Latter-day Saints

Latter-day Saints is a term used to refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon Church). Within the Church, the term is often shortened to LDS or simply the Saints. The term "Mormon" is often used to refer to members, but members much prefer the term Latter-day Saints or simply LDS.

Latter-day Saints are known for their devotion to their families, their integrity, their clean and moral lifestyles, as well as their willingness to help others. All of these things are a part of their lives because of the Church's doctrine and beliefs. To be considered a worthy or "active" member of the Church, a person must abide by the Word of Wisdom, which teaches that members should not partake of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, coffee or tea. They are to eat good foods, exercise, and go to bed early and rise early.

In accordance with Mormon belief, members are also expected to abide by a strict code of morality. There is to be complete abstinence from sexual relations before marriage, and members are to have sexual relations only with their spouse to whom they are legally married.

In an official declaration made by the Church we read:

The family is ordained of God…. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity…. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)

The Church encourages Latter-day Saints to create strong families. They ask all families in the Church to set aside one day a week specifically for spiritual teaching and bonding in the family (known as Family Home Evening).

From an early age members of the Mormon Church are taught to show their love for those around them through service. It is not uncommon to hear of teenagers providing service at a local nursing home or helping a family in need. This teaching is further taught through service that members are asked to provide within the Church. Teachers, bishops, presidencies, and those who provide music in the Church all do so out of charity; none are paid for their services.

Members are also asked to give of their own substance to help those in need. The first Sunday of each month is set apart as fast Sunday. On this day members are asked to go without eating two meals then donate the money they would have spent on those meals to the Church to be used to help provide for those who are in need. Sometimes, the funds are used for a specific people or need. For example, this story was shared by President Gordon B. Hinckley,

My mind goes back to one Sunday, a few years ago, when the Presidency of the Church asked that our people fast for two meals and consecrate the equivalent value, and more, to help the homeless and hungry in areas of Africa where we had no members, but where there was much of famine and suffering. On Monday morning the money began to come in. There were hundreds of dollars, and then thousands of dollars, then hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then millions of dollars. These consecrated funds became the means of saving many who otherwise might have starved (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good,’” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 51).

Latter-day Saints are always encouraged to continue improving and making themselves better. Again from President Hinckley, "May God help us to be a little kinder, showing forth greater forbearance, to be more forgiving, more willing to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more" (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 81).

To be a Latter-day Saint means a lot of things. It is a commitment that requires one's heart, might, mind, and strength every day of the week. Being a Latter-day Saint entails service, love, sacrifice, following high standards, and above all, following Christ.