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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church, is a faith that is often misunderstood, despite having approximately 15 million followers. With over 74,000 active missionaries worldwide, it is one of the fastest-growing Christian denominations. In the U.S., it ranks as the fourth-largest church. However, many of its teachings and customs are frequently misinterpreted. Here are ten of the most widespread misconceptions about the Mormon Church and its members.
10. Mormons Practice Polygamy
While the church once permitted and even encouraged polygamy among its members, the practice was officially abandoned in 1890 after numerous disputes between the church, the state of Utah, and the federal government. Following the Manifesto that prohibited plural marriage, polygamy has remained contrary to church teachings and policy ever since.
In 1904, a second manifesto was issued after church president Joseph F. Smith testified before the US Congress, officially renouncing polygamy. Since then, only groups labeled as 'fundamentalists' (who are not affiliated with the Mormon Church) continue practicing it. Any Mormon found practicing plural marriage today is excommunicated.
9. Join the Church and Move to Utah
Following the great Mormon migration to Utah in 1846, the state's population has seen a significant Mormon presence. Today, about 62% of Utah’s population is Mormon, and the church's headquarters are situated in Salt Lake City, the state's capital.
Although the majority of U.S. Mormons live in Utah, there are congregations across all states and in over 100 countries worldwide. Of the nearly 15 million members globally, most live outside Utah and in other nations. Joining the church does not require relocating to Utah, as many mistakenly think. While it’s common for Mormons to visit Utah at least once, it’s not a necessity.
8. Mormons Are Not Allowed to Use Birth Control
Mormon families are generally larger than the average family. In the U.S., the typical Mormon family has about 3.4 children, compared to 2.3 for most Christian families. The church encourages family growth, which contributes to this higher number of children. This has led to the misconception that Mormons, similar to Catholics, are not permitted to use birth control to prevent pregnancies.
The church does not impose restrictions on the use of birth control, but it does oppose abortion. The church teaches that the relationship between a husband and wife is sacred and private, and thus, the decision of how many children to have is entirely up to them. Like any family, Mormons plan their families and may choose to use birth control if they wish.
7. Women Have a Submissive Role in Mormonism
Over the years, the role of women in Mormonism has faced considerable scrutiny, leading to a number of misconceptions about their place in the church and family life. While fundamentalist groups often have harsh views towards women, the mainstream church has experienced a shift in the roles assigned to women, showing an evolution over time.
At the time of its founding in the early 19th century, the Mormon Church reflected the broader societal limitations on women's rights in the U.S. As the Suffragette movement and feminism gained ground, the position of women began to transform. Today, the church has taken steps to allow women to participate in areas that were once exclusively male, such as scholarships at Brigham Young University, giving speeches at General Conference, and appointing women to the executive council. Although these changes have been gradual, the church is progressively aligning with modern ideals of equality.
6. The Mormon Church Has Racist Tendencies
The Mormon Church was established at a time when slavery was still legal in the United States. Like many other religious organizations of the period, it accepted and even justified slavery, with some leaders suggesting it had divine approval. Thankfully, slavery has been abolished, but church policies towards Black members were not revised until much later. Although the modern church is often viewed as racist due to this historical context, this perspective is a misconception.
Before 1978, Black members of the Mormon Church were not permitted to hold the lay priesthood or participate in temple ceremonies. In that year, a revelation to Spencer W. Kimball led to the lifting of all racial restrictions within the church. Today, the Mormon Church strongly condemns racism and has no policies that limit participation based on race. Around three to five percent of the congregation is of African descent, with a significant number of them residing in Africa.
5. Mormons Do Not Worship Joseph Smith and Do Not Consider Him Divine
For those with only a basic understanding of Mormonism, Joseph Smith is often a notable figure. However, many misunderstand the level of reverence he is given in the faith, assuming he is regarded as divine like Jesus. In truth, Mormons view Joseph Smith as the founder of their faith and a significant prophet, but they do not consider him to be divine in any way.
Mormons regard prophets as human beings with flaws, not perfect individuals. They believe that prophets are chosen by God for a sacred purpose, but they do not hold the same divine status as Jesus. A passage from the Doctrine and Covenants 135 may contribute to this misconception: 'Joseph Smith [ . . ] has done more save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world.'
4. Mormons Do Believe in the Bible
Some may assume that because Mormons have the Book of Mormon, they do not consider the Christian Bible to be sacred. However, Mormons do believe the Bible is the word of God, albeit with some reservations. They hold that the Bible contains mistakes, which arose as the text was compiled, translated, and transcribed over the centuries.
Despite any errors that Mormons may perceive in the Bible, it is still one of the four key texts that make up their doctrine of faith. Along with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, Mormons also revere the teachings of modern-day prophets and apostles. The main distinction between the Mormon faith and other Christian denominations is that Mormons believe divine revelation did not cease with the Bible. It continued through the Book of Mormon, which was translated by the faith’s founder, Joseph Smith.
3. Your Work Alone Won't Earn You a Spot in Heaven
In most Christian denominations, the general belief is that faith in Jesus as the Savior and a desire for forgiveness for past sins will grant a baptized person entry into Heaven. A common misconception about Mormonism is that a person’s work alone can secure a place in Heaven, irrespective of their path toward salvation.
Over time, priests and prophets have interpreted the Book of Mormon and other church teachings to suggest that certain actions, or “works,” can elevate one’s standing toward achieving the highest levels of exaltation in the Kingdom of God. However, performing these works is not a requirement for entering Heaven. These works include, or have included, baptisms for the dead, church-endorsed marriages, adherence to the commandments, and plural marriage (which is no longer practiced).
2. Mormons Do Not Practice Strange Rituals
Mormon rituals and ordinances are often shrouded in secrecy, leading to the misconception that they engage in bizarre temple practices. While Mormons do perform certain sacred activities exclusively within their temples, such as baptisms, confirmations, marriage sealings, and prayer circles, these are not open to public view.
When comparing Mormon practices to those of other religions, they don't stand out as strange or out of the ordinary. While temple ceremonies are not public, regular services like Sunday worship are open to all, which doesn't make them any more unusual than those of other faiths.
1. Caffeine is Prohibited
A common misconception about Mormons comes from their dietary guideline known as the 'Word of Wisdom,' which prohibits 'hot drinks.' However, this refers specifically to coffee and tea, not caffeine in general. Mormons abstain from tobacco and alcohol, but there are no restrictions on caffeine consumption.
The church promotes healthy living for its members and provides dietary guidelines, which has contributed to the misconception. Since the ban on hot drinks only applies to coffee and tea, Mormons are allowed to drink sodas freely, but they are prohibited from consuming decaffeinated tea or coffee. Some individuals have misunderstood the 'Word of Wisdom' to also prohibit iced tea and coffee.
