Facts

         •   The Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The term “Saint” means “member”.  Members of the Church are often referred to as “Latter-day Saints”,  “LDS” and are commonly nicknamed “Mormons”.          

         •   The Church was restored in 1830 in upstate New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president.  Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with President Thomas S. Monson as the present prophet.

         •   There are now over 13 million members worldwide. About 6 million of these are in the United States, making the Church the fourth largest Christian denomination in America.

         •   Local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members.  Both men and women serve in leadership positions.