Why the LDS and FLDS Churches Are Not the Same Organization

While they share a name and a common origin in the 19th century, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) are entirely separate, unaffiliated, and functionally opposite organizations. To the casual observer, the term "Mormon" might seem like a broad umbrella covering both, but the theological, social, and legal chasms between them are vast.

The mainstream LDS Church is a global religion with over 17 million members, fully integrated into modern society, and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. In contrast, the FLDS is a small, insular sect with an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 members living largely in isolated communities. The most defining difference remains the practice of plural marriage, or polygamy, which the LDS Church strictly prohibits and the FLDS Church considers essential for salvation.

The Historical Root and the Great Schism of 1890

To understand why these two groups exist separately today, one must look back to the mid-19th century. Both groups trace their lineage to Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement in 1830 in New York. Smith taught that he had restored the original church of Jesus Christ and introduced new scriptures, most notably the Book of Mormon.

During the church's early years in Nauvoo, Illinois, and later after the migration to the Utah Territory under Brigham Young, the practice of "plural marriage" became an official, though controversial, tenet. However, this practice put the church on a direct collision course with the United States government.

The 1890 Manifesto

By the late 1880s, the U.S. government intensified its legal assault on the church through the Edmunds-Tucker Act, which threatened to disincorporate the church and seize its property, including temples. Faced with the potential destruction of the institution, then-President Wilford Woodruff issued a document known as the "Manifesto" in 1890.

This Manifesto officially advised all Latter-day Saints to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land. While this was the beginning of the end for polygamy within the mainstream church, a second manifesto in 1904 made it clear that any member entering into or performing a plural marriage would be excommunicated.

The Birth of Fundamentalism

The vast majority of the church members accepted the 1890 and 1904 manifestos as divine revelation. However, a small minority felt that the church leadership had "apostatized" or surrendered eternal truths for political expediency. These individuals believed that the "Principle" (plural marriage) was a perpetual commandment that no earthly leader had the right to revoke.

These dissenters eventually organized into various fundamentalist groups. The most prominent and organized of these became the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). They claimed to be the "true" keepers of Joseph Smith's original teachings, arguing that the mainstream LDS Church had lost its spiritual authority by conforming to modern laws.

Plural Marriage: Prohibition vs. Requirement

The most visible and debated difference between the LDS and FLDS involves their stance on polygamy. This single issue dictates the lifestyle, family structure, and legal standing of both groups.

The Mainstream LDS Stance

For over a century, the LDS Church has been one of the most vocal opponents of contemporary polygamy. The church's policy is absolute: monogamy is the only authorized form of marriage. If an LDS member is found to be practicing or even advocating for plural marriage, they are subject to church discipline, which often results in excommunication—the most severe spiritual penalty in the faith.

In public discourse, the LDS Church has gone to great lengths to distance itself from the "Mormon" label in contexts involving polygamy. Church leaders frequently emphasize that those practicing polygamy are not "Mormons" in the eyes of the mainstream organization.

The FLDS View of "The Principle"

In the FLDS faith, plural marriage is not just an option; it is often viewed as a requirement for "exaltation"—the belief that one can achieve the highest degree of glory in the afterlife and live in the presence of God. They believe that a man must have at least three wives to attain the highest celestial kingdom.

This belief system creates a unique social structure within FLDS communities. Families are often massive, with dozens of siblings and multiple maternal figures. Because the practice is illegal under state and federal law, these marriages are not legally recognized by the state; typically, a man has one legal wife, and the others are considered "spiritual" wives.

Leadership and Organizational Hierarchy

The way these two organizations are governed reflects the difference between a global corporate religious entity and a closed, autocratic sect.

LDS: Consensus and Global Governance

The LDS Church operates with a highly structured, hierarchical system. It is led by the First Presidency (the President and two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Below them are the Quorums of the Seventy and local leaders known as Stake Presidents and Bishops.

Decisions in the LDS Church are generally made through a process of consensus among the top leadership. While the President is regarded as a prophet, he does not act as a dictator. The church’s operations are transparent in terms of their organizational charts, and their financial holdings, while private, are managed by professional corporate arms.

FLDS: One-Man Rule and the "Prophet"

The FLDS Church follows a model often described by sociologists as "charismatic authority" or "one-man rule." The President of the FLDS is considered the "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" in a much more absolute sense than in the mainstream church.

In the FLDS system, the Prophet has total authority over both the spiritual and temporal lives of the members. Historically, this has included the "Law of Placing," where the Prophet decides which men will marry which women, often moving wives and children from one man's household to another based on his perceived "revelations." This level of control extends to property ownership, where the church holds the titles to homes and land in a trust (such as the United Effort Plan), and the Prophet can evict members who are deemed disobedient.

Integration into Modern Society

The daily lives of LDS and FLDS members look nothing alike, representing two different responses to the modern world.

LDS: Modernity and Education

Latter-day Saints are encouraged to be "in the world but not of the world." This means they are integrated into every facet of modern professional and social life. You will find LDS members as CEOs, politicians, scientists, and entertainers. They wear modern clothing, attend public universities, and utilize modern technology without restriction.

The LDS Church places a high premium on education. It owns and operates Brigham Young University (BYU) and several other institutions, and it encourages its youth to pursue advanced degrees in secular fields.

