Why is the Book of Mormon in hotel rooms?

The Book of Mormon is in hotel rooms primarily due to the influence of the Marriott family and their ties to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), with the company requiring the text alongside the Bible in many properties as a tradition since the 1950s to share faith, though some modern or youth-focused brands exempt themselves. Other hotels may stock religious texts based on local managers' choices or general efforts by groups like Gideons International to provide spiritual reading material.


Why do hotels have a Book of Mormon?

The Marriott family are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and started placing copies in hotel rooms in the 1950s. Did you know the Marriott hotel chain requires any hotel group entering the franchise to sign an agreement stating they'll place a copy in every room?

Are you allowed to take the Book of Mormon from a hotel?

Yes, you can generally take the Book of Mormon from a hotel room, especially in Marriott hotels, as they are placed there with the expectation that guests might take them as a missionary gesture, and they are replaced, but for Bibles (often from The Gideons), it's better to leave them for other travelers, or you can always get a free copy from the hotel front desk or an LDS church.
 


Why do they still put Bibles in hotel rooms?

Moving on from symbolism to practicality, there's another reason why Bibles are a common sight in hotel rooms - it's simply economical. Yes, you read that right. The Gideons International donates these Bibles free of charge to hotels, making them a cost-effective amenity for these establishments.

Who puts the Book of Mormon in hotel rooms?

The Marriotts are active in the Mormon Church and and started putting copies of the Book of Mormon into hotel rooms starting in the nineteen fifties. The Marriott Hotel Chain requires any hotel group entering into the franchise to sign an agreement stating that they will place a copy in every single room.


Who Put the Book of Mormon in My Hotel Room? (The Mega Mormon Marriott Story)



Are Bibles in hotel rooms free to take?

Yes, hotel Bibles, especially those from Gideons International, are generally free to take as a gift, as the organization provides them to hotels specifically for guests to keep for personal use, though some hotels might prefer they stay for the next guest. While it's not considered stealing by the Gideons, some staff may notice, and you can always ask the front desk if you're unsure. 

What is the secret room in the LDS Temple?

The only temple with a room designated as the Holy of Holies is the Salt Lake Temple. Boyd K. Packer said that “hidden away in the central part of the temple is the Holy of Holies, where the President of the Church may retire when burdened down with heavy decisions to seek an interview with Him whose Church it is.

Who pays for the Bibles in hotel rooms?

At the national convention in 1908, however, the Gideons committed themselves to place Bibles in every hotel in the country. But how would they pay for the ambitious scheme? Later that year, churches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, agreed to fund Bible distribution in their area hotels.


Why do hotels have no room 420?

In France, 420 rooms are also in demand by cannabis smokers hoping to indulge their passion in peace and quiet. In France, however, the consumption of such a drug is prohibited, which is why most hotels have eliminated this number.

Who started putting Bibles in hotel rooms?

In 1908, the Gideons began distributing free Bibles. The first Bibles were placed in rooms of the Superior Hotel in Superior, Montana. Members of The Gideons International currently average distribution of over 70 million Bibles annually.

Can you use condoms if you're Mormon?

Yes, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) can use condoms, as the church now leaves decisions about birth control to the prayerful discretion of individual married couples, emphasizing it's a private matter between them and God, though historically they discouraged it. While the church encourages large families and emphasizes procreation, its current guidance allows for various contraceptive methods, including condoms, for family planning, health, or financial reasons, but it discourages elective sterilization. 


Does the Book of Mormon say not to drink coffee?

Mormons are also taught not to drink “hot drinks,” meaning coffee or any tea other than herbal tea (see D&C 89:9), and not to use tobacco (see D&C 89:8). Latter-day prophets have also taught that Mormons should abstain from using illegal drugs and abusing legal drugs (see For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 26).

What is the most stolen item in hotels?

Additionally, according to a 2024 survey of 1,376 hotel managers by Wellness Heaven, which asked them which items are most commonly stolen, towels top the list, with 79.2 percent reporting guests nipping the cosy threads. They were followed by bathrobes, hangers, pens, and cosmetics, rounding out the top five.

What is the most controversial Mormon belief?

The most controversial Mormon beliefs often involve {!nav}polygamy (historically practiced, now prohibited but still referenced in doctrine), secret temple rituals like endowed garments (often called "magic underwear") and secret handshakes, the unique theology of God's nature (man becoming a god), and the {!nav}racial history (past priesthood ban on Black men and linking dark skin to a curse). Other points of contention include {!nav}baptism for the dead (especially for Holocaust victims), {!nav}Joseph Smith's polygamist marriages (including to minors), {!nav}financial secrecy (massive church wealth vs. stated needs), and {!nav}treatment of LGBTQ+ members. 


What is the 15-5 rule at Marriott?

Marriott's 15/5 rule is a customer service guideline where staff acknowledge guests within 15 feet (with eye contact/nod) and offer a verbal greeting at 5 feet, ensuring every guest feels recognized, valued, and welcomed throughout their stay, a core part of their proactive hospitality culture. It's about creating warm, memorable interactions from the moment a guest arrives, turning ordinary moments into positive connections. 

Why don't Christians accept the Book of Mormon?

Mainstream Christians don't accept the Book of Mormon because they view it as non-canonical scripture, believing the Bible is complete, while Mormons (Latter-day Saints) see it as additional revelation, a "restoration" after "apostasy," and they hold differing doctrines on Jesus, God, salvation, and ongoing revelation through prophets, which deviate significantly from historic Orthodox Christianity. Key issues include the Book of Mormon's origins, historicity, and unique theological claims about Jesus, God (Elohim), Lucifer, and humanity's nature. 

What floor is banned in hotels?

This is rare in modern architecture — the practice of omitting the 13th floor in hotels dates back to the early 20th century and is due to a combination of superstitions and fire concerns.


Why is the number 13 not used in hotels?

Hotels, buildings and elevator manufacturers have also avoided using the number 13 for rooms and floors based on triskaidekaphobia. Several notable streets in London lack a No. 13, including "Fleet Street, Park Lane, Oxford Street, Praed Street, St. James's Street, Haymarket and Grosvenor Street."

Are you allowed to take the Bible from hotel rooms?

Yes, you are generally allowed to take the Bible from a hotel room, especially if it's a Gideon Bible, as the organization places them there for people to have, though it's polite to inform the front desk so they can replace it, as they are meant for the next guest too; hotels don't charge for these specific Bibles, but other items should be left behind. 

Can I get a Bible for free?

Yes, you can get a free Bible through various sources, including online requests to organizations like Bibles for America and Heaven Is True, by visiting local churches or libraries, or finding them in hotels via The Gideons International, with options for digital versions via apps like YouVersion or websites like Bible Gateway. 


What Bible is in every hotel room?

The Gideon bibles have also encouraged hotels to place other religious texts in their rooms too. However not every hotel room has a bible.

What is soaking the bed in Mormon culture?

According to Mormon TikTok, 'soaking' is basically penetrative sex without the movement and hip thrusting.

Is Christina Aguilera LDS?

Christina Aguilera was raised in a Mormon (LDS) household, as both her parents were members and married in an LDS temple, but she has since moved away from the religion, with sources suggesting she identifies as Catholic or has drifted from it. While she had an early Mormon upbringing, she does not publicly identify as a practicing member today, and her background is often mentioned in lists of celebrities raised in LDS homes who later left the faith.
 


Do you have to wear a white bra in the LDS temple?

Only while inside the temple do you need a white bra. You can wear whatever kind of bra in regular life that goes with your clothing. Personally, I think that colored bras are weird especially with garments but some prefer them with their darker clothes. That is another area of personal preference.