Is Bear Bachmeier LDS? BYU QB explains his different religious faith at Mormon college

JUMP TO:

• Is Bear Bachmeier LDS?
• Bear Bachmeier religion
• What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
• Why is BYU a Mormon school?
• Do you have to be Mormon to go to BYU?

The BYU Cougars have been performing at a high level, with quarterback Bear Bachmeier playing a big role in their success.

One unique aspect of Bachmeier, in relation to the school he plays for, is that he is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is the flagship university of the LDS Church, and while most students and players are members due to the school’s close ties to the church, Bachmeier is an exception.

Here’s a closer look at what Bachmeier has said about his religion, as well as BYU’s connection to the LDS Church.

MORE: Meet BYU's Bear Bachmeier and his brother Tiger Bachmeier

Is Bear Bachmeier LDS?

No, Bachmeier is not a member of LDS, which sponsors BYU. Bachmeier has publicly stated that he grew up in a Catholic household. But the BYU quarterback says being on a team heavily based in faith like the Cougars drew him to the program. 

“I think just the faith-oriented environment — I mean, I use the word elevate — but it elevates our spiritual game exponentially," Bachmeier said in an interview with BYUtv earlier this season. Before every meeting, we say a prayer. Before every class, we say a prayer."

Bachmeier initially enrolled at Stanford in Jan. 2025, but entered the transfer portal a few months later after the school fired former Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor. 

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Bear Bachmeier religion

Bachmeier was raised Catholic. Bachmeier's older brother and teammate, Tiger Bachmeier, go to a Catholic church in Orem, Utah.

Bachmeier is from Murrieta, Calif., and was a 4-star quarterback recruit coming out of high school.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church, was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.

Originally established in upstate New York, the church now has nearly 32,000 congregations. There are an estimated 6.9 million members in the United States and more than 17.5 million members worldwide.

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Why is BYU a Mormon school?

BYU was founded in the 1860s by Warren Dusenberry, but the school's property was taken over by Bringham Young, who at the time was the LDS church president. Young had a vision for the school to be a church university, closely tied with the LDS church. 

"I hope to see an Academy established in Provo ... at which the children of the Latter-day Saints can receive a good education unmixed with the pernicious atheistic influences that are found in so many of the higher schools of the country," Young said of his vision for the university."

While the school was initially an academy, it became a university in the early 1900s. As of 2025, the school has 37,205 total daytime students, including 34,224 who are in undergrad. 

Do you have to be Mormon to go to BYU?

No. Although you do not have to be Mormon to attend BYU, the vast majority of students are members of the LDS Church. Students at the university are required to follow an honor code, which aligns with several teachings of the church.

The honor code includes guidelines on academic honesty, dress and grooming, abstaining from extramarital sex, and avoiding alcohol or drugs.