What should I expect at a Mormon church service?

[tundramom]

The ironic thing is, all the ‘worship,’ the liturgy, ritual, the pageantry, symbolism, richness of meaning–we find in the Temples.

Not even close… I could get specific, but what good would it do when I put it into words and you get upset because I’m disclosing the “sacred not secret” stuff that you are not supposed to talk about.

Ask a Catholic what goes on in the Mass… what the pageantry is, what the symbolism is, the richness in meaning… we’d be happy to share with you. Just as Jesus said, “I have preached nothing in secret”.

in Christ
Steph

 

[Paul_G]

I attend sacrament meeting every week to be with my Mormon wife and children. It very rarely gets very interesting. Very little worship is happening – it’s mostly just listening to speakers who vary quite a bit. If the Bishop or a member of the Bishopric is speaking it can be fairly interesting, but more often than not it’s some poor schmuck like me who has a hard time speaking at all. The music varies widely between wards, but that is true of our Catholic parishes as well. The focus in a Mormon meeting tends to be the speakers themselves which is much different than the mass where the focus is on preparation to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

“Very little worship is happening”

As a Catholic is worship something that you do, or is it something that you experience, and what is it that to do or expeicne that defines it as worship.

Thanks… Paul

 

[Stephen168]

When were the first Christian Temples built?

 

[tundramom]

When were the first Christian Temples built?

They weren’t.

The Jewish temple was destroyed about 70 AD. The veil to the Holy of Holies (no gauze like Mormon temples, but a very thick heavy fabric…) was torn when Jesus cried, “It Is Finished”.

in Christ
Steph

 

[Stephen168]

They weren’t.

The Jewish temple was destroyed about 70 AD. The veil to the Holy of Holies (no gauze like Mormon temples, but a very thick heavy fabric…) was torn when Jesus cried, “It Is Finished”.

in Christ
Steph

So this faux restored church has “all the ‘worship,’ the liturgy, ritual, the pageantry, symbolism, richness of meaning” at Temples that Christianity never had. Very Interesting.

 

[truthsilence]

The ironic thing is, all the ‘worship,’ the liturgy, ritual, the pageantry, symbolism, richness of meaning–we find in the Temples.

More ironic than you know, Diana.

I never went to the temple (other than to do baptisms for the dead). But I did ask a couple of close friends a very specific question about it, because I often thought that going to the temple was what I needed to do. Thinking maybe then, I would receive a ‘testimony’ that the church was true. I think my bishop would have allowed me to go, even though I could never answer ‘yes’ to all the pertinent temple interview questions. We talked about it a few times, and he knew I was doing my best, but I didn’t have a ‘testimony’, and I wasn’t going to lie and say that I did.

My question to my friends was simple, and to the point. They knew me, and knew how much I wanted to be nearer to Christ. Their honest answers told me I wasn’t going to find exactly what I was looking for in the temple.

The most amazing answer though, was that God had other plans, as soon as I was ready to ask Him the right questions. So, I am no longer looking for worship, the liturgy, richness of meaning, or anything else. He has already led me right to all of those things and so much more, in the mass, and in my daily life as a Catholic.

 

[truthsilence]

“Very little worship is happening”

As a Catholic is worship something that you do, or is it something that you experience, and what is it that to do or expeicne that defines it as worship.

Thanks… Paul

Go to mass. Walk right in. You’ll see for yourself.

 

[Paul_G]

Go to mass. Walk right in. You’ll see for yourself.

I have been, I am asking for, in words, what it means to a Catholic believer “to worship”

Paul

 

[truthsilence]

I have been, I am asking for, in words, what it means to a Catholic believer “to worship”

Paul

Whenever I pray, I worship. I can be in a state of worship throughout my daily life, doing the simplest of things.

But at the mass, we worship in a special way. There, we gather together and place ourselves at the foot the cross of Calvery, and at the Resurrection of our Lord. We praise Him with all the angels and saints, through song, hearing of the Word, communal prayer and finally, most importantly, we receive Him with thanksgiving in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

 

[Paul_G]

Whenever I pray, I worship. I can be in a state of worship throughout my daily life, doing the simplest of things.

But at the mass, we worship in a special way. There, we gather together and place ourselves at the foot the cross of Calvery, and at the Resurrection of our Lord. We praise Him with all the angels and saints, through song, hearing of the Word, communal prayer and finally, most importantly, we receive Him with thanksgiving in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Thank you for your explanation. From my limited experience in observing catholic services, and from what you have said, would I be close in my impression that the actual participation in the various parts and rituals of the mass is the worship one experiences.

