What are mormons not allowed to do?

Introduction: Understanding Latter-day Saint Standards – A Different Way of Looking at “Rules”

ever wonder about the lifestyle of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day perhaps what they’re “not allowed to do”? Well, it’s not about a restrictive list! It’s about embracing God’s loving guidance and commandments through personal faith and choice.¹ The Church’s full name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day though “Mormons” is a common nickname.³ This is to help you, especially Christian readers, understand the heart behind these standards.

For Latter-day these are pathways to greater health, spiritual strength, peace, and many blessings.⁴ The goal is living in harmony with Jesus Christ’s teachings, whom we worship as Savior.⁶ The “Word of Wisdom,” for example, isn’t just against alcohol/tobacco; it’s God’s counsel for a healthy life,4 a positive choice for well-being.

Your ability to choose, your agency, is key. These standards are best embraced willingly, from love for God and desire for His blessings.¹ The 2022 “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” emphasizes making “inspired choices” from gospel principles, not just rules.⁷ This fosters an internal commitment from understanding truth and seeking personal guidance. The promise of blessings—health, wisdom, a closer relationship with God—is a powerful, positive motivation.⁴ It’s a covenant: you choose God’s path, and He blesses you!

What are the main things Latter-day Saints choose not to do? (A Quick Overview)

So, what are some of these uplifting choices that distinguish this lifestyle? Here’s a quick look:

• Substances: Choosing to avoid alcohol, all tobacco, coffee, tea (from the Camellia sinensis plant), and any illicit drugs.⁴ It’s about keeping your body pure and ready for God’s blessings!
• Sexual Purity: This beautiful principle means reserving sexual relations for marriage, understood as between a man and a woman, with complete faithfulness within that sacred bond.¹⁰
• Sabbath Observance: Making Sunday, the Sabbath, a special day by focusing on worship, and serving others, rather than regular work or shopping.¹⁰ It’s a day to recharge your spirit!
• Gambling: Choosing not to participate in games of chance where money or items are wagered.¹⁰ Trust in God’s provision, not luck!
• Dishonesty and Foul Language: Striving for honesty in everything and using uplifting language.¹⁰ Let your words reflect God’s goodness!

These are some key lifestyle choices, all part of a bigger commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Remember, it’s a journey of faith, not instant perfection.¹

Here’s a handy table to see it all clearly:

Quick Guide: Key Lifestyle Choices for Latter-day Saints

This table gives you a snapshot, linking these choices to their divine guidance. Let’s explore the wonderful “why” behind each one!

The Word of Wisdom: Why do Latter-day Saints avoid alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea?

A beautiful part of the Latter-day Saint lifestyle is a health guide called the Word of Wisdom.⁴ This isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a revelation God gave to Joseph Smith way back in 1833, found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89.⁵ Think of it as God’s loving counsel for your physical and spiritual well-being! 4

What God Gently Counsels Against

The Word of Wisdom lovingly advises us to avoid:

• Wine and strong drinks (that means all alcohol): Keeping your mind clear and your body strong.⁴
• Tobacco: Whether smoking or chewing, it’s best to avoid it.⁴
• Hot drinks: this was clarified by God’s prophets to mean coffee and tea (from the Camellia sinensis plant specifically), not every warm beverage. So, herbal teas are generally fine! 4
• Harmful Drugs: This includes illegal drugs and misusing any legal ones, even prescriptions. More recently, God’s prophets have also advised against things like vaping and recreational marijuana.⁴

Isn’t it wonderful how God continues to guide us? The clarification about “hot drinks” shows His ongoing love and revelation. It’s not just about an ingredient like caffeine about following His inspired prophets.¹⁷

Embracing Good Health!

But the Word of Wisdom is so much more than what not to do! It’s a joyful invitation to embrace healthy habits:

• Enjoy wholesome herbs, fruits, and vegetables in their season, with a grateful heart.⁵
• Use meat “sparingly”—it’s a gift from God to be used with thanksgiving.⁴
• Make grains, like wheat, a key part of your diet—the “staff of life”!5 God’s leaders also encourage regular exercise and getting enough sleep.⁴ He wants you to feel your best, full of energy and vitality!

The Amazing Blessings Promised!

