I’m a mormon. Some of you know this about me. If you don’t, I wasn’t hiding it. It is in my about me page, after all.
In my life, frequently I’ve been accused of being a “cool” mormon. Or, not being “like the other mormons.” I have a lot of non-mormon friends that are very diverse themselves. I’m a people person, so I can never imagine myself being confined to having only mormon friends. Plus, I grew up in Texas. Not a whole lot of mormons down there. I don’t offend easily, and my Mom is a convert, so LOTS of non-mormons in my family.
But, just to be abundantly clear to anyone wondering, yes, I’m a fully active, participating mormon. Meaning, I don’t smoke, drink, and try not to swear. I hold a temple recommend (meaning I have interviewed with church leaders and been found “worthy” to enter the temple…different from the church buildings we meet in every Sunday). I dress insanely modestly, and try to be a decent human being. Honesty is important, and yes, I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior. And, I believe in and read the bible too. But, sometimes, I worry when people tell me, “You aren’t like the other mormons I know” that I need to repent, because maybe I’m not being a good example? But, I like to think that it’s just because I’m maybe a little more easy going than some. I’m not sure. I just try to be myself.
In fact, mormons are pretty weird. Like, really weird. And, that’s OK. I’m used to it. Part of our weirdness stems from the language we use that is unique to the mormon culture. We speak in weird terms using words like wards (simply put our Sunday congregation) and Stakes (not the kind you put in the ground, but a group of wards), and we frequently abbreviate, well, everything. CTR, YW, RS, BofM, EQ, D&C, MoTab. Those all mean something to a Mormon.
Converts have complained about this so much that in 2006, the church put out an issue of the church magazine that was devoted entirely to new members of the church. In it was an article titled, “Helpful words to know“. It’s a whole new language when you become a mormon. Believe me.
But, to me, I was raised in the mormon church, so it is second nature. But, I still frequently have conversations explaining myself to a friend.
Me: I got a new responsibility at church.
Friend: Oh yeah? You guys sure do have a lot to do.
Me: Yeah, it can be overwhelming. And, we don’t get paid either. No one does.
Friend: What!!?? They don’t get paid? But, how do they support their families?
Me: They have full-time jobs in addition. We thing of the responsibilities more like “callings”. Because we see them as coming from God.
Friend: But, who gives you the “calling”?
Me: The Bishop. (Think pastor in any other Christian religion).
Friend: It doesn’t seem like much of a “calling” if it’s coming from him.
I get their point. We’re weird. That’s OK, I’m used to it. And, one of our biggest unknowns to the common non-mormon person, is that Mormon is actually not the name of our church. Our church has a name so long that they have created a song about it to teach the kids the name of the church. The name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. No mormon anywhere in that title. Mormon itself has become a nickname for us because we believe in the Book of Mormon. We’re OK with that, but we prefer being called LDS (yet another abbreviation for Latter-Day Saints).
Is your head spinning yet?
I’m used to questions, and having to defend my religion to others. It’s not easy being a mormon. But, we are actually a pretty diverse group. Not all of us believe the same about politics and social issues. Not all of us are Americans. Not all of us are a cookie cutter version of what you might think when you hear the word “mormon”.
We can be cool. Sort of. If you think people who pray a lot, call themselves a child of God on a regular basis, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, and use common phrases like, “I’d like to bear my testimony” and “with every fiber of my being” are cool. Yeah, probably not so much, huh?
The truth is, even I find large groups of mormons annoying after living in UT. But, we are good people. We believe in God, and that Jesus Christ is the One we need to follow, and we are Christians.
While being a mormon may not ever make me “cool” per se, at least I can speak a language that you can’t. Not sure if that makes me “cool” or weird. That’s OK, I’ll take either.
*this post was written for the weekly writing challenge: Manner of Speaking.
Having just started a blog and following you, I thought it was pretty ironic that your LDS from Texas now in Utah. See, I’m not LDS and a good friend of mine is. Her sweet boy is very sick from cancer (facebook.com/linkupforliam) and I’ve had to learn a lot about LDS to speak to her ward members and be able to understand. I can see how people would think the religion is weird, I did at first, but these have been some of the sweetest/giving/caring people I’ve met. But, sorry I’m not converting 😉
Dang it! I thought my post had you converted! 😉 We definitely have our own language. Kudos to you for taking the time to learn a little bit of it to help your friend! So sad to see children suffer like that.
LDS? Seriously, how have you not unfollowed me yet?? Lol. I guess you skipped the Jesus post. Thanks for the education. I’m alway told I’m different from other cops. You know what? Total compliment. We’re still good ones, just different.
You can still call me mormon. Not offensive AT. ALL. It’s nice to be different. 🙂 Did you write another Jesus post that I missed?
I think its great you dress and act the way you want… Jesus is not into religion after all he is into relationship. Religious ways (you have to dress this way for example) are one of the many reasons why people fall away from His Church.. after all, Jesus came in rags and linens and He was still judged Im sure God wont judge you for those things.. His grace is MORE Than enough for us even in our very serious faults he already paid for it all on the cross. Be blessed!
Agreed. 🙂
I can’t believe I’m friends with a Mormon. 😉 I think it’s a sign of either the end of all existence or the beginning of Coexistence (of which you may or may not know of as a devout Mormon, but it is a unifying religious harmony much like a true Utopia)
Guesses as to which? Jp did eat veggies so I’m starting to become worried. 🙂
It has to be the end then!!
