DIAMOND BAR, California (AP) — In what some may consider an unexpected move, rap artist “Snoop Dogg” has reportedly converted to Mormonism after nearly a year of study with the fast-growing, Utah-based faith.
{PHOTO CAPTION: Snoop Dogg says he “can’t get enough of the Book of Mormon.”}
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Snoop Dogg — whose real name is Calvin Broadus — said he considers himself extremely fortunate to have discovered such a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment at this stage in his life.
“Mr. Broadus is also very pleased to find that his family is as enthusiastic about attending church services as he is,” the spokeswoman said.
However, Snoop Dogg has not been enthusiastic about publicly sharing his experience and declined to be interviewed by CNN for this article.
In fact, he reportedly informed producers of his E! reality show “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” that this particular aspect of his family’s life was off-limits to the cameras. Still, he left open the possibility of addressing the subject in future episodes.
According to the Associated Press, Snoop Dogg was first introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon Church is officially known, after attending a Gladys Knight concert in an LDS meeting house in Los Angeles.
Knight, who very publicly discusses her conversion to Mormonism several years ago, invited Snoop Dogg to what is known to the Mormon faithful as “Family Home Evening,” a church program that encourages families to set aside Monday evenings for gospel-centered lessons and family togetherness.
Though Snoop Dogg has been hesitant to publicly discuss his recent spiritual journey, he commented on the experience of attending his first “Family Home Evening” in a recent interview with People Magazine.
“I was hooked from the start,” Snoop Dogg said. “We talked about the purpose of life, played Mousetrap, and ate brownies. The kids thought it was off the hook, for real.”
In what Snoop Dogg now thinks was anything but a coincidence, Mormon missionaries had knocked on his door just one week before the Knight concert. He said he had initially turned them away because of what he knew about the strict Mormon health code, which prohibits members from smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs.
“Y’all know me,” he said grinning broadly. “There were just certain things the old me — the “natural man” — needed to do. And these young guys are telling me that God’s not down with disrespecting ourselves. But it’s cool now.”
Snoop Dogg said his conversion marks the end of his old life, one that included frequent run-ins with the law. Snoop Dogg was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession and charged with gun possession after a 1993 traffic stop. In 1997, he pleaded guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.
In 1996, Snoop Dogg was acquitted of murder after a purported gangbanger was killed by gunfire from the vehicle in which Snoop Dogg was traveling.
Snoop Dogg dismisses critics who claim his conversion is intended to placate a Salt Lake County judge, before whom he is appealing an alleged probation violation.
“Listen, the haters will say what they will,” Snoop Dogg said. “I can only do what I feel is right.”
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What is this? It’s clearly not true, but it’s also not funny. There are no jokes; there is no hyperbole; literally nothing about it is humorous. It’s like someone who doesn’t understand “The Onion” is trying to emulate “The Onion.”
What do you mean?
Welcome Snoop ;).
💓💓💓💓
Way to go snoop!
Kenzie… Thanks for the warm welcoming… He’s now on the right part
Snoop dogm will have to have a haircut, too.
Not if he doesn’t want to we do not dictate to our members what they can and cannot do we teach them correct principles and then we let them govern themselves.
Not necessary. There are many people in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that have dreadlocks. It is a decision that is up to the individual and not the church
Good for Snoop Dog. Welcome to our church. We love you.
Coucou Snoop bienvenue à l’Eglise de Jésus-Christ des saints des derniers jours c’est l’Eglise du seigneur, et nous sommes ravit que tu nous rejoignent en chemin pour l’éternité. Soit la Bienvenue!
Welcome to our church. We love you Snoop Dog.
thanks for the welcoming of the great man. He would now know how valuable his souls is.
Welcome to our church, Snoop Dog. We love you.
Them Mormons need a good weed dealer… nice business move snoop 😄👍 stay natural man 🙏🏾 Jah Bless ❤️💚💛
Welcome bro.. what a great decision.
Democracy is not all about Freedom os Speech but also “Freedom of “CHANGE”.
we are so happy to have you as a member of our church! You are going to do marvelous work among your contemporaries and fans. You will be a master teacher for those who really want to learn about our heavenly father and his wonderful plan of happiness once again welcome aboard we love you and we’re so proud that you’re going to be With us and all that you do and that you do.
I know dat d gospel of Jesus Christ is true
Well snoopy it’s not going to be easy , but with faith in the Lord . anything is possible!
Welcome brother Snoop it’s good to have you in the lord’s kingdom here on earth. Greetings from Liberia
welcome to the House of Israel Snoop….
Welcome bro
If this is indeed true, way to go! Always good to see people go against the grain of the entertainment industry! Haters gonna hate! Takes a strong person to go forward anyway 🙂
Welcome to our church and our church is getting away from being called a Mormon church! We have a book called The book of Mormon and our church is called “The Church of JESUS CHRIST of latter-day saints”. And we love all and welcome anyone that makes a choice (On their own!) To join and follow our beliefs. We do NOT judge anyone but love them as father in heaven does. We are not perfect and Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect but to try and follow what he has written. We are a church of love and understand and we are NOT MORMONS but follow JESUS CHRIST and have a BOOK called The book of MORMON and it is a beautiful book that we cherish and yes we also combine it with the Bible.
You have just make d best of choice ever
We love you so much brother snoop Dogg.
We also love your membership in the great kingdom of God
its indeed a beautiful blessing to have a world renown artiste learning about the purpose of our creation and Gods wonderful plan for our happiness welcome Snoop Dogg
Welcome to truest church upon the surface of earth. We love you. Mormon church needs you and God needs you most
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is true, I know that the book of Mormon is true and I sat this in the mighty name of my Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
Welcome to our family
snoop you are on the right track keep em going brah we love you
wow, Mormons really are stupid to believe this drivel…