Mormon Traditions
Mormons believe in eternal families and place an immense amount of emphasis on family unit. Furthermore, prayer plays an integral role in Mormon faith – they begin and end each day by praying individually as well as regularly participating in group prayer sessions with family or group members.
Joseph Smith received from God in 1833 a set of health and lifestyle guidelines known as the Word of Wisdom that prohibit tobacco, alcohol and hot beverages (such as coffee and tea) such as smoking or alcohol consumption.
Christmas and Easter
Mormons (also known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) celebrate both Christmas and Easter as both holidays represent key elements in their spiritual beliefs: atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Church members celebrate both holidays through various services and devotionals offered by the Church. A typical Christmas event might involve hosting a ward-wide gathering where families bring homemade dishes to share and watch a television special featuring the Tabernacle Choir singing traditional holiday tunes.
Some Mormon families celebrate Christmas by setting up a tree, singing carols and displaying nativities in their homes. Leading up to Easter, family home evening devotionals might focus on Easter-related themes or scripture accounts like Christ’s resurrection – so the family can discuss and pray over it during family dinner time. On Easter itself, some families might attend special church services that emphasize its message.
Family Home Evening
Mormons take family very seriously. Believing they will exist eternally together with their loved ones in heaven, they strive hard to keep the strength of their family life intact.
One way they do this is with weekly family home evening. Families gather on Monday nights without outside distractions to pray, play games and study the gospel together. Individuals take turns filling out assignments such as conducting music or reading scripture or teaching lessons – helping develop leadership skills they will use later in their adult lives.
Latter-day Saints are taught to be frugal, such as stockpiling an entire year’s supply of food supplies – not as an attempt at hoarding, but in preparation for disasters that might arise. Latter-day Saints also emphasize volunteering within their community in order to teach their children the value of serving others and learning how to serve with humility and generosity.
Temple Endowment
The endowment ceremony stands as the centerpiece of Mormon worship, connecting human aspirations for righteousness with divine covenant obligations. Since Joseph Smith introduced it in Nauvoo in 1829, its structure has changed only minimally, with some minor adjustments in emphasis and presentation (for instance the lifting of black priesthood ban) (Irving 1974, 313).
The Church currently maintains 135 temples worldwide and is actively building more. Church members typically attend endowments twice annually in the US to perform proxy baptisms and marriages for deceased loved ones as well as receive teachings on spiritual matters.
As part of their endowments, patrons pledge not to discuss details of rites outside the temple with anyone outside its walls, due to beliefs that certain symbols, tokens and key words used are sacred; additionally, this silence protects both their experience and those involved with it.
Funerals
Mormon funerals can be sad events, yet filled with happiness as well. Mormons believe that after death, a person’s soul separates from his body to rejoin his spirit in heaven – giving family members assurances that their loved one will return in perfect form to live again on earth.
Many Mormons choose burial, though the Church Handbook allows cremation as long as it is done with honor and respect. A memorial service will usually take place at either a chapel or funeral home and be led by the bishop of their congregation.
Following a burial service, family and friends often offer a eulogy. After this event is completed, a mercy meal is held where Relief Society members prepare and serve food to mourners; family and friends come together during this dinner event to share stories and offer comforting support to one another.
