20 Questions

Questions to Ask a Mormon

Respectful questions to ask Mormons to learn about their faith, beliefs, and practices while building understanding and connection.

1

What does it mean to be a Mormon and how do you define your faith?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand the core beliefs and identity of Mormonism, providing a foundation for understanding their faith and practices.

2

How do you interpret the Book of Mormon and what role does it play in your life?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their approach to scripture and helps you understand how they use the Book of Mormon to guide their beliefs and actions.

3

What's your understanding of Jesus Christ and his significance in your faith?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand the central figure of their faith and how they view his role in their salvation and daily life.

4

How do you practice your faith in daily life?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows how Mormonism influences their daily actions and decisions, giving you insight into the practical aspects of their faith.

5

What's your view on prayer and how do you pray?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their approach to communication with God and helps you understand how they maintain their spiritual connection.

6

How do you understand the concept of salvation and what it means to you?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand their beliefs about salvation and how they view their relationship with God.

7

What's your perspective on the Trinity and how do you understand it?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their understanding of the Godhead and helps you understand their unique perspective on the nature of God.

8

How do you handle doubts and questions about your faith?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their approach to faith challenges and helps you understand how they maintain their beliefs during difficult times.

9

What's your view on the role of the church in your spiritual life?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand how they view the church and its importance in their faith journey and spiritual development.

10

How do you approach other religions and what's your view on religious diversity?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their perspective on religious pluralism and helps you understand how they relate to people of other faiths.

11

What's your understanding of the afterlife and what happens after death?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand their beliefs about death and the afterlife, which are central to many religious worldviews.

12

How do you approach moral and ethical decisions from a Mormon perspective?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals how their faith influences their moral reasoning and helps you understand their approach to ethical dilemmas.

13

What's your view on the role of women in Mormonism?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their perspective on gender roles and helps you understand how they view women's participation in the faith.

14

How do you handle disagreements with other Mormons about doctrine?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their approach to theological differences and helps you understand how they navigate diversity within Mormonism.

15

What's your perspective on the relationship between faith and politics?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows how their faith influences their political views and helps you understand their approach to civic engagement.

16

How do you share your faith with others and what's your approach to missionary work?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their approach to sharing their faith and helps you understand how they engage with non-believers.

17

What's your understanding of the role of prophets and revelation?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Helps you understand their beliefs about modern revelation and the role of prophets in their faith.

18

How do you view the relationship between faith and science?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their approach to reconciling religious beliefs with scientific knowledge and helps you understand their worldview.

19

What's your perspective on social justice and how does your faith influence it?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals how their faith shapes their views on social issues and helps you understand their approach to justice and compassion.

20

What's the most important thing I should know about Mormonism?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Gives them a chance to share what they think is most important for you to know, providing valuable insights about their faith.

Best Practices for Discussing Mormonism

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Respect and Openness

Approach discussions about Mormonism with respect and genuine curiosity. Avoid judgmental language and be open to learning about their beliefs.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Ask questions that show you're genuinely interested in understanding their faith, not just looking for debate or argument.

Listen Actively

Pay attention to their answers and ask follow-up questions. This shows you're engaged and helps you understand their perspective better.

Question Sequences

The Faith Understanding Sequence

1
What does it mean to be a Mormon?
2
How do you interpret the Book of Mormon?
3
What's your understanding of Jesus Christ?

The Daily Practice Sequence

1
How do you practice your faith daily?
2
What's your view on prayer?
3
How do you handle doubts and questions?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Make Assumptions

Avoid assuming you know what they believe or how they practice their faith. Ask questions to understand their specific perspective.

Don't Be Judgmental

Avoid judgmental language or questions that imply their beliefs are wrong or inferior. Show respect for their faith journey.

Don't Focus Only on Controversial Topics

While important topics like social issues are worth discussing, don't make every conversation about controversial or divisive topics.

Conversation Templates

The Faith Exploration

1
Step 1: Start with: "What does it mean to be a Mormon?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How do you interpret the Book of Mormon?"
3
Step 3: Conclude with: "What's your understanding of Jesus Christ?"

The Daily Practice

1
Step 1: Begin with: "How do you practice your faith daily?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What's your view on prayer?"
3
Step 3: Finalize with: "How do you handle doubts and questions?"

Further Reading

"Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction" by Richard Lyman Bushman
"The Mormon People" by Matthew Bowman
Official LDS Church resources and materials

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation