Author’s note: Please know I am not writing this to try and convince anyone or argue in the efforts of turning anyone to Mormonism. This is to help people have a better understanding of what Mormonism is and what they believe.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) is one of the most misunderstood and unfamiliar religions in Southeast Texas, especially when Orange is primarily Baptist (34.8 percent), compared to 2.5 percent LDS. However, it is one of the fastest growing Christian religions due to the church sending currently over 70,946 young men and women on LDS missions.

Mormon, along with LDS, are just nicknames for the members of this church. If asked what people know about them, the common responses include “they believe in having many wives,” “they’re not Christians,” “they don’t believe in the Bible,” or “they can’t have caffeine.” But what people don’t know is that these prevalent misconceptions surrounding this religion are very false.

In my life, I have grown up being the only Mormon at my school (excluding my siblings). It was something I was known for, so I was basically a target for all of the Mormon jokes and questions. The first joke had to do with the practice of polygamy. Although this act was once accepted in the church, the practice was removed in 1890 and has been against the church’s beliefs since. We are referenced toward the television show “The Sister Wives,” but these people are actually not a part of the Mormon church. Just as any religion has its extremists, we have groups who are considered “fundamentalists” who have no affiliation with the church, which include this television show. If practicing polygamy, church members are excommunicated.

Another misconception has to do with the belief that we are not Christians. However, we are a type of Christianity as we read the Bible and believe in Jesus Christ. His name is said in the full name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The main difference between Mormonism and other common religions is that Mormons do not believe in the Trinity. We believe that God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost are all separate beings. We are said to not believe in Christ as we don’t associate with the cross, but this reasoning has to do with the fact that we do not want to celebrate his death by wearing or having crosses in our houses. Instead, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection; an event that isn’t represented with a worldly figure.

We are known for our apparent “second Bible,” The Book of Mormon, and people tend to believe this is our only Bible. But as stated from our church leaders, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” The Book of Mormon is not a continuation or add on to the Bible, but another testament of Jesus Christ. It is staged after Jerusalem was being destroyed in the Bible and people fled into the wilderness and eventually went to the America’s. We believe that after Jesus’ resurrection, he went to visit those in America to teach them. It teaches of Jesus Christ and his teachings, just as the Bible does.

Probably one of most misunderstood beliefs towards Mormons is the restrictions against certain substances, but it is not due to the caffeine in these drinks. LDS members are encouraged to not partake of coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or harmful things to our body, and to eat fruits, vegetables, and exercise regularly. For some members, they choose to not drink soda, which is not in my case, because I seriously love Dr. Pepper. This encouragement has to do with the saying, “my body is a temple.” We believe these substances to be harmful to our bodies. Most of these things are understandable, but the most questionable are usually the coffee and tea part. In the early 1800’s, we were given a physical and spiritual health law we refer to as the Word of Wisdom. This is given to us and we trust we will receive physical and spiritual blessings if we follow it. There was a study at UCLA that proved that to those who followed the Word of Wisdom had an increased life expectancy of eight to eleven years longer than the general U.S. population. I also feel that we are given this because these are mind altering substances. As we are given the chance for agency, or free will, these things restrict us from thinking and doing things on our own, which is the exact opposite of agency.

There are so many more misconceptions about this religion that people usually think the worst of. Personally, as I have grown up in a school where I have always been one of the only Mormons there, I have been ridiculed so much because many people believe in these misconceptions. I do see these beliefs to be odd to those who don’t understand them, but I really do love them. I look at the Mormon church to keep me young at heart. That sounds weird, but it really does. Every month, kids from ages 14-18 come from all around the area to have a dance or fun activity every month, which you should know, I am SUCH a great dancer. The church encourages you not to date until you are 16, and when you do, they want you to go on fun dates! Not just regular dates, but to find ways to have clean, wholesome fun. I love being able to laugh hysterically, and remember what I actually did the day before. Probably one of my absolute favorite things about the standards of the Mormon church is the things set up to help your testimony grow in Christ, such as my favorite summer church camp, EFY.

EFY stands for Especially for Youth, an LDS church camp for ages 14-18, that invites members and non-members to come and learn and have fun. I look forward to these five summer days all year long. The week consists of lessons, games nights, amazing music, a talent show, creative dances, testimony building, a COW (Crush of the Week), and great people that keep the same standards you do. If anyone knows me, they know I could talk for hours about this camp that has helped me so much. I say it’s my battery. Through the year, I’m drained. However all the hype I get from this camp recharges me. When I’m there, I have no worries, no stress. I just worry about where my scriptures are and whether I have the guts to tell a guy I’ve only know for a week that he’s cute before I never see him again. It’s a place that perfectly represents the LDS church. All service, testimony building, love, and wholesome fun.

This church gives me the opportunity to serve and love. It is full of people who are willing to help others while simultaneously striving to better themselves and come closer to Christ. I always wondered why this church was so disliked, when every single person I have met is constantly happy and loving. This church is a place I feel at home with. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a misunderstood religion that is one of the most understanding.