What are Mormon's special customs?

Answer 1

TRADITION= A specific practice of long standing.

The meaning of the word Tradition is far more applicable than the word itself. I will therefore attempt to mention a few traditions:

Baptism, Sacrament, attending church, Hymn singing, Paying of tithes, Temple attendance, Family History, Christmas, Prayer, Fasting, Blessing the sick, Service, Teaching, Visiting every member each month, Weekly Family Home Evening, Weekly Youth Activity Nights, Interviewing family members, Serving in the church whatever the calling, wholesome entertainment, having a supply of food in case of disasters.

Some semi-peculiar Mormon activities include:

• Ice blocking (sliding down a hill on a block of ice)
• Monthly singles dances
• The gallon challenge (chugging an entire gallon of milk)
• Scavenger hunts (mostly on dates)
• Youth Priesthood camps
• Basketball programs
• Mud cave exploration

Another answer

Mormons also celebrate traditions such as; Christmas, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day. Each family has their own family holiday traditions like; maybe decorating the Christmas tree with special ornaments, preparing certain foods, cookies, breads etc. or reading special family books.

Answer 2

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) generally attend worship services each Sunday. A typical Mormon worship service would consist of an hour-long family worship service, an hour of Sunday School, and an hour of focus groups split by age and/or gender (such as youth groups and women's study group). The family worship service consists of prayers, hymn singing, and sermons all lead by members of the congregation. Each worship service, the 'sacrament' (similar to Lord's Supper or Communion) is blessed by priests (usually 16-19 year old boys) and passed to the congregation by deacons (usually 12-14 year old boys). The Sacrament consists of water and bread, which represent the blood and body of Christ, as well as the fact that Jesus Christ is the 'living water' and the 'bread of life'.

At home, during the week, most Mormons gather as families to pray and study the scriptures at least once a day. Prayers are also said before meals. Monday nights are generally set aside to spend with family. Usually there is an activity for the youth in the congregation on Tuesday or Wednesday night. High-school age teens also often attend "Seminary" before school, which is an hour-long religious class.

New converts and children arriving at the age of eight are baptized into the Church by immersion. This baptism is performed by someone who is ordained a priest, elder or high priest (most every man in the congregation over 16 will be ordained to one of these). Following the baptism, the person is usually confirmed a member of the Church the following Sunday, after being officially introduced to the congregation. Adult members of the Church are encouraged to attend Temple services, which are different than typical Sunday worship services and are only open to those who are members of the Church and have received a reccomendation from their Bishop. Temple services are held in the 130 temples worldwide, while Sunday worship services are held in over 20,000 church meetinghouses worldwide. Young single adults ages 19-25 may choose to apply to serve a mission, about 30 to 50% will serve as missionaries. The Church also encourages marriage and having families, and so marriage and large families has become a common practice of Mormons as well.

Other than that, common practices include abstaining from alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and illegal drugs, abstaining from sexual relationships or cohabitation outside of a legal monogamous heterosexual marriage, dressing modestly, and striving to be honest, hardworking people. Most Mormons also practice the Old Testament law of the Tithe, in which 10% of one's income is given to the Church to be used for charitable purposes. Mormons are also known for their humanitarian service and preparedness and organization at the time of natural disasters.

You can learn more about Mormons, who they are and what they believe, at the "Related Links" below.

Answer 3

Wedding traditions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) vary depending on culture and location, as well as which type of wedding the couple plans on having. Mormon couples can choose from three types of weddings:

Temple Wedding: When both the husband and wife are active members of the Church, they often choose to have a Temple wedding. Mormons believe that if you are married in the temple, you are married for eternity (not 'until death do you part'). Typically, a temple wedding ceremony will take place in the morning. They are very small, private gatherings. A temple wedding must take place in the "sealing room" of a temple, which generally seat about 20 to 30 people. Only those who are active, baptized adult Mormons with written permission from their bishop may attend the ceremony.

For the temple wedding ceremony, the bride and groom must wear very simple, modest, white clothing (see "Related Links" below for photos). They enter the sealing room together and kneel across an altar. Here, a man ordained to perform the ceremony will bless their union to last throughout eternity, the couple expresses their consent, and they are pronounced man and wife. The officiator and guests then congratulate the couple and give them advise. The temple is a very sacred place, so all this is done very quietly and reverently. There is no applause or Photography. Temple ceremonies are performed free of charge. Following the temple ceremony, most couples choose to have photos taken outside the temple with their guests.

Many Mormon couples who have temple ceremonies also choose to have a second, more traditional ceremony for those who were unable to attend the temple ceremony. These typically take place at the reception location, although they can be held anywhere.

