Ask a Mormon, Part 3
- Thread starter Eran of Arcadia
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Depends where you are.
Overall, in the Church as a whole whites (of European descent) are the majority but there are large numbers of Hispanics and Polynesians. Within any given area it will more or less reflect the ethnic makeup of that area, although there will be larger numbers of whites, say, than blacks (proportionally) or a higher percentage of Hispanics than whites. But since almost half of the members of the Church are in the US, that makes a difference. And in my area, most of the members are white. Of course, most of them are from out West.
Overall, in the Church as a whole whites (of European descent) are the majority but there are large numbers of Hispanics and Polynesians. Within any given area it will more or less reflect the ethnic makeup of that area, although there will be larger numbers of whites, say, than blacks (proportionally) or a higher percentage of Hispanics than whites. But since almost half of the members of the Church are in the US, that makes a difference. And in my area, most of the members are white. Of course, most of them are from out West.
Rossiya
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How many people convert to Mormonism per year? What religions (if any) have they had previously?
Sorry if my questions have already been answered, by any chance.
The total number of new members per year is between 250-300,000, of which more than half (if I recall, up to 80%) are converts, and the rest are children born into the Church who officially become members at the age of 8.
I would say at least half of new converts are formerly Catholic - especially in the Hispanic community of course. Most of the rest were Christian of some sort. In my mission, since I was Spanish speaking they were almost all Catholic (some had been born into Catholicism but joined other churches before joining ours) but I know there are plenty of converts who were either non-Christian or not religious.
I would say at least half of new converts are formerly Catholic - especially in the Hispanic community of course. Most of the rest were Christian of some sort. In my mission, since I was Spanish speaking they were almost all Catholic (some had been born into Catholicism but joined other churches before joining ours) but I know there are plenty of converts who were either non-Christian or not religious.
Rossiya
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250,000-300,000??? Impressive stuff, Eran!
Where outside of America is Mormonism growing?
My final question, I think. How many people leave the Mormon church a year?
I think the largest growth centers are in Mexico, Brazil, and the rest of Latin America, although the church is also growing in some parts of Africa. Is growing much less rapidly in western Europe I believe.
I think I've heard that close to 50% of those who are baptized become what we call "inactive", where they stop going to church, although a lot of them become *re-active* later in life (the missionary program places just as much emphasis on reactivation really). I'm not sure how many people ask to have their names removed from LDS records
It's hard to say how many people leave the Church, mostly because we always do the paperwork to make joining the Church official, but most people don't bother with the paperwork that makes leaving official. Thus the number of people who officially have their records removed is much less than the number of people who just stop thinking of themselves as LDS (which in turn is less than the number of people who are not active, but still self-identify as Mormon - I would say the three aforementioned groups in total make up about half the Church, more or less, depending on how you define "active".)
Church growth, as I said, is greatest in Latin America, and in recent years in Africa as well. I am not 100% sure on the 250K figure, I know it has been accurate but in recent years, owing to changes in the missionary program, the number hasn't been as high.
Church growth, as I said, is greatest in Latin America, and in recent years in Africa as well. I am not 100% sure on the 250K figure, I know it has been accurate but in recent years, owing to changes in the missionary program, the number hasn't been as high.
Polygamy and other wackiness aside, what's the general Mormon view of the Fundamentalist Mormons spread throughout the US/Mexico/Canada? Do you guys see the FLDS as actually Mormon in any sense of the word, as sort of wayward cousins, or just as another religion (Or religions) which happens to have some common roots with the LDS church? Are FLDS 'automatically' excommunicated or condemned or anything, or is that reserved for regular LDS who become fundamentalists?
They wouldn't be excommunicated, as they were never officially members of the LDS Church. We generally look askance at them, given that we really do disagree in a major way with their continued practice of polygamy (we believe it was given by God and taken away by God; I haven't met any members who don't think the latter was a relief) and by extension the fact that they pretty much reject the authority of our leadership. We recognize their doctrinal kinship, in a sense, but since we don't believe them to have legitimate priesthood authority, that basically makes them just like any other church, albeit one with a very weird practice.
Of course, it is easy for me not to think much about them, since I have lived in the East all of my life and have never had contact with any FLDS. My MTC companion (ie, the missionary with whom I went through training) was from St. George, in the SW corner of Utah, and knew many.
Of course, it is easy for me not to think much about them, since I have lived in the East all of my life and have never had contact with any FLDS. My MTC companion (ie, the missionary with whom I went through training) was from St. George, in the SW corner of Utah, and knew many.
Honestly, I don't think we even talk about them. Outside the west, the FLDS basicaly doesn't exist. We forcefully denounce polygamy (and participating in that will get you kicked out), but other than that, I don't think we really care. They aren't part of our church, so as long as they aren't misepresenting us (the LDS community), or breaking the law, there isn't really a point in talking about them
There is some bad blood between older LDS members, and the Community of Christ (formually, the RLDS, the largest of the Mormon spinter groups), mostly over historical landmarks in the east, but younger members typically don't share that
Apparently, the Church itself has reached an understanding with the Community of Christ (and other splinter groups, like the one controlling the temple lot in Far West) over a lot of the landmarks and other historical artifacts. This according to my Institute teacher, who will be a BYU professor next semester.
Why was taking it away a relief? Just because it caused so much anti-Mormon sentiment and outright persecution? I mean, if God told you to do it, it couldn't have been morally wrong, although it could be annoying.
What about the non-polygamous non "regular" Mormons, like the Hedrickites (Church of Christ (Temple Lot)) or the Community of Christ? Pretty much the same, only not quite as weird?
EDIT: I see you both beat me to the punch regarding the Community of Christ.
What about the non-polygamous non "regular" Mormons, like the Hedrickites (Church of Christ (Temple Lot)) or the Community of Christ? Pretty much the same, only not quite as weird?
EDIT: I see you both beat me to the punch regarding the Community of Christ.
Well, it was less than ideal. Mostguys I know who actually put more thought into the matter than "OMG HOTTIES!!1!!" are in agreement that it would put a strain on everyone, and of course the women agree. We believe that it is a commandment, we are just glad it is one we don't need to observe these days.
As far as all those other groups, I don't know much about them. We don;t really talk about them all that much - the LDS Church makes up I think about 95-98% of what has been called the Latter Day Saint movement. So I don't know anything about them, although of course, just like with any other religion I respect their right to believe what they believe.
As far as all those other groups, I don't know much about them. We don;t really talk about them all that much - the LDS Church makes up I think about 95-98% of what has been called the Latter Day Saint movement. So I don't know anything about them, although of course, just like with any other religion I respect their right to believe what they believe.
So it's typically viewed as roughly the same as the Old Testament laws about sacrifices or eating pork, or something like that? (Not that polygamy was done away with by Christ, but that you don't have to follow it anymore, which is a good thing)
I see. OK, well thanks for answer the question; I just find all this interesting.
Swedishguy
Deity
Did you know there's a mormon church in Eskilstuna? (They call themselves Sista Dagars Heliga).
Sort of. We believe it to be an eternal principle, whereas the Law of Moses was meant to apply to only a specific group at a specific time. But part of that principle is that it can only be done when authorized. And as long as it isn't, that makes marriage much easier.
If we actually had any Mormons from Utah around here, they could probably answer more. But the only ones I know of in CFC are from them East.
We're just about everywhere
Alpine Trooper
AllCiv
Where's the poll?
What poll? This is an "Ask A X" thread, they never have polls.
Alpine Trooper
AllCiv
I'd vote NO.
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