Mormon Rites
A rite is a ceremony or ritual that is usually part of religious practice. Rites vary from religion to religion and church to church. Some religions are highly ritualistic with little worship that does not conform to the rigors of the ritual. Other religious practices are almost freestyle -- worshippers are motivated by the spirit to participate as they see fit.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830 in New York State. This was a period of revivalism in the northeastern U.S., and most new converts to the Church were Protestants. Many had experienced spiritual manifestations to prepare them to receive the restored gospel of Christ. Mormonism, as it was later called, was not a Protestant church. Instead, it was the inspired restoration of Christ's ancient church along with the power and authority to act in God's name. Many new converts had grown disillusioned with their own churches and were looking for that one single, true church that manifested the power of God. Therefore, new members of the time were spiritually sensitive and were not necessarily looking for ritualistic worship.
Ritual, however, has qualities that are beneficial to the Lord to help the faithfulness of those who follow Him:
- Ritual provides an anchor for faith. