What should I expect at a Mormon church service?

[why_me]

You are kidding with this right?

While there is nothing in the LDS faith that would prevent her from taking the “sacrament”, there is in the Catholic faith.

For someone who claims to be Catholic in some form, you should know that. You should know that taking communion in any other church is wrong. It would imply a unity that does not exist.

That is usually explained in the back of the Missal or Missalette. At least the ones we use have it in there.

Why don’t you ask one of your priest or nun friends if there is a problem with a Catholic receiving “sacrament” at an lds meeting.

As I have stated: since the catholic church does not believe the lds church to be christian, it would have no significance at all. It is just bread and water. Now the taking the communion in a luthern church would be different since the catholic church considers them to be christian. See my point?

 

[why_me]

May I suggest that those who prepare for and partake of the Sacrament the way they are supposed to are doing plenty of worshiping?

…and that getting up and speaking to the congregation, as difficult as it can sometimes be, is in itself a form of sacrifice and worship?

I have often noticed that ‘worship’ happens wherever there are people in the frame of mind to worship. The guy next to him, however, might not feel that ‘spirit of worship’ at all, because he wasn’t in that frame of mind or spirit himself.

I have two Catholic friends who attend Mass together almost every week, and it is amazing how the two of them can attend the same service and come away with totally different perceptions of how ‘interesting’ or ‘spiritual’ it was.

Kinda like a sketch I saw once; a group of hippie types were sitting around, meditating in a beautiful meadow–it was a very ‘zen’ sort of experience. They were so still and appreciative of the world around them that a deer got curious and wandered up to them to see what was going on.

Whereupon a hunter popped out from behind a tree and shot it. The hippies turned to the hunter in horror, and he looked back at them, bewildered and confused. “What?” he said.

You generally get out of a service what you bring to it, in other words.

You are a great asset to this section of the forum!

 

[why_me]

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.

And there is nothing wrong in that. I think that god leads us to places where we can find Him. For you, it is the catholic church for others it is the lds church. From my own perspective, I am sure that God would want you to be a good catholic as opposed to a wishywashy mormon who is perhaps losing a testimony in god. And so he led you to a place where you can still feel connected to him.

 

[why_me]

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.

You would have given a wonderful understanding, if only you could stop taking digs at mormonism. When you do so, you show prejudice against mormons.

The catholic faith is filled with symbolism. The Mass is filled with symbolism from the ringing of the bells before Mass to the ringing of the chimes during the mass. To the incense at high Mass to the symbolism of the bread and wine. The catholic Mass is a set service with very little variations. The lds service is different in the sense that lay people give talks after the sacrament. But during the sacrament, the lds are encouraged to reflect on Christ and pray or let their mind and heart be close to god.

Catholics have set prayers that can be said over and over again. These are found at the back of prayer cards or in prayer books. They also have prayers to the saints asking for acts of intercession. Mormons are no such set prayers except the sacrament prayer during the blessing of the sacrament. But all mormons are encouraged to pray to heavenly father throughout the day.

And human beings can find the lds meetings boring but people can also find the catholic service boring as one is standing, sitting and kneeling through the 45 minutes, listening to the same routine over and over again. If that is where the mind is.

Both faiths can lead a person closer to god.

 

[BartBurk]

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.

Non-Mormons are not supposed to take the sacrament. Unworthy Mormons are not to take the sacrament. As missionaries we never allowed our investigators to take the sacrament.

 

[tundramom]

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.

You just don’t get it do you… and you claim to be both Catholic and Mormon?

We Catholics are not allowed to take that little piece of bread and that small sip of water because we have aligned ourselves with Jesus, who is present in the Eucharist. It is forbidden for us to take it in any other Christian or non-Christian church.

in Christ
Steph

 

[tundramom]

And there is nothing wrong in that. I think that god leads us to places where we can find Him. For you, it is the catholic church for others it is the lds church. From my own perspective, I am sure that God would want you to be a good catholic as opposed to a wishywashy mormon who is perhaps losing a testimony in god. And so he led you to a place where you can still feel connected to him.

So you are calling her a “wishywashy mormon” ?

That’s not how I saw her describe herself. She tried and tried and tried to gain a testimony.

Don’t you see that your own prejudice is shining through?

in Christ
Steph

 

[tundramom]

You would have given a wonderful understanding, if only you could stop taking digs at mormonism. When you do so, you show prejudice against mormons.

The catholic faith is filled with symbolism. The Mass is filled with symbolism from the ringing of the bells before Mass to the ringing of the chimes during the mass. To the incense at high Mass to the symbolism of the bread and wine.

Except that symbolism isn’t what the Body and Blood are.

in Christ
Steph

 

[zaffiroborant]

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.

What part of the following is so hard for you to understand?

**“Catholics may not receive communion in those communities which lack a valid sacrament of Orders.” **

The criteria is underlined above, the LDS church lacks it just as much as the Lutherans so no Catholics are not allowed to take communion in an LDS church. If you are going to insist on the veracity of your point then provide a reference.

The quote I provided is from Ecclesia de Eucharista an encyclical letter of John Paul II, where is yours?

Quit encouraging people to ignore the tenets of their faith, you’d be the first one to call someone for encouraging a Mormon to drink wine at communion or have coffee at the social time after church.

Again please cite a reference for your theory about where Catholics are allowed to take communion.

 

[twopekinguys]

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.