Most couples have a reception to celebrate their marriage and greet their guests. Receptions may take place wherever the couple chooses. Many choose to hold the reception at their church, because it is free. Mormon wedding receptions are similar to other receptions. They still toss the bouquet, cut the cake, dance, serve food, etc. They are typically larger (200-1000 people) and don't serve any alcohol. Most Mormon brides will have a separate dress that is still modest but more elaborate than their temple dress for the reception and photos.

Church Weddings: Some Mormon couples or mixed religion couples choose to have a Church wedding. The ceremony and reception can take place in a church building or at another location. A Mormon Bishop performs the ceremony, which is similar to a traditional ceremony. The church building and the bishop are available to the couple free of charge. If the ceremony takes place inside a church building, the bride is asked to wear a modest gown with sleeves. Most of these couples choose to have a reception similar to the one above after the ceremony.

Non-Religious Weddings: Some Mormon couples and mixed religion couples choose to have a non-religious wedding. These are usually performed by a Justice of the Peace either in a courthouse or other location. These are very traditional weddings and typically have no Mormon or religious traditions to go along with them.

Check out the "Related Links" below for photos and other information on Mormon wedding traditions.

Answer 4

The customs and traditions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) vary from culture to culture and family to family, however some religious customs are shared by all Church members. These include:

Attending worship services on Sunday

Baptism at age 8 or older

Naming and blessing new babies

Boys ordained as deacons at age 12 or older, teachers at 14 or older, priests at 16 or older, and elders at 18 or older

Young men and women serving as proselyting missionaries in their early 20's

Holding 'Family Home Evenings' on Monday nights

Daily prayer and scripture study

Answer 5

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the 'Mormon' church) do have some religious cultural customs. Some are similar to other Christian churches and others are not.

Here are some examples:

Blessing Babies: When Mormons have a baby they usually invite friends and family to a blessing ceremony which is part of their Sunday worship service. This is simply an opportunity to give the baby a special blessing and thank God for the gift of the new baby. After the service they often invite family and friends to a small reception to celebrate.

Baptism: Mormons do not baptize anyone younger than 8 years old. Usually when a child turns eight they are baptized by a family member or church leader. Family and friends are invited to attend the baptism and a reception afterward.

Missions: Mormon men between 19 and 25 and women between 21 and 25 are encouraged to spend 18 months to two years serving as missionaries for the church. Before a missionary leaves, they will give a farwell sermon in their congregation and often will hold a farewell party to say a final goodbye to family and friends before leaving. When they return, they will give a 'homecoming' sermon in their congregation and hold another party to catch up with their family and friends.

Weddings: Most Mormons choose to be married in a special ceremony in the Temple. These ceremonies are very small and are open only to others who are actively practicing Mormons. Because of this, Mormons tend to hold very large wedding receptions for all their family and friends to join in celebrating their wedding. It is not unusually for several hundred or even a thousand people to be invited to a Mormon wedding reception.

Funerals: It is traditional for a Mormon who dies to be buried wearing all white, to symbolize their purity and commitment to God. Most Mormon families choose to have a 'viewing' before the formal service, where they can greet their guests. Following the formal service and dedicating the gravesite, it is customary for the congregation to provide a meal for all who attended the funeral.

Answer 6

Yes. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" Church) have many traditions, not only religious ones but cultural and familial as well. Religious traditions include church services, baptisms, baby naming and blessing ceremonies, marriages, Family Home Evenings, and serving as missionaries, to name just a few. Cultural traditions, such as national holidays, and family traditions are also followed.

Answer 7

Religious rituals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) are similar to those of other Christian religions. For example:

Mormons are baptized to become official members of the church, to symbolize their new life in Jesus Christ. Baptisms are performed by a Priest or Elder who immerses the person in water. Baptisms can be performed on anyone age 8 or older. Following baptism, Mormons are confirmed by the Elders.

Mormons have a naming and blessing ceremony for new babies, in which the baby is named and blessed by a group of Elders in front of the congregation.

Mormon men are ordained to the priesthood by the laying on of hands.

Mormons perform blessings on the sick and afflicted by the laying on of hands.

Each Sunday, Mormons gather for worship services which include hymns, prayers, and sermons and the Sacrament. The Sacrament is a ceremony similar to Communion in which Priests bless bread and water, symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and deacons pass it to the congregation.

Mormons also believe that weddings are a religious ceremonies and perform them in churches or temples depending on the couple's preference.

At home, Mormons participate in prayer and scripture study both individually and with their families.

See the "Related Links" below for photographs of these rituals. Most of these ceremonies and rituals are open to the public. If you are interested in watching or participating in them, you can find your local Mormon congregation at maps.lds.org.

