Is Benson Boone Mormon? (Not anymore)

Not anymore. Benson Boone was raised in a devout Mormon family in Monroe, Washington, and he even spent a semester at Brigham Young University–Idaho. In a March 2025 Rolling Stone interview he said he no longer identifies as Mormon: “I don’t want to be a part of one religion.”

His voice has given us hits like “Ghost Town,” “In The Stars,” and the chart-topper “Beautiful Things,” and he even opened for Taylor Swift. As his star rose, Christian listeners started asking about his spiritual journey. Raised in the Mormon faith, his path brings honest questions: Is he still Mormon? What’s in his heart today? And how does faith touch his music? Let’s look at his story with grace and an open heart.

Was Benson Boone Raised in the Mormon Faith?

Young Benson Boone’s connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wasn’t a passing phase; it was part of his growing-up years. He was raised in Monroe, Washington, in what’s described as a “devout Mormon family.” Imagine a childhood filled with the teachings, community, and traditions of the LDS Church.

He even spent one semester at Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU-Idaho), a private college in Rexburg, Idaho, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Attending a school like that often shows a deep connection to the church’s values. This strong Mormon upbringing is a key part of understanding his story and the choices he’s made since.

Is Benson Boone Still a Practicing Mormon Today?

Benson Boone has shared his heart openly: he no longer sees himself as a Mormon. In that March 2025 Rolling Stone interview, he spoke directly about moving on from the faith he grew up with. It’s confirmed that “Although Boone was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he no longer identifies as a Mormon.” He told Rolling Stone, “I don’t want to be a part of one religion.” That’s not someone taking a little break; that’s a clear statement of choosing a different path from the LDS Church.

Why Did Benson Boone Say He Left the Mormon Church?

Benson has been open about why he stepped away. It came down to a very personal feeling: he wasn’t experiencing his faith the same way others in his church community were. He shared with Rolling Stone that growing up, “a lot of people at church would talk about these experiences that they’ve had and these personal revelations and feelings and voices.” But Benson said he “never felt it as physically present as they did.”

That difference left him “always confused and frustrated.” He even admitted, “I was always scared to bring that up to people because I just didn’t want to accept that, like, I wasn’t feeling what everyone else was feeling.” He later found a friend who felt similarly, which must have been a comfort.

His decision wasn’t about rejecting a list of rules. He wanted a faith he could truly feel, and the freedom to shape his own spiritual understanding: “I don’t want to be a part of one religion. I have my own opinions. Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion.” He’s choosing to build his own spiritual house, taking wisdom from many places.

It’s a bit like when he left American Idol after reaching the top 24. He wanted to build his music career his own way, not just be “Benson Boone, American Idol guy.” That desire for independence in his career seems to mirror his spiritual journey: a consistent wish to follow his own heart and experiences.

What Does Benson Boone Believe About God and Religion Now?

Having chosen a path different from Mormonism, Benson describes his current spiritual life as a journey of personal exploration. As he told Rolling Stone, “I don’t want to be a part of one religion. I have my own opinions. Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion.” He isn’t closing his heart to faith. He’s creating a personal belief system that feels true to him.

His music, especially “Beautiful Things,” gives us glimpses into that heart. When he sings, “And I thank God every day / For the girl He sent my way” and “It’s been a while I’m finding my faith,” it shows a belief in a personal God, one who is active in his life. That cry, “Please stay, I want you, I need you, oh God / Don’t take / These beautiful things that I’ve got,” speaks of a direct plea to God.

It’s striking that he uses such faith-filled words in popular songs even as he steps away from a single religious label. That line, “finding my faith,” speaks of an ongoing search, not a destination already reached. Many young people can relate to faith as an active search rather than a finished label. For a fuller map of why Mormonism and historic Christianity are not the same faith, see our Mormonism vs. Christianity comparison chart.

How Do Benson Boone’s Parents View His Spiritual Path?

A special part of Benson’s story is how his parents have responded. Even with their own strong Mormon faith, he has shared that they’ve been incredibly supportive of his individual path.

He told Rolling Stone, “My parents definitely have their own views when it comes to religion and God, they want me to figure it out on my own.” He also added, “And whatever I come to, and whatever I feel is right, that’s what they want for me.”

That’s a picture of love and respect for his choices. When a child chooses a different faith path, especially from a close-knit religious community, it can be hard for families. Benson’s story of his parents’ acceptance is a graceful example of putting love and his well-being first.

Does He Still Uphold Mormon Values (like abstaining from alcohol, drugs, or coffee)?

Even though Benson no longer identifies as Mormon, he has shared that he still chooses a life free from alcohol and drugs. His reasons now come from personal well-being, not from church rules.

He explained, “I just think for me personally, like, dude, I would die. I have such an addictive personality. I feel like if I started, I would do it so much that my health would just decline and I wouldn’t enjoy touring as much.” That’s a practical, health-focused reason. While not drinking or using drugs aligns with the Mormon health code (the Word of Wisdom), Benson’s motivation is clearly his own.

And coffee? That’s also something Mormons traditionally avoid. Benson mentioned he has tried it. For many who leave Mormonism, trying coffee can be a small step of personal freedom. For Benson, it wasn’t a big deal: “it literally tastes like burnt wood,” he said. His dislike is based on taste, not a lingering religious rule.

Faith in His Music: Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”

Benson Boone’s song “Beautiful Things” has touched millions, not just with its melody and his voice, but with its spiritual lyrics. This song sparked conversations about his faith, because it speaks of God, blessings, and a personal spiritual journey.

Think about these words: “And I thank God every day / For the girl He sent my way / But I know the things He gives me, He can take away.” And in the chorus: “Please stay, I want you, I need you, oh God / Don’t take / These beautiful things that I’ve got.” Another line that resonates is, “It’s been a while I’m finding my faith.”

Many listeners feel blessed by the thankfulness, honesty, and reliance on a higher power. One student news site even noted how the song reflects Christian values and connected it to Psalm 103. That raw plea to God is something so many can relate to: the desire to hold onto our blessings.

The song has also led to thoughtful pushback. Greg Lancaster Ministries looked at lyrics like “She’ll come and stay the night,” and wondered if this suggested living together outside of marriage. From that view, it raises questions about asking God to bless a situation that may not align with biblical teaching on marriage. A Catholic commentator appreciated the song’s gratitude but also reminded listeners not to let blessings become more important than God Himself.

These varied responses show how “Beautiful Things” reaches people in different ways. The song speaks of God, and because Benson isn’t defining it with one church’s doctrine, listeners often hear it through their own faith. That feeling of loving God’s “beautiful things” while fearing they could be taken away touches something as old as the story of Job.

Conclusion: A Path Still Unfolding

Benson Boone is a gifted young artist who found fame while making a big change in his personal faith. He is no longer part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the faith he grew up in with his devout family. He describes himself as “finding my faith,” taking wisdom from different spiritual places and expressing a belief in God through his music. Through it all, he has shared how his parents have lovingly supported him, wanting him to find what feels right for his own heart.

His journey reflects something we see a lot today, especially with young adults: a desire for what’s real, sometimes leading them to explore paths outside the religious world they were raised in. His honest words and the spiritual feelings in songs like “Beautiful Things” open conversations, especially among Christians.

For Christians, Benson’s experience is a reminder to understand our own faith deeply, especially when spiritual themes show up in popular culture. Faith and doubt are very personal. Although we hold firmly to what we believe about truth and salvation, God calls us to show grace, understanding, and compassion to everyone, no matter their spiritual path. Benson’s search, like anyone’s search for truth, can be seen with hope: a hope that all who are seeking will find the loving God who is seeking them.