You've probably seen them—the young guys in white shirts and ties biking through the neighborhood, or maybe you've just driven past one of those massive, castle-like temples with a gold statue on top. It’s a common sight. But if you’re standing there wondering what religion is the lds church exactly, you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s one of those topics where people have a lot of "I think I know" facts that are actually about 50% right.
Some people call it Mormonism. Others call it the "LDS Church." If you ask the members themselves, they’ll politely point you to the full title: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Basically, it's a Christian religion. But it’s not "just another" denomination like being a Methodist or a Baptist. It sits in its own unique space that theologians call Restorationist. They believe they aren't just a new branch on an old tree, but that the original tree was planted again from scratch.
The Core Identity: Is It Christian?
This is where things get kinda spicy in the world of religious debate.
If you ask a member, "Are you Christian?" they will say "Yes" before you even finish the sentence. Their whole world revolves around Jesus. They pray in his name, they take the sacrament (their version of communion) every Sunday to remember him, and his name is literally the biggest part of their logo.
However, if you ask a traditional Catholic or an Evangelical pastor, they might hesitate. Why? Because the LDS Church doesn't follow the Nicene Creed. Most mainstream Christian churches agree on the Trinity—the idea that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons in one essence.
Latter-day Saints see it differently. They believe the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate, distinct beings who are "one" only in purpose. To a traditional theologian, that’s a massive "no-go." To a Latter-day Saint, it’s just how they read the New Testament.
Why the "Latter-day" Part Matters
The name itself tells a story.
💡 You might also like: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
- The Church of Jesus Christ: They believe He owns it.
- Latter-day: They believe we are living in the "last days" before Christ comes back.
- Saints: This doesn’t mean they think they’re perfect. It’s just the New Testament term for members of the church.
Where It All Started (The Joseph Smith Story)
To understand what religion is the lds church, you have to go back to 1820 in upstate New York. A 14-year-old kid named Joseph Smith was confused by all the different preachers in his town telling him different things. He went into the woods to pray.
According to church history, he had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. They told him not to join any of the existing churches. Later, he said an angel named Moroni led him to a set of thin gold plates buried in a hill. He translated those plates, and that became The Book of Mormon.
He officially organized the church in 1830.
People hated it. Like, really hated it. The early members were chased from New York to Ohio, then Missouri (where the governor actually issued an "Extermination Order"), and finally Illinois. Joseph Smith was eventually killed by a mob in 1844. After that, most of the group followed a guy named Brigham Young on a brutal trek across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
That’s why Utah is the hub today.
What They Read: It’s More Than Just the Bible
Most Christians have one book. Latter-day Saints have four. They call them the Standard Works.
- The Holy Bible: They use the King James Version. They love it. They study it.
- The Book of Mormon: Subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." It’s a record of ancient prophets who lived in the Americas. It’s meant to support the Bible, not replace it.
- The Doctrine and Covenants: This is a collection of revelations given to modern prophets. It’s basically the "instruction manual" for how the church is run today.
- The Pearl of Great Price: A smaller book that touches on the creation of the world and some of Joseph Smith’s history.
Having "extra" books is a big reason why some outsiders are skeptical. But for members, it’s evidence that God hasn't stopped talking to people.
📖 Related: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Daily Life: The "Word of Wisdom" and Temples
What does it actually look like to be a member? It’s pretty high-commitment.
You’ve probably heard they don't drink coffee. That’s part of the Word of Wisdom, a health code from 1833.
- No alcohol.
- No tobacco.
- No "hot drinks" (which has been interpreted as tea and coffee).
- No illegal drugs.
They also practice tithing, which means giving 10% of their income to the church. That money funds the temples, the meetinghouses, and a massive global humanitarian program. Speaking of temples—those are different from their regular chapels.
Anyone can walk into a local LDS chapel on Sunday for a service. It’s pretty low-key. But the Temples are reserved for members who are "temple worthy." Inside, they do marriages that they believe last forever (not just "until death do us part") and baptisms for their ancestors who died without the chance to join the church.
Modern Growth and 2026 Statistics
The church isn't just a "Utah thing" anymore. As of 2026, there are over 17.5 million members worldwide. Interestingly, more members now live outside the United States than inside it.
Africa is currently seeing the fastest growth. In places like Nigeria and Ghana, the church is exploding. Meanwhile, in Europe and parts of North America, growth has slowed down, similar to most other organized religions in the West.
The Leadership Structure
The church is led by a President, who members believe is a living Prophet. He’s supported by two counselors and a group called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
👉 See also: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
One of the most unique things? They have a lay ministry. The person leading your local congregation (called a Bishop) isn't getting paid. He’s a dentist or a teacher or an accountant during the week and does church business on his "off" time.
What Most People Get Wrong
We should probably clear up a few things.
First: Polygamy. No, they don't do that. The church officially ended the practice in 1890. If you see people on TV shows with multiple wives, those are usually "fundamentalist" groups that broke away from the main LDS Church over a century ago.
Second: The "Mormon" name. A few years ago, the church president, Russell M. Nelson, asked everyone to stop using the word "Mormon" to describe the church. He argued that it leaves out Jesus, who is the whole point. So, while you'll still hear it everywhere, they really prefer "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Third: The "Cult" Label. You’ll hear this thrown around on the internet. Sociologists generally just call it a "new religious movement." Whether it fits the "cult" label usually depends on who you ask and how they define the word, but with nearly 18 million members and a presence in almost every country, it’s moved firmly into the mainstream.
Actionable Insights: If You Want to Learn More
If you’re researching this for a project, or you just have a neighbor who invited you to a BBQ, here is how you can actually get the facts:
- Visit a Chapel: You don't need an invite. Just show up on a Sunday. There’s no dress code, though most people wear "Sunday best."
- Read the Gospel Topics Essays: The church’s official website has a series of essays that go deep into the "hard" questions—like the history of polygamy, race and the priesthood, and how the Book of Mormon was translated. These are surprisingly transparent.
- Check FamilySearch: The church owns the world’s largest genealogical database. It’s free to use, and it’s a great way to see the "family history" side of their culture without needing to talk about theology.
- Look for the Christus: If you see a statue of Jesus with his arms out, that’s their primary symbol. It’s a good visual cue for identifying their buildings or literature.
Understanding what religion is the lds church is basically about understanding a group of people trying to live a 1st-century Christian life in a 21st-century world. Whether you agree with their theology or not, their impact on global culture, disaster relief, and genealogy is undeniable.