Visitors are welcome - help spread the word.

[justamere10]

Here's a concern expressed on LDS1.org by another person. I thought I'd post it here to help motivate members to get the word out that visitors are welcome in our Sunday meetings.

"Just had Stake Conf and Elder Cook was our authority visitor- he told us that MOST of the media and so ALSO most of the public get mixed up with chapels and temples. They think ALL our meetings are "secret"! They even think they have to be invited and accompanied by a member to attend a meeting at a chapel on Sunday! MY, MY- but we need to get this corrected!!!"

The public is always invited to attend Sunday meetings anywhere members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather for them.

New worldwide LDS Meetinghouse locator:

Maps.lds.org

[Prodigal_Son]

They even think they have to be invited and accompanied by a member to attend a meeting at a chapel on Sunday! MY, MY- but we need to get this corrected!!!"

I miss the fun of living outside UT when it comes to this stuff. It was always fun to coerce buddies into trying us Mormons on for size. I did learn, however, that Fast and Testimony meeting is a risky day to invite non-members! It can be fantastic... or send them screaming for the hills...

[abqfriend]

I think many people are afraid to attend a religious service of another faith tradition as they don't know what to expect-and they don't know anyone.

I would encourage LDS members here to share what a visitor to a chapel service of the LDS Church might expect to happen-and how long the service is-and how they should dress.

-Carol

[candyprpl]

I feel the same way about visiting other churches, except ones where I've previously been a member of.

abqfriend,

If I was to go to mass what would I need to do? I wouldn't want to appear disrespectful by doing something I shouldn't be doing or not doing something I should be doing.

In the LDS service -- it's appropriate for women to wear dresses and men there best attire. Most member men wear shirt and tie. But, we encourage anyone to wear there best attire, whatever that might be. We won't turn anyone away because they are not dressed in this matter. Our meetings always start with prayer and end with a prayer. Our Sacrament service is a little over an hour and consists of the passing of the sacrament -- usually if you are not a member, you wouldn't participate in partaking, but that is between you and the Lord to decide if it's appropriate to partake. In our church, the sacrament is blessed with a prayer by the priesthood and is offered and then passed to the congregation (person to person). Up front will be seated the Bishopric -- the Bishop of the Ward and his two counselors -- occasionly there might be others from the High Council or the Stake Presidency seated up there. After the sacrament is passed there would be speakers who have been assigned to speak on a gospel topic. The first Sunday of every month is fast and testimony meeting -- it's the only time that assigned talks are not given. Members are encouraged to bear their testimonies on that day. It's okay for visitors to be there on those days, but because other faiths (that I know of) don't do this, it may be confusing if a person just walked off the street into one of these services. After sacrament, is Sunday School -- not much different than other churches. Each year we study and discuss either the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon (and like that). After SSchool we all have different meetings. The men have Priesthood meeting -- the women have Relief Society meeting and the kids depending on their age have their own meeting. (I left those meetings vague).

I'll have to admit, that when I first started going to the LDS church it seemed a little strange -- only because it was not what I was used to. It also took a while to get used to Relief Society because it was only for the women and I had never been exposed to something like that either. Sunday School was the only thing that didn't seem strange because it was what I was used to.:)

[abqfriend]

If you wish to visit a Catholic Mass-arrive about 15 min before Mass and familiarize yourself with the Mass booklet sometimes called Missalet-in the pews. It has the order of the liturgy/mass as well as the readings of the day-there are a series of 3 years of Bible readings the same in all Catholic Churches worldwide. Lutherans, Episcopal and Orthodox have the same or similar readings in a 3 year cycle as well.

Dress is casual- you can attend in the same dress as if you were going to an LDS service---some Catholics come too casual-like in shorts and low cut blouses- that they just came from the golf course or beach-don't come like that!

Do not take communion-which is given in the front of the church -by the priest and "Eucharistic assistants" Only Catholics can take communion. -so if your row rises to take communion-just stay seated.

Kneel when everyone else does and stand when everyone else does.

Bulletins are usually given out after the service-not before-so as people don't read them during the service-as they are mostly filled with announcement kind of things.

-enjoy the service!

-Carol

I feel the same way about visiting other churches, except ones where I've previously been a member of.

abqfriend,

If I was to go to mass what would I need to do? I wouldn't want to appear disrespectful by doing something I shouldn't be doing or not doing something I should be doing.

[candyprpl]

A few years ago I was dating a guy who's daughter was going to be receiving her first communion and I went with him. I was a little confused because it was a more relaxed Catholic service. Not that I'm an expert -- but it didn't look like what I saw on TV or in movies, (that's pretty lame, I guess). I don't really remember but they didn't consider themselves RC. Why are their differences?

