What is LDS Church sevice like ??

[Guest ceeboo]

Hey all my LDS friends :)

I was wondering how an LDS Church service goes.

Are there more than one on a given day ( Sundays ?) ? How long do they last ? Who is doing the talking from the Pulpit ? Is there Scripture readings, if so, of what? Are the services the same at all temples or are they different? Is the dress code, well, " dressy"?

Thanks for any input :)

I have recently heard there is an LDS temple about 5 miles from my house and I was considering going to a service.

God bless,

Carl

[Misshalfway]

Well....for clarification purposes... churches/chapels are different than temples. Anyone can attend a church service, but you must be a member of the church and you must hold a temple recommend to enter the temple. The temple near your home may have a visitors center though. You could definitely visit the grounds and get a feel for it.

Church services are each Sunday for three hours. Each hour has a different purpose. The first hour is the sacrament meeting and is for the whole congregation...kids and everything. But no pets. :) Then everyone breaks to Sunday school and other classes for the remaining two hours.

Dress code is "Sunday best". Nice conservative dress. Dresses/skirts for the ladies and slacks, shirt and tie for the men. But if someone doesn't come wearing Sunday best it isn't a problem.

The Sacrament meeting consists of hymn singing and there will be speakers chosen from the congregation. The sacrament (bread and water) is passed to all.

[BenRaines]

Ceeboo,

We have two types of buildings. Chapels, where regular Sunday services are held and temples, where devout members attend to marry and do work for those who have died and need their ordinances done for them.

Chapels are where regular Sunday services are held. There are three meetings that we attend on Sunday. The time at church on Sunday is a block of three hours. Most ward meetings, in chapels, being with the Sacrament meeting. This is a meeting of about 1 hour and ten minutes. Members are asked to come in their "Sunday best". For some that is a suit for men and a dress for women or skirt and blouse. For some it is a pair of jeans or khakis and a dress shirt or polo shirt.

The meeting opens with a member of the Bishopric, the Bishop or one of his counselors, welcoming all in attendance, announcements are made of upcoming events and activities, a hymn is sung by the congregation and an invocation is given by someone form the congregation, who has been asked prior to the start of the meeting. After the invocation any ward business is taken care of, new callings or positions in church announced and sustained, from sunday school teacher to teacher of small children, etc. Another song is sung in preparation to partake of the sacrament, during this song the older young men, aaronic priesthood holders, Priests, break the bread of the sacrament. After the song the bread is blessed and passed to the congregation, then the water is blessed and passed too. This is for all repentant souls to partake of. Some will tell you only members should but it is all who are of a repentant attitude, in my opinion.

After the sacrament is passed then usually one of the youth from the ward has been asked some weeks in advance to give a talk on a certain subject. This is someone who is between 12-18. The talk usually lasts from 3-5 minutes. Then an adult will speak on the same subject or related subject matter. After the second talk a congregational hymn is sung with all standing, let the blood flow to your feet. Then the concluding speaker. After the concluding speaker a closing hymn and then the benediction to close the meeting.

After that everyone files out to their Sunday School classes. Sunday School for adults is divided in to two classes. Gospel Principals for those just baptized or those learning about the church. Gospel Doctrine for those who have been members for about a year or more. Each year there is a study guide to discuss Christ's teachings. This year it is the Book of Mormon. Another year is Doctrine and Covenants and church history, another is Old Testament and another New Testament. Then in the fifth year it starts over.

In the third hour the men go to Priesthood class and the women go to Relief Society. It is there we learn more about our roles as men and women of Christ and how to best fullfil those roles.

On the first Sunday of the month we have a testimony meeting. This is a little different than the first meeting I outlined. Instead of talks the members are encouraged to come forward and share their testimonies of Jesus Christ and their relatinship with him. It doesn't always happen that way but that is what they are encouraged to do.

Ben Raines

[siouxz72]

What is an LDS church service like?? Well, ceeboo... Miss 1/2 said it right. The first hour (usually) is Sacrament Meeting. There are usually two adult speakers and a youth speaker all giving talks about the same subject. Could be faith or prayer or the atonement. There are LOTS of scriptural references as well as personal stories shared during these talks. Once a month we have a Testimony meeting where there are no assigned speakers but just anyone who wants to get up and bear there testimony of the Savior, the prophets, really anything can get up and speak for a couple of minutes. This can be either very spiritual or very funny depending on who gets up. Personally, that's my favorite Sunday. And if you're used to a very quiet chapel your first Sunday at an LDS church can be somewhat shocking. There are kids EVERYWHERE and while most parents do their best to teach children reverence in the house of the Lord, kids are kids and kinda loud sometimes.

The next hour is Sunday School followed by one more class and there you have it. Church! woohoo!!

[Guest ceeboo]

Well....for clarification purposes... churches/chapels are different than temples. Anyone can attend a church service, but you must be a member of the church and you must hold a temple recommend to enter the temple. The temple near your home may have a visitors center though. You could definitely visit the grounds and get a feel for it.

Hi ya Misshalfway,

Thanks a bunch for the clarification,

I wonder if the one by me is a temple or a Church?? How do you know??

Thanks again,

God bless,

Carl

[BenRaines]

If you would like to give me a city I could most likely tell you. Temples are very large buildings, usually with the Angel Moroni on top. There are only about 130 temples in the world at this time. Thousands of chapels. What large city is it in?

Ben Raines

[Guest ceeboo]

Ben and Siouxz,

Thanks for the info :)

Sounds like if I go, the first hour is the best and then when " break " I can leave while still being respectfull, NO ??

Three hours !!!!! YOU GO LDS :):):)

God bless,

Carl

[Guest ceeboo]

If you would like to give me a city I could most likely tell you. Temples are very large buildings, usually with the Angel Moroni on top. There are only about 130 temples in the world at this time. Thousands of chapels. What large city is it in?

