Callings
Callings are 'jobs' in the Church. Latter-day Saints do not have a
paid clergy and there are many 'jobs' that need to be done to help the
Church run efficiently. You might serve as Young Women's President for
several months, then as a piano player for the children in Primary, later
as the Magazine representative. Each job is one that Heavenly Father feels
you need to help you grow in a particular area. The callings are given
after much prayer to find the right person.
Eternal Marriage
We believe a marriage performed in a Temple of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints can be an eternal one. We do not use the words
"Till death do us part" in our Temple marriages. If the couple lives a
good life, striving to be like Christ, then their marriage will continue
after death. Read Matthew 16:19
Family Prayer
We are encouraged to pray together in our families each day. This strengthens
us and helps guide us individually and as a family to do the Lord's will.
Family Home Evenings
One night a week, usually Mondays, Church members are encouraged to
spend time with their families, teaching the Gospel, playing games, getting
to know each other better and forming stronger bonds.
Fasting and Prayer
FASTING: to abstain from food and drink for spiritual reasons.
PRAYER: Communication with the Lord. To make learning to pray
easier, we often teach these 4 steps:
1) Start off: Dear Heavenly Father.
2) Thank Him for blessings.
3) Ask for the things you need or that others are in need of.
4) Always close in the name of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father
God; the Father of our spirits.
Individual Prayer
Typically, there are 4 steps to our prayers.
Missions
We believe that Jesus Christ taught us to teach the world His truths.
Our young men and often our young women prepare for their turn to serve
the Lord on a mission. Many older couples also choose to go on a mission
and teach others about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Primary
The children's (aged 3-11) Organization within the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints
Relief Society
This is the oldest and largest Women's Organization on earth. All women
18+ are invited to attend weekly meetings on Sunday where they learn about
living more like Christ in their individual lives and in their family lives.
They are taught the importance of serving others, raising children, developing
intellectually and more. Plus, once a month, they have Homemaking Meetings
where they learn new skills such as: handicrafts, how other cultures live,
food storage, small engine repair, CPR, self defense... etc.
Sacrament Meeting
This is the most important Church meeting of the week. The Sacrament
(holy communion) is blessed by Priesthood Holders and is passed to the
congregation. The water is also blessed and passed. Members partake in
total reverence. They also sing hymns, have announcements, and 2-3 members
give talks they have prepared on various topics.
Scriptures
In addition to the Holy Bible (King James Version), The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints also believes that the Book of Mormon - Another
Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of
Great Price are the word of God. These books contain holy writings that
can help us become more Christ like.
Sometimes the scriptures are referred to as the STANDARD WORKS. The
Church officially accepts the following volumes of scripture: The Holy
Bible (King James Version), The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus
Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.
Seminary
All our youth aged 14-17 (high school years) are encouraged to do an
intense study of the 4 books of scriptures. (The Old Testament, the New
Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of great Price).
This is a Church wide program and the classes are held in the meeting house
(Church) or at the teacher's home. Where there are many members of the
Church, it is often held at the High Schools before regular school starts.
The youth memorize select scriptures each year. This helps them when they
serve missions and deal with life in general.
Sunday School
Classes taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on
Sundays. The classes are divided into different age groups but each is
taught about Christ and about His Gospel.
Temples
Families Can Be Forever
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that each human
being lived in a premortal state as a child of heavenly parents. Each one
of us comes to earth to gain a physical body and to be tested through the
mortal experience. By obedience to laws and ordinances of the gospel, each
of us may return to the presence of God, where we will live eternally in
a family organization.
A distinctive Latter-day Saint teaching is that marriage can be for eternity. Such marriages must be performed or later "sealed" (if the couple is already married) in a temple by the authority of the holy priesthood. Latter-day Saint temples are not places of regular Sunday worship. They are erected for these specific, family centered ordinances. For sealing ordinances to remain in effect, a husband and wife must love and be faithful to each other throughout their marriage and continue Christian service and commitment throughout their lives.
Temples and Genealogy
For millions of people who lived before the time of Christ or during
the intervening centuries between the death of the Apostles and the Restoration
of His Church, temple and other vital ordinances were not available. Even
today, millions live and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus Christ
or without learning the saving principles and accepting the ordinances
of the gospel He taught.
Provision must be made, then, for those who have died without that opportunity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all saving ordinances are to be performed on earth in behalf of the dead. Latter-day Saints stand as proxies for their own ancestors in these ceremonies, including baptisms and sealings for husbands and wives and for parents and children. All temple work is valid only if it is willingly accepted by each individual prior to the resurrection.
Performing temple ordinances receives strong emphasis in the Church. Members are taught that they have a religious obligation to trace their own genealogies and perform temple ordinances for their ancestors.
Family History
As an integral component of this temple work for deceased ancestors,
the Church operates the largest genealogical library in the world, The
Family History Library, next to Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City,
Utah. The Church and its members have gathered millions of volumes of birth,
marriage, death, and other records. Today hundreds of millions of microfilmed
records are available to the public for research at no cost. The microfilms
are available at the library in Salt Lake City, or they can be ordered
for use at hundreds of Family History Centers around the world.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 48 operating temples
and another 15 now under construction or in the planning stages.
Young Men
Organization for boys aged 12-18. Includes Boy Scouts also.
Young Women
After Primary, girls aged 12-18 are taught the Gospel within the organization
called Young Women.