The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Essay Example

They believe in the complete Bible plus an open canon that includes the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These are based largely on the dictates of Joseph Smith, Jr. and are followed in the LDS church as the irrefutable works of God (Mormon, 2009). The group then multiplied and grew. It grew enough to draw attention of the mainline churches as well as the general population. The Mormons effected thousands of conversions in the 1830s, following which the group under Smith Jr.

intended building a “City of Zion” in Missouri. They could not build the city, however, owing to persecutions and charges brought against them. Joseph Smith Jr. and his brother, Hyrum Smith, were assassinated by a mob in the prison on 27 June, 1844 (Mormon, 2009). The teachings of the LDS church are based on the life of Christ but emphasis is laid on the rules and their interpretations by the central and local LDS churches. The tenets of the LDS church are based on the extra material found in the “open canon”.

On the basis of these extra materials, the church relates future events that are again subject to the interpretations of their modern prophets. For instance, before his assassination, Joseph Smith Jr. appointed Brigham Young and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles to oversee the LDS churches affairs. He also gave them the keys of the priesthood. So, it naturally followed that Brigham Young and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles took over the reins of leadership of the church after the death of Joseph Smith, Jr.

Others in the church split from the church and followed denominational leaders of their liking (Mormon, 2009). The LDS church claims the natives of ancient America are descendants of Semitic race of Asiatic origin and trace it down to Joseph Smith, Jr. Thus, with the ties of Joseph Smith, Jr. established to a Jewish race, the next step to proclaim his closeness to Jesus Christ and the “true