Ben Raines

Thanks Ben

The one I am talking about is in Birmingham ( Maybe it is Bloomfield ) ( It is right on the border of the 2 ) Michigan.

[BenRaines]

Detroit is where the temple in Michigan is. I would guess it is a chapel. No angel Moroni on top.

Ben Raines

[BenRaines]

Yes Ceeboo, the first hour is where it all starts.

Ben Raines

[applepansy]

Here in Utah the three hour block usually starts with Priesthood, Relief Society, Primary, Youth in the first hour, Sunday School second hour and Sacrament Meeting in the third hour.

My hubby said there are guidelines and the schedule is usually set by the Stake.

Just adding to the infornation

applepansy

[BenRaines]

That is to accommodate those who can't get up early enough to make it to a 9 AM meeting. Lets make it easier for them to attend.

Ben Raines

[Misshalfway]

Well, I don't know why they do it but putting sac meeting last is like torture to parents, especially when the block starts in the afternoon hours.

I mean try keeping little ones quiet when they are 'done' holding still and hungry and have already missed their nap time and mom and dad are looking up into the heaven's saying, "God, take me now!"

[Guest ceeboo]

OHHHHH, I just googled it

The one by my house is a temple ( 63rd operating )

And yes, I see the angel :)

SOOOO, No can do right??

Are there usually " Churches " by the temples??

[siouxz72]

yes...there are usually churches everywhere. lol! someone can help you look up the closest meeting house with the times. I think it's at LDS.org, but I'm not 100% on that. :)

and talk about torture, you guys.. .my block starts at two. in the afternoon! how you like them apples?!

[Guest ceeboo]

yes...there are usually churches everywhere. lol! someone can help you look up the closest meeting house with the times. I think it's at LDS.org, but I'm not 100% on that. :)

and talk about torture, you guys.. .my block starts at two. in the afternoon! how you like them apples?!

Thanks siouxz,

I am sure I can look it up there, thanks :)

BTW, I am curious, Is it considered " the 3 hour block " mandatory.

Is it common or no, to have " visitors " like me pop in and sit down??

[pam]

Visitors "pop" in all the time ceeboo. Not unusual at all. No 3 hour block is not mandatory. It is highly recommended for all "members" to attend all 3 hours. Though not mandatory. We all have choices.

[Guest ceeboo]

Visitors "pop" in all the time ceeboo. Not unusual at all. No 3 hour block is not mandatory. It is highly recommended for all "members" to attend all 3 hours. Though not mandatory. We all have choices.

Thanks Pam

So if I were to " pop in " you would recomend at the begining " start time " ???

That ( the first hour ) would give me a feel for the service??

[pam]

Here in Utah the three hour block usually starts with Priesthood, Relief Society, Primary, Youth in the first hour, Sunday School second hour and Sacrament Meeting in the third hour.

My hubby said there are guidelines and the schedule is usually set by the Stake.

Just adding to the infornation

applepansy

I'm in Utah and Sacrament meeting is first, followed by Sunday School and then RS. Guess it just depends on the meeting house and area. But I've been in 5 wards since moving to Utah and they have all been like that.

[pam]

Thanks Pam

So if I were to " pop in " you would recomend at the begining " start time " ???

That ( the first hour ) would give me a feel for the service??

Ceeboo, the hour I most recommend is the hour that we call "Sacrament meeting." Again would depend on the schedule of that particular meeting house as to whether it is the 1st hour or the 3rd.

[Guest ceeboo]

Ceeboo, the hour I most recommend is the hour that we call "Sacrament meeting." Again would depend on the schedule of that particular meeting house as to whether it is the 1st hour or the 3rd.

One more question, if I may, Are there gingerbread men at ALL LDS Churches ??:):):)

[pam]

One more question, if I may, Are there gingerbread men at ALL LDS Churches ??:):):)

hahahahahahaha but....no.

[mnn727]

Ben and Siouxz,

Sounds like if I go, the first hour is the best and then when " break " I can leave while still being respectfull, NO ??

You could, but you would learn more staying the 2nd hour and going to the Gospel Principles class. It teaches the basics of what we believe, usually to new members and those looking into possibly joining (or just wanting more info about us). Our classes are full participation rather than being preached to, I think you would like it from what I've read of your posts here.

I believe (and correct me if I am wrong) you said somewhere you are Catholic. Having been to many many Masses (my wife was RCC when we married), Church for us is a bit different, Communion (what we call the Sacrament) is passed we don't file up to get it. We beleive the Sacrament is symbolic and do not believe in transubstantion, we use bread and water rather than wafers and wine.

There is no collection taken, there is not a scripure reading as the RCC has it though talks given usually reference scriptures and many times they are read. Members of the congregation (given the assignment a week or 2 ahead) give talks on a gospel subject or scripture chosen by the Bishop or his counselors.

However we are similiar in that we pray, sing, worship God, take communion (though the method is different).

3 hours isn't bad in that you're moving a couple times and participating.

[mnn727]

Heres a link to find the nearest meeting house (Church) to you

Mormon.org - Worship With Us

[candyprpl]

Hey Ceeboo,

No it would not show disrespect to leave right after Sacrament -- no one will tackle:lol: or confront you about leaving -- however, some may greet you and invite you to the Gospel Principle class. That is the Sunday school class that is for learning the basic doctrine of the LDS Church.

If you go some Sunday I ( and I'm sure as well as others) would like to know what you think. I for one would want your honesty.:)

Personally -- at first I thought it was a little strange because it was not what I was used to. I was used to a preacher preaching hellfire and brimstone,LOL! The music is a little different, but still beautiful hymns.:)