Welcome to Study Faith with AI, where we use the power of AI to help you explore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I'm Meg Jensen.

And I'm Paul Carter,

and we're Google AIs. Whether you're a lifelong member or just starting to learn about the Church, we're here to dive deep into its history, beliefs, and culture.

So, if you're ready to learn, you're in the right place.

That's right.

Let's get started. 

Welcome to the deep dive.

Great to be here.

Today we're really getting into something fascinating. The uh the two century story of Mormonism.

Yeah. How it went from this, you know, small, often really persecuted group.

Right? Known for things like prophets, the Book of Mormon, even polygamy historically

to what we often see today, this image of well strong family values, piety, kind of a mainstream faith.

Exactly. And for this deep dive, we've got some interesting stuff to look at. We've pulled together historical accounts um academic work looking at Mormonism around the world how its identity has shifted

and also studies on where it fits in the religious landscape right now.

It's a good mix.

So our goal really is to understand what being a Mormon actually means. How has that changed over 200 years

and this whole idea of being in the world but not of the world? How does that play out?

Yeah. And looking at the challenges they're facing now with society shifting and you know where the faith might be headed.

It's important to start by remembering those early perceptions though, I mean a new scripture alongside the Bible, the Book of Mormon, believing in modern prophets

and polygamy of course. Yeah.

That really set them apart. People saw them as well - peculiar.

Distinctly different. Yeah.

Okay. So, let's rewind. Joseph Smith.

He's the key figure, the founder, the prophet,

right?

And the Book of Mormon, that really kicked things off, didn't it?

Absolutely foundational. Joseph Smith's story of finding and translating these golden plates, this whole narrative about ancient America. It created a very unique theology,

different from other Christian groups at the time.

Very. And that uniqueness, well, it fueled immediate growth. Missionaries went out, people joined.

But that growth wasn't easy. They faced a lot of opposition. Had to move several times, always with this idea of building Zion.

That's right. This vision of a gathering place, Zion, led them first to Kirtland, Ohio, then Jackson County, Missouri.

But settling didn't always go smoothly.

No. Uh the sheer number of Mormon settlers moving in often created tension with the people already there. Yeah.

Social friction, economic competition,

and suspicion about their beliefs.

Definitely. In Missouri, it got really bad. Violence, conflict. Eventually, they were forced out.

Expelled basically.

First from Jackson County, then other places too, until they landed in Caldwell County. But even there, the trouble continued.

Which brings us to Nauvoo, Illinois. That period seems huge. Joseph Smith wasn't just a religious leader anymore.

No, he really wasn't. Nauvoo grew incredibly fast and Smith ended up as mayor, chief justice. He even commanded the local militia, the Nauvoo Legion.

Wow.

So from the outside it looked like well like a theocracy was forming

which just increased the suspicion and hostility.

Exactly. And then the incident with the printing press destroying a press that was critical of Smith that really lit a fuse.

And it all tragically ended with Joseph Smith's murder in 1844. That must have shaken the faith to its core.

A massive I mean, huge uncertainty, a real leadership crisis.

Who would take over?

Eventually, Brigham Young emerged as the leader for the majority, and he led them on that incredible trek west

to escape persecution, find somewhere safe,

Right? To the Salt Lake Valley, what became Utah.

An amazing story of resilience, building settlements in the desert. But even Utah wasn't the end of the conflict. You add the Utah War, the Mountain Meadows Massacre,

and then there's the big one, polygamy, plural marriage. That practice, maybe more than anything else, really ignited this intense backlash from wider American society.

Absolutely.

You see it everywhere in the newspapers, cartoons of the time, endless legal challenges, even Mormons being jailed for it.

Right. Plural marriage, or “The Principle”, as they often called it, was for a segment of the early Church, a religiously motivated practice. They believed it was divinely revealed to Joseph Smith.

But I mean, it flew directly in the face of 19th century American social and moral norms.

So, the condemnation was widespread. and the legal push back was really significant.

Okay, so let's jump forward a bit. Early 20th century, we start seeing this uh this definite shift more towards mainstream acceptance. What were the key things driving that change?

Well, the official end of polygamy which happened in stages late 19th early 20th century that was absolutely critical

had to be.

