Both LDS and FLDS trace their origins to the same early Mormon roots founded by Joseph Smith in the 1800s. However, over time, they took very different paths in beliefs and practices. LDS stands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whereas FLDS stands for The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What is the main difference between LDS and FLDS? FLDS practices polygamy, whereas LDS does not practice polygamy.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is LDS
– Definition, Features
2. What is FLDS
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between LDS and FLDS
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between LDS and FLDS
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: LDS and FLDS
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
LDS, FLDS, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon Church, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
What is LDS
The LDS Church, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon Church, is a Christian religious group that believes it has restored the original church that Jesus Christ created. It was started in 1830 by Joseph Smith in New York. It is now based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Today, the church has over 17.5 million members around the world and more than 100,000 volunteer missionaries.
The LDS Church believes that after Jesus and His apostles died, the original church lost its way. They believe God chose Joseph Smith to bring back the truth through modern revelations. In addition to the Bible (King James Version), they follow other books like the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Figure 01: Joseph Smith
Mormons believe that every person lived with God as a spirit before being born. They also believe that God has a physical body like a human, and Jesus is His first-born spirit child. Mormons believe in Jesus as their Savior, but they do not believe He is equal to God the Father in the same way many Christians do.
For Mormons, being saved means having faith, repenting, being baptized, and living a good life by following God’s commandments. They also believe in the importance of temple ceremonies, eternal marriage, and doing family history so they can baptize their ancestors by proxy.
After death, Mormons believe people go to different “kingdoms” depending on how they lived: the Telestial Kingdom (for the wicked), the Terrestrial Kingdom (for decent but not faithful people), and the Celestial Kingdom (for the righteous, where they can live with God and even become gods themselves).
What is FLDS
The FLDS Church, or the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a breakaway religious group that split from the main LDS Church. Although it shares some roots with Mormonism, it is not part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is not recognized by it.
The FLDS group still continues the practice of polygamy (one man having multiple wives) which the LDS Church officially banned in 1890. FLDS members believe that polygamy is a key part of reaching the highest level of heaven.
Figure 02: Temple of the FLDS in El Dorado, Texas
The FLDS is much smaller than the mainstream LDS Church. It is mostly based in isolated communities in Utah, Arizona, and a few other areas. This group is known for its strict control over members’ lives, including dress, education, marriage, and communication with outsiders.
The FLDS Church has been led by several controversial leaders. The most controversial was Warren Jeffs. He claimed to be a prophet who spoke directly for God. Jeffs was later convicted of serious crimes like child abuse and arranging underage marriages. As a result, the group has been described by many as a cult. It has also been involved in multiple legal investigations.
Similarities Between LDS and FLDS
- Both trace their roots to Joseph Smith and the original Church of Christ founded in 1830.
- Both consider the Book of Mormon a sacred text and use it alongside the Bible.
- They promote modesty, clean living, and strict religious commandments.
Difference Between LDS and FLDS
Definition
- LDS stands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whereas FLDS stands for The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Polygamy
- LDS Church officially has stopped practicing polygamy and strongly forbids it today. However, FLDS Church still practices polygamy and believes that having multiple wives is necessary to reach the highest level of heaven.
Leadership
- The LDS Church is led by a president and a group of apostles, who are seen as modern-day prophets. However, the FLDS Church is led by a prophet who has a great deal of control over his followers.
Size and Location
- The LDS Church is a global religion with over 17 million members and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, whereas the FLDS Church is much smaller, and members mostly live in small, isolated communities in Utah, Arizona, and Texas.
Beliefs and Teachings
- The LDS Church teaches values like strong families, personal growth, missionary work, and living like Jesus, whereas the FLDS Church follows a stricter and more extreme interpretation of early Mormon teachings, especially when it comes to marriage, obedience, and community rules.
Legal Status and Public Image
- The LDS Church is a legal, mainstream religion with a positive public image and international reach. But the FLDS Church has often been described as a cult and has been involved in serious legal issues, including child marriages and abuse.
FAQ: LDS and FLDS
1. Is the FLDS the same as the LDS?
No, the FLDS and LDS are not the same. The LDS Church is the mainstream Mormon church that banned polygamy long ago, while the FLDS is a smaller group that still practices polygamy.
2. What is the difference between a fundamentalist Mormon and a Mormon?
A fundamentalist Mormon still follows old practices like polygamy, which the main Mormon church (LDS) no longer allows. Regular Mormons follow modern church teachings and are part of the mainstream LDS Church.
3. Is LDS different from Mormon?
LDS stands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is the official name of the church. Mormon is a nickname that comes from the Book of Mormon. Today, the church prefers that people use the name Latter-day Saints instead of Mormon.
4. What religion is most similar to LDS?
The religion most similar to LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). LDS also shares some similarities with Evangelical Christianity in terms of focus on Jesus Christ, missionary work, and family values
5. What is the strictest form of Christianity?
The strictest form of Christianity is often considered to be Christian fundamentalism. It is found across denominations like Baptist, Pentecostal, and some non-denominational churches. It has strict moral codes (e.g., modesty, no drinking, no dancing, etc.) and rejects modern secular culture.
Reference:
1. “7 Reasons Why Mormonism and Christianity Are Not the Same.” Clearly Reformed.
2. “Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Joseph Smith, Jr. portrait owned by Joseph Smith III” By Likely William Warner Major see – Unknown source (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “FLDS Eldorado hi” By Randy Mankin of the Eldorado Success – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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