Latter Day Saint MovementEdit

The Latter Day Saint Movement refers to a family of related religious denominations that trace their origins to the revivalist milieu of early 19th-century upstate New York and the prophetic claims of Joseph Smith. After Smith published the Book of Mormon in 1830 and organized the church that same year, a spectrum of groups emerged that claimed succession to the same restorationist impulse: to restore the original gospel, authority, and ordinances believed to have existed in the early Christian church. Today, the largest of these is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the LDS Church, which has a global footprint and a distinctive American religious character. Other branches include the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and various fundamentalist groups that maintain polygamous practices in tension with mainstream church policy. Joseph Smith Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Origins and Foundational Figures - Joseph Smith and the First Vision: Smith reported a series of divine appearances beginning in 1820, culminating in revelations that he was entrusted with restoring the true church. This narrative, central to many Latter-day Saint self-understandings, underpins the movement’s claim of priesthood authority restored to human beings in modern times. First Vision - The Book of Mormon and the authority question: Smith produced what members regard as a second witness of Christ, written records of ancient peoples in the American continents. The text is viewed as scripture alongside the Bible, intended to confirm and clarify the gospel’s restoration. Book of Mormon - Founding in the early church era: The movement quickly organized as the Church of Christ in 1830, established a headquarters in Kirtland, Ohio, and later formed a strong center in Nauvoo, Illinois, before the members’ westward migration. These centers became laboratories for doctrinal development, community governance, and religious experimentation. Kirtland, Ohio Nauvoo, Illinois - Leadership succession and westward migration: After Smith’s death in 1844, Brigham Young led the main body of adherents to the Salt Lake Valley, where they organized a new territorial society, established Deseret-era institutions, and laid the groundwork for statehood and lasting community structures in the American West. Brigham Young Utah Territory

Core Beliefs and Practices - Restored gospel and priesthood authority: A central claim is that key priesthood offices and authoritative revelations were restored in modern times, enabling the proper administration of sacraments, temple ordinances, and governance of the church. Priesthood ban is part of a later controversial chapter in this history. Church organization - Scripture and the standard works: The movement accepts the Bible and adds the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as canon, forming a unique scriptural triad that shapes doctrine on God, Christ, salvation, and temple life. Word of Wisdom Doctrine and Covenants - Godhead and salvation: Doctrinal emphasis centers on the Godhead as distinct beings and on a plan of salvation that includes faith, repentance, baptism, the receipt of the Holy Ghost, temple covenants, and eternal families. Adherents stress personal agency, congregational life, and ongoing revelation as guiding forces in moral decision-making. Articles of Faith - Temple worship and ordinances: Temples are central to spiritual life, where covenants, endowments, and eternal marriages are performed for the living and the dead, reinforcing a strong focus on family continuity and community identity. Temple Sealing - Lifestyle and moral code: Adherents commonly follow the Word of Wisdom, a health guideline discouraging substances thought to be harmful, and they emphasize family responsibilities, education, and service. Weekly worship includes a sacrament meeting, along with personal and family devotion. Word of Wisdom

Organization and Leadership - Institutional structure: The church is led by a president who is regarded as a prophet, seer, and revelator, supported by two counselors and the First Presidency, with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other general authorities providing governance and doctrinal steering. Local church life is organized through wards and stakes, with lay leadership supplemented by professional administrative staff. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints First Presidency Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - Missionary and educational emphasis: The movement has a long-standing commitment to missionary work and to education through institutions such as universities and seminaries, which helps to sustain its global presence and cultural influence. LDS missionary Brigham Young University

Historic Development and Territorial Expansion - Early social and legal conflicts: The early church faced persecution, legal challenges, and violent opposition in the Midwest and frontier regions, culminating in events such as the Missouri conflicts and the expulsion of church members from certain territories. These episodes shaped the community’s later policy choices and defensive posture toward external pressure. Missouri Emigration Mountain Meadows Massacre - Westward settlement and political integration: The migration to the Great Basin produced a distinctive civic and cultural enclave, where church leadership sought to build a self-sustaining society, press for statehood, and integrate with broader American political life. Utah’s path to statehood in the late 19th century reflected both religious unity and strategic adaptation to federal governance. Utah War Utah Statehood - End of polygamy and later reforms: After decades of practice in certain circles, mainstream leaders formally discontinued plural marriage through official measures in the late 19th century, while some groups persisted privately for a time. The 1890 Manifesto and subsequent statements marked a turning point that allowed closer integration with broader American society. Polygamy in the Latter Day Saint movement 1890 Manifesto

Polygamy and Related Debates - Plural marriage in historical context: Polygamy was publicly practiced by a faction within the movement in the 1840s and 1850s, generating controversy and legal action across the United States. Critics viewed it as a violation of modern norms, while supporters argued it was a divinely guided practice under unique historical circumstances. The mainstream church eventually renounced the practice, though some splinter groups continued it. Polygamy in the Latter Day Saint movement Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Modern policy and public reception: The end of formal polygamy enabled the church to participate more fully in American civic life, higher education, and civil rights discussions, while still preserving a strong sense of religious obligation to family and community. This shift is often cited by scholars who connect religious liberty with social stability. First Presidency manifesto

Race, Priesthood, and Modern Reconciliation - Historical race-related policies: For much of its early history, the movement restricted priesthood and temple privileges on the basis of race, a policy that drew substantial criticism from civil rights advocates and opponents of religious exclusivity. The church has since repudiated interpretations that linked worthiness to race and has stated that past prohibitions do not reflect its contemporary doctrine. Priesthood ban - 20th and 21st-century reform and dialogue: In the late 20th century the church moved to expand priesthood eligibility and to address racial and cultural tensions, culminating in public statements and policy changes intended to foster greater inclusion while maintaining doctrinal integrity. Critics on the left argue such reforms are overdue moral corrections, while supporters emphasize the importance of religious liberty and the church’s internal governance. The debate continues to center on how best to balance tradition with evolving social norms. Race and the Priesthood 1990s–2000s church reforms - Indigenous peoples and scriptural interpretation: The Book of Mormon’s portrayal of ancient peoples and its implications for Native Americans have been subject to extensive scholarly discussion. The church encourages respectful engagement with indigenous historians and scientists while maintaining a faith-based reading of revelation and scripture. Book of Mormon

Social, Cultural, and Political Influence - Family and community life: The movement emphasizes stable families, charitable service, and self-reliance as foundations for social order, which resonates with conservative expectations for cultural continuity and civic responsibility. The church’s welfare programs and humanitarian aid are often cited as examples of organized private philanthropy. Church welfare Relief Society - Education, media, and public life: Through its universities, publishing arms, and lay leadership in many communities, the movement has contributed to local economies, educational outcomes, and public discourse about religion, morality, and governance. Critics sometimes contend that large religious organizations exert outsized influence on public policy, while supporters argue that religious citizens have a legitimate role in shaping social norms. BYU Deseret News - Relations with broader American traditions: The movement’s history in the United States intersects with debates over religious liberty, pluralism, and the political role of religion in public life. Proponents emphasize constitutional protections for religious exercise and the right of religious groups to operate institutions in conscience, while critics warn against insulation from secular accountability. Religious liberty

Controversies and Debates - Doctrinal change versus tradition: Advocates of continuity argue that the church’s core doctrines have remained remarkably stable since the 19th century, while reformist voices within the faith advocate for adjustments in social teaching and organizational practices. The governance structure, with prophetic leadership, is often defended as necessary to preserve doctrinal coherence in a diverse global church. Church organization - Polygamy, race, gender, and sexuality: The movement’s historical stance on plural marriage, racial priesthood restrictions, and gender roles has generated ongoing criticism from outside groups and internal debates among members. Proponents argue that the church’s changes reflect an earnest effort to harmonize deeply held beliefs with civil rights norms, while opponents question the pace and scope of reform. Conservative observers tend to frame such debates as illustrations of ongoing fidelity to religious liberty and moral order, while cautioning against perceptions of capitulation to external pressure. Woke criticism, when it appears, is often treated as misreading the enduring distinction between essential doctrine and changing social policy. Polygamy in the Latter Day Saint movement Priesthood ban Race and the Priesthood - Historical memory and accountability: Critics point to past persecutions, legal conflicts, and violent episodes as wounds in a shared national history. Supporters emphasize repentance, documentation of context, and the church’s subsequent efforts to foster peaceable engagement with neighboring communities. The balance between remembering history and pursuing reconciliation remains a live topic in academic and religious circles. Mountain Meadows Massacre

See Also - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Joseph Smith - Book of Mormon - Doctrine and Covenants - Pearl of Great Price - Kirtland Safety Society - First Vision - Brigham Young - Utah Statehood - Polygamy in the Latter Day Saint movement - Community of Christ - Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Missionary (Latter Day Saints) - BYU - Word of Wisdom