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The term Mormon technically refers to all followers of Mormonism or the Latter Day Saint movement, although colloquially the term usually refers to members of the most prominent Mormon group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). There are other smaller denominations that also adhere to Mormonism, but in recent times some of them have avoided and discouraged the term because of its primary association with the LDS Church. The name "Mormon" was first used in the 1830s for followers of Joseph Smith, Jr. who accepted " The Book of Mormon" as scripture. It originated as a derogatory term, but the name soon lost most of its negative connotation, and is not considered offensive today. In fact, because many individuals are most familiar with the title "Mormon," the LDS Church maintains an official website presenting its basic beliefs and tenets at mormon.org.
Another name commonly used to refer to all followers of Mormonism is " Latter Day Saint". Members of the LDS Church prefer the slightly different, more exacting distinction " Latter-day Saint." The addition of the hyphen distinguishes the phrase which specifically refers to members of the LDS Church ("Latter-day Saint") from the phrase which more generally refers to all followers of Mormonism ("Latter Day Saint").
1 Scope of the term "Mormon" within the Latter Day Saint movement
Some scholars feel the terms "Mormon" and "Mormonism" are useful to collectively describe all denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, who claim to originate from the religion founded by Smith. However, some feel the terms "Mormon" and "Mormonism" should be used exclusively to refer to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In fact, the Associated Press Stylebook notes: "The term Mormon is not properly applied to the other ... churches that resulted from the split after [Joseph] Smith's death." On the other hand, some other churches and groups disagree with this position and continue to call themselves Mormons. Sometimes " Restorationist" or " Restoration Movement" is used for this purpose instead, but doing so can lead to confusion since there is an entirely different group of Christian churches (those derived from the Campbellites or Stone-Campbell churches, for example, the Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ) which are also known as Restorationists.
Some scholars, such as Melton, in his Encyclopedia of American Religion, subdivide the Mormons into "Utah Mormons" and "Missouri Mormons." The Missouri Mormons are those Mormons who did not travel westward to Utah, and the organizations formed from them (the Community of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also known as the Strangites is a Mormon faith. It is distinct from the larger and more well-known Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although both organizations claim to be the original church est, Church of Christ (Temple Lot)The Church of Christ (Temple Lot is a sect of Mormonism headquartered in Independence, Missouri. Its official name is the Church of Christ . Members of the church have been known, colloquially, as Hedrickites after Granville Hedrick, an early leader., etc.), although not all of these religions were based in Missouri, such as The Church of Jesus Christ (The Church), which was established by Sidney RigdonSidney Rigdon ( 19 February 1793 14 July 1876) was an important figure in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He delivered many important sermons, and some critics argue Rigdon's influence was as strong as that of church in Monongahela, PennsylvaniaMonongahela is a city located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 4,761. Geography Monongahela is located at 40°12'2" North, 79°55'42" West (40. 200462, -79. According to the United States Census B. The Utah Mormons are members of the LDS Church who did travel westward to Utah with Brigham YoungNSHC, depicts the LDS prophet as he appeared during most of his tenure as leader of the church. Brigham Young ( June 1, 1801 August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mor, and the term is sometimes also applied to the organizations formed from them (such as the various polygamyPolygamy or many marriage is a marital practice in which a person has more than one spouse simultaneously (as opposed to monogamy where each person has a maximum of one spouse at any one time). The term is often used in a de facto sense, applying regardle-practicing groups; True & Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last DaysThe True & Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days is a branch of the Latter Day Saint movement headquartered in Manti, Utah. The church was organized on May 3, 1994, in response to a perceived apostasy in The Church of Jesus Christ of La and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsThe Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a Latter Day Saint denomination, and it is America's largest polygamous group. The current leader of the church is Warren Jeffs, who became leader on the death of his father, Rulon Jeffs in, scattered in usually isolated communities mostly in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and British Columbia). The term "Utah Mormon" is still popularly used today among the American members of the LDS Church just to point out cultural differences and/or geographical positioning of Utah State members. "Missouri Mormon" nomenclature, on the other hand, is not common among Mormons anymore. The term "Utah Mormon" when refering to members of the LDS Church is now a misnomer, since now a majority of Mormons live outside Utah and the United States.
