Church Life

Mormons have no trained theologians or spiritual leaders.  The ward's Sunday worship is led by the ward's bishop.  That is not to say that he preaches.  Rather each week he assigns talks to individual members.  He and his counselors preside over the service, sitting in front in places of honor.  The service follows an order of service that includes opening and closing prayers, singing, taking of the sacrament (Lord's Supper) and talks by the assigned speakers.  Speakers include youth and adults, men and women.  In this manner different people are involved each week and everyone in the congregation participates.  People prepare their contribution to the service from Ensign articles, Mormon scriptures, and other sources.  There is no person or process used to ensure that what is presented is accurate based on Mormon scripture.

Such is the order of service for most Sundays.  These services are called 'Sacrament Meetings'.  The service for the first Sunday of each month is a little different.  It is called a 'Fast and Testimony Meeting'.  Members are expected to fast for twenty four hours Saturday evening to Sunday evening and donate the money that would have been spent on food as their 'fast offering'.  Instead of prepared talks during this service, people spontaneously come up and 'bear their testimony'.  This usually is something along the line of "I know in my heart that the Mormon church is the true church of God, and Joseph Smith is his true prophet.  I know the Book of Mormon to be the true word of God. Etc."  It can also include personal stories; such as how their gift of the Holy Ghost helped them use their agency wisely, and similar first hand testimonies of the truth of the Mormon church, the doctrine of Mormonism, and the Mormon prophets and apostles.  Christian visitors to these meetings often express afterwards their surprise in the lack of references to Jesus Christ and what he and his Father have provided.

A second Sunday activity is Sunday School.  For one hour, every member attends a Sunday School class segregated by age.  New converts attend a special class.  Men and women are in the same classes.  These classes follow a curriculum that is created by the LDS church and may be taught by either a man or a woman.  Every ward uses the same material and follows the same calendar of lessons world-wide.  These materials are available for purchase on the official LDS church web site.

A third Sunday activity is another one hour study session.  Various groups within the church hold separate classes, each following a set curriculum for that group.  Groups include deacons, priests, teachers, beehive, mia maid, laurals, relief society, primary, and priesthood.

Mormons are also busy during the week with church activities.  The various service groups within the church meet to conduct their business. Other typical activities include Family Home Evening - one night (Monday) dedicated to family togetherness both spiritually and in other areas, Mutual (Wednesday evening) - an adult lead youth group for children 12 years of age and older, Relief Society Homemaking evening (one evening a month) - women's group to learn homemaking skills, service projects (yard work for elderly, quilting, etc.), and social events such as dances.

The Mormon church structure includes a highly organized team sports establishment.  The standard church meeting house includes not only a place to worship, but also a basketball court and usually a softball field.  Intramural play has Mormons playing with other Mormons. 

All this service, activities, and commitments work to keep Mormons too busy to question doctrine, and also segregates them from non-Mormons.  This is yet another reason why witnessing to Mormons you interact with is important.  Their exposure to true Christianity and Christians with a desire to love them and witness to them is not great.  Even though they may live in Heartland USA, their opportunity to hear the true words of God, especially in words that circumvent the screen of unique Mormon definitions, can be very limited.