Pentagon Streamlines Recognized Religious Categories from 211 to 31 for Chaplain Efficiency

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is listed separately from other Christian faiths. Utah lawmakers expressed discontent with the new list because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was excluded as a Christian religion.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted on X on Sunday calling for the Pentagon to undo the revised religious list. Lee stated: “Secretary Hegseth—tear down that wall! This is not cool! ” He added that the policy is repugnant to any sense of decency, any sense of our common heritage and our common belief that the government needs to not weigh in on doctrinal disputes between various religious denominations.

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) posted on X on Sunday that the revisions went too far. Curtis stated that Latter-day Saints are among the most patriotic, service-oriented individuals in our country and are unequivocally Christian.

He said it is unacceptable for a government entity to characterize a faith in a manner that contradicts the religion’s own foundational tenets and that he is working to ensure a correction is made. Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) stated on social media that the list does not accurately portray LDS followers and strongly urged the Department to correct the record.

He added that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stand with Christ, are Christians, and stand alongside many Christians of every tradition in following the teachings of Christ. Rep.

) posted on X that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth owes an honest explanation about the new list. Stanton stated that about 250,000 Latter-day Saints live in Maricopa County alone.

U.S. Military. com reached out for comment to Sen. Mike Lee's office and the LDS Church. U.S. military veterans from different faith-based backgrounds described the change as the current administration's continued efforts to push Christian theocracy across the armed services.