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What RHOSLC Fans Should Know About Mormons and the LDS Church
Here's some background information to aid in your The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City watching.
Raise your hand if everything you know about Mormonism you've learned from watching The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. While the fabulous ladies of Utah can certainly share a thing or two about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — from their own experience or from living in a community so closely intertwined with the religion — there's definitely more to discover. Like, do Mormons drink alcohol? Or is only Vida Tequila allowed?
"My experience with Mormons is that they’ve always been really nice and warm people," Vanderpump Rules cast member and Utah native Katie Maloney told The Daily Dish in December 2020. "I had an ex-boyfriend, and he wasn't so much involved in the Church, but his family was and, on Sundays, they have what they call home teachers where they’ll come over and do a lesson for life, whether it’s about relationships or something. And you just have lunch with them and talk. So, I definitely participated in that a couple times just to, you know, please the parents."
To begin learning about Mormonism, check out the above video featuring the Season 1 RHOSLC ladies. Then, keep reading for an explainer on the LDS Church, including misconceptions, Mormon beliefs, Mormon rules, and, yes, Mormon underclothes.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mormonism was officially founded as the Church of Christ by a man named Joseph Smith in 1930; he later changed the name to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mormons believe that Smith, who they term a prophet, unearthed their foundational texts in the 1820s after an angel led him to golden plates buried in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York.
Years later, Smith shared what he said were his divine revelations as part of the famous Book of Mormon, which also stands as the basis for the religion.
With Smith as their leader, adherents of the church he founded based on those texts traveled west from New York, stopping in Ohio, Missouri, and finally Illinois until Smith's murder in 1844. After that, most of the remaining church members followed a man named Brigham Young to what is now Salt Lake City.
Today (as RHOSLC fans well know!) the Mormon church's headquarters are located in the city.
Although it began in America, Mormonism now has almost 17 million members located all around the world, according to the church.
Mormon Beliefs
Mormonism shares many similarities with other areas of Christianity. Mormons believe in the Bible, although they also believe that Joseph Smith uncovered another Christian scripture known as The Book of Mormon. Unlike other areas of Christianity, Mormons believe in modern-day prophets, or that there are people alive today who receive divine guidance and insights.
They also go on missions (both men and women can go!) and, afterwards, can go through a confirmation process after choosing to officially join the church. Then, they are allowed to wear The Garment (more about that below).
Mormons aren't supposed to drink, smoke, or have excessive caffeine, but they can marry outside their faith; The Real Housewives of Orange County's Emily Simpson and Shane Simpson are a prime example. They place a high value on family, believing that marriage can continue for eternity in the afterlife.
As we know from some of our favorite 'Wives, excommunication from one's local church can occur as a form of formal discipline. Once excommunicated, those who wish to remain in the faith can seek reinstatement through local church leaders and are encouraged to undergo a process of repentance to realign with the church's values.
The Mormon "Garments" Used as Underwear
Also known as a temple garment and temple clothing, the Mormon Garment is a special undergarment that adult members of the church who have received temple ordinances — a kind of confirmation — wear as a symbol of their commitment to God.
Simple and modest, The Garment consists of two-pieces: a white, short-sleeved shirt and knee-length or full-length bottoms. As Heather Gay explained in the video at the top of this post, "There are caps-sleeved shirts that you wear under your bra and tuck in." Also, the bottoms look kind of like bike shorts.
What are the Mormon religion rules?
Many Mormons adhere to the Word of Wisdom, which was published by Smith in 1833 and advises abstinence from substances including coffee, tea, and tobacco. There’s also a law of chastity that stands against adulterous behavior, homosexuality, and sex before (or outside of) marriage.
LDS members are also expected to donate 10% of their income to the church in a practice called “tithing.”
Can Mormons drink alcohol?
While you aren't supposed to drink under the classic rules of the Mormon church, there are many reformed or non-practicing Mormons (sometimes called jack Mormons) who do drink alcohol.
Can Mormons drink coffee?
Much like the rules surrounding alcohol, coffee is typically frowned upon for Mormons. However, there are many that appreciate a good latte.
Do Mormons practice polygamy?
Not anymore.
Church founder Joseph Smith was a polygamist but did not practice openly, according to the LDS Church. The practice of men taking multiple wives became both more public and more widespread under Brigham Young, who officially acknowledged it as a Church tenet in 1852, according to PBS. However, it's estimated that no more than 30 percent of Mormons practiced polygamy at any given point, and most were Church leaders.
Utah, however, had become a U.S. territory in 1850 — though the locals had petitioned for statehood — and politicians in Washington, D.C. were not happy with the practice of polygamy. The federal government criminalized polygamy (and took actions against the LDS Church) in 1862, and denied Utah's petitions to become a state because of their polygamist practices. Other laws passed in 1874, 1882, and 1887 allowed for criminal prosecutions of men in plural marriages (even if those marriages were not registered with the government), withheld voting rights from polygamists, disincorporated the LDS church, and allowed the federal government to seize the church's real estate holdings.
The fourth leader of the church, Wilford Woodruff, issued a Manifesto to end the practice of polygamy in 1890; he later said that he received a revelation that continuing to practice polygamy would have resulted in the end of the Church.
Following the Manifesto, Utah became a state in 1896, the federal government returned Church property, and thousands of polygamists who had been prosecuted were pardoned.
In 1904, the Church further decreed that any practicing polygamists were to be excommunicated. That has remained the policy ever since.
Which Real Housewives are Mormon?
Lisa Barlow is the only practicing Mormon on RHOSLC, having converted in her youth.
Heather Gay, Whitney Rose, and friend Monica Garcia used to be practicing Mormons, but have since left the church.
