what are some interesting or surprising facts about mormons?
918564
If you don't want beliefs, then take a look at the US Census.  They exceed the population averages in teenage pregnancy, adultery, teen suicide, depression in teens and depression in middle age women.\nPeople ask me about the fruit of the Mormon church.  That would be it.
995047
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - called "Mormons" because we believe in The Book of Mormon. We believe in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. We believe that God loves us as much today as he did during biblical times, so he gives us continuous revelation through a living prophet today - just as in ancient times. We believe that through Christ's Atonement we can be saved & live with Him in the kingdom of God. The Book of Mormon is a book of scripture similar to the Bible. It does not replace the Bible but is an additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It was written by the inhabitants of ancient America about the same time as the Bible was written in Jerusalem. It contains God's teachings to them including Jesus Christ's personal visit to them after his death & resurection. The church's headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah. It actually started in New York.  In 1820 Joseph Smith,  founder &  prophet had a vision & saw God the Father & His Son Jesus Christ. Eventually, he recieved the Priesthood Authority of God from Peter, James & John - 3 of Christ's origional Apostles, & restored the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. (The Authority had been lost from the earth after the death of Christ's Apostles.) He also had visitations from an angel who told him about an ancient record on gold plates. He was able to translate this record by the power of God. It is called The Book of Mormon.  Because of severe persecution, the church moved to Ohio, then Misouri, & finally Illinois. There, Joseph Smith, was killed, along with his brother Hyram. Many other Mormons were killed or driven out. In 1847 they fled to Utah for religious freedom. From there, through missionary work, the church has grown world wide. There are currently over 12,500,000 members throughout the world.\n For more information go to www.lds.org. Hope this helps you understand a bit more about "Mormons".
698607
Sorry the only Mormons I knew had 5 kids + foster kids in and out. That is a lot where I'm from.
1139036
Ummm, Mormons believe in Jesus.  They just believe in more than Jesus.
922935
It really depends on where you go as to what kind of experience you're going to get.\n\nI'm Pagan, but I attend church with my Mormon parents-in-law when I visit them in Virginia, but I've never heard a single word uttered about Joseph Smith, and I've heard many about Jesus.\n\nThere are many little differences, but essentially Mormonism and other Christian faiths are the same.\n\nOne difference is that Mormons don't believe in the Trinity - they believe that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate entities instead of three aspects of one entity. And, if you do your research, you'll find that the idea of a Triune god is actually a Pagan ideal - one of many stolen by Christianity in it's earlier years.\n\nThey also have more respect for others' beliefs and their right to have them. They do evangelize during 2-year long missions (which are optional), but they do not push the issue if they are told that someone is not interested (at least, they're not supposed to).\n\nThey believe in three different "layers" of Heaven: Celestial (the best/top), Terrestrial, and Telestial (the bottom/worst). They also believe in Hell, but they believe that Hell is only reserved for those of truly unforgivable evil. Even if you are not Mormon, so long as you have lived a reasonably good life, they believe that you can still go to Heaven, however you cannot reach the Celestial level unless you follow every commandment, are married in the Temple, etc. The Celestial level is where it is believed that God and Jesus themselves reside.\n\nThey are also the only denomination that uses additional scripture in conjunction with the Bible. They do not favor it over the Bible as many believe (not all of them, anyway), but they do have three extra books that they regard as scripture: The Book of Mormon (for which they are nicknamed), Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.\n\nThey also believe in one additional prophet, which no other Christian Church acknowledges: Joseph Smith.\n\nLast, but not least, they believe that as "man was created in God's image," God was once a man Himself, under the rule of another god when He was human. I don't fully understand the conditions, but I know that it is believed that under certain circumstances, you can reach godly status after you die, and are given the power to create and control a planet as God created and controls this one.\n\nTo my understanding, these are the most prominent differences between LDS faith and other Christian faiths.
585709
Mormons believe that human nature is basically good.
929388
What do I think of Mormons?\n\nThey're people, too.
519025
Hum interesting. It's odd to see it portrayed in a South Park kind of way. \n\nIt hits a few points right--but it is mostly inaccurate. Here are just some of the points that are twisted:\n\nFor one, it makes it seem as though all the people accepted Joseph Smith or at least didn't make too big of a deal about it. Far from the truth. The far majority of the locals thought Joseph to be crazy and many even came out strongly against. As he further organized the LDS church, they were even further persecuted. Joseph Smith was eventually martyred because of people's hatred of him and other Mormons. \n\nIt depicts that Joseph Smith translated the entire Book of Mormon using seer stones in a hat. That simply isn't the case. There are a few accounts (that are hard to even verify) that he in perhaps one or two cases translated with the aid of seer stones without the presence of the actual plates. All other accounts specify that the plates were in front of him. \n\nIt depicts that Martin Harris never saw the Gold Plates. In fact, he was one of the witnesses to it's existence. \n\nIt suggests that Martin Harris agreed with his wife in taking some of the pages to test Joseph Smith. Martin Harris's own account refutes this, further there is no clear evidence that of his wife's sole involvement. It is thought that others that were trying to expose Joseph Smith were involved.\n\nIt suggests that Joseph Smith made up the entire account while looking into a hat. Even anti-Mormons are having trouble explaining how it would be possible for Joseph Smith to recite such a complicated account simply from memory.\n\nSo all in all--it isn't very accurate. It left out any details that lend to the credibility of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. But it did get one thing right--the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith are vital to the LDS faith. It just left out the true depth of the BoM and Joseph Smith.
