The denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement are sometimes collectively referred to as ''
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religious tradition and theology of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity started by Joseph Smith in Western New York in the 1820s and 1830s. As a label, Mormonism has been applied to various aspects o ...
''. Although some denominations oppose the use of this term because they consider it derogatory, it is especially used when referring to the largest Latter Day Saint group,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church), and offshoots of it. Denominations opposed to the use of the term consider it to be connected to the
polygamy
Crimes
Polygamy (from Late Greek (') "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is marr ...
once practiced by the Utah church or to pejoratives used against early adherents of the movement.
The Latter Day Saint movement includes:
* The original church within this movement, founded in April 1830 in New York by
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, h ...
, was the
Church of Christ Church of Christ may refer to:
Church groups
* When used in the plural, a New Testament designation for local groups of people following the teachings of Jesus Christ: "...all the churches of Christ greet you", Romans 16:16.
* The entire body of Ch ...
. It was later named the "Church of the Latter Day Saints". It was renamed the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" in 1838 (stylized as the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" in the United Kingdom), which remained its official name until Smith's death in 1844. This organization subsequently splintered into several different denominations, each of which claims to be the legitimate continuation of this original church. Most of these dispute the right of other denominations within the movement to claim this distinction.
* The largest denomination within the contemporary movement is the LDS Church, with approximately 16 million members.
["2016 Statistical Report for 2017 April Conference"](_blank)
''Mormon Newsroom'', April 1, 2017. It is headquartered in
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the capital and most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 200,133 in 2020, t ...
, and uses the term ''Latter-day Saints'' to describe itself and its members (note the hyphenation and variation in capitalization usage).
* The second-largest denomination is the
Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
(it was first named the "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", which lasted from 1872 to 2001). This is a Missouri-based, 250,000-member denomination. Although members of this church have traditionally been called Latter Day Saints (without the hyphen), the Community of Christ has more recently stated that it rejects the use of the term ''Saints'' as a designation for its members in any official reference or publication.
Herald House Style Guide
an official publication of the Community of Christ. See under entry "Saints".
* Other denominations within the movement either formed around various would-be successors to Smith, or else broke from denominations that did. These, together with the two denominations listed above, are detailed in the table of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, below.
Although a few small factions broke with Smith's organization during his lifetime, he retained the allegiance of the vast majority of Latter Day Saints until his death in June 1844. Following Smith's death, the movement underwent a leadership crisis which led to a schism within the church. The largest group followed Brigham Young
Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...
and settled in what became the Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah, the 45th state ...
and is now the Utah-based LDS Church. The second-largest faction, Community of Christ, coalesced around Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III (November 6, 1832 – December 10, 1914) was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement) and Emma Hale Smith. Joseph Smith III was the Prophet-President of what became the Reorganized Chu ...
, eldest son of Joseph Smith. Other would-be leaders included the senior surviving member of the First Presidency, Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon (February 19, 1793 – July 14, 1876) was a leader during the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Biography Early life
Rigdon was born in St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1793. He w ...
; the newly baptized James Strang
James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ o ...
from Wisconsin; and Alpheus Cutler
John Alpheus Cutler (February 29, 1784 – June 10, 1864) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement who founded the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) in 1853. He had previously served in several church positions under Joseph Smith, fou ...
, one of the Council of Fifty
"The Council of Fifty" (also known as "the Living Constitution", "the Kingdom of God", or its name by revelation, "The Kingdom of God and His Laws with the Keys and Power thereof, and Judgment in the Hands of His Servants, Ahman Christ") was a Lat ...
. Each of these men still retains a following as of 2014—however tiny it may be in some cases—and all of their organizations have undergone further schisms. Other claimants, such as Granville Hedrick
Granville Hedrick (September 2, 1814 – August 22, 1881) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement after the 1844 succession crisis. In 1863, Hedrick became the founding leader of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), which is one of many church ...
, William Bickerton and Charles B. Thompson
Charles Blancher Thompson (January 27, 1814 – February 27, 1895) was an American leader of a schismatic sect in the Latter Day Saint movement from 1848 to 1858. He claimed the title Baneemy and his followers were known as "Baneemyites".
Thomp ...
, later emerged to start still other factions, some of which have further subdivided.
Categorizing the churches
Given the large number of Latter Day Saint churches and their differing backgrounds, categorizing them can be difficult. A common approach in some histories and studies is to use ''Rocky Mountain Saints'' for those denominations headquartered in the American West
The Western United States (also called the American West, the Far West, and the West) is the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. As American settlement in the U.S. expanded westward, the meaning of the term ''the Wes ...
and ''Prairie Saints'' for those denominations that formed in and around Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo ( ; from the ) is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. The population of Nauvoo was 950 at the 2020 census. Nauvoo attracts visitors for its historic importance and it ...
; Voree, Wisconsin; Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fifth-largest city in Missouri and the county seat of Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson County. Independence is a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the largest suburb on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro ...
; and other locations in the Midwest
The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four Census Bureau Region, census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of ...
and East. These terms do not necessarily relate the current geographical locations of all denominations within those two groupings, but rather the original location of their respective parent organizations, which may be seen in the table below.
Another method uses provenance: for instance, all denominations that ultimately trace their history back to the LDS Church based in Utah, are organized as one factional group. ''Divergent Paths of the Restoration''—a reference work on this subject—follows this approach.
In such studies, and in general Latter Day Saint parlance, the '' -ite''-suffixed terms ''Josephite'' and ''Brighamite'' have been used for the Missouri-based Community of Christ and the Utah-based LDS Church respectively; these terms have sometimes been used to distinguish groups of denominations as well. Those denominations within each group share a common ancestry and basic beliefs that are different from groups sharing other provenances. The present article, in a similar fashion, distinguishes among groups of denominations by use of commonly understood names such as ''Mormon fundamentalist
Mormon fundamentalism (also called fundamentalist Mormonism) is a belief in the validity of selected fundamental aspects of Mormonism as taught and practiced in the nineteenth century, particularly during the administrations of Joseph Smith, ...
'' or else by short descriptions that often reference a founder of the first church within a factional group–for example, ''Joseph Smith III'' in reference to Community of Christ as well as various churches and factions that trace their origin to it.
List of Latter Day Saint movement churches
Era of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith's original church, and those bodies which broke with him during his lifetime.
Original church within movement
The original organization, founded by Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, h ...
in 1830, later called the ''Church of the Latter-Day Saints'' and then ''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints''.[''Manuscript History of the Church'', LDS Church Archives, book A-1, p. 37; reproduced in Dean C. Jessee (comp.) (1989). ''The Papers of Joseph Smith: Autobiographical and Historical Writings'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book) 1:302–303.]H. Michael Marquardt
H. Michael Marquardt (born July 1944) is an independent researcher of the Latter Day Saint movement.Ritner, R. K., Coenen, M., Marquardt, H. M., & Woods, C. (2013). The joseph smith egyptian papyri: A complete edition: P. Js 1-4 and the hypoce ...
and Wesley P. Walters (1994). ''Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books) p. 160.
Churches that separated from Smith's organization prior to 1844
Other small churches formed on the basis of disagreements with Smith prior to his murder in 1844 (including church established by William Law within 1844), all of which are now defunct.
Lineage of Brigham Young
Sometimes called "Rocky Mountain Saints," "Brighamites," or "Mormons", tracing their leadership or influence through Brigham Young
Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...
.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
By far the largest and best known Latter Day Saint church, which is colloquially, but imprecisely, referred to as the "Mormon Church". Some members consider this as derogatory to the organization and prefer to be called by their full title, or, "The Church of Jesus Christ".
