Forms of Address
How to address LDS and Salvation Army officials
An LDS (Latter-day Saint) Bishop, who leads a local congregation, is addressed as "Bishop [Full Name]" directly, with "Dear Bishop [Last Name]:" as the salutation, distinct from the Catholic or Anglican Bishop title despite the shared word. A Salvation Army officer holds a military-style rank, addressed as "[Rank] [Full Name]," such as "Major [Full Name]" or "Captain [Full Name]."
Checked September 10, 2026/5 min read
Written by Claire PostReviewed against USPS Publication 28
What is on this page6 sections
LDS and Salvation Army titles get grouped together here mainly because both sit outside the mainstream Christian clergy hierarchies covered elsewhere on this site, not because the two organizations have anything structurally in common with each other.
An LDS Bishop title borrows a word from mainstream Christianity but means something organizationally different, a local, lay, time-limited role. A Salvation Army rank borrows its entire structure from the military instead, reflecting the organization own explicitly military-inspired founding.
Step by step
Address an LDS Bishop by the title directly before the name
An LDS Bishop leads a local congregation (a ward) as a lay, unpaid role, distinct from the Catholic or Anglican Bishop, who oversees many congregations. Address them as "Bishop [Full Name]," with "Dear Bishop [Last Name]:" as the salutation.
BISHOP THOMAS R HANSEN450 TEMPLE VIEW DRSALT LAKE CITY UT 84103CorrectStandard envelope format for an LDS Bishop. Address higher LDS leadership by their specific office
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are addressed as "Elder [Full Name]," and the President of the Church as "President [Full Name]," each reflecting a distinct, specific office within the LDS organizational structure.
Address a Salvation Army officer by their military-style rank
The Salvation Army uses a rank structure similar to the military: Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, and General. Address an officer as "[Rank] [Full Name]," with "Dear [Rank] [Last Name]:" as the salutation.
Know that Salvation Army rank reflects tenure, not congregation size
Unlike a military rank tied to command authority over troops, Salvation Army rank primarily reflects years of service and is not a direct indicator of the size or importance of the officer current post.
Quick reference
| Title | Envelope | Salutation |
|---|---|---|
| LDS Bishop (local congregation) | Bishop [Full Name] | Dear Bishop [Last Name]: |
| LDS Elder (Quorum of the Twelve) | Elder [Full Name] | Dear Elder [Last Name]: |
| LDS Church President | President [Full Name] | Dear President [Last Name]: |
| Salvation Army Officer | [Rank] [Full Name] | Dear [Rank] [Last Name]: |
Special cases
The rule above covers most people. Here is what changes for the rest.
Is an LDS Bishop paid clergy, the way a Catholic Bishop is?
No, an LDS Bishop is a lay member serving in an unpaid, time-limited role, typically for several years, while also holding an ordinary civilian job. This differs meaningfully from the full-time, ordained Bishop role in Catholic or Anglican tradition, though the address form, Bishop plus name, is similar in structure.
Does a Salvation Army officer rank ever change based on their assignment?
Rank generally reflects years of active service and is retained across different assignments, similar to a military officer keeping their rank when transferred to a new post.
Key terms on this page
- Ward
- A local LDS congregation, led by a Bishop, roughly analogous in scope to a parish in other Christian traditions.
- Salvation Army officer
- An ordained Salvation Army minister holding a military-style rank, reflecting the organization origin as a mission structured along military lines.