10 Crazy Mormon Beliefs 

Did you know Mormons research dead people so they can be baptized on their behalf into the church? Or that they believe the U.S. Constitution will be saved by the LDS Church during a time of national crisis? 

These are just a few of the unusual and wild beliefs that set Mormonism apart from other religions. While the LDS Church often tries to portray itself as a typical Christian denomination, many of its beliefs are extremely unique—some might even say crazy—compared to those of mainstream Christianity. 

10 Crazy Mormon Beliefs 

Here are some of the most peculiar beliefs held by Mormons to give you a clearer picture of what makes this religion so distinctive.

1) Kolob

In Mormon teachings, Kolob is described as the star closest to the throne of God, playing a central role in the universe. According to LDS scripture, Kolob governs other celestial bodies, and it is seen as a real, physical star, not just a symbolic idea. Many Mormons believe Kolob is an actual place that holds significant importance in the divine order established by God. 

This belief is so ingrained in Mormon culture that it even inspired the hymn “If You Could Hie to Kolob,” which reflects on the mysteries of the universe and the eternal nature of existence. The idea of Kolob emphasizes the LDS view that the universe is carefully organized, with God’s throne at the very center.

2) The Book of Abraham

The idea of Kolob comes from the Book of Abraham, a text that Joseph Smith claimed to have translated by the power of God after acquiring a collection of ancient Egyptian papyri in 1835. These papyri, along with several mummies, were purchased by Smith and other members of the LDS Church from a traveling antiquities dealer named Michael Chandler. Smith believed the papyri contained writings by the biblical patriarch Abraham, which he then claimed to translate into what is now known as the Book of Abraham.

However, the authenticity of the Book of Abraham has been heavily criticized. When the papyri were rediscovered in the 20th century, Egyptologists examined them and concluded that the papyri were ordinary Egyptian funerary texts with no connection to Abraham. 

This has led to significant controversy and skepticism about Joseph Smith’s translation abilities and the divine origins of the text. Despite these findings, the Book of Abraham remains a part of LDS scripture, and many members believe in its spiritual significance, even if the historical details are disputed.

3) The Three Nephites

Another fascinating and peculiar belief in Mormonism involves the Three Nephites, three figures from the Book of Mormon who are said to have been granted immortality by Jesus Christ. According to Mormon scripture, Jesus visited the ancient inhabitants of the Americas after his resurrection and called twelve apostles, just as he did in Jerusalem.

Among these apostles were three disciples who were blessed with immortality and are believed to still roam the earth today, helping people and spreading the gospel.

Stories of encounters with the Three Nephites are common in Mormon folklore. These accounts typically involve the Nephites performing relatively mundane acts of service, like fixing flat tires, providing directions, or offering brief guidance. It’s odd that, despite their extraordinary nature, these immortal beings are often said to engage in such ordinary tasks rather than more significant interventions. 

While these stories are not official church doctrine, they are widely accepted and celebrated within Mormon culture, passed down through generations as evidence of ongoing divine involvement in the lives of the faithful.

4) Polygamy

While polygamy is no longer practiced by the mainstream LDS Church, the belief that it will be practiced in the afterlife persists. According to current LDS doctrine, men can be sealed to multiple wives if they are widowed, allowing them to be married to more than one woman in the afterlife. 

However, women are only allowed to be sealed to one husband, even if they are widowed and remarry. This belief underscores the continuation of polygamous relationships in the celestial kingdom (the best version of heaven in Mormonism) and reflects the church’s historical roots. 

Importantly, the LDS Church only abandoned the practice of polygamy on Earth after the U.S. government threatened severe penalties, including the confiscation of church property, if they did not comply with anti-polygamy laws. Despite its public disavowal, many members still view polygamy as a divine principle that will be fully reinstated in the afterlife.

5) As God Is, Man May Become

Mormons believe in a concept known as “eternal progression,” which teaches that God was once a mortal man who progressed to godhood, and that humans can follow a similar path. This doctrine is taken literally by many members, who believe that by adhering to the teachings of the church and participating in its ordinances, they too can eventually become gods. 

Once achieving godhood, members believe they will have the ability to create their own worlds and populate them with spirit children, just as God is believed to have done with Earth. This belief fundamentally shapes the Mormon understanding of human potential and the purpose of life, offering a literal path to divine exaltation and creative power.

6) Temple Ordinances

A key part of eternal progression are the temple ordinances, which Mormons must participate in to follow God’s path. Mormon temple ordinances are among the most sacred practices in the LDS Church. These rituals, which include the endowment ceremony, sealing marriages for eternity, and performing baptisms for the dead, are believed to be essential for salvation and exaltation in the afterlife. 

