History of Mormons – Keona Holden
Utopian communities originated in the late 18th
though 19th centuries. Utopian communities were for Americans who
pursued moral perfectionism. Many citizens of the utopian communities were not
pleased with the new customs of the industrializing America.2 They
thought that the new America was growing in the wrong direction, full of sin.
This was acquired through different sexual systems. The people in utopian
communities longed to recreate small-scale homogeneous communities in a time of
rapid growth.1
 |
| Joseph Smith, Founder of Mormons |
Mormonism, whose citizens were known as Mormons, created in
the 19th century in New York. Joseph Smith Jr. was the founder of
this utopian community.3 As a young boy, Joseph Smith prayed
continuously for spiritual guidance during Christian revivals.4 After
several years, his prayers were answered through a series of visions. The first
vision occurred somewhere between 1820 and 1823. During this vision Smith is
told by a higher power to create his own version of a church.5 The
second vision occurred in 1823; this is when Joseph Smith Jr. is visited by an
angel named Moroni who instructs him to tell the history of the ancient Hebrews
in America, that were written in Egyptian dialect on sheets of gold.6
These sheets of gold were located in Palmyra, NC. This history was then
translated in to the book of Mormon.7After these events, Smith was a
lead role in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a church for the
Mormon society.8
 |
| A Mormon Man with 27 wives |
The Mormons believed in many key principles. First and
foremost, Mormons believe that Jesus was the Son of God, who was sent to earth
to redeem the world.8 Additionally; they believe that is essential
to ones salvation to repent their sins. They also believe that in order for a person to become
a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that person must
baptized by fire.9 This is when the person receives the gift of the
Holy Ghost by laying on of hands by one who is sanctioned to perform this
ordinance, usually someone with high rankings throughout the church.10
Mormons also believed in polygamy. They believed that male dominance was
important, and it maximized reproduction of their society.11
Pregnancy before marriage in this community was not very common. This is
because masturbation, sex before marriage, and contraception was looked down on
by this society.12
There are many Mormons today, close to twelve million
worldwide. Although they do not believe in polygamy announced by President
Gordon B Hinckley in 1988. They also currently believe that women and men are
equal when it comes to raising children and helping the household. Where
before, during the 18th century, women were not able to work, and be
successful, now women have the same rights as the men in this society. Many of
the other key principals are still practiced today.
The Mormon society is important to the sexual history of
America because it shows a sexual breaking point in history. During this time,
people were deviating away from the church, and began to do what they wanted
instead of what was taught in church. This society was created to restore
spiritual growth in the community.
Works Cited
1.
Crystal,
Moore. "Utopian Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC,
2014. . (Crystal 2014)
2.
Crystal,
Moore. "Utopian Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC,
2014. . (Crystal 2014)
3.
David
, Golding. Mormon History Association, "A Brief History of
Mormonism." Accessed March 30, 2014. http://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/mormonism. (david)
4.
David
, Golding. Mormon History Association, "A Brief History of
Mormonism." Accessed March 30, 2014. http://www.mormonhistoryassociation.org/mormonism. (david)
5.
Crystal,
Moore. "Utopian Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC,
2014. . (Crystal 2014)
6.
Crystal,
Moore. "Utopian Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC,
2014. . (Crystal 2014)
7.
Crystal,
Moore. "Utopian Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC,
2014. . (Crystal 2014)
8.
Idiots
Guide, "What Is Mormonism? The Basic Principles Explained." Accessed
March 31, 2014. http://idiotsguides.com/static/quickguides/religionspirituality/what-is-mormonism-the-basic-principles-explained.html.
9.
Idiots
Guide, "What Is Mormonism? The Basic Principles Explained." Accessed
March 31, 2014.
http://idiotsguides.com/static/quickguides/religionspirituality/what-is-mormonism-the-basic-principles-explained.html.
10. Idiots Guide, "What Is
Mormonism? The Basic Principles Explained." Accessed March 31, 2014.
http://idiotsguides.com/static/quickguides/religionspirituality/what-is-mormonism-the-basic-principles-explained.html.
11. Crystal, Moore. "Utopian
Communities in Victorian America." lecture., UNCC, 2014. . (Crystal 2014)
12. Idiots Guide, "What Is
Mormonism? The Basic Principles Explained." Accessed March 31, 2014. http://idiotsguides.com/static/quickguides/religionspirituality/what-is-mormonism-the-basic-principles-explained.html.
No comments:
Post a Comment