Answer 8

Most things that Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) do are the things that other faiths do. We practice baptism, confirmation, go on missions to preach the gospel, attend church, study the scriptures, etc. We might do them a little bit differently than someone else, but on the whole, we worship God in a very similar way to other people.

Some of the things that set us apart our things that we don't do, like smoke or drink alcohol, coffee, or tea. We also don't curse or have sex outside marriage.. those are often huge differences compared to an average person in our society.

Answer 9

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) have many traditions - some are religious and others are cultural.

-Mormons have a strong tradition of Church attendance and personal study and worship. Mormons believe it is essential to develop a personal witness of and relationship to God, and to gather together to share this witness with each other.

-Mormons have a unique tradition of lay clergy and teaching each other. Nearly every position in the church is filled by a temporary volunteer. Teaching and preaching duties are rotated among congregation members so that each person can share and discuss their personal faith.

-Mormons also have a tradition of General Conference, every six months they gather together as a worldwide church to watch a live feed (via internet or sattelite) of top leaders giving sermons from Church headquarters. This is a big deal to most Mormons, and is treated almost like a holiday.

-Mormons follow Christian traditions such as weekly communion (called sacrament), baptism, and marriage.

-Many Mormons have a tradition of celebrating the Mormon pioneers and the history of their church each summer on July 24. This is called 'pioneer day' and is a state holiday in Utah, USA.

-Mormons have a strong tradition of missions. Young Mormons ages 18-25 often serve 1 1/2 to 2 years as missionaries, and it is increasingly popular for retired couples to serve as well. These missionaries both spread the gospel and perform service.

-Mormons also celebrate most cultural, national, and Christian holidays, including Easter, Christmas, Independence Day, etc.

-Mormons have a tradition of strong families, and many families have traditions of "Family Home Evening", meaning they gather together one night a week to worship, learn, and play together.

Answer 10

Most religious practices of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) are similar to those you would find in any other Christian religious tradition. (links are to photo/video which illustrates each item)

Individual Practices:

Mormonism is a lifestyle religion, not a Sunday religion. That is, religious practices permeate believer's everyday lives and are not limited to church services. Most Mormons do the following in their everyday lives:

- Prayer - Mormons pray individually, as families, and in groups. Prayers are said extemporaneously (unscripted) whenever the desire arises. It is common for Mormons to pray in the morning, before going to bed, before meals, and before studying scripture or other religious texts.

- Study - Mormons are encouraged to study scripture (the Old and New Testaments in The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price) and sermons given by church leaders daily.

- Christlike Example - Mormons believe that at baptism they make a commitment to live as a witness of Jesus Christ. This means that they try to love and serve others and bring them closer to God.

- Family Home Evening - Mormon families often set aside one night a week to have a gospel lesson or activity together. It is also common to study scripture together and pray together daily.

Worship Practices:

Mormons attend worship services on Sunday. Sunday is set aside as the Sabbath and Mormons are encouraged to avoid shopping, sports, work, and temporal education on Sunday to focus on the things of God. (In Muslim-majority nations where the weekend is Friday-Saturday, Mormons observe the Sabbath on Saturday.)

- Sacrament Meeting - the main worship service is called "Sacrament Meeting". Similar to other Christian churches, congregations gather together to worship God through music, prayer, testimony, and sermons. However, rather than having a single pastor or priest run the program, individual members rotate responsibilities for leading music, speaking, and praying.

---------- prayer - prayers are offered at the beginning and ending of each service. One person from the congregation says the prayer while everyone else bows their head silently. The congregation joins together in saying "Amen" at the end.

---------- music - traditional hymns are sung by the congregation and accompanied by an organ or piano, usually at the beginning of the service, before the sacramental prayer, and at the close of the service. Often a choir, small group, or individual will offer a hymn or instrumental piece in the middle of the service. (all music must be reverent and "unplugged" - no contemporary worship songs.)

----------preaching/testimony - Usually between two to four members of the congregation will be assigned to give sermons or talks. Occasionally local authorities or missionaries will preach instead. The first Sunday of the week there are no assigned speakers and members of the congregation instead stand to testify if they feel directed by the Holy Spirit. Men and women of all ages share in the preaching responsibilities - even children and teens.

----------Sacrament - The Mormon version of communion is celebrated each week. Priests (men and boys as young as 16) bless bread and water which is then passed to the congregation by Deacons (usually teenage boys) and eaten in remembrance of Jesus Christ.

- study classes - following worship, two hours of Sunday school and study classes are offered for kids, teens, and adults. Teaching responsibilities are rotated among congregation members and curriculum is provided by the denomination, so every Mormon congregation around the world has the same lesson.

