All About Mormons

Hi friend. To understand Mormonism, it's much more important to understand what Mormons can do, not what they can't do. The peace, stability, and spiritual development that come through a correct knowledge of Jesus Christ are empowering. I certainly would not be the person I am--would not have been able to do many of the things I've done--if it had not been for the Church's influence in my life.

Since you did ask about "commandments," though, let me list just a few.

1. Mormons follow a revelation called the "Word of Wisdom," given by God to Joseph Smith in 1833. This revelation contains the Mormon dietary regulations. Mormons don't drink alcohol or use tobacco or illegal drugs. They also don't drink coffee or non-herbal teas. They are encouraged to eat healthy foods like fruits and grains, and meat in moderation.
2. Mormons are very community minded and like to undertake service projects together. Many Mormons pay 10% of their income to the Church in order to fund these service projects, which include Church building, missionary work, and humanitarian projects.
3. Mormons also have unique dating standards. Most don't date until they're 16. After 16, they often date in groups, where multiple couples go out together. Then as they get a little older, they start to go out as couples. Kissing and handholding are common, but most practicing Mormons wait until after marriage to do more serious things.
4. Mormons usually go to church every Sunday. The Church has practically no paid clergy, so different members of the congregation take turns serving in leadership and teaching positions. Because these people serve as volunteers, the Church community has more money for the service projects I mentioned in item two.
5. Mormons are also encouraged to study the scriptures and pray daily. These activities help us draw closer to God.

Hope these answers help! Good luck with your school project.

I just stumbled upon this because I was a l little curious about the commandants in the Mormon religion, I noticed a couple things reading your answer, you say no "illegal" drugs so there for you mean if heroin was legal that would be accepted in your church? One more thing you say the tithing goes to missionary work? Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the family have to pay for their child to go on a mission?

Hi Anonymous. I'm happy you stumbled across my site! Let me answer your questions.

First, we use the term "illegal drugs" because members of the Church are not opposed to legal drugs prescribed by doctors for legitimate medical conditions. Even if heroin, for example, were legalized, Mormons would not use it because it serves no good medical purpose. For the same reason, Mormons don't drink alcohol, even though it is legal in most countries where Mormons live.

A missionary visiting Brazilian friends in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

Second, it is true that Mormon missionaries usually pay for their own missions, often with their family's help. The money they pay covers the cost of room and board. It does not cover the cost of producing missionary materials (videos, pamphlets, Books of Mormon, etc.) that are given away to those investigating the church for free. General tithing funds are used to pay for these materials. Also, sometimes potential missionaries are too poor to pay for their own missions. This is particularly common in Brazil, for example, where many young Brazilian Mormons are eager to serve as missionaries. In these cases, the Church helps to pay for their missions so that all who wish to serve may do so, even if they live in poverty.

Hope these answers help! Don't hesitate to post any more questions you might have.