Mormon family reveal what it’s REALLY like to live within the strict rules of their religion – revealing how church dictates everything from diet to parenting choices while SLAMMING rumors that polygamy is permitted
A Mormon family has revealed what it's really like to live within the strict rules of their religion.
Popular YouTube creator Peter Santanello visited the home of David and Jennifer Roura, from Utah, who had invited some of their friends over for dinner.
There he questioned the group about their membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as the Mormon Church, which currently has more than 17 million followers.
They quickly shut down rumors of polygamy, opened up about clothing restrictions and explained how their diet is dictated by the teachings.
Popular YouTube creator Peter Santanello spoke to a Mormon family about what it's really like to live within the strict rules of their religion
He visited the home of David and Jennifer Roura, from Utah, who had invited some of their friends over for dinner
Peter said he was shocked from the start by the “amount of kindness” and openness of the group who started by praying over their food.
The cameraman asked if there were strict dietary laws, like other religions, to which Jennifer replied, “We have something called a health code. It is called the Word of Wisdom and tells us to be temperate in all things.
'Not too much meat, don't get addicted to anything, like not drinking alcohol, not drinking coffee.'
David confirmed: 'It's everything in moderation. Even what is good for you, too much of it is not healthy.”
The Mormon friends took issue with the idea that polygamy still exists and strongly refuted this claim: “While serving as a missionary, I was asked that question often…
“But what I learned was that even if polygamy existed, it was considered a calling, an assignment from God.
“And there's only about two percent of the church that actually practices it…
“The doctrines, the gospel of Jesus Christ, are the same across the board. Two thousand years ago is the same as it is today, but policies have changed over time. And so polygamy was a matter of policy.”
Peter said he was shocked from the start by the “amount of kindness” and openness of the group who started by praying over their food
They quickly shut down rumors of polygamy, opened up about clothing restrictions and explained how their diet is dictated by the teachings.
Jennifer added: 'If a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practices polygamy, they would most likely be excommunicated.”
The group also wanted to address the “misconception” that church members have large families as part of the “communal ideal.”
David revealed: 'Actually for a lot of people that's not the case. I feel like it's actually changing a little bit.”
One of the guests, a mother of three, explained how her Mormon faith helps her raise her children, adding, “If I have a problem with one of my children, I can pray about it and ask the Spirit to to guide me.
'Give me some direction, how do I deal with this problem that presents itself?
'Sometimes the answer that comes back is not nice. It's like 'you need to apologize.' Sometimes as a parent you think I am right, but the Spirit rebukes me.
“Like you need to be more patient or gentler or go slower, don't rush your children.”
Peter was again surprised when he heard about the willingness to let their children choose their own path.
Jennifer argued: 'I don't want our daughter to grow up in a bubble. I want her to believe because she chooses to believe.
“Not because all her friends believe and because her parents believe.”
Jennifer concluded by dismissing speculation that there was prejudice against non-members or those who had left the LDS Church
She added that any opposing thoughts against their religious beliefs were welcome as it provided an opportunity “to see the difference and to choose.”
Jennifer stated, “There is no blind following. We are not expected to all think the same about every controversy and topic.
“Everyone is encouraged to pray and seek guidance from the Spirit to know what path is best for their family and themselves.”
David believes that the religion is 'opening up' and becoming 'transparent' as they try to show the world that 'there are actually no secrets'.
As he delved further into their daily lives, Peter questioned their clothing after assuming the family would wear “classic” Mormon outfits.
Jennifer revealed that followers can “wear anything they want,” but adults will always wear their “temple clothes” under regular clothes.
These are considered sacred and are 'an outward sign of an inward devotion'.
She continued, “We're not supposed to wear clothes that show or reveal them.
'We're not supposed to take them off, and if we want to wear a certain dress, or a certain skirt, or just for relaxation, we can choose to do without, but then you have to put it on right away. .'
Jennifer concluded by speculating that there was prejudice against non-members or those who had left the LDS Church.
“All walks of life come through our doors, our homes,” she explained.
“We have gay friends, we have friends who are not members, we have friends who have left the church or apostatized. There are people who have never known about the church.
'That's the whole pointThat we are all God's children and we should all treat each other with the same respect and love.”