The Debate Over Latter-day Saints’ Christian Identity and Military Recognition

Pentagon’s Recent List Revision

The Pentagon’s recent changes to its list of recognized Christian religions have reignited a historic debate. The question is whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints qualifies as a Christian denomination. While most Latter-day Saints identify as Christians, many prominent Christian clergy and scholars differ. The disagreement centers on their view of God, the Trinity, and scripture that isn’t part of the traditional Christian Bible.

Utah’s U.S. Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, both Republicans and Latter-day Saints, have challenged the Pentagon’s omission of their faith from the Christian religion list. The Department of Defense has streamlined more than 200 religious affiliations for troops, omitting categories like atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans, and Wiccans. Curtis emphasized the patriotism and service orientation of Latter-day Saints on social media, asserting their Christianity based on their church’s name.

Additionally, Curtis condemned government mischaracterization of faiths, a sentiment echoed broadly in online reactions. The Pentagon responded by removing the Christian label from 20 other traditions, maintaining neutrality about labeling Latter-day Saints as Christians. The department clarified that this adjustment is aimed at helping chaplains effectively organize resources, not assessing the legitimacy of any faith.

Latter-day Saints on Their Christian Identity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referenced as the Mormon Church, has close to 18 million members, mainly located in Utah. They have a robust history of military service, highlighting values like patriotism and chaplaincy support.

Senator Lee remarked on social media how his church membership is deeply tied to his Christianity, a connection shared by millions of Latter-day Saints. According to the church’s website, it positions itself as a ‘Christian Church,’ distinct from Catholic or Protestant branches. It claims to restore the original Church of Jesus Christ, established in the New Testament. Central to their beliefs, Latter-day Saints emphasize following Jesus Christ’s example for achieving salvation.

The debate on their Christian identity dates back almost 200 years, tracing to the church’s founding.

Differing Views on God and Trinity

Matthew Bowman, an expert in Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University, noted the key differences between mainstream Christian denominations and Latter-day Saints. This difference lies in defining the nature of God and their perspective on the Trinity—the relationship among God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Traditional Christian faiths regard God as spirit, whereas the founders of Latter-day Saints believed God was once a human who elevated to Godhood. Additionally, Latter-day Saints do not accept the Nicene Creed, which portrays the Trinity as a singular divine entity.

The Vatican has consistent teachings on the non-Christian status of Latter-day Saints, most notably expressed in 2012. Despite their baptismal rites mentioning the Trinity, their beliefs deviate significantly from Catholic and mainline Christian doctrines, disqualifying their rite as Christian.

Political Tensions Over Religious Definitions

The longstanding debate influences U.S. politics, fueling tensions between evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints, both aligned with the religious right. Like evangelicals, Latter-day Saints often hold conservative views on topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ issues.

During Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, the question of their Christian identity became more pronounced. Bowman noted surprise among both Latter-day Saints and evangelicals about each group’s perception of the other’s Christianity.

The political landscape evolved with Trump’s rise, creating unease between these groups. Younger Latter-day Saints perceive evangelicals as antagonistic. A shift among evangelicals advocates for a forceful Christianity, vocal on doctrine, which some label Latter-day Saints as heretical.

Chaplains’ Challenges in Military Service

Former Air Force chaplain Philip McLemore recounted experiencing bias during his service, seeing promotions bypassed due to his faith. This sentiment mirrored the broader suspicion about Latter-day Saint chaplains’ intentions within the military.

Concerns arose from other Christian chaplains fearing proselytization by Latter-day Saints. McLemore empathized with their skepticism, acknowledging the exclusionary truth claims of the Latter-day Saints’ founders.

In McLemore’s view, the denomination mattered little in the military. Service members prioritized chaplains for personal support rather than religious guidance.

AP contributors Konstantin Toropin and Tiffany Stanley contributed additional reporting for this article.

Note: Associated Press’s religion coverage involves collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP retains full responsibility for the content.