Editing Mormonism (section)

===Mainstream Mormon theology===
{{See also|Beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

Mainstream Mormonism is defined by the leadership of the LDS Church which identifies itself as Christian.<ref name = aremormonschristian/> Members of the LDS Church consider their top leaders to be prophets and [[Apostle (Latter Day Saints)|apostle]]s, and are encouraged to accept their positions on matters of theology, while seeking confirmation of them through personal study of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. Personal prayer is encouraged as well. The LDS Church is by far the largest branch of Mormonism. It has continuously existed since the [[Succession crisis (Latter Day Saints)|succession crisis]] of 1844 that split the Latter Day Saint movement after the death of founder Joseph Smith, Jr.

The LDS Church seeks to distance itself from other branches of Mormonism, particularly those that practice polygamy.<ref>The LDS Church encourages journalists not to use the word ''Mormon'' in reference to organizations or people that practice polygamy {{cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/style-guide |title=Style Guide – LDS Newsroom |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |archive-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613210818/https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/style-guide |url-status=live }}; The church repudiates polygamist groups and excommunicates their members if discovered {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=91}}; {{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25396937 |title=Mormons seek distance from polygamous sects |year=2008 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814120608/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25396937 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The church maintains a degree of orthodoxy by excommunicating or disciplining its members who take positions or engage in practices viewed as apostasy. For example, the LDS Church excommunicates members who practice polygamy or who adopt the beliefs and practices of Mormon fundamentalism.{{cn|date=February 2025}}