Saturday, July 13, 2013

Mormon Poems And Church Of The Latter Day Saints

By Irma Farrell


Latter day Saints poetry, or Mormon poems, is poetry written by the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints about spiritual themes or topics. Latter day Saints have composed religious poetry since the beginning of the Church in the early nineteenth century. For them it is a form of art that can convey messages to the Holy Spirit.

The Elders Journal, which was published in 1838 in Far West, has a tribute John Marsh in a form of a beautiful poem. The author of O, My Father which is Eliza Snow and author of The Spirit of God who is Phelps are some of the early known Mormon poets who are significant in their crafts. David Wright and John Talbot are some of the significant contemporary poets.

It was noted that their literature started long before The Book of Mormon was mass produced. Over the years, they grew to include history, fiction, biographies, hymns, drama and others. They are the principal part of the Latter Day Saints Church.

Through the spiritual visions of Joseph Smith, their founder, Mormonism began during the 1820s in New York. They became part of the LSD Church although there are other members who have deviated from the original organization and some have not been practicing the religion. The religion focuses on traditional family life and values, like integrity, chastity, fidelity and honesty.

During the turn of the 19th century, the similarities between Protestant Christianity and Mormonism were readily apparent. Mormons, like Christians, celebrates the Holy Eucharist and practices baptism and other religious practices, but they still have other practices that most Christians do not know. They believe that the aim of their religion is to restore the original Christianity and the original truth that Jesus Christ taught.

They used to practice polygamy or plural marriage which Smith has established in Nauvoo, but was opposed by the US congress. The practice was officially abolished by Wilford Woodruff in his 1980 manifesto. They are identified as Christians though some of their beliefs differ from the mainstream Christianity.

They also believe in scriptures other than the Holy Bible, particularly The Book of Mormon. This book contains the sacred texts found from 2200 BC until AD 421 compiled from various prophets who lived in America. On March 1830, Joseph Smith published the book for the first time. There are several passages in the book that are not found in the other scriptures like the fall of the first man and woman from the grace of God.

The important event in the book is the appearance of Jesus Christ in the Americas shortly after his resurrection. The book is divided into smaller books, titled after the primary authors and divided into chapters and verses. It is written in English and is very similar to the early King James Version of the Bible and has been translated into 108 languages today.

In the recent century, the scope of their literature is not restricted to their religion and culture. There is a lot of Mormons who are successful in the mainstream media, for example, Stephanie Meyer who is responsible for the phenomenal Twilight series, and Orson Scott Card who also wrote Enders Game. Their Mormon poems and other literature are just as fascinating as what any culture have.




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