Mormon Church

Mormon Church
Name	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Caption	The Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah
Founded	1830
Founder	Joseph Smith
Headquarters	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Members	17+ million (2020s est.)
Website	Official website

Mormon Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a religious denomination originating in the early 19th century United States, rooted in a restorationist movement led by Joseph Smith. It is known for distinctive scriptures, missionary program, temple worship, and a centralized leadership based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Members have shaped social, political, and cultural life across North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

History

The movement began in the 1820s and formalized with the 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon and the incorporation of the church in New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, who claimed visions including an angelic visitation and revelations that produced the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Early migration and conflict led to settlements in Kirtland, Ohio, Independence, Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois, where Smith promoted the construction of a temple and the King Follett discourse. After Smith's 1844 assassination, leadership succession disputes precipitated the Mormon trek led by Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 and the establishment of the Utah Territory. The 19th-century history includes interactions with the United States Congress, the U.S. Army during the Utah War, and negotiations culminating in Utah statehood. Twentieth-century developments involved the 1890 Manifesto ending federally sanctioned plural marriage, expansion of missionary programs, postwar suburban growth, and global expansion into Latin America, the Pacific, Africa, and Europe. Contemporary history includes legal and political engagement over religious liberty, social policy, humanitarian aid, and technological adoption.

Beliefs and Theology

Doctrine centers on belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, ongoing revelation through a living prophet, and additional scriptures: the Book of Mormon, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Core teachings include the plan of salvation, pre-mortal existence, the Fall, Atonement of Jesus Christ, resurrection, and degrees of glory. The church teaches restorationism tracing authority to angelic ascriptions of priesthood keys, patterned after alleged ancient practices. Theology has been shaped by leaders such as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Heber J. Grant, Spencer W. Kimball, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and Russell M. Nelson. Doctrinal interpretations engage with theological concepts addressed in academic studies by scholars at institutions like Brigham Young University, Harvard Divinity School, Yale University, and University of Utah.

Organization and Leadership

The church is led by a First Presidency and a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Priesthood authority is divided into Aaronic and Melchizedek orders conferred upon male members; organizational units include wards, branches, stakes, districts, missions, and temples. Administrative and educational arms include Brigham Young University, Church Educational System, Deseret Management Corporation, and humanitarian organizations like LDS Charities. Financial and legal matters have involved entities such as the Internal Revenue Service and civil litigation in state and federal courts. The church operates a global missionary program with mission presidents, full-time missionaries, and a system of temples and meetinghouses.

Practices and Worship

Weekly worship typically occurs in meetinghouses with sacrament meetings, Sunday School, and auxiliary meetings administered by Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, and Primary presidencies. Temple rites—distinct from regular worship—include ordinances such as endowment, baptism for the dead, and sealing ceremonies conducted in temples worldwide including the Salt Lake Temple, Laie Hawaii Temple, and many others. Practices include a lay clergy model, tithing, fast offerings, health code guidelines known as the Word of Wisdom, and organized family history work supported by the Family History Library and FamilySearch. The missionary program involves proselytizing in diverse cultural contexts and coordinating with local governments and communities.

Demographics and Distribution

Membership is concentrated in the United States—notably in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada'—with large populations in Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, Peru, and across the Pacific in places like Samoa and New Zealand. Growth patterns show rapid expansion in the 20th century and continuing plural growth in the Global South, accompanied by consolidation in parts of North America and Europe. Demographic analysis intersects with studies by the Pew Research Center, academic demographers at Brigham Young University and University of Michigan, and government census data. Membership statistics, retention rates, and activity levels vary markedly by region, generation, and cultural context.

Cultural Impact and Controversies

The church has influenced politics, media, and culture through figures such as Mitt Romney, Harry Reid, Orson Scott Card, and institutions like BYU. Humanitarian and educational initiatives have garnered international attention, while policy positions on issues such as same-sex marriage, gender roles, and reproductive ethics have prompted public debate and legal challenges involving state legislatures, courts, and civil rights organizations. Historical controversies include plural marriage in the 19th century, the 1978 priesthood policy change, and disputes over historical transparency and archival access addressed by historians at University of Virginia and independent researchers. The church's engagement with interfaith organizations, disaster relief, and global humanitarian partnerships contrasts with critiques from former members, advocacy groups, and media outlets concerning doctrine, historical practices, and institutional policies.

Category:Religions founded in the United States Category:Christian denominations