What Is The Derivation Of The Term Affixed To The Mormons - "Latter Day Saints"?........

[global1]

Is it because Mormonism is a more contemporary religion that came into existence in the U.S. through Joseph Smith? That might explain the 'latter day' part but who are the 'saints'? Because Rmoney is a bishop in this church - is he considered a 'saint' in their eyes?

or is there some other meaning to the term 'latter day saints' that I'm just not understanding?

[cthulu2016]

1. Well, a Saint is anyone in heaven

The Catholic saints are people so good that it has been determined they are sure to be in heaven already, but I think every saved soul will be a saint.

[Sheepshank]

2. "Saints" in mormondom is not the same as cannonized Catholic saints.

in LDS doctrine...all faithful Mormons are considered saints. Living or dead.

As for the Latter-Day part. According to mormondom, the church (and it's "true" inspired doctrines) was lost for a period of time, and was brought back to the saints through Jospeh Smith and the golden plates, in these more latter days.

So the modern day (since early 1800's) mormons are Latter-Day Saints.

[Lionessa]

3. Depends on when you ask the question.

According to my mormon ex-neighbors of 20 years, if you asked before the Utah Olympics, the explanation was that mormon's believed Jesus Christ was a disciple but not the messiah (even though they clearly put the "Christ" after Jesus which indicates son-of-god), and that the messiah would appear but as yet had not.

Since the concerns about cultism surround the Olympics, they changed their story and now supposedly are simply a Christian sect, ie they now I guess accept JC as the messiah, but still believe another is on the way.

I am not a mormon, just repeating what I was told.

[quinnox]

4. who cares really *shrug*

Why do Christians have so many different denominations with odd names, or why does any religion use certain names and titles.

[HopeHoops]

5. They're beyond the day of saints - I think it's a sports reference.