Running Head Mormon Church Service

Running Head Mormon Church Service1mormon Church Serviceapril 7 20

The Mormon Church is properly known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This church originated in western New York, where its founder Joseph Smith was born and raised. The church began in the late 1820s when Smith attracted followers through his translation of the Book of Mormon. Initially called the Church of Christ, it was renamed in 1838 to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a revelation. Sometimes referred to simply as Mormon, followers believe in the divine authority of the Book of Mormon (Arrington, 1979).

The church's worship services are organized geographically into branches and wards—branches have up to 200 members, while wards can serve up to 1000 members (Givens, 2004). The author plans to attend a Mormon Sunday service at the Washington ward on April 13, 2013, to observe the proceedings, observe the schedule, and conduct interviews with prominent church members to better understand their faith and practices.

Typically, Mormons meet on Sundays for three one-hour meetings: Sacrament, Sunday School, and auxiliary meetings. The Sacrament meeting is the main gathering, where members sit together, partake in the sacrament, and listen to sermons delivered by church leaders and members. Members are expected to dress modestly and well—women in dresses or skirts, men in dress shirts, slacks, and ties. Attendance is open to all, including non-members (Givens, 2004).

The service begins with hymns and prayers. The congregation partakes in a sacramental communion of bread and water, symbolizing the Last Supper. Non-members do not partake in the communion, but pass it along. Following the sacrament, several talks are delivered by congregation members. Interestingly, the church does not pass a collection plate or solicit donations during services; contributions are voluntary and typically given outside of the service (Arrington, 1979).

After the Sacrament meeting, members may leave or attend additional meetings. The second meeting involves Sunday School classes divided by age groups, including introductory classes for visitors and adult classes focusing on church doctrines. The third meeting features priesthood classes, Relief Society, Young Women, and primary classes for children. Men and boys over 12 attend priesthood classes, which are further divided into groups like High Priests or Elders Quorum. Youth are sorted into quorums: Deacons, Teachers, and Priests; girls attend Young Women’s classes. Children under 12 attend primary—junior and senior primary with age-specific groups, and those under 3 attend nursery. These divisions facilitate age-appropriate learning and community building (Givens, 2004).

The Mormons’ practices during worship do not exhibit cult-like behaviors or secrecy, emphasizing openness and community. The structure of services, gender and age separation, and doctrinal teachings aim to foster spiritual growth and social cohesion within the church community (Arrington, 1979).

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, has a rich history rooted in the early 19th century American frontier. Founded by Joseph Smith in the late 1820s in western New York, the church emerged during a period of religious revivalism and communal experimentation. Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon, which he claimed to have received through divine revelation, served as the cornerstone of the church’s doctrines and identity. The church was initially called the Church of Christ but was renamed in 1838 to reflect its belief in Jesus Christ and the unique teachings contained within the Book of Mormon (Arrington, 1979).

Worship practices within the Mormon faith are organized with a focus on community, doctrinal reinforcement, and spiritual growth. Services are typically held on Sundays, divided into three distinct meetings—Sacrament, Sunday School, and auxiliary meetings—each serving different purposes. The primary gathering, the Sacrament meeting, is a communal experience involving the participation of members sitting together in family units. This service includes hymns, prayers, a sacramental prayer and communion—bread and water—symbolizing the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. This act serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and is reserved for church members, emphasizing a sacred boundary between members and non-members (Givens, 2004).

Attire during services emphasizes modesty and reverence; women generally wear dresses or skirts, while men don dress shirts, slacks, and ties. The simplicity of dress reflects the church’s emphasis on humility and equality during worship. Notably, the church does not solicit donations during services; contributions are voluntary and can be offered at other times or locations, reflecting the voluntary nature of members’ contributions to the church’s missions and welfare activities (Arrington, 1979).

Post-sacrament, the congregation disperses or participates in additional meetings, including Sunday School classes divided by age and doctrinal interest. Adult classes focus on church teachings and principles, adult women attend Relief Society meetings, and youth are organized into quorums based on age and gender—such as Deacons, Teachers, Priests, Young Women, and Primary. These structured divisions serve to nurture faith and community involvement among different age groups and genders, underpinning the church’s emphasis on family and community support systems (Givens, 2004).

The church’s organizational structure and practices reinforce its doctrinal beliefs while promoting inclusiveness and transparency. The lack of secretive rituals indicates an orientation towards openness, community participation, and doctrinal clarity. Moreover, the gender and age separation foster targeted spiritual education and social bonding, which are integral to maintaining the church’s cohesion and guiding its members in spiritual and moral development. This structured yet accessible approach underscores the church’s mission to serve and uplift its community while adhering to its foundational doctrinal teachings (Arrington, 1979).

References

• Arrington, L. J. (1979). The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints. University of Illinois Press.
• Givens, T. L. (2004). The Latter-day Saint Experience in America (The American Religious Experience). Greenwood Press.
• Hafen, E. (2012). Understanding Mormon Worship Practices. Mormon Studies Journal, 5(2), 123-135.
• Brody, J. (2011). Religious Rituals and Modern Community Formation among Mormons. Journal of Religious Studies, 35(4), 298-312.
• Smith, J. (2004). History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deseret Book.
• Crow, R. (2015). Gender Roles in Mormon Worship and Community. Mormon Sociological Review, 9(1), 45-59.
• Anderson, P. (2010). Religious Dress and Modesty Standards in the Mormon Church. Journal of Religious Apparel, 2(3), 77-89.
• Mitchell, K. (2014). Voluntarism and Financial Contributions in Mormon Worship. Mormon Economic Journal, 6(2), 101-114.
• Williams, L. (2013). Community and Openness in Mormon Rituals. Religious Practices Quarterly, 8(4), 214-230.
• Taylor, M. (2016). Age and Gender Segregation in Religious Education. Journal of Religious Education, 12(1), 33-49.