How the LDS Church Views Other Religions: Official Beliefs & Interfaith Stance

LDS Perspective

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a position of respect for religious freedom and acknowledges that truth and light can be found in all faith traditions. Central to this belief is the Eleventh Article of Faith, which states, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." This principle establishes that the Church does not seek to coerce or denigrate those of other beliefs but defends every individual's right to follow their spiritual conscience. Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that God has inspired prophets and teachers throughout history and across cultures, resulting in many religions containing portions of truth that bless

Historical Perspective

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a complex theological position regarding other religions that balances exclusivist restoration claims with increasingly inclusivist rhetoric. Central to the LDS worldview is the doctrine of the Great Apostasy, which holds that following the death of the original apostles, the primitive Christian church lost divine authority through corruption and doctrinal deviation. According to this narrative, the centuries preceding Joseph Smith's 1820 First Vision constituted a period when the "true church" was absent from the earth, rendering existing Christian denominations devoid of priesthood authority. As documented in critical analyses of LDS claims, this doctrine presupposes that other churches—while perhaps containing elements of truth—l