Family-Centered Belief and Practice in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Unification Church, 1945-1997

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the Unification Church have unique religio-cultural backgrounds: the LDS church was founded in North America and the Unification Church was founded in Korea. Yet there are numerous similarities between these two successful new religious movements. Significantly, both the LDS and Unification churches are recognized for their strong emphases on family-centered belief and practice, having the same underlying purpose of establishing the kingdom of God on earth. This book examines the transitions in the family-centered beliefs and practices of the LDS and Unification churches as a case study of new religious movements and the family under the influence of growing individualism and multiculturalism since World War II.