latterday

Latterday, in the context of Latter-day Saint tradition, refers to a family of Restorationist Christian denominations that trace their origins to early 19th-century United States. The term signals the belief that believers live in the latter days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The movement began with Joseph Smith in western New York and rapidly expanded across North America and beyond.

Core beliefs center on the restoration of true Christian authority and ongoing revelation through living prophets. Adherents typically regard the Bible and the Book of Mormon as complementary scriptures, and many also accept additional standard works such as the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. A central emphasis is the authority of the priesthood, restored in the early 19th century, and the possibility of personal and communal revelation. Practices include baptism, the sacrament, temple ordinances, and family-centered worship, along with a strong missionary program.

Historically, the church grew from Smith’s Church of Christ to a centralized organization under leaders such as Brigham Young after Smith’s death. In the late 19th century, the mainstream church formally ended the practice of plural marriage. Today, governance in the largest body is by a lay clergy led by a First Presidency and a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with bishops and local leaders overseeing congregations.

Today’s Latter-day Saint movement comprises several denominations. The largest is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Other groups include the Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS Church) and various fundamentalist groups such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), which differ on doctrines and practices. The movement has a global presence, with substantial communities in the Americas, Africa, and beyond.