402273
Yeah... I don't believe what they do...but if you want a great neighbor... Mormons are the best!  Mormon families are usually good people to get to know.... they live good lives, and are good citizens (there's always and exception to the rule).... they are peaceful, and very family oriented.
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lol I used to be anti- mormon and trust me this post wont change there ways! lol they have heard rumors and been to sites such as \nCurt van den Heuvel's Page. Deals with the Book of Mormon, history and various other subjects.\n\nTough Questions For Mormons. Questions that Mormons are supposed to be having difficulty with.\n\nExMormons Page. Phenomenal links to the anti-Mormon issues. Quite comprehensive and well done in my opinion. \n\nH. Michael Marquardt's Mormon History Homepage. A well done anti-Mormon page of historical research into Mormon History, the Book of Abraham, etc.\n\nOn the Book of Abraham Papyri. Discusses the classic 1968 anti-Mormon stance against the Joseph Smith Papyri and Book of Abraham.\n\nMore Tough Questions For Mormons. Apparently Mormons are unable to answer these questions.\n\nMark D. Champneys ExMormon Christian Site.\n\nEd Decker, Saints Alive in Jesus.\n\nMormonism Research Minstry\n\nJerald and Sandra Tanners Lighthouse Ministry\n\nWatchman Ministry\n\nUtah Missions\n\nBerean Christian Ministries\n\nChristian Apologetics and Research Ministry\n\nProblems With Mormonism\n\nInstitute For Religious Research\n\nRecovery From Mormonism\n\nHarder Questions that Mormons Can't Answer\n\nRPCMan Anti-Mormon Pages\n\nA Closer Look at Mormonism\n\n \nthey are not interested in sites such as\n\nFAIR (Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) A site near and dear to my heart. Outstanding articles, and a fabulous Message Boards to learn everything you need to about Mormonism, the history, doctrines and ideas and ideals, hopes, fears, etc.\n\nFARMS Homepage. The clearinghouse of scholarly information on the LDS scriptures and history. Updated news in the LDS scholarly community of events as well.\n\nSHIELDS Scholarly Website. Shields is a scholarly rebuttal of critical views against Anti-Mormonism, with updated news events. A well done site for the LDS community. Outstanding correspondence between FARMS scholars and anti-Mormons, as well as Evangelical Christians.\n\nJeff Lindsay's Book of Abraham Page. Deals with the rolls of Abraham Papyri, the length of the rolls, how much of the papyri that Joseph Smith do we now have today? etc., etc. Very well done. Rather long, because there is a lot of information here. Talks of Facsimile #2, Enoch's Pillar, etc. also. Nice information for those confused by the anti's on this subject. Truly one of the remarkable sites on the Internet!\n\nJeff Lindsay's Book of Mormon Evidences Page. An excellent site for Book of Mormon information. Many nice links also. Very nice!\n\nZions Lighthouse Message Boards - This is THE place to go for discussions of all aspects of Mormonism with Mormons, non-Mormons, Anti-Mormons, and a mix of absolutely everyone else. \n\nRussell Anderson's LDS page Lightplanet (click here) is also a very good site. Loads of great information here.\n\nBarry Bickmore's Early Christianity and Mormonism Page. Simply a must look at for information on early Christianity with many invaluable links! A very well done and scholarly site. One of the most complete sites on early Chrisitianity along with Arden Eby's.\n\nMike Ash's Book of Mormon Evidences. Nice site discussing the flora and fauna of the Book of Mormon, and dealing with various problems the Book of Mormon supposedly has, such as plagiarizing the Bible, cement, horses, etc.\n\nPacumeni's Rebuttal of the Tanner's Page. Pacumeni is not one to take lightly as he demonstrates rather well the weaknesses of the Tanner's research into Mormonism. Well done page.\n\nBrant Gardner's Scholarly Mesoamerican Research. Brant's self-published papers on Mesoamerican archaeology and history. Very nice, and quite scholarly, as Brant is a Mesoamerican scholar.\n\nNick Literski's LDS Temples Page. Nick is having fun with this devotional, yet scholarly and tastefully done page, and I can't blame him. A very nice site, well worth looking into.\n
29459
Except for religious differences, Mormons are just like everyone else. They are Christians, and anyone who knows the meaning of the word 'christian' would see that very plainly. It's right in the name of the church. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
