The Many Rules Mormons Have to Follow 

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follow guidelines that shape every aspect of their lives, including what they wear, eat, and drink. These rules, whether considered commandments, guidelines, or social expectations, often serve as a measure of a member’s righteousness and personal worth.

Every Rule I Followed as a Mormon:

What Mormons Can and Can’t Do

The rules Mormons live by are nearly countless. These rules can’t all be found in a single place but are instead spread out across leadership manuals, missionary pamphlets, scriptures, and meetings. It can be hard to keep track of every rule, but as a whole they generally fall into the following categories:

• The Mormon Lifestyle
• Observing the Sabbath
• Dietary Guidelines (The Word of Wisdom)
• Sexual Guidelines (The Law of Chastity)
• Financial Guidelines
• Temple Worship
• Rules Especially for Youth
• Other Beliefs

The Mormon Lifestyle

The Mormon lifestyle is filled with responsibilities and daily activities set by the church. These practices keep members constantly engaged with their religion. This constant involvement not only reinforces religious commitment but also sets Mormons apart from others, marking them as distinct in both behavior and appearance.

Rules:

• Daily Prayer: Mormons are expected to pray multiple times a day, including upon waking up, before meals, and before bed.
• Daily Scripture Study: Members are instructed to read the scriptures daily, including the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
• Home Teaching / Ministering: Members are assigned other families to visit regularly, providing spiritual guidance and support.
• Family Home Evening: Every Monday night, families gather at home for religious instruction and activities.
• Clean the Church: Members are expected to volunteer to clean their local church buildings regularly, despite their financial contributions supposedly being used to maintain these buildings.
• Have Large Families: Mormons are encouraged to have large families as part of their religious commitment.

Restrictions:

• No Profanity: Members are discouraged to avoid using swear words or crude language.
• No Tattoos: Tattoos are discouraged, with the body considered “a temple” that should be kept sacred and not to be marked.
• No Piercings for Men: Men are advised against having any piercings.
• Only One Pair of Earrings for Women: Women are allowed only one pair of earrings.
• No Unnatural Hair Colors: Dyeing hair in unnatural colors is discouraged.

Observing the Sabbath

For Mormons, Sundays are dedicated to religious observance, rest, and family time, avoiding activities that are considered secular or distracting from the sanctity of the Sabbath.

Rules:

• Attend Church Meetings: Members are required to attend church services every Sunday, usually for two hours including Sacrament Meeting and a class.
• Rest from Work: Members are expected to refrain from working on Sundays.
• Spend Time with Family: Sundays are intended for family time, with activities that reinforce religious teachings and strengthen family bonds.
• Engage in Spiritual Activities: Members are encouraged to participate in activities such as prayer, scripture study, and quiet reflection on Sundays.
• Hold a Calling: Many members have church responsibilities or “callings” that they fulfill on Sundays, such as teaching or organizing church events.
• Attend Church Conferences: Members are expected to attend semi-annual General Conference and other church-wide or local conferences as part of their Sabbath observance.

Restrictions:

• No Shopping: Members are discouraged from shopping on Sundays.
• No Eating Out: Dining out on Sundays is generally discouraged.
• No Work: Members are expected to avoid any form of work, whether paid or unpaid, to honor the Sabbath.
• Avoid Heavy Chores: Heavy household chores, such as cleaning or yard work, are discouraged on Sundays.
• No Secular Media: Members are encouraged to avoid watching TV, listening to secular music, or engaging with other non-religious media on Sundays.
• No Homework: Students are discouraged from doing schoolwork on Sundays.
• Avoid Sports and Exercise: Recreational activities like sports or exercise are generally discouraged on Sundays.
• No Swimming: Swimming in particular is discouraged on Sundays.

Dietary Guidelines (The Word of Wisdom)

Mormon dietary practices are governed by a set of guidelines known as the Word of Wisdom, which outlines what members are encouraged to consume and what they must avoid. 

