MORMON FAQs

1. I have heard the phrase "Temple Mormon". What does that mean?

I assume a "Temple Mormon" is a Mormon that actually goes to the temple. See, as with any religion, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) can be either more or less devout. Those that are on the stick will go to the nearest temple regularly - usually at least once each month.

Quick interjection, a temple is different than a chapel. You'll see chapels all over the place. They're much, much smaller than temples. You'll know a temple if you see one. They're big and they're pretty impressive.

To enter the temple, Mormons must be "worthy". The temple is considered to be a very sacred place. Basically church members must be obeying the commandments to go to the temple.

So - I believe that a "Temple Mormon" is probably a devout Mormon.

The temple is something apart and considered significantly more sacred. After open house, it is dedicated to God and open only to members who have met certain religious requirements, such as baptism covenant. Not even all of our members can go to the temple once its dedicated"

2. Why do Mormons abstain from all drinks with caffeine in them?

Well, it's not really a hard and fast *rule* that Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffeinated beverages. There are the "black and white" guidelines that we've all come to know and love about Mormons, who consider these rules to be commandments. These include things like "no smoking", "no alcohol", "no premarital sex". You know, all the good stuff.

There are also the "gray areas". These are things that have been strongly suggested - but according to my knowledge aren't going to get you in serious trouble. You're just supposed to avoid them. These include things like drinking Coke or Pepsi, or perhaps watching rated "R" movies.

Why no Coke? Well, it has to do with another Mormon belief about always being in control of oneself. Things that can cause addictions are generally bad. Since we all know that caffeine can be addicting - that's bad.

3. If Mormons can't drink coffee or Coke because of the caffeine, can they eat chocolate which also contains caffeine?

They are not actually officially told not to drink caffeinated drinks, as seen by another question, but strangely enough, some choose not to drink beverages with caffeine but will still eat chocolate.

The health principles are found in the "Word of Wisdom" on the official church web site.

It's from the book of Doctrine and Covenants. "Hot drinks" means tea and coffee, as it was 1831 and those were the only drinks that were hot back then. So yes, hot chocolate is okay (I've been asked that before).

The essential thing is exercise, have a good diet, don't be enslaved to any substance, whether it's alcohol, marijuana, coffee, Pepsi, chocolate, cereal, or french fries, or whatever... and some don't use at all, period. Because coffee has a lot of caffeine some people, in the spirit of the law, point out examples of people who MUST have their six-pack of Pepsi each day or who truly are addicted to Coke or Mountain Dew or whatever. That in itself is against the Word of Wisdom, but the occasional soda is not specifically stated against. It's a fuzzy, occasionally lightly debated subject among church members. A person can hold a temple recommend while still having drunk a Coke or Pepsi. If they've had an alcoholic drink and not repented yet, then they can't.

4. What is "sealing"?

Sealing is referred to in more than one way in the church, but 95% of the time it's referring to an eternal temple marriage.
Ex: "The people at our sealing were mostly from her side of the family."

5. Is it true that Mormons need to present a card (verifying that they are Mormons) in order to enter the temple?

Yes. It's called a temple recommend. It is issued by the ecclesiastical leader of the members’ congregation [called a Bishop].

6. What is the story of the 1847 pilgrimage to Utah?

That is a fairly epic event, so let me sum up. The Mormons were driven from their settlements in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Liberty, Missouri, and other places, due to persecution including an extermination order from Governor Lilburn Boggs of Missouri, which allowed for the killing of all Mormons that were not out of the state by a certain date. As a bit of trivia, the extermination order remained on Missouri state law books until about 1978 or so, although it was obviously not enforced. I served a mission for the church in Independence, Missouri and I never experienced any hostility. Missourians are good people.

The journey itself involved a lot of pain and death, as it is difficult to walk hundreds of miles over the Rocky Mountains without the benefit of paved roads and only one pair of shoes, using wagons and handcarts (a kind of small, human-powered wagon). Pioneers set out in different groups at different times and each group encountered their own hazards. Many of the pioneers succumbed to exposure and exhaustion. Brigham Young led a group of pioneers and upon arrival at what is now the Salt Lake valley, said, "This is the right place". I hope that helps.

7. Are there clothing or undergarments that are specific to Mormons? Do they have to cover their hair or head (women)?

Yes. Laugh, no, women do not have to cover their head or hair. If you ever see the female missionaries with the black name tags you'll see this.

The temple garments, as they are called, represent promises made to God in the temple. Not all members engage in this, and they must have a serious commitment and a basic understanding of what the church is all about. A new convert must be a member one year before being going through this ceremony and then they wear garments for the rest of their lives. Me included.

8. Will Mormons be ex-communicated from the church if they are homosexual?

If they are "practicing", generally yes.

Sometimes there are those who are figuring out, so to speak, what their sexuality is. If they confess this to a bishop and discuss it with him, he will not excommunicate them, but will talk with them about it and work with them. Sometimes despite the thoughts they go on to live a typical heterosexual life. Others believe the struggle is too great, or perhaps that they were made that way and what have you and may start to date, make out, and of course have sex. That would, of course, be grounds for excommunication.

9. I have seen and heard of instances of usage of the inverted pentagram and beehives in and about Mormon practice. What meanings do these symbols hold in the Mormon tradition?

Brigham Young, one of the early presidents of the church, used beehives to illustrate the way their communities should function. Well organized, each person helping out, using their time effectively.

On the Salt Lake City temple, there are a series of stars on some of the columns. There are rows with stars pointing downward, representing the fall of man. Other rows feature stars pointing upward, symbolizing the priesthood building back up the church. This could possibly be what is referred to as pentagrams... I'm not entirely sure though.

10. Is it true that Mormons hold the belief that there are goddesses inhabiting and sharing domain with deceased, after-life Mormons on their own planets?

Mormons believe that they will attain the status of gods and goddesses if they fulfill the Temple works required of them. They are taught that God Himself became a god through such works.

11. What do you believe about God?

God is perfect, all-wise, and all-powerful—the ruler of the universe. He is also merciful, kind, and just. He is our Father in Heaven. We are created in His image (Genesis 1:27). He has a body that looks like ours, but God’s body is immortal, perfected, and has a glory that words can't describe. Because we are His children, He knows and loves each of us individually. He has a plan to help His children find joy in this life and return to live with Him when this life is over.

12. What is the name of your Church?

In 1838, Joseph Smith was told in a revelation that the Church should be called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4).
The Church has been known by that name since that time. Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has emphasized the Church's correct name, saying:

"We believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and He is the central figure in all of our worship.

"The Church carries the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. It is His name by which this Church is officially called.

"As for the term Latter-day Saints, members of the Christian Church anciently were called Saints. They were former-day Saints. We are the Latter-day Saints. It is that simple.

"We are frequently called Mormons. It is a nickname given us because we believe in the Book of Mormon as the word of God, a book which goes hand in hand with the Bible, becoming a second witness for Jesus Christ."