Churches upholding polygamy after the Manifesto of 1890
Churches that believe they are strictly following the revelations and teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, including the practice of plural marriage
Polygamy (called plural marriage by Latter-day Saints in the 19th century or the Principle by modern fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy) was practiced by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) for more th ...
, which was discontinued by the LDS Church in the late-19th century after the Manifesto
A manifesto is a published declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group, political party or government. A manifesto usually accepts a previously published opinion or public consensus or promotes a ...
.
Left-of-center LDS-derived churches
The defunct Godbeites
The Godbeites were members of the ''Godbeite Church'', officially called the ''Church of Zion'', organized in 1870 by William S. Godbe. This dissident offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was aimed toward embracing all be ...
and a few other small churches that broke with the LDS Church to pursue a more liberal, inclusive, or rationalist theology.
Additional churches claiming lineage through Brigham Young and/or founded in the U.S. Intermountain West
Several small churches rooted in Mormonism; formed under the belief that their leader was inspired to restore a new religious tradition in the mold of Joseph Smith
Other lineages
Those churches rejecting Brigham Young's leadership, in favor of some other claimant. These adherents are occasionally referred to, collectively, as "Prairie Saints."
Reorganized Church and other followers of Joseph Smith III ("Josephites")
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
and related churches tracing their leadership through Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III (November 6, 1832 – December 10, 1914) was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement) and Emma Hale Smith. Joseph Smith III was the Prophet-President of what became the Reorganized Chu ...
.
Followers of Granville Hedrick ("Hedrickites")
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and related churches tracing their leadership through Granville Hedrick
Granville Hedrick (September 2, 1814 – August 22, 1881) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement after the 1844 succession crisis. In 1863, Hedrick became the founding leader of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), which is one of many church ...
.
Followers of Sidney Rigdon or William Bickerton ("Bickertonites")
Churches tracing their leadership through Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon (February 19, 1793 – July 14, 1876) was a leader during the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Biography Early life
Rigdon was born in St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1793. He w ...
or William Bickerton.
Followers of Alpheus Cutler ("Cutlerites")
The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)
The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri, United States. The church derives its epithet from its founder, Alpheus Cutler, a member of the Nauvoo High Coun ...
and related churches tracing their leadership through Alpheus Cutler
John Alpheus Cutler (February 29, 1784 – June 10, 1864) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement who founded the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) in 1853. He had previously served in several church positions under Joseph Smith, fou ...
.
Followers of James J. Strang ("Strangites")
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—usually distinguished with a parenthetical (Strangite)—is one of the several organizations that claim to be the legitimate continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. I ...
and related churches tracing their leadership through James Strang
James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ o ...
.
Additional Latter Day Saint churches (usually headquartered in U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains)
Other "Prairie Saint" branches of the movement, such as the Church of Christ (Whitmerite) The Church of Christ, informally referred to as the Church of Christ (Whitmerite), was a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement based on the claims of David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.
There we ...
, none of which is known to be extant.
Spontaneous or unknown lineage
Those denominations which originated independent from other organizations and do not trace their doctrinal or priesthood lineage to any 19th-century Latter Day Saint factions, but still hold Latter Day Saint beliefs.
Table of provenances
Gallery
File:Joseph Smith, Jr. (1843 photograph).jpg, alt=Alleged daguerreotype of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, h ...
, Alleged daguerreotype of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, h ...
, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement (also called the LDS movement, LDS restorationist movement, or Smith–Rigdon movement) is the collection of independent church groups that trace their origins to a Christian Restorationist movement founded by Jo ...
File:George J Adams.jpg, alt=Portrait of George J. Adams, George J. Adams, founder of the Church of the Messiah (George J. Adams)
File:James Brighouse (Latter Day Saint).jpg, alt=Photo of James Brighouse, James Brighouse, founder of the Order of Enoch
Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to:
* Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood
* Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...
File:Alpheus Cutler.jpg, alt=Photo of Alpheus Cutler, Alpheus Cutler, founder and first president of the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)
The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri, United States. The church derives its epithet from its founder, Alpheus Cutler, a member of the Nauvoo High Coun ...
