Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the "LDS Church" or the "Mormon Church", is the largest and best known denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement (a form of Christian Restorationism). The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Name of the church

Originally the church was called the "Church of Christ" due to the belief that it is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Four years later, in April 1834, it was also referred to as the "Church of Latter Day Saints" to differentiate the church of this era from that of the New Testament. Then in April 1838, the full name was stated as the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (see Doctrine and Covenants 115:3-4). In 1851, when the church was incorporated in the United States, the official name changed slightly, picking up the additional corporate first article, "The", and the British hyphenation of "Latter-day".

Related Topics:
Church of Christ - 1834 - 1838

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The church is also commonly referred to as the "LDS Church", and sometimes the "Mormon Church". Occasionally, these names may bring about confusion, as other groups outside the church are sometimes alluded to as "Latter-day Saints" or "Mormons". Generally speaking, however, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is likely the most referred to of any of these references. The nickname "Mormon" arose soon after the publication of The Book of Mormon in 1830. Although originally used pejoratively to refer to the church or its members, the term came to be used widely within the church.

Related Topics:
Mormon - The Book of Mormon - Pejoratively

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In a style guide issued in 2001, the church requests that the official name, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", be used where possible, stating: "This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838." It also encourages the use of "the Church" or "The Church of Jesus Christ" as a shortened reference although the "LDS Church" is commonly used within the church's publications. When referring to members of the church, it suggests "Latter-day Saints" as preferred, although "Mormons" is acceptable. Despite the church's efforts to encourage use of the official name, the Associated Press has continued to recommend "Mormon Church" as a proper second reference in its Style Guide for journalists. In contrast to the Associated Press Stylebook's guidelines which apply the term only to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, some scholars feel the term "Mormon" is also useful as a collective description for all those groups which claim to have descended from Joseph Smith. A new movement is underway to refer to the unique culture, social workings and doctrines of the sects that claim succession from Smith as Mormonism and historical underpinnings as the Latter Day Saint movement.

Related Topics:
2001 - 1838 - Associated Press - Mormonism - Latter Day Saint movement

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Within the church, members are collectively referred to as "saints", which reflects the belief that anyone who covenants by baptism to follow Christ is a saint, as members of the primitive church were also deemed. The term "saint" is not solely reserved for an exemplary Christian as in other churches.

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