And here’s the exciting part: God promises incredible blessings when you follow this counsel:

• Vibrant Health: “Health in their navel and marrow to their bones.”4
• Wisdom and Knowledge: “Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.”4
• Strength and Endurance: You “shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.”4
• Divine Protection: “The destroying angel shall pass by them…and not slay them” ($D&C 89:21$).

Latter-day Saints see these promises as a powerful reason to live this way. It’s a small choice for such amazing physical, mental, and spiritual rewards!4 Even studies, like one from UCLA in 1997, have shown that members living this way tend to live longer and healthier lives—isn’t that a wonderful confirmation of God’s wisdom?³

The Law of Chastity: What are the teachings on sexual purity, marriage, and pornography?

God has a beautiful plan for us, and a key part of that is the law of chastity. This is all about sexual purity—keeping our thoughts, words, and actions clean and pure before Him.¹¹ It’s a commandment He considers incredibly important for our happiness.

Clear Guidance for Happiness

The law of chastity is wonderfully straightforward:

• Before Marriage: The teaching is to not have any sexual relations before you are married. This also means avoiding actions designed to stir up sexual feelings, like passionate kissing, lying on top of someone, or touching the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, whether they have clothes on or not.¹⁴ This standard is about respecting yourself and others, regardless of feelings or agreement.¹⁴
• During Marriage: Once married, the law of chastity means being completely faithful to your spouse.¹¹ God teaches that “intimate relations are proper only between a man and a woman in the marriage relationship prescribed in God’s plan.”11

The Sacred Gift of Procreation

Why these standards? Because God teaches that the power to create life, to bring children into the world, is incredibly sacred and spiritually important.¹¹ It’s like a divine trust, a part of His creative power He shares with us. Using it wrongly goes against His beautiful plan. But within the sacred bond of marriage between a man and a woman, physical intimacy is “beautiful and sacred.” God ordained it not just for having children also “for the expression of love between husband and wife” and to make their emotional and spiritual connection even stronger.¹¹

Its Importance and Reach

The importance of sexual purity is really emphasized. The prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon taught that sexual sins are “more serious than any other sins except murder and denying the Holy Ghost (see Alma 39:3–5)”.¹⁴ This shows just how vital this law is to our relationship with God and our eternal journey.

This law also reaches into our thoughts. Jesus taught, “Whosoever looketh on a woman or man to lust after her or him hath committed adultery … already in his or her heart” (Matthew 5:28). So, we’re encouraged to keep our thoughts pure and avoid lustful desires.¹⁴ That’s why pornography, in any form, is a definite no—it’s selfish, pushes away God’s Spirit, and leads to thoughts and actions that go against this sacred law.¹

Hope and Healing Through Christ

If someone has broken the law of chastity, there’s wonderful news: repentance and forgiveness are possible because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement. You can talk to your bishop (your local church leader), and he can lovingly guide you through the process of repentance.¹¹ It might be a journey it leads to peace, healing, and the strength to live this beautiful law moving forward.¹¹ God’s love and mercy are always there for you!

Dating and Relationships: What guidance is given, especially to youth?

God wants our young people to build wonderful, healthy relationships that can lead to a joyful, eternal marriage in His temple.¹⁹ The guidance on dating is all about preparing for that beautiful commitment, fostering relationships built on respect, shared values, and spiritual strength.

“For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” (2022) – A Higher Way!

In 2022, the Church released an updated guide for youth, “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices.” This isn’t just a list of rules; it’s an invitation to learn eternal principles, use your God-given agency, and seek personal inspiration through the Holy Spirit.⁷ Its whole purpose is to point you to Jesus Christ, your ultimate source of strength, and help you make righteous choices based on His eternal truths.⁸

The guide says, “The purpose of For the Strength of Youth is not to give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ about every possible choice… Instead, the Lord is inviting you to live in a higher and holier way—His way”.⁸ This encourages our youth to truly understand these principles and apply them to their own lives, including dating decisions. It’s a beautiful approach that respects different cultures worldwide and aims for a deep, personal commitment to God’s standards.²¹

Principles for Godly Relationships from the 2022 Guide

Although the 2022 guide focuses on principles, the section “Your body is sacred” gives wonderful foundations for dating 22:

• Honor Your Body: Treat your body and others’ bodies with deep respect, as sacred gifts from God.
• Modest Appearance: Choose styles that don’t draw improper attention to the physical body but instead reflect your true identity as a child of God.
• Moral Cleanliness: Let moral purity and your love for God guide all your choices in relationships.
• Sacredness of Sexual Feelings: Keep sexual feelings sacred. Outside of marriage between a man and a woman, it’s not right to touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, even with clothes on. Avoid anything—media, actions, thoughts, texts—that deliberately stirs up lustful feelings in yourself or others. This definitely includes pornography.
• Seek Counsel: Youth are always encouraged to talk with their parents when making decisions.

