Whitman students junior Kate Robinette and sophomores Chase Richards and Trisha Way identify themselves as Mormon. There are currently very few Mormons on campus, and perhaps because of this, stereotypes regarding the Mormon religion persist in the minds of many members of the Whitman community.

Way converted to Mormonism when she was 12 and living in Japan. She continues to practice her faith by attending a singles ward in Walla Walla, but is conscious of the fact that there are very few Mormons at Whitman.

“Mormons that you find here are very inactive or liberal Mormons,” said Way.

The truth of the matter is that relatively few Mormons have attended Whitman. According to a 2006 survey of first-years, 54.3 percent of entering students claimed no religious affiliation, while only 0.4 percent identified themselves as Mormon.

Way explained that people are often surprised when they learn that she is Mormon after having known her for a while because they expect Mormons to fill their various stereotypes.

“I have very actively tried to break down those pre-conceived notions of scary Utah Mormons,” she said.

As Way attended a Mormon church in Tokyo, she grew up with the knowledge that the Mormon culture and Mormon religion are two distinct concepts that are all too often merged in the minds of those who have little knowledge of the religion or culture. This is why when one pictures a “Mormon,” they often think of communities of Mormons in Utah.

“[Mormonism] was my life in a more personal way. Then you get these people who grew up with it and look down on the ‘outsiders,'” said Way, speaking of those who grow up in Mormon communities.

Way also recognizes that high-density Mormon areas create interesting societies that are hard to describe and are the basis of many stereotypes that exist in the minds of non-Mormons. For instance, many of the communities are very homogeneous, with kids and young adults who fulfill the image of virtuous and perfect teenagers.

However, according to Way, these high-density areas are not the rule, but the exception. Although exact numbers are contested, Way says that there are many more Mormons outside of the United States than most people expect.

In contrast to Way, Chase Richards grew up in a high-density Mormon area and briefly attended Brigham Young University. He described BYU as a very uniform environment in which he “stuck out like a sore thumb.”

Richards left BYU after he decided that he did not want to go on a mission; every 19-year-old male is asked to go on a mission by the church.

“I grew up for 19 years wanting to go on a mission because they teach you for a very long time that that’s what you want to do,” said Richards.

Richards explained that when he did not go on a mission, he was ostracized by the BYU community.

“You can’t even get a date as a non-return missionary over the age of 18,” said Richards.

As the son of a bishop, Richards possesses a deep knowledge of Mormonism and its tenets and also tries to clear away stereotypes.

“I’ve had dozens of people ask me about things they’ve heard on South Park,” said Richards.

Aside from South Park and other forms of popular culture, many stereotypes emerge from ignorance.

“There are a lot of stereotypes because Mormonism is just like any other group of individuals that people don’t take the time to understand,” said Richards.

First of all, Richards explains the larger concepts of Mormonism.

“I think that people think it’s not a Christian religion. It is very much so. [The] central figure of the church is Jesus Christ,” said Richards.

In addition, Mormons do not reject the Christian Bible; they simply take it as fact in combination with the Book of Mormon. According to Mormon beliefs, the Book of Mormon is an additional testament of Jesus Christ, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1823.

Another large stereotype that people hold in regards to Mormons is that they practice polygamy.

Richards explained that Mormons from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have not practiced polygamy for a very long time. Although some fanatical sects still practice, it should not be associated with the main Mormon Church.

Way said that polygamy actually arose out of necessity in the early LDS church. When the Mormons arrived in Utah, most of the men had been killed in the prior years of persecution and so in order to protect the extra women, men took multiple wives for that short period of time.

Another common stereotype that many hold of Mormons is that they wear ridiculous underwear all the time. Richards explains that this practice is purely symbolic and is only for those who have been in the inner part of the temple.

“They’re very comfortable from what I’ve been told,” said Richards.

Kate Robinette, who is studying abroad, brought up other stereotypes held by some Whitman students. In an e-mail, she mentioned that although she chooses not to drink alcohol or coffee and smoke, it’s a myth that Mormons can’t have carbonated or caffeinated drinks.

Robinette also addressed the stereotype that Mormons are conservative fanatics. According to Robinette, all Mormons try to be well-educated and Mormonism is not about brainwashing.

“I would like to end the stereotype that Mormons hate LBGTQ people or that we think homosexuality is a ‘choice’ that can be healed or reversed. We also are not aligned with any political party,” said Robinette.

Richards recommends going online to credible sources such as LDS.org or reading the Book of Mormon to find out more. Seeking more information can serve as an antidote to the negative images that persist, even in an educated community like Whitman. For those who practice it, Mormonism is a nuanced, complex religion that is meaningful far beyond any stereotype.