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The '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,''' informally known as the '''LDS Church''' or the '''Mormons, ''' was founded by [[Joseph Smith]] in 1830. It migrated from New York to Illinois to Utah where they have many members there and worldwide. The Mormons perform enormous amounts of missionary activity.

The '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,''' informally known as the '''LDS Church''' or the '''Mormons, ''' was founded by [[Joseph Smith]] in 1830, who claimed to have received a revelation from the Angel Moroni. It migrated from New York to Illinois to Utah where they have many members there and worldwide. The Mormons perform enormous amounts of missionary activity.

The Mormons, like other small denominations, have been the target of discrimination. Mormons are depicted as "bad guys" in Arthur Conan Doyle's 1890 novel, ''The Sign of Four,'' and Zane Grey's 1912 ''Riders of the Purple Sage.''  

The Mormons, like other small denominations, have been the target of discrimination. Mormons are depicted as "bad guys" in Arthur Conan Doyle's 1890 novel, ''The Sign of Four,'' and Zane Grey's 1912 ''Riders of the Purple Sage.''  

In 1847, Mormons, led by [[Brigham Young]], travelled west to escape persecution and founded [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]. Salt Lake City is famous for its wide streets, which were made wide enough to allow a wagon team to turn around. Salt Lake City is home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which has been recording since 1910 and broadcasting since 1929. Its recordings usually feature hymns and patriotic music. The Choir has made five gold and two platinum recordings.

In 1847, Mormons, led by [[Brigham Young]], travelled west to escape persecution and founded [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]. Salt Lake City is famous for its wide streets, which were made wide enough to allow a wagon team to turn around. Salt Lake City is home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which has been recording since 1910 and broadcasting since 1929. Its recordings usually feature hymns and patriotic music. The Choir has made five gold and two platinum recordings.

Between 1840 and 1890, [[polygamy]] was sanctioned and even encouraged by the LDS Church. It is forbidden by the Church today, however some LDS members still do not believe it to be inherently sinful.<ref>http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/love.shtml#polyg</ref>

 

Some controversy about Mormonism centers around its early practice of [[polygamy]], which was sanctioned from 1840 until 1890. It was officially discontinued in 1890 by the main branch of the denomination. A 1998 statement by LDS Present Gordon B. Hinckley states:

:This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. . . . If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/question/faq/category/answer/0,9777,1601-1-114-1,00.html What is the Church’s position on polygamy?] LDS website</ref>

 

 

==Mormons' relationship to Christianity==

==Mormons' relationship to Christianity==