What We Believe

We believe in thinking and acting rationally. We welcome new knowledge and discovery.

We believe we existed before this life, and we believe we will exist, in some form, after this life. In the meantime, we believe in expanding our knowledge and always improving. We believe that progression is eternal.

We believe that whatever is waiting for us after this life does not include judgment or condemnation. Therefore, we don’t believe in heaven or hell. We don’t believe that a supreme being created, or has much interest in, systems such as original sin or following earthly laws to obtain spiritual rewards. We believe these are all man-made things.

We believe in being accountable for our decisions and actions. This means that we accept responsibility for the consequences of our actions.

We believe in supporting all types of families, including single-parent and gay relationships. We believe in maintaining strong family ties, and in “turning the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents.” We don’t believe in any type of discrimination based on family status.

We believe that women are entitled to all roles and positions. We do not believe that some roles or positions are to be held only by men or only by women. We don’t believe that one is superior to, or in authority over, another.

We believe in keeping church and state separate, for the benefit of both.

We believe that all scripture is man-made. Some scripture is edifying, some of it is not. All of the world’s scripture is open to us. We do not believe in reading scripture literally; we believe that taking scripture literally is a bad idea.

Prophets may offer enlightenment, but we believe in exercising caution when deciding to follow someone. We do not believe that another person has more authority to “speak for God” than anyone else.

We share Reform Mormonism with those who inquire. We do not proselytize.

We believe in contributing to non-profit organizations and charities, in the way that each of us feels will do the most good. We do not tithe to a church.

Reform Mormonism is a home-based, personal philosophy. A weekly day of rest is suggested; there are no church services. Reform Mormonism does have communal ceremonies that are designed to aide a person throughout their life, that are conducted in dedicated temple spaces. Our temple ceremonies are highly personal, edifying experiences. Unlike the LDS, we do not perform any temple ordinance for the deceased.

A. The Word of Wisdom was explicitly not given to us as a commandment. There are no dietary restrictions in Reform Mormonism, but people are free to abide by the Word of Wisdom if they wish.

A. No. The Mormon church that does that is chiefly the LDS Church, based in Salt Lake City, and those who have broken off from it.

Reform Mormons don’t believe in proxy ordinances, feeling that they are unnecessary and often unwise.

A. No, we look to the variety of inspired writing that comes from people every day, and from history. We learn to follow our own guidance and to make our own way in life.

A. No. We’re a personal philosophy, home-based, and lose community. Any centralized Reform Mormon activity is only to bolster individuals. We don’t believe in an organized religion. Most of the time, organized religion causes more problems than it solves.

A. No, we do not proselytize. You’re probably thinking of the LDS Church based in Utah.

A. No, but we don’t have a problem with it. The living arrangements that consenting adults wish to have is no business of ours.

See our proclamation “Families” for more information on how we understand family.

A. Absolutely, we don’t believe in discrimination – LGBT folks may hold the priesthood, be sealed together, and perform endowments.

A. Yes. In Reform Mormonism, everyone holds the priesthood.

If someone wants the ritual aspect of ordination a group of Reform Mormons may do so.

A. No, and we don’t believe the human race is in a fallen state. In fact, we believe the opposite.

A. We believe it’s a possibility. It’s part of our belief in “eternal progression,” that we continue growing and developing, even after this life. Eternity is a long time, and we don’t view it as retirement.

A. The Mormon church that does that is chiefly the LDS Church, based in Salt Lake City, and those who have broken off from it.

Most Reform Mormons don’t, but we are free to do so if we feel the need for it.

A. Yes. As the Sunstone Foundation likes to say, “There’s more than one way to Mormon”. We have a unique view of things such as “God” and “faith” that isn’t like any other denomination, and that is what matters to us.

Reform Mormonism has been around since 2002, and we’ve heard from many thousands of people during the years, expressing their alignment with Reform Mormon principles, support for our approach to life, and their appreciation of it. We welcome you to explore our unique perspective. If you find it appealing, please feel free to consider yourself a Reform Mormon. You do not need permission or authority from us to become one.