FLDS vs. LDS

With all the hustle and bustle of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the main stream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is also catching flak due to the similarity of their names.

The FLDS church is a break off from the LDS church which discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890.

According to the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the LDS church “has no affiliation whatsoever with any polygamous groups, including the polygamous sect in Eldorado, Texas.”

The former Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, of the LDS church said in reference to polygamous groups, “they are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law.”

The FLDS church was founded in 1935 by two ex-communicated members who felt that the practice of polygamy should still be a part of their religious practices.

The LDS church was recently asked by a judge to help take care of the FLDS children.

Scott Trotter, spokesman for the LDS church was quoted by the Salt Lake Tribune as saying, "it would be erroneous to base any request for assistance from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the basis that our beliefs and practices are close to those of this polygamous group because they are not."

Those without a clear background of the LDS church may associate the two churches together as being one.

This association could give the LDS church a bad reputation.

Bishop Kim Frame of Powell Wyoming said, “The church will be fine and the General Authorities will clear up any misconceptions that may occur.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook, an apostle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “appealed to the news media today to make a clear distinction in their reports between the Church and the polygamist sect in Texas that has made headlines throughout the world,” as stated by LDS.org.