In a spirit of mutual love and respect, the Journal inaugurates with this issue a series on the religious beliefs of our friends and neighbors around the world. The first segment is on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—often called Mormons, although the church discourages the use of this term. Their church has a special association with Christian Science. Brigham Young, who carried forward the Saints' church after its founder, Joseph Smith, was killed, had a nephew named Bicknell Young. Bicknell took instruction in Christian Science from Mary Baker Eddy, and went on to become a Christian Scientist healer and teacher. In 1910, he taught the Normal Class—a class that prepares teachers of this Science. A correction appeared in the April 2002 Journal: "In the Faith Communities series, which ran in the February issue ["The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints," p. 50], it was incorrectly stated that Bicknell Young took instruction in Christian Science from Mary Baker Eddy. Mr. Young in fact took class instruction from Edward A. Kimball. While Church records indicate Mr. Young may have met Mrs. Eddy once, he never wrote a reminiscence about her, as some still assert. We'd like to assure readers that the denominations highlighted in the Faith Communities series are consulted in the preparation of the articles, and are given full review of the comments about their faith before the article is published."
In 1820, in Palmyra, New York, a man by the name of Joseph Smith reported a vision of God and Jesus. His first vision was followed in September 1823 by a visit from the angel Moroni. The angel showed him golden plates on which was printed in another language the history of America during Biblical times. This history recounted a visit by Christ Jesus to a group of people in the Americas.
In 1827, Smith is said to have received the actual tablets on Mount Cumorah, near Palmyra. Three years later, his translation of these plates was published as the Book of Mormon. A month later, the Church was officially organized. It grew rapidly.
