Criticism of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has been subject to scholarly and religious criticism and public debate since its inception in the early 1800s. The discussion encompasses a wide range of issues from the church’s leaders, origins, and teachings, to its social and political stances. The historical claims of the church, including the authenticity of foundational books of scripture such as the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price, as well as the church's former practice of polygamy have faced public scrutiny. Changes in church teachings, as well as former teachings perceived as harsh or extreme face criticism as well. In the modern day, its historical teachings and policies around skin color and those around Black and Native American people, along with its past and current views on LGBTQ people and women have received greater public attention. Other controversies include church leaders' handling of sexual abuse cases, church finances, members critical of church leadership, and allegations of hiding or distorting parts of church history.

In the late 1820s, criticism centered around founder Joseph Smith stating he had been led to a set of golden plates from which he said the Book of Mormon was translated. In the 1830s, one of several criticisms was for Smith's handling of a banking failure in Kirtland, Ohio. The bulk of members moved to Missouri where there was fear and suspicion about the LDS Church's political and military power, culminating in the 1838 Mormon War and the Mormon Extermination Order by Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs. In the 1840s, criticism of the church centered on its theocratic aspirations in Nauvoo, Illinois. Criticism of the practice of religious polygamy called plural marriage and other doctrines taught by Smith were published in the Nauvoo Expositor. Smith ordered the destruction of the Expositor printing press. Opposition led to a series of legal challenges culminating in the arrest then death of Smith and his brother while jailed in 1844.

After Smith was killed, and a subsequent succession crisis, the majority of Mormons followed Brigham Young and migrated west beginning in 1847. As the church began openly practicing plural marriage under Young during the second half of the 19th century, the church became the target of nationwide criticism for that practice, as well as for the church's theocratic aspirations in Utah Territory. Young introduced policies in 1852 that discriminated against black men and women of African descent which were not reversed until 1978. Beginning in 1857, the church also came under significant media criticism after a militia of church members murdered around two hundred children, women, and men in the Mountain Meadows Massacre in southern Utah.

Academic critics have questioned the legitimacy of Smith and successors prophets as well as the historical authenticity of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham. Criticism has expanded to include assertions of historical revisionism, homophobia, racism, and sexist policies. Notable 20th-century critics include Jerald and Sandra Tanner and historian Fawn Brodie, and John Dehlin in the 21st century. Evangelical Christians continue to argue that Smith was either fraudulent or delusional. A 2023 survey of over 1,000 former church members (often called Ex-Mormons) in the Mormon corridor found the top three reported criticisms of the church that led to disaffiliation were: 1. Church history related to Joseph Smith; 2. The Book of Mormon; and 3. Race issues.