Understanding Same-Sex Attraction

The 2022 “For the Strength of Youth” guide, in that same “Your body is sacred” section, speaks with clarity and compassion about same-sex attraction: “Feeling same-sex attraction is not a sin. If you have these feelings and do not pursue or act on them, you are living Heavenly Father’s sacred law of chastity. You are a beloved child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ”.⁷ This shows a difference between feeling an attraction and acting on those feelings in ways that go against God’s law of chastity, which reserves sexual activity for marriage between a man and a woman. This implies that same-sex dating wouldn’t align with these principles, as dating is seen as a path to marriage as the Church defines it.²³

Timeless Wisdom

Older versions of “For the Strength of Youth” (like the one from 2011) gave more specific tips, like not dating before 16, starting with group dates, not getting too serious with one person too quickly, and choosing to date only those with high moral standards.²⁴ Even though the 2022 guide emphasizes making choices based on principles, these underlying ideas—like dating those with high standards, keeping your own standards high, and planning safe, positive activities—are still wonderful counsel for youth to consider as they seek God’s inspiration.²⁴ The focus is always on building relationships that are respectful, uplifting, and prepare you for the beautiful commitment of an eternal marriage.

Sabbath Day Observance: How do members keep Sunday special?

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sunday is the Sabbath, a holy day to rest from our usual work and to worship God.¹² This beautiful practice comes from the Bible, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, and it also celebrates Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, which happened on a Sunday! 12 The Sabbath is a special gift, a time to turn our hearts and minds to God, renew our spiritual commitments, and feel spiritually refreshed.¹²

Joyful Activities for a Holy Day

Keeping the Sabbath holy is about doing things that bring us closer to God and strengthen our families. These often include:

• Attending Church Meetings: This is a wonderful part of Sabbath worship. We have sacrament meeting, where we take bread and water to remember Christ’s sacrifice, plus Sunday School and other meetings for learning and fellowship.¹²
• Partaking of the Sacrament: During sacrament meeting, we renew the promises we made to God when we were baptized. It’s a deeply spiritual time of remembrance and recommitment.¹²
• Resting from Everyday Work: We’re counseled to take a break from our regular jobs and daily tasks as much as we can.¹²
• Spiritual Nourishment: Reading the scriptures and the words of our Church leaders, listening to uplifting music, praying with a heart full of praise and thanks, and doing family history research are all wonderful Sabbath activities.¹²
• Service and Family Time: Visiting those who are sick or elderly, serving in our Church callings, spending quality time with family, sharing faith-promoting stories, and writing to missionaries are also great ways to keep the Sabbath holy.¹²
• Simple Meals with Gratitude: Although we avoid big cooking projects that feel like work, the scriptures mention preparing food “with a singleness of heart” ($D&C 59:13$) 15, suggesting simple meals enjoyed with thankfulness.

Things to Set Aside for the Sabbath

To keep the day sacred, we generally try to avoid:

• Regular Work: Unnecessary work related to our jobs.¹²
• Shopping and Business: Buying or selling things.¹²
• Common Recreational Activities: Things like hunting, fishing, or attending sports events that can take our focus away from the spiritual purpose of the day are discouraged.¹²

The idea isn’t to be idle to fill the day with “constructive thoughts and acts” that honor God and help us grow spiritually.¹² A good question to ask when choosing Sabbath activities is: “Will this uplift and inspire me? Does it show respect for the Lord? Does it turn my thoughts to Him?”.¹²

Blessings of a Holy Sabbath

The Church teaches that keeping the Sabbath day holy brings wonderful blessings! It helps us “remain unspotted from the world” ($D&C 59:9$) and brings “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” ($D&C 59:23$).¹⁵ God promises both earthly and spiritual blessings to those who keep the Sabbath with a cheerful heart and thanksgiving.¹² So, the Sabbath isn’t a burden, friend; it’s a divine gift that brings spiritual renewal, strengthens our faith, and deepens our relationship with God and our families.

