Are there two types of Mormons?

From time to time, Latter-day Saints are asked to clarify what the correct name of their church is, and how to appropriately refer to a member of their religion. 

The correct name is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." 

While most members of the Church do not mind being called "Mormons," a more respectful way to refer to a person who belongs to the faith is "a Latter-day Saint," or "a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The nickname "Mormon" came about because of one of the Church's sacred texts, "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ." 

Latter-day Saints look to The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price as scripture.

On some occasions media professionals and others refer to "The Mormon Church," or "The Church of Latter-day Saints," or "The LDS Church."

While these names are not offensive to members of the Church, it is appreciated when the full and correct name of the Church is used. This is because Latter-day Saints are devoted followers of Jesus Christ and having His name included in the name of the Church is important to them.

Read more about media style for journalists reporting on the Church or any of its members.

Watch a video of Latter-day Saint leader, President Russell M. Nelson, talking about the significance of the name of the Church.

This article shows the differences between three different types or Mormons: Mainline (LDS), Reformed (RLDS) and Temple Lot (church of Christ) Mormons. There are only about 600 temple lot Mormons in the world. They prepared the comparison below.

"A Synopsis of the Church of Christ Beliefs and Practices as Compared to Other Latter Day Saint Churches"

During the lifetime of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., the church he founded by the direction of God underwent many changes which proved to be a factor in the division which occurred after his death in 1844. It is argued that the church is subject to change because of growth and changing times. This is only partially true. The basic and ultimate requirements must remain inflexible, or else the statement "I am the Lord, I change not"-is found to be false (see Malachi 3:6, Utah D&C 20:17, RLDS D&C 17:4). So, also, when Jesus said, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", we see the timeless, unchanging character of that church.

From the earliest days of the restoration of the "fullness of the gospel" (1 Nephi 10:14, Utah Book of Mormon), we have told the world that this included a restoration of divine priesthood authority, and by which the true Church of Christ would be restored as in the time of Christ and the ancient apostles. This was, in fact, the intent of God as revealed in the Book of Commandments 4:5, in March 1829:

"And thus if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a reformation among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts...and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taught by my disciples in the days of old."

This is deleted from all books of Doctrine and Covenants, which was first published in 1835, two years after publication of the Book of Commandments! By this time, the church's name was changed, which church was organized according to, or, "by the will and commandments of God", and into this same section (Utah D&C 20; RLDS D&C 17) was introduced a first presidency, high priest, etc. The Book of Commandments, chapter 24 (this same revelation), does not contain these offices. Many changes were made in the revelations to support offices not originally provided for, and these were introduced by men-not God! All comparison to the divine pattern should be with the New Testament of the Bible and with the Book of Mormon after Christ had come to the American continent. The same is true of doctrinal points.

With these thoughts in mind, note the following comparison of church beliefs and practice:

Topic:

Church of Christ, Temple Lot Mormons

LDS Latter Day Saints (main line Mormons)

RLDS Reformed Latter Day Saints

First Presidency

No

Yes

Yes

High Priests

No

Yes

Yes

Patriarchs

No

Yes

Yes

12 Apostles at the head

Yes

No

No

A prophet at the head

No

Yes

Yes

Prophets

Yes

Yes

Yes

Church name as of 1830

Yes

No

No

Bible

Yes

Yes

Yes

Book of Mormon

Yes

Yes

Yes

Book of Commandments

Yes(*)

No

No

Doctrine & Covenants

Yes(*)

Yes

Yes

Pearl of Great Price

No

Yes

No

Baptism by Immersion

Yes

Yes

Yes

Baptism for the dead

No

Yes

No

Celestial Marriage

No

Yes

No

Polygamy

No

Yes(+)

No(#)

Man to become a God

No

Yes

No

God, once a man

No

Yes

No

Temple in Zion (Indep., Mo.)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Other temples (except at Jerusalem)

No

Yes

Kirtland, Ohio

(*) Joseph Smith gave some divine revelations, but not all were divine. They must be compared with the Bible and Book of Mormon, the only safe standards. See Isaiah 8:20 and Ezek. 37:19 - only two "sticks" or, "books" of scripture.

(+) Utah D & C provides for plural marriages, but the practice was since declared illegal by President Woodruff.

(#) In recent years, polygamists in India have been accepted into fellowship without requiring a change in family status.

The Church of Christ is a remnant of the original church of 1830, being neither disorganized nor reorganized. Its priesthood may be traced back, intact, to Joseph Smith and the angel. Early Church innovations were accepted for a time, but we later repudiated them, reverting to the scriptural pattern in organization and doctrine. As the Bible and Book of Mormon were said to contain the fullness of the gospel, a fullness will admit of no new doctrine nor priesthood office. See Doc. and Cov., Utah ed. 42:12, 59: RLDS ed. 42:5, 16.

Source: Synopsis of the Church of Christ Beliefs and Practices, as Compared to Other Latter Day Churches.

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