Is the Church of Latter-day Saints Mormon? Understanding the Connection

Yes and no. The Church of Latter-day Saints is commonly called Mormon, and its members were long known as Mormons. But the church’s official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and since 2018 its leaders have asked people to stop using “Mormon” as a nickname.

This article explains where the word “Mormon” came from, why the naming policy changed, and which terms are used today. It also clears up common misconceptions and shows how the Bible’s word “saints” connects to the church’s name.

Understanding the Relationship Between Mormonism and the Latter-day Saints

“Mormon” and “Latter-day Saint” refer to the same group of people. Both describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was founded by Joseph Smith in the United States in 1830 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The difference is mostly one of origin and preference:

• “Mormon” began as a nickname, drawn from the Book of Mormon.
• “Latter-day Saints” comes from the church’s own official name.

“Mormonism” is the traditional label for the church’s beliefs and culture. Today the church prefers phrases such as “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ” or simply “the Church.”

The term “Mormon” is not found in the Bible. It comes from the Book of Mormon, a scripture that the church accepts alongside the Bible but that other Christian groups do not recognize as Scripture.

The Origin and Meaning of the Word Mormon

The word comes from the Book of Mormon, first published in 1830. Mormon is the name of a prophet and record keeper in that book who, according to the text, lived around the fourth century AD. The book says he compiled and abridged earlier records, and the volume is named after him.

Early on, outsiders used “Mormon” and similar labels for Joseph Smith’s followers, often as criticism. Over time, members accepted the name and used it themselves. The church even used it in its own branding, such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and its “I’m a Mormon” media campaign in the early 2010s.

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

Why the Church Changed Its Naming Policy

On August 16, 2018, the church announced updated guidance on how to refer to it. President Russell M. Nelson then explained the reasoning in an October 2018 general conference address titled “The Correct Name of the Church.”

According to church leaders, the reasons include:

• The name of Jesus Christ. Church leaders say nicknames like “Mormon Church” or “LDS Church” leave out the Savior’s name, which they believe was revealed as the proper name of the church.
• A revelation they cite. They point to Doctrine and Covenants 115:4, a revelation received by Joseph Smith in 1838, which gives the church’s name. This is a text from LDS scripture, not the Bible.
• Clarity about identity. Leaders wanted members and others to associate the church directly with Jesus Christ.

You do not need to share these beliefs to understand the policy. It is simply the church’s own explanation for the change.

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

The Official Name of the Church and Its Members

The full official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The name developed over time:

• 1830: The church was organized as the “Church of Christ.”
• 1834: It became the “Church of the Latter Day Saints.”
• 1838: It received its current name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Both parts of “Latter-day Saints” have roots in biblical language, though the church applies them in its own way:

• “Saints” is a New Testament word for believers. Paul wrote to those “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7, KJV) and addressed “all the saints in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1, KJV).
• “Latter-day” echoes the Bible’s phrase “the latter days,” as in Daniel 10:14 (KJV). The church understands this to describe the era before Christ’s return.

Notably, the New Testament uses “saints” for ordinary believers, not for a special class of holy people.

Mormon Church vs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

These phrases point to the same organization, but they are not equally accepted by the church today.

Term	Church’s current preference
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	Official name; use on first reference
The Church / the Church of Jesus Christ	Acceptable shortened forms
Latter-day Saints / members of the Church	Preferred for people
Mormon Church / LDS Church	Discouraged
Mormons / LDS	Discouraged

Some uses of “Mormon” remain normal and appropriate, such as the Book of Mormon, the prophet Mormon, and historical terms like the Mormon Battalion.

Read More: What Language Was the Bible Written In? Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Explained

Historical Use of the Name Mormon

For most of the church’s history, “Mormon” was an everyday term used by members, journalists, scholars, and critics alike. It appeared in books, news coverage, and university courses, and it is still standard in academic and historical writing about the movement.

The church itself used the name widely until 2018. Its former website, mormon.org, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are two examples. After the announcement, the website moved to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and the choir was renamed the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

How the Church Identifies Its Members Today

The church asks that its members be called Latter-day Saints or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members also describe themselves as Christians, and they call themselves “disciples of Jesus Christ.”

How others see this is more varied. Many Christians outside the church question whether its teachings fit historic Christianity. They point to differences over the Trinity, the nature of God, and the added scriptures. Church members respond that they worship God the Father and Jesus Christ and consider themselves fully Christian.

The Bible says believers were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26, KJV). Where the church fits within that description is a matter of ongoing disagreement between Latter-day Saints and other Christians, and this article does not settle it.

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

Common Misconceptions About the Mormon Church

“Mormon” is the official name. It is not. It is a nickname the church now discourages.

All Mormons practice polygamy. The church taught and practiced plural marriage in the 1800s but formally ended the practice in 1890. Today it excommunicates members who practice it. Groups that still do are separate from the church.

Latter-day Saints worship Joseph Smith. The church teaches that worship belongs to God the Father and Jesus Christ. Members honor Joseph Smith as a prophet, not as a deity.

The church exists only in Utah. Utah is its headquarters, but the church reports millions of members around the world, with more than half living outside the United States.

“Mormon” and “Latter-day Saint” mean different groups. In ordinary usage they refer to the same people. The difference is preference, not identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Church of Latter-day Saints still called the Mormon Church?

Many people still call it that informally, but the church’s official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church leaders ask that “Mormon Church” no longer be used.

Why do people still use the term Mormon?

The name has been used for nearly two centuries in news, books, and conversation. It is familiar, short, and historically accurate, so habit keeps it in common use.

Are Mormon and Latter-day Saint the same thing?

Yes, both refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Latter-day Saint” is the term the church prefers today, while “Mormon” is an older nickname.

What is the official name of the Mormon Church?

The official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortened forms such as “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ” are also acceptable to the church.

When did the church discourage the use of the word Mormon?

The church announced its updated guidance on August 16, 2018, and President Russell M. Nelson explained it in the October 2018 general conference.

Conclusion

The Church of Latter-day Saints is the same group long known as the Mormon Church, but its official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Mormon” comes from the Book of Mormon, not from the Bible, and began as a nickname before becoming widely used.

Since 2018, the church has asked people to use its full name or terms like “Latter-day Saints.” Using those terms is a simple way to speak about the church respectfully, even when you disagree with its teachings.