Mormonism might appear laden with peculiar customs and practices, yet most of them are pretty reasonable when one is aware of their history.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has grown fivefold in the past 50 years, reaching 17.5 million members worldwide, with nearly half located in the U.S. and Canada. In the primary weekly worship services, there is a firm core.
Frequent scripture study, Sunday worship, and the Word of Wisdom health code are just some of the Mormon practices closely intertwined with their pioneering origins and the current worldwide expansion of their religion. With the spread of culture across the globe, historical backgrounds help us understand practices that may seem odd.
Here are 18 of these practices that, once understood, make sense.
The Book of Mormon is the founding scripture
In 1830, Joseph Smith added another witness of Jesus Christ with the publication of the Book of Mormon, claiming that he had translated it from the golden plates. To early converts in the Second Great Awakening, this new scripture held the promise of the reclaiming of early Christian truths.
More than 150 million copies have been printed in 82 languages, and members read it alongside the Bible.
Polygamy as a means of restoring biblical practices
Between 1831 and 1890, the leaders of the Mormons were polygamous as they felt that it would reestablish the Old Testament marriage patterns. Joseph Smith is said to have had as many as 40 wives.
Polygamy was used to take care of widows, increase the number of faithful people, and increase the unity of the community. In 1890, the practice was officially abolished by the Church under pressure from the federal government.
Sacred Temple ceremonies
Sacred ordinances such as the endowment ceremony are taught in Mormon temples and were instituted in 1842. These rituals have covenants of obedience and devotion. Their secrecy helps maintain reverence, just as secret wedding vows do.
Currently, there are 159 temples located worldwide, and their members participate in these practices.
Baptism for the dead
Mormons conduct baptisms on behalf of deceased people who did not have an opportunity to embrace the gospel. This practice was introduced in 1840 in connection with the belief in the extension of salvation to ancestors.
Over 2.4 million proxy baptisms were performed by church members in 2021.
Weekly sacrament meetings
Mormons receive bread and water every Sunday to renew the covenants they made during baptism. This is a spiritual practice that focuses on reflection and dedication, with young men typically preparing and administering the sacrament.
Missionary Work Worldwide
Mormon missionaries, typically young men in white shirts or ladies in modest dresses, number approximately 72,000 worldwide. It can be traced back to Joseph Smith’s vision of preaching the gospel to the whole world before the Second Coming of Christ. Missionaries spend 18-24 months studying languages and developing the Church in specific locales.
The Word of Wisdom
No coffee, no tea, no alcohol, no tobacco–these are the rules of the diet, divulged in 1833, which stimulate bodily wellness and spiritual acuity. The Word of Wisdom was initially optional, but it became a requirement for temple attendance in the 1900s.
Research indicates that Mormons usually have a longer lifespan than the rest of the U.S. population.
Temple Garments
Once they have received their temple endowment, Mormons are required to wear special undergarments every day to remind them of their sacred commitments. Such clothes are perceived as a form of spiritual protection and a physical commitment.
Eternal Marriage
The Mormon temples also carry out sealing rituals, which bind couples and families together forever, and not only until death.
This writing appealed to the early converts who constantly faced defeat under harsh frontier conditions. Today, roughly 85% of Mormon marriages occur in temples.
Giving alms to help the Church
Mormons give 10 percent of their earnings in tithing, an activity based on their 19th-century communal economy. Tithing finances church activities, including temples, missionary work, and educational institutions.
Tithing is considered a holy practice and an act of worship among church members. These funds are used by the Church not only for its continued growth but also for humanitarian works and community assistance programs around the globe.
Priesthood Authority
At age 12, Mormon men are granted priesthood authority, organized into levels with corresponding responsibilities. Lay clergy run the Church, which serves more than 16 million members through unpaid local church leaders.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost and Confirmation
Once baptized, Mormons receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, after which they are given confirmation. In this two-step process, the teachings of Joseph Smith, modeled after the New Testament’s Christian initiation, are restored.
Modesty in Dress
Mormon dressing is focused on modesty, which is a sign of respect to the body as a temple. These rules, which involve covering shoulders and wearing knee-length clothing, are tied to broader Christian modesty customs.
Continuing Revelation
The Mormons, contrary to most of the Christian denominations, hold the idea that there is continual revelation as portrayed by one of the church presidents, who acts as a prophet. This enables doctrine and practices to change, like the abolition of polygamy in 1890 or the priesthood of Blacks in 1978.
Missionary Service Is Character Building
Young Mormons are also advised to go on missions, which, over the generations, has instilled faith and leadership values. In 2012, the Church reduced the missionary age, leading to an increase in the number of people involved in the mission and greater worldwide influence.
Sacred Temple Symbolism
The ceremonies in Mormon temples consist of symbolic rituals that signify spiritual growth and evolution. The secrecy of these rituals maintains the sacrosanctity of these ceremonies, rather than concealing shameful traditions.
These religious ceremonies are considered means of strengthening one’s relationship with God and gaining a deeper understanding of His plan. The temple is a place of peace, meditation, and inspiration for the gods, as perceived by its participants.
Family History Work
The Mormons are the biggest in keeping a genealogical database on FamilySearch.org, which helps them to believe in the performance of temple ordinances on their ancestors. Thousands of historical records have been preserved through volunteer work, allowing anyone studying their family tree to benefit.
Strict Moral Codes
The Mormon norms focus on chastity, honesty, and avoidance of such substances as alcohol and drugs. These values help cultivate individual righteousness and spiritual development, leading members to report greater life satisfaction and reduced substance abuse rates.
Key Takeaway
These 18 Mormon practices can be explained by their origins in 19th-century America. Joseph Smith and his disciples believed they were reestablishing forgotten truths, not inventing anything new. The revival movements and the struggle with the frontiers illustrate the historical context behind the practices.
You may find them inspirational or baffling, but they indicate a sincere intention on the part of millions of people to live their lives according to their convictions. Knowing this history can significantly help in understanding the evolution of religious traditions over time.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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