Latter Day SaintEdit
The term Latter Day Saint refers to adherents of a religious restoration movement that began in early 19th-century America. The movement centers on the belief that there was a temporary apostasy from true Christianity after the New Testament era and that God has restored the fullness of the gospel through modern prophets. The largest group within this tradition today is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but there are several independent groups tracing their roots to the same origins. Core scriptures include the Book of Mormon, which members view as a companion to the Bible, along with other standard works such as the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price.
Latter Day Saints place a strong emphasis on family, self-reliance, and service, along with a pragmatic approach to religious life that blends personal revelation with public responsibility. Missionary work is a long-standing feature, with many young adherents serving two-year or sojourn missions around the world. The movement teaches ongoing revelation through modern prophets, a concept that makes the church both conservatively rooted in tradition and ever responsive to new circumstances. Central practices include regular worship, sacraments, tithing, and temple rites that are undertaken by members who meet certain standards of faith and conduct Mission (Latter-day Saints) Priesthood Temple (Latter-day Saints).
History
The Latter Day Saint movement began with the reported First Vision of Joseph Smith, in which Smith described visions of God the Father and Jesus Christ in the early 1820s. He and his collaborators translated and published the Book of Mormon in 1830, which followers claim records God’s dealings with ancient peoples in the Americas and serves as a second witness alongside the Bible Joseph Smith First Vision Book of Mormon. The movement quickly organized as a church and expanded through a turbulent period of migration and conflict, with key centers at sites like Kirtland, Ohio; far west into Missouri; and finally into the Salt Lake Valley under Brigham Young after Smith’s death in 1844.
A defining episode in the 19th century was the practice of plural marriage among some members, which the church formally discontinued in the 1890 Manifesto and later reaffirmed in subsequent declarations. The ensuing decades saw the church establish social, educational, and economic structures that helped it grow into a substantial religious and cultural institution in the American West and beyond Polygamy Brigham Young.
In the mid-20th century, the church’s growth accelerated through global missions, educational ventures, and humanitarian outreach. The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought about important doctrinal and organizational refinements as the church navigated questions of race, gender roles, and religious liberty. A pivotal moment came with the 1978 revelation granting priesthood eligibility to all worthy male members of any race, which changed the church’s demographics and public profile in many countries Race and the Priesthood.
Beliefs and practices
Latter Day Saints subscribe to a distinctive set of doctrines that include belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three separate beings, a positive view of revelation, and the possibility of eternal progression for faithful adherents. They hold the Bible and the Book of Mormon as complementary scriptures and emphasize a plan of salvation that includes faith, repentance, baptism, temple ordinances, and family sealing relationships Book of Mormon.
A practical doctrine that resonates with many adherents is the Word of Wisdom, which counsels prudent use of substances and encourages holistic personal health. Tithing, or giving ten percent of income to the church, is a longstanding practice that supports church operations, education, and humanitarian efforts. Worship centers on weekly sacramental meetings, but there is also a strong emphasis on temple worship, which is reserved for members who meet certain faith and conduct requirements and who participate in rites believed to bind families beyond mortal life Word of Wisdom Temple (Latter-day Saints).
The church maintains a global network of educational institutions and charitable programs, including Brigham Young University and a broad array of humanitarian relief efforts. It also stresses genealogy and family history work, inviting members to trace their ancestors and perform ordinances on their behalf in the temple Brigham Young University Genealogy.
Organization and demographics
The church’s organization features a system of shepherding that includes local congregations (wards) overseen by lay leaders, and a hierarchical core led by the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, with regional and local administrative structures to manage missionary work, education, welfare, and temple activities. A defining feature is the reliance on lay clergy rather than a formal paid priesthood entirely centralized in a clerical class, a structure that is often highlighted in discussions of religious liberty and civic responsibility First Presidency Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Membership is concentrated in the United States and Canada, but the church has grown rapidly in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia and the Pacific. Its cultural footprint is notable in the United States through political engagement around issues of religious liberty, families, education, and charitable service; the church’s public voice on social and policy debates is often framed as a defense of traditional values grounded in religious faith Religious freedom.
Controversies and debates
Like many long-standing religious movements, the Latter Day Saint tradition has faced episodes and debates that remain contentious in public life. Key issues include:
Race and the priesthood: The historical ban on Black members holding the priesthood, and the subsequent 1978 declaration that extended priesthood eligibility to all worthy male members, remain focal points of historical and theological discussion. Critics point to past teachings and policies as evidence of racial discrimination, while supporters emphasize doctrinal shifts and the ongoing effort to address past mistakes and promote equality within the framework of faithful observance Race and the Priesthood.
Polygamy: The early practice of plural marriage and its social and legal repercussions are frequently examined in historical and ethical terms. The church’s formal discontinuation of the practice, and its subsequent emphasis on monogamous marriage, are often discussed in debates about religious liberty, modern governance, and the balance between tradition and reform.
LGBT issues and family policy: The church has maintained a traditional view of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, which has led to conflicts with contemporary norms around LGBT rights in many societies. The church has also undergone policy adjustments—most notably regarding how families headed by same-sex couples are treated within youth baptism and membership processes—reflecting tensions between doctrinal commitments and evolving social expectations. Critics from various sides argue about the pace and scope of change, while supporters underscore religious freedom to live according to long-held beliefs. The 2019 reversal of some policy provisions related to LGBT issues is often cited in debates over how religious institutions adapt to a changing legal and cultural environment LGBT issues.
Public perception and cultural engagement: Some conservatives and religious liberty advocates defend the church’s right to maintain distinctive beliefs and practices in a pluralist society, arguing that engagement with secular institutions should respect the dignity of religiously motivated conscience. Critics sometimes accuse religious groups of resisting social progress; proponents contend that religious institutions should be free to operate within the bounds of the law while upholding their moral commitments. The debate over how to reconcile faith-based discernment with public policy remains a live issue in many democracies.
Woke or progressive critiques often center on calls for broader inclusion or reinterpretation of doctrine. Proponents of the church’s orthodox stance contend that religious liberty allows voluntary associations to maintain their identities without coercion, and they argue that calls for rapid social change can undermine long-standing institutions, charitable networks, and family stability. They may also point to the church’s substantial humanitarian and welfare work as evidence that religious communities can contribute to social well-being while maintaining core beliefs.
Culture, education, and public life
The church promotes family stability, personal responsibility, and service. It runs a large network of educational and humanitarian initiatives and often participates in public discussions about schooling, religious liberty, and community welfare. Members frequently focus on building strong families, mentoring youth, and supporting charitable causes—efforts that families and communities across many societies find valuable regardless of doctrinal differences. The church’s approach to governance and civic life typically emphasizes voluntary cooperation, chartered charitable activities, and a moral framework anchored in faith and self-governance rather than centralized state control.