Abstract: A method is provided to effectively allow a mobile terminal's user to search for a desired SMS message in a list of received SMS messages. The list of received SMS messages is displayed on a display unit, and a plurality of search method options are provided to allow the user to search for an SMS message according to a plurality of search conditions. The search method options may be based on user data, a callback number and an origination address, respectively. If the user selects one of the search method options, a search condition window corresponding to the selected search method option is displayed on the display unit. The user inputs a search condition for searching for the desired SMS message via the displayed search condition window. The terminal's controller searches for an SMS message corresponding to the input search condition, and displays the retrieved SMS message on a display unit.