File:William W. Davies.jpg, alt=Photo of William W. Davies, William W. Davies, founder of the Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven may refer to:
Religious
* Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew)
** Kingship and kingdom of God, or simply Kingdom of God, the phrase used in the other gospels
* Kingdom of Heaven (Daviesite), a schismatic sect, founded by Wil ...
File:Richard Charles Evans.JPG, alt=Portrait of R. C. Evans, R. C. Evans, founder of the Church of the Christian Brotherhood
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship
* Chri ...
File:PastorOttoFetting1916 cropped.jpg, alt=Photo of Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting (November 20, 1871 – January 30, 1933) was an American realtor and editor from Port Huron, Michigan who served first as a pastor and evangelist in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and then later as an ...
, Photo of Otto Fetting
Otto Fetting (November 20, 1871 – January 30, 1933) was an American realtor and editor from Port Huron, Michigan who served first as a pastor and evangelist in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and then later as an ...
, founder of the Church of Christ (Fettingite)
The Church of Christ, informally referred to as the Fettingites, is a denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement which split from the Church of Christ—informally known as "Hedrickites"— in late 1929. The faction was formally established ...
File:Walter_M._Gibson.jpg, alt=Portrait of Walter M. Gibson, Portrait of Walter M. Gibson
Walter Murray Gibson (March 6, 1822 – January 21, 1888) was an American adventurer and a government minister in the Kingdom of Hawaii prior to the kingdom's 1887 constitution.
Early life
Gibson was generally thought to be born March 6, 1822 ...
, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Gibsonite)
File:Maurice L. Glendenning.jpg, alt=Photo of Maurice L. Glendenning, Maurice L. Glendenning, founder of the House of Aaron
The House of Aaron, less commonly known as the Aaronic Order or The Order of Aaron, is a US religious sect that believes they are descendants of Aaron and believe in the Aaronic writings. The sect is centered in Eskdale, Utah, a small farming co ...
File:WilliamGodbe.jpg, alt=Portrait of William S. Godbe, William S. Godbe, founder of The Church of Zion, also called Godbeites
The Godbeites were members of the ''Godbeite Church'', officially called the ''Church of Zion'', organized in 1870 by William S. Godbe. This dissident offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was aimed toward embracing all be ...
File:Leroy S. Johnson2.jpg, alt=Photo of Leroy S. Johnson, Photo of Leroy S. Johnson
Leroy Sunderland Johnson (June 12, 1888 – November 25, 1986), known as Uncle Roy, was a leader of the Mormon fundamentalist group in Short Creek, which later evolved into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Chu ...
, organizer of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a religious sect of the fundamentalist Mormon denominations whose members practice polygamy. The fundamentalist Mormon movement emerged in the early 20th century ...
File:William Law (mormon).jpg, alt=Portrait of William Law
William Law (16869 April 1761) was a Church of England priest who lost his position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to the first Hanoverian monarch, King George I. P ...
, William Law
William Law (16869 April 1761) was a Church of England priest who lost his position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to the first Hanoverian monarch, King George I. P ...
, founder of the True Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints The True Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or True Mormon Church was a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement. It was founded in the spring of 1844 in Nauvoo, Illinois, by leaders dissenting from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latte ...
File:Williamemlellin.gif, alt=Portrait of William E. M'Lellin
William Earl McLellin (January 18, 1806 – April 24, 1883) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. One of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, McLellin later broke with church founder Joseph Smith.
Biography ...
, William E. M'Lellin
William Earl McLellin (January 18, 1806 – April 24, 1883) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. One of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, McLellin later broke with church founder Joseph Smith.
Biography ...
, co-founder of the Church of Christ (Whitmerite) The Church of Christ, informally referred to as the Church of Christ (Whitmerite), was a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement based on the claims of David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.
There we ...
File:Joseph Morris (Latter Day Saints).jpg, alt=Portrait of Joseph Morris (Latter Day Saints) Joseph Morris may refer to:
*Joseph Morris (architect) (1836–1915), English architect
* Joseph Morris (Alberta politician) (1868–1937), politician in Alberta, Canada
*Joseph Wilson Morris (1922–2021), U.S. federal judge
*Joseph Morris (Ohio p ...
, Joseph Morris (Latter Day Saints) Joseph Morris may refer to:
*Joseph Morris (architect) (1836–1915), English architect
* Joseph Morris (Alberta politician) (1868–1937), politician in Alberta, Canada
*Joseph Wilson Morris (1922–2021), U.S. federal judge
*Joseph Morris (Ohio p ...
, founder of the Church of the Firstborn (Morrisite) The Church of the Firstborn was a sect of the Latter Day Saint movement that formed as an offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1861 and was involved in the Morrisite War. Its adherents were known as Morrisites, and schismat ...
File:Rigdon.gif, alt=Portrait of Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon (February 19, 1793 – July 14, 1876) was a leader during the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Biography Early life
Rigdon was born in St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1793. He w ...
, Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon (February 19, 1793 – July 14, 1876) was a leader during the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Biography Early life
Rigdon was born in St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1793. He w ...
, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship
* Chri ...
File:Isaac Russell.jpg, alt=Portrait of Isaac Russell, Isaac Russell, founder of the Alston Church
File:JosephSmith3.jpg, alt=Portrait of Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III (November 6, 1832 – December 10, 1914) was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement) and Emma Hale Smith. Joseph Smith III was the Prophet-President of what became the Reorganized Chu ...
, Joseph Smith III
Joseph Smith III (November 6, 1832 – December 10, 1914) was the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement) and Emma Hale Smith. Joseph Smith III was the Prophet-President of what became the Reorganized Chu ...
, prophet of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
(now the Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
)
File:James Strang daguerreotype (1856).jpg, alt=Portrait of James Strang
James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ o ...
, James Strang
James Jesse Strang (March 21, 1813 – July 9, 1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-proclaimed monarch. In 1844 he claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ o ...
, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—usually distinguished with a parenthetical (Strangite)—is one of the several organizations that claim to be the legitimate continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. I ...
File:Charles B Thompson.jpg, alt=Portrait of Charles B. Thompson, Charles B. Thompson
Charles Blancher Thompson (January 27, 1814 – February 27, 1895) was an American leader of a schismatic sect in the Latter Day Saint movement from 1848 to 1858. He claimed the title Baneemy and his followers were known as "Baneemyites".
Thomp ...
, founder of the Congregation of Jehovah's Presbytery of Zion
File:David Witmer.JPG, alt=Portrait of David Whitmer
David Whitmer (January 7, 1805 – January 25, 1888) was an American Mormon leader who eventually became the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's golden plates.
Early life
Whitmer was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylva ...
, David Whitmer
David Whitmer (January 7, 1805 – January 25, 1888) was an American Mormon leader who eventually became the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's golden plates.
Early life
Whitmer was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylva ...
, one of the Three Witnesses
The Three Witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early Latter Day Saint movement who stated that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon; they also stated tha ...
and co-founder of the Church of Christ (Whitmerite) The Church of Christ, informally referred to as the Church of Christ (Whitmerite), was a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement based on the claims of David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.
There we ...
File:Lymanwight8.gif, alt=Photo of Lyman Wight, Photo of Lyman Wight, founder of the Church of Christ (Wightite)
Lyman Wight (May 9, 1796 – March 31, 1858) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He was the leader of the Latter Day Saints in Daviess County, Missouri, in 1838. In 1841, he was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apost ...
File:Lorin C. Woolley2.jpg, alt=Photo of Lorin C. Woolley, Photo of Lorin C. Woolley, known as the father of Mormon fundamentalism amongst most fundamentalist denominations
File:BrighamYoung1.jpg, alt=Portrait of Brigham Young
Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...
