Mormonism 101

So I'm thinking that somebody, somewhere, somewhen (yes I know that isn't a word), might find my blog even though they aren't actually Mormon and I'm thinking that they might not know a lot about what the Church is and whatnot. I understand that there is a lot of mixed information out there from different sources and so I thought that this might be a good place to just go over a few basics; how the Church got started, what it claims to be, what certain terms mean, what the organizational structure looks like etc.

I know I've written a lot of really long posts lately so I'll do my best to keep this short and sweet!

1. The name of the Church isn't actually the "Mormon Church", that is actually just a nickname. The real name of the Church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". Common nicknames or short-versions are "LDS Church" "Latter Day Saints" and "Mormon Church".
2. Contrary to some popular beliefs Mormons (LDS people) are in fact Christians. We read the Bible and worship God and Jesus Christ.
3. Mormons believe that since there were people all over the world, even in ancient history, God didn't just talk to the Jews in Jerusalem and forget about everyone else. The Book of Mormon is basically the Bible written by ancient peoples in the American continents instead of in Jerusalem.
4. Joseph Smith is believed to be a Prophet (a guy like Moses or Peter from the Bible) who God chose to be a leader. The Church made a short pamphlet you can read online that has a short summary of Joseph's experiences. CLICK HERE
1. FYI some people will explain that there are different versions to this story and to that I just want to point out that anytime a memory is shared it's going to sound a little different each time. You forget certain details at certain times and you're only giving a summary anyway every time you are explaining a memory. So when it comes to different versions of Joseph's experiences I just remember that we're only getting bits and pieces of a memory at any given time. After all, the Gospels of the New Testament are basically memories of the same series of events in Jesus' life explained differently and with different details or focuses. Anyways, moving on.
5. Basically and simply put, the Church does not believe that it is actually some new Church founded in the 1800's. Instead the belief is that the current Church is in fact the ancient Church brought back or "restored" as we call it. We see no difference between our Church and the Church led by Peter or even the Prophets who wrote the Old Testament of the Bible.
6. Some Basic Terms to Know:
1. Ward - A normal sized congregation, usually pretty large
1. Led by a Bishop
2. Branch - A very small sized congregation
1. Led by a Branch President
3. Stake - A region made up of multiple Wards and or Branches (named after a Tent Stake)
1. Led by a Stake President
4. High Council - A group of leaders that help a Stake President in a Stake
5. Heavenly Father - The most common title when referring to God
6. Prophet - A man "called" (chosen) by God to lead the Church globally. Several individual leaders have the title of "Prophet" but we usually only refer to the President of the Church as "The Prophet".
7. Apostle - One of 12 Men who lead the Church under the direction of "The Prophet". They also have the title of "Prophet" but are normally referred to as "Apostles" instead.
8. Seventy - Is not one of 70 leaders actually. Instead he is one of several groups of 70 (or less) other leaders that help the Apostles manage regions of the Church worldwide.
9. General Conference - A special televised (worldwide) meeting spanning two whole days and happens twice a year, once in April and once in October. The Prophet and all of the Apostles and some of the Seventy plus other leaders give special sermons.
10. Talk - We don't actually use the word "Sermon" at all, instead we almost always use the word "Talk".
11. Relief Society - The universally used name for the LDS Women's organization that is always in every congregation of the Church. The local Relief Society leader (always a woman) is called the Relief Society President. The leader over all the Relief Societies worldwide (also always a woman) is called a General Relief Society President.
12. Primary - The basic Sunday School program for children ages 3 - 12.
• There are lots and lots of other terms either only used by Mormons or that have different definitions inside the Church. But these are some good basics that will help you start or hold a conversation with a Mormon.
7. What the basic organizational structure of the Church looks like:
1.  
   
8. Mormons don't drink Coffee, Tea, or Alcohol. We also don't use Tobacco or illicit drugs. 
9. What is the difference between a Chapel and a Temple?
1. A Chapel is a basic, general use building where the different congregations go for meetings, worship and fun activities. All Chapels are open for visitors for all meetings and activities. And it usually looks something like this:

2. A Temple is a larger, very beautiful building that is very sacred and special. It's very hard to be allowed in a Temple (even for Mormons). This is where Weddings (called Sealings), and other special worship services happen. And this is a picture of the Temple closest to me in South Florida: 
   

So I think this is a good enough overview for now! Comment down below if you have any questions! Remember to stay polite!