March 25 Tip: Do you know why Mormon's are called "Latter Day Saints?

Do you know why Mormon's are called "Latter Day Saints?

(The 3-Minute Weekly Insight from Spirituality U.)

Before we answer that question, let's take a look at who the Mormons are. First, the term "Mormons" is actually a religious nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Mormons are members of one of the world's newest religions, a church that was born in the 1820's in western New York State under the leadership of a man named Joseph Smith, Jr.

And even though Mormonism is called a church, there is great disagreement about whether it is part of mainstream Christianity, or a separate religion. According to the official LDS web site, the Mormons are the only true Christian Church.  But because of some of their beliefs and practices, a number of Christian denominations see Mormons as a separate religion and outside the fold of Christianity.

Mormons, of course, share in the idea that Jesus of Nazareth was the Savior of the world. However, they have a somewhat different view of the Trinity. They see Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as separate beings rather than the 3 in 1 view of many Christians.

But it is their selection of sacred texts and a few of their spiritual practices that make them distinctive and perhaps separate.

In addition to the Bible, Mormons reconize a second major scripture. According to LDS documents, an angel directed Joseph Smith to a place where gold plates containing a new scripture (written in an ancient language) were buried. The plates contained teachings of ancient Prophets who lived in the Americas. Angels helped Smith translate these sacred words into English. This sacred text came to be called The Book of Mormon, and is considered by the LDS to be a Third Testament along with the Old and New Testaments. The Mormons have at least two other documents they see as sacred. These comprise the Doctrine and Covenants as well as a work entitled the Pearl of Great Price.

Among beliefs unique to Mormonism is the concept that Native Americans were aware of Jesus long before he was born in Palestine 2000 years ago. They also believe that after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to people in North America and taught them important lessons. Joseph Smith also taught that shortly after the death of Jesus the Church went in a wrong direction and that, as a result, he had been instructed by God to re-establish the true Christian Church.

One of the more controversial of Mormon practices is that of baptizing deceased individuals by proxy. For example, if your late grandfather was not a Mormon, you can still ensure his eternal salvation by having a living person baptized who stands in for your grandfather in the ritual.

So, why are Mormons called "Latter Day Saints"? According to the Mormon.org web site, "As for the term Latter-day Saints, members of the Christian Church anciently were called Saints (see Acts 9:32, Ephesians 2:19, Phillipians 1:1). They were former-day Saints. We are the Latter-day Saints. It is that simple."

For more information about Mormons, visit:

http://www.mormon.org/

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