The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, also commonly known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, is a Christian religious organization that identifies itself as a restorationist church. It was founded in the early 19th century by Joseph Smith in upstate New York, United States.
The church believes in the divinity of Jesus Christ and considers itself to be a contemporary restoration of the original Christian church established by Jesus and his apostles. The term "latter-day" refers to the belief that the church is the last dispensation or period of Christian history before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The teachings and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints are based on the Book of Mormon, which is considered by its members to be a companion scripture to the Bible. In addition to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the church also reveres other books of scripture, including the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.
The organization's central doctrine revolves around Jesus Christ's atonement, which is believed to offer salvation and eternal life to all who have faith, repent, are baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. The church places a strong emphasis on family, moral values, service, and missionary work.
With millions of members worldwide, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints maintains a hierarchical structure led by a prophet, who is considered to be a modern-day apostle and receives revelations from God. Congregations are organized into local units called wards or branches, and members actively participate in worship services, perform ordinances such as baptism, and engage in various church activities to strengthen their faith and serve their communities.
