The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Christian denomination and the largest in the Latter Day Saint movement. It was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith during the Second Great Awakening and is now based in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of 2024, the church has over 17.5 million members around the world, with more than 6.8 million in the United States alone.

Members believe in restoring original Christian teachings and follow four scriptural texts: the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. They observe laws about health, fasting, and Sabbath worship, and contribute ten percent of their income to the church. Important ceremonies include baptism and other ordinances that create special agreements with God.

After Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, most followers followed Brigham Young, who led the church to Salt Lake City. The church has grown into a worldwide organization with many temples and over 109,000 volunteer missionaries. It also supports humanitarian projects globally, helping people in need.

History

Main article: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Beginnings

See also: History of the Latter Day Saint movement and Joseph Smith § Life

Joseph Smith started the church on April 6, 1830, in western New York. It was first called the Church of Christ and later changed its name. Many people joined because of the Book of Mormon, which Smith said he translated from special plates.

Smith wanted to build a special place called Zion in North America. The church moved to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831 and then to Jackson County, Missouri. But in 1833, people there forced the church members to leave. The church built a beautiful temple in Kirtland, but problems happened, and Smith moved the church again. In 1839, the church made its home in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Nauvoo grew quickly as missionaries brought in new members. Smith taught some special ideas and ceremonies. Sadly, Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed in 1844. After that, Brigham Young became the new leader.

Other smaller groups formed after Smith's death, but they are not part of the main church today.

Pioneer era

After Smith’s death, there were more problems between church members and others. Brigham Young led the church members westward. In 1847, they reached what is now Utah. Many people joined them, and they settled in many places.

Young led the church and also ruled the area. He talked openly about having more than one wife, which caused more problems. In 1857, soldiers came to Utah, but nothing big happened. After Young died in 1877, other leaders took over. In 1890, the church stopped the practice of having more than one wife to help get Utah to become a state, which happened in 1896.

Modern times

In the 20th century, the church grew very big and spread all over the world. By 2018, there were over 16 million members. The church supports strong families and has been involved in many important issues.

In 1978, the church changed its rules so that people of all races could become leaders. The church also started helping others during hard times and working with different groups to support people in need.

The church faced some hard times, like when some people did not believe its teachings or when members faced unfair treatment. Sadly, there was a shooting in 2025 that hurt some members.

Beliefs

Main article: Beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

See also: Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints) and List of proclamations of the First Presidency

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the LDS Church or Mormon Church, has special ideas about God, Jesus, and how people can live good lives.

Nature of God

See also: God in Mormonism and Heavenly Mother (Mormonism)

Members of the LDS Church believe in a Godhead made up of three separate beings: God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. These three work together but are not the same person, unlike many other Christian beliefs. They think God the Father and Jesus have physical bodies, while the Holy Ghost does not.

Jesus Christ

Church members believe Jesus is the true Son of God and the Savior. They believe He died and came back to life to help people. They also believe Jesus started the church long ago and leads it today through special leaders.

Leadership

See also: President of the Church (LDS Church), First Presidency (LDS Church), Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), Seventy (LDS Church), Presiding Bishop (LDS Church), Relief Society, Sunday School (LDS Church), Young Women (organization), Young Men (organization), and Primary (LDS Church)

The church is led by a president who is called a prophet. He is helped by other special leaders called apostles. When the president passes away, one of the apostles becomes the new president.

Home and Family

See also: Marriage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Gender minorities and the LDS Church

The church thinks marriage and family are very important. Members are taught to spend time together as a family each week and to pray together every day.

Sources of Doctrine

See also: Standard works

The church’s teachings come from four main books: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The Book of Mormon is especially important to members. They also believe they can receive personal guidance from God through prayer.

Practices

Main article: Beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Rituals

Main article: Ordinance (Latter Day Saints)

In the church, special ceremonies called ordinances are important. These ceremonies have deep meanings and are done by special leaders called priesthood holders. One important ordinance is baptism, where a person is placed in water and promised to follow Jesus. Baptism usually happens when a child is eight years old.

Church members believe that through other special ceremonies, like temple sealing and temple endowment, they can live with their families forever and be close to God.

Diet and health

Main article: Word of Wisdom (Latter Day Saints)

The church asks its members to follow special rules about what to eat and drink. These rules, called the Word of Wisdom, say not to drink alcohol, coffee, tea, or tobacco. Members are encouraged to eat healthy foods like grains and herbs and to eat meat only sometimes.

Tithing and other donations

Main articles: Tithing in Mormonism and Fast offering

Church members are asked to give one-tenth of their money to help the church. This is called tithing. Members also fast, or go without eating, on the first Sunday of each month for two meals. They then give money to help others in need.

Missionary service

Main articles: Mormon missionary and Mission (LDS Church)

Young men in the church are encouraged to spend two years helping to teach others about the church. They are called missionaries. Women and older couples can also choose to serve as missionaries for shorter times.

Sabbath day observance

See also: Sabbath in Christianity § Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Church members usually spend Sundays resting and worshipping. They are asked not to shop or do many activities on Sundays.

Worship and meetings

Main article: Worship services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds meetings for worship and learning in special buildings called meetinghouses. On Sundays, the main meeting is called the Sacrament meeting. During this time, members share a special bread and water, sing songs together, say prayers, and listen to short talks given by members of the church.

Church groups are organized based on where people live. Most members go to the group nearest to their home. These groups are called wards or branches. bigger groups of wards are called stakes.

Main article: Temple (LDS Church)

Temples are very special and holy buildings for members of the church. Inside temples, members take part in important ceremonies, including marriages and other sacred rituals. Only members who meet certain requirements can enter temples. As of July 2025, there are over 200 temples operating around the world, with many more being built.

