Fast facts
- Began
- 1830, New York State, United States
- Founder / origin
- Joseph (PBUH) Smith
- Followers
- About 17 million on the rolls; active participation is lower
- Figure from
- The Church of Jesus (PBUH) Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023 statistical report
- Where
- United States (especially Utah), Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, west Africa, the Pacific
- Scriptures
- The Bible (King James Version), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price
- View of God
- God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost as three distinct beings united in purpose, not one substance; God the Father is held to have a body
Distinctive beliefs
- A great apostasy corrupted the church after the apostles, and the priesthood was restored through Joseph (PBUH) Smith
- Continuing revelation through a living prophet at the head of the church
- The Book of Mormon as an additional scripture, said to record God's dealings with peoples in the ancient Americas
- Eternal progression — human beings can become like God
- Temple ordinances, including marriage sealed for eternity and baptism for the dead
- The Word of Wisdom: no alcohol, tobacco, tea or coffee
- A two-year mission expected of young men, and increasingly served by young women
History note
Polygamy was practised in the 19th century and formally ended by the main church in 1890; small breakaway groups continue it and are not part of the LDS Church. A ban on black members holding the priesthood was lifted in 1978.
The Islamic view
Where it meets Islam, and where it differs
Common ground
- The idea that earlier revelation was corrupted and needed restoring is structurally familiar to Muslims.
- Belief in continuing prophecy after Jesus (PBUH) — they will not dismiss the idea of a later prophet out of hand.
- Strong family life, modesty, no alcohol, organised charity, and a serious culture of missionary work.
- They are usually courteous and will listen properly, which is rarer than it should be.
Where Islam differs
- God is one, without body, parts or partner. The Islamic position on God's absolute uniqueness rules out a God with a physical body.
- Human beings never become divine. The gap between Creator and created is permanent.
- The Book of Mormon is not accepted as revelation; Islam does not accept a scripture on assertion alone, and holds the Qur'an's own preservation and challenge to be its evidence.
- Baptism for the dead has no Islamic parallel; each soul is accountable for itself.
Talking points
- They already accept that revelation continued after Jesus (PBUH). Ask what test they use to know a prophet is true, then apply the same test with them to the Qur'an.
- is the heart of it: ask whether God can be limited by a body, and what it means for God to be beyond His creation.
- Their two young missionaries are typically 19 and far from home. Feed them, be kind, and speak plainly.
Avoid
- Do not call them a cult, and do not lead with polygamy; both are heard as insults and neither advances anything.
- Do not assume they are ordinary Protestants — they are not, and saying so shows you have not listened.
Sources
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023 statistical report and Gospel Topics essays
- Joseph Smith, The Articles of Faith
- Qur'an 112:1–4; 42:11
This overview describes the tradition as its own followers describe it. The Islamic view is kept in its own section above so the description stays honest.
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