Mormon Influencers Spark Curiosity About the Church

Latter-day Saint social media stars offer an alternative view to the traditional missionary image, but not all members are pleased with the portrayal.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:24am

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins and shattered glass reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the allure and controversy of Mormon influencer culture.The glitz and glam of Mormon influencer culture obscures the complex realities of faith and community within the church.Los Angeles Today

A new wave of female Latter-day Saint influencers has emerged in American pop culture, offering an alternative view of the male-led church beyond the traditional image of white-shirted missionaries. While some of these influencers explain church teachings, others highlight the ways they break from the rules, such as drinking alcohol and having premarital sex. This has drawn both interest and criticism, with the church saying some media portrayals resort to 'stereotypes or gross misrepresentations' that have 'real-life consequences' for believers.

Why it matters

The rise of Mormon influencers reflects a broader cultural fascination with the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which often differ from other religions. While some influencers aim to share their faith openly, others like the cast of the Hulu reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' have drawn criticism for what the church sees as a misrepresentation of its teachings and adherents.

The details

These Latter-day Saint influencers, often young mothers in their 20s, have found large followings online by documenting their lifestyles, which can include elements that diverge from strict church teachings. While some explain tenets of the faith, others bring attention to the rules they break, such as consuming alcohol and having premarital sex. This has sparked both interest and concern, with the church saying certain media portrayals resort to 'stereotypes or gross misrepresentations' that can have 'real-life consequences' for believers.

  • In 2024, the Hulu reality series 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' premiered, drawing attention to the church.
  • Recently, ABC had to scuttle a season of 'The Bachelorette' that had cast 'Mormon Wives' star Taylor Frankie Paul after a video of a domestic violence incident surfaced.

The players

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The male-led church whose beliefs and practices, including the wearing of religious garments and the ability of church leadership to receive revelations from God, have often been the subject of intense interest and scrutiny.

Camille N. Johnson

The president of the church's Relief Society organization for women, who said it's important to seek out trusted sources of information about the church and its members in light of recent media attention.

Taylor Frankie Paul

The star of the Hulu reality series 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who was recently cast in 'The Bachelorette' before the season was scrapped.

Nancy Ross

An associate professor at Utah Tech University who studies Mormon feminism and said the internet has 'challenged the church's ability to maintain its own narratives about itself.'

Rosemary Avance

An assistant professor at Oklahoma State University whose research includes religious identity and digital media, who said the cast of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' 'are just not talking about' their faith.

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What they’re saying

“Millions of Latter-day Saint women around the world strive to live faith-filled lives grounded in a love for God and all of His children.”

— Camille N. Johnson, President of the Church's Relief Society organization for women

“Our culture is fascinating to an outsider, and I can understand why it would pull people in. That Mormon timeline is intriguing to the rest of the world. I think most people innately have a desire for a happy marriage and a happy family life and we tend to create those in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

— Lauren Yarro, Latter-day Saint content creator and podcast host

“The only thing I don't like about what they do is sometimes they will play on things, twist things, use what is sacred to us as members of the church, and they'll put it out and it feels like mockery to us.”

— Shayla Egan, Latter-day Saint content creator

“We want to be missionaries and spread the good word of the Gospel, and so this is just another way we can do it.”

— Mimi Bascom, Latter-day Saint content creator

What’s next

The church has said it will continue to work to distance itself from portrayals like 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' that it believes misrepresent the faith and its adherents. Some Latter-day Saint influencers have also taken it upon themselves to respond to and correct what they see as inaccurate or unfair depictions of the church online.

The takeaway

The rise of Mormon influencers reflects the church's ongoing struggle to control the narrative around its beliefs and practices in the digital age. While some influencers aim to share their faith openly, others have drawn criticism for what the church sees as a misrepresentation that can have real consequences for believers. This cultural fascination with the church shows no signs of abating, and the church will likely continue to grapple with how to respond to these emerging portrayals.