The Pentagon released on Monday an updated version of its new policy classifying religious affiliation categories for service members, removing the “Christian” label and instead just listing all faith groups as their own categories.
The change comes after the Defense Department announced a change in the agency’s faith coding system, reducing the number of religious affiliation categories from over 200 down to just 31.
In its initial announcement, the Pentagon listed 21 of the religions as being under the “Christian” umbrella — but it left out The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prompting reaction from members of the faith, including lawmakers.
Several Latter-day Saint lawmakers, including Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis of Utah, and Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, protested the categorization and asked for it to be changed.
The Pentagon called the labeling a “mistake” that has now been fixed.
“In order to clarify the work of chaplains, and simplify the work of commanders, the Pentagon has consolidated and simplified the list to roughly thirty codes — using the previously used labels for faiths,” the department wrote. “The Pentagon’s job is not to adjudicate theological debates, but instead to ensure sincerely-held faith is respected and encouraged in our ranks.”
How Utah’s lawmakers helped secure the change
Members of Utah’s congressional delegation lobbied the Trump administration for the change, releasing statements over the weekend that the omission of Latter-day Saints as Christians was incorrect.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he spoke with President Donald Trump directly about the original policy update, which the Utah senator has publicly decried in more than two dozen social media posts and reshares over the weekend. While Lee did not share details of the conversation, he said he was “thrilled about where this is heading,” a change from what he was saying over the weekend.
“Secretary (Pete) Hegseth: Tear. Down. That. Wall,” Lee said in one video, directly referencing the defense secretary. “This is not cool. Get rid of it, get rid of it now. Thank you.”
Lee later thanked Hegseth in a separate social media post for updating the policy.
Sen. Curtis engaged with Pentagon
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, engaged in “active conversations” with the Pentagon about changing the designation, sources familiar with those interactions told the Deseret News. Curtis’ office spoke directly with Defense Department officials on Monday, just hours before the update was issued.
“Thank you to (Hegseth) for listening to our concerns, engaging thoughtfully and respectfully with my office on this issue, and for delivering a swift correction,” Curtis wrote in a statement.
Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, also reached out to the DOD directly “to request clarification and correction regarding the omission of the LDS Church from the Christian denomination category,” his office told the Deseret News. Kennedy responded to the policy change over the weekend, calling it “wrong” and that it “needs to be corrected.”
“No one needs to wonder where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stand. We stand with Christ. We are Christians,” Kennedy said. “On that ground, and on the much larger ground of shared faith, values, and purpose, Latter-day Saints stand alongside many Christians of every tradition in following the teachings of Christ. We only ask to be accurately portrayed.”
Rep. Blake Moore told the Deseret News he had engaged with other members of the delegation as well as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to encourage the Pentagon to make the change — and expressed gratitude it was made.
“Christians are followers of Christ. Latter-day Saints are followers of Christ. Our members are unequivocally Christian,” Moore said in a statement on Sunday before the change. “I hope not listing my faith as Christian is a simple omission.”
Other members criticized policy change
Other Utah members in the congressional delegation weighed in on the decision this weekend, all pointing to their own religious beliefs as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, expressed confidence that members of the church serving in military leadership will work toward securing an update — and pointed to comments from Trump last year in which he recognized Latter-day Saints as being Christian.
“Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians. We worship Jesus Christ, strive to follow His teachings, and His name is even in the name of our Church,” Maloy said. “As we learn more about the reasoning behind this change, I look forward to having conversations that will ensure all service members receive the religious support and First Amendment protections they deserve.”
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, reflected on his conversion to the church during his time playing in the National Football League. Owens cited the emphasis of Christ that he says is central to the teachings he has received.
“Our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, keeps every promise,” he said in a statement. “I read, prayed, asked, and listened. He answered. That decision will bless my family and me for an Eternity.”