Probably when someone says to you, “You’re not like other mormons I know”, it’s a compliment of some kind. I get, “you’re not like the other therapists I know” and I’ve come to realize it’s kind of a nice gesture. But I definitely step back and have a moment of “what do they mean by that?” too. Your church is beautiful! Wow!!
I always take it as a compliment! And I think it is meant that way….most of the time.
Some of the best people I’ve ever known have been LDS. Your are indeed in good company 😉
Great post! Having an unshakable faith is something a lot of people (including myself) strive to attain. Go you!
It’s funny, I’ve had people say that to me too. (about not being like other mormons they know.) I do ask them what they mean by that, and it almost always turns out they realize they don’t actually know any others! So, my conclusion is that we’re just different than people expect mormons to be. 😉
Probably a lot of truth to that!
Your Mormon?? I had no idea!! All this time and I just thought you were some cool chick. Forget it now…can’t be your friend. LOL! Hmmm…I know I probably have said you aren’t your typical Mormon and I guess it is because for all us non LDS coming from big city lives, we get all the stupid stereotypes and then we come here and see it is all such bull because every Mormon I have met so far has been some of the nicest people I know and not weird at all. If you think your church has some weird words, sayings, etc…try being Jewish and not being able to even speak the language they speak at services!!! Your just a cool chick no matter what. Especially since you put up with my swearing, taking the Lord’s name in vain, etc. I am just hoping that your connections to the higher up may help me in some way some day. 😉
Hahaha! I love you rayna!
Great post! by the way just changing the topic, I’ll definitely try to be a vegetarian. Let’s see how my journey goes I know it will be for the good of my whole family too 🙂
http://www.vindiebaby.com
Vintage Inspired Girls
Good luck!
1. How many people ask you about the underwear?
2. How many people ask you about polygamy or the FLDS?
3. I once sat next to some sweet mormon missionaries on the bus in Seattle. It was raining so they got on instead of riding their bikes. They looked so forlorn and it seems that everybody gave them the stinkeye (why, I have no idea, they’re like 18 year old kids for crying out loud). I struck up a conversation with them, having just returned from living in India and working for a mission organization. What I found to be remarkable was how hungry? grateful? relieved? to be having a normal conversation with me and me acknowledging that it must be hard to be so far from their families.
So, honestly, I have never had anyone directly ask me about the underwear. I guess it’s a little bit awkward, “Hey, so I hear you wear religious underwear”. Yeah, it has never come up. Yet, I know people want to know.
And, I remember in high school being asked how many moms I have and other stupid crap like that. But, other than that, the polygamy thing doesn’t come up too often either. Honestly my sister and I have joked about how NICE it would be to have sister wives. But, not allowed. Oh well.
And, I was so glad to hear about your experience with the missionaries. I was a missionary too in California for 18 months! That’s how I learned Spanish because I was a Spanish speaking missionary. Anyway, I’m sure they loved having someone to talk to, even if you weren’t interested. It can be SO hard to put yourself out there trying to share something that you love so much to be rejected over and over again. I know, because I did it. 🙂
oh good! I had a friend who had the underwear question happen a few times and I’m like, “really? if someone asked me about my underwear I’d sock them!”
I have a friend who loves cooking and cleaning and we are always joking that we need to have her as a sister wife…but really it’d me more like a slave, because the idea of my husband with another woman is creepy!
agreed. But, yes, a sister slave sounds even better!
I love your attitude! What most people don’t understand a religion is a faith and spiritual relationship with your God and sure, it shapes your lifestyle and characteristics but it in no way defines you are a person. You are still YOU.You’re emotions, actions and choices are your own. Every single person is different and that’s a beautiful thing. I’m not religious but i have DEEP respect for those that have faith and dedication to religion because of the prejudices they face and yet still stay devoted in their beliefs. I just stumbled across your blog and i followed you 🙂 Looking forward to getting to know your blog! Best wishes!
Glad you are a follower! I agree with you. Lots of mormons I know are very different. It can SEEM like we are all alike, but we aren’t. That’s the beauty of life.
I love hearing about other people’s religion and faith journeys, it’s so fascinating to me! We all need to be more educated about different religions. great post.
I love learning about other religions too! Thanks for stopping by!
An interesting take on one’s religion. Always interesting to read about people’s beliefs and such. This was done in a good way. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
I found your blog via Life in the Married Lane for her guest post. While I’m not LDS, or even Christian, I am a Torah-observant Jew. It’s nice to find people who are passionate about their religion and their own personal observance. Go you!
Thanks Chana! I feel the same way. So glad you stopped by!! 🙂
I’m laughing at you being called “one of the cool Mormons.” I’ve been called “one of the cool Christians.” I think it’s a good thing 🙂
When I was in highschool, I worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken and the owners, managers, and assistant managers were all LDS. Some of them were cool. Some of them were jerks. Just like people who aren’t LDS. Some cool. Some not so much. The only bad experience I have had is once, my dad and I drove from Denver to San Francisco. We stopped in Salt Lake and went a thing outside of the temple, learned about the church, got the Book of Mormon, and then went to dinner. We were interested in learning about it. Anyway, our server came by, saw the BoM and asked if we were LDS. We said no but that we’d toured the area near the temple and had a guide tell us about it. She was horrible to us after that. I’m not sure why but I always assumed that she was bummed we weren’t LDS. Anyway sorry for the long comment.
Also I think you’re cool.
I love this blog! Your personality is so much like my own, it was like reading my own thoughts? Thanks for being you, this was refreshing to say the least.
Oh thanks Cassie!!