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Latter Day SaintsEdit

Latter Day Saints refers to adherents of a restorationist Christian tradition that began in upstate New York in the early 19th century. Central to their faith is Jesus Christ, whom they view as the Savior and Redeemer, and scripture that includes the Bible alongside the Book of Mormon, which they believe to be another testament of Jesus Christ revealed to ancient inhabitants of the American continents. The largest corporate expression within this tradition is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often abbreviated as the LDS Church), which operates a worldwide network of congregations, schools, humanitarian programs, and extensive missionary efforts. The faith emphasizes personal revelation, family, and service, and its members regard disciplined devotion, work, and education as matters of practical consequence for individuals and communities.

From a conservative perspective, the Latter-day Saint tradition combines a robust ethic of personal responsibility with a strong sense of communal obligation. Its education and welfare systems—characterized by self-reliance, thrift, and philanthropy—are frequently cited as contributors to social stability. The church’s governance is organized around lay leadership and a disciplined framework that seeks to preserve doctrine while empowering local congregations to address local needs. Supporters often point to the church’s emphasis on family formation, hard work, charitable service, and civic engagement as durable social goods that align with broad cultural values around responsibility and community.

The movement has also confronted legitimate controversies and ongoing debates. Critics have long highlighted past practices and policies that are no longer in force, such as the historical practice of polygamy and the race-based priesthood restrictions that applied to black members in earlier decades. The church has acknowledged those chapters as part of its history and has implemented doctrinal and administrative changes toward greater inclusion and reform. Debates continue over issues such as the role of women in church leadership, the church’s stance on marriage and family, and its approach to LGBTQ matters. Proponents argue that doctrinal principles anchor the church’s teachings and that reforms reflect long-running study and revelation, while critics argue that certain policies have restricted personal liberty or caused harm. The church maintains that it seeks to balance religious conviction with compassion and civic responsibility.

Origins and development

Founding and early expansion

The Latter-day Saint movement traces its emergence to the early 1800s in the United States, with the founder Joseph Smith claiming a series of divine encounters that culminated in the publication of the Book of Mormon as a companion to the Bible. Smith’s accounts of the First Vision and subsequent translation of plates he described as ancient records laid the groundwork for a new restorationist church. Key early centers included Kirtland, Ohio and Nauvoo, Illinois, where believers organized congregations, built temples, and expanded the church’s organizational practices. The movement rapidly developed recognizable priesthood structures and a distinctive canon, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Followers established a pattern of lay leadership and missionary activity that would shape the church’s growth for generations.

Migration to Utah and state-building

In the mid-19th century, members faced intense internal and external pressure that culminated in migration toward the western frontier. Led by Brigham Young after the death of Joseph Smith, pioneers moved to the Salt Lake Valley and beyond, helping to establish a durable community in what became the Utah Territory. This era involved not only religious organization but also social institutions, education, and economic development as Mormons built towns, farms, and schools and contributed to the broader westward expansion of the United States. The church’s governance and communal practices were aligned with a vision of self-reliant citizens who could sustain a growing population in a harsh environment.

Reforms and modernization

Over time, the church faced pressures to refine practices and adapt to a changing society. The 19th-century experience with polygamy prompted a gradual shift away from plural marriage and toward a centralized leadership stance on doctrinal and administrative matters. By the end of the 19th and into the 20th century, the church emphasized doctrinal unity, international growth, and humanitarian work, while preserving core beliefs about revelation, temple worship, and eternal families. The church’s expansion into global missions accelerated, making it a major international religious movement with a distinctive organizational culture that prizes education, family, and charitable service.

Beliefs and scriptures

Canon and revelation

In addition to the Bible, adherents recognize the Book of Mormon as scripture and view the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price as part of a divine collection that complements biblical revelation. They teach continual revelation within a framework of established doctrine, with church leaders offering guidance on faith and practice that is considered to flow from continuing revelation to the church’s leaders.

God, Jesus, and the plan of salvation

The church presents a traditional Christian Christology emphasizing Jesus as the central figure of salvation. Its understanding of the Godhead differs from classical trinitarian language, describing God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three distinct beings united in purpose. Central to salvation is faith in Christ, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, repentance, and moral living. The plan of salvation includes eternal families, temple work, and ordinances that are believed to bind generations beyond mortal life.

Practices and ordinances

Key religious practices include regular worship services, Tithing (supporting the church’s operations and humanitarian efforts), personal and family prayer, and scripture study. The church places particular emphasis on ordinances performed in temples, such as sealings that unite families for eternity. A strong moral code governs daily living, with the Word of Wisdom guiding health choices, including abstention from alcohol, tobacco, and other substances perceived as harmful.

Organization and practice

Church governance

Authority in the church rests in a hierarchical structure led by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with local congregations administered by lay bishops and regional leaders. Members typically contribute to church life through volunteer service, supporting doctrinal instruction, youth programs, and humanitarian outreach. The church’s emphasis on governance by principle—rather than centralized power—reflects a belief in local accountability and personal responsibility.

Missionary work and education

A robust missionary program sends young members and others to various regions worldwide to share faith, provide service, and foster community ties. Education is a hallmark of the faith, with institutions such as Brigham Young University offering curricula across disciplines and reinforcing values aligned with church teachings. The church maintains a significant philanthropic wing, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance through LDS Charities and related networks.

Temples and family sealings

Temples are regarded as sacred spaces where adherents participate in ceremonies related to eternal families and other essential ordinances. Access to temple worship is generally restricted to members who meet certain standards of faith, worthiness, and conduct, reflecting the church’s emphasis on discipline and reverence in matters of sacred ordinances.

Controversies and debates

Polygamy in the 19th century

Polygamy was historically practiced by some members in the 19th century and became a defining point of public controversy. The church eventually restricted plural marriage and, in a formal move toward doctrinal clarity, announced measures to end the practice in the late 19th century, culminating in policies that limited such arrangements in the pursuit of mainstream acceptability and civil stability. The topic remains a sensitive part of the church’s historical memory and is studied as part of the broader arc of reform within the movement.

Race, priesthood, and 1978

The church’s past policy restricting priesthood and temple blessings on the basis of race drew substantial criticism. In 1978, the church formally extended priesthood and temple privileges to all worthy male members regardless of race, a moment widely described as a turning point toward inclusivity while continuing to debate how to address the legacies of prior policies. These changes are discussed in conjunction with ongoing conversations about racial justice, historical interpretation, and religious freedom.

Gender and priesthood

The church maintains that the priesthood is reserved for men, while women lead within substantial auxiliary organizations such as the Relief Society and related programs. This structure has sparked ongoing dialogue about gender roles, women’s leadership, and the best ways to organize governance, education, and service within a faith framework, balancing theological commitments with social change.

LGBTQ issues

The church upholds marriage as a union between a man and a woman and emphasizes compassion and kindness toward LGBTQ individuals while maintaining doctrinal boundaries. Debates center on how religious conviction should interact with civil rights, family policy, and personal liberty. Advocates of the church’s approach argue that religious institutions should retain doctrinal integrity while engaging constructively with diverse communities; critics contend that certain policies restrict personal autonomy and equal standing in public life. When examined from a tradition-minded lens, the emphasis is often on preserving religious liberty and conscience while seeking pathways to reduce harm and promote human dignity within the church’s framework.

Civic life and political engagement

Members have historically emphasized personal responsibility, family stability, and community service as core social values, and the church has supported religious liberty and civic participation. The relationship between religious conviction and public policy continues to be a point of discussion, with supporters arguing that religious organizations should be free to operate according to their beliefs while engaging respectfully with the secular public square. Critics may view some positions as entangling faith with policy outcomes; proponents reply that stable families, education, and charity contribute to the common good and that religious groups can offer valuable moral perspectives in a pluralistic society.

See also