What should I expect at a Mormon church service?

[jeanne71350]

**Hi there,
I’m a Catholic girl, and I will be attending Church with a Mormon friend. I’ve never been to a religious service outside of my own. What are some do’s/don’ts? What should I wear? How different is it from the Catholic mass?

I know it’s a bunch of questions. I’d really appreciate some help.

Thanks!
-Jeanne**

 

[tundramom]

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

 

[jeanne71350]

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’m going just so I can understand my friend’s religion. He’s come to my Church before.

 

[tundramom]

I’m going just so I can understand my friend’s religion. He’s come to my Church before.

Just know that you won’t get a real understanding because most people will put their best faces on. They want you to convert.

Like I said, be prepared to be “love bombed” !!

in Christ
Steph

 

[dianaiad]

Just know that you won’t get a real understanding because most people will put their best faces on. They want you to convert.

Like I said, be prepared to be “love bombed” !!

in Christ
Steph

Oh, how awful, she is going to a meeting and is being warned that everybody is probably going to be (gasp) friendly. Wow, what a horrible experience that’s going to be.

Actually, Sacrament meeting is going to be rather simple; First the Bishop (or another member of the Bishopric, they take turns, generally, ‘conducting’ the meeting) will make an announcement–or maybe not. He will tell everyone about the meeting; who’s giving the opening prayer, perhaps who is going to be speaking, and what the hymn is going to be. This will be immediately followed by an ‘opening hymn,’ played and sung too slowly unless I"m the chorister, followed immediately by a prayer, offered by a member of the congregation. T

The Bishop (or whoever) will then take care of whatever ward business needs taking care of; babies blessed, awards given, like that.

Next will be a speaker–generally (but not always) a ‘youth’ speaker; a teenager, high school age. Perhaps two of them, depends. Those ‘talks’ will be very short, you can depend upon that. Following those, there will be an ‘adult’ speaker…half of a husband/wife assignment, perhaps, or the ‘Junior’ member of a High Council pair, or…??? This speaker will also be from the congregation, someone who was asked to speak anywhere from one week to one minute ago (though the ‘one minute ago’ thing rarely happens.)

Then we will have either a ‘rest hymn’ from the congregation, or a musical number from, again, someone from the congregation. Then we come to the last speaker who may or may not have any time left to actually, y’know, TALK.

When he or she sits down, the chorister will stand up, everybody will launch into a closing hymn, whoever has been assigned to give the closing prayer will come to the podium and give it, and we will all go to the next part.

Unless of course Sacrament meeting is the last in the three meeting block, in which case we will all go home.

Sometimes its fascinating. Sometimes it’s spiritual. Sometimes it’s a train wreck (well, not often that…) Sometimes it’s boring as all get out. I have noticed, however, that you generally get OUT of meetings what you bring into them; if you are receptive to the spirit of God, then that’s what you will feel. If not, then…probably not.

I have found that this holds true no matter what sort of meeting you go to, whether it belongs to your belief system–or mine–or anybody else’s.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Hi there,
I’m a Catholic girl, and I will be attending Church with a Mormon friend. I’ve never been to a religious service outside of my own. What are some do’s/don’ts?

**

Do sit quietly. Don’t take their “sacrament”.

What should I wear?

A modest dress or skirt, not sleeveless.

How different is it from the Catholic mass?

Very.

**A program (piece of paper) is passed out as you enter. It is the program for the service, exactly what will happen in which order.

You sit and listen, the people do not respond to any part of the service except an amen at the end of prayers. (I don’t say amen to Mormon prayers because usually they pray for stuff I don’t pray for, like thanking God for their prophets and such.)
**
They have 12/13 year old boys pass around their sacrament, bread and water, on trays. These trays are passed down each row of pews, sort of like the donation baskets at Mass, only, people take a small piece of white bread that an older boys has torn into pieces at the altar (first tray). Second tray are little cups of water. Just pass the trays onto the next person.

If it is the first week of any month, there are no lined up speakers. People in the congregation stand and “bear their testimonies”, which usually involves someone crying (strong emotions mean you “feel the spirit”). Almost everyone says “I know the church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God” (the testimony). Along with personal stories that impart the individuals personal testimony. There are always a few “off” people who’s personal stories are sort of strange.

No donation basket is passed.

You sit the whole time, there is no standing or kneeling.

There is no liturgy.

There is no worship. It is more like a religious conference, with speakers, instructions and opening/closing prayer (ad lib) and written/memorized prayers over their sacrament.

The altar is to the side (front and to your left). The bishop does not bless their sacrament, two young boys (who mormons call priests) do the blessing. If they screw it up (not usual), they’ll start over.

The room smells like a combination of soap, after shave, perfume, dirty diapers and body odor. Dunno why I remember that, but every room full of mormons I’ve been in all have that same strong smell. It’s not part of the service or anything. It just is.

I know it’s a bunch of questions. I’d really appreciate some help.

People will be friendly and offer to send mormon missionaries your way.

If it were me, I’d tell your friend that you will attend the sacrament mtg and nothing more. It is an hour long, the rest (2 more hours) is compulsory religious education for the church members.

If you agree to go to this in the spirit of exchanging understanding of beliefs, then your friend should agree to go to RCIA.
**

 

[why_me]

**Hi there,
I’m a Catholic girl, and I will be attending Church with a Mormon friend. I’ve never been to a religious service outside of my own. What are some do’s/don’ts? What should I wear? How different is it from the Catholic mass?

I know it’s a bunch of questions. I’d really appreciate some help.

Thanks!
-Jeanne**

You will probably meet nice people. Attend all the meetings, I think that you will find it interesting. Their is a separation of the sexes during Relief Society and Priesthood and so, if your friend is a man, he will go to priesthood and you will go to relief society. It should be interesting.

Mormons are friendly. It is not love-bombed. It is just being friendly to a visitor. There is nothing wrong in the lds faith that would prevent you from taking the sacrament. And since some Catholics on this forum don’t believe that the lds church is christian it should be no problem for you to do so. Have a good moment observing difference.

 

[Zooey]

RebeccaJ:

A modest dress or skirt, not sleeveless.

**
Mormons have strict rules about modesty. (This is a good thing about them, IMO). You do NOT have to dress like “Little House On the Prairie”; that is for the little sects who have broken off from the Mormons. But a nice modest dress…the kind you wear when you visit your Great-Aunt Thelma-Jean–that will be the best choice.
I live near the starting place of Mormons. I can spot them by the nice, modest (but never dowdy) dresses and skirts. rolleyes: OK, not the men… ).
why me:

There is nothing wrong in the lds faith that would prevent you from taking the sacrament. And since some Catholics on this forum don’t believe that the lds church is christian it should be no problem for you to do so. Have a good moment observing difference.

:nope: :nope: **

 

[zaffiroborant]

Mormons are friendly. It is not love-bombed. It is just being friendly to a visitor. There is nothing wrong in the lds faith that would prevent you from taking the sacrament. And since some Catholics on this forum don’t believe that the lds church is christian it should be no problem for you to do so. Have a good moment observing difference.

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?

 

[dianaiad]

Oh, how awful, she is going to a meeting and is being warned that everybody is probably going to be (gasp) friendly. Wow, what a horrible experience that’s going to be.

Actually, Sacrament meeting is going to be rather simple; First the Bishop (or another member of the Bishopric, they take turns, generally, ‘conducting’ the meeting) will make an announcement–or maybe not. He will tell everyone about the meeting; who’s giving the opening prayer, perhaps who is going to be speaking, and what the hymn is going to be. This will be immediately followed by an ‘opening hymn,’ played and sung too slowly unless I"m the chorister, followed immediately by a prayer, offered by a member of the congregation. T

The Bishop (or whoever) will then take care of whatever ward business needs taking care of; babies blessed, awards given, like that.

I completely forgot about the most important part of the meeting, for which it is actually named( blushing) at this point, we will sing a ‘sacrament hymn,’ and the bread and water will be blessed by a couple of young men (our young men receive the priesthood when they are around 12) and passed around by deacons–12 to 14 year olds to members of the church. If you are not a member, or for some reason do not want to partake, simply pass the tray to the person next to you. Happens all the time.

 

[BartBurk]

 

[dianaiad]

Sometimes, Bart, sometimes…

And then sometimes—we’ll have the Primary kids do a program, or we’ll get an interesting speaker, …

Or we’ll have some great music, or the speakers will say something that strikes you, answers a question or poses one.

You just have to, y’know, pay attention.

Nobody yet has described a Fast and Testimony meeting, held on the first Sunday of the month, generally. We are asked to fast for two consecutive meals (24 hours) and donate the cost of those meals to the welfare program. We have a fairly decent welfare program, by the way.

This meeting begins exactly like the others, until the Sacrament is passed. Then the ‘floor’ is opened to the congregation, who are all invited to come and ‘bear’ their ‘testimony’. If someone wants to say something, they come to the podium (sometimes the microphone is brought to them) and do so. If nobody wants to say anything, there is silence.

Sometimes small children come up…there is some argument among the members as to whether that is an appropriate thing to do or not…and generally give a ‘coached’ statement. Mom or Dad does the coaching.

Sometimes that meeting can be very, very, very, very, very boring. When just anybody can come up and talk, everybody does, and few are very good at it.

However, most of the time it’s spiritually refreshing. I especially appreciate those very rare meetings in which a heartfelt ‘testimony’ is given–followed by some thoughtful minutes of silence before someone else gets up.

That doesn’t often happen, though. Usually there is a 'line."

Anyway, that pretty much covers it.

 

[BartBurk]

Sometimes, Bart, sometimes…

And then sometimes—we’ll have the Primary kids do a program, or we’ll get an interesting speaker, …

Or we’ll have some great music, or the speakers will say something that strikes you, answers a question or poses one.

You just have to, y’know, pay attention.

Nobody yet has described a Fast and Testimony meeting, held on the first Sunday of the month, generally. We are asked to fast for two consecutive meals (24 hours) and donate the cost of those meals to the welfare program. We have a fairly decent welfare program, by the way.

This meeting begins exactly like the others, until the Sacrament is passed. Then the ‘floor’ is opened to the congregation, who are all invited to come and ‘bear’ their ‘testimony’. If someone wants to say something, they come to the podium (sometimes the microphone is brought to them) and do so. If nobody wants to say anything, there is silence.

Sometimes small children come up…there is some argument among the members as to whether that is an appropriate thing to do or not…and generally give a ‘coached’ statement. Mom or Dad does the coaching.

Sometimes that meeting can be very, very, very, very, very boring. When just anybody can come up and talk, everybody does, and few are very good at it.

However, most of the time it’s spiritually refreshing. I especially appreciate those very rare meetings in which a heartfelt ‘testimony’ is given–followed by some thoughtful minutes of silence before someone else gets up.

That doesn’t often happen, though. Usually there is a 'line."

Anyway, that pretty much covers it.

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.

 

[truthsilence]

Sometimes, Bart, sometimes…

And then sometimes—we’ll have the Primary kids do a program, or we’ll get an interesting speaker, …

Or we’ll have some great music, or the speakers will say something that strikes you, answers a question or poses one.

You just have to, y’know, pay attention.

Nobody yet has described a Fast and Testimony meeting, held on the first Sunday of the month, generally. We are asked to fast for two consecutive meals (24 hours) and donate the cost of those meals to the welfare program. We have a fairly decent welfare program, by the way.

This meeting begins exactly like the others, until the Sacrament is passed. Then the ‘floor’ is opened to the congregation, who are all invited to come and ‘bear’ their ‘testimony’. If someone wants to say something, they come to the podium (sometimes the microphone is brought to them) and do so. If nobody wants to say anything, there is silence.

