DOD removes "Christian" label from recognized religions after fury over Mormonism's exclusion

The Department of Defense has revised its new, shortened list of recognized religions after fury from Utah political leaders over not classifying Mormonism as a "Christian" faith.

Why it matters: The omission is stoking ire between conservative Latter-day Saints and the rest of the religious right, as some Evangelical Christians reiterate claims that the Utah-based faith is "demonic" and a "cult."

Catch up quick: The DOD drastically reduced its list of 211 religions officially recognized for the purpose of military chaplains' services, Military.com reported last week.

• Mormonism is among the 31 faiths that remain — but unlike Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans, Christian Scientists and others, Latter-day Saints weren't initially listed as "Christian."

Driving the news: The department revised its list to remove the "Christian" descriptor on Monday, saying the original contained "redundant and unnecessary labeling."

Yes, but: Mormonism's omission from the label had already produced a firestorm, as members of Utah's congressional delegation — all Latter-day Saints — defended their faith's belonging in the Christian fold.

• That led to an onslaught of condemnation from others identifying as Christians, who argued the Book of Mormon is heresy and the faith's founder Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

What they're saying: "The U.S. government has no business recognizing the Christianity of literally every other religious sect that worships Jesus Christ — with one exception," Sen. Mike Lee posted Sunday on X.

The big picture: Church leaders have long tried to partner with evangelicals on political goals, highlight the two groups' similarities and join other conservative faith groups in legal fights.

• The church also has eliminated some of the faith's uniquely Mormon features, from elaborate pageants to the word "Mormon" itself — measures some members and critics say are part of leaders' effort to ingratiate themselves with evangelicals.

Yes, but: Polling shows evangelicals aren't returning LDS affection.

Meanwhile, Mormon political solidarity with the right may be eroding. Latter-day Saints are one of just two major American religious groups that became more Democratic in the past two decades, a study this year showed.

Zoom out: That shift is getting national attention, especially because Arizona's 11 electoral votes could turn blue if enough Latter-day Saints there keep moving left.