These guidelines are considered a commandment from God and are believed to promote physical and spiritual health. Members almost exclusively focus on the strict prohibitions and rarely mention the other guidelines.

Rules:

• Use Wholesome Herbs: Members are encouraged to use herbs for their nutritional and medicinal benefits.
• Eat Fruits and Vegetables in Their Season: A balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, particularly when they are in season, is promoted.
• Use Grains, Especially Wheat: Grains, particularly wheat, are recommended as a staple part of the diet.
• Use Food with Thanksgiving: Members are taught to be grateful for their food, often expressed by saying a prayer of thanks before meals.

Restrictions:

• No Alcohol: The consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
• No Coffee: Coffee is forbidden, although the reasoning is often debated, it remains a clear restriction.
• No Tobacco: The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited.
• No Recreational Drugs: The use of drugs for recreational purposes is strictly forbidden.
• Eat Meat Sparingly: Members are advised to eat meat sparingly, emphasizing a diet that leans more toward plant-based foods. This rule is almost completely ignored despite being given alongside the others.
• No Caffeine (Ambiguous): While not explicitly banned, the consumption of caffeinated beverages like soda is often avoided due to cultural interpretations of the Word of Wisdom.

Sexual Guidelines (The Law of Chastity)

Mormons are expected to follow strict sexual guidelines known as the Law of Chastity, which governs all aspects of sexual conduct. These rules are intended to maintain sexual purity, both before and after marriage, and are considered essential to spiritual cleanliness.

Rules:

• Maintain Sexual Purity: Members are expected to remain sexually pure, avoiding any sexual activity outside of marriage.
• Practice Fidelity in Marriage: Married members are required to remain faithful to their spouses, avoiding any form of infidelity.
• Exercise Self-Control: Members are taught to control their thoughts and actions, avoiding anything that could lead to sexual sin.
• Dress Modestly: Modesty in dress is emphasized, particularly for women, to avoid attracting inappropriate attention or thoughts. A man’s lack of self-control is often considered the woman’s responsibility.
• Encourage Chastity in Others: Members are encouraged to promote and support chastity in others, particularly among the youth.
• Avoid Situations that Could Lead to Temptation: Members are advised to avoid being alone with someone of the opposite sex or engaging in situations that could lead to temptation.

Restrictions:

• No Sexual Relations Outside Marriage: Any form of sexual activity outside of marriage is strictly prohibited.
• No Homosexual Behavior: Homosexual relationships and behavior are forbidden by the church.
• No Pornography: The reading or viewing of pornography is strictly prohibited.
• No Masturbation: Members are taught that masturbation is a sin and are expected to avoid it.
• No Immodest Clothing: Members are encouraged not to wear revealing clothing, especially if the temple garment could not be concealed beneath. Specific restrictions include:
  • No Bikinis
  • No Sleeveless Shirts
  • No Short Shorts or Mini Skirts
  • No Low-Cut Tops
• No Immodest Behavior: Openly discussing sexuality is a social taboo within the church. In addition to not discussing sexuality, any activities which suggest sexuality are discouraged.
• No Lustful Thoughts: Members are taught to avoid entertaining lustful thoughts, as they are considered sinful and a violation of the Law of Chastity.

Financial Guidelines

Despite having an estimated wealth of over $100 billion, the church obligates its members to make financial contributions. The church encourages financial responsibility in its members, perhaps because they often benefit from it.

Rules:

• Tithing: Members are required to give 10% of their income to the church. This is considered a sacred duty, and paying tithing is necessary to remain in good standing with the church and to qualify for a temple recommendation.
• Fast Offerings: In addition to tithing, members are encouraged to donate money saved from fasting (not eating or drinking anything for at least two meals and then donating the cost of what would have been eaten or drank). These offerings are given directly to the church and are supposedly used to help the poor and needy.