Sometimes small children come up…there is some argument among the members as to whether that is an appropriate thing to do or not…and generally give a ‘coached’ statement. Mom or Dad does the coaching.

Sometimes that meeting can be very, very, very, very, very boring. When just anybody can come up and talk, everybody does, and few are very good at it.

However, most of the time it’s spiritually refreshing. I especially appreciate those very rare meetings in which a heartfelt ‘testimony’ is given–followed by some thoughtful minutes of silence before someone else gets up.

That doesn’t often happen, though. Usually there is a 'line."

Anyway, that pretty much covers it.

I remember when I first began attending LDS services as an adult, after having gone through a very disturbing period at a non-denominational church. I remember at that time, seeing one of the Bishopric members looking like they were about to nod off, and thinking how nice it was that they’d feel comfortable enough to fall asleep.

But I often had a hard time with not wanting to go to Church on Sunday. The last few years as a member, I taught the three year olds in Primary. My Bishop knew what he was doing. That experience is what kept me attending for that long.

I believe I always paid attention in Sacrament meeting. And yes, it was pretty boring alot of the time. It didn’t seem like worship to me, although I had no idea what I was hoping for. I just knew I was craving something that I didn’t have. And I didn’t believe what they were saying most of the time. I had to ask my friend to teach some of the classes for me, since I didn’t feel comfortable teaching something to three year olds that I didn’t believe myself. But I could do all the “I’m Thankful for Fish” and I’m Thankful for Food" type lessons.

Other than that, I loved the LDS church. So I guess I’m just saying I love the people. Never had one problem with anyone, (except that my neighbor didn’t like us, but he really doesn’t seem to like anyone). lol.

 

[twopekinguys]

Mormons are friendly. It is not love-bombed. It is just being friendly to a visitor. There is nothing wrong in the lds faith that would prevent you from taking the sacrament. And since some Catholics on this forum don’t believe that the lds church is christian it should be no problem for you to do so. Have a good moment observing difference.

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.

 

[truthsilence]

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.

Which is what I fell in love with, the very first time I walked into a Catholic mass. Everything has its focus on Him. It is truly beautiful.

 

[dianaiad]

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.

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.

 

[Stephen168]

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

And one gets more water from a bowl than a plate

 

[truthsilence]

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.

My frame of mind, my entire focus, was on wanting to know and love, serve, and praise Him. I was hungry, and thirsty for the words of Christ. And since I couldn’t believe in Joseph Smith’s claims, (not that I didn’t try) all the talk about him, and the temple, and eternal families, well, they were simply a distraction.

This was my experience. I tried. And tried. And tried. I prayed, and prayed, and studied the scriptures, and did everything I was asked to do to prepare (although I am not saying I was a perfect Mormon by any stretch of the imagination).

And yes, it should be a form of worship, and is somewhat of a sacrifice, to prepare and to give a talk in Church. I’m no good at it. At all!

I understand what you’re saying though, I think. If you believe what they’re teaching, I’m sure it would make a difference.

Peace,
Tami

 

[dianaiad]

My frame of mind, my entire focus, was on wanting to know and love, serve, and praise Him. I was hungry, and thirsty for the words of Christ. And since I couldn’t believe in Joseph Smith’s claims, (not that I didn’t try) all the talk about him, and the temple, and eternal families, well, they were simply a distraction.

This was my experience. I tried. And tried. And tried. I prayed, and prayed, and studied the scriptures, and did everything I was asked to do to prepare (although I am not saying I was a perfect Mormon by any stretch of the imagination).

And yes, it should be a form of worship, and is somewhat of a sacrifice, to prepare and to give a talk in Church. I’m no good at it. At all!

I understand what you’re saying though, I think. If you believe what they’re teaching, I’m sure it would make a difference.

Peace,
Tami

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