During the endowment ceremony, members make covenants with God, including a promise to devote all their resources, time, and talents to the church. Members also wear special undergarments, known as garments, as a reminder of these covenants. 

These rituals are not just symbolic; they are considered to have literal, eternal consequences. Genealogy work is also an important part of temple worship, as members believe they can save their deceased ancestors by performing these ordinances on their behalf.

7) The End of the World and the Millenium

In Mormon theology, the end of the world is a process that unfolds through a series of prophesied events, leading to a transformative period known as the Millennium. The approach of the end times is marked by several key signs, including the prophesied death of two apostles in Jerusalem, whose bodies will lie in the streets for three days before being resurrected. These events, along with other signs like widespread turmoil and natural disasters, are believed to signal the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe that just as the earth was baptized by water during the global flood described in the Bible, it will be baptized by fire in the final days.

This baptism by fire is expected to purify the world, burning away all wickedness and preparing the earth for Christ’s millennial reign. This transformation is seen as essential for the earth to be a suitable place for Christ’s thousand-year reign.

Following this fiery cleansing, the Millennium begins—a thousand-year period of peace and righteousness where Christ will personally reign over the earth. During this time, Satan will be bound, and there will be no more temptation. The Millennium is viewed as an era of unparalleled spiritual growth and learning, where the faithful will live in harmony under Christ’s leadership.

These beliefs about the end times and the Millennium are central to Mormon teachings and deeply influence the church’s emphasis on spiritual preparedness and righteous living. The next beliefs—Adam-Ondi-Ahman, the Lost Ten Tribes, and the White Horse Prophecy—further explore Mormon perspectives on how these final days will unfold.

8) The Lost Ten Tribes

Some ideas within Mormonism, particularly those related to the last days, were once taught as doctrine but have gradually faded into the realm of folklore. In the Bible, God’s chosen people were the Israelites, composed of twelve tribes. However, when the ancient Israelites were conquered by the Assyrians around 722 B.C., ten of these tribes became unaccounted for in historical records and are commonly referred to as the Lost Ten Tribes.

In early Mormon teachings, it was speculated that the Lost Ten Tribes were divinely guided to a hidden location, possibly within the earth or near the North Pole, where they have been preserved with their distinct language and culture. Some early church leaders even suggested that these tribes possess advanced technology, far beyond what is known to the rest of the world, and that they would emerge during the last days to assist in preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.

9) Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Mormons believe that the Garden of Eden was located in Missouri, at a place called Adam-Ondi-Ahman. This site is considered sacred and is central to Mormon teachings about the end times. According to these beliefs, Adam, the first man, will return to Adam-Ondi-Ahman as an angel to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. 

It is believed that this location will serve as the gathering place for God’s chosen leaders before Christ’s return. This doctrine highlights the LDS Church’s view of America as a land of divine significance and reflects its unique interpretations of biblical events.

10) The White Horse Prophecy

The LDS Church is an intensely American institution, with its teachings deeply intertwined with the narrative of the United States’ founding. Mormons believe that the USA was divinely established specifically to pave the way for Joseph Smith to restore what they consider the true gospel.

According to church teachings, the Founding Fathers were not just historical figures but were guided by divine inspiration, particularly in crafting the U.S. Constitution. Mormons see this document as almost sacred, believing that its creation was crucial for the survival of the LDS Church—a church that, in their view, wouldn’t have stood a chance in any other country.

Joseph Smith, who founded the church, famously prophesied that the U.S. Constitution would one day be “hanging by a thread” and that the LDS Church would be the one to rescue it. This is known as the White Horse Prophecy. The imagery of the “white horse” links to biblical symbolism, suggesting a savior figure—who, in this case, is interpreted by some as the church itself.

This prophecy isn’t just some obscure idea; it has fueled the political beliefs of many Mormons. The idea that they might one day be responsible for saving the United States adds a layer of urgency to their conservative values and a deep commitment to what they see as constitutional principles. For many members, this belief isn’t just a distant prophecy but a call to action in their political lives, reinforcing their conservative stance and their involvement in civic matters.

Conclusion

Mormonism is a religion filled with strange beliefs, from the idea of God residing near a star called Kolob to the claim that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri. Many of these beliefs are so unusual that members often avoid discussing them, to the point that newer members might not even be aware of their existence.

Whether openly discussed or not, these beliefs play a significant role in shaping the religious and social structure of the church, influencing how members perceive the world, interact with others, and understand their place in the universe.