Despite its rapid growth and ubiquitous missionary presence, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church, remains outside the mainstream of religious institutions. Some call the Church a cult, while some say it goes against Christian thinking, yet followers of the Church—which claims to have approximately 12 million members—believe otherwise.

Get an overview of the Church’s structure and beliefs, according to its gospel, and read a selected glossary of its terms.

According to the Church’s official Web site, God appeared to 14-year-old Joseph Smith as he was praying in a wooded grove near Palmyra, New York in 1820. He was instructed that God would soon restore the true church of Christ. Three years later, Smith claimed to receive a visitation from an angel called Moroni, who led him to unearth gold tablets inscribed with the religious writings of an ancient American civilization in a form of hieroglyphics. These engravings were later translated into The Book of Mormon.

In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized in Fayette, New York. After Smith was killed in 1844, Brigham Young succeeded him as the church’s leader.

In an effort to find a remote area where the Latter-day Saints could practice freely, Young led his followers west on what is now referred to as the Mormon Trail. In 1847 they arrived in Utah’s Great Salt Lake Valley to establish a new community, which today is modern-day Salt Lake City.

Latter-day Saints consider themselves to be Christian, but neither Catholic nor Protestant. Rather, the Church claims to be a restoration of the original church established by Jesus Christ during his lifetime, which disappeared after centuries of doctrinal modifications.

Latter-day Saints believe in a Godhead comprised of God, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. The contemporary church has a strict hierarchical—and patriarchal—structure for its governing body. Leading the Church is a president, revered as a living prophet, and two counselors. This unit is called the First Presidency. Beneath the First Presidency is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, charged with policy-making and the main administrative duties for the Church. Members believe that each person in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve receives divine relation and spiritual guidance.

All worthy male members over age 12 are allowed to acquire a level of priesthood within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The priesthood has two levels: the Aaronic, which is conferred to worthy males at the age of 12 and considered the “lesser priesthood”; and the Melchizedek, considered the “higher priesthood” and necessary for many positions of authority in the church, including missionary work. (This pertains to male missionaries only, known as Elders.)

The priesthood is solely reserved for male members of the Church. Female members belong to an organization called the Relief Society, which functions as social and charitable network, providing instruction on topics ranging from home and family management to literacy.

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