Michael Brooks
Mormons and Catholics are two of the world's most prominent religious groups, with Mormons making up 1.7% of the American adult population and Catholics constituting 23.9%. While Mormons are more numerous than smaller religious groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus, they represent a significantly smaller proportion of the population compared to evangelical Protestants and Catholics. In Utah, a state with a significant Mormon population, Catholics officially make up 4% of the state's population of less than two million. This comparison between Mormons and Catholics warrants further exploration to understand their relative sizes and distributions across different regions.
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What You'll Learn
Mormons and Catholics share similarities
As of 2022, there are approximately 16 million Mormons and 1.3 billion Catholics in the world, indicating that Catholicism has a significantly larger number of followers compared to Mormonism. Despite their numerical differences, Mormons and Catholics do share some similarities in their beliefs and practices.
Both religions are Christian denominations and share a belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of humanity. They both accept the Bible as sacred scripture and use it as a basis for their teachings. Mormons typically use additional scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, which they believe contains the writings of ancient prophets in the Americas.
The sacraments or ordinances are another area of similarity. Both faiths practice baptism, confirmation or confirmation, and the Eucharist or Sacrament, although they may differ in the specifics of how these rituals are performed and the meaning attached to them. For example, Mormons practice baptism by immersion, while Catholics typically use infusion (pouring) or aspersion (sprinkling).
Both religions also emphasize the importance of family and see it as central to their faith. They promote strong family values and encourage their members to prioritize family life. This includes a focus on marriage, with both faiths generally supporting traditional marriage between a man and a woman, although there are some differences in their approaches to divorce and remarriage.
Finally, Mormons and Catholics share a belief in the importance of service and charity. They encourage their members to engage in charitable acts and to serve their communities, although the specific expressions of this service may differ. Catholics, for instance, have a long tradition of establishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages, while Mormons are known for their welfare and disaster relief efforts.
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Mormons are more similar to Catholics than Protestants
A quick Google search reveals that there are significantly more Catholics than Mormons in the world. As of 2022, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.4 billion Catholics globally, compared to around 16 million Mormons. Despite their numerical disparity, a comparison of their beliefs reveals that Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), share more similarities with Catholics than with Protestant denominations.
Both Mormons and Catholics place a strong emphasis on ritual and sacraments, which are often administered by a centralized and hierarchical priesthood or clergy. For Mormons, these rituals include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the priesthood for males, and temple ceremonies such as the endowment and sealing ordinances. Catholics also practice baptism and confirmation, as well as holy communion, confession, anointing of the sick, and holy orders for those entering the priesthood. These rituals and the authority to perform them are central to both faiths and are overseen by a structured leadership.
The organizations of both the LDS Church and the Catholic Church are highly centralized and hierarchical. Mormons are led by a president and two counselors, forming a First Presidency, with Quorum of the Twelve Apostles below them, and additional quorums and general authorities beneath them. This structure is reminiscent of the Catholic Church's hierarchy, with the Pope at the top, followed by cardinals, bishops, and priests. Both churches also emphasize the importance of family and often involve children in religious activities and education from a young age.
Additionally, both faiths hold unique beliefs that set them apart from Protestant denominations. For example, Mormons believe in continuing revelation and view their president as a prophet who receives ongoing guidance from God. They also believe in a pre-mortal existence and a heavenly mother, concepts not typically embraced by Catholics or Protestants. Catholics, meanwhile, emphasize the veneration of saints, practice sacramental confession, and uphold the doctrine of transubstantiation, beliefs that are generally not shared by Protestants or Mormons.
While there are undeniable differences between Mormons and Catholics, particularly in their unique theological beliefs, the structure, practices, and rituals of these faiths reveal significant similarities. These shared aspects suggest a closer affinity between Mormons and Catholics than between Mormons and Protestants, despite the much larger global population of Catholics.
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Mormons are more likely to be married
Mormons are also more likely to be married than other religious groups, with 71% of Mormons being married, compared to 54% of the general population. Only Hindus (78%) are more likely to be married than Mormons. Furthermore, Mormons are more likely to be married to someone of the same faith, with 82% of married Mormons having a Mormon spouse or partner. This is again higher than other religious groups, except for Hindus (91%).
