The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: History, Beliefs

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide church that identifies as Christian. Joseph Smith organized it in 1830, and its headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This guide explains its history, core beliefs, leadership, temples, and worship, and shows where its teachings overlap with historic Christianity and where they differ.

It also answers common questions, from what members believe to how Mormonism relates to the church’s official name, so you can understand the faith accurately and fairly.

Overview of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian restorationist church. Its members believe that Jesus Christ’s original church was lost after the apostles died and that God restored it through Joseph Smith.

The church reported just over 17.8 million members at its April 2026 general conference. Its current president is Dallin H. Oaks, who recently marked one year as the church’s prophet.

Members are known for family-centered teaching, volunteer service, missionary work, and temple worship. They have no paid local clergy. Ordinary members serve in leadership roles for a few years at a time.

Read Also: What Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? A Beginner’s Guide

History and Founding

Joseph Smith and the Founding of the Church

Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont, in 1805 and grew up mostly in upstate New York. Church history says that around 1820, as a teenager, he prayed about which church to join and saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints call this the First Vision.

Smith later reported visits from an angel named Moroni and said he translated an ancient record, which became the Book of Mormon. The book was published in March 1830. He organized the church on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York.

The church has had several names:

• 1830: Church of Christ
• 1834: Church of the Latter Day Saints
• 1838: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the name members say was given by revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4)

Early Growth and Expansion

The young church moved several times, first to Kirtland, Ohio, then to Missouri, then to Nauvoo, Illinois. Members faced serious conflict and violence in Missouri and Illinois. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob at Carthage, Illinois, in June 1844.

After Smith’s death, a succession crisis split the movement. Brigham Young led the largest group west, and the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847. Other groups formed too, including what is now Community of Christ.

Several later developments shaped the church:

• Plural marriage was practiced publicly from 1852 until the church ended it in 1890.
• In 1978 the church extended priesthood ordination to all worthy male members, ending a ban on Black men holding the priesthood.
• Missionary work has made the church a global faith, with most members now living outside the United States.

Read Also: What Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Believe?

Core Beliefs and Teachings

Jesus Christ and the Bible

Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior, and the center of their faith. They believe in His atonement, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection. The church’s name and its worship are built around Him.

Members also accept the Bible. Their eighth Article of Faith says they believe the Bible is the word of God “as far as it is translated correctly.” Many Christians would say they hold the Bible to be fully authoritative as it stands, so this is one point of difference.

Their view of God also differs from the historic creeds. Latter-day Saints believe God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings united in purpose.

Most Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches teach one God in three persons, based on passages such as Matthew 28:19, which speaks of “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

This difference is the main reason many other Christians do not consider the church part of historic Christianity.

The Book of Mormon

Latter-day Saints call the Book of Mormon “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” It describes a family that left Jerusalem around 600 BC and lived in the Americas. It also describes Jesus visiting them after His resurrection.

Members point to John 10:16, where Jesus says, “other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.” They read this as including these people. Many other Christians read the verse as referring to Gentile believers.

The Book of Mormon’s historicity is disputed. Latter-day Saints accept it by faith and personal spiritual confirmation. Most archaeologists and historians outside the church find no clear evidence for its civilizations in ancient America.

Beyond the Bible and the Book of Mormon, members also use two more books of scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

Modern Prophets and Revelation

The church teaches that God still speaks through living prophets and apostles. Members often cite Amos 3:7: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” They also cite Ephesians 4:11–14, which lists apostles and prophets among the gifts Christ gave His church.

Many other Christians agree that prophets and apostles existed in the early church. They generally hold, however, that Scripture is complete and that the Bible alone is the final authority for doctrine.

Latter-day Saints and Mormonism

Members are called Latter-day Saints. “Mormon” comes from the Book of Mormon and was long used as a nickname for members and for the church.

In 2018, President Russell M. Nelson asked that the church’s full name be used and that the nicknames “Mormon” and “LDS” be avoided. The church still accepts the term “Mormonism” in a historical or general sense, as in “the Mormon pioneers.”

