You’ve probably seen them. Two young men in white shirts and ties riding bicycles through your neighborhood, or maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of that massive, castle-like building with the gold statue on top while driving down the highway. People use the word "Mormon" all the time, but if you ask ten different people what is a Mormon, you’ll likely get ten different answers. Some think of polygamy and pioneer wagons. Others think of clean-cut families or the Broadway musical.
Most people use the term as a shorthand for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s a nickname that stuck. It comes from the Book of Mormon, a volume of scripture they read alongside the Bible. But here's the kicker: the church actually stepped away from the "Mormon" label a few years ago. In 2018, Church President Russell M. Nelson requested that people use the full name of the faith. He argued that leaving Jesus out of the name was a "major victory for the adversary." Still, the "Mormon" tag is baked into global culture. It isn't going away overnight.
The Foundation: Joseph Smith and the Golden Plates
To understand what a Mormon is, you have to go back to 1820s upstate New York. It was a time of religious chaos. A teenage boy named Joseph Smith claimed he went into the woods to pray about which church to join. He said God and Jesus appeared to him and told him not to join any of them.
Fast forward a bit. Smith said an angel named Moroni led him to a hill near his home in Palmyra. There, he supposedly found a set of golden plates buried in the ground. Smith translated these plates, according to his account, by the "gift and power of God." The result? The Book of Mormon.
It’s a long, complex book. It tells the story of ancient civilizations in the Americas, specifically a group of people who left Jerusalem around 600 B.C. The core claim is that Jesus Christ visited these people after his resurrection in the Old World. For believers, this isn't just a story; it’s a second witness that Jesus is the Savior. It’s what makes them distinct from traditional Catholics or Protestants. They believe in the Bible, sure, but they believe the Book of Mormon restores "plain and precious" truths that were lost over centuries of human meddling.
Wait, Are They Even Christian?
This is the big debate. If you ask a member of the church, they’ll say "Of course we are." Their official name has Jesus Christ right in the middle. They pray in his name. They take the sacrament (communion) every Sunday.
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However, many mainstream Christian denominations—like Southern Baptists or the Catholic Church—disagree. Why? Because the theology is wildly different. Mormons don't believe in the Nicene Creed. They don't believe in the Trinity as one substance. Instead, they see the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as three separate, distinct beings who are "one in purpose."
There's also the matter of "exaltation." This is a deep-cut doctrine. It’s the idea that humans are literally the spiritual children of God and have the potential to become like Him. To some traditional Christians, that sounds like heresy. To a Mormon, it’s the ultimate expression of God’s love. It’s a "families are forever" mindset taken to the highest possible level.
Daily Life: The Word of Wisdom and the Tithe
What does it actually look like to live as a Mormon? It’s lifestyle-heavy. You’ve probably heard they don’t drink coffee. That’s true. It’s part of a health code called the Word of Wisdom, which was written down by Joseph Smith in 1833.
- No alcohol.
- No tobacco.
- No "hot drinks" (which has been interpreted as coffee and tea).
- No illegal drugs.
But they drink a ton of soda. If you go to Utah, you’ll see "dirty soda" shops on every corner—Diet Coke mixed with coconut syrup and lime. It's their version of a cocktail bar.
Then there’s the money. Members are expected to pay 10% of their income to the church. This is called tithing. It’s how the church funds its massive temple-building program, its humanitarian efforts, and its university system (BYU). It’s a huge commitment. Imagine giving 10% of your paycheck away before you pay your rent. That’s the level of devotion we're talking about.
Sundays are also a big deal. For a long time, church was three hours long. They recently cut it down to two, which was a huge relief for parents with toddlers. It’s very community-focused. There isn’t a professional clergy at the local level. Your bishop might be a dentist during the week. The person teaching the kids' class might be a software engineer. Everyone has a "calling"—a volunteer job that keeps the gears turning.
The Polygamy Question
Let’s address the elephant in the room. When most people ask "what is a Mormon," they’re thinking about Sister Wives or Big Love.
Here are the facts. The church practiced polygamy (plural marriage) in the 1800s. Joseph Smith practiced it. Brigham Young—the guy who led the pioneers to Utah—had 55 wives. It was a core part of their identity and caused massive friction with the U.S. government.
But the church officially banned the practice in 1890. If a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tries to take a second wife today, they are excommunicated. Period. The people you see on TV living in polygamous compounds are usually part of "fundamentalist" breakaway groups. They call themselves Mormons, but the main church doesn't recognize them. It’s a sore spot. Most mainstream members find the association frustrating because they've been monogamous for over 130 years.
Temples vs. Meetinghouses
Not every Mormon building is a temple. This is a common point of confusion.
