I Spent Seven Days as a Mormon

Our world is made up of so many different philosophies, and they’re what shape us as people; our values, morals, beliefs and actions. So, I’m going to try out every religion in the world.

That’s my mission. Each week, I’ll research a new religion and live by their rules, practices and customs for seven days. I’ll share what I learned, what I loved, and what I’ll be leaving behind. Because I believe a well-rounded person is made up of many different stories and lessons.

This week I stepped into the world of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Or as they prefer to be called since 2018- not “Mormon,” but the full name, with Jesus Christ front and centre.

What struck me first was the sense of quiet reverence. The lack of art in the chapel wasn’t an oversight, it was intentional. The goal? Strip away distractions, focus only on the words being shared.

But before I get into what I experienced, here’s a little background.

A Brief History of the LDS Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded in the 1800s by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received visions from God and Jesus Christ. One of the most significant of these was the visitation of the angel Moroni, who revealed the location of golden plates that Smith later translated into the Book of Mormon.

LDS theology teaches that Joseph Smith restored the original church of Jesus Christ, which had been lost after the apostles died. Today, the church is led by a living prophet, currently President Russell M. Nelson, who at 100 years old is still skiing and leading the church with energy.

Among the core beliefs of the LDS Church:

• The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate beings

• Jesus is our older brother; Heavenly Father is our literal spiritual father

• Living prophets receive modern-day revelation

• Baptisms can be performed on behalf of ancestors who weren’t baptised in life

• The Word of Wisdom prohibits alcohol, coffee, tobacco, and certain teas

  
  

My Week as a Mormon:

Here’s what I committed to:

• No coffee, alcohol, or black/green tea (herbal tea is okay)

• Read from the Book of Mormon daily

• Attend Sunday service and Sunday School

• Avoid media that isn’t “uplifting” or spiritual in nature

• Dress modestly and respectfully

• Practice fasting (two meals) on fast Sunday with purpose

Observations

The Service: The hymn that opened the service was Israel, Israel, God is Calling, and from the first note, I felt like I had walked into a deeply reverent, sacred space. The sacrament, just regular bread and water, was passed around by young boys in white shirts.

The Speakers: This was not a sermon delivered by one central figure. Instead, different members of the congregation stood and shared reflections. A little boy spoke about love. One man talked about yearning for the temple like being on a starvation diet. Another proclaimed, whilst crying, “I’m so flawed. But I love Heavenly Father.”

Sunday School: I sat in on a class where they discussed patience, divorce (referred to only as “the D word”), and meekness. “We know little, but the Lord is strong,” someone said.

Missionaries: I met two youth missionaries. They live under strict rules: no movies, no dating, no music unless it “invites the Spirit.” They share a SIM card, can only message family once a week, and wear badges at all times. It was intense, but they spoke about their mission with glowing eyes and unshakable conviction.

The 5-Minute Promise: One elder shared, “If you’re ever struggling, flick through the Book of Mormon for five minutes. I promise you’ll feel better.” It wasn’t framed as magic—it was about inviting peace through scripture.

What I’ll Be Taking With Me

• Family and Love as Spiritual Anchors. In the LDS Church, love and family don’t distract you from God, they bring you closer. I loved that. It was a beautiful contrast to other traditions that sometimes paint romantic or familial love as obstacles. Here, they’re sacred.

What I’ll Be Leaving Behind

• Discouragement of Outside Media. I understand the need for spiritual focus, but I struggled with the discouragement of books, music, and media not published by apostles or within the church. Art, stories, and even comedy can enrich a person’s life. In cutting them out, I felt like my world got smaller.

Final Thoughts

The LDS Church is structured, intentional, and rooted in the belief that modern-day revelation is ongoing. It’s s world of strict boundaries, where every part of your life, diet, dress, dating, music, movies, is guided by doctrine. For some, that level of commitment creates peace. For others, it can feel overwhelming. Still, I walked away from the service feeling happy and uplifted.