[svcw]

It matters not what the numbers are.
Joseph Smith had a religion the flds stuck with those teaching and over the years there were off shoots, of which developed in the SLC lds which does not practice the Joseph Smith mormonISM as orginally taught. Numbers or not that is the way it is.
You really need to learn about mormonISM before you defend it.

[palmer]

over the years there were off shoots, of which developed in the SLC lds which does not practice the Joseph Smith mormonISM as orginally taught

The LDS evolved to roll back their illicit or illegal practices like polygamy or some racial views. Not all the LDS liked that rolling back, so groups like FLDS splintered off.

Here's a better example of what you are describing. It can easily be argued that the original Christian church exists in the social group sometimes known as Friends (not Society of Friends aka Quakers). The group traces their roots to the beginning of Christianity so every other Christian church is an offshoot. The question is, would this group be recognized as the original Church? Would Catholics (just as one example) admit that they are offshoots?

I think not. Nor would be LDS be considered an "offshoot" of FLDS.