By formally stopping the practice, the Church basically signaled okay we want to align more with broader American social norms. It was the start of reintegration. It tackled the single biggest point of public opposition.

That must have been a huge internal decision though. Probably not easy. Were there divisions about stopping polygamy?

Oh, absolutely. Historical analysis shows it wasn't, you know, universally popular inside the Church. There was significant debate, adjustment needed, but ultimately the leadership decided integration into American society was crucial for the Church's long-term survival and growth. And that decision kind of opened the door for other shifts in perception. You start seeing more emphasis on things like patriotism, hard work values that really resonated with mainstream America and that helped contribute to their rising socioeconomic status, too.

It was a conscious effort really starting in the early 1900s. Church leaders wanted greater integration into American life

and culture played a role.

A big role. Think about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Their national radio broadcast started way back in 1929.

Wow. That early.

Yeah. And it was fantastic public relations. showed a different side of Mormonism. Beautiful music, artistry reaching people across the country, kind of softening that peculiar image.

That's smart. And besides culture, there was more emphasis on being good citizens, contributing economically.

Absolutely. Patriotism, industry, hard work, these were stressed. And as Mormons became more successful socioeconomically, integrated into professions, that changed perceptions, too.

And people started moving out of Utah more,

right? Especially during the Great Depression that spread members across the country, leading to more everyday interactions between Mormons and non- Mormons, just more familiarity.

But how did they keep that strong sense of community going as people spread out?

They were very proactive about it. The Church set up all sorts of programs.

Like what?

Well, youth programs were huge boy scouting, the Young Women organization, lots of social events, dances, sports leagues,

keeping people connected.

Exactly. And a really strong religious education system to pass on beliefs to the next generation. Plus, during the Depression, they started a welfare program

for their own members.

Initially, yes, but it grew and evolved into this massive global humanitarian aid operation they run today. It showed commitment to service, social responsibility.

So, moving beyond the history, let's talk about the core beliefs and practices.

What really defines Mormon identity today?

Well, number one, absolutely central is the family.

An eternal family.

Exactly. Believed to be eternal. all central to God's plan. And they live that belief. Things like weekly family home evenings, dedicated time for family stuff, religious learning,

rituals, too, like naming and blessing babies.

Right? And a real hope that children will gain their own testimony, their own faith, and eventually get married in a temple. Temples are incredibly important, sacred spaces for specific ceremonies.

And then there are the lifestyle things like the Word of Wisdom. What's that about?

It's a health code basically from their scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants. It advises against alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea,

and it's interpreted more broadly now.

Yeah. Generally encouraging healthy living, avoiding harmful substances. It ties into this bigger picture, this Plan of Salvation.

Explain that a bit.

It's their understanding of life's purpose, a pre-earth life, our time here on earth, and life after death. And specific ordinances like baptism or those temple sealings we mentioned are seen as essential steps on that path back to God.

Missionary service is another thing people really associate with Mormonism.

Hugely visible. Yeah. Young men, young women, sometimes older couples, too. Serving full-time missions for 18 months or two years.

Why is that so important?

It's seen as vital for personal growth, spiritual development, leadership, character building, and of course, it's about sharing their beliefs globally. The commitment involved is a big part of the identity.

And they also do temple work for ancestors.

That's right. Vicarious ordinances like baptism for the dead. It reflects this really strong connection to past generations wanting to offer those saving ordinances to ancestors who didn't have the chance.

This brings us back to that phrase in the world but not of the world. It feels like a key concept for understanding how Mormons navigate modern life.

It really is. It's this constant balancing act.

How so?

Well, members are encouraged to be active in society, contribute positively, you know, be good neighbors and professionals,

but at the same time hold on to a distinct identity based on their religious principles.

Exactly. There's a real awareness, maybe even a concern about becoming too assimilated, losing what makes their faith unique and in their view spiritually protective.

And that often means holding distinct views on social issues.

It can. Yeah. For instance, their emphasis on traditional family structures and the Law of Chastity, which restricts sexual relations to within a heterosexual marriage, often differs from broader societal norms today.

The Church also has specific teachings on things like abortion.

