Sources: Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon (1830); Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; B.H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormons) was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. (~1805–1844 AD) in western New York during the Second Great Awakening. Smith reported a series of visions beginning ~1820 (the First Vision — God the Father and Jesus Christ appearing to him) and the discovery of golden plates which, translated by “the gift and power of God,” became the Book of Mormon (1830) — an account of ancient Israelite peoples in the Americas culminating in a post-resurrection visit by Jesus Christ. Distinctive Mormon theological claims: (1) Continuing revelation — God continues to speak through living prophets (the President of the Church); (2) Pre-existence of souls — all humans existed as spirit children of Heavenly Father before birth; (3) Three degrees of glory — Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial kingdoms after death, plus outer darkness; (4) Deification — “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become” (Lorenzo Snow couplet); (5) Temple ordinances — baptism for the dead, eternal marriage sealings; (6) The Godhead as three separate beings — rejecting the orthodox Trinity’s one substance. Most mainstream Christians consider Mormonism outside Christianity; Mormons consider themselves the restoration of original Christianity. The LDS Church has ~17 million members worldwide and is one of the fastest-growing religious organizations.