Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

    The Latter-day Saints is the most successful religious group ever started in North America. As of November 2000 there are about 10.8 million members worldwide, in more than 20,000 churches and 100 temples spread across 150 countries. Their total membership has at least double every 15 years since 1945. As of today's date there is a total of 585 members of Latter-day Saints in Newfoundland.

     The Church is led by a president (prophet), currently Gordon B. Hinckley.  The President has two counselors, and these three leaders  constitute the First Presidency. The First Presidency is assisted by Twelve Apostles, who are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the World. Leaders called Seventies assist the Twelve Apostles and serves in various locations throughout the world. Local congregations are led by bishops. Members are organized into local congregations called wards or branches.

      The first Branch in Newfoundland was organized in St. Johns on February 2,1957. Today there are Branches in St. Johns, Bay Roberts, Marystown, Gander, Grand Falls, and Corner Brook. The Branch in Bay Roberts has services in a building that was purchased by, Mission President Winwood in 1985. Services can be held at homes where bread and water can be blessed and passed.

     A worthy young man can be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood when he is 12 years old to the Melchizedek Priesthood when he is 18 years old. Older men who join the Church as adults may receive the priesthood whenever they are prepared to accept the blessings and duties of the office. Women are not ordained to the priesthood; however, they can serve as teachers, missionaries, chapel librarians, music directors, temple workers and other positions.

     The church sponsors a missionary movement involving about 60,000 missionaries in 162 countries. They begin serving when they are from 19 to 21 years old. They serve from 18 months to two years. Missionaries come from around the world, and they serve wherever they are called by the Church. Missionaries teach the gospel to those who are interested. They also perform community service.
Some missionaries have special assignments to assist with health, welfare, or other needs. The first known Latter-day Saint missionaries to serve in Newfoundland were sent to St. John’s in August of 1948. The first baptism held in Newfoundland was August 13,1950 after two years of missionary work for Lavenia Webber Mercer of Bay Roberts.

       Members of the Latter-day Saints will fast two meals on the first Sunday each month and donate the savings to the church. The money is used for the needy within the Branch. This is called a fast offering.

     Many Latter-day Saints beliefs are similar to those of Evangelical Christianity. They include the truthfulness of the Bible as it was originally recorded by the books’ authors, atonement, tithing (you give 10% of your income), resurrection and influence of angles and of Satan. They believe that men, through righteous living and eternal progression, might achieve the full measure of godhood. Mormon believe the Holy Trinity is seen as three distinct beings, and not three-in-one as other Christian denominations hold. They also believe that Jesus was not born of the virgin Mary. Mormons follow the Ten Commandments.

     Members of the Church celebrate Christmas and Easter, regarding  these two events as the most spiritually significant days in history because of the birth, suffering, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pioneer Day is held on 24 July, celebrate the arrival of the first Latter-day Saints pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Twice a year, usually the first weekend in April and October, the Church holds a general conference for all members.