Michael Brooks
Mormons are more likely to marry and have more children than other religious groups in the US. A 2014 study by the Pew Research Center found that Mormons have higher fertility rates than members of most other religions, with an average of 3.4 children per family, compared to 2.3 for Catholics. This is partly due to the Mormon doctrine, which encourages having large families and views children as a blessing from God. According to the doctrine, families are central to God's plan, and individuals are believed to be God's spirit children waiting to be born into physical bodies on earth. While contraception is not officially prohibited, it is often discouraged, and some leaders have spoken out against it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average number of children born to Mormons aged 40-59 | 3.4 |
| Average number of children born to Catholics | 2.3 |
| Percentage of Mormons who have ever been married | 74.2% |
| Percentage of Catholics who have ever been married | 72.2% |
| Percentage of Mormons who have experienced premarital intercourse | 15% |
| Percentage of Catholics who have experienced premarital intercourse | 48% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Mormons | 1.6% |
| Percentage of Americans who identify as Catholics | Not found |
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What You'll Learn
Mormons have more kids than Catholics
Mormons tend to have more children than Catholics. This is due in part to the Mormon belief that children are central to God's plan. According to this belief, all humans lived with God before being born into physical bodies on Earth, and having children is seen as a way to give spirit children physical bodies. This belief is reflected in the Mormon focus on family and marriage, with two-thirds of US Mormon adults currently married, compared to 52% of Christians overall.
Mormon leaders have historically encouraged large families, and having many children is considered a status symbol within the culture. Men and women with large families are seen as more powerful and spiritual. While there is no official Mormon family quota, and families with fewer children are not considered inferior, the anti-contraception messaging from LDS leaders has contributed to larger family sizes.
Data supports the claim that Mormons have larger families than Catholics. A 2016 survey of GenX Latter-day Saints (aged 37-51) found that the median number of children for Mormons was 2.42, compared to a US average of 1.81. A more recent study of Mormons aged 40-59 found an average of 3.4 children, compared to 2.3 for Catholics. These numbers reflect a decline in family size for Mormons, but they still have higher fertility rates than most other religious groups in the US.
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Mormon men with big families are seen as more powerful
Mormon men with large families are often seen as more powerful or important within their culture. This perception is influenced by the belief that having many children is a status symbol and a demonstration of spiritual devotion. Leaders within the Mormon community have historically encouraged large families, citing religious doctrines and the idea of fulfilling God's plan for families.
The belief in "spirit children" waiting to be born into physical bodies on earth is a significant factor in the encouragement of large families among Mormons. This belief, coupled with the traditional view of contraception as evil, has contributed to a higher fertility rate among Mormons compared to other religious groups.
In the past, prominent figures within the Mormon community, such as Bruce R. McConkie, have reinforced the idea of having as many children as possible. While these views are not formally considered doctrine, they have influenced the teachings and practices of the church. Additionally, the high value placed on marriage within the Mormon faith further contributes to the emphasis on having children.
However, it is important to note that there is no official Mormon family quota, and the decision on family size is considered a private and sacred matter between a husband, wife, and the Lord. While the perception of power and importance associated with large families may exist, it is not universally accepted, and some former Mormons have spoken out against the pressure to have many children at the expense of educational and work opportunities.
Despite a recent decline in family size among Mormons, they still have a higher fertility rate than the national average. This trend is particularly noticeable in states with high concentrations of Mormons, such as Utah, which has a low teenage pregnancy rate consistent with reported premarital chastity among Mormons.
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Mormon women may neglect educational and work opportunities
Mormons are more likely to marry and have more children than other religious groups in the US. The average number of children born to Mormons between the ages of 40 and 59 is 3.4, compared to 2.5 for historically black Protestant churches, and 2.3 for Catholics and evangelicals. This is also reflected in the total fertility rate, with Mormons having a rate of 3.31 children in 1981, compared to the national average of 1.81.
Mormon women are encouraged to have children as soon as they get married, and life planning often ends at marriage. This can lead to women forgoing educational and career pursuits to focus on starting a family early. While there is no official quota for Mormon families, the cultural and religious expectations can be strong influences on individual decisions.
