On The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), Lisa Barlow is the cast member who consistently identifies as an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as Mormon. While several other cast members have a background in the faith, their current religious affiliations and practices differ significantly.
Understanding "Mormon" on RHOSLC
The term "Mormon" refers to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Salt Lake City, Utah, is the global headquarters of the LDS Church, making the faith a central aspect of the city's culture and, by extension, a key theme on the show. The cast members often navigate their personal identities and relationships in relation to their past or present connections to the church.
Cast Members and Their Connection to the LDS Church
While the show features various religious backgrounds, the most prominent discussions around the LDS Church involve Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay, and Whitney Rose.
Lisa Barlow: An Active Member
Lisa Barlow openly embraces her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has described herself as "Mormon 2.0," indicating a modern approach to her faith while still adhering to its core tenets. As she has explained, being a member of the Church, particularly an orthodox one, involves fulfilling specific commitments and adhering to established principles. Lisa often shares insights into her family life and business ventures, which are intertwined with her religious beliefs and community.
Heather Gay: A "Bad Mormon" Journey
Heather Gay was raised in a devout Latter-day Saint family and was once deeply entrenched in the faith. However, throughout her time on RHOSLC, she has openly discussed her journey of "Mormon rupture" and her evolving relationship with the Church. While she no longer identifies as an active, practicing member in the traditional sense, her identity is profoundly shaped by her upbringing. She has written a book titled Bad Mormon, detailing her experiences and her path away from strict adherence to the Church's rules.
Whitney Rose: Excommunicated and Rebuilding
Like Heather, Whitney Rose was also raised in the LDS Church. However, she made the decision to leave the Church and was subsequently excommunicated. Her storyline has often focused on healing from her past, exploring her spirituality outside of organized religion, and rebuilding her life and family dynamics after stepping away from the faith she grew up with.
Other Cast Members' Religious Backgrounds
The RHOSLC cast showcases a diverse array of religious and spiritual beliefs beyond the LDS Church:
- Meredith Marks: Identifies as Jewish.
- Jen Shah (Former Cast Member): Converted to Islam.
- Mary Cosby (Former Cast Member): Is the First Lady of a Pentecostal church.
- Monica Garcia (Season 4): Was raised Mormon but is no longer an active member.
- Angie Katsanevas: Is Greek Orthodox.
Summary of Cast Religious Affiliations
To provide a clear overview, here's a table summarizing the religious affiliations of key RHOSLC cast members:
| Cast Member | Primary Religious Affiliation / Background | Current Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Barlow | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) | Active, practicing member. Identifies as "Mormon 2.0." |
| Heather Gay | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) | Raised devoutly, but no longer an active, practicing member. Explores her "Bad Mormon" identity. |
| Whitney Rose | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) | Raised devoutly, but left the Church and was excommunicated. Explores spirituality outside organized religion. |
| Meredith Marks | Judaism | Practicing Jewish. |
| Jen Shah | Islam | Converted to and practices Islam. |
| Mary Cosby | Pentecostal | First Lady of her church, actively involved in her congregation. |
| Monica Garcia | The Church of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon) | Raised Mormon, but no longer an active member. |
| Angie Katsanevas | Greek Orthodox | Practicing Greek Orthodox. |
In conclusion, while several Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast members have deep ties to the LDS Church through their upbringing, Lisa Barlow is the only one who currently identifies as an active, practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
