Mormonism began as a group of spiritual people who felt they were being called to create a new tradition in the early 1800s, and we seek to honor and emulate this legacy.
At first we experimented with creating new scripture, communal living, and direct revelation. However, as time went on we would go on to significantly diverge from Christianity, even going so far as to believe that there were many gods and we could all become gods ourselves.
Over time we experimented with creating our own structure and hierarchy, and came to believe that we were the “One True Church”. This structure proved to be disastrous, as it lead to the Kirtland Safety Society bubble bursting, the Nauvoo Expositor being burned, and of course the horrendous abuses that happened with polygamy.
After Joseph Smith Jr. was killed there was no clear successor, and so many schisms and leaders arose. The largest of these sects were lead by Brigham Young, James Strang, Joseph Smith III, Sidney Rigdon, David Whitmer, Lyman Wight, and Granville Hedrick. All of these Mormon groups developed in their own way, and having schisms of their own as well. Today there are over 100 extent expressions of Mormonism, which you can learn more about in Steve Shields’s encyclopedia “Divergent Paths of the Restoration”. Reform Mormons broke off from all of these groups (but primarily The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in 2002, and its founders are still active within the movement.
While we share a common history with our cousins, Reform Mormonism is its own expression and thus has developed uniquely. We are individuals who have moved away from organized religion and found peace and satisfaction with honoring our heritage without being shackled by it. Unlike most religious organizations, Reform Mormonism is a home-based spiritual path. Reform Mormons focus on the processes of self-actualization and eternal progression. Reform Mormonism has its own version of traditional Mormon ordinances such as Endowments, Washings, Anointings, and Sealings, and encourages others to develop their own versions of these. Reform Mormons are not fundamentalists or literalists in their approach to religion, but view all scripture and ordinances as artistic and symbolic endeavors, meant to inspire and assist individuals in their eternal progression. We are a much more liberal and progressive Mormonism than our cousins.
If Reform Mormonism sounds interesting to you, please take a moment to join our Facebook group where other Reform Mormons would be happy to meet you. You can also read more about Reform Mormonism in our Library section.