What is Mormonism?

Mormonism is a relatively new religious tradition which was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr.  Smith experienced a theophany in his mid-teen years which was followed by an visit from an angel named Moroni is his late-teen years.  Moroni told Joseph that he was called of God to translate a book which today, is known as the Book of Mormon.

Smith’s followers considered him to be a prophet in the same sense as Prophets in the Old Testament.  He frequently received revelations from God regarding topics ranging from mundane Church operations to significant manifestations which introduced new teachings and insights.  Smith’s main aim was to restore primitive Christianity.  Smith also introduced many Old Testament themes including temple worship, and strict adherence to God’s law.

After Smith’s murder at the hands of an angry mob in 1844, there was a succession crisis in the Church.  James Strang, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, William Smith, and others all claimed to be Joseph’s rightful heir to the presidency of the Church and to call of a prophet.  The majority of Church members followed Brigham Young who led them to the Great Basin in Utah and eventually settled large areas of present-day Utah, Idaho, and Arizona.  This branch is known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the Church generally thought of when the term Mormon is used.

However, several splinter groups exist today and also fit under the umbrella of Mormonism, as it were.  You can find more information about some of these groups here.