Who were the original Mormons?

Answer 1

There are a few ways to answer this question:

First, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) believe that their religion was founded by God the Father and Jesus Christ, and so they may say that God was the original Mormon.

Second, members of the Church believe that their religion is the same which was followed by God's people in Biblical times, so they may answer that Adam and Eve were the original Mormons.

Third, some will answer with the names of the first six members of the Church - that is, the six men who were required by law at the time to sign on as members in order to incorporate the Church as a legal entity. These men were Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith (Joseph's brother), Samuel H. Smith (Joseph's brother), David Whitmer, and Peter Whitmer, Jr. Their first official meeting to legally organize the Church was held on April 6, 1830, with approximately 30 other men and women present. Some of these had previously been baptized and others were baptized following the meeting.

Answer 2

The first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were called "Mormons", just as they often are today. This is a nickname given to them by those who opposed the Church, and is that of an ancient prophet who wrote the Book of Mormon.

Although it was taken offensively in the early days of the Church, most modern Church members have accepted the nickname "Mormon", as it is easier to say than "Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", however, they would prefer to be called "LDS" or "Latter-day Saints."