The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global Restorationist Christian organization, meaning it seeks to restore the original church established by Jesus Christ. Founded in the early 19th century in the United States, the church has grown from a small group of believers in New York to a worldwide faith with millions of members and a significant cultural and humanitarian footprint.

While often referred to informally as the Mormon Church or the LDS Church, leadership has emphasized the use of its full name to center the faith's focus on Jesus Christ.

Portrait of Joseph Smith (circa 1842) — Joseph Smith, the first president of the Church of Christ

Key Facts

Portrait of Dallin H. Oaks in 2023 — Dallin H. Oaks, president of the church

Founder: Joseph Smith, who organized the church on April 6, 1830.
Current President: Dallin H. Oaks.
Membership: Approximately 17,887,212 members across 32,046 congregations (2025).
Missionary Force: 114,727 active missionaries (2025).
Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah.
Core Scriptures: The Standard Works.

History and Evolution

Panoramic view of empty seats facing the stage

Beginnings and the Prophet Joseph Smith

The church began in Fayette, New York, when Joseph Smith reported being called as a modern-day prophet following visitations from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Originally organized as the Church of Christ, the movement grew rapidly during its first decade, expanding from 680 members in 1831 to over 17,000 by 1838.

Stained glass depiction of Joseph Smith's First Vision (1913, artist unknown) — Adherents believe that Joseph Smith was called to be a modern-day prophet through a visitation from God the Father and Jesus Christ.

However, the early years were marked by tension. This period of instability culminated in 1844 when Joseph Smith was killed at Carthage Jail.

Photograph of Carthage Jail in 2015 — Carthage Jail, where Joseph Smith was killed in 1844

The Pioneer Era and the Move West

Following Smith's death, Brigham Young assumed leadership of the church. He led the Latter-day Saints on a massive migration across the American plains to the Salt Lake Valley to escape persecution and establish a new home.

Photograph of Brigham Young between 1866-1877 — Brigham Young led the LDS Church from 1844 until his death in 1877.

This journey involved thousands of pioneers crossing the Nebraska plains. Notably, historical records indicate that Green Flake, an enslaved Black man, drove the first wagon of pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

"Pioneers Crossing the Plains of Nebraska" by C.C.A. Christensen — 19th-century painting of Mormon pioneers crossing the plains of Nebraska

Artistic portrait of Green Flake during the 1890s — Green Flake, an enslaved Black man, was reported to have driven the first wagon of LDS pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.[364]

Modern Expansion

In the latter half of the 20th century, the church experienced prodigious numerical growth globally, though this growth has leveled off in recent years. The church has expanded its infrastructure, including the construction of the Washington D.C. Temple in 1974, the first in the eastern U.S. since 1846.

Photograph of Washington D.C. Temple in 2011 — Completed in 1974, the Washington D.C. Temple was the first built in the eastern half of the United States since 1846.

Core Beliefs and Doctrine

Exterior of Deseret Book Company headquarters — Deseret Book Company headquarters in Salt Lake City

The Nature of God and Christ

The church holds a nontrinitarian view of the Godhead, differing from traditional Nicene Christianity. Central to their faith is the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of their plan of salvation.

Replica Christus statue in a background of planets, stars, and space dust — Latter-day Saints believe in the resurrection of Jesus, as depicted in this replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue located in the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Sources of Authority

The written canon of the church is known as the Standard Works. Adherents believe that divine revelation continues through a living prophet and apostles who lead the church hierarchically.

Four-in-one scripture book: Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price — The written canon of the church is referred to as its standard works.

Family and Eternal Sealings

Family is central to Latter-day Saint theology. The church teaches that marriages performed in temples, known as sealings, can continue beyond death, binding families together eternally.

A couple after their marriage in the Manti Utah Temple. The church teaches that marriages, or sealings, performed in their temples may continue after death.

Practices and Organization

Church president Thomas S. Monson (left) and apostle Dallin H. Oaks (right) presenting U.S. president Barack Obama with his genealogy at the Oval Office in July 2009

Worship and Rituals

Members participate in weekly Sunday sacrament meetings, which are the primary congregational gatherings. Beyond local meetings, the church operates temples—such as the Salt Lake Temple—where the most sacred ordinances are performed.

A group of people sitting in rows of seats — Interior view of a typical weekly Sunday sacrament meeting in Provo, Utah

Photograph of the Salt Lake Temple in 2008 — The Salt Lake Temple

Missionary Service

A hallmark of the faith is its missionary program. Young adults and couples typically commit to 18–24 months of full-time service to share their beliefs worldwide.

A pair of two young adult male missionaries — Missionaries typically commit to 18–24 months of full-time service.

Education, Arts, and Genealogy

The church sponsors several educational institutions, including Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It also maintains the world's largest library dedicated to genealogical research, reflecting the belief in the importance of family history.

Photograph of Brigham Young University with a view of Y Mountain — The campus of Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, one of several educational institutions sponsored by the church

Exterior of the Family History Library — The church's Family History Library is the world's largest library dedicated to genealogical research.

Cultural contributions include the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, which has traveled extensively and received numerous awards.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performing in the Salt Lake Tabernacle — The Church-sponsored Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has received various awards and has traveled extensively since its inception.

Institutional Reach and Impact

Graph of LDS Church membership between 1830 and 2021, measured in millions — The church saw prodigious numerical growth in the latter half of the 20th century, but the growth has since leveled off.

Humanitarian Efforts

The church operates extensive philanthropic programs, providing food, medical supplies, and disaster relief globally, such as donating humanitarian supplies to Beirut, Lebanon, in 2006.

Forklift carrying boxes of humanitarian aid — U.S. Navy sailors moving LDS Church-donated humanitarian supplies to Beirut, Lebanon, in 2006

Demographics and Society

According to Pew Research (2014), Latter-day Saints in the U.S. show higher rates of marriage (66%) and weekly religious attendance (77%) compared to the general U.S. population. While predominantly white (85%), the church has a growing global presence across various ethnicities.

Comparison of LDS (U.S.) vs. General U.S. Population (2014/2020)
Metric	LDS (U.S.)	U.S. General
Married	66%	49%
Weekly Religious Attendance	77%	40%
White Ethnicity	85%	62%
Latino Ethnicity	8%	12%

Controversies and Criticisms

The church has faced various criticisms over its history. These include the practice of polygamy (plural marriage) in the 19th century, which led to legal conflicts and imprisonment for some members.

Mormon polygamists in prison at the Utah Penitentiary, c. 1889

Other areas of controversy include the church's historical treatment of Black and Native American people, financial transparency regarding its investment funds, and its stance on LGBTQ+ issues, which has occasionally led to public protests.

"Joseph Smith Preaching to the Indians" (1890): Painting of Joseph Smith preaching to a group of Native Americans — Artistic depiction of Joseph Smith preaching to Native Americans in Illinois

Protesters holding signs opposing Prop 8. A sign reads "Vote No on Prop 8" and "Equality for All" — Protesters in front of the Newport Beach California Temple voicing their opposition to the church's support of Prop 8

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded the church?

The church was founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York, after he reported receiving visitations from God and Jesus Christ.

What are the Standard Works?

The Standard Works refer to the written canon of scriptures used by the church to guide its doctrine and practice.

What is a temple sealing?

A sealing is a marriage ceremony performed in a temple that the church teaches can bind a couple and their children together eternally, continuing after death.

How long do missionaries serve?

Most full-time missionaries commit to a period of 18 to 24 months of service.

Where is the church headquartered?

The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Salt Lake Temple and other major administrative buildings are located.