The Defense Department revises a list of religious categories service members can select for official records after lawmakers raised objections to an earlier version, according to multiple outlets. The original list grouped many faiths under the “Christian” label but did not include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) among those traditions labeled Christian. Mormon lawmakers publicly protested the omission, which they said led to the LDS being treated differently than other Christian-designated groups.
In response, the Pentagon changes its religious designations, updating how faith traditions are categorized. The New York Times and The Washington Post report that the adjustment follows congressional complaints about how the LDS is represented in the Pentagon’s categories. The Hill adds that the policy revision comes amid broader debate over the Pentagon’s approach to faith “codes” and notes that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously signaled plans to reduce or alter the faith codes.
All accounts describe the same core sequence: an initial Pentagon list leaves out LDS under “Christian,” lawmakers object, and the Pentagon revises the categories that troops can register.
