© Getty Images

America's religion - Dubbed "America's Religion," Mormonism was founded in western New York in the 1820s and '30s. Other than Scientology, it is the only religion to be founded in the US.

© Shutterstock

Joseph Smith - Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, who wrote the religion's holy text, The Book of Mormon, after claiming a vision led him to it.

© Shutterstock

The Book of Mormon - Joseph Smith is said to have written all 584 pages of The Book of Mormon in under three months. The text follows the lives of early American settlers.

© Shutterstock

The Four Groups - The Book of Mormon says that there were four groups settled in North America as early as 600 BCE: Nephites, Lamanites, Jaredites, and Mulekites. 

© Shutterstock

Brigham Young - Brigham Young was the second president of the church. After Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844, Young lead the Mormon followers to Utah, where he founded Salt Lake City. He is often referred to as "Modern Moses."

© Shutterstock

Star Kolob - Mormonism believes that the God of Abraham was a person living on a distant planet that circled a star called Kolob. This God was king of the planet and had "celestial intercourse" to produce the human population.

© Shutterstock

Jesus and Satan - Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers that were both born from "celestial intercourse." The two were friends until they got into a divisive philosophical debate.

© Shutterstock

The debate - The divide between Jesus and Satan was over the idea of free will for the humans of Earth. Satan insisted on the exclusion of moral agency, while Jesus believed humans should have the right to choose their path.

© Shutterstock

Mormon gods - According to Mormonism, all good religious believers become gods when they die. Inheriting omnipotent and omniscient powers, the gods can create their own planets and people.

© Shutterstock

Missouri - While Christianity and Judaism believe the Garden of Eden was in Mesopotamia, Mormons teach that it is in Missouri.

© Shutterstock

Polygamy - The debate around polygamy has been an infamous aspect of the Mormon religion for centuries. The practice of having many wives was an official church doctrine, and even claims that if a man does not have at least two wives he will not become a god. In the late 1800s polygamy was outlawed in the US, however some branches of orthodox Mormonism allegedly practice in private.

© Shutterstock

Harems? - According to Mormonism, all women who are not believers of the church become a harem to a Mormon man in the afterlife.

© Shutterstock

Underwear - While many religions have ceremonial garments such as hats or jewelry, Mormons have "temple garments" which consist of white T-shirts and white knee-length boxer shorts.

© Shutterstock

Children - Mormons believe that if any child under eight years old dies, they automatically go to heaven.

© Shutterstock

Utah - Utah has the biggest population of Mormons in North America. It is home to several LDS churches, as well as Brigham Young University.

© Shutterstock

Seminary - Practicing Mormon students attend seminary, which is a religious school that is usually taught in the morning.

© Shutterstock

Donations - All Mormons are instructed to donate 10% of their pre-tax income to the church. This is regarded as tithing.

© Shutterstock

Sundays - On Sundays, Mormons are not allowed to watch TV or films, and cannot play sports either.

© Shutterstock

Rules - Mormons are prohibited from discussing the church's practices and sacred ceremonies. It is also forbidden to talk negatively about Mormonism or the religion's leadership.

© Shutterstock

Caffeine -

Mormons are not permitted to consume anything that "that pollutes the body or affects the mind," which includes caffeinated tea and coffee.

© Shutterstock 

Tattoos and piercings - Mormons are highly discouraged from having tattoos and males from having piercings

© Shutterstock

Playing cards - Mormons are prohibited from using tarot cards, Ouija boards, or playing cards with faces on them.

© Shutterstock

No alcohol -

No matter what age you are, Mormons cannot consume alcohol.

© Shutterstock

Missions - Young Mormon men and women are strongly encouraged to do a mission trip after graduating from high school. For a two-year period, missionaries are placed in locations around the world to serve the church and recruit followers.

© Shutterstock

Swimming during missions - While serving the church, missionaries are discouraged from swimming. This stems from biblical times when missionaries had to sail against rough waters to reach faraway lands.

© Shutterstock

Soda? - While Mormons are discouraged from drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, it is acceptable to drink caffeinated soft drinks.

© Shutterstock

Postmortem baptizing -

One of the most controversial Mormon practices is the tradition of baptizing the dead. Neither the person nor their families need consent for Mormon postmortem baptizing. It is believed that Adolf Hitler, Albert Einstein, and Anne Frank were baptized into Mormonism after death.

See also: Fascinating religious sites around the world

© Shutterstock