Christian Divisions

When Joseph entered the Sacred Grove in the spring of 1820, he was unsure whether the Methodists, Presbyterians, or Baptists had the stronger claim to truth. He was confused by their continual sectarian "war of words and tumult of opinions." Joseph Smith History 1:10.

The US Census Bureau tabulated statistics on religious denominations in 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1890. Indeed, the Methodists (13K congregations in 1850), Presbyterians (5K congregations in 1850) and Baptists (9K congregations in 1850) were among the most powerful religious bodies in the US during Joseph's lifetime. Methodism began in Oxford, England in 1738 following the ideas of John Wesley (1703-1791). Presbyterianism grew out of the Church of Scotland ca. 1650 following the ideas of John Calvin (1509-1564) and John Knox (1514-1572). Baptism began in Holland in 1609 following the ideas of John Smyth (1554-1612) and Thomas Helwys (ca. 1575-1616).

In 1820 when Joseph went into the grove to pray, there were about a dozen major religious denominations in the US including Congregationalists, Jews, Lutherans, Quakers, and Roman Catholics. By 1850, the US Census Bureau recognized 18 principal religious denominations in the country, including the relative newcomer "Mormon" church. By 1870, that number had grown to 27 principal denominations, and by 1890 there were 145 religious denominations in the country according to the government tally.

The 20th Century saw a literal explosion in the number of religious organizations on earth. A reliable source for statistics within worldwide Christianity is the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. According to the CSGC, there were 47,300 Christian denominations in the world in 2023 and that number could reach 60,000 by the year 2050.

Joseph in 1820 had 12 organizations to choose from. Today he would have tens of thousands. Christian groups splinter from:

• differences of opinion in the interpretation of the Bible.
• different attitudes about contemporary social issues.
• personality conflicts among leaders.
• potential pastoral economic opportunity. 
• a trend among megachurches toward independence.

Splinter groups have broken off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the years, but the long-term effects on the main body have been minimal. By and large, the 17 Prophets and 103 Apostles called in this dispensation have done a remarkable job holding the center together since the Church was organized 194 years ago on April 6, 1830. Of course, the True Church has a huge advantage over the other Christian organizations on earth. We all have the Bible, which is a great start, but just like an infinite number of lines can be drawn through a single point, an infinite number of interpretations can create biblical cacophony.

An infinite number of lines can be
drawn through a single point

On the other hand, the True Church has both the Bible and the Book of Mormon and we all know how many lines can intersect two distinct points.

Only one line can intersect two points

This is a good example of the well-attested law of witnesses described in 2 Corinthians 13:1. It is also part of the sense of Ezekiel 37:16-20 where the stick of Judah (Bible) and the stick of Joseph (Book of Mormon) will become one. This is the meaning of 2 Nephi 3:12 that the Bible and the Book of Mormon will grow together to confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace.