Mormonism For Dummies

Explore one of the fastest-growing religions in the world The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the first Christian faith to be developed in America, and today the Church is home to millions—both inside and outside the United States. Mormonism For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a valuable tool for individuals interested in learning more about the beliefs and practices of the widely-practiced Latter-day Saint faith. In this informative book, you'll explore the different denominations of the Church, recent changes to the Church's customs and practices'which also covers why the Church encourages a shift away from the term “Mormon” and more. Inside, you'll: Discover the history and origins of the Church of Latter-Day Saints Understand the Church's official stances on areas, including race, the status of women, and polygamy Examine subjects like religious fundamentalism and orthodoxy through the lens of practicing LDS members A must-read for anyone interested in the rituals, customs, beliefs, and politics of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, Mormonism For Dummies, 2nd Edition gives you the straightforward and unbiased info you need to understand this nuanced faith.

Introduction 1 Part 1: What the Mormon Faith Is All About 5 Chapter 1: A New World Religion 7 Chapter 2: The Mormon Plan of Salvation 19 Chapter 3: Heavenly Parents, Savior, and Holy Ghost 41 Chapter 4: Restoring the Priesthood and the Church 61 Chapter 5: Together Forever: The Eternal Importance of Family 77 Part 2: Eternal Rituals and Endless Meetings 93 Chapter 6: Welcome to the Meetinghouse! 95 Chapter 7: Sacred, Not Secret: Inside Mormon Temples 117 Chapter 8: In and Around Church Headquarters 137 Part 3: Holy Books and Sacred History 155 Chapter 9: The Bible and the Book of Mormon 157 Chapter 10: Mormonism’s Other Scriptures 177 Chapter 11: Searching for a Home 193 Chapter 12: Moving on to Utah with Brigham Young 209 Chapter 13: Building the Kingdom in Utah 219 Part 4: Mormonism Today 235 Chapter 14: Called to Serve: Missionaries and International Growth 237 Chapter 15: Hot-Button Issues for Latter-day Saints 251 Chapter 16: Earthly Sacrifices for Heavenly Blessings 267 Chapter 17: Connecting with God and Each Other 283 Chapter 18: In the World but Not of the World 295 Part 5: The Part of Tens 309 Chapter 19: Quick Answers to Ten Common Questions About Mormonism 311 Chapter 20: Ten Mormon Places to Visit 321 Chapter 21: Ten Famous Latter-day Saints You’ve Probably Never Heard Of 329 Index 335