If you’re new to the “Beehive State,” you’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn about Mormon history and religion. At least half of Utah’s population actively participates in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; three-quarters of the population were born into the faith. Temple Square in Salt Lake City offers excellent tours and exhibits about the church. You’ll also find many other visitors centers and historic sites scattered around the state.

Members believe that God’s prophets have restored teachings of the true Christian church to the world “in these latter days.” They believe their church presidents, starting with Joseph Smith, to be prophets of God, and they hold both the Bible and the Book of Mormon as the sacred word of God. The latter, they believe, was revealed to Joseph Smith from 1823 to 1830. The text tells of three migrations from the Eastern Hemisphere to the New World and the history of the people who lived in the Americas from about 600 B.C. to about A.D. 400. The book contains 239 chapters, which include teachings Christ supposedly gave in the Americas, prophecy, doctrines, and epic tales of the rise and fall of nations. It’s regarded by the church as a valuable addition to the Bible—but not a replacement.

Membership in the LDS Church requires faith, a willingness to serve, tithing, and obedience to church authorities. The church emphasizes healthful living, moral conduct, secure family relationships, and a thoughtful approach to social services.