One of the things that many people seem to associate with the Mormon Church are its “rules.” As a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the official name), I’m frequently asked about these “Mormon rules” or “rules of Mormonism.”
I thought I would share some of my personal thought on some of the “Mormon rules and regulations” and any common misconceptions about them. Click on the links to the side to jump to a more detailed description.
Why do we follow rules?
In the Mormon Church, we actually don’t refer to them as “rules”, but rather as “commandments.” When Jesus was on the earth, he taught His disciples about His gospel and instructed them to follow His commandments. In addition, God has called prophets throughout time to help His children be happy in this life and return to live with Him again in the next.
By following these commandments, we are promised great blessings from God. In the preface to the Strength of Youth pamphlet which outlines the principles for youth in the Church, the First Presidency writes:
We promise that as you keep these standards and live by the truths in the scriptures, you will be able to do your life’s work with greater wisdom and skill and bear trials with greater courage. You will have the help of the Holy Ghost. You will feel good about yourself and will be a positive influence in the lives of others. You will be worthy to go to the temple to receive holy ordinances. These blessings and many more can be yours.
Why should you care?
It’s likely that you may have Mormon friends, Mormon neighbors, Mormon co-workers, or even Mormon family members. If so, understanding what guidelines they follow can mean a lot to them. For example, I’ve never taken offense when anybody offers me a drink of alcohol, but I am always impressed when a new friend knows that I don’t drink and instead offers me an alternate beverage.
Do you have questions about rules?
Maybe you’ve heard something from a Mormon friend and want more information. If you have a question that is not answered on this website, I’d be happy to answer them. Send me a message through the contact page.