The buildings you see in your neighborhood with the basketball courts and the "Visitors Welcome" signs? Those are meetinghouses. That's where they go for Sunday service. Anyone can walk in. You don't have to be a member. You don't even have to dress up, though most people wear "Sunday best."
Temples are different. They are considered the "House of the Lord." Once a temple is dedicated, only members who meet certain worthiness standards—like paying tithing and keeping the Word of Wisdom—can go inside.
Inside the temple, they don’t do regular preaching. They do "ordinances." The most famous is the Sealing. This is where a husband and wife are married "for time and all eternity," not just "until death do you part." They believe these bonds last forever. They also do "baptisms for the dead," where a living person is baptized on behalf of an ancestor who didn't get the chance. It’s based on the idea that everyone should have the choice to accept the faith, even after they’ve passed away.
The Global Footprint
While people associate Mormons with Utah and the American West, the church is massive in Latin America, Africa, and the Philippines. In fact, there are now more members living outside the United States than inside it.
The missionary program is the engine behind this. About 60,000 to 70,000 missionaries are serving at any given time. Most are 18 to 20 years old. They pay their own way. They leave their families for two years (for men) or 18 months (for women). They learn a new language in a few weeks. It’s a grueling, high-pressure rite of passage.
It’s also changing. Missionaries can now call home every week. They use smartphones and Facebook to find people. It’s not just knocking on doors anymore; it’s digital proselytizing.
Culture, Politics, and Modern Challenges
Culturally, Mormons are often seen as "hyper-American." They value self-reliance, food storage (they're big on having a year's supply of wheat and canned goods), and large families.
Politically, the membership leans conservative, but it’s not a monolith. In recent years, there’s been a visible divide. Younger members are often more progressive on social issues, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. The church’s official stance remains that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and that acting on same-sex attraction is a sin. This has led to significant friction and a "faith crisis" for many who find it hard to reconcile their religious beliefs with their personal values or their love for friends and family in the queer community.
The church is also grappling with its history in the internet age. For decades, some of the more "messy" parts of church history—like the details of how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon or the history of the priesthood ban for Black members (which ended in 1978)—weren't widely discussed in Sunday school. Now, everything is a Google search away. The church has responded by publishing the "Gospel Topics Essays," which are surprisingly candid looks at these difficult subjects. It's an attempt to be more transparent, but for some, the information came too late.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Mormons are a cult. Experts in sociology, like Dr. Jan Shipps, have argued that it's actually a new world religion, similar to how Christianity branched off from Judaism. While the level of commitment is high, members are free to leave, they have careers in every industry, and they are integrated into society.
Another myth? That they have "horns" or wear "magic underwear." Let's be real. The "underwear" is actually a religious garment called a temple garment. It's a plain white two-piece set worn under regular clothes. It’s a symbolic reminder of the covenants (promises) they made in the temple. It’s sacred to them, not "magic." Treating it with respect is a big deal to them, much like a yarmulke or a hijab would be to other faiths.
Actionable Insights: How to Interact with the Faith
If you’re trying to understand what a Mormon is or how to navigate a relationship with one, keep these points in mind:
- Respect the "Latter-day Saint" name. If you want to be polite, use their preferred name. It shows you’ve done your homework.
- Don't offer them coffee or alcohol. It’s not that they’ll be offended, but it saves an awkward moment. They love caffeine, though—just usually in the form of soda or energy drinks.
- Ask about their family. Family is the absolute center of their universe. Most of their social life revolves around church activities and their kids.
- Be aware of "The Church is Perfect, the People Aren't." This is a common saying within the faith. If you meet a Mormon who is judgmental or rude, most other members would say that’s a reflection of the individual, not the doctrine.
- Use official sources for research. If you want to know what they actually believe, check out their official website or the Joseph Smith Papers. There is a lot of misinformation online, both from "anti" groups and from overly-eager supporters.
Whether you see them as a peculiar American subculture or a growing global powerhouse, Mormons are a fixture of modern life. They are the neighbors who bring you cookies when you move in, the coworkers who never swear, and the people behind some of the most sophisticated genealogical records in the world. Understanding them requires looking past the "Mormon" label and seeing a complex, deeply committed group of people trying to navigate the 21st century with an 18th-century origin story.
To truly grasp the lifestyle, look at the community's emphasis on education and preparedness. Many members attend "Institute" classes during college to maintain their religious education alongside their secular degrees. This dual-focus on faith and intellect is a hallmark of the modern member. If you find yourself in a conversation about their beliefs, focus on their concept of "continuing revelation"—the idea that God still speaks to prophets today. This belief is what keeps the religion evolving, even as it clings tightly to its pioneer roots.