Mormons

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: A Journey Through History, Beliefs, and Controversies

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), often referred to as the Mormon Church, is a religious movement that has grown from a small group in upstate New York to a global faith with over 17 million members. Its history is marked by resilience, unique theological perspectives, and significant controversies that continue to shape its identity. This post explores the origins, core beliefs, and contentious issues surrounding the LDS Church, offering a balanced look at a faith that has both inspired devotion and sparked debate.

A Brief History: From Vision to Global Movement

The LDS Church traces its origins to the 1820s in western New York, during a period of religious fervor known as the Second Great Awakening. Joseph Smith Jr., a young farmboy, claimed to have received a vision at age 14, in which God and Jesus instructed him not to join any existing Christian denomination. Three years later, Smith said an angel named Moroni directed him to a set of golden plates buried near Palmyra, New York. These plates, inscribed with "reformed Egyptian" writing, were translated by Smith into the Book of Mormon, published in 1830. The book describes ancient Israelites who migrated to the Americas, where they became the Nephites and Lamanites, and were visited by Jesus Christ after His resurrection.

Smith founded the Church of Christ in 1830, later renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The early years were turbulent—Smith and his followers faced hostility for their unconventional beliefs, moving from New York to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. In Missouri, tensions with locals led to violent clashes, including the 1838 expulsion of Mormons from the state. In Illinois, Smith established the city of Nauvoo, but his practice of polygamy and political ambitions fueled further conflict. In 1844, Smith was killed by a mob while in jail, leaving the movement at a crossroads.

Brigham Young emerged as the leader of the majority of Smith’s followers, leading them on a grueling migration to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, then part of Mexican territory. This exodus, undertaken by tens of thousands of Mormon pioneers, solidified Utah as the heart of the faith. Young’s leadership shaped the region’s religious and political landscape, though tensions with the U.S. government persisted, particularly over polygamy. The church formally renounced the practice in 1890, paving the way for Utah’s statehood in 1896. Today, the LDS Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City and has a global presence, with significant membership in Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, and Oceania.

Core Beliefs: A Distinctive Christian Theology

The LDS Church identifies as a restorationist Christian movement, believing that the true church established by Jesus Christ was lost after the apostles’ deaths and restored through Joseph Smith. While Mormons consider themselves Christians, their theology diverges from mainstream Christianity in several key ways:

• Scripture: In addition to the Bible (typically the King James Version), Mormons revere the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of Smith’s revelations), and the Pearl of Great Price as canonical texts. These works are seen as divine revelations complementing biblical teachings.
• Godhead: Unlike the Trinitarian view of most Christian denominations, Mormons believe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct beings united in purpose, not substance. They also hold that God the Father has a physical body and that humans are literal spirit children of God, with the potential to become gods in the afterlife—a doctrine summarized by Lorenzo Snow: “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.”
• Salvation and Ordinances: Salvation requires faith, repentance, and ordinances like baptism and temple rituals. A unique practice is baptism for the dead, where living members are baptized on behalf of deceased relatives, who can accept or reject the ordinance in the afterlife. This reflects the church’s emphasis on eternal families, sealed together through temple ceremonies.
• Continuing Revelation: Mormons believe in ongoing revelation through a living prophet, currently Russell M. Nelson, who is seen as God’s mouthpiece on earth. This belief in modern prophecy sets the church apart from other Christian traditions.
• Lifestyle: The church promotes a strict health code, the Word of Wisdom, prohibiting alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and addictive substances. Members are encouraged to tithe, serve missions (often two years for young men), and prioritize family life.

The church’s emphasis on community, missionary work, and genealogy (to facilitate baptisms for the dead) has fostered a strong sense of identity among its members. However, these beliefs have also drawn scrutiny and debate.

Controversies: A History of Challenges

The LDS Church’s history is rife with controversies, some rooted in its early practices and others emerging from modern social dynamics. Here are some of the most significant issues:

• Polygamy: Perhaps the most infamous controversy, polygamy (or plural marriage) was practiced by church leaders from the 1840s until its official ban in 1890. Joseph Smith is believed to have had up to 40 wives, and Brigham Young had around 50. The practice led to legal battles with the U.S. government, culminating in the 1882 criminalization of polygamy. Even after the 1890 Manifesto, some members continued the practice, leading to a second declaration in 1904 and the excommunication of practitioners. Today, the church distances itself from polygamous splinter groups like the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), but the legacy of polygamy remains a point of contention.
• Racial Policies: Until 1978, the church barred Black men of African descent from holding the priesthood or participating in temple ordinances, a policy rooted in teachings that linked dark skin to a curse from God, often tied to the biblical figure Cain or the Book of Mormon’s Lamanites. The church also taught that Black individuals were “less valiant” in a pre-mortal existence. This policy, upheld by multiple prophets, was reversed in 1978 amid growing civil rights pressure, but the church did not formally disavow these teachings until 2013. The delay and the historical racism have drawn significant criticism, with scholars like Paul Mueller noting the difficulty of reconciling past prophetic teachings with the church’s claim of divine guidance.
• Book of Mormon Historicity: The Book of Mormon’s claim to chronicle ancient American civilizations (Nephites and Lamanites) lacks archaeological, genetic, or linguistic support. Mainstream historians and archaeologists find no evidence of large-scale battles, Semitic origins for Native Americans, or the existence of “reformed Egyptian.” Critics also point to anachronisms in the text, such as mentions of steel, horses, and elephants, which did not exist in pre-Columbian America. The Book of Abraham, another of Smith’s translations, has been debunked by Egyptologists, who found that the papyri Smith used do not mention Abraham and date to a much later period. These issues challenge the church’s foundational claims, though many members view the texts as spiritual rather than historical.
• Treatment of Minorities: The church’s historical treatment of Native Americans includes the Indian Placement Program (1950s-1990s), which encouraged members to foster Native children, often leading to cultural assimilation and, in some cases, abuse. Church teachings that Native Americans are Lamanite descendants with a cursed, dark skin that would lighten through righteousness have been criticized as racist. Similarly, the church’s policies on LGBTQ+ individuals have sparked controversy. In 2015, the church labeled same-sex couples as apostates and barred their children from baptism until age 18, a policy reversed in 2019 after significant backlash. Openly gay, bisexual, and transgender members face restrictions on ordination and temple participation, leading to internal dissent and external criticism.
• Historical Revisionism and Transparency: Historians like D. Michael Quinn have accused church leaders of suppressing controversial aspects of Mormon history, such as discrepancies in Smith’s First Vision accounts or the church’s role in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, where a Mormon militia killed 120 emigrants in Utah. The church has been criticized for excommunicating scholars like Fawn Brodie and Brent Metcalfe, who published critical works, and for lack of transparency in its finances. In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged the church and its investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, with failing to disclose billions in assets, further fueling debates over financial secrecy.
• Violence and Persecution: Early Mormons faced violent opposition—Smith was tarred and feathered in 1832, and 1,200 Mormons were expelled from Missouri in 1838. However, the church has also been implicated in violence, most notably the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which some historians attribute to Brigham Young’s influence, though the church blames local leaders and Paiute Indians. The massacre remains a dark chapter, with ongoing debates over accountability.

A Faith at a Crossroads

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands as a testament to the power of belief and community, having grown from a persecuted sect to a global religion. Its emphasis on family, service, and personal revelation resonates with millions, yet its history and doctrines continue to provoke scrutiny. The church has made efforts to address past wrongs—disavowing racist teachings, reversing anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and promoting a multicultural image through campaigns like “I’m a Mormon” (2011-2012). However, critics argue that these steps are insufficient, pointing to ongoing issues like the treatment of sexual minorities, financial opacity, and the lack of historical evidence for its foundational texts.

For many members, faith in the church’s divine mission transcends these controversies. They point to personal spiritual experiences—“a burning in the bosom”—as confirmation of its truth. Yet, for others, the discrepancies between the church’s claims and historical reality, coupled with its handling of dissent, have led to disaffection, particularly among younger generations. The church reports that about 40% of U.S. members and 30% worldwide regularly attend services, with disengagement often peaking among millennials.

The LDS Church’s journey reflects a broader tension in religious movements: balancing tradition with modernity, authority with openness. As it navigates these challenges, its ability to adapt while maintaining its core identity will shape its future. Whether viewed as a restoration of true Christianity or a product of 19th-century American imagination, the Mormon story remains a compelling chapter in the history of faith.