The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

• Kelley Aas
• Josh Rhoades

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Introduction

• Started in 1820
• Currently 12 million members worldwide
• 100 temples worldwide
• Consider themselves to be a Christian organization

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History

• 1820 - Joseph Smith finds and translates Golden
  Plates into Book of Mormon
• 1844 Smith martyred, leaving Brigham Young as a
  successor
• 1890 Renounced polygamy in response to U.S.
  Government
• 1978 Allowed African Americans into priesthood

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Religious Texts

• Book of Mormon
• Translated and compiled by Joseph Smith
• Doctrine and Covenants
• Revelations of Joseph Smith
• The Pearl of Great Price
• Collection of Biblical parables
• The Bible (Joseph Smiths translation)

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Church Structure
First presidency(President/Prophet and two
counselors)
Twelve Apostles(Witnesses of Jesus Christ)
Seventies(assistants to the Twelve Apostles)
State Bishops
Local Bishops(Stakes)
Wards(Churches, Neighborhoods)
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Basic Beliefs

• They are the original Christian church, descended
  from ancient Hebrews (Nephites, Lamanites)
• The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
• No original sin, only ones own sins
• Continuous Revelation
• Premortality/Immortality (Celestial Kingdom)
• You have already accepted Gods plan for you
• Each life has a sacred purpose

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LDS Values

• Family, family, family.
• Body as a temple
• No piercings, tattoos, drugs of any kind
• Honesty, love, and the development of genuine
  personal character.
• The personal attributes set by Christs own
  example.
• Obedience to civil law.
• Sexual relations only between a man and a woman
  who are legally married.

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World Views

• Drama Reaching the Celestial Kingdom living in
  obedience to God
• One believes that the Book of Mormon is the word
  of God.

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LDS versus

• Abortion
• Every life sacred, part of Gods plan
• Homosexuality
• Immoral, and immoral to support
• Pre-marital sex
• Sanctity of marriage
• Capital Punishment
• No official statement
• Evil
• Everything that happens is part of Gods plan for
  you

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Interesting Practices

• Law of Tithing
• Baptism of the Dead
• Plain church decoration
• Missionaries
• Womens Relief Society
• July 24th, Pioneer Day

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Usual Meeting

• First hour
• Church Business
• Prayer, Song, Sacrament
• Speakers from the congregation (No sermons)
• Second hour
• Priesthood meetings/Sunday School
• Third hour
• Mens and womens services

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Our experiences
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The End