Additionally, Mormon women's educational and work opportunities may be impacted by the time and financial demands of having a large family. The financial burden of tithing, which is a significant aspect of Mormon religious practice, can also strain resources and impact a woman's ability to pursue education or a career.
It is worth noting that Mormons are among the most highly educated Christians, with 33% reporting a college degree. However, the focus on early marriage and childbearing within the community may still present challenges for women who wish to pursue education and career goals.
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Mormons have higher fertility rates than Catholics
Mormon doctrine has traditionally encouraged large families. The belief in "spirit children" waiting to be born into physical bodies on earth has led to the view that having children is a sacred duty. This idea is supported by scriptures such as Genesis 1:28, which states, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." While the decision on family size is considered a private matter, leaders within the Church have regularly spoken against birth control, influencing members to have more children.
Cultural expectations within Mormon communities also contribute to higher fertility rates. Men and women with large families are often seen as more spiritual, powerful, and important within their social circles. This dynamic can motivate individuals to have more children as a way to gain or maintain social status. Additionally, the emphasis on marriage within the religion leads to a higher percentage of Mormons getting married and starting families at younger ages compared to other religious groups, including Catholics.
Gender dynamics within Mormon communities further influence fertility rates. Women may face pressure to prioritize having and raising children over educational and work opportunities. This can result in a higher focus on traditional gender roles, with women taking on the primary responsibilities of child-rearing and homemaking.
While Mormons have higher fertility rates than Catholics, it is worth noting that the overall trend in family size across religious groups, including Mormons, is declining. Despite this decline, Mormons still maintain larger families compared to other religious groups, reflecting the ongoing influence of their religious beliefs, cultural norms, and gender dynamics on their reproductive choices.
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LDS leaders were anti-contraception
LDS leaders have historically been anti-contraception, encouraging members to have many children. In 1856, Brigham Young, an early LDS leader, stated:
> It is the duty of every righteous man and woman to prepare tabernacles for all the spirits they can.
LDS leaders have taught that contraception is evil and sinful, with Brigham Young and other apostles quoted in a 1916 church magazine stating that birth control was a "pernicious doctrine" and that limiting the number of children in a family is "sinful". The same article encouraged women to exercise their "sacred power of procreation to its utmost limit".
In his 1956 treatise "Doctrines of Salvation", then-apostle Joseph Fielding Smith, who later became a church president, called birth control a "wickedness that leads to damnation and caused the downfall of nations". He further stated that a Latter-day Saint couple that deliberately prevents themselves from having more children after their second or third child is "guilty of iniquity which must be punished". The 1958 edition of Bruce R. McConkie's popular book "Mormon Doctrine" also stated that all those using condoms or other artificial contraception are "in rebellion against God and are guilty of gross wickedness".
LDS leaders regularly spoke out against birth control into the 1970s, and gradually in the 1980s and 1990s, they stopped overtly teaching against it. By 1995, top leaders released the Family Proclamation, which many adherents interpreted as encouraging them to have as many children as possible. However, in 1998, an update to the Church Handbook marked a significant break from past teachings on family planning, stating that the decision on the number of children was up to the couple.
The encouragement to have large families is also cultural within the Mormon community. Men and women with big families are seen as more powerful, important, and spiritual. Additionally, it is believed that there are spirit children with God who are waiting to be born into human bodies to know true joy and fulfillment, so having many children is seen as a way to fulfill this belief.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mormons have larger families than Catholics. According to a 2014 study, Mormons have a fertility rate of 3.4, while Catholics have a fertility rate of 2.3.
Mormons believe that families are central to God's plan. They believe that children are spirit children with God, waiting to be born into human bodies to know true joy and fulfilment.
Mormons traditionally taught that contraception was evil. While this topic is avoided nowadays, the tradition of having large families is still prevalent in Mormon culture.
Yes, Mormons have higher fertility rates than members of most other major religious traditions.
Some people believe that large families may cause women to neglect educational and work opportunities. Additionally, having many children can be financially challenging, especially if families are also paying tithing to the church.