FLDS: Isolation and Uniformity

FLDS communities are intentionally isolated. Many members live in the twin cities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah (collectively known as Short Creek), or on remote compounds in places like Texas, South Dakota, and British Columbia.

The lifestyle is characterized by a rejection of modern "worldly" influences. This is most visible in their attire:

• Women and Girls: Wear "prairie dresses" that cover the body from the neck to the ankles and wrists. Their hair is often styled in elaborate, high-swept pompadours, which have become a visual hallmark of the group.
• Men and Boys: Typically wear plain button-down shirts and trousers, often even in manual labor settings.

Education in FLDS communities is often limited and controlled by the church. Many children are homeschooled or attend church-run schools where the curriculum is heavily focused on religious teachings and the "Prophet’s" revelations, often at the expense of standardized secular subjects. Access to the internet, television, and outside news is frequently restricted or forbidden.

Sacred Spaces and Rituals: The Temple

Both groups emphasize the importance of temples, but the accessibility and nature of these buildings vary significantly.

LDS Temples: A Global Presence

The LDS Church has over 180 operating temples worldwide, with dozens more under construction. These are distinct from the thousands of local meetinghouses (chapels) where Sunday services are held. LDS temples are used for specific "ordinances" such as:

• Baptisms for the Dead: The belief that deceased ancestors can be baptized by proxy.
• Endowments: A ritual involving covenants and instruction.
• Sealings: Marriages that are believed to last for eternity, not just "until death do us part."

LDS temples are closed to the public after they are dedicated, but any member in good standing who follows the church’s health code (the Word of Wisdom) and pays tithing can obtain a "temple recommend" to enter.

FLDS Temples: Secretive and Rare

The FLDS has built very few temples. The most famous was the temple at the YFZ (Yearning for Zion) Ranch in Eldorado, Texas. Unlike the LDS temples, which are often located in high-traffic urban or suburban areas to be visible signs of the faith, FLDS temples are built in secluded areas to prevent outside observation.

The rituals performed in FLDS temples are believed to be similar in name to those of the early 19th-century church, but they are performed under the exclusive authority of the FLDS Prophet. Because the group is so insular, very little is documented about the specific contemporary variations of their temple ceremonies compared to the mainstream versions.

Scripture and Doctrine: Beyond the Book of Mormon

While both groups use the Bible and the Book of Mormon, their "living" doctrine diverges sharply.

Standard Works vs. New Revelations

The LDS Church relies on the "Standard Works": The King James Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. While they believe in "continuing revelation," new doctrines are rarely introduced, and when they are, they usually involve organizational changes (like the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members regardless of race).

The FLDS Church places an immense weight on the "living word" of their specific Prophet. In many cases, the sermons and directives of the current FLDS leader can supersede established scripture. This has led to doctrines that are entirely absent from or even contradictory to mainstream LDS teachings, such as the total communal ownership of property and extreme restrictions on social interaction.

What is the Status of the FLDS Today?

It is important to note the current legal and social standing of the FLDS, as it explains much of the group's current state of flux.

The FLDS Church has faced significant legal challenges over the last two decades. Most notably, their former leader, Warren Jeffs, was convicted of crimes related to child sexual assault and is currently serving a life sentence in prison. Despite his incarceration, he is still considered the Prophet by many followers, and he continues to issue directives from prison.

This leadership vacuum and legal pressure have led to a fracturing of the FLDS. Some members have left the group entirely, while others have stayed but have seen the church's communal assets (the United Effort Plan trust) seized and redistributed by the state courts to provide housing and security for former members.

Frequently Asked Questions About LDS and FLDS

Is the FLDS a branch of the LDS Church?

No. The FLDS is a "breakaway" or "splinter" group. It has no affiliation with the mainstream LDS Church. The LDS Church does not recognize FLDS authority, and the FLDS views the LDS Church as having fallen away from the truth.

Do mainstream Mormons still practice polygamy in secret?

No. The LDS Church is strictly monogamous. Any member found practicing polygamy is excommunicated. While some individual "independent fundamentalists" may try to blend in, they are not members of the LDS Church.

Why do FLDS women wear those specific dresses?

The clothing is a manifestation of their belief in "modesty" and "uniformity." It serves to separate them from the outside world and demonstrates their submission to the church's standards of conduct.

Can an FLDS member join the LDS Church?

Yes, but they must first totally renounce the practice and belief in polygamy. They would also need to be baptized into the LDS Church, as the LDS Church does not recognize the validity of FLDS baptisms.

Are there other fundamentalist groups besides the FLDS?

Yes. There are several other groups, such as the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) and Kingstons (The Order), as well as many independent polygamous families. The FLDS is simply the most well-known due to its media coverage and the controversies surrounding its leadership.

Summary Table: LDS vs. FLDS at a Glance

Conclusion

The confusion between the LDS and FLDS churches is a result of shared history and a persistent cultural fascination with the fringes of American religious movements. However, once one looks past the "Mormon" label, the differences are stark.

The LDS Church is a modern, global institution that has adapted to the laws and norms of the 21st century while maintaining its core Christian-centric theology. The FLDS Church is a small, fundamentalist sect that has retreated from the world to preserve a 19th-century lifestyle and a controversial practice that the mainstream church abandoned over 130 years ago. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately interpreting news, social issues, and the religious landscape of the American West.