Who Are Latter-day Saints?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian restorationist church that teaches it is the reestablishment of the church founded by Jesus Christ in the New Testament, guided by modern prophets and apostles. Members, commonly called Latter-day Saints, accept the Bible and additional scripture such as the Book of Mormon and emphasize personal faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and covenant-keeping.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Church has grown into a global organization with millions of adherents and congregations on nearly every continent. Local congregations are led by lay members who volunteer their time, creating a culture of shared responsibility, service, and community involvement.
Worship and Worldwide Gatherings
Latter-day Saints gather weekly in meetinghouses for worship services that include prayers, congregational hymns, sacrament (communion), and sermons given by members. Daily life is meant to reflect Christian discipleship through prayer, scripture study, service, and adherence to moral standards such as honesty, chastity, and care for health.
A central modern feature of the Church is its twice-yearly general conference, during which senior leaders address members and friends around the world. These sessions are broadcast and streamed globally in many languages, allowing individuals and families to participate regardless of location and reinforcing a sense of unity in a worldwide faith community.
Temples, Education, and Global Impact
Temples are distinct from chapels and are considered the most sacred buildings in Latter-day Saint worship, reserved for ordinances that focus on eternal families and covenants with God. The Church is actively announcing, constructing, and dedicating new temples in diverse regions, signaling both numerical growth and a priority on making temple worship accessible to members everywhere.
Education and humanitarian service are also major modern priorities for the Church. Religious education programs for youth and young adults, along with Church-sponsored universities and institutes, aim to combine spiritual learning with personal development and contribution to society. At the same time, large-scale humanitarian projects, disaster relief efforts, and welfare initiatives are carried out worldwide, reflecting the Church’s teaching that followers of Christ should care for the poor, strengthen families, and build up their communities.