A Closer Look at the LDS (Mormon) Church

For a church that is politically neutral, ironically The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could be a major factor in determining which candidate gets the nod to represent the GOP in the 2012 presidential election.

Gov. Mitt Romney's poll numbers indicate he would be a formidable Republican candidate to unseat incumbent president Barack Obama. However, the large Evangelical Christian constituency in the GOP may derail Romney's campaign due to his life-long membership in the LDS Church. Many prominent Evangelical leaders have not been shy in their anti-Mormon rhetoric, admonishing followers to oppose a Mormon candidate.

Since Romney's religion could prevent him from securing the party's nomination, a closer look at the LDS Church is warranted. Doctrinal differences between the LDS Church and Evangelical Christians are discussed previously ("Mormons - a Non-Christian Cult?"), therefore the focus of post will be on LDS history, values and programs.

Background
The LDS Church has rapidly grown to more than 14 million members worldwide since it was founded in 1830. Early Church members were forced to move frequently to escape persecution, fleeing New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois before finally finding sanctuary west of the Rockies in the Salt Lake Valley. While Mormons flourished in their new home, evidence of bigotry that early pioneers escaped remained for 137 years: an extermination order issued by the Missouri governor in 1838 that authorized the state militia to kill Mormons, was not rescinded until 1976.

In addition to settling Utah, Mormons are often known for their traditional family values, adherence to a strict code of moral conduct, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and other addictive substances and a large world-wide missionary effort.

Although the vast majority of LDS people affiliate themselves with the Republican Party, the Church itself is non-partisan and only publicly comments on moral issues.

Church Leadership/Organization
The LDS Church is led by a prophet, Thomas S. Monson, his two counselors and a quorum of 12 apostles. There are also Quorums of the Seventies, which are church elders who are called to oversee members in specific regions of the world. A modest living stipend is paid to this governing body who work full time to run the Church's world-wide affairs.

Local congregations in the LDS Church (called "wards") are headed by lay ministers (called bishops). All positions in the ward are staffed by volunteer members on a short-term basis, giving ward members opportunities to serve in numerous capacities. The bishop of the ward reports to a stake president, who presides over an average of eight wards in a geographical area. The stake president reports to a member of the Quorum of the Seventies, who then reports to the First Presidency of the Church.

Local leadership positions are not compensated in any way.

Families
Families are of preeminent importance in the LDS religion. In 1995 the First Presidency of the Church issued a document called, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. It states that the family unit is central to the Creator's plan and that we are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father with a divine nature and destiny.The church and its members strive to strengthen families, encouraging individual responsibility and accountability at home. Members are also encouraged to set aside Monday evenings to spend with their family. In addition, families are instructed to pray and read scriptures together daily.

Missionary Work
There are currently 52,000 missionaries serving in 350 missions around the world. Young men between the ages of 19-25 are strongly urged to serve a two-year mission - postponing school, work and relationships. Young women and seniors are also invited to serve missions. Most missions are paid entirely by the missionary and his/her family. High morality standards and a rigorous schedule of proselytizing and service must be maintained by all missionaries.

Self-reliance
The LDS Church teaches its members to avoid debt and become self-reliant. Personal preparedness is urged to help members weather difficulties such as natural disasters or unemployment. Preparedness includes emergency 72-hour packs for each family member, a one-year food and water supply and financial reserves. In addition, acquiring skills such as gardening, canning and sewing are encouraged.

Welfare
For individuals experiencing hardships, the Church Welfare System provides short-term assistance with basic needs. Money for this program is obtained through monthly voluntary contributions of members called fast offerings, which stay with local units to provide for others in their congregation. The Church also operates canning facilities and storehouses throughout the world.

Humanitarian Aid
The Mormon Church has donated more than $1 billion in cash and material assistance to 167 different countries in need of humanitarian aid since it started keeping track in 1985. The Church's organizational structure allows for quick and efficient distribution of relief supplies such as food, water, sanitation's kits and medications to people around the world. The Church offers aid to people regardless of their religion, ethnicity or nationality and it covers administrative costs so that 100 percent of donations go directly to help the needy.

Finances
Much of the LDS Church's income is derived through tithes and fast offerings. Many members of the Church voluntarily contribute 10 percent of their income to be used by church officials to run the affairs of the church world wide. In addition, once a month members are encouraged to fast for 24 hours and donate the money they would have spent on meals to a fast offering fund, which is used by local church leaders to care for the poor and needy in their congregations. Separate donations can be made to humanitarian aid, the perpetual education fund and the missionary program.Tithing and fast offerings collected are devoted to ecclesiastical purposes and not used in for-profit ventures. The church is audited by an independent accounting firm and an independent audit department which certifies at a semi-annual world-wide conference that church funds are being spent according to church policy.

Education:
Mormons historically have shown a high regard for education - both in a formal setting and on a personal level. The LDS faith believes that whatever intelligence is gained in this lifetime will rise with individuals in the afterlife. The Church owns and operates three universities: Brigham Young University (located in Provo, Utah), BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Idaho. Members' tuition is subsidized by the Church, making it far more affordable than comparable universities.

In addition to secular educations, the LDS Church also provides religious education. Seminary is a four-year program for high-school students that is usually attended each morning before school begins - either in the local church building or in a member's home. An online version is available for those who may not have access to a local seminary group. Approximately 350,000 students participate in Seminary worldwide.

Institute is a religious educational program for people between the ages of 18 and 30 at more than 2,500 locations worldwide. There are currently 350,000 students enrolled in institute.

The Perpetual Educational Fund was established in 2001 to help young adults in developing areas of the world access educational opportunities to improve their economic conditions. The fund has helped more than 46,000 people.


For more information on the LDS Church, go to http://mormon.org/