Mormons

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormon) was founded by Joseph Smith (known as the Prophet Joseph Smith), who received a vision from God at the age of 14 upon petitioning God for an answer as to which church to become a member. Smith believed he was divinely chosen to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the Earth as he felt the heavenly host had spoken this plan for him. He was given revelations by a host of heavenly messengers and wrote the Book of Mormon. The LDS church was born in 1830 under Smith's leadership. It is reported there are more than 80,000 missionaries in the church and more than 12 million members worldwide.

Family

To understand Mormons as culturally different clients, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the LDS. For Family counseling, knowing the LDS's view of the Family is critical. David O. McKay, the ninth president of LDS, is quoted as saying, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” LDS members derive strength from Family—believing that children who are raised in loving, supportive homes are given a clear advantage in life. Life lessons are best learned at home with the backing of a united parental unit—consisting of a married father and mother. Families are intended to be guideposts and safe harbors for one another. LDS members hold in great reverence families and their ability to teach love so that each Family member may learn to love others outside the Family just as their Heavenly Father loves them. LDS members exist to serve God and one Day go to live with Him in heaven along with their families. This is their purpose for following Him—to know this eternal blessing.

The Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. The temple is considered sacred by the church and its members, and a “temple recommend” is required to enter. There are no public tours.

Marriage and Divorce

The church officially disapproves of divorce but does permit divorce, annulment, and the cancellation of sealing of a marriage made in the temple. The belief is that marriages are intended by God to be an eternal union between a man and a woman. Mental health professionals need to understand the church's view on marriage and divorce and allow those guidelines to be used. A civil marriage is one that is for “a time,” meaning that it ends with divorce or death. A temple marriage is sealed, and the two will remain married for all eternity—husband and wife in heaven. Second marriages are for a time only, unless the sealing is approved by the first president. The promise of celestial marriage is held sacred by the church.

Misconceptions

Brothers and sisters of the church feel and know that the amount of misinformation about the church is vast, and clients may be put on the defensive quickly if the counselor conveys misconceptions. The church understands these misconceptions—ignorance is fine; wrong is a problem. primary among these misconceptions is the idea that members of LDS are not Christian. This misconception is extremely offensive to members of the church, as a belief in Christ as their savior and redeemer is central to their faith.

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