, Brigham Young
Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...
, prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
File:KirtlandTemple Ohio USA.jpg, alt=The Kirtland Temple, Kirtland Temple
The Kirtland Temple is a National Historic Landmark in Kirtland, Ohio, United States, on the eastern edge of the Cleveland metropolitan area. Owned and operated by the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of La ...
Built by Joseph Smith's Church of Christ Church of Christ may refer to:
Church groups
* When used in the plural, a New Testament designation for local groups of people following the teachings of Jesus Christ: "...all the churches of Christ greet you", Romans 16:16.
* The entire body of Ch ...
; passed through hands of several factions after Smith's death; today owned by the Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
File:Salt Lake Temple, Utah - Sept 2004-2.jpg, alt=The Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. At , it is the largest Latter-day Saint temple by floor area. Dedicated in 1893, it is the sixth templ ...
of the LDS Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The c ...
, in Salt Lake City, Utah
File:Independence - RLDS Temple 02.jpg, alt=The Independence Temple, Independence Temple
The Temple in Independence, Missouri, is a house of worship and education "dedicated to the pursuit of peace". It dominates the skyline of Independence and has become the focal point of the headquarters of the Community of Christ (formerly the Re ...
of the Community of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The churc ...
, in Independence, MO
File:Temple-lot2.jpg, alt=Temple Lot, Independence, Missouri, Panorama of the Temple Lot
The Temple Lot, located in Independence, Missouri, is the first site to be dedicated for the construction of a Temple (Latter Day Saints), temple in the Latter Day Saint movement. The area was dedicated on August 3, 1831, by the movement's found ...
in Independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the stat ...
, with (L to R) the Stone Church, the Temple Lot
The Temple Lot, located in Independence, Missouri, is the first site to be dedicated for the construction of a Temple (Latter Day Saints), temple in the Latter Day Saint movement. The area was dedicated on August 3, 1831, by the movement's found ...
Church, the Independence Temple
The Temple in Independence, Missouri, is a house of worship and education "dedicated to the pursuit of peace". It dominates the skyline of Independence and has become the focal point of the headquarters of the Community of Christ (formerly the Re ...
, and the Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances. For movie theatres, the number of auditoria (or auditoriums) is expressed as the number of screens. Auditoria can be found in entertainment venues, communit ...
File:Independence - Church of Christ Temple Lot 02.jpg, alt=Church of Christ (Temple Lot), World Headquarters and Independence Branch of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), located in Independence, Missouri
File:Independence - Restoration Branch 02.jpg, alt=Outreach Restoration Branch, Current location of the Outreach Restoration Branch, in Independence, Missouri. Previously the location of the now-defunct Church of Christ (Hancock).
File:VoreeChurch.jpg, alt=Meetinghouse of Strangite Branch, Meetinghouse of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—usually distinguished with a parenthetical (Strangite)—is one of the several organizations that claim to be the legitimate continuation of the church founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. I ...
, in Voree, Wisconsin
File:Church of Christ with the Elijah Message.jpg, alt=Headquarters of the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, Headquarters and Independence Branch of the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, in Independence, Missouri
File:Independence - Fettingite Bronsonite 02.jpg, alt=Church of Christ (Fettingite), Meetinghouse of the Church of Christ (Fettingite)
The Church of Christ, informally referred to as the Fettingites, is a denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement which split from the Church of Christ—informally known as "Hedrickites"— in late 1929. The faction was formally established ...
, in Independence, Missouri
File:Independence - Zion's Branch 02.jpg, alt=Church of Jesus Christ (Zion's Branch), Meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ (Zion's Branch)
The Church of Jesus Christ (Zion's Branch) is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri. It was formed on April 6, 1985Zion's Branch Charitable Trust Declaration of Trust by individuals who had separa ...
