We know the name thanks to high-profile members like Mitt Romney and a popular Broadway musical.

多虧米特·羅姆尼和著名百老匯音樂劇，我們得以知道此名稱。

But according to a recent survey, most Americans don’t know much about them.

但最近一項調查顯示，大多數美國人對他們知之甚少。

In fact, critics suggest that voters didn’t ally with Romney in the 2012 election because they were suspicious of the Mormon faith.

事實上，評論家指出，2012 年選民不支持羅姆尼的原因是他們對摩門教信仰存疑。

So who exactly are the Mormons?

那麼，摩門教徒到底何方神聖？

Well, let’s break it down.

來深入分析一下。

Mormons identify themselves as Christians, belonging to the Latter Day Saint Movement of Restorationist Christianity.

摩門教徒自詡為基督徒，隸屬於基督教原始主義的後期聖徒運動。

They follow the teachings found in the Bible and The Book of Mormon among others.

他們主要遵循《聖經》和《摩門經》中的教義。

The religion itself is actually quite young.

摩門教其實是新興宗教。

The church was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith in upstate New York.

1830 年，約瑟·斯密在紐約北部創建了教會。

Smith claimed that he received a revelation from God saying that Jesus would one day return to a New Jerusalem in America.

斯密聲稱，他得到了上帝的啟示，表示耶穌有天會回到美國新耶路撒冷。

When Smith died, Brigham Young led a significant number of Mormons to Salt Lake City in Utah,

斯密過世後，楊百翰率領大量的摩門教徒前往猶他州鹽湖城，

where the religion’s headquarters was established.

也就是摩門教總部所在地。

By large, Mormons are considered a conservative religion,

整體來說，摩門教被視為保守宗教，

abstaining from drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, and even drinking caffeine.

其教徒戒除毒品、酒精、色情、賭博，甚至是咖啡因。

The majority of Mormons are also outspoken about being opposed to abortion, homosexuality, and sex before marriage.

大多數摩門教徒也直言反對墮胎、同性戀和婚前性行為。

Most people also believe them to be polygamists, yet the Mormon church denies it.

大多數人認為他們施行一夫多妻制，但摩門教會否認這一點，

Saying it discontinued the custom over a century ago and anyone who practices it will be excommunicated.

稱該習俗在一個多世紀前就已廢除，且實行此制的人會被逐出教會。

Reports suggest that Joseph Smith had up to 40 wives,

據報告顯示，約瑟·斯密有多達 40 位妻子，

and it’s noted that there are some fundamentalist sects of The Latter Day Saints Movement that continue to practice that tradition.

且值得注意的是，有些後期聖徒運動的原教旨主義派仍持續奉行此習。

While some Mormon beliefs seem to go against the grain of modern society, according to the church, it’s the fastest growing faith in the world.

雖然一些摩門教信念似乎與現代社會格格不入，根據教會說法，其為世界上增長最快的宗教信仰。

Since it was established with just six followers, the church now boasts fifteen million members.

摩門教會成立之初僅有 6 名追隨者，如今信徒卻超過 1500 萬名。

With new members, the Mormon church has grown in more ways than one.

隨著新成員加入，摩門教會在許多面向都得到了發展。

Mormons practice something called tithing,

摩門教徒實行所謂的什一奉獻制度，

where each person is required to donate 10% of their earnings to the church.

即每人必須將自己收入 10% 捐贈給教會。

And with 15 million followers worldwide that amounts to a lot.

其在全球擁有 1500 萬名信徒，因此捐贈總額相當驚人。

So just how rich is the Mormon Church, and how influential are they?

摩門教會到底有多富有，影響力又有多大？

It’s true, the Latter Day Saints are pretty wealthy but they are also notoriously tight-lipped about how much they earn.

的確，後期聖徒教會成員非常富有，但他們對自己的收入也是出了名的守口如瓶。

It’s reported that tithing brings in around seven billion dollars annually.

據報導，什一奉獻每年能帶來約 70 億美元的收入。

In fact, Mormon’s have developed a solid reputation for being great business leaders.

事實上，摩門教徒建立了良好的聲譽，證實他們為傑出的商業領袖。

And it’s understood that the church's holdings are immense, comprising around 35 billion dollars worth of corporate commercial ventures,

據悉，教會擁有龐大資產，包括價值約 350 億美元的企業投資，

including temples, ranches, and shopping malls.

涵蓋聖殿、牧場和購物中心。

Religious scholars suggest that for Mormons, giving to the poor and making a million dollars is all part of God's work.

宗教學者認為，對摩門教徒而言，施捨窮人或賺百萬美元都是上帝的旨意。

Aside from their economic wealth and power, Mormons have also started to get more involved in the political arena.

除了經濟財富和權力，摩門教徒越來越積極參與政治。

According to a 2012 Pew Research Center survey, 74% of Mormons lean toward the Republican Party.

據皮尤研究中心 2012 年調查顯示，有 74% 的摩門教徒支持共和黨。

And although Mitt Romney recently withdrew from the 2016 presidential race...

儘管米特·羅姆尼近日退出了 2016 年總統大選，

Experts suggest that with financial backing from the Mormon church and community business leaders,

專家認為，有了摩門教會和社區商業領袖的財政支持，

We may see more Mormon candidates representing the Republican party in the future.

未來可能會看到更多代表共和黨的摩門教候選人。

However, they might have to work on their relatability to the voting public first.

然而，他們可能得先拉近自己與選民之間的關係。

Does believing in God have anything to do with how smart you are?

相信上帝和智力有關嗎？

Turns out, researchers have investigated this question in the past.

事實上，研究人員曾調查過此事。

Learn what they found on DNews!

鎖定 DNews 以瞭解更多相關內容。

And thank you so much for watching. Please subscribe!

感謝收看，別忘了訂閱頻道！