Mormons: Who They Are, What They Believe
(Includes subtitles in English) The Mormon Church (aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) means different things to different people. From its feel-good, family-oriented TV commercials to its Grammy- and Emmy-winning Mormon Tabernacle Choir to its bicycling missionaries, the Mormon Church is high profile all the way. Founded in the early 19th century, this religious movement boasts more than 15 million members and 85,000 missionaries, ranking it in the top five of "Christian denominations" in the U.S., according to the National Council of Churches.
But what makes this group distinctive and how does it differ from other Christian churches? Questions like these and more are addressed inMormons: Who They Are, What They Believe As a religious group, Mormons are no strangers to controversy. Let's see, special revelations from God, the murder of its founder, regional expulsion and opposition by various groups, polygamy, and a host of teachings and doctrine peculiar to itself and unlike mainstream Christianity-have all put Mormons on the periphery.
This Bible study will look at the group's origins (Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, Brigham Young, and others); the discrepancy between Mormon beliefs and orthodox Christian teaching and faith; the meaning of some of its rituals (baptism of the dead, endowments for the living and dead, temple garments, celestial marriage); and the prominence of the temple in the life of a Mormon. It will feature comments from individuals who have been deeply immersed in the Mormon belief system. It will show how some, upon exiting the Mormon Church, found themselves bewildered and disillusioned, often cut off and ostracized by their families, ready to abandon religious faith altogether. Real-life stories from those on the inside and other expert commentary add depth and authenticity to this engaging study. A discussion guide complements the video, further exploring this fascinating topic through Scripture-related passages and Internet links.
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