Molly Mormon?



Mormon: noun, an excuse or explanation for one’s actions; a source of identity

What is associated with being “Mormon”? Dictionary.com defines Mormon as “the popular name given to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” True. However, I think there is much more to it than that. What does it mean when you say, “I’m Mormon.”? The truth of the matter is that I don’t have hardly any experience in this field, because back where I come from, it doesn’t seem to mean a thing if someone says “I’m a Mormon.” What’s new? But really, what does one imply when they say that? Is it said with with hesitation and shame? Pride? Apologies? Explanation? I think in some cases people use it as a stereotype to arrange mental groups. And in other cases, I think people do it themselves, to set them apart from others. For example, “I’m a dancer, I’m happy, I like music, I’m Mormon, I play soccer…” And it’s not “I’m a Mormon”, it’s more “I’m Mormon.” That’s it: a label, a group, a niche.

So if we define ourselves as Mormons, what does that mean? We keep the Word of Wisdom. We attend 3 hours of church every week. We have big beautiful buildings that we don’t let anyone in to. Those are things associated with the church, and they do set us apart as a peculiar people, and perhaps that defines a “Mormon.” But what about a LATTER-DAY SAINT? Are Mormons Christian? Absolutely. We believe that we are God’s restored church on this earth, we have the full and everlasting gospel, and the gospel is the good news. Not the health code. A good Christian and a good Latter-Day Saint should be synonymous. We are Good Samaritans, we are always in the service of our fellow men, we love the Lord and are striving to be like him, we are servants of the Lord and want to bring the joy and blessings that we receive after baptism to as many people as we can, we don’t judge, we are selfless, we believe in eternal families and treat our families with love and respect… THAT should be what defines a “Mormon.” Then no one would ever have to ask if Mormons are Christian, because of the light that shines in our eyes, and because of our Christlike actions.

The other day, my roommate asked me if I considered myself to be a Molly Mormon, and I didn’t know what to say. Sure, I guess. I do what I think is right, not because I’m “Momon”, but because I think it’s right. So I suppose in a way, I am. And you know? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Because maybe a “Molly Mormon” is just another name for a Latter-Day Saint.

6 thoughts on “Molly Mormon?”

  1. I agree. The stereotype actually really bothers me. I think people are good–they just are! everyone is, by nature, divine, so people don’t need to know that you’re a mormon to say, ‘oh, she’s a “good” girl’. Shouldn’t we be living our lives in such a way that people who don’t know Christ but know us will want to know Christ because they know us? Like you said, I think the term–loosely–mormon is like an excuse or a label. And it shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t be divided into the “goody-goody people” and the “bad girls”. We should just be good people! NOT because we’re mormons but because we KNOW that mormonism is true! The world isn’t split into good people and death eaters after all. Choose to live the way you know Christ wants you too. NOT because you’re a mormon and you have to. Because you’re a follower of Christ and you WANT to. whew. sorry about that 🙂

  2. I’m in shock . . . I’ve fainted on the ground . . . there is at last a new post!
    I totally agree that there are good choices and bad choices, and there are people who try to chose correctly.

  3. Hey, it’s Sophie. And just FYI, I need an email. now. Because otherwise I will never be able to post again. Unless you tell me your password…hint hint. And about the post, I’m agreeing with Aileen. Every single day i would check your blog and every single day you wouldn’t have posted!!! AND TODAY YOU POSTED!!!!! Keep it up, I love you so much. 🙂

  4. I’m lovin’ it. It is just so true! I like that. And where on this planet did you get the Molly Mormon Barbie? Is that for real? We can stand a little taller when we’re called “Molly Mormon” because we know we’re doing what we believe is right! “And so persecuted they the prophets…”

  6. So, next time I have to give a talk in sacrament meeting, can I just copy and paste that? I love everything you said and completely agree. The whole “I cant…I’m Mormon” thing kind of bugs me. It should be “actually, I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I’m trying to do what’s right” or something like that. I think people often use that as an excuse so they don’t actually have to stick up for themselves or what they believe in.

    By the way, I agree with Sophie and Aileen, you need to get your rear in gear. Start posting!

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