Paul

 

[Stephen168]

Thank you for your explanation. From my limited experience in observing catholic services, and from what you have said, would I be close in my impression that the actual participation in the various parts and rituals of the mass is the worship one -]experiences/-] does.

Paul

 

[truthsilence]

Thank you for your explanation. From my limited experience in observing catholic services, and from what you have said, would I be close in my impression that the actual participation in the various parts and rituals of the mass is the worship one experiences.

Paul

Yes, it is called liturgical worship. It is ancient, it is rich, and it is beautiful.

Here’s a good article (thanks Catholic Answers!). You might enjoy reading this:

catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9301fea1.asp

Peace,
Tami

 

[truthsilence]

Stephen168:
Good catch, Stephen.

 

[Ruthie]

…would I be close in my impression that the actual participation in the various parts and rituals of the mass is the worship one experiences.

Yes, and no.

Worship is not confined to church in my life. Whenever I pray, I worship. You’d have to follow me around all day, from when I wake to when I sleep, to see how and when I worship.

Mass is the deepest, and I look forward to the day I can attend daily Mass. My deepest worship is after I receive the Eucharist. I tend to be completely unaware of my surroundings - on my good days! Adoration of the Holy Eucharist has the same effect.

I’ll kiss the crucifix I wear, or the one on my Rosary, as a very quick worship - to tell Jesus I love Him. He’s not physically present, so I kiss His image. I take time out every day to count my blessings and thank Him for them.

Boy, this makes me sound much holier than I am. If you followed me around all day, you wouldn’t see all that much. Plus you’d see me grumbling, complaining, etc etc!

Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you, have mercy on us.

Ruthie

 

[zaffiroborant]

Thank you for your explanation. From my limited experience in observing catholic services, and from what you have said, would I be close in my impression that the actual participation in the various parts and rituals of the mass is the worship one experiences.

Paul

I’d bet I’ll be inarticulate here but:

We don’t experience the “worship” in the Mass we participate in it, although we may be affected by it. Something like the presenter at an awards ceremony, he hands the winner the award yet is not the recipent. He doesn’t receive the award but participates in and experiences the presentation.

 

[Paul_G]

I’d bet I’ll be inarticulate here but:

We don’t experience the “worship” in the Mass we participate in it, although we may be affected by it. Something like the presenter at an awards ceremony, he hands the winner the award yet is not the recipent. He doesn’t receive the award but participates in and experiences the presentation.

Thank you I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut, from the conversation tonight I have gained some insight into the thoughts of the poster I had originally responded to as regarding the differences he observes in our services.

Paul

 

[RebeccaJ]

When you ask a Catholic about any Mass, you will get different answers, not because of what we bring but what God is giving to us, that day, at that time. Sometimes, I don’t realize what that is until days or weeks or even months later. There is no expectation that everyone experiences exactly the same thing in exactly the same manner.

What is worship? There is internal worship and external worship. Catholicism has both.

Contemplating, meditating, studying and prayer are the internals of Catholic worship.

The externals are the Sacraments. Baptism first. Confirmation. Eucharist, which has no comparison in Mormonism and many other religions. All Catholics ask of the Church these three things. Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the sick…all Sacraments where God is worshiped.

Other external and internal forms are works of mercy. Feeding the hungry, praying for the dead, etc.

At some Masses, the clergy lie prostrate on the floor before God. At all Masses, we stand when we pray and we kneel at His Sacrifice. Why? Because we believe that God is Present, and when God is Present, you better believe we’re on our knees. Worshiping Him.

Catholics worship God in a community of believers, in many ways, innumerable really. Religious orders, religious education, retreats, liturgy of the hours, lauds, vespers, etc. etc.

When any of us celebrate Mass, we do so with the whole Church. All of us and the angels, prophets, Apostles and Saints. This communion of the whole Church, worshiping together, I never found present in Mormonism.

The other thing different about Catholicism, is the liturgical calendar. Every year, for hundreds of years, the cycle of Jesus’ birth, life and Resurrection is relived. We start with Advent, awaiting the time of His birth, we just celebrated the Christmas season, all 12 days, which concluded with celebrating the Baptism of The Lord.

There is no such thing in Mormonism. Christmas is one day, there is no anticipation to His birth, waiting, for God to come into the world. Of course, we know very well that God is in the world, now, but we celebrate that time like it is occurring anew. Every year!

