FLDS vs LDS: What Faithful Latter Day Saints Should Know About the Differences

Introduction: Why This Matters

The LDS Church, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the restored Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. It is led by living prophets and apostles and guided by continuing revelation. But for many people outside the faith, the distinction between the LDS Church and splinter groups like the FLDS is not always clear.

It is vital to understand that the FLDS is not a branch of the LDS Church. It is a breakaway group that departed from the authority of the restored Church over a century ago. While the media often focuses on polygamy, the real divide involves doctrine, priesthood authority, revelation, and moral integrity.

A Brief History of the Split

In the early days of the Restoration, the Lord commanded a small number of Saints to practice plural marriage for a time. This commandment was never meant to be permanent. In 1890, the Lord revealed to President Wilford Woodruff that it was time for the Saints to cease the practice, and he issued the Manifesto to comply with both divine direction and the laws of the land.

The vast majority of Latter Day Saints accepted this revelation. However, a small group rejected the decision and claimed the Church had apostatized. These individuals went on to form what is now known as the FLDS and other fundamentalist movements. They rejected living prophets and clung to a past version of Church practice without priesthood authority or divine guidance.

Five Key Differences Between the LDS and FLDS Churches

1. Authority and Prophets

The LDS Church believes in continuing revelation through living prophets who are called and sustained by proper priesthood authority. President Russell M. Nelson is the current prophet, called of God and supported by apostles and general authorities around the world.

The FLDS rejects this authority. Instead, they follow leaders who claim divine revelation but are not sustained by the priesthood hierarchy. Some FLDS leaders, like Warren Jeffs, have been convicted of serious crimes and continue to issue false revelations from prison.

LDS Viewpoint: The heavens are open, but true revelation is never chaotic or abusive. It flows through the Lord’s authorized servants, not through self-appointed prophets.

2. Polygamy

Polygamy is the most well known difference, but it is only part of the picture. The LDS Church ceased the practice of plural marriage in 1890, and anyone who attempts to live it today is excommunicated.

The FLDS, by contrast, considers polygamy essential to salvation. They continue to practice and promote it even though it violates both Church doctrine and civil law.

LDS Viewpoint: The Lord gives and removes commandments according to His timing. Obedience to current revelation through living prophets is essential to true discipleship.

3. Temples and Sacred Ordinances

The LDS Church operates hundreds of temples around the world where sacred ordinances such as eternal marriage and sealing are performed by proper authority. These temples are holy places where reverence, cleanliness, and divine order prevail.

The FLDS has constructed buildings they call temples, but the ordinances performed inside are not authorized and do not carry eternal power. Many of their practices are hidden, secretive, and often abusive in nature.

LDS Viewpoint: Sacred ordinances must be performed under priesthood keys by those who have been properly called and set apart. Any attempt to imitate them outside the Lord’s Church is spiritually empty and dangerous.

4. Treatment of Women and Families

The LDS Church teaches the eternal worth of every soul, male and female. Marriage is based on love, mutual respect, and equality. Women serve in vital leadership roles in the Church and are beloved daughters of God.

The FLDS has gained notoriety for the mistreatment of women and children. Reports of underage marriages, forced unions, and emotional control are not just common but central to the power structure of FLDS leadership.

LDS Viewpoint: Abuse, coercion, and oppression are never part of Christ’s gospel. The restored Church of Jesus Christ defends the agency and dignity of every child of God.

5. Scripture and Doctrine

The LDS Church affirms the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as the standard works of scripture. All doctrine must align with these scriptures and be confirmed by the voice of the living prophet.

The FLDS often claims new revelations that override the scriptures or twist doctrine to suit their leaders. Many of these revelations contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ and create fear instead of faith.

LDS Viewpoint: True revelation builds on established truth and brings peace, not fear. The Lord’s house is a house of order, not confusion or secrecy.

The FLDS Does Not Represent Latter Day Saints

Let this be perfectly clear. The FLDS does not represent the beliefs, practices, or spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They are not a more extreme version of Mormonism. They are a false offshoot that rejected divine revelation, proper priesthood authority, and the guidance of living prophets.

We grieve the damage that their practices have caused and reject any attempt to associate faithful Latter Day Saints with their doctrines or behaviors. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of light, truth, love, and eternal purpose.

Conclusion: Stay Anchored to Living Prophets

The difference between the LDS Church and the FLDS is not about rules. It is about revelation. It is about who holds the priesthood of God and who speaks for Christ on the earth today.

The FLDS walked away from that authority long ago. The LDS Church continues forward with living prophets, modern temples, and a global body of Saints who follow Jesus Christ.

If you want to know where God’s Church is today, look for the fruits of the Spirit. Look for truth. Look for peace. And most of all, look to the living prophet.

“By their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:20