Mormon Traditions
Mormons believe in one God – composed of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Additionally, they hold that humans can emulate God through exaltation processes.
Mormon traditions are grounded in church doctrine and include paying tithing, abstaining from smoking and illegal drugs and living a lifestyle marked by chastity and modest dress.
Baptism
Mormon doctrine states that baptism is an outward sign of God’s forgiveness and provides believers the opportunity to enter Christ’s covenant community. Baptism can also serve as the start of “spiritual anointing,” offering healing, blessings and insights.
Baptizing members of the church involves having one or more priesthood members immerse them in water while calling upon the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Ghost – for blessing. Following this ritual, another ritual takes place whereby another member of the priesthood lays hands on them to confirm they are members.
The Book of Mormon describes baptism as canceling sins and helping people receive the Holy Ghost, but its church rejects Catholicism’s concept of original sin; thus only those possessing reason can be baptized (AF pp 113-116) instead of infants being baptized (cf AF, pp 112-116).
Temple Endowment
Mormonism’s central ritual, the endowment, recounts the history of creation and mankind’s place within mortality. Additionally, it offers numerous blessings, such as eternal life that depends on faithful adherence to Jesus Christ’s Gospel.
At an endowment service, patrons don special temple garments and are symbolically washed and anointed before watching a video depicting God’s plan to bring humanity back into his presence. They then watch an endowment service commemorating Adam and Eve’s creation as well as Satan’s attempt at tempting them both.
Joseph Smith introduced the endowment ceremony to Church members in May 1842, seven weeks after being initiated as a Mason himself in Nauvoo. Many aspects of Joseph’s ceremony appear influenced by Masonry; for instance clothing, signs, tokens penalties and text all bear some similarity; this has caused some to suggest that Joseph used Masonry as an avenue for corruption; however the Church emphasizes there are differences; one being that priesthood blessing of an endowment includes a promise not to reveal sacred things and promises not to reveal them whereas Masonry does not include such pledges.
Funerals
Mormons who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints typically choose burial instead of cremation because their religion teaches that body and soul will one day reunite in heaven. Funerals for members typically occur within seven days after death and never on Sunday. Services include memorial services with hymns and eulogies by an officiant (usually a bishop or minister), reading from Book of Mormon religious text as part of memorial services or memorial services.
If the deceased received a temple endowment, he or she will be dressed in white temple garments (white underwear issued by the church) prior to burial. For women this could include wearing white dresses while men will typically don white shirt pants and tie ensembles issued by their church. Funeral services tend to be more of a celebration than somber occasion with speakers sharing memories about his/her life and personality – tears may occur but rarely any outburst of extreme grief; caskets are typically open so visitors may view and bid their last farewells – making funeral services less solemn occasions than somber events of sadness.
Holidays
Mormons are patriotic Americans who value family life. They place great emphasis on performing good deeds, being honest and showing respect to authority figures. Additionally, Mormons are expected to pay tithing, observe the law of chastity and minister to fellow church members as part of their duties as members.
Pioneer Day, commemorating Brigham Young and his followers’ arrival to Salt Lake Valley after they were forced out of Nauvoo in Illinois, is often mentioned. This day is noted by Mormons worldwide and honors this important event in history.
The Mormon Word of Wisdom rules prohibit tobacco, alcohol and caffeine beverages such as coffee and tea from consumption; those adhering to these guidelines will enjoy physical health, wisdom and knowledge benefits. Mormons practice an extremely healthy lifestyle. Family home evenings allow them to come together in prayerful fellowship while studying scripture together as well as sharing meals together – specifically casseroles which make Mormons famously good cooks!