You’ve probably seen them. Two young guys in white shirts and ties, biking through your neighborhood or knocking on doors with a polite smile. Maybe you’ve heard the rumors about "magic underwear" or wondered why your coworker won’t touch a cup of coffee. Honestly, there’s a lot of noise out there about what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actually believe.
People call them Mormons. It’s a nickname that stuck because of the Book of Mormon, but if you ask them, they’ll tell you they prefer the full name of their church. Why? Because at the center of the beliefs of the Mormons is a deep, often misunderstood devotion to Jesus Christ.
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It’s Not Just the Bible (But They Love the Bible)
A common myth is that Mormons threw the Bible out the window once Joseph Smith showed up. Not true. Walk into any chapel on a Sunday and you’ll see people carrying the King James Version. But here is where it gets interesting: they don't believe the Bible is the only word of God.
They believe in "open canon." Basically, they think God didn't just stop talking to humans when the New Testament ended. To them, the Book of Mormon is a second witness of Jesus, telling a story about ancient prophets in the Americas. It’s like a sequel that clarifies the original.
Then there’s the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. These are collections of revelations and writings that handle the nitty-gritty of church organization and more complex theology. It’s a lot of reading. But for a believer, it’s all part of one big, unfolding story.
The Nature of God: A Different Kind of Trinity
If you grew up with the Nicene Creed, the Mormon view of God might make your head spin. Most Christians believe in the Trinity—one God in three persons, co-equal and co-substantial. Mormons say, "Hold on a second."
They believe in the Godhead. To them, God the Father (Elohim), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three entirely separate, distinct beings.
- God the Father: Has a physical body of flesh and bone.
- Jesus Christ: Also has a physical body, resurrected and perfected.
- The Holy Ghost: A personage of spirit.
Why does this matter? Because they believe we are literally the spirit children of God. It’s not just a metaphor. They believe we lived with Him before we were born—a concept called "pre-mortal existence." This changes the whole vibe of life. You’re not just a random accident; you’re a divine being on a field trip to Earth to get a body and learn some hard lessons.
Families are Forever (Literally)
This is the big one. If you’ve ever seen a Mormon temple—those massive, white, castle-like buildings—you might have wondered what happens inside. No, it’s not secret rituals involving goats. It’s mostly about family.
Mormons believe that marriage shouldn't end at "until death do us part." They practice something called sealing. They believe that through priesthood authority, families can be bound together for eternity.
This is also why they are so obsessed with genealogy. If you’ve ever used Ancestry.com, you’ve used Mormon-funded tech. They track down their ancestors to perform "proxy baptisms" for them. They aren't trying to force dead people to join the church; they believe they are just offering the choice to those who didn't get the chance in this life. It’s a "you do you" situation in the afterlife.
The Three Degrees of Glory
Forget the traditional "Heaven or Hell" binary. Mormon afterlife looks more like a tiered subscription plan:
- Celestial Kingdom: The top tier. Where God lives. For those who made and kept sacred covenants.
- Terrestrial Kingdom: For "honorable people" who were good but maybe didn't fully commit to the whole gospel path.
- Telestial Kingdom: For the "bad" people. But even this place is described as being more beautiful than Earth.
Honestly, in their view, almost everyone gets a version of heaven. Only a tiny, tiny group of people (called "Sons of Perdition") end up in what we’d think of as Hell.
The "No Coffee" Rule and Other Lifestyle Quirks
Let’s talk about the Word of Wisdom. In 1833, Joseph Smith put out a health code. At the time, people thought it was weird. Today, some of it seems like common sense, while other parts are still debated in the breakroom.
Members avoid:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Illegal drugs
- "Hot drinks" (which has been defined specifically as coffee and tea)
It’s not about the caffeine. If it were, they wouldn't drink as much Diet Coke as they do (and trust me, they drink a lot of it). It's about a religious law of health and keeping the "body as a temple."
The Underwear Question
Yes, they wear "garments." It’s a white undershirt and shorts worn daily by adult members who have made special promises in the temple. It’s not "magic." It’s a symbolic reminder of their commitment to God, similar to a nun’s habit or a yarmulke, just worn underneath the clothes instead of on top.
Why Do They Send Missionaries?
The "Elder" on the bike? He’s usually 18 or 19 years old. He’s paying his own way to be there. He isn't getting paid by the church. In fact, his family is likely sending him money every month so he can buy groceries in a city he’s never visited before.
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The goal isn't just to "get converts." It’s a rite of passage. It’s two years (or 18 months for women) of intense service, teaching, and usually learning a new language. It builds a level of discipline that carries over into their professional lives later, which is why you see so many former missionaries in high-level business or government roles.
What Most People Get Wrong
We have to address the elephant in the room: Polygamy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not practiced polygamy for over 130 years. It ended in 1890. If someone is practicing it today, they aren't part of the mainstream church—they’re likely part of a fundamentalist breakaway group. Bringing up polygamy to a modern Mormon is kinda like bringing up the Crusades to a modern Catholic. It’s in the history books, but it’s not the current reality.
Another big one? That they don't believe in grace.
There’s this idea that Mormons believe they can "work" their way into heaven. While they do emphasize "enduring to the end" and keeping commandments, their modern teaching heavily stresses that without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, no amount of good deeds matters. It’s a "faith plus works" combo.
Actionable Insights for Engaging with the Faith
If you’re researching the beliefs of the Mormons for personal knowledge or because you have a friend in the faith, here are a few practical ways to navigate the topic:
- Check the Source: If you want to know what they actually believe, go to their official site (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Anti-Mormon literature and "faithful-only" sources both have biases; the official Newsroom usually has the most direct doctrinal statements.
- Ask About the "Why": Most Mormons love talking about their beliefs but hate being grilled. Instead of asking "Why can't you drink coffee?", try asking "How does your health code impact your daily life?"
- Respect the Sacred: If a friend is hesitant to talk about the details of what happens in the temple, it’s not because they are hiding something nefarious. They view those ceremonies as "sacred, not secret."
- Visit a Ward: Their Sunday services (called "wards") are open to the public. You don't need an invitation. Just show up. There’s no collection plate, so you won't be asked for money.
- Genealogy Help: If you’re stuck on your family tree, reach out to a local FamilySearch center. They are staffed by volunteers (often missionaries) who will help you for free, regardless of your religious background.
Understanding this faith requires looking past the pop-culture caricatures. Whether you agree with their theology or not, their focus on family stability, health, and community service has made them one of the most organized and influential religious groups in the world today.
To get started on your own research, you can download the Gospel Library app, which contains all their scriptures and manuals for free, or visit a local FamilySearch center to see the practical side of their "Families are Forever" doctrine in action.