Restrictions:

• No Gambling: All forms of gambling, including lottery tickets and betting, are strictly prohibited. Gambling is seen as a morally corrupt practice that can lead to addiction and financial ruin.

Temple Worship

Temple worship is a core component of Mormon faith, involving sacred rituals and ceremonies that are performed in temples. Access to the temple is tightly controlled, and only members who meet strict standards of worthiness are allowed to participate.

Rules:

• Hold a Temple Recommend: Members must obtain a temple recommend, which requires them to pass an interview process that confirms their worthiness. This includes adherence to all church rules, including tithing, the Word of Wisdom, and moral conduct.
• Genealogy Work: Members are encouraged to perform genealogy research to identify their ancestors, which allows them to perform temple ordinances on behalf of deceased family members.
• Baptisms for the Dead: Members perform proxy baptisms in the temple for deceased individuals, believed to give them the opportunity to accept the LDS Church in the afterlife.
• Washing and Anointing: A ritual purification ceremony that prepares members for other temple ordinances.
• Endowment Ceremony: A sacred ritual where members make covenants with God and receive instruction on the plan of salvation. This ceremony includes the wearing of temple garments.
• Wear Garments: After participating in the endowment ceremony, members are required to wear special Mormon underwear, known as garments, at all times as a reminder of their covenants.
• Sealing (Temple Marriage): Marriage ceremonies performed in the temple are believed to seal couples together for eternity, not just for this life. This is considered the final ordinance members must receive in order to be accepted into the best tier of heaven in the afterlife.
• The Second Anointing: A rarely discussed and highly secretive ordinance that is said to guarantee one’s exaltation in the afterlife.

Restrictions:

• Avoid all loud laughter, light mindedness and evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed: During the endowment, members are instructed to avoid loud laughter, light mindedness, and evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed. This is often interpreted as meaning that members should maintain a reverent demeanor at all times and not make light of spiritual or sacred things. However, this is not explained during the ceremony, so some members may follow this rule by avoiding loud laughter of any sort.
• No Talking About the Temple: Members are prohibited from discussing the specific details of temple ceremonies outside the temple, including with other members who have not participated in the ordinances.

Rules Especially for Youth

Youth in the LDS Church are held to a specific set of rules and expectations that are meant to keep young members focused on their faith, prevent them from engaging in behaviors considered sinful, and prepare them for future responsibilities within the church. 

Rules:

• Honor Code at Church Schools: Students attending church-affiliated schools like BYU must maintain an “ecclesiastical endorsement” (an endorsement by a church leader) and adhere to the Honor Code, both of which verify that they are living according to church standards.
• Missionary Service: Young men are expected to serve a full-time two-year mission. Young women are also encouraged, but it is not expected. As a missionary, they will need to follow a set of mission rules, such as adhering to a rigorous daily schedule, maintaining a specific dress code, and always being accompanied by a missionary companion.
• Attend Seminary and Institute: Youth are encouraged to attend daily religious classes known as Seminary (for high school students) and Institute (for college students), where they study church doctrine and scriptures.
• Dating: Dating is tightly regulated, with youth encouraged to avoid serious romantic relationships until after their mission. Group dates are preferred over one-on-one dating to prevent situations that could lead to temptation.

Restrictions:

• No Beards or Long Hair for Men: Both church schools and mission rules prohibit men from growing beards or having long hair, reflecting the church’s standards of appearance.
• No Dating Until 16: Youth are not allowed to date until they turn 16, at which point they are encouraged to only participate in group dates.
• No “Petting” or “Necking”: Youth are instructed to avoid any form of physical affection beyond hand-holding, with specific prohibitions on “petting” (intimate touching) and “necking” (making out).
• Missionary Service Restrictions: During their missions, young men and women must follow strict rules, including no dating or romantic relationships, no contact with the opposite gender alone, no personal social media use, no unnecessary phone calls, no travel without permission, and no swimming.

Weird Mormon Beliefs

Avoid Worldliness and the Appearance of Evil

Mormons are taught to avoid anything that might be considered worldly or give the appearance of evil. This includes avoiding situations or behaviors that could potentially lead to sin or give others the wrong impression about their faith. This places the responsibility of others’ perceptions on the member.

• Avoiding Situations that Could Lead to Sin: Members are encouraged to avoid places, activities, or associations that might tempt them to sin or could be perceived as inappropriate by others.
• No Coffee or Alcohol for Non-Members in LDS Homes: Even when hosting non-Mormon guests, Mormons do not serve coffee or alcohol in their homes to maintain a home environment aligned with church teachings.
• Avoiding “Contention” (Contention is of the Devil): Heated arguments or confrontations are discouraged, as they are believed to be influenced by the devil.
• No Crosses or Crucifixes: Mormons avoid using crosses or crucifixes as symbols, focusing instead on the resurrection rather than the crucifixion of Jesus.
• Modesty in Speech and Thought: Members are encouraged to speak and think in ways that reflect modesty, avoiding crude or inappropriate language and thoughts.
• No Profanity: Swearing or using vulgar language is strictly prohibited.
• No R-Rated Movies: Members are discouraged from watching R-rated movies due to their often explicit content, which is considered inappropriate.
• No Music with Profanity: Listening to music that includes profanity or explicit content is discouraged.
• Avoid Violent Video Games: Playing video games with graphic violence or mature content is discouraged, as it is believed to desensitize individuals to immoral behavior.
• Avoid Inappropriate Humor: Jokes or humor that is crude, vulgar, or sexually suggestive are frowned upon.
• No Ouija Boards: Ouija boards are forbidden as they are believed to invite evil spirits and promote occult practices.
• No Tarot Cards: Tarot cards are prohibited due to their association with fortune-telling and the occult.
• No Fortune Telling or Witchcraft: Any form of fortune-telling, witchcraft, or occult practices is strictly forbidden.
• No Face Cards: Some members avoid playing with face cards (like in a standard deck of cards) due to their historical association with gambling and potential for promoting idle time.

Taboo Topics

Mormon culture includes a range of topics that are considered taboo and are rarely, if ever, discussed openly among members. These topics often involve aspects of church history, doctrine, or leadership that could be seen as controversial or challenging to the faith. By discouraging discussion on these subjects, the church maintains control over its narrative and limits the spread of potentially disruptive ideas.

• Polygamy in the Afterlife: Although the practice of polygamy was officially discontinued in the late 19th century, it is still believed that men can be sealed to multiple women for eternity. This topic is seldom discussed openly, especially given the church’s efforts to distance itself from its polygamist past.
• No Reading Anti-Mormon Literature: Members are strongly discouraged from reading any material critical of the church, regardless of its accuracy or credibility. This is seen as harmful to faith and unity within the church.
• Obey Church Leaders: Members are expected to follow the guidance and instructions of church leaders without question. This practice reinforces a strict hierarchical structure and discourages dissent.
• No Criticizing Church Leadership: Open criticism of church leaders is not tolerated, as it is considered a challenge to their authority and a sign of disobedience.
• Silence on the Subject of Heavenly Mother: While the existence of Heavenly Mother is acknowledged in church doctrine, members are encouraged not to speak about her, and there is very little official teaching on the subject.
• Avoid Sharing Sacred Experiences: Members are often discouraged from sharing personal spiritual experiences, especially those considered sacred or related to temple ordinances, to maintain their sanctity.
• Keep the Temple Completely Secret: The details of temple ceremonies are not to be discussed outside the temple, even with other members who have not participated in those ordinances.
• Avoid Unapproved Sources When Learning Church History No Matter How Credible: Members are advised to rely only on church-approved sources for learning about church history, discouraging the exploration of alternative perspectives or critiques.
• Ignore the Church’s Corporate or Business Ventures: Members are encouraged to focus on spiritual matters and avoid scrutinizing or questioning the church’s financial and business activities, which are often kept opaque.

