mormonism
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Tithing Necessary for Mormon Spiritual Health and Welfare
On March 4th 2013 the U.S. Tax Court ruled that Mormon plaintiff George Thompson would not be allowed to consider his church tithe a “necessary expense” in regards to paying back taxes owed to the government. Mr. Thompson owes $883,000 in back taxes, which he intends to pay, over time. In deciding how much Mr.…
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The "Martyrdom" of Joseph Smith
SYNOPSISCritics and supporters agree that the veracity of Mormonism hinges on Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), the founder and first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church). Smith began his own church with just six people and saw it grow and thrive, despite the many persecutions it endured.…
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Tithing Settlement (Defined)
Tithing Settlement: A private meeting members have with their bishops; if less than a tenth of one’s income was given to the church, the deficit is encouraged to be made up.
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Tithe (Defined)
Tithe: A tenth of one’s income, which is given to the church. It is required for those desiring to enter the temple. For more, see here and here.Return to dictionary here.
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Testimony (Defined)
Testimony.
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Seer Stone (Defined)
Seer Stone: Described as a chocolate-colored, egg-shaped rock Joseph Smith found while digging a well near Palmyra, New York (Comprehensive History of the Church 1:129). A number of witnesses claimed Smith used the stone when translating the Book of Mormon. According to historian Richard Bushman, “Joseph Jr. never repudiated the stones or denied their power to…
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Priesthood (Defined)
Priesthood.
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Mormonism (Defined)
Mormonism. The religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since 2018, church members have been discouraged from using this term to refer to this religion. Return to dictionary here.
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Melchizedek Priesthood (Defined)
Melchizedek Priesthood. A special authority given to Mormon men eighteen years and older, designed to enable them to gain exaltation in the highest heaven. It is taught that this priesthood was restored sometime between May 15, 1829 and April 6, 1830, although there is no written documentation for such an event prior to late 1834.…
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King Follett Discourse (Defined)
King Follett Sermon. A sermon given by Joseph Smith just three months before Joseph Smith was killed in a gun battle. On April 7, 1844, Smith declared that Joseph Smith was an exalted man who lived on an earth. It should be the goal of every person, he said, to be like God. In the…
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Joseph Smith, Jr. (Defined)
Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1830). The founder of the Mormon religion. He claimed that he was visited by God and Jesus Christ in 1820, and later by the angel Moroni in 1823. In 1830, he published the Book of Mormon and founded the Mormon Church with six members. According to LDS scripture, “Joseph Smith, the Prophet…
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General Conference (Defined)
General Conference. An assembly of LDS membership held in Salt Lake City, Utah each April and October. These meetings are for official instruction, announcements and teaching given by General Authorities and other LDS leaders. What is said at conference is considered to be authoratative.
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First Vision (Defined)
First Vision. Occurred in 1820 (officially) when Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was 14 years old. Confused about religion and reflecting on James 1:5, Smith retired to the woods to pray and ask God which church to join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. According to Joseph Smith-History 1:19, “I was…
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Christian (Defined)
Christian. A Chrsitian is, in a complete sense, is a Mormon in good standing with his or her church. A Chrsitian, according to an October 2012 general conference message (“Being a More Christian Christian”) delivered by Apostle Robert D. Hales, can be defined by these distinctives:
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Community of Christ (Defined)
Community of Christ. Previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on January 1, 2001 the church officially changed its name to the Community of Christ (COC). It is the second largest splinter group of the Latter-day Saint movement. Headquartered in Independence, Missouri, this group historically has been led by…
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Great Apostasy (Defined)
Great Apostasy. True Christianity is said to have ceased after the death of Christ’s apostles. This made it necessary for God to restore the true church through Joseph Smith in 1830. Without this belief, there is no reason for the Mormon Church to exist.