The high marriage rate among Mormons may be due to several factors. Firstly, marriage is considered a sacred institution in Mormonism, and is believed to be a requirement for attaining the highest level of heaven. The LDS scripture states that "in order to obtain the highest [level of heaven], a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]". This belief is further emphasised in the concept of "Families are forever", where Mormons must be married in a temple and undergo a sacred sealing ceremony to live forever with their families.
Another factor contributing to the high marriage rate among Mormons is their view of marriage as a lifelong commitment. Devout Mormons who marry in a Mormon temple are extremely unlikely to experience divorce, with a divorce rate of only 6%. This is significantly lower than the divorce rate among most other Christian religions and non-Christians, which is around 52%.
Additionally, Mormons are taught to abstain from premarital sex, which can also influence their decision to marry at a younger age. Young Mormons, especially young women, often marry at 19 or 20 years old. This is partly due to the expectation for young Mormon men to serve as full-time missionaries starting at age 18 or 19, while young women are not expected to do so. Despite the perception of risk associated with young marriages, the success rate of Mormon marriages is high.
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Mormons are more likely to be female
A quick Google search reveals that there are significantly more Catholics than Mormons globally. As of 2022, there were an estimated 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, compared to only about 16 million Mormons. However, when it comes to gender distribution within these religious groups, there are some interesting differences. Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tend to have a higher proportion of female adherents than Catholics. This trend can be attributed to several cultural and theological factors unique to the Mormon faith.
One key reason for the higher percentage of women in Mormonism is its historical roots and cultural traditions. Founded in the 19th century by Joseph Smith, Mormonism has a relatively short religious history compared to Catholicism, which spans over two millennia. From its beginnings, Mormonism attracted a significant number of women who found its teachings empowering and its community supportive. The religion offered women a sense of agency and responsibility, with opportunities for leadership and religious authority that were uncommon in the 19th century. This appeal continues today, with many women finding Mormonism's emphasis on personal revelation and female spiritual authority compelling.
The theology and doctrine of Mormonism also contribute to the higher proportion of female adherents. Mormon doctrine teaches that women and men are equal partners in the plan of salvation and that both genders are essential for the progress and exaltation of humanity. This belief in gender complementarity and equality is attractive to many women. Additionally, Mormon theology places a high value on family life and emphasizes the sacred nature of motherhood. Women are revered for their capacity to bear and nurture children, and motherhood is considered a divine calling. These teachings resonate with many women who find fulfillment and purpose in family life.
Mormon culture also fosters a strong sense of community and support among women. The Church has developed comprehensive programs and organizations dedicated to the spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of women of all ages. For example, the Relief Society, one of the largest and oldest women's organizations in the world, provides a network of support and service for Mormon women globally. Through this and other programs, Mormon women develop strong bonds of sisterhood and find meaningful ways to contribute to their communities.
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Mormons are more likely to be white
The racial demographics of Mormons stand in contrast to other religious groups in the US, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims, which are among the most racially diverse traditions. Less than half of Jehovah's Witnesses (48%) and Muslims (37%) are white.
The high proportion of white Mormons may be attributed to several factors, including historical racism within the religion and the geographic concentration of its followers. Early Mormon leaders, including its founder Joseph Smith, taught that the dark skin of Black people was a curse, and they advocated for segregation and opposed the civil rights movement. These racist teachings have persisted within the religion, with some members continuing to hold racist views.
The state of Utah, which has a large Mormon population, is predominantly white. This racial homogeneity may contribute to the perception that Mormons are predominantly white. However, it is important to note that Mormons can be found in other parts of the world as well, and the church has made efforts to diversify its membership and condemn racism.
While Mormons are more likely to be white compared to Catholics, it is worth acknowledging that both religions have members from diverse racial backgrounds, and their beliefs and practices may vary based on individual experiences and interpretations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Mormons make up 1.7% of the American adult population, while Catholics make up 23.9%.
Mormons consider The Book of Mormon, delivered by Moroni to Joseph Smith Jr., as sacred.
Women make up the majority in both communities, with 56% in the Mormon community and 54% in the Catholic community.
Nearly nine-in-ten Mormons in the US (86%) are white, while two-thirds of Catholics are white (65%) and about one-third are Latino (29%).
Mormons are more likely to have some college education, with 61% having attended college, compared to 50% in the general population.