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Please read. \n\nI am a convert to the Church, having joined my senior year of high school. It has now been 16 years of blessing after blessing from the Lord for that decision. During all of those 16 years, I have read and re-read the Book of Mormon countless times as well as the other standard works and tried to live by their teachings. My testimony of the Book of Mormon is that it is God's word and work and it is true. You still get that burning in your bosom because despite what any critic says because the Church is true!\n\nAs far as the anti-mormon claims on this site, I agree that we should study and investigate OUR FAITH, not someone's mis-interpretation of our faith. Studying anti-mormon literature is hardly worth the effort and its sole purpose is to create doubt and lead people away from Christ. Many such sites simply isolate, twist doctrines or blatantly lie about the church. A great site for explanations to many such claims can be found at: http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/\n\nYou must remember, however, that the witness from the Holy Ghost is infinitely more valuable then any proof that man can provide. \n\nHaving said all of that, I will address some of the criticisms of the website to help you see that they are not as substantial as they appear. Nor could the Bible stand up to many of the same standards that they use to measure the Book of Mormon and the church.\n\nThere were no figs in America yet the Book of Mormon mentions figs (3 Ne 14:16). This is actually a great piece of evidence in favor of the historicity of the book of Mormon.  Since the Nephites came from Jerusalem, where they have figs, it would make perfect sense that they talk about them. The website does not mention Jacob 5 which talks about olives. The Nephites did not have olives, nor could Joseph Smith have had the knowledge he did to discuss, in accurate verifiable detail, how to care for and graft olive trees. Why mention only the things that they think will cause doubt?\n\nSince the site mentions breatplates, I will touch upon this briefly. I showed a film to my Spanish class today on the ancient Mayan civilizations. One of the first things that they discussed was how the Maya people, until recently, were seen as a peaceful people (one of archaeology’s errors). Evidence has been found of massive warfare. Cities with bunkers of dirt have been located and described as far back as Cortez himself (all of which support the Book of Mormon). The host of the video then shows a Maya carving of a warrior and points out, none other than, his breastplate. Much of the information on your anti-mormon site has long since been repudiated by current archaeologists.  \n\nThe witnesses are another good example. This website claims that the Book of Mormon is false because they apostatized from the church and may or may not have had other problems (I do not see isolated quotes, taken out of context from an anti-Mormon site as reliable). \n\nIs the Bible then also false because some of its prophets and leaders were unfaithful? The prophet Balaam disobeyed God and compromised the ancient Israelites and was killed.  Aaron allowed the Israelites to build a golden calf and worship it. Paul persecuted the Christians. Jonah failed to preach to the people of Nineveh. Peter denied Christ three times. Thomas didn't believe Christ could resurrect, even when Christ was standing right in front of him. Judas betrayed the Savior. All of these offenses seem much more serious than those of the Three Witnesses, yet we unquestioningly accept the bible. Christ was perfect, no one else. This is no reason to discredit the Book of Mormon. \n\nThis site claims that the lack of archaeological evidence as a reason to discredit the Book of Mormon. This only shows their lack of knowledge about archaeology in the ancient Americas. It is in an embryonic state when compared with the amount of time that similar research has been conducted in biblical lands. Only a very small pe
188368
try the national geneological registry of the Mormon Church.  They keep the nationwide records.
959866
After reading thru your answers I gather that most anti - Mormons are highly mis-informed! The Book of Mormon tells of the first inhabitants of the America's. All the way from the southern tip of South America on up to the Alaskan territories!  The American Indian and the Native Peoples of Mexico are the decendants of these people.  We believe in the same God, the same Jesus, Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Ghost), We definately believe That Jesus suffered in behalf of the all the sinners of the worild that they might be forgiven of their sins. And died on the cross to seal that offer.  And yes we believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly!\nI have a challenge. All Mormon Bashers should prayerfully READ the book of Mormon., before deciding what it says. After you've read it and taken Moroni up on his challenge. Then  - lets talk!!
576134
Read the Book of Mormon. It's not only another testament of Jesus Christ it also contains a history of the Native Americans. -An outstanding book!
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The Mormon church takes a special interest in the matter of heridity.  They are active in the United States.  If you live in the US they have information on lots of people there and who there ancestors were.  It might help, even if they only have a part of your family tree.  Even if you are not mormon, one of your great grandfather's cousins might have married one - for example.\n\nA popular web site is Ancestry.com - and I just noticed another site called Geneology.com that looks like it has some interesting info.
1116843
Mormons are Christians. I cannot see a problem, but then again, I am a Pagan.