Why Mormon?

[Eddie Haskell]

If John Smith met an Italian Angel named Moroni, shouldn't it be called the Moronic Church?

[HereSince1628]

1. I think it has been called that, on many occassions.

Wasn't John Smith the guy reportedly saved by Pocahantas?

[ThomThom]

10. so where are these golden plates? I would like to see them.

this is a cult, as are most religions in this country.

[mulsh]

3. Jos Smith had to make up some story once the girls father caught him.

receiving golden plates from an angel must have seemed logical to that pissed off farmer. At least he dodged that bullet.

[RobertEarl]

4. Mormoney

As in their religion is: ""more money"".

[Eddie Haskell]

12. More money

That's good!

[independentpiney]

5. I've often wondered if Moroni was really bony n/t

[dynasaw]

6. Where Does the Word Mormon Come From?

We know what Mormons are and generally about Mormonism. However, I tried looking it up but can't find any explanation as to the origin of the word or what it means. Christianity, e.g. is named after Christ, but I can't find who came up with the word or what its means. Followers of Mormon? No such person in the Mormon bible. The mormons do have a great way of inventing names and words though: Moroni, Nephi,Teancum, Coriantumr, and Naphtali. Try naming your kids after characters from the mormon bible!

[dynasaw]

8. Thanks. So does this ancient prophet come from

the Old Testament or is he another character Joseph Smith invented?

[Taverner]

9. Invented

Remember, the Book of Mormon takes place in America, and follows the story of a ship of Israelites who came to America. Right there in the first chapter, they leave Israel.

[bongbong]

11. Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith was a convicted criminal in New York state before he started a religion.

Religion is, among other things, often a great way to get rich and ignore laws you want to ignore.

[hifiguy]

13. L. Ron Hubbard certainly took that lesson to heart.

Scientology was the result of a bar bet Hubbard made with writers Robert Heinlein and (IIRC) Clark Ashton Smith that he could invent a religion and make millions. I heard that from a writer who was a personal friend of Heinlein, who told him the story.