When you’re not a practicing, fully believing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it can be surprising to discover you’re still Mormon. People try to draw lines and create definitions to clarify who gets/wants to to claim membership – both believers protecting and non-believers departing. But it’s surprising to discover how much of being Mormon is heritage, culture, and history. Perhaps, the current prophet did us all a favor creating rigidity about using “LDS” and “Mormon” because, despite distance, animosity, faith crisis, and more, many discover that – despite it all – they’re Mormon anyway.
You might be Mormon Anyway if you:
- Claim pioneer heritage who walked the plains
- Dressed up at least once for a “Road Show”
- Can define the difference between “steak” and “stake”
- Feel a little tinge of shame about shopping, playing sports, etc. on Sundays
- Spent the weekend watching old men in suits give talks while eating candy in your pjs
- Woke up before the sun to attend seminary (or were one of the less righteous who simply attended during the school day)
- Feel brave showing your shoulders in a tank top
- Are not shocked by the inclusion of pretzels in Jello
- Break out the good sparkling cider every New Year’s Eve
- Saw your first rated-R movie in college
- Practiced being a missionary for a youth activity
- Attended a standards night
- Attended a progressive dinner at church member’s homes
- Worn long pants in the scorching heat to camp
- Celebrated “Bishop’s Night” (men) at Girl’s Camp
- Kept a tithing jar
- Had church clothes and shoes and must dress up to attend services as an adult
- Have an incredible conversion story
- Have an opinion on what a good Family Home Evening looks like
- Don’t bat an eye when testimony meetings go off track
- Held a wedding reception in a venue with basketball hoops
- Try to do genealogy, but it’s all been done
- Could still find an EFY soundtrack somewhere
- Know the moves to the YMCA and begin them anytime you hear the song
- Were shocked to learn most people go to church for one hour
- Have rooted for BYU, even if you didn’t go there
- Use familiar terms and share memories that have to be explained outside of Mormonism
What would you add?
There’s nothing I could do (except maybe get a face tattoo) that would make me less Mormon to the world around me. You’re right – I’m Mormon forever!
Progressive dinners! I haven’t thought of that one in a long time!
I’d add: If you have participated in making butter by shaking a mason jar while singing primary songs.
This is an awesome list!! I’d add, if you think of a book, not a medical procedure for D&C. If mutual is an activity, not a fund to save money. If you know what someone means when they say “tender mercy”.
WTheck is “Bishops Night”?
As a non-American, there isn’t a lot I can identify with on this list. But I enjoyed reading it!