What Happened to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traces its origins to Joseph Smith Jr., who, in 1820, reported a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in upstate New York. This experience led to the formal organization of the Church on April 6, 1830, initially known as the Church of Christ. Early converts were drawn to the newly published Book of Mormon, which Smith claimed to have translated from ancient golden plates, and the belief in a restoration of Christ's original church and priesthood authority.

Persecution and opposition prompted the early Latter-day Saints to move westward, eventually leading to the epic migration under Brigham Young, who succeeded Joseph Smith as leader after Smith's assassination in 1844. In 1847, Young led pioneers to the Great Salt Lake Valley, establishing a refuge that would become the headquarters of the Church in Utah. This period saw significant colonization across the American West. The Church later officially discontinued the practice of plural marriage in 1890, a pivotal moment in its integration into mainstream American society, and Utah achieved statehood in 1896.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Church has transformed into a global institution, with a strong emphasis on missionary work and temple building. By 2025, it reported over 17.8 million members, with a majority residing outside the United States, and more than 200 dedicated temples worldwide. This global expansion is fueled by a large volunteer missionary force, which saw a record 385,490 convert baptisms in 2025, an almost 25% increase over 2024.

Financially, the Church operates through member donations, primarily tithing. Its investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, manages a substantial portfolio, estimated at $56.6 billion in public stocks as of May 2026, with significant holdings in tech giants. In 2023, Ensign Peak Advisors and the Church paid a $5 million penalty to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to file required disclosures, bringing increased public scrutiny to its financial transparency. In February 2026, Ensign Peak Advisors reportedly executed its largest stock sell-off to date, totaling approximately $7.7 billion.

As of May 30, 2026, the Church continues its global outreach and humanitarian efforts. In March 2026, it released its "Caring for Those in Need: 2025 Report," detailing $1.58 billion in humanitarian expenditures across 196 countries and territories, encompassing 3,514 projects. These efforts focus on areas like food security, clean water, healthcare, and education. The April 2026 General Conference saw the formal sustaining of Dallin H. Oaks as the 18th President of the Church, following the passing of President Russell M. Nelson in September 2025. The conference emphasized themes of loving God and neighbor, peacemaking, and the central role of Jesus Christ. The Church also announced updates for new temples, including a second temple planned for Greenville, South Carolina.