Tithing: Is giving 10% of income a requirement?

Paying tithing is a wonderful principle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day something we understand as a commandment from God.⁹ It means members joyfully give one-tenth of their “increase” or “income” to the Church.⁹ This isn’t a new idea; even great prophets like Abraham paid tithes, and it was a law for God’s people in ancient Israel.⁹ We believe God restored this beautiful law in our time through Joseph Smith.¹⁶

What It Means and How It Works

Tithing is simply one-tenth of a member’s annual income.¹⁶ And it’s paid on an honor system—you don’t have to show pay stubs or anything like that to Church leaders.¹⁶ This personal and voluntary way of doing it shows that it’s really an act of faith and a commitment between you and God.

Where Do These Sacred Funds Go?

Tithing funds are sacred, and they’re used to build up God’s Church and help His work spread all over the world.⁹ These funds support so many wonderful things:

• Education: Helping Church-owned schools, universities, and programs like seminaries and institutes of religion.
• Missionary Work: Supporting the Church’s amazing worldwide missionary program.
• Building and Maintaining Sacred Places: Constructing and taking care of temples, meetinghouses (our chapels), and other Church buildings. These places are vital for worship, learning, and community.
• Helping Those in Need: Contributing to the Church’s global humanitarian aid and welfare programs, which care for the poor and needy.
• Creating Resources and Running the Church: Supporting the development of religious teaching materials and the general administration of our worldwide Church.¹⁶

Because most of our local leaders and teachers serve without pay (it’s a lay ministry), these tithing funds can be dedicated to these wonderful religious and charitable purposes.¹⁰

An Act of Faith and Love

More than just a financial duty, paying tithing is an act of faith in God. It’s a way to show our obedience to His commandments and our love for Him and for others.⁹ It’s how we acknowledge that God is the source of all our blessings and how we can help build His kingdom here on earth.

The Blessings God Promises!

The scriptures, especially Malachi 3:10, promise incredible blessings to those who faithfully pay tithing: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”.⁹ These blessings can be spiritual—like greater faith, a closer walk with God, and wonderful peace—and also temporal, according to God’s wisdom and what we need.⁹ Living the law of tithing is also a way members prepare themselves to receive a temple recommend, which allows them to participate in the highest, most sacred experiences in our faith.¹

Fast Offerings – Another Way to Give

Besides tithing, faithful members are also invited to give “fast offerings.” This usually means going without food and drink for two meals once a month (fasting) and donating at least what you would have spent on those meals. These funds are used specifically by the local bishop to help the poor and needy right in their own congregation.¹⁶ It’s another beautiful way to show love and care for others!

Modesty and Appearance: What are the standards for dress, temple garments, and grooming (like beards)?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches beautiful principles of modesty in how we dress and look, all as an expression of respect for God, for ourselves, and for others. These standards come from the belief that our bodies are sacred creations of God, a “temple of God” where His Spirit can be with us (1 Corinthians 3:16–17).²⁶ Modesty isn’t just about clothes; it’s an attitude of appropriateness and decency in our dress, grooming, language, and behavior, all to glorify God, not to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves.²⁷

General Principles for Modest Dress and Grooming

God encourages us to:

• Honor Our Bodies: Recognize your body as a sacred gift and show respect for it in how you dress and present yourself.²²
• Avoid Extremes: Steer clear of extremes in clothing, hairstyles, and your overall look. Neatness and cleanliness are key, avoiding anything sloppy or too casual for the situation.²⁶
• Specific Clothing Guidelines: Everyday clothes should be modest. This generally means avoiding things like short shorts, miniskirts, super tight clothing, shirts that don’t cover the stomach, or other revealing outfits. Clothing should cover your shoulders and not be low-cut in the front or back.²⁶
• Tattoos and Piercings: We’re counseled not to disfigure our bodies with tattoos or body piercings. For women who choose to pierce their ears, the guidance is for just one pair of modest earrings.²⁷

The 2022 “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” beautifully reinforces these principles for our young people, especially in the “Your body is sacred” section. It encourages them to ask, “Am I honoring my body as a sacred gift from God?” and to “Avoid styles that emphasize or draw inappropriate attention to your physical body instead of who you are as a child of God with an eternal future”.²² The guide emphasizes that our choices should be guided by moral cleanliness, love for God, and counsel from parents. It reminds us that God’s standard is to honor the sacredness of our bodies, even if that means being different from what the world promotes.²² This wonderful, principle-based approach helps youth make choices that reflect their divine identity.