For clarity, this article uses “Latter-day Saints” for the people and “Mormonism” only when describing the wider movement.

Christian Identity and Faith

The church says plainly that it is Christian, because its members worship Jesus Christ as their Savior. Many other Christians disagree, mainly because of differences over the Trinity, the closed biblical canon, and the idea that humans can become like God in eternity.

Not every Christian group sees it the same way. The Catholic Church does not recognize Latter-day Saint baptism, and many Protestant denominations treat the church as outside historic Christianity. Others focus on the shared devotion to Christ.

Both views are held sincerely. The fair approach is to describe what the church teaches and note where other Christians see differences.

Read Also: How Many Miracles Did Jesus Perform? (Full List, Bible Verses & Meaning)

Church Leadership and Organization

The church is led by a First Presidency, made up of the president and two counselors. Beneath them are the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other general leaders. Members sustain the president as prophet, seer, and revelator.

Local congregations are called wards, and groups of wards form a stake. A bishop leads each ward. He is a volunteer who usually keeps a regular job. Women lead the Relief Society, the Young Women, and the Primary (children’s) organizations.

Meetinghouses and Temples

Meetinghouses are the church buildings where members meet each Sunday, and visitors are welcome. They also host classes, youth activities, and community service.

Temples are different. They are considered houses of the Lord, and only members in good standing with a temple recommend may enter once a temple is dedicated. Inside, members take part in ordinances such as the endowment, marriage sealings, and baptisms for the dead. The church points to 1 Corinthians 15:29 for baptism for the dead, a verse whose meaning Bible scholars debate.

Temples are open to the public for a short time before dedication. The church now counts 222 dedicated temples, with dozens more under construction.

Read More: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: History, Beliefs

Worship Services and Church Membership

Sunday worship centers on sacrament meeting, where members take bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ. The meeting includes hymns, prayers, and talks given by members.

A second hour has classes, which are Sunday School in alternating weeks and then separate priesthood and Relief Society meetings.

Membership usually begins with baptism by immersion, typically at age eight or older, followed by confirmation. Members are asked to live by several practices:

• Pay tithing, or one-tenth of their income (see Malachi 3:10)
• Keep the Word of Wisdom, which includes avoiding alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea
• Observe the Sabbath and serve others

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Members believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three separate beings. They accept the Bible and the Book of Mormon, follow living prophets, and believe in eternal families. They also practice baptism, temple worship, and obedience to commandments.

How do I log in to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website?

Go to the church’s official website, churchofjesuschrist.org, and select the sign-in option. You will need a Church Account username and password, which members can create on the site. Only enter your details on the official site, and never share your password.

Where can I find the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints near me?

Use the meetinghouse locator on the church’s official website. Enter your address or city to find nearby buildings and Sunday meeting times. Visitors are welcome at Sunday services, and you can also ask on the site to be contacted by local missionaries.

Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the same as the Mormon Church?

Yes, “Mormon Church” is a common nickname for the same church. The church prefers its full name and has asked people to avoid “Mormon” and “LDS” as labels, though the terms are still widely used.

What is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called in Spanish?

In Spanish, the church is called La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días. Members are called Santos de los Últimos Días. The church publishes much of its material in Spanish on its official website.

Where can I find the official logo of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Official logos and brand guidelines are available through the church’s Newsroom website. The church treats its name and logos as protected, so check the posted usage terms before using them. This is especially important for commercial or public use.

Where is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located?

The church’s world headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Temple Square is a major landmark. Congregations and temples exist worldwide, and most members now live outside the United States.

What do people on Reddit say about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Reddit has communities of active members, former members, and critics. Opinions vary widely and are often personal. These discussions are not official church statements, so treat them as individual views and check claims against reliable sources.

Conclusion

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide faith built on belief in Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and modern prophets. It began in 1830 and has grown into a global church with temples, local congregations, and extensive service programs.

Its beliefs about God, scripture, and revelation overlap with other Christian teaching in some ways and differ sharply in others. Readers who want to examine the differences should compare each claim with the Bible and with the church’s own teachings.