What are general characteristics of contemporary religions observable in the Mormon religion?

Answer 1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is unique in that it lies somewhere in between traditional and contemporary.

For example, Mormon meetinghouses themselves are quite contemporary. Rather than large ornate cathedrals, Mormons tend to build smaller buildings with a focus on simplicity and utility. Even the architecture and building materials tend to look more like a home than a religious building.

Mormon worship services follow a more contemporary pattern. They are much less ceremonial and rigid than the services found in more traditional faiths such as Catholicism and Anglicanism. However, while the pattern is contemporary, the worship is not. Mormons use traditional-style hymns and sermons - there are no bands, pop/rock style worship music, or power-point sermons like you would find in a 'contemporary' Christian church. Mormons also stick to the traditional King James Version Bible rather than the more contemporary English versions.

Mormons are more traditional in their values and beliefs. They actively preach about things such as modesty, traditional gender roles, sexual abstinence, tithes, diet, and other traditions that are often ignored in contemporary churches.

Unlike traditional faiths, Mormons have strong focus on lay leadership. Nearly all the leadership of the Mormon church are volunteers with little or no formal training. There are no priestly robes, no parsonages, seminary degrees, etc. Every congregation member is given a chance to preach, rather than having one pastor or priest preach each week.

Another contemporary characteristic of Mormonism is their focus on media. The Church has many media outlets on television, radio, internet, and mobile. Mormons believe that the media is the best way to stay unified and spread their message abroad. Therefore they provide sermons, lesson manuals, music, films, mobile apps, and other resources free online. This keeps the general membership engaged and involved, unlike many traditional faiths where the general membership is simply expected to show up and listen.

Also like many contemporary religions, Mormonism focuses on having a personal relationship with God. Many traditional faiths have the view of the pastor or priest 'leading the flock'. Mormons take the approach of 'everyone helping everyone' - each person is expected to develop a relationship with God and share their knowledge and faith with each other.

Answer 2

No coffee no alcohol no smoking no pre-marriage sex have their own scriptures (The Book of Mormon) in addition to The Bible