Temple Garments – A Sacred Reminder

Adult members who have made sacred promises (covenants) with God in temples wear special underclothing called temple garments.³ These are more than just about modesty, though they encourage it. Temple garments are a simple white top and bottom, worn daily under regular clothes.³ They serve as a personal, symbolic reminder of the covenants made with God to live righteous, Christlike lives.³ The garment is designed to cover the trunk of the body from the shoulders to the knees and the upper part of the arms.¹⁷ Dressing in a way that would cover the temple garment is often a good guideline for modesty, even for those who haven’t yet been to the temple.³⁰ Because temple garments are so sacred and personal, it’s deeply hurtful to members when they are treated disrespectfully or made fun of.

What About Beards?

The Church’s view on beards for men is more about culture and history than direct theology.¹⁷ Many early Church leaders, like Brigham Young, actually wore beards! 17 But since around the 1960s, the Church has generally encouraged men to be clean-shaven, especially those serving in leadership positions or as full-time missionaries.¹⁷ This preference came about during a time of social change when beards became linked by some with counterculture movements.¹⁷

It’s important to know there’s no formal Church rule against beards for general male members.¹⁷ But specific grooming standards do apply for those in certain roles or at Church institutions:

• Missionaries: Young men going on missions are asked to be clean-shaven.¹⁷
• BYU and Church Educational System (CES): Students and staff at Church-sponsored schools like Brigham Young University are required by the Honor Code for men to be clean-shaven. Exceptions can be made for serious skin conditions or approved theater performances. In 2015, BYU clarified that non-Latter-day Saint students might get exceptions for beards worn for religious reasons.¹⁷

This difference between general members and those in specific roles or institutions is key. While being clean-shaven is often the cultural norm in many Church settings, not having a beard doesn’t, by itself, determine a man’s faithfulness or worthiness. The main principle is always to be neat, clean, and avoid extremes in appearance.²⁶

What is the Church’s stance on abortion, birth control, and gambling?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has clear positions on several important moral issues, like abortion, birth control, and gambling. These are all based on core beliefs about the sacredness of life, our God-given agency (the ability to choose), and living a righteous life.

Abortion – Reverence for Life

The Church teaches that choosing to have an abortion for personal or social convenience goes against God’s will.¹⁷ Life is incredibly sacred, and decisions about ending a pregnancy are taken very, very seriously. But the Church understands that there can be extremely rare and difficult situations where an abortion might be justifiable. These rare exceptions include:

• When the pregnancy is the result of forcible rape or incest.
• When, according to competent medical judgment, the mother’s life or health is in serious danger.
• When, according to competent medical judgment, the baby has severe defects and will not be able to survive beyond birth.¹⁷

Even in these heartbreaking situations, the decision is never made lightly. People are encouraged to talk with their local Church leaders and to seek God’s guidance through prayer before making such a powerful choice. The Church’s position tries to balance a deep respect for life with compassion and understanding for those facing truly tragic circumstances. It’s about upholding the sanctity of life while being pastorally sensitive in extreme cases.

Birth Control – A Personal Decision for Married Couples

When it comes to birth control, the Church teaches that the decision about when to have children and how many children to have is a private matter for a married couple to decide between themselves and the Lord.¹⁷ The Church’s current official position is that “decisions about birth control and the consequences of those decisions rest solely with each married couple”.¹⁷ Couples are encouraged to prayerfully think about the physical and mental health of both the mother and father, their ability to provide the basic necessities of life for their children, and to seek spiritual guidance as they plan their family.¹⁷

In the past, some Church leaders did speak against artificial contraception, and surgical sterilization (like vasectomies or tubal ligations) was discouraged unless there were serious medical reasons and after talking with a bishop.¹⁷ The shift to the current stance, which emphasizes the agency and stewardship of the married couple, shows a trust in members to make inspired choices for their families, all within the framework of gospel principles that honor the sanctity of life and the importance of families.

