Mormon Traditions
Joseph Smith established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after receiving revelations from God and translating golden plates, creating an unconventional social order. Polygamy led to bitter legal battles and forced exile into Utah wilderness before it was eventually outlawed.
Mormon teachings encourage their members to pursue knowledge and wisdom by studying scriptures and adhering to health and lifestyle rules known as the Word of Wisdom.
The LDS temple
Mormons gather at temples to worship Jesus and receive spiritual instruction, as well as to seal their families for all time.
The Mormon church boasts an expansive network of temples across the globe, including in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Hawaii, Canada and England.
Before entering a temple, any member must receive a “temple recommend,” an endorsement by their bishop and stake president that they consider them worthy to attend the temple. To receive one, one must pay full tithes, remain chaste and observe church prohibitions against alcohol, tobacco and coffee consumption.
Temple patrons must then undergo the endowment presentation, in which they learn of their part in God’s plan for salvation in word and action. With the exception of Salt Lake City Temple where film is used instead, this ceremony is performed by temple workers who act out their roles onstage.
The Sabbath
Practice of the Sabbath, or day of rest, is one of the cornerstones of Mormon life. This practice involves taking time away from work and other activities to focus on our relationship with God and His love for us; this could include making special meals, reading scripture or spiritual books, spending time with loved ones or performing acts of mercy.
The Sabbath serves as a daily reminder of creation, the covenant between God and his people, our liberation from bondage, and dependence upon His provision for all our needs. It marks a day to rejoice and give thanks for His power which creates and maintains all life on Earth.
God gave us the Sabbath as a gift from him and it’s important that we honor it by being intentional about how we spend it. Set aside one day a week where you practice your Sabbath by disconnecting from technology.
Funerals
Funerals provide the final opportunity to say farewell and ease closure – essential elements in the healing process. Additionally, funerals allow family and friends to express their condolences as well as honor the life of the person who has passed.
Mormons are well known for their high levels of religious observance. They regularly attend church on Sunday, maintain a temple recommend (required for attending temple), and live an anti-alcohol, tobacco and coffee lifestyle that excludes alcohol, tobacco and coffee consumption. Furthermore, Mormons also engage in missionary work, family life and service to others as part of their faith tradition.
Mormons also possess a longstanding tradition of public speaking and many members have written books about their faith. Furthermore, Mormon food culture includes funeral potatoes, jello salad, Apple Beer, frogeye salad and “scones” (actually deep-fried dough similar to an actual scone). Furthermore, their church also hosts ceremonies such as an endowment ceremony where adult members receive spiritual gifts from God and make vows to follow his commandments.
Family life
Mormon teachings emphasize the family as the cornerstone of society. According to Church President Hinckley, one reason a society becomes corrupted or is heading downward is due to families not working together and strengthening each other in mutual support and respect.
Latter-day Saints are more likely than members of other religious groups to say they hold strong levels of belief in God or an supreme being, as well as to find religion essential to their lives and favor preserving traditional beliefs and practices.
Mormons stand apart from other religious groups by their belief in polygamy, with the church teaching that men of exceptional character could marry multiple wives with divine approval. Unfortunately, this practice was later discontinued when Congress threatened Utah with statehood denial in the early 20th century.