For a Catholic, taking the bread and water at an lds meeting, or taking communion at any other church is not acceptable, and would be an indication that the individual agreed with what that church is calling “communion”.

Again, for someone who says they are Catholic and mormon, you should know that, and you should also know that the Eucharist, is not a “symbol”.

If you think the Eucharist presented at a Catholic Mass is a “symbol”, that is another reason why you should not be receiving it. That, and the fact you evidently take the sacrament at an lds meeting.

You really should figure out which faith is the “one” for you. You really need to be either Catholic, or lds. You can’t be both.

 

[Jerusha]

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee? 24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. 25 And the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. (2 Chronicles 18:23-26)

 

[Paul_G]

Stephen168:
“does” in place of “experiences”. ok

Paul

 

[William_M]

I am really surprised by BartBurk’s post #45 in which he says that non-Mormons are not allowed to partake of the Sacrament at a Mormon Sacrament Service and that, as a missionary, he never allowed investigators to partake of the Sacrament.

As investigators, my family and I partook of the Sacrament at the Mormon Sacrament Service literally dozens of times with missionaries sitting right next to us and the Bishop and the whole Ward aware that we were investigators.

I observe non-Mormon visitors to our Ward taking the Sacrament and, often, they are not even investigators.

BartBurk’s experience must be idiosyncratic or out of date.

If you are a non-Mormon and attend a Mormon Sacrament Service, feel free to partake of the Sacrament. If, because you are Catholic, Jewish, Muslim etc. or for any other reason you do not wish to partake of the Sacrament, then feel equally free to not do so and no one will mind in the least.

 

[majick275]

I am really surprised by BartBurk’s post #45 in which he says that non-Mormons are not allowed to partake of the Sacrament at a Mormon Sacrament Service and that, as a missionary, he never allowed investigators to partake of the Sacrament.

As investigators, my family and I partook of the Sacrament at the Mormon Sacrament Service literally dozens of times with missionaries sitting right next to us and the Bishop and the whole Ward aware that we were investigators.

I observe non-Mormon visitors to our Ward taking the Sacrament and, often, they are not even investigators.

BartBurk’s experience must be idiosyncratic or out of date.

If you are a non-Mormon and attend a Mormon Sacrament Service, feel free to partake of the Sacrament. If, because you are Catholic, Jewish, Muslim etc. or for any other reason you do not wish to partake of the Sacrament, then feel equally free to not do so and no one will mind in the least.

well that sounds like a case of the lack of leadership training in the LDS church combining with not wanting to hurt someones feelings. LDS doctrine is that the sacrament is renewal of the baptismal covenant (more like crossing yourself with holy water in a catholic church) and since the LDs recognize no baptisms other than their own as valid then common sense dictates sacramenbt is only for baptized members. i admit to seeing little kids get it pretty universally but that’s more inculcation than anything (like little ones bearing their “testimony”). still…as a former counselor in the bishopric i know the handbook is clear that it’s only for worthy members and we would quietly tell missionaries to explain that to investigators.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Hi Jeanne,
First of all, why are you going?

You should probably wear your sunday best. Modest and all that just like we do… most women wear dresses though.

You will go to a three hour service which varies according to the particular ward you will attend.

The services will be:
Sacrament meeting
Sunday School
Relief Society (or MIA if you are younger)

DO pay attention to the differences

DO NOT take their “sacrament” they will pass around. It’s bread and water… as a Catholic you know you are not to take communion at another church. While their “sacrament” is more symbolic of personal unity rather than communion with each other and with Saints, it’s not valid.

Expect to be “love-bombed”. They are a very friendly people especially if it looks like a fresh prospective convert is in their midst.

DO write us back and let us know how everything went.

in Christ
Steph

I’ve honestly never understood the “bread and WATER” sacrament, its so absurd it makes the Baptist’s grape juice sound orthodox.

 

[RebeccaJ]

still…as a former counselor in the bishopric i know the handbook is clear that it’s only for worthy members and we would quietly tell missionaries to explain that to investigators.

The 2006 handbook was recently put up at wikileaks. It says:

“Although the sacrament is for Church members,
the bishopric should not announce that it will be passed to members only, and nothing should be done to prevent nonmembers from partaking of it.”

 

[Catholic_Dude]

The 2006 handbook was recently put up at wikileaks. It says:

“Although the sacrament is for Church members,
the bishopric should not announce that it will be passed to members only, and nothing should be done to prevent nonmembers from partaking of it.”

i.e. don’t hurt their feelings, or they might not come back. :grouphug:

 

[why_me]

So you are calling her a “wishywashy mormon” ?

That’s not how I saw her describe herself. She tried and tried and tried to gain a testimony.

Don’t you see that your own prejudice is shining through?

in Christ
Steph

Wishywashy Mormon: someone who attends church but does not believe in its tenets.

I think that that definition applied to the poster. It has nothing to do with how much one tries, the result is the same. There may be a wish for belief but belief is elusive.

 

[why_me]

I’ve honestly never understood the “bread and WATER” sacrament, its so absurd it makes the Baptist’s grape juice sound orthodox.

Why is it aburd? Different faiths have different ways of remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. Mormons have their way and catholics have their way. In the end, it is all the same for most people.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Why is it aburd? Different faiths have different ways of remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. Mormons have their way and catholics have their way. In the end, it is all the same for most people.

Where does the notion of using water come from for the sacrament?
To me, it looks like a an excuse not to use wine.