FamilySearch Not Affiliated With Texas Polygamists

FamilySearch parent, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church), released a statement today praising U.S. media outlets for properly distinguishing between the "13-million-member international Church" and the small polygamous sect raided by Texas officials late last week. The statement noted that international news outlets haven't done as well, not always understanding that the two churches are separate and at odds with one another.

Confusion is understandable, given that the polygamists' call themselves the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or Fundamentalist Mormons. The Church notes in a November 2006 press release that the Associated Press Stylebook specifies that the term Mormon should be applied exclusively to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The term Mormon is so closely linked with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mormon missionaries, Mormon temples and members of the Church, that it causes confusion and offense when the term is applied to other religious groups such as the Texas sect.

With the statement today, the Church released two video clips reiterating that it has no affiliation whatever with polygamy or polygamous groups, having abandoned the practice in 1890, more than a hundred years ago.

If you can't play the video below, try this link.