Gambling – Choosing Honesty and Stewardship

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints clearly teaches against gambling in any form.¹⁰ This includes lotteries, betting on sports, casino games, or any activity where you risk money or possessions on a chance outcome. Why? Because gambling is often “motivated by a desire to get something for nothing” and it “leads participants away from the Savior’s teachings of love and service”.¹³ It’s seen as a worldly practice that can be addictive and can pull people away from principles of honest work, good stewardship, and using what we have to bless others. Latter-day Saint teachings emphasize hard work, self-reliance through effort, and living providently, rather than trying to get something for nothing through chance.

Why do Latter-day Saints live by these standards? (The Deeper “Why”: Faith, Blessings, and Becoming)

the lifestyle choices and standards that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embrace aren’t just random rules. They spring from a deep well of faith, a clear understanding of God’s wonderful plan, and a heartfelt desire for spiritual growth, true happiness, and eternal blessings. Let me share some of the core reasons that motivate this commitment.

It’s an Expression of Love for God and Christ: One of the biggest reasons is to show love for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.² The Savior Himself taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is a beautiful, tangible way to show this love and devotion.³²

Covenants and a Relationship with God: Many of these standards are tied to sacred covenants—two-way promises—we make with God at baptism and in His holy temples.¹ Honoring these covenants strengthens our personal relationship with God, brings His power into our lives, and opens the door to incredible promised blessings.³² It’s like a partnership with God on our spiritual journey, not just passively following rules.

The Promise of Wonderful Blessings: The scriptures and the teachings of modern prophets always link obedience to God’s commandments with receiving His divine blessings. These can be earthly blessings (like good health from living the Word of Wisdom) and spiritual blessings (like peace, wisdom, joy, and the comforting companionship of the Holy Ghost).⁴ And the greatest promised blessing of all is eternal life—living with God and our families forever! 32 When you see it this way, commandments aren’t restrictions; they are enabling principles that lead to greater and more lasting joy.

Spiritual Protection and Guidance: Commandments are like loving guidance from God, designed to protect us from spiritual and earthly dangers that can bring sorrow or stop our progress.² Living these standards invites the Holy Ghost to be our companion, providing guidance, comfort, and the ability to discern truth.³³ Church leaders have even compared commandments to protective barriers that create a “safe harbor” from destructive influences.³⁴

Becoming Like God (Our Eternal Journey): A beautiful core belief of Latter-day Saint theology is our potential for eternal progression—the chance to grow spiritually and become more like our Heavenly Father.³³ Following God’s commandments is a vital part of this amazing transformative process of “becoming”.³⁴ As Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become”.³⁴ This focus on inner transformation and developing a Christlike character is a powerful motivation.

Agency and Accountability – Your Choice, Your Growth: The principle of agency—our freedom to choose—is so important. We choose to obey God’s laws, and we are accountable for those choices.¹ This emphasis on a voluntary commitment, based on faith and understanding, is key to spiritual growth.

Jesus Christ – Our Example and Our Strength: Jesus Christ is our ultimate example of obedience to God’s will.³⁴ Latter-day Saints believe that He not only showed us the way but also gives us the strength, through His Atonement and grace, to live these standards.⁸ The 2022 “For the Strength of Youth” guide is wonderfully centered on Christ as the source of strength for our young people.²⁰

These standards are seen as essential to God’s plan for the happiness and well-being of all His children, both in this life and for all eternity.² They are a path, not just to avoid negative things to achieve our divine potential and experience the fullness of joy that God wants for every single one of us.

How do these practices relate to teachings in the Bible or common Christian beliefs?

When our Christian friends learn about the lifestyle standards of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day they often find wonderful areas of common ground, as well as some points that might have a distinct emphasis or practice. Understanding these connections and differences can build bridges of understanding between faiths.

Shared Foundations in Biblical Teachings:

Many standards Latter-day Saints live by have clear roots in biblical teachings and are shared by many Christian friends:

• Core Moral Principles: Commandments like being honest, faithful in marriage, honoring parents, and respecting the Sabbath day come straight from the Ten Commandments and other biblical teachings.¹⁰ The call to love God and love our neighbor is a foundational teaching of Jesus Christ that all Christians cherish.
• Body as a Temple: The New Testament teaching that our body is a “temple of God” where His Spirit can live (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20) is a key reason Latter-day Saints follow the Word of Wisdom (our health code) and principles of modesty.²⁶ This idea resonates deeply within Christianity.
• Avoiding Harmful Practices: The Bible’s advice to avoid drunkenness (like in Ephesians 5:18) aligns with the Word of Wisdom’s guidance against alcohol, though the Latter-day Saint standard is complete abstinence.

