LDS ‘Headquarters Culture’ And The Rest Of Mormonism: Past And Present The Mormon doctrine of “Gathering” created a distinctive culture at the headquarters of the LDS church. During founder Joseph Smith’s life, this “headquarters culture” had pronounced differences of theology, Church practice, and culture from the experience of Mormons who lived distant from the headquarters. This had profound consequences following Joseph’s 1844 martyrdom. This paper examines the significance and changes of LDS headquarters culture in Smith’s lifetime, in pioneer Utah Mormonism, and in 20th-century Mormonism. I also suggest possible directions for the headquarters culture in the 21st century. In addition to emphasizing the distant past, this presentation invites the audience to participate in walking down “Memory Lane” by sharing their own experiences with this dynamic.

D. Michael Quinn