, in Independence, Missouri
File:BickertoniteChurch.jpg, alt=Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite), Meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) in Monongahela, PA
File:Independence - Cutlerite Church 01.jpg, alt=Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite), Headquarters and sole branch of the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)
The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri, United States. The church derives its epithet from its founder, Alpheus Cutler, a member of the Nauvoo High Coun ...
in Independence, Missouri
File:Independence - Elijah Message Church B.jpg, alt=Church of Christ (Assured Way), Headquarters of the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message (Assured Way of the Lord), Inc. in Independence, Missouri
File:FLDS Eldorado hi.jpg, alt=FLDS Temple, Temple of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a religious sect of the fundamentalist Mormon denominations whose members practice polygamy. The fundamentalist Mormon movement emerged in the early 20th century ...
in Eldorado, Texas
Eldorado ( , -) is a city in and the county seat of Schleicher County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,951 at the 2010 census. Eldorado is located on U.S. Highway 277 some north of Sonora and south of San Angelo, Texas.
Geograph ...
File:Independence - Remnant LDS 02.jpg, alt=Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Meetinghouse and Conference Center of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Independence, Missouri
File:TLC redbrickstore.jpg, alt=TLC "Red Brick Store", "Red Brick Store" of the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days in Manti, Utah
Manti ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 3,276 at the 2010 United States Census.
Description
Manti was the first community in Utah to be settled outside the Wasatch Front and served as ...
File:Independence - Fettingite DeWolf 02.jpg, alt=Church of Christ (Restored), Meetinghouse of the Church of Christ (Restored), in Independence, Missouri
File:Independence - Restoration LDS 02.jpg, alt=Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Meetinghouse of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Independence, Missouri. The church was formally organized on April 6, 1991, by members of the Community of Christ who ...
, in Independence, Missouri
File:Colorado City schoolhouse.jpg, alt=Schoolhouse of the Short Creek Community, Schoolhouse of the Short Creek Community in Colorado City, Arizona
Colorado City is a town in Mohave County, Arizona, United States, and is located in a region known as the Arizona Strip. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 2,478, down from 4,821 in 2010. At least three Mormon fundamentali ...
(site of the 1953 Short Creek raid
The Short Creek raid was an Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona National Guard action against Mormon fundamentalists that took place on the morning of July 26, 1953, at Short Creek, Arizona. The Short Creek raid was the largest mass ...
).
File:Race Track Church.jpg, alt=Church of the Firstborn (Morrisite), Abandoned meetinghouse of the Church of the Firstborn (Morrisite) The Church of the Firstborn was a sect of the Latter Day Saint movement that formed as an offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1861 and was involved in the Morrisite War. Its adherents were known as Morrisites, and schismat ...
, in Powell County, Montana
Powell County is a county in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,946. Its county seat is Deer Lodge.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is ...
File:Righteous Branch Temple.jpg, alt=Pyramid shaped temple of the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pyramid-shaped temple and headquarters of the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located near Modena, Utah
See also
* Mormonism
Mormonism is the religious tradition and theology of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity started by Joseph Smith in Western New York in the 1820s and 1830s. As a label, Mormonism has been applied to various aspects o ...
* Mormons: Groups within Mormonism
* Restoration (Latter Day Saints): Significance and impact
* Restorationism
Restorationism (or Restitutionism or Christian primitivism) is the belief that Christianity has been or should be restored along the lines of what is known about the Apostolic Age, apostolic early church, which restorationists see as the search ...
* Saints in LDS movement
References
Further reading
*Launius, Roger D.; Thatcher, Linda, eds. (April 1998)
Differing Visions: Dissenters in Mormon History
Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press, , retrieved June 29, 2010
*
*
*
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Denominations In The Latter Day Saint Movement
Sect
A sect is a subgroup of a religious, political, or philosophical belief system, usually an offshoot of a larger group. Although the term was originally a classification for religious separated groups, it can now refer to any organization that ...