Latter Day Saint Movement

The Latter Day Saint movement is a collection of independent Christian churches that trace their origins to a restorationist movement founded by Joseph Smith in the United States during the late 1820s [1]. Also known as the LDS movement or Smith-Rigdon movement, it encompasses dozens of denominations that share common foundational beliefs while maintaining distinct organizational structures and interpretations of doctrine [1][4].

The movement emerged from the religious ferment of the Second Great Awakening, when Smith claimed to have received divine revelations restoring what he believed was the original Christian church [2]. Today, the largest branch is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church), but the movement includes numerous other denominations that developed through various schisms and theological disagreements over nearly two centuries.

Origins and Founding

The Latter Day Saint movement began in the 1820s in upstate New York, a region so marked by religious revivals it was nicknamed the "Burned-over District" [2]. Joseph Smith Jr., born in 1805, claimed that as a teenager he experienced a series of divine visions beginning in 1820. According to Smith's account, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, telling him that existing Christian denominations had departed from true Christianity [2].

Smith's most significant claim was receiving golden plates from an angel named Moroni in 1827, which he said he translated into the Book of Mormon by divine power [2]. Published in 1830, this book purported to be an ancient record of God's dealings with inhabitants of the Americas. On April 6, 1830, Smith formally organized the Church of Christ (later renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in Fayette, New York, with six founding members [2].

The movement's theology was influenced by several contemporary religious currents, including the Restoration Movement's desire to return to New Testament Christianity, elements of Freemasonry, and the democratic ideals of early American society [2]. Smith's teachings emphasized continuing revelation, meaning God could provide new scripture and guidance beyond the Bible.

Core Beliefs and Practices

Latter Day Saints share several distinctive theological concepts that set them apart from mainstream Christianity. Central to their faith is the belief in the Godhead as three separate beings—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost—rather than the traditional Christian Trinity [8]. They view Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world, considering themselves devoted followers of Christ despite theological differences with other Christian denominations [5].

The movement emphasizes continuing revelation, believing that God continues to communicate with humanity through prophets and personal inspiration [8]. This principle allowed for the acceptance of additional scriptures beyond the Bible, including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price in most Latter Day Saint denominations.

Restoration theology forms another cornerstone, with adherents believing that Christ's original church was lost after the death of the apostles and needed to be restored in the latter days [2]. This restoration included the return of priesthood authority, ordinances, and church organization as they existed in New Testament times.

Family relationships receive particular emphasis, with many branches teaching that family bonds can extend beyond death through sacred ordinances [8]. Missionary work is also central, with members believing they have a responsibility to share their message with the world [8].

Historical Development and Persecution

The early Latter Day Saints faced significant persecution and were forced to relocate multiple times. From New York, they moved to Kirtland, Ohio, then to Missouri, and finally to Nauvoo, Illinois [3]. Each relocation was prompted by conflicts with neighbors who viewed their religious practices, political cohesion, and rapid growth with suspicion.

The movement faced its greatest crisis in 1844 when Joseph Smith was killed by a mob while imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois [3]. His death created a succession crisis that ultimately led to the movement's fragmentation into multiple denominations. The largest group, led by Brigham Young, migrated west to the Utah Territory in 1847, where they established a thriving community in the Salt Lake Valley [3].

Financial difficulties also plagued the early movement. The failure of the Kirtland Safety Society, a bank established by Smith in 1837, caused some members to question his leadership and led to the first significant schism within the movement [6].

Major Denominations and Schisms

The Latter Day Saint movement today comprises numerous independent churches, each claiming to be the legitimate continuation of Smith's original church. The largest is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, with over 16 million members worldwide [5].

Other significant branches include the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), which rejected some of the Utah church's practices and maintained headquarters in Missouri. Smaller groups include the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), various fundamentalist Mormon sects, and dozens of other denominations that emerged from theological disagreements or leadership disputes [6][7].

These schisms often centered on issues such as polygamy, the nature of priesthood authority, the role of continuing revelation, and interpretations of Smith's teachings. Some groups maintained more traditional Christian theology while others developed increasingly distinctive doctrines.

Contemporary Significance

The Latter Day Saint movement has had a profound impact on American religious history and continues to influence global Christianity. The largest denomination operates one of the world's most extensive missionary programs, maintains a vast genealogical database, and runs a significant educational system including Brigham Young University [5].

The movement's emphasis on family history and genealogy has contributed valuable resources for historical research. Their welfare system and disaster relief efforts have gained recognition for effectiveness and scope. However, the movement has also faced ongoing controversies regarding historical claims, past practices like polygamy, and positions on social issues.

The various Latter Day Saint denominations collectively represent a significant portion of American-born religious movements and continue to grow internationally, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Related Topics

• Joseph Smith Jr.
• Book of Mormon
• Brigham Young
• Mormon pioneers
• Community of Christ
• Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Second Great Awakening
• Christian Restorationism

Summary

The Latter Day Saint movement is a collection of Christian churches founded by Joseph Smith in the 1820s that emphasizes restoration of original Christianity, continuing revelation, and distinctive theological concepts, now comprising dozens of denominations worldwide with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the largest branch.