LDS

LDS is a common abbreviation of the term Latter-day Saint and is often used (usually as an adjective) to refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(e.g. the Osmonds are LDS) and things that are related to the Church. This is an alternative to referring to things as being Mormon, as both terms have largely the same meaning.

The name of the LDS Church is meant to name it after Jesus Christ. Christ said:

Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel (3 Nephi 27:7, 8).

In the New Testament, Paul called fellow members of Christ's church "Saints" (Philippians 4:1, 22; Romans 8:27; Romans 12:13) The addition of the phrase "Latter-day Saints" is meant to indicate that these are the Saints of the last days, or of the re=established Church of Christ in the last days.

The term "LDS" may be used as a noun or an adjective.