Emergency Preparedness

In modern Mormon practice, emergency preparedness is closely tied to beliefs about the “end of times,” when tumultuous events are expected to precede the second coming of Christ. Members are encouraged to be ready for these challenging times by maintaining a supply of food, water, and other essentials. 

Cultural Rules

Beyond official church doctrine, many cultural rules and norms have developed within the Mormon community. These rules often dictate social behavior and interactions, shaping how members live their daily lives and interact with the broader world. 

These cultural expectations can be just as powerful as official church teachings, often guiding members in their personal and social lives in ways that may not be explicitly stated in church doctrine but are nonetheless deeply ingrained in the LDS culture.

• Avoiding Idle Time: Members are encouraged to stay busy with productive or faith-promoting activities to avoid idleness, which is seen as an opportunity for negative influences.
• No Participation in Non-LDS Religious Services: Members are discouraged from attending religious services or events from other denominations, as this is seen as potentially undermining their faith.
• No Non-Mormon Boyfriends or Girlfriends: Dating non-members is often discouraged to avoid potential conflicts in faith and commitment, with a strong emphasis on marrying within the faith.
• Avoid Non-Mormon Friends: While not an official rule, there is a cultural expectation to limit friendships with non-members to avoid negative influences and ensure a supportive faith-based social circle.
• Avoid Divorce: Divorce is culturally frowned upon, with strong pressure to maintain marriages even in difficult circumstances, as marriage is considered a sacred covenant.

Past Rules

Throughout its history, the LDS Church has held certain rules and practices that have since been changed or abandoned. While these rules are no longer officially enforced, they have left a lasting impact on the church’s culture and the experiences of its members.

• Polygamy: The practice of polygamy was officially discontinued in the late 19th century, but it remains a significant part of the church’s history and it is believed that it will be practiced in the afterlife.
• Avoiding Fantasy Literature or Games: There was once a strong discouragement against reading fantasy literature or playing fantasy games, as these were seen as potentially harmful influences.
• Priesthood Ban for Black Men: Until 1978, Black men were not allowed to hold the priesthood, a policy that has had lasting effects on the church’s relationships with Black members and communities.
• No Birth Control: Birth control was once strongly discouraged, reflecting the church’s emphasis on large families and traditional gender roles, though the stance has since softened.
• No Caffeine: While never officially banned, caffeine was culturally avoided by many members until more recent years, when the church clarified that caffeinated soft drinks are not prohibited.
• Women Veiling Faces in Temple: Women were once required to veil their faces during certain temple ceremonies, a practice that has since been discontinued.
• Discouragement of Higher Education for Women: There was historically a cultural discouragement of higher education for women, who were expected to focus on homemaking and raising children, though this expectation has gradually changed.
• One-Piece Garments: The church originally prescribed one-piece temple garments, which have now been replaced by more practical two-piece garments.
• Anti-Catholic Sentiment: There was a historical anti-Catholic sentiment within the church, reflecting broader societal views of the time, which has since diminished as the church has sought to build bridges with other religious communities.

The Ultimate Commandment: Be Perfect

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus concludes with the commandment that his disciples should “be ye therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Mormons take this commandment seriously.

Members are expected to strive to match the church’s definition of a perfect disciple as closely as they can. Their inevitable failure is already planned for within the Mormon Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is taught that life is meant to be a loop of failing, improving, and eventually being as close to perfect as we can be before Jesus makes up the difference.

Conclusion

The guidelines to being a perfect Mormon can depend on your age, gender, church responsibilities, and personal viewpoints. It would be impossible to list every rule and the various interpretations each rule may have.

However, this list gives a comprehensive overview of the lifestyle Mormons live. For a first-hand experience of what it’s like to grow up living these rules, check out My Experience with Mormon Rules.