Points of Difference or Unique Emphasis:

Some practices and the reasons behind them are more specific to Latter-day Saint beliefs and experiences:

• The Word of Wisdom Specifics: The choice to avoid coffee and tea is unique to Latter-day Saints and comes from modern revelation (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89), not a direct biblical prohibition of these specific drinks.⁴ While other Christians also value health, this particular dietary choice is a distinguishing feature.
• Continuing Revelation and an Open Canon: A key theological difference is the Latter-day Saint belief in modern prophets and that God continues to reveal His will today.³ This means that Although we deeply revere the Bible as God’s word, we also accept additional scripture (like the Book of Mormon) and believe God still speaks through living apostles and prophets.³ This principle is why we have the Word of Wisdom, restored temple worship, and other practices not detailed in the Bible in their current form. This is different from the belief in a closed biblical canon held by many other Christian churches.³⁵
• Temple Ordinances and Garments: Practices like marriage for time and all eternity performed in temples, baptisms for the dead, and adult members wearing temple garments are specific to the Latter-day Saint belief in restored priesthood authority and sacred ordinances.³ Christian friends might have questions about temple ceremonies, which Latter-day Saints consider sacred, not secret.³
• Tithing: While tithing (giving ten percent of one’s income) is a biblical principle, its consistent practice as a commandment for all members for full fellowship and temple participation might be more uniformly emphasized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints compared to the varied practices in some other Christian traditions.¹⁸
• Understanding of the Godhead and Christ: Latter-day Saints believe in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. But our understanding of the Godhead differs from the traditional Trinitarian doctrine of three persons in one substance.³ We believe the Father and Son have glorified, perfected bodies of flesh and bones.¹⁸ These theological distinctions can influence how other doctrines, including salvation and the nature of commandments, are understood.
• The Plan of Salvation and Works: Latter-day Saints believe salvation comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We also teach that receiving the fullness of salvation involves faith in Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and “enduring to the end” by keeping God’s commandments, which includes participating in sacred ordinances.¹⁸ This emphasis on obedience and ordinances as necessary components alongside grace can seem different from some Protestant views that emphasize salvation by grace through faith alone, with works seen mainly as the fruit of that faith, rather than conditions for it.

Addressing Common Christian Questions:

Christian friends often notice the strong dedication of Latter-day Saints to their faith and heritage, and their generally high moral code.³⁷ Questions often come up about the origins and content of the Book of Mormon, the idea of an open canon of scripture, and the nature of temple worship.³⁶ Respectful conversation, focused on understanding beliefs from the perspective of those who live them, is key to bridging these differences. Latter-day Saints affirm our identity as Christians, centered on the worship of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world.³

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that it is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, with the fullness of His gospel and priesthood authority. While this leads to some unique doctrines and practices, our shared belief in Jesus Christ and the Bible provides a strong foundation for mutual understanding and respect with other Christians.

Conclusion: A Life of Chosen Commitments

the lifestyle standards lived by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all about a series of deeply personal and faith-filled choices. These aren’t just a list of “don’ts”; they are embraced as loving counsel from God, meant to bring us closer to Him, boost our physical and spiritual well-being, and lead to lasting joy and eternal blessings.⁴ At the heart of this way of life is our God-given ability to choose—our agency—and a joyful commitment to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.¹

These standards—whether it’s the Word of Wisdom, the law of chastity, keeping the Sabbath holy, paying tithing, or dressing modestly—are all understood within God’s amazing plan for our happiness.³⁴ They are often connected to sacred promises, or covenants, we make with God. We believe these covenants bind us to Him and bring His power and guidance into our lives.¹ The motivation isn’t fear a deep love for God, a desire for the wonderful blessings He promises, and a heartfelt belief that these principles lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.²

While some practices, like specific aspects of the Word of Wisdom or wearing temple garments, are unique to Latter-day Saints and come from our belief in modern revelation and restored ordinances, the core desire to live a moral, Christ-centered life is something we share with many of our Christian friends.⁶ Living these standards is a journey of “becoming”—striving to be more like Jesus Christ and develop our divine potential.³⁴ It’s a path chosen in faith, with the wonderful hope of experiencing greater peace in this life and the ultimate blessing of eternal life with God and our families forever.

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