[justamere10]

I think many people are afraid to attend a religious service of another faith tradition as they don't know what to expect-and they don't know anyone.

I would encourage LDS members here to share what a visitor to a chapel service of the LDS Church might expect to happen-and how long the service is-and how they should dress.

-Carol

What will you find when you step inside a Mormon chapel?

Read all about it:

What You Will Find When You Step Inside a Mormon Chapel - LDS Newsroom

[abqfriend]

Great Link! In your own words---what would I find if i visited your chapel?

What is the difference between a chapel and a church?

In Catholic understanding, a chapel is usually a small church or part of a larger church structure.

-Carol

What will you find when you step inside a Mormon chapel?

Read all about it:

What You Will Find When You Step Inside a Mormon Chapel - LDS Newsroom

[justamere10]

Great Link! In your own words---what would I find if i visited your chapel?

What is the difference between a chapel and a church?

In Catholic understanding, a chapel is usually a small church or part of a larger church structure.

-Carol

Like many other people we often use the word "church" for the building we attend on Sundays even though the church is obviously everything and everyone worldwide. (e.g. we're leaving for church.) Formally, that building is called a "meetinghouse."

For us "chapel" usually refers to the large room with pews in which we hold our worship services. Other rooms often include bishop and clerks' offices, classrooms, Relief Society room, kitchen, lobbies/foyers, and a large multi-purpose gym/cultural hall. There will also be a small baptismal font, often off the Relief Society (women) room.

Our meetinghouses are not all of the same design, but they all serve the same functions.

Depending on geographic location, wards and stakes may have a distinct characteristic. For example, I live in a predominantly retired area of my city so our ward is primarily older people. Other wards may be primarily young married members with lots of small children. Services worldwide are similar, same hymn books, Sunday School manuals etc. in fully organized areas.

Thank-you for your interest. What is the LDS ward nearest you like? (I know you are not LDS but perhaps you have attended. If not, why not? :-)

[prisonchaplain]

I think many people are afraid to attend a religious service of another faith tradition as they don't know what to expect-and they don't know anyone.

I would encourage LDS members here to share what a visitor to a chapel service of the LDS Church might expect to happen-and how long the service is-and how they should dress.

-Carol

I still remember the day I visited Scofield Church, in Dallas TX. Me, a pentecostal seminary student, was entering the birthplace and heart of dispensational anti-pentecostalism! Yes, I had a friend with. Occasionally members would ask, "So, what do you do?"

"I'm a seminary student."

"Oh...do you go to DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary)?"

"Well, no."

"Oh? Where do you go?"

(Should I tell them I go to a tongue-talking, divine-healing, demon-exorcising school, when they are convinced that these things ended with "the apostolic age"?"

"I go to school up in Missouri." . . .

Yeah...sometimes visiting other faiths or churches can be a bit stressful.

[Traveler]

It is interesting to view the ideas some have about attending church. If you were invited into the house of a president or king – what would you do? If you were invited into a structure intended to be the house of the L-rd, would you be any less respectful or concerned. I am quite disappointed that many have such a casual attitude about attending the house of the L-rd.

Some of my thoughts about attending any church or place of worship anywhere in the world.

. Prepare in advance – It is always a good idea to take a bath and put on fresh cloths.

. What to wear – wear your Sunday best. It is preferable to avoid bright and laude colors or gaudy styles. Be simple in your dress and mannerisms. If you are not comfortable with local styles wear something modest from your culture

.When you arrive explain that you are a visitor and would appreciate assistance and direction. If visitors are not welcome you will be instructed so. I have found that it is a rare exception that you will not be welcome.

.It is usually a good idea not to partake of any ceremonial food or drink, mainly for your personal health. If you are invited to a meal, be sure to have plenty of Pepto Bismol. If something is contrary to your covenants (Word of Wisdom) explain that your covenant will not allow what-ever it is but do not be condescending or arrogant.

. In general do not ask question unless you are invited to ask. Do not ask questions that might embarrass you host. Other than introducing yourself when you arrive, be very careful about initiating conversation.

. Be prepared to give a donation. You may not be allowed but it is always a good jester to offer especially to a fund for the poor. (most religious operations have a fund for the poor). LDS have a humanitarian fund that visitors can contribute to if they desire.

.If you have children, especially small children, take time to prepare and teach them proper behavior in advance. It is a good idea to practice (role play) with them in advance how to behave. Many families do more to prepare their children for an airplane ride than attending a worship service. If your children are unaccustomed to respectful behavior you ought to consider an alternative for them during your visit. LDS worship services are among the few that encourage children in attendance – even if they are difficult. However, some wards are less tolerant than others.

.Be sure to express your thanks for being allowed to visit. After words write a thank you note or letter praising anything you can think of.

The Traveler