Mormon Worship Infographic
Many people are unfamiliar with what actually takes place during a worship service in a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Research also shows that there are many people who feel that they are not welcomed inside an LDS chapel to worship with Latter-day Saints to be able to observe for themselves that Mormon worship is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is often the basis for misunderstandings among communities where Latter-day Saints live and leads many to believe that the close-knit ties of the Latter-day Saint community is both clannish and secretive. Part of this misconception may be caused by the differences between worship services in LDS chapels and temple worship. All are invited to attend services in LDS chapels, but only those members of The Church of Jesus Christ who are deemed worthy and hold a valid temple recommend are permitted to enter the sacred temple – the House of the Lord.
The infographic below is an excellent comparison of worship in an LDS chapel and temple worship.
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You are invited to worship with a local LDS congregation
What do Mormons Believe?
“Mormons” are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This church is the full restoration of the Primitive Church of Jesus Christ organized by the Lord Jesus through His original apostles. As predicted by Paul, there was a falling away even while the Lord’s apostles were visiting the congregations as often as they could. Within a few hundred years of the Lord Christ’s death and resurrection and organization of His church, the philosophies of Greece and Egypt, and the Roman Emperor Constantine had mingled with true doctrine. Many simple truths were lost, and many were changed. As Protestants believe, so do Mormons, that the apostolic authority was lost. This idea caused many protestant reformers to come forward to try to reclaim lost truth. However, a reformation of ideas and policies was not enough. A full restoration of lost power and authority was necessary.
Mormons believe that conditions were right in the early history of the United States for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to survive. Persecutions had always followed the reformers in Europe, and that was the very reason they left Europe for a free America. During the Second Great Awakening in the early 1820′s in the northeastern states, there were many who believed a reformation of Christianity was not enough. Some had revelations that God would soon restore the gospel in its fulness. Many of those converted to the Church of Jesus Christ when it was introduced to them.
A visit from the Lord Jesus Christ to a boy of fourteen who was confused by the many disagreeing sects of Christianity put to rest one tenet of creedal beliefs — that of a trinity — God as a spirit without body parts or passions who could manifest Himself on earth as Jesus Christ, therefore God incarnate. When Joseph Smith prayed to know which religion he should affiliate with, two personages appeared to him in a pillar of flaming light — God the Father introduced His Son, Jesus Christ, and told Joseph to “hear Him.” Although glorious beyond description, these two beings were resurrected men. It seemed logical to Joseph, who knew from the Bible that the resurrected Christ had ascended to heaven before the eyes of the apostles and had promised to return in like manner. Christ Himself had said during His ministry that He did the work of the Father, the same Father He had petitioned in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the brutal cross.
God the Father and God the Son told Joseph he should join none of the churches, but that the true and miraculous Church of Jesus Christ was about to be restored in preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord. This restoration, guided by Jesus Christ Himself, necessitated the return of proper authority, and it took heavenly messengers to confer that authority, since there was no one on earth who had it. John the Baptist conferred the lesser, preparatory priesthood, so that the ordinance of baptism could be performed. Peter, James, and John conferred the high priesthood, so that the Holy Ghost could be conferred upon the newly baptized, and miracles could become common once again.
The Lord has revealed His will line upon line and precept upon precept to ensuing prophets and apostles. Previously hidden scriptures have been revealed and more are promised. The work has gone forth and will continue to go forth until it fills the earth.
Mormons Believe in the Biblical Christ
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was and is who the Bible says He is — the Creator and Savior. Mormons believe that He did the will of His Father who sent Him. Mormons believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem and was crucified in Jerusalem. Mormons believe that the Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, that we might not suffer, if we would repent and keep His commandments. Mormons believe that Christ will return, destroy the wicked, and establish one thousand years of peace and rest on the paradisaical earth. Mormons believe that the miracles performed by Christ and the original apostles are the right of holders of the Holy Priesthood — the power and authority to act in God’s name — and that this priesthood has been fully restored, along with miracles in these modern times.
Mormons believe the heavens are open and that God’s words are endless. Mormons believe in prophets and scriptures and revelation, both for the church and for each individual human being on earth. Mormons believe that God loves His children.
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Mormon Sacrament Meeting: Is it Like Catholic Mass?
By Keith.
Mormon Sacrament Meeting
The primary family worship service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) is called Sacrament meeting. Typically this worship service takes place each Sunday in a Latter-day Saint chapel and lasts for approximately one hour. Members, their non-member family members and friends, prospective members, and visitors are all welcomed to attend and partake of the Sacrament. A few times a year, conferences on the stake (a group of congregations) or all-church level replace Sacrament meeting.
The meeting is opened with the congregation singing a hymn from the hymn books that are normally provided in the pews. Following the singing of the hymn, a member who has been asked will come forward and offer the invocation. After the prayer, any business that needs to be conducted is taken care of. Once the business has been taken care of, the congregation will prepare to partake of the sacrament by singing a hymn while members of the Priesthood prepare the emblems (bread and water) of the Sacrament. At the conclusion of the singing, the Sacrament is blessed and passed to the congregation by the Priesthood holders. After everyone who so desires has had a chance to partake of the Sacrament, the congregation listens as two or three members who have been previously assigned by a member of the Bishopric or Branch Presidency come forward and deliver the messages that they have prepared. Each message is based on the doctrines and principles taught in the scriptures, and are inspirational and edifying. Lay members are guided by the Holy Ghost in preparing their messages.
Catholic Mass
In the Catholic Church the central act of worship is the Mass. “Mass” is an English word derived from the Latin text of the priest’s dismissal of the congregation at the end of the liturgy (“Ite, missa est.” – “The dismissal is”). The celebration of the Mass in the Catholic Church is quite different from the Sacrament service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints understand that the bread and water are symbolic of Christ’s body which was broken and His precious blood which was shed for them. In contrast, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Catholics believe that the emblems (bread and wine) actually become the literal body and blood of Christ.
A closer look at how a Catholic Mass is conducted may prove helpful in understanding what Catholics believe. Everything that takes place in a Catholic Mass is for a specific purpose including the color of the vestments that the Priest wears: green (ordinary times), white (special feast days, special Saints day, Christmas), red (celebration of a martyr or Pentecost), and purple (celebration of Lent, and also the color for repentance).
At the beginning of mass the congregation stands and sings and rejoices as the Priest enters from the back representing Jesus coming into the great marriage feast in Heaven. The congregation is standing to greet Jesus and sing praises to Him for coming to the feast. In each altar there is a relic from a Saint. When the Priest gets to the altar he kisses it as a sign of respect for the Saints that have gone before, and also as a sign of reverence for the altar where Jesus will give a sacrifice of Himself.
The prayers are then started by making the sign of cross, and the congregation immediately goes into repentance to prepare souls to receive Jesus.
It is important to note that Catholic Mass has two distinct halves: (1) Liturgy of the Word where the focus is on receiving Jesus in the Word, and so the congregation listens to the scriptures as they are read, and (2) Liturgy of the Eucharist where the focus is on the altar where Jesus gives His sacrifice.
Following the prayers and repentance, the congregation sits down so that the Word of God can be heard. Typically there are several readings from the Bible. If it is a Sunday liturgy or a feast day, there is usually an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament reading, and then the congregation stands as a sign of reverence and attentiveness to the words of Christ as a reading from the gospels is read. After hearing the gospel proclaimed, the congregation sits down to be educated on the readings.
After the homily, the congregation stands to recite the profession of faith (what the people believe as a Church). After which they offer the prayer of the faithful in which prayer is offered on behalf of the entire world and the Church together. Following the prayer of the faithful, the congregation sits to transition into the second half of the Mass, or the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The second half begins with the people making a monetary offering which is usually put in a basket and brought to the altar along with the other gifts, the bread and the wine, all symbolizing the gifts and sacrifices that the people give to Jesus. As the wine is made from human hands crushing the grapes and working to turn them into wine, and the bread is made from kneading the dough, it requires the efforts of the people to participate in the redemptive plan of Christ. Catholics believe that Jesus unites the gifts and sacrifices of the people with His own sacrifices and gives them to the Father. The congregation sings as the gifts are brought to the altar.
The congregation then stands as it is time to pray. The Priest sets the altar and begins the prayers as if it were Jesus Himself praying. The Priest stands in persona Christi (the person of Christ) offering prayers on behalf of the people to the Father. It is at this point that Catholics believe that Jesus takes the emblems of the Eucharist (the bread and the wine) and literally transforms them into His own body and blood, thereby uniting the people and their offerings and His own sacrifice and giving them to the Father. At the moment that Catholics believe Christ becomes present in the Eucharist they kneel to show special reverence and respect, and they do so in worship, honor, and gratitude. The congregation then receives Jesus in the Eucharist and He becomes one with them. After receiving the Eucharist they kneel again out of respect that the Living God is now one with them. The congregation then stands and the Priest gives closing prayers and blessings upon the people to empower them to take the Living Jesus out into the world and to transform the world.
Centering our Minds and Hearts upon Jesus Christ
Although the method of administration may differ between the Latter-day Saint Sacrament service and the Catholic Mass or Liturgy of the Eucharist, the main focus of both is the Lord Jesus Christ, that a person participating in either may be able to first take the name of Christ upon him or herself and become one with Him, and then in turn take the name of Christ to the world to help transform the world.
In a General Conference address given in October 2008, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a modern day Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, gave these remarks concerning the Sacrament in his message titled “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament”:
By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77). That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth. It is the compass to guide us on our path. This gift of the Holy Ghost, President Wilford Woodruff taught, “is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man” (Deseret Weekly, Apr. 6, 1889, 451).
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.
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Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons
What is the Lifestyle of a Mormon Family?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church,” has members worldwide, less than half of whom live in the United States. Members come from all walks of life, and across the spectrum of income and education levels. Culture influences the way we dress, the sports we like, and the way we eat, live, and recreate, but certain qualities of life are common to all active Mormon families.
Mormon Religious Practice
The Church of Jesus Christ has no paid clergy and no divinity schools. As with the original primitive Church of Jesus Christ, wherein fishermen and publicans were called to be apostles, everyday lay members are called to mostly temporary positions in the Church. All are busy serving in Heavenly Father’s kingdom on earth. Positions in the LDS Church include everything from teaching toddlers in the Sunday School nursery to being an apostle, or even president (prophet) of the Church.
The sixth “Article of Faith” of the Church of Jesus Christ says,
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
The fifth Article of Faith says,
We believe that a man [or woman] must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
Therefore, people are called to serve by revelation delivered from the Lord through those in authority above them. This process is a wonder to behold, and to experience it is to gain a testimony that this is Christ’s Church, and He is at the helm of it.
Because this is the shape of the Church of Jesus Christ, Mormons are busy! Even young children have a role to play in making the Church work. They perform hymns, deliver talks, and lead groups of their peers in study and in social settings. Perhaps the most life-changing “calling,” or service role in the LDS Church is that of a full-time missionary. Missionaries gain maturity and ability, including often, linguistic and cultural fluency in a foreign land, leadership ability, and fearlessness. These not only make them a powerful force for good, but make them successful in the material world after their return.
Mormons do not just worship on Sunday and then go out and have fun. After participating in a three-hour block of Sunday meetings, and after having partaken of the Holy Sacrament representative of the body and blood of Christ, Mormons keep the Sabbath holy by refraining from commercial or recreational activity, and by visiting the sick and needy, caring for families that need help, reading the scriptures, and joining with the family for a simply-prepared meal.
Mormons perform their Sunday worship (with lay members delivering the sermons) in Mormon meetinghouses, or “chapels” that are very plain, since Latter-day Saints do not use icons in their religious practice. There are painting representing the life of Christ in classrooms of the building, but not in the chapel. There is no crucifix anywhere, since Mormons worship the living, resurrected Christ. Sunday meetings in Mormon chapels are open to all, and all are welcome.
Temple worship, however, is altogether different. Temples are literally houses of the Lord, sacred places where Christ can walk and holy angels are in attendance. Temples are open long hours during the week, and patrons may visit the temple any time they are able. One must be worthy to enter a holy temple. Leading a pure and worthy life includes refraining from sexual activity outside of marriage; refraining from drinking alcohol, coffee and tea, and refraining from smoking or the use of recreational drugs; refraining from viewing pornography. It also means serving actively in the Lord’s kingdom; nurturing a good relationship with one’s spouse and family; and honoring the Lord in every way.
In Mormon temples ordinances are performed for the living and the dead (who have the agency to accept or reject those ordinances performed for them). There is also instruction regarding the Plan of Salvation, the purpose of creation, and what God expects of us as we strive to become more like Him. Many Mormons attend the temple to meditate and pray in order to solve pressing problems with the Lord’s help. It is a peaceful place, full of light and joy.
Mormon worship is supported by activities in the home. Daily family and individual scripture reading, family prayer, and a weekly family home evening reinforce gospel principles, help family members incorporate those principles into their lives, and provide children and youth an opportunity to have personal spiritual experiences that serve to anchor them in the faith.
All worthy Mormon men hold the “priesthood,” defined as the authority and power to act in the name of God. Thus, they are able to bless members of their families through the laying on of hands, in order to invoke healing power for them. Although Mormons believe in seeking medical help, access to healing by faith through this process is a great blessing in their lives.
Mormon Families
Mormonism teaches that we are all eternal beings. The Bible alludes to the War in Heaven and the Fall of Lucifer, but other scriptures canonized by the LDS Church say more about life before birth to our mortal state. Mormon parents look at their children as people with eternal potential. Through priesthood blessings, they gain insights into their children that observing them does not offer. Mormons believe that the spirits created by Heavenly Father in the pre-mortal world deserve good homes on earth, so Mormons are highly likely to have larger families than others.
In having these families, decisions about birth control are between husband, wife, and the Lord. Married couples are urged not to limit their number of children for material reasons. Mormonism teaches that abortion is “next to murder” in its seriousness as a grievous sin, so it is never an acceptable form of birth control. Instances where abortion might be warranted, as in occasions of rape, incest, or possible death of the mother, must be faced with the counsel of the Lord and leaders of the Church.
Mormon families seek to enjoy their home life. Mormon leaders have constantly urged both fathers and mothers to make the home the most important part of their lives, saying “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” Thus, Mormon moms are more likely to stay at home than their worldly counterparts.
Work is an important concept in Mormonism. The Church has orchards, farms, and canneries as part of a vast welfare system that emphasizes self-reliance. Mormons of all ages participate in working at these places, plus participating in humanitarian aid and other charitable projects out in the world or in their own neighborhoods. Part of self-reliance can be to plant a family garden in which to work together. Wholesome recreation is also important in Mormon families, as is the development of individual talents and education.
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Inside Mormon Temples
Before a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is dedicated as God’s House, prepared to engage in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, an open house is held, so that the general public may see the interior rooms and get an explanation of what goes on inside. Mormon temple ritual is not secret, but sacred, and Latter-day Saints don’t discuss it outside the temple, even with others who have made temple covenants. The temple is the House of the Lord, and everything inside is pristine and beautiful. It is a privilege for Latter-day Saints to participate in Christ’s glorious work for the salvation and exaltation of His children in His house. A member of the LDS Church who has made temple covenants lives the highest laws of behavior and seeks always to keep the commandments of God, including the Law of Chastity. Therefore, it is insulting to church members when people accuse them of doing anything immoral inside their temples. Nothing impure can enter a Mormon temple, and no impure act takes place within a Mormon temple.
Every temple has an entrance with a waiting room. Inside the entrance is a “recommend desk.” A person who wants to enter must show his or her “temple recommend,” a slip of paper signed by the patron’s bishop (leader of the congregation) and stake president (leader of a group of congregations). The patron must have been interviewed by both to determine the person’s worthiness to enter a House of God. A person who is worthy to enter the holy temple must be a faithful member of the LDS Church, serve in callings, pay an honest tithe, keep the Word of Wisdom (the Mormon health law), be honest in his/her dealings, have nothing amiss in family life, and profess a strong and unwavering belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. All who are desirous and able to be worthy to enter the temple are invited to join the Saints there.
From the recommend desk, patrons may head off in any of several directions, depending on what they desire to do at the temple. On the lower level is the baptistery. Here baptisms for the dead are performed. (Baptisms for living people take place outside the temple, at Mormon meetinghouses or any body of water large enough for baptism by immersion to be performed.)
Any body of water used for Mormon baptism must be below ground level to symbolize the burial of the old person and rebirth of a new creature in Christ. Baptism also symbolizes Christ’s deliverance from the grave, His death and resurrection. In temples, the baptismal font is very large, and is modeled after the laver in King Solomon’s temple. It sits upon the backs of twelve oxen, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Patrons as young as age 12 may perform baptisms for the dead. Patrons wear modest white clothing to perform baptisms. They change into dry clothing to perform the next ordinance, the laying on of hands in order to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. This ordinance is performed by men who hold the Melchizedek, or higher, priesthood, and those who were baptized for the dead, now receive the Holy Ghost by proxy for the dead. Some people come to the temple just to participate in these two ordinances performed for their dead ancestors. Baptism by immersion is the gate to the strait and narrow path back to the Lord’s presence. When a proxy baptism by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ is performed, the ordinance is then available to the deceased ancestor, who may choose whether to accept the work or not. Proxy baptism does not automatically make the dead a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and there is no “membership record” of ancestors who have received ordinances.
The next ordinance performed in the temple is called the “initiatory. “ The initiatory is symbolic of the purification rites in ancient temples, wherein worshipers are washed and anointed in preparation to making temple covenants. Patrons are fully clothed for this ordinance (and indeed, all temple ordinances). A person who is going through the temple for the first time receives the initiatory ordinance once for him- or herself, and thereafter for the dead. Initiatory work avails the participant of the forgiveness and cleansing power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
After a person receives his or her own initiatory, he or she is qualified to wear the white garments worn under one’s clothing at all times. The temple garment hearkens to the tzitzit worn by orthodox Jews. The Jewish garment is strung with tassels knotted to represent the 613 Mosaic commandments, and these often are shown outside everyday clothing. The Mormon garment is more discrete, but serves the same purpose — to remind the wearer of covenants made in the temple. Those who mock the sanctity of temple clothing call these “Mormon underwear.” Mormon temple garments are not magical, but the reminder of covenants made with the Lord offer spiritual protection.
In each temple, there is always a chapel. Here patrons wait for the next endowment session to begin. There is always someone playing hymns on the organ there, and scriptures are available for study during the wait.
The Mormon endowment is the pivotal Mormon temple ritual performed in the temple. An “endowment” is a gift, and this is a gift of knowledge, protection, and spiritual power. The endowment takes place in an auditorium-like setting, but the decor is refined and pristine. The A movie is shown that portrays the creation, the fall of Adam and Eve and the plan of salvation, which centers upon the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. The covenants made during the endowment display increasing commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a desire to keep His commandments, which center on love and service. For the endowment, men wear white dress suits and ties, and women wear long white dresses. The Mormon endowment ritual is always the same, except for a period of prayer for the sick and afflicted. At the end of the endowment ceremony, patrons enter the most beautiful room of the temple, the “celestial room,” which represents the highest kingdom of heaven. In the celestial room, patrons may converse in whispers, pray personally, read scriptures, or meditate. Here is a place of light and peace, separate from the world, where those seeking personal revelation for solving life’s problems might receive it.
Every temple has rooms called “sealing” rooms. This is where weddings are performed. A sealing room has a beautiful altar in the center and chairs around the periphery of the room for guest. There is always a gorgeous chandelier, and mirrors facing each other on the walls that echo images into infinity, representing the eternal nature of marriage and family. Mormon weddings are performed in sealing rooms, and even the guests (who arrive in Sunday dress) must be temple-worthy. The bride may wear a long white temple dress (and then change into a bridal gown for photographs out in the garden) or may wear a pure white and modest wedding gown during a sealing ceremony. The groom must also dress in pure white and may change later. Dressings rooms are provided for the bride and groom, and they are pampered on their special day. The bride and groom kneel across from each other and hold hands across the altar. The vows are recited by a “temple sealer,” a priesthood holder ordained to that office. The vows are eternal vows, and this covenant is just the beginning. Both bride and groom must remain faithful to God and each other for the blessings of eternal marriage to be realized. If children are later born to the couple, they are considered “born in the covenant,” which means they are sealed to the parents and the family forever.
Sometimes a husband and wife decide to be sealed in the temple after they are already married and have children. In that case, they are sealed to each other and then each child is brought forth to be sealed to his or her parents. All are dressed in white for the event.
Other rooms in the temple are offices, a family records room, sometimes a temple clothing rental area, often a cafeteria, a laundry, and mechanical rooms. Nothing takes place in a Mormon temple that isn’t pure and holy. God offers the devoted the opportunity to come to His house and serve Him there. God’s House is a place of utmost tranquility, reverence, and respect. Latter-day Saints are counseled to leave their worldly thoughts outside as they enter and concentrate on the things of the spirit. Thus, Mormon temples are true sanctuaries where patrons may feel God’s peace and God’s love.
Additional Resources:
Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons
The Mormon Religion
by Jessica
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed Mormons by some) worship on Sundays. However, they worship on Saturday in Israel and Friday in Egypt. Every Sabbath, members participate in three meetings.
Sacrament Meeting: Attending sacrament meeting is a commandment, and a requirement for attending the Mormon Temple. A ward is a congregation of about 100 families, and membership is determined by location. Mormons don’t choose a congregation for the good sermons or because friends go there. They worship where they are assigned. Sometimes, several wards share a meetinghouse. Sacrament meeting is often the first meeting of a 2-hour block of worship. Start times are determined by how many wards meet in a building and what works best for the membership. If there are three wards meeting in a building, start times are usually 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. Each year, the wards will switch time slots. Once in awhile, a ward will reverse the order of sacrament meeting and classes.
Sacrament meeting is the most important meeting to go to on Sunday because of the passing of the sacrament, which is a serving of blessed bread and water to the members of the Church. The bread and water are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. When we take the sacrament, we renew the covenants we made at baptism, to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and to keep His commandments. In return, He promises His spirit to be with us. Also in Sacrament Meeting, there are speakers on gospel subjects, called beforehand from the membership, and sometimes simple musical performances. Sacrament meetings usually last about 75 minutes.
- Sunday School: Is always the meeting that’s in the middle of the 3-hour block of worship. It consists of many different type of classes. Adults 18 and over may attend “Gospel Doctrine,” wherein the scriptures are studied. There is a four-year course of study — Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants/ Church History. The Pearl of Great Price is studied along with the Old Testament. Often there is also a choice of a Gospel Principles class, a Temple Preparation class, a Missionary Preparation Class, or a Marriage and Family class. Children and teens are assigned to classes with their age groups.
- The name of the third meeting differs depending on age and gender. For men and boys 12 and older, there are Priesthood quorum meetings. For women who are older than 18, there is Relief Society, while the younger girls, age 12-18 attend Young Women. In the Young Women, girls are divided into different age groups, with a different name for each group. Beehives are age 12-13; Mia Maids are age 14-15 and the Laurels range from age 16-18. While the Young Women divide themselves into their groups right away, the men meet together for prayer, a hymn and announcements (if any), after which they separate into their different classes. The boys separate at the same age the females do, starting from Deacons, age 12-14; then Teachers, age 14-16; and the 16-18 year olds are the Priests. These are all part of the Aaronic Priesthood. After the men turn 19, they attend Elder’s Quorum and High Priest’s Quorum. The latter being for the older men who have held leadership positions in the Church.
Even though meetings are held primarily on Sunday, there are other gatherings that take place among the members of the Church. Boys and Girls between the age of 12 and 18, go to the meetinghouse on a selected day of the week, for Young Men and Young Women’s activities and classes. Here they do a variety of things, from having a spiritual lesson, to participating in a group activity that brings them together as young men or young women. There are also some activities that are put together for the single college students who live in the area, and for older members of the Church.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship in temples in a different way than they worship in meetinghouses (which are comprised of a chapel, classrooms, kitchen, and cultural hall). Temples are open most of the week (usually not Mondays, and never on Sundays) from early in the morning until about 9 p.m. Patrons may attend as often as they are able. They go to make their own covenants, to do work for the dead, and to pray and meditate.