Main article: General Conference (LDS Church)

Twice every year, in April and October, leaders of the church speak to members all around the world during a special event called general conference. These talks are shown on television and translated into many languages. Members gather to listen and show their support for the church leaders.

Organization and structure

Name and legal entities

Main article: Name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The church teaches that it is a continuation of the Church of Christ that began in 1830 by Joseph Smith. Over the years, the church changed its name several times. Finally, after Smith died, Brigham Young and others officially named it "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" in 1851. People often call it the LDS Church, the Mormon Church, or the Latter-day Saints Church. In 2018, church leaders asked everyone to use the full name instead of "LDS" or "Mormon." The church operates as a single organization and owns many properties and businesses.

Priesthood hierarchy and church service

See also: Priesthood (LDS Church)

The church is led by men called general authorities who guide the church worldwide. Local leaders, known as bishops, lead smaller groups of members. Boys can start learning about church leadership at age 11, and men can take on more responsibilities at age 18. Women cannot hold these leadership roles but have other important jobs in the church. Every member can choose to help with different tasks, like cleaning buildings or helping others, based on what their leaders ask them to do.

Programs and organizations

See also: Organization (LDS Church)

The church runs many programs to help members and others, including schools, family support, and ways to help poor people. These programs help teach members and provide support to those in need around the world. The church also has special schools and offers help for families, including advice on marriage and finding families for children who need homes.

The church helps people in need through a special program where members give extra money once a month to support others. The church also has many buildings and centers for learning and worship, including special places for storing important records.

Finances

Main article: Finances of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

See also: List of wealthiest religious organizations

The church is a non-profit group and does not share all its financial details publicly. It receives money from members and uses it for many different projects and businesses around the world. These include radio stations, farms, real estate, and more. The church’s total value is estimated to be very large, with investments and properties worth many billions of dollars.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a unique culture shaped by their beliefs and traditions. This culture is especially strong in areas like the Intermountain West, known as the Mormon corridor. Many members follow special guidelines called the Word of Wisdom, which means they don’t use tobacco, alcohol, coffee, or tea. They also have quiet times on Sunday for worship and rest.

The church has its own special traditions, foods, and arts. It creates films, books, and artworks, and holds big shows that tell stories from church history. One famous show is a large Easter performance that happens every year. The church’s choir, called the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, is very well-known and has won many awards. The church encourages fun activities that don’t have violence or rude language, so many members choose not to watch certain movies.

Main article: LDS Church and politics in the United States

See also: LGBTQ rights and the LDS Church

The church usually doesn’t support any one political party, but it encourages its members to be good citizens and learn about important issues. Many members in the United States tend to support the Republican Party, but the church says its beliefs can fit with many different parties. Sometimes, the church speaks up about issues it feels are very important, like protecting families or supporting good laws. It has been part of discussions about many topics, including marriage laws and immigration policies in the United States. Several leaders in government, especially in Utah, are members of the church.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Membership statistics (LDS Church), and Membership history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

See also: Less-active Mormon and Ex-Mormon

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says it has about 17 million members around the world. More than 6.8 million of these members live in the United States. The church counts people as members if they were baptized or if their parents were members when they were very young, as long as they have not left the church officially.

The church is one of the biggest religious groups in the United States. Experts think that about 4 million people attend weekly church services. Most members live in the United States and Canada, with many also in Latin America. A small part live in other parts of the world. The church grew quickly in the 20th century but has grown more slowly in recent years. Today, many new members join in Africa and Latin America.

In the United States, church members often have more education than the average person. The group has fewer Black members compared to the general population. About 40 percent of members in the U.S. and 30 percent worldwide go to church services each week. Many young people leave the church when they are teenagers or in their early twenties.

Humanitarian services

See also: Philanthropies and LDS Humanitarian Services

The LDS Church is well-known for helping people all around the world. The church organizes its aid through a group called Philanthropies, led by the Presiding Bishopric. These efforts began during a tough time called the Great Depression and help poor people using money given by church members. This money also supports special stores called bishop’s storehouses, where food is sold at low prices to those in need.

The church helps with many important projects, like making sure people have enough food, clean water, and healthcare. It also runs thrift stores and works with other groups to support families and communities. During big challenges like natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the church has provided food, medical supplies, and money to help people in many countries.

Criticism and controversies

Modern criticism of the church includes disputed claims, allegations of historical revisionism by the church, and issues related to teachings about different groups of people. Notable critics from the 20th century included writers Jerald and Sandra Tanner and historian Fawn Brodie.

Scriptures

Criticism of the church's main book, the Book of Mormon, centers on claims that it does not match known historical or archaeological facts. Scholars have noted differences between the book's descriptions and actual evidence from the time periods it references. The book also includes ideas that do not align with what is known about ancient languages and cultures.

Polygamy

For more than half of the 19th century, church leaders practiced polygamy, which means having more than one wife. This practice began in the 1830s and was publicly announced in 1852. It continued until 1890 when church president Wilford Woodruff issued a statement ending the practice in the United States. Some members continued the practice in other countries until 1904, but the church now does not allow it.

Minorities

The church has faced criticism for how it has treated different groups of people throughout its history. In the past, church leaders made statements about Black people that are now considered unfair and wrong. These teachings changed in 1978, and the church has since worked to improve relations with all people. The church has also been criticized for its early views on Native American people and for policies related to people who identify as LGBTQ.

Financial controversy

The church has been criticized for not making its financial information public. In 2023, it faced penalties for not properly reporting some of its investments. The church has defended its financial practices, stating that it complies with all laws.