Correct. And even things that might seem smaller like guidelines on dress and appearance in pamphlets like For the Strength of Youth reinforce this idea of living a distinct lifestyle.

The Church's stance on LGBTQ issues is obviously a major point of discussion right now. How does that fit into this “in the world, not of the world” framework?

It's complex. The Church stresses love and compassion for everyone acknowledging same-sex attraction.

But based on their doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman, homosexual acts are prohibited under the Law of Chastity. This creates significant tension as societal views evolve.

Right? And it's important to distinguish the main Church from fundamentalist groups still practicing polygamy.

Absolutely critical distinction. The mainstream Church renounced polygamy over a century ago and has no connection with groups that continue it.

Let's revisit that term peculiar people. It comes from the Bible, but how do Mormons understand it today?

They generally embrace it, but not meaning strange in a bad way. More like special, distinct, chosen for a purpose, committed to a higher standard. Different. Yes. And that sense of distinctiveness also fuels their commitment to service, that huge humanitarian aid effort we mentioned. It comes from a principle called consecration, dedicating time, talents, resources to God and others.

So looking at the present and maybe towards the future, what are the big challenges Mormonism is facing right now?

Well, like many religions, they're grappling with the rise of the nones, young adults - especially identifying as religiously unaffiliated or just practicing less traditionally.

Is Mormonism affected by that too?

It is. While their retention rates have often been higher than some other groups, they're definitely not immune to these larger societal shifts in religious belief and practice.

And what about the political landscape? Especially in the US, religion and politics seem increasingly intertwined.

That's another challenge. In the US, highly religious people are often linked with the Republican party and conservative views, while the Church itself is politically neutral.

That association can be tricky for members who don't fit that mold or for dialogue with people holding different views,

right? And just generally keeping people engaged and active in the faith into adulthood, especially if they didn't grow up in a super observant home, is an ongoing focus.

You mentioned LGBTQ issues earlier. That seems like a persistent point of tension as societal views change so rapidly.

It really is - balancing core doctrines with pastoral care and navigating evolving social norms around sexuality and gender identity is a significant ongoing challenge both internally and in public perception.

And there's sometimes tension between faith and intellectual inquiry.

Historically, yes, there have been cases where Mormon scholars face discipline for work seen as challenging traditional narratives or doctrines. Finding that balance between faith and open inquiry is an ongoing conversation.

But it's not just an American Church anymore, is it? It's truly global now.

Massively so. A majority of members actually live outside the United States. Now,

how does that change things?

It means constantly adapting. How do core teachings and practices translate across vastly different cultures? Family is still central, but what family looks like varies globally.

So, missionary work becomes even more complex.

It does. It requires real cultural sensitivity and that global growth will undoubtedly shape the Church's future.

And internally, things like temple worship and the local congregations remain key.

Absolutely vital. Temples reinforce core beliefs, create a shared spiritual focus, and the local congregations, the wards with their lay ministry members, volunteering and leadership build strong community cohesion and support networks. That structure is crucial.

So it really boils down to this ongoing balancing act.

Yeah. How do you maintain your distinctiveness, your core principles

while also engaging effectively with a world that's constantly changing, becoming more globalized and diverse?

Exactly. How do you ensure the message resonates across all these different cultures and contexts while staying true to what you believe are foundational truths. That's the central question. I think

this has been incredibly insightful. We've traced this journey from, you know, a small misunderstood group to a major global faith.

Covering a lot of ground from early conflicts to modern challenges

and really digging into that complex idea of being in the world but not of the world.

It's a dynamic story still unfolding. The way Mormonism has adapted and changed over 100 years is remarkable and the current challenges are just the latest chapter.

So let's leave you the listener with this thought. Considering everything we've discussed, the history, the core beliefs, the current pressures from shifting social and political norms, how might Mormonism continue to adapt?

How can its central ideas resonate in the 21st century, both in its traditional heartlands and across its diverse global membership, ensuring it remains vital for generations to come?

It's a big question. Definitely something to ponder about the future of faith in our changing world.

A lot to think about. Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.

If you find value in this exploration, please like, share, follow, and consider becoming a subscriber. Your contributions help keep these conversations going and allows us to maintain the highest quality production. You can find all the details at studyfaithwithai.com. Thank you for being part of this journey.