The Faith Journey Of Benson Boone: Is The 'Beautiful Things' Singer Still Mormon?
The question of Benson Boone's religious background is one of the most frequently searched topics about the rising global pop star, especially following his viral success and candid interviews. As of December 2025, the answer is nuanced: while the singer-songwriter was raised in a devout family within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), he has publicly stated that he is no longer a practicing member of the faith. His journey away from the Mormon church, which included a brief stint at an LDS university, has become a significant part of his public narrative, shaping his perspective and the deeply emotional themes found in his hit songs like "Beautiful Things" and "Ghost Town."
This deep dive explores Benson Boone's Mormon upbringing, his time at BYU-Idaho, his decision to leave the church, and how his evolving personal beliefs influence his music career today. The transition from a structured religious life to the unpredictable world of a major label artist has been a defining chapter for the 22-year-old, offering a unique glimpse into the life of a modern artist navigating faith and fame.
Benson Boone: A Quick Biography and Profile
Benson James Boone has rapidly become one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary pop music, known for his powerful vocals and emotionally raw lyrics. His rise to fame was swift, beginning with a brief but impactful appearance on a major reality singing competition.
- Full Name: Benson James Boone
- Date of Birth: June 25, 2002
- Age (as of late 2025): 23
- Hometown: Monroe, Washington, U.S.
- Parents: Kerry Boone (Mother) and Nate Boone (Father)
- Siblings: Four sisters: Kaylee, Natalee, Emma, and Claire.
- Education: Attended Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) for one semester before dropping out.
- Career Start: Briefly competed on American Idol in early 2021 before withdrawing.
- Record Label: Night Street Records (Warner Records), founded by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds.
- Breakthrough Hits: "Ghost Town" (2021), "In the Stars" (2022), "Beautiful Things" (2024).
Boone's family life was centered in Monroe, Washington, where he was raised in a large, closely-knit household. His devout Mormon upbringing would later become a major point of discussion as his career took off and his personal views began to evolve.
Growing Up LDS: Benson Boone's Mormon Upbringing
To understand Benson Boone's religious journey, it is essential to look at his childhood. The singer was raised in a home that was deeply committed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This meant his early life was structured by the church's principles, values, and community, a common experience for children in devout LDS families.
The Influence of a Devout Family
Boone has described his family as "devout" in their faith. The LDS church places a strong emphasis on family unity, service, and adherence to specific moral codes, which undoubtedly shaped his foundational worldview. This environment often instills a strong sense of purpose and a framework for morality, which Boone acknowledges has driven his perspective on life.
The faith-based community was a constant, and like many young members of the church, Boone was on a path that typically includes attending an LDS university, serving a mission, and establishing a family within the faith. His enrollment at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) after high school was a natural step in this trajectory.
The BYU-Idaho Experience
In 2020, Boone enrolled at BYU-Idaho, an institution owned and operated by the LDS Church. Attending a BYU campus is a significant cultural marker for many young Mormons, as the schools maintain strict honor codes and integrate religious instruction into the curriculum.
However, Boone's time there was brief. He attended for just one semester, and it coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning he did not fully experience the traditional on-campus life. This short period of time was quickly overshadowed by a monumental career opportunity.
His decision to drop out was not primarily a religious one, but a professional one: he chose to pursue his burgeoning music career after his successful audition for American Idol and subsequent withdrawal from the show. This pivotal choice set him on a path away from the traditional LDS life he had been raised for.
The Transition: Why Benson Boone is No Longer a Practicing Mormon
The most current and definitive information confirms that Benson Boone has moved away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In recent interviews, he has been candid about the "confusion" and "frustration" he felt while navigating his faith as he grew older and gained independence.
Seeking His Own Beliefs
Boone has openly discussed the difficulty of reconciling his personal feelings and opinions with the rigid structure and specific doctrines of the LDS Church. He expressed a desire to avoid being "boxed in to one religion or set of beliefs," a sentiment that resonates with many young adults who leave organized religion.
In a cover story interview with Rolling Stone, he explicitly stated that he is no longer Mormon, clarifying, "I have my own opinions." This statement is a powerful declaration of independence, indicating a shift from inherited faith to a self-determined spiritual path. He emphasizes that while he still believes in God, his relationship with spirituality is now personal and unconstrained by a specific church's rules.
Influence on His Music
Boone's emotional honesty about his background is a key element of his artistic identity. The themes of struggle, searching, and vulnerability in his songs can be seen as reflections of his personal journey, including his transition away from his childhood faith.
- Emotional Depth: The raw emotion in hits like "Ghost Town" and "Beautiful Things" connects with listeners who are also navigating complex life changes and emotional turmoil.
- Authenticity: His willingness to discuss a sensitive topic like religion in a public forum adds a layer of authenticity that fans appreciate, distinguishing him from artists who keep their personal lives strictly private.
- Topical Authority: His music and interviews contribute to the broader conversation about faith, identity, and mental health among young people, especially those who grew up in high-demand religious environments.
His mentor, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, who is also a former LDS member and has been vocal about his own faith struggles, likely provided a supportive environment for Boone to explore and express his identity. This mentorship offers a clear path for Boone to maintain his spiritual beliefs while pursuing a career that often conflicts with strict religious guidelines.
Benson Boone's Current Stance on Faith and Spirituality
While Benson Boone has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he has not abandoned spirituality entirely. His current stance is one of personal, non-denominational belief.
A Focus on Personal Spirituality
Boone's journey is less about rejecting God and more about rejecting the institutional constraints of a specific church. He has indicated that his faith still drives his actions and perspective, but it is a faith defined by his own understanding and experiences, not by a church manual.
This personal approach allows him to maintain a moral compass and a sense of gratitude, which he often shares with his fans, without adhering to the restrictive doctrines that he found confusing and frustrating. This nuanced position—raised Mormon, now spiritual but not religious—is a growing trend among his generation.
LSI Keywords and Topical Entities
The discussion around Benson Boone naturally involves several key entities and concepts that build topical authority:
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
- Mormonism
- Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho)
- American Idol
- Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons)
- Night Street Records
- Monroe, Washington
- "Beautiful Things" (Song)
- "Ghost Town" (Song)
- Religious Upbringing
- Faith Crisis
- Spiritual Independence
- Pop Singer-Songwriter
- Religious Trauma (as discussed by some ex-Mormon communities)
- Honor Code
- Vulnerability in Music
- Family Values
- Kerry and Nate Boone (Parents)
- Natalee Boone (Sister)
- Warner Records
In conclusion, the answer to "Is Benson Boone Mormon?" is a definitive no, but his Mormon upbringing remains a crucial part of his story. It is the foundation from which he launched his career and the emotional bedrock for the authentic, heartfelt music that has captivated millions of listeners worldwide. His openness about his faith transition is a testament to his commitment to authenticity, making him a relatable figure for a modern audience navigating their own paths to self-discovery and belief.
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