A controversy involving U.S. Army nominee Pete Hegseth’s pastor centers on remarks about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following backlash over the Pentagon’s recognized religions list. The pastor, Doug Wilson, has publicly criticized the Mormon faith, describing it as non-Christian and asserting that Latter-day Saints are “polytheists” who worship multiple gods. The comments have drawn attention because the Pentagon’s materials list Latter-day Saints among recognized religious groups, which critics argue contradicts Wilson’s characterization. Supporters of Wilson’s position argue his comments reflect theological disagreement about whether Mormonism fits mainstream Christian doctrine. Others dispute the pastor’s framing, pointing to the public identification of Latter-day Saints as a distinct religious tradition and questioning labeling it as polytheistic or outside Christianity. The dispute highlights broader tensions in U.S. political and religious debates over how religious identities are defined in official contexts and how leaders and commentators describe competing faiths.