Mormons in America

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-3445_162-1134728.html

The article I choose is on CBS News website, and is writing about the Mormon Religion in America. The article begins in stating that Americans know “very little about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” this being the official name for the teachings of the more commonly known religion Mormonism. The article informs the reader that “you may have a Mormon family living right down the block” this showing the identity of Mormonism is growing throughout America. http://religions.pewforum.org/reports# This website offers us the statistical numbers on Mormons in America; it shows that Mormons make up 1.7% of the adult population, the third largest sub group of the Christian faith.

The article gives the story of a couple, Susan and Matt who converted to the religious teachings of the Mormon faith. They say that what attracted them partly to the religion was “the Book of Mormon, which the Church considers a companion to the Bible.” The book is integral to the Mormon religion in telling of the “ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Mormon in having the book alongside the bible it puts Americans at the centre of this religion and distinguishing their faiths identity in America as a key part of the Christian religion.

The founder of the Mormon religion is Joseph Smith and as the article says Smith believed that God and his Son Jesus “told him all existing churches were an abomination. [And that] He had been chosen to re-establish the one true Christian church.” It is this speaking to man which makes the religion so appealing to others as “Mormonism brings this promise that God is speaking to his people." Smith did not however just have the one visit from God he says that “God revealed to him that men should be allowed to marry more than one woman.” Here the religion is introduced to the ideas of polygamy causing controversy amongst many non-Mormons, as it goes against the tradition that a man should marry one woman.

The article tells of how “the Church's numbers grew, it took political control of towns and whole counties and also raised an army. Non-Mormons felt threatened and there was violence. The Mormons were forced out of New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois” Joseph Smith was killed and caused many Mormons to flee to Utah which is why we can see such a large number of Mormons who live in Utah (around 60% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah)

As Mormons have established themselves as having strong family values it has attracted many people to the religion. They also believe that they need to spread the word of the Mormon religion as they “are taught in verse and song that they have a duty to spread the faith.” Thus growing the identity of Mormonism not only in America, but all over the world.

The article speaks very positively of Mormonism in reflecting the views of many that "It has brought nothing but goodness into my life."