Special Practices:

-Blessing – Mormons believe in blessing by the laying on of hands. A Mormon may request a blessing from a priesthood holder (nearly any Mormon adult male) at any time for health, guidance, comfort, etc. It is common to receive a blessing before a medical procedure or for children to receive blessings from their fatherbefore a new school year.

-Baby Blessing - new babies and newly adopted children are officially welcomed into the congregation by being blessed in a Sunday worship service, usually by their father or other male relative who has been ordained to the priesthood.

-Baptism – Mormon children are usually baptized by their father or another ordained male relative at age 8, but may choose to wait until later. Converts may choose to be baptized as soon as they have met the requirements.

-Confirmation – recently baptized Mormons will be confirmed by the laying on of hands. This both establishes them as an official member of the church and, it is believed, gives them the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to guide and protect them.

-Ordination – Most Mormon boys are ordained as Deacons at age 12, Teachers at age 14, Priests at age 16, and Elders at age 18. Adult men may be ordained to serve in various leadership positions (such as Bishop) as necessary. Adult male converts are ordained Priests shortly after baptism, and may be ordained Elders one year later. An ordination is performed by the laying on of hands. Being ordained to the priesthood carries with it various responsibilities to care for the church as well as the authority to perform various ordinances such as Sacrament and Baptism. Women are not ordained but may be “set apart” (see next section).

-Set Apart – when an individual receives a “calling” or position in the church, such as to be a teacher or leader, they receive what might be viewed as a temporary ordination. They are blessed by the laying on of hands to have the spiritual guidance and authority to perform that calling. This is not a lifetime ordination, but is meant to last for the duration of their service in the position to which they are called.

-Marriage ­– Mormons believe that marriage is sacred, and most practicing Mormons choose to be ‘sealed’ in the Temple rather than have a traditional marriage ceremony. (described in a future section) However, a traditional wedding is an option, especially when one of them is not a practicing Mormon. Mormon weddings are usually performed by a Bishop or Stake President in a church or other venue. Mormon clergy will only perform marriages between one man and one woman, even where homosexual marriages or polyamorous marriages are legal.

-funerals and burial – Mormon funerals may be held in a church or other venue and are usually conducted by a Bishop. Mormons have a strong belief in the afterlife and their funerals are usually a celebration of the deceased’s life rather than a time for mourning. Deceased Mormons are typically dressed in white for burial. The grave site is usually dedicated by a Bishop.

Temple Practices:

Unlike other Christian denominations, Mormons have an additional component to their worship practices that takes place within Temples. Temples (different from regular churches or meetinghouses) are considered the most sacred places on earth and their purpose is to unite families and bring people closer to God. There are only about 150 Mormon Temples worldwide (as of 2016). -Baptism for the Dead- Mormons believe that one must be baptized in order to enter heaven, and thus perform baptisms in behalf of those who have died without being baptized. In this way, all people who have ever lived are given the chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is believed that the deceased may choose whether to accept or reject the baptism performed for them. This is the only Temple ceremony in which youth (12+) and recent converts may participate.

-Washing, anointing, and endowment – Adult members (18+) and converts of at least a year may choose to participate in these ordinances, which may be considered a step beyond baptism. In these ceremonies, a Mormon makes further commitments with God and symbolizes their increased devotion to Him. Following participation in this ceremony, Mormons wear a sacred garment under their regular clothing at all times to remind them of the commitments they have made. After participating in these ordinances for themselves, Mormons may participate in behalf of the deceased. -Sealing­ – Marriages may be “sealed” to last throughout eternity when a couple kneels at a Temple altar and has a special blessing pronounced upon them. Most practicing Mormon couples choose to have a “sealing” rather than a traditional wedding ceremony. A sealing ceremony may also be performed for those who were married outside the temple or for the deceased.

Other Practices:

- Missions – Tens of thousands of single young adults and retired adults choose to serve as missionaries each year. Missionaries may be sent anywhere in the world to proselyte (preach) and perform service for a period of 1 to 3 years. Missionaries are held to very high and rigorous standards, and might be viewed as a sort of temporary monk or nun.

- Seminary/Institute - Mormon high school and college students often attend Mormon seminary classes daily during the school year. Since Mormons have a lay leadership and rotate responsibilities, these classes help to train them in doctrinal basics and teaching skills.

-General Conference – in order to maintain unity in the worldwide church, General Conferences are held twice a year. This conference consists of six two-hour sessions (one for women, one for men, and four for everyone) in which international church leaders give sermons. The conferences are broadcast worldwide and widely distributed, with regular services being cancelled so that all may participate.