Church Practices Articles
Mormon Temples and Temple Work
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Mormon Church is its temples. Mormon Temples are sacred buildings, set apart from the world. They are not ordinary church buildings like chapels. Mormons have both churches and temples. In temples, Mormons perform sacred ordinances that strengthen us in this life and prepare us for the life to come. Also in temples, families can be sealed together for all eternity and faithful Mormons can perform ordinances like baptism for those who died without the opportunity. The Holy Endowment One of the most sacred and defining moments in the life of a member of the Mormon Church comes when he or she receives his or her endowment. An endowment is a gift; in this case it is a gift of knowledge and spiritual power from God. Jesus referred to an endowment of power when he commanded his disciples to “tarry [...] in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with... Read the rest of this article »
Do Mormons really pay 10 percent of their income to the Church? (Tithing)
Yes, and with joy, and often they give much more than that. In addition that ten percent, called tithing, there are fast offerings, and other donations made to charitable causes to help sustain the Mormon Church’s missionary program and its humanitarian work throughout the world. That does not even take into consideration the countless hours that Mormons donate to the Church through service projects and Church assignments. Unlike most churches, the Mormon Church has no paid clergy for its congregations, so every job from being a bishop, who presides over each congregation, to Sunday School teacher, to vacuuming the chapel on Saturday is done by the members.
Tithing is a free-will offering made to help support the Church. Since no clergy is paid, the money goes to help build chapels and temples and other places like visitors’ centers. Tithing money also goes to help... Read the rest of this article »
Do Mormons Practice Polygamy?
Mormons practiced polygamy from the 1840s to the year 1890, when a revelation from the God commanded them to stop. This is one of the most controversial practices in Mormon history and continues to trouble people nearly 120 years later. President Gordon B. Hinckley, late prophet, seer, and revelator to the Mormon Church said:
I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.
If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the... Read the rest of this article »
Did Mormons forbid African Americans from joining their Church?
From the 1850s until 1978, persons of African descent could (and many did) join the Mormon Church, but Blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood or certain positions within the Church. This has led to charges of racism and prejudice by the Mormon Church and its leaders. Never at any time have Blacks been denied membership in the Church and there were black Mormons in the early days of the Church, many of whom crossed the plains with the other Mormon pioneers and settled Utah. Also, Blacks have never been segregated from the white membership of the Church. Still, this practice continues to draw criticism. To understand why this practice came about, it is important to understand a little about the Mormon Church.
In Mormonism, Priesthood represents God’s power and authority which He delegates to men on earth in order to lead God’s Church and perform ordinances like baptism. ... Read the rest of this article »
What’s this about no sex before marriage?
(Mormon Chastity)
Mormons believe that it is important to be clean physically and mentally. Part of this cleanliness is the Law of Chastity. In today’s world, teaching absolute abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage is considered by many to be out of date or unrealistic. However, Mormons believe that this is God’s standard and that it will never change.
The Law of chastity is really very simple and straightforward, though people are always trying to find loopholes and excuses. The Law of Chastity simpy states that sexual relations are allowed only within the legal bonds of matrimony. Jesus put it very simply in his Sermon on the Mount when He said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). We must strive to avoid lust and becoming preoccupied with sex. Within marriage, sexual... Read the rest of this article »
