How Many Mormons Are There in California? A Quest for Truth
Okay, so you want to know how many Mormons, or as they prefer to be called, Latter-day Saints (LDS), are chillin' in the Golden State? Well, buckle up, because this is about to get interesting.
California: The Mormon Melting Pot (or Something Like It)
California, the land of sunshine, surf, and silicon, is also home to a pretty decent chunk of the LDS population. Think of it like this: it's like Utah, but with better weather and way more avocado toast.
Now, you might be thinking, "730,000 people? That's a lot of people who like to wear really nice clothes and do family history." And you'd be right. But let's be real, that number is probably a bit outdated. California is always changing, and with it, the number of people who believe in Joseph Smith and golden plates.
Counting Mormons: It's Harder Than You Think
Trying to get an exact count of Mormons in California is like trying to count the number of grains of sand on a beach while wearing a blindfold. It's just not gonna happen. But we can make some educated guesses.
The LDS Church itself has some numbers, but those are usually based on church membership, which isn't always the same as active participation. Plus, there are people who are Mormon but don't go to church, and there are people who go to church but aren't really Mormon. So yeah, it's complicated.
So, What's the Verdict?
The short answer is: we don't really know. But we can say with confidence that there are a lot of Mormons in California. Enough to fill a few stadiums, at least. And they're probably really nice people who love their families and are good at building stuff.
But hey, who cares about exact numbers, right? What really matters is that there's a diverse community of people in California, including Mormons. And that's something to celebrate.
How To... Mormon Edition
Now, for some quick tips if you're curious about the LDS community in California:
- How to find an LDS church near you: Check out the LDS Church's official website. They have a handy tool to help you locate meetinghouses.
- How to learn more about Mormon beliefs: There are plenty of resources online and in libraries. Just be prepared to read about some pretty wild stuff.
- How to be a good neighbor to your Mormon neighbors: Treat them with respect, just like you would anyone else. And maybe offer to share some avocado toast.
- How to avoid getting involved in a Mormon vs. non-Mormon debate: Just don't. It's not worth it.
- How to appreciate the diversity of California: Embrace the fact that there are people from all walks of life living in the Golden State. It's what makes California so awesome.