There is no Triduum, where the world is in mourning, the still days, the dark days, where we remember three days where He was believed to be dead, and gone from those He loved. And the joyous celebration where we sing alleluia together, in praise of God and His Mercy, our Salvation.

We worship every aspect of Jesus, because in every aspect we believe Jesus is God’s Revelation of Himself to the world. We believe the whole of Jesus’ life is to be celebrated, which is itself a form of worship, all year long, every day, every year, as we wait for and anticipate His return.

 

[Paul_G]

When you ask a Catholic about any Mass, you will get different answers, not because of what we bring but what God is giving to us, that day, at that time. Sometimes, I don’t realize what that is until days or weeks or even months later. There is no expectation that everyone experiences exactly the same thing in exactly the same manner.

What is worship? There is internal worship and external worship. Catholicism has both.

Contemplating, meditating, studying and prayer are the internals of Catholic worship.

The externals are the Sacraments. Baptism first. Confirmation. Eucharist, which has no comparison in Mormonism and many other religions. All Catholics ask of the Church these three things. Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the sick…all Sacraments where God is worshiped.

Other external and internal forms are works of mercy. Feeding the hungry, praying for the dead, etc.

At some Masses, the clergy lie prostrate on the floor before God. At all Masses, we stand when we pray and we kneel at His Sacrifice. Why? Because we believe that God is Present, and when God is Present, you better believe we’re on our knees. Worshiping Him.

Catholics worship God in a community of believers, in many ways, innumerable really. Religious orders, religious education, retreats, liturgy of the hours, lauds, vespers, etc. etc.

When any of us celebrate Mass, we do so with the whole Church. All of us and the angels, prophets, Apostles and Saints. This communion of the whole Church, worshiping together, I never found present in Mormonism.

The other thing different about Catholicism, is the liturgical calendar. Every year, for hundreds of years, the cycle of Jesus’ birth, life and Resurrection is relived. We start with Advent, awaiting the time of His birth, we just celebrated the Christmas season, all 12 days, which concluded with celebrating the Baptism of The Lord.

There is no such thing in Mormonism. Christmas is one day, there is no anticipation to His birth, waiting, for God to come into the world. Of course, we know very well that God is in the world, now, but we celebrate that time like it is occurring anew. Every year!

There is no Triduum, where the world is in mourning, the still days, the dark days, where we remember three days where He was believed to be dead, and gone from those He loved. And the joyous celebration where we sing alleluia together, in praise of God and His Mercy, our Salvation.

We worship every aspect of Jesus, because in every aspect we believe Jesus is God’s Revelation of Himself to the world. We believe the whole of Jesus’ life is to be celebrated, which is itself a form of worship, all year long, every day, every year, as we wait for and anticipate His return.

I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut, tonight I have been interested in the various thoughts about Catholic worship - generally speaking. I’m sure this experience, as you have pointed out, may be felt and expressed differently on an individual basis.

Paul

 

[why_me]

You would never tell an LDS member that it was perfectly alright to take the wine in Catholic communion while visiting a Catholic Mass. You know it is considered wrong for LDS to drink wine and would not encourage someone to disregard the teachings of the LDS church.

Why do you not show the same courtesy to Catholic teachings?
From Ecclesia de Eucharista:
“Catholics may not receive communion in those communities which lack a valid sacrament of Orders.” Why do you encourage the OP to break the rules of her religion?

It is prohibited for non-catholics to take the Eucharist. But it is not forbidden for non-mormons to take the sacrament during Sacrament Meeting. As I have stated, since the catholic church does not consider the mormon church christian taking the bread and water on offer would have the meaning of only eating a small piece of bread and drinking a small sip of water. Nothing more.

 

[why_me]

I attend sacrament meeting every week to be with my Mormon wife and children. It very rarely gets very interesting. Very little worship is happening – it’s mostly just listening to speakers who vary quite a bit. If the Bishop or a member of the Bishopric is speaking it can be fairly interesting, but more often than not it’s some poor schmuck like me who has a hard time speaking at all. The music varies widely between wards, but that is true of our Catholic parishes as well. The focus in a Mormon meeting tends to be the speakers themselves which is much different than the mass where the focus is on preparation to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

And yet, these speakiers are normal human beings who work for a living who are asked to give a talk by the bishop and they consented. And they prepare the talk for a couple of weeks and then give it in front of the congregation. Quite bold I think. Sure some can be boring. Not all are a Joyce Meyer or Benny Hinn or a Joel Osteen.

I have been to some boring homilies by priests too. And yet, I have also been to some great homilies. The difference however is this: The priest is exercising his vocation, the mormon speaker isn’t.