Mormon

From Turtledove

Mormon is a term used to describe the adherents, practitioners, followers or constituents of Mormonism. The term most often refers to a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which is commonly called the Mormon Church. The LDS Church believes that "Mormon" should properly be applied only to its members. However, the term is often used more broadly to describe any individual or group that believes in the Book of Mormon, including other Latter Day Saint groups. According to the Book of Mormon, Mormon is the name of the prophet who compiled the book of scripture known as the Book of Mormon.

[edit] Mormon in Southern Victory

Mormons are adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The religion originated in the United States (where Mormons settled primarily in Utah), and after the War of Secession established small, negligible pockets in the Confederate States. The Mormons were universally despised by non-Mormons throughout both countries for their practice of polygamy, and felt marginalized by the United States. The Mormons launched resistance movements against the US in the 1850s, the Second Mexican War, the Great War, and the Second Great War, aiming to create the independent state of Deseret. The last three were all supported by the Confederates.

The first three were crushed, with increasing difficulty, and though US progress in the suppression of the fourth was extremely slow and costly, by early 1943 it was believed that ultimate US victory was all but assured. Knowing they were bound to lose a conventional military campaign, the Mormons gradually turned their efforts to terrorist campaigns that targeted both US military installations in Utah and civilian institutions in Philadelphia and other American cities.

In 1942, US Philadelphia Charles W. La Follette received an emmissary from the Mormons to discuss terms of a ceasefire. The move was extremely unpopular and was criticized not only by Democrats such as Robert Taft but from within the Socialist Party, most vocally by Congresswoman Flora Blackford. The terms La Follette offered were rejected by the Mormons, and the uprising continued.

Mormon law forbids the use of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.

See also: Utah Troubles