Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Beliefs & History

Few religious movements spark as many questions as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints. Between its rapid global growth, a formal name change in 2018, and persistent myths about polygamy and missionary rules, it’s easy to lose the thread of what members actually believe. This guide cuts through the noise with sourced facts about doctrine, history, and everyday practice — so you can understand the LDS church on its own terms.

Members worldwide (approx.): 17 million · Founded: 1830 · Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA · Current president: Russell M. Nelson · Official name used since: 2018

Six key facts about the LDS church, drawn from its own official sources and independent research.

What do Latter‑day Saints believe?

Core doctrines of the LDS church

• Godhead as three separate beings — The church teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are distinct individuals united in purpose, not a single substance (LDS Gospel Topics (official doctrine)).
• Continuing revelation — Members believe God speaks today through a living prophet and apostles, just as in biblical times (LDS Gospel Topics).
• The Book of Mormon — Considered another testament of Jesus Christ, alongside the Bible (LDS Gospel Topics).

Belief in Jesus Christ and modern revelation

LDS doctrine centers on Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior. The church’s leaders, including apostles and the president, are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators — meaning they can receive guidance for the whole church. For example, President Russell M. Nelson announced the name change in 2018 after what he described as divine direction (LDS Church (official)).

The role of the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is not a replacement for the Bible but a companion volume. The church’s official website describes it as “another testament of Jesus Christ” that records the dealings of God with ancient inhabitants of the Americas (LDS Gospel Topics).

The implication: these three distinctives are the core that members use to define their faith.

What is the difference between Mormons and Latter‑day Saints?

Origin of the term “Mormon”

The nickname “Mormon” comes from the Book of Mormon — a volume of scripture that members use alongside the Bible. Outsiders applied the label early on, and it stuck for over a century. However, the church’s official name has always included “Latter‑day Saints” since its founding in 1830 (Official Declaration 1).

Official name change in 2018

In August 2018, President Russell M. Nelson directed members and the public to use the full name of the church — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints — and to avoid the term “Mormon” except in historical contexts. The church’s newsroom published a style guide reinforcing this (Church Newsroom (official LDS communication desk)).

Current preferred terminology

Today, “Latter‑day Saints” is the preferred self‑identifier. Members are encouraged to say “The Church of Jesus Christ” or “LDS church,” while “Mormon” is reserved for historical references such as the “Mormon Trail” or “Book of Mormon.”

The pattern: the term “Mormon” is now a historical label, not the church’s identity.

How many wives can Mormons have? Do Mormons share wives?

Historical polygamy in the LDS church

From the 1840s until 1890, some LDS members practiced plural marriage — more precisely polygyny, where one man married multiple wives. The church’s Joseph Smith Papers project confirms that Joseph Smith believed he had authority to authorize such marriages as part of the restoration, though monogamy remained the rule (Joseph Smith Papers (primary historical archive)). The practice was publicly acknowledged in 1852 under Brigham Young.

Current official position on marriage

The church states plainly that monogamy is the Lord’s standing law of marriage today. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto (now Official Declaration 1) ending official polygamy (Official Declaration 1 – LDS Church). Any member who enters a polygamous relationship today is in violation of church law and can be excommunicated (Church Newsroom (official position)).

Consequences of polygamy today

The church’s youth lesson states: “The Church opposes the practice of polygamy today. It has been prohibited for more than 120 years.” (New Era – LDS youth magazine) Members who defy this risk losing their membership. In short: no, Mormons do not share wives today.

The pattern: the church’s stance on marriage is clear and enforced.

Why can’t Mormon missionaries go swimming?

Missionary rules and safety guidelines

LDS missionaries serve full‑time, usually for 18–24 months. They follow a detailed set of rules called the “Missionary Handbook” (colloquially the white handbook). That handbook explicitly prohibits swimming, boating, and other water sports. The stated reason is to minimize physical risk and keep missionaries focused on proselytizing and service (Missionary Handbook – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (official)).

Connection to modesty and obedience

While modesty is a general LDS principle (members are encouraged to dress and act modestly), the swimming ban is primarily about safety and obedience to mission rules rather than modesty. The rule applies globally with no exceptions.

Permissible recreational activities

Missionaries are allowed to engage in other forms of recreation, such as sports (basketball, soccer) and hiking, as long as they follow local safety guidelines. The swimming restriction is unique among major Christian mission programs.

What did Donald Trump say about Mormons?

Trump’s interactions with LDS leaders

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump visited the church’s welfare facilities in Utah and praised LDS members as “fantastic people” at a rally. He also met with LDS leaders, including then‑President Thomas S. Monson, though the church’s official stance was to remain politically neutral (LDS Newsroom (meeting report)).

Political support and votes from LDS members

Exit polls from 2016 and 2020 showed that a majority of LDS voters in the U.S. supported Republican candidates, including Trump. However, some prominent LDS figures expressed reservations about Trump’s personal conduct. The church itself issued no endorsement.

Notable quotes on LDS faith

Trump has repeatedly praised the faith, calling Mormons “fantastic people” and “great people.” He has not, however, claimed to have attended an LDS service, and the authenticity of that remark remains unclear.

For anyone trying to understand the LDS church, the most important takeaway is that it is a distinct Christian denomination with a unique restorationist theology, not a cult or a remnant of 19th‑century polygamy. The name change in 2018 underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ in its identity. For journalists and curious readers, the implication is clear: refer to the church by its full name, cite its official sources for doctrine and policy, and separate historical polygamy from modern practice. For the global community of 17 million members, the choice to emphasize the name of Jesus Christ is not simply branding — it is a theological re‑centering that continues to shape the church’s public posture.