Official portrait
Why It Matters
A recent change to how the Pentagon categorizes military chaplain religious affiliations has drawn sharp criticism from Utah’s two U.S. senators, who say the decision unfairly excludes members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from recognition as Christians. The classification shift affects how military chaplains assess the religious makeup of their units and allocate spiritual resources to service members.
What Happened
The Department of Defense reorganized its religious affiliation categories for chaplain purposes, trimming a list of more than 200 denominations and faith traditions down to just 31. The revised list names 21 Christian religions, each with secondary identifying labels. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears on the new list — but separately, outside the Christian groupings.
Sean Parnell, a senior advisor to the Secretary of War, announced the consolidation as a practical measure designed to help chaplains better assess the religious composition of their units in order to direct resources effectively.
The restructured list also eliminates a range of smaller faith categories that previously held their own designations, including deists, druids, pagans, and several Wiccan traditions. Officials noted that service members are not restricted to the new list when choosing a religious affiliation for identification tags.
Senators Respond
Both of Utah’s Republican senators took to social media on June 6 to voice their objections. Sen. John Curtis called the classification an inaccurate characterization of LDS faith and said he is actively working to have the decision reversed. “Latter-day Saints are among the most patriotic, service-oriented individuals in our country,” Curtis wrote. “They are also unequivocally Christian.”
Sen. Mike Lee took a more pointed approach, questioning the reasoning behind the exclusion. “Can anyone tell me why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was left out of the list of Christian churches?” Lee posted on X.
By the Numbers
- Religious affiliation categories reduced from more than 200 to 31
- 21 of the 31 categories are designated as Christian denominations
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is listed separately from those 21 Christian entries
- Both senators posted their objections on June 6, 2026
Zoom Out
The LDS Church’s standing as a Christian denomination has long been a point of theological debate among various Protestant and Catholic groups, who cite doctrinal differences as grounds for the distinction. Members of the faith, however, firmly identify as Christian, centering their belief system on Jesus Christ. The Pentagon’s new categorization structure, whether intentionally or not, aligns with that sectarian debate in a way that many LDS members find offensive.
Utah has a significant LDS population, and members of the faith have historically shown high rates of military service — making this a particularly visible issue in the Mountain West. The senators’ pushback reflects the political importance of the LDS community in Utah’s Republican base and could prompt broader congressional attention to the classification decision.
The broader Pentagon reorganization of chaplain categories is part of ongoing efforts within the Department of Defense to streamline administrative processes, but it has now created an unintended religious flashpoint that reaches into Capitol Hill. Similar questions about federal recognition of minority religious groups have surfaced in other contexts as government agencies balance administrative efficiency with religious sensitivity.
What’s Next
Sen. Curtis indicated he is engaged in efforts to correct the classification, though no specific legislative vehicle or timeline has been announced. The issue is likely to draw additional attention from Utah’s congressional delegation and from LDS advocacy groups. Whether the Pentagon revisits the categorization — or clarifies the intended meaning of where the Church falls on the list — remains to be seen.
About the Author
