25 Bizarre Mormon Rules You Won’t Believe Are Real

Posted by , Updated on November 14, 2023

What do you think of when you hear the phrase Mormon Rules? Maybe the common phrase “don’t judge me” comes to mind. Or perhaps you think about Mormons being forbidden from drinking coffee or tea?

Those are all valid answers, but even if you guessed them correctly, there are some incredibly bizarre Mormon rules that you’ve probably never heard of. Especially, when it comes to the Mormon Church and its rules regarding clothing, relationships, and food.

Check out our list of 25 bizarre Mormon rules you won’t believe are real!

 

Common Myths About Mormons

There are lots of rumors about the Mormon religion that just aren’t true. Here are some common myths you won’t believe to be true.

  • • Mormons can’t drink caffeinated beverages. 
  • • Mormons can’t go to the movies
  • • Mormons wear special underwear that turns white when they sin. 
  • • Mormons don’t read the Bible.
  • • Technology is forbidden to Mormons.
  • • The church forbids women from giving a talk or a sermon or holding a leadership position.
  • • Members of the Mormon Church cannot use birth control. 
  • • There is no dancing among Mormons. 
  • • Mormons are prohibited from celebrating holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter as well as birthdays. 
  • • Mormons aren’t allowed to wear makeup.
  • • It is against the church law for members of the church to be part of the military.

 

25

Mormons Believe That Humans Can Go Through a Process of Exaltation to Godhood

Jesus

In the Mormon faith, God is a mortal being that went through a process of exaltation to godhood. There are many similarities between the Mormon faith and other Christian denominations. The main difference is that humans can also go through this process of exaltation to godhood. This has led to many curious and bizarre rules being taught in the church.

 

Related: 25 Facts About Ancient Egyptian Gods That You Probably Didn’t Know

24

Church Views Divorce as a Necessary Evil

DivorceSource: exmormon.org

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, divorce is tolerated but not encouraged. However, to be granted a divorce, both parties must agree and their church leader must approve the decision. The church also offers classes for couples who are struggling in their marriage. Since divorce rates have been increasing in Utah, the Mormon Church has begun to take steps to prevent a divorce or at least help those who are going through one

23

Church Recommends Against Tattoos

No Tatoos

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has a long history of discouraging tattoos. The church discourages members from getting tattoos or participating in body piercing. Members who already had tattoos were encouraged to have them removed by their physician. The Church’s stance on tattoos today is that they are discouraged, but not prohibited.

22

Mormons Should Avoid Coffee and Tea

No Coffee

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that they are to abstain from coffee and tea. Coffee and tea come from plants that contain caffeine, a stimulant that many Mormons avoid because it affects their health in various ways. Apart from the impact on physical health, drinking caffeinated beverages can have a negative effect on spiritual health as well.

 

Related: 25 Gifts Your Favorite Coffee Addict Needs

21

Females are Expected to Dress Modestly

ModestlySource: lifeaftermormonism.net

Mormon women are expected to dress modestly. But what does that really mean? For a woman, modesty means dressing in a way that doesn’t draw attention to her body or call undue attention to herself. This typically means clothing should cover the collarbone, shoulders, and midriff. Heels should be low and dresses should be knee-length or longer.

20

Mormons Refrain From Leisure on Sundays

FamilySource: exmormon.org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has several rules that are based on their beliefs. One such rule is to not recreate or shop on Sundays in order to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Mormons also refrain from drinking coffee and alcoholic beverages like beer.

19

Only Men Can Perform Regular Church Rituals

Church rituals

Only men can perform regular church rituals, such as baptisms and priesthood ordinations. Women may only be baptized by the request of the individual woman or her parents. Women are allowed to participate in the priesthood, but only if they have been deemed worthy and ordained by a man of high rank.

 

Related: 25 Incredibly Bizarre Rituals From Around The World

18

Three Levels of Heaven in Mormonism

3 Level of heaven

Mormons believe that there are three kingdoms of glory: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. It is only in the celestial kingdom that individuals will live with God. Glory for us will depend upon the depth of our conversion to the Lord and will be displayed in the height of our obedience.

17

Mormons Practice Clothing Rituals

Temple Garments

Mormons practice a few different clothing rituals that are considered sacred. One of the more controversial rituals is wearing special undergarments that have religious significance.

Mormons believe that following these practices will help them live with God in the afterlife and also be worthy of entering temples where they can participate in sacred ceremonies like marriages, baptisms, and endowments. The undergarments are called temple garments, which are worn daily by devout Mormons.


Related: 25 Weirdest Clothes You Can Actually Buy Online

16

Mormons Cannot have Sex Before Marriage

no sex before marriage

The church has many rules that are unique to its faith and culture. One of the most well-known is the rule about not engaging in premarital sex. Mormons are not allowed to be sexually active outside of marriage or have any relation under any circumstances.

If you’re a member of the church, you must abstain from sexual activity until you are married. This includes kissing, touching, and even heavy petting. Pornography is strictly prohibited. 

15

Mormons Eat Meat Sparingly

less meat

Mormons are often very careful about what they eat. One of the reasons for this is that Mormons believe that food can have an effect on their spiritual well-being. The Mormons believe that meat should be eaten sparingly.

Some people interpret this to mean that they should only eat meat on special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Others believe that eating meat is not discouraged at all, but it should be done with restraint.

14

Mormons Strongly Oppose Abortion

No abortion

Mormons, who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do not believe in abortion. The Church believes that life starts at conception and that life is sacred from then on. This belief is based on the idea that the decision to terminate a pregnancy would be interfering with God’s plan for a woman’s life.

13

Mormons Cannot Use Foul Language

No swearing

Mormons are taught not to use foul language or swear. There is a distinction between profanity and swearing, and Mormons are careful not to use either. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says that swearing is using the name of God in a way that doesn’t show respect for him. 

 

Related: 25 Best Shakespearean Insults That Are Better than Swearing

12

Mormons Fast at Least Once a Month

Fasting

Fasting is a tradition with deep roots in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Today, Mormons fast at least once a month. Members are encouraged to use their fasting time as an opportunity for personal prayer and spiritual growth. This is done to remember the hungry and impoverished in the world. If a person chooses not to fast during this time, they can donate money instead of food to those less fortunate.

11

Mormons Must Dedicate Sundays to the Church

Sunday ServiceImage: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacrament-meeting

Mormons dedicate Sundays to the Church, meaning they cannot do anything on that day that is not related to the Church. They are also expected to refrain from any worldly or unnecessary activities.

This means no shopping, school, work, or television–the list goes on and on. Mormons are also discouraged from using social media such as Facebook and Twitter unless it is for church-related purposes.

10

Mormons Pray Daily

Mormons Praying

Mormons are a religious group that believes in prayer. Mormons pray every day, morning and night. They usually pray in the morning, before going about their day.

They pray for the ability to do what is right, and for assistance for those they know who are in need. Mormons also have a weekly meeting where they discuss the scriptures and ask for guidance from God. 

9

Mormons Teenagers Shouldn’t Date Until 16 Years-Old

No dating

There are a lot of bizarre Mormon rules that people may find hard to believe. One of them is the rule that states that teenage Mormons should not date until they are 16 years old.

The reasoning behind this is that dating can interfere with a person’s ability to focus on their religious life and also because it could allow for physical intimacy before marriage. 

8

Mormons Serve a 2-Year Full-Time Mission

Missionaries

Mormons are required to serve a full-time mission as a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood. Missionaries typically live abroad with one older and more experienced missionary serving as the mentor to the other.

A typical mission lasts two years, but it can be less or more depending on the length of time that church leaders feel is necessary.

7

Mormons Cannot Engage in Same-Sex Relationships

No to same sex marriage

Mormons are strictly forbidden from participating in same-sex relationships. They believe that the only acceptable form of sexual expression is between one man and one woman who are married to each other.

Members cannot live with their significant other before marriage. This doctrine is based on a passage from their Holy Books, which states that if a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death.

 

Related: 25 Most Influential Fictional LGBT Characters In Pop Culture History

6

Mormons Must Avoid Cigarettes and Tobacco

Avoid CigSource: exmormon.org

Mormons are not allowed to smoke cigarettes and tobacco. According to the Church of Latter-Day Saints, tobacco is a filthy weed, and cigarette smoking is an addiction that can be just as hard to break as heroin addiction. Tobacco is also prohibited because of its negative impact on health and the environment.

The church also believes that illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are often used for pleasure which they say is selfish and dangerous to society. Mormons must avoid drugs, tobacco, and alcohol to remain in good standing with the church. 

5

Mormons Read the Scriptures Daily

Read bible

Mormons are often prescribed to read the scriptures daily. This includes reading and studying the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine, and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and other sacred texts that make up their religion’s canon.

Mormons will also study church-published materials in order to gain insight into the doctrine. The Bible is one of the most important books in Mormonism because it contains a collection of scripture that was used by Joseph Smith as he created his new scripture called The Book of Mormon.

4

Mormons Should Donate 10% of Income to a Charity

Donation

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormons believe that they should give 10% of their income to charity and the building up of the kingdom of God. In addition to this, they have a lay ministry where members are asked to volunteer their time in any way they can – be it teaching children, helping those in need, or working for the church. The church offers many opportunities for service and involvement so that everyone can feel like they’re contributing.

3

Mormons Cannot Consume Alcohol

Alcohol

Mormons are required to abstain from alcohol. According to the church’s health guidelines, Mormons should avoid alcohol. They are also prohibited from other drugs.  Alcohol is prohibited because they believe it is addictive and has adverse effects on health and mental abilities. 

2

Mormons Cannot Gamble

Gambling

Mormons are strict about gambling and betting. They are forbidden from gambling in any form or participating in games of chance like roulette, craps, poker, slot machines, horse racing, or lotteries. 

In some circumstances, they may be permitted to take part in state-run lotteries that benefit charities, as long as the money isn’t being used for things contrary to their beliefs.

1

Mormons Should Put Most of Their Time into Their Family

Family time

The first rule of the family-centric church is to take care of your family and that includes spending time with them. A family-centric church is one that prioritizes your family above all else.

That doesn’t mean you have to do everything they want or give in to their demands but it does mean that you spend a lot of time with them, show them love and make sure they know how important they are to you.

If you enjoyed learning about Mormon Rules, you might also enjoy this article: 25 Most Bizarre Religions That Actually Exist



Photo: 1. Shutterstock, 11. churchofjesuschrist.org, Sacrament_Meeting.jpg (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 17. Wikipedia, Garment, CC BY-SA 3.0, 18. Ricardo630, 3 Degrees of Heaven (Public Domain), 25. wikipedia, Jesus Statue (Public Domain)