You've probably seen the name tags. You know, the crisp white shirts and the black rectangles worn by young men on bicycles. For decades, we just called them "Mormon missionaries." It was easy. It was the brand. But then, a few years ago, things got kinda complicated. If you've been wondering is mormon and latter day saints the same, the short answer is yes—technically. But if you ask the actual people in the pews, the answer is a lot more nuanced than a simple checkbox.
Basically, the "Mormon Church" is a nickname. The real, official title is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For a long time, the church actually leaned into the nickname. Remember those "I'm a Mormon" commercials? They were everywhere. Then, in 2018, the church president, Russell M. Nelson, basically said, "Stop. We're not doing that anymore." He argued that leaving Jesus Christ out of the name was a "major victory for Satan."
Talk about a pivot.
The big name change that wasn't actually a change
So, let's clear the air. When people ask if they're the same, they’re usually talking about the group headquartered in Salt Lake City. To the world, they are Mormons. To themselves, they are Latter-day Saints. It’s not that the religion changed its name; it’s that they started insisting on the one they’ve had since 1838.
President Nelson didn’t just suggest this. He made it a central focus of his leadership. The church rebranded everything. They killed off the website mormon.org. They renamed the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the "Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square." Honestly, it was a massive logistical undertaking. Imagine trying to tell the entire world to stop using a word they've used for nearly 200 years. It’s like trying to tell people to stop calling a facial tissue a "Kleenex."
Why the sudden hostility toward a nickname they used to pay millions to promote?
It comes down to identity. The church wants the world to know they are Christians. By using the full name, they put "Jesus Christ" front and center. They feel like "Mormon" makes them sound like they worship a guy named Mormon (who was actually an ancient prophet in their scripture), rather than Christ.
Why is mormon and latter day saints the same but different?
Here is where it gets tricky. While the Salt Lake City-based church is the biggest group, the word "Mormon" is often used as a catch-all for anyone who believes in the Book of Mormon. This is where you get into the "Mormon movement" or "Latter Day Saint movement" (notice the lack of a hyphen there—that’s a pro tip for spotting the difference).
There are actually dozens of sects.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The big one. 17 million members. No polygamy.
- Community of Christ: Formerly known as the RLDS church. They’re based in Missouri. They have female priests and a much more liberal vibe. They definitely don't want to be called Mormons.
- The FLDS: These are the ones you see in documentaries. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They still practice polygamy and live in isolated communities.
When you use the word "Mormon," you might be accidentally lumping a suburban family in Utah with a polygamist group in a compound. That’s a huge reason why the main church is so pushy about the "Latter-day Saint" label. They want to draw a very thick line between themselves and the groups that make for sensationalist TV.
The "Mormon" nickname history
Where did the word even come from? It wasn't a compliment. Back in the 1830s, people used "Mormonite" or "Mormon" as a slur. It was a way to mock the followers of Joseph Smith for believing in a new book of scripture called the Book of Mormon.
Eventually, the members just kind of owned it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? They used it for over a century. They had Mormon.org, the Mormon Channel, and the Mormon Messages on YouTube. It was a great SEO strategy before SEO was even a thing.
But then 2018 happened.
The current leadership views the nickname as a distraction. They argue that "Latter-day Saint" is the name given by God through revelation. In their view, "Mormon" is a man-made label that obscures their core message.
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How to refer to them now without being awkward
If you're talking to a member, they probably won't be offended if you say "Mormon." Most are pretty chill about it. But if you want to be respectful, "Latter-day Saint" is the way to go.
If you're writing something formal? Use the full name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s a mouthful. I know. But it’s what they prefer. After the first mention, you can just say "the Church" or "the Church of Jesus Christ."
Avoid using "Mormonism." Instead, try "the restored gospel of Jesus Christ." Yeah, it sounds a bit more religious, but that's the official style guide.
Is the term "Mormon" actually dead?
Honestly? No.
Google searches for "Mormon" still dwarf searches for "Latter-day Saint." Most people outside of Utah or the religious studies world still use the old term. It’s ingrained in pop culture—think The Book of Mormon musical or news reports.
The church is fighting an uphill battle against language itself. But they are persistent. In 2026, you'll see this reflected in how they handle their media and how their missionaries introduce themselves. They aren't "the Mormon missionaries" anymore; they are "missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Key takeaways for your next conversation
- Same group, different label: Yes, is mormon and latter day saints the same when referring to the Salt Lake City church, but one is a nickname and the other is the official name.
- The Jesus factor: The main reason for the push away from "Mormon" is to emphasize that they consider themselves Christian.
- Avoid the "LDS" shorthand: Even "LDS" is being discouraged now. Stick to "Latter-day Saint."
- Watch for splinters: Be careful not to confuse the mainstream church with fundamentalist groups (FLDS) who still use the "Mormon" label and practice polygamy.
If you want to be accurate and show you're in the loop, start using "Latter-day Saint." It might feel a bit clunky at first, but it's the term the community has chosen for itself. Understanding this distinction is the first step in moving past the stereotypes and seeing the group for how they actually identify.
To stay accurate in your own writing or conversations, update your vocabulary to prioritize the full name of the church in first references and use "Latter-day Saints" when describing the people. This simple shift respects the current guidance of the organization and helps distinguish them from other groups within the broader Restoration movement.