Molly Mormon
Encyclopedia
Molly Mormon is a term for the popular stereotype of a female member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A Molly Mormon is thought to be the "perfect Mormon woman" - an attractive and chaste woman whose life revolves around the family and marriage and the social demands of Mormonism
, like bearing multiple children, and who embodies the cheery, chipper and domesticated female in Latter-day Saint culture
. Typically, a Molly Mormon would not dissent against her husband or the priesthood and supports Mormon social and political views unconditionally. Peter Priesthood is the male version of the same term, though used somewhat less frequently. Many "Molly Mormons" are stereotyped as being consumed by their life within the church, and as gullible and out-of-touch with the reality outside it.
These terms are occasionally used in a disparaging way by members of the LDS church to refer to other Mormons who display or promote an ultra-conservative interpretation of their understanding of the church's teachings. An example of a person that may be labeled this way is one who abstains from drinking caffeinated cola
drinks (based on a conservative interpretation of an ambiguity in the Word of Wisdom
), will not watch television on Sunday, tells on her 15-year-old friend for dating before age 16, and who insists that others do so as well, perhaps claiming to be "setting an example". Abstinence from these behaviors is not required by the church to remain as a member in good standing, but is often preached unofficially as interpretations of church teachings in lessons taught by members of the church's local leadership.
The term is used openly in LDS churches, and has even appeared in magazines published by the LDS church for more than 20 years, as in the phrase "they had taunted her and called her a 'Molly Mormon' because she would not participate in their questionable activities" appearing in a 1989 edition of Ensign.
The term is often simply abbreviated to "Molly" (or sometimes to "Momo") or used as an adjective: "She's gotten so molly lately - all she could say about these new shorts is that they were too short."
A company calling itself Shameless Humor sells a line of clothing, including t-shirts and underwear, bearing the name Molly Mormon.
A series of paperback romance novels written by LDS fiction
author Tamra Norton has also appropriated the term into the series' title. Books in the series include Molly Mormon?, Molly Married?, and Molly Mommy?, and follow a Mormon girl named Molly through her teens on to married student life at BYU Idaho and then on to parenthood.
A popular blogsite called 'Modern Molly Mormon' talks about modern day LDS women and their views on scripture, LDS culture and the raised bar of being a "Molly".
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
, like bearing multiple children, and who embodies the cheery, chipper and domesticated female in Latter-day Saint culture
Culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reflecting the cultural impact of basic beliefs and traditions of the church, distinguishes church members, practices, and activities...
. Typically, a Molly Mormon would not dissent against her husband or the priesthood and supports Mormon social and political views unconditionally. Peter Priesthood is the male version of the same term, though used somewhat less frequently. Many "Molly Mormons" are stereotyped as being consumed by their life within the church, and as gullible and out-of-touch with the reality outside it.
These terms are occasionally used in a disparaging way by members of the LDS church to refer to other Mormons who display or promote an ultra-conservative interpretation of their understanding of the church's teachings. An example of a person that may be labeled this way is one who abstains from drinking caffeinated cola
Cola
Cola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
drinks (based on a conservative interpretation of an ambiguity in the Word of Wisdom
Word of Wisdom
The "Word of Wisdom" is the common name of a section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a book considered by many churches within the Latter Day Saint movement to consist of revelations from God...
), will not watch television on Sunday, tells on her 15-year-old friend for dating before age 16, and who insists that others do so as well, perhaps claiming to be "setting an example". Abstinence from these behaviors is not required by the church to remain as a member in good standing, but is often preached unofficially as interpretations of church teachings in lessons taught by members of the church's local leadership.
Usage in LDS culture
The term Molly Mormon can take on both positive and negative connotations, depending on who is using it, and toward whom. When used by or toward teens, it can refer to prudish behavior. When it refers to an adult LDS woman, it often refers to a stereotype which may or may not be welcome.The term is used openly in LDS churches, and has even appeared in magazines published by the LDS church for more than 20 years, as in the phrase "they had taunted her and called her a 'Molly Mormon' because she would not participate in their questionable activities" appearing in a 1989 edition of Ensign.
The term is often simply abbreviated to "Molly" (or sometimes to "Momo") or used as an adjective: "She's gotten so molly lately - all she could say about these new shorts is that they were too short."
Commercialization
A company named MollyGear sells a line of designer, purse-like scripture bags and novelty T-shirts. "MollyGear is for the fashionable Molly Mormon in you."A company calling itself Shameless Humor sells a line of clothing, including t-shirts and underwear, bearing the name Molly Mormon.
A series of paperback romance novels written by LDS fiction
LDS fiction
LDS fiction is an American niche market of fiction novels featuring themes related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
author Tamra Norton has also appropriated the term into the series' title. Books in the series include Molly Mormon?, Molly Married?, and Molly Mommy?, and follow a Mormon girl named Molly through her teens on to married student life at BYU Idaho and then on to parenthood.
A popular blogsite called 'Modern Molly Mormon' talks about modern day LDS women and their views on scripture, LDS culture and the raised bar of being a "Molly".