100 Questions and Answers About Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, beliefs, practices, history and politics

“100 Questions and Answers About Latter-day Saints” is part of the Michigan State University School of Journalism series on cultural competence.

This guide has sections on identity, religion, practices, values, social issues, families, education, work and politics. It busts biases, myths and stereotypes.

The guide is written for those who want authoritative answers to basic, questions about this faith. It is a starting point, for family members, teachers, people in business, places of worship, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources and journalism who want to get a fast grounding. The guide relies extensively on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints writings and suggests resources for greater depth. Questions include:

• What are members of the church called?


• Why are members called “Saints”?


• Why is the use of the title “Mormons” now discouraged?


• What does “latter-day” mean?


• Are Latter-day Saints Christians?


• What are other differences?


• Do Latter-day Saints evangelize?


• Why are some men called elders and some women called sisters?


• What are core church values?


• When was the church established?


• Who was Joseph Smith?


• How many people saw the golden plates?


• Why did the church leave New York State?


• Have there been schisms and offshoots in the church?


• What were “the Mormon Wars”?


• Where did the church settle?


• How are today’s leaders changing the church?