While every religion has its own beliefs, traditions and customs that seem somewhat unbelievable to outsiders and non-believers, the Mormons have their fair share of unique values. What makes the Mormon beliefs particularly out of the ordinary is that Mormons dedicate so much time and energy trying to help non-Mormons.

Editor’s Note: Before reviewing this article, please read through our article about the Underground Mormon Genealogy Database, where TSW explores the unusual underground vault – evidence of another unusual Mormon belief that the dead can be baptized as Mormon, and even when they were never Mormon or expressed any desire to be Mormon when alive.

Mormons are essentially Christian people, who belong to the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” (LDS). The LDS church was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith. While Mormons fundamentally identify as Christians, some of their beliefs diverge from mainstream Christianity, such as the central belief that God speaks to children.

Unlike true Christianity, Mormon beliefs include the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible. One of the most glaring differences between Mormonism and Christianity is that Mormon doctrine asserts that God was once an ordinary human being who once lived on earth like an everyday man. (1)

In placing a huge emphasis on the family and taking care of one another, it doesn’t seem surprising that there are approximately 7 million Mormons in the United States and it is the fastest growing religion in North America. (2)

In emphasizing family values and involving people in communities, non-Mormons can largely relate to these central aspects of Mormon beliefs. There are however many facets of the Mormon religion that are not as “believable” or as easily related to and some that are not publicly admitted to.









Five Strange Mormon Beliefs

Multiple Worlds with Multiple Gods

Mormons have a unique view on cosmology and believe that God created many planets and that each planet has its own God. The Mormon religion goes even further, stating that if you are a good person you will be rewarded by being a God on your own planet. (3)

Tithes

Tithing is rarely mandatory in religion, but Mormonism theology asserts that in order to make it to the highest kingdom in heaven; you are required to pay 10% of your gross income (tithes) to the church.

Multiple Heavens

Talking about heaven, whilst Christianity believes that there is only heaven, the Mormon beliefs include three heavens that are hierarchical based on how good you were as a human being.

Children Should Not Play with Friends on Sunday

In a speech made in St. Peter’s Square in June 2012, the Pope told his audience:

“By defending Sunday, one defends human freedom.” (4)

If you go to a largely Catholic country such as Spain, you will notice that very few places are open on a Sunday, unlike the United Kingdom, for example, where shopping on a Sunday has become very much like every other day.

Mormon theology is similar to Catholicism in the sense that it proclaims that Sundays must be a day of rest dedicated to God and the family. Although Mormonism takes this even further by insisting that no TV can be viewed on Sundays and that children are not allowed to play with their friends on the “day of rest”.

Dark Skin Turns White

It wasn’t until 1978 when black men could be given priesthood in the LDS church. Some have accused Mormonism of preaching white supremacy. One Mormone doctrine that is not publicly talked about is that if you have dark skin and convert to Mormonism, your skin will become white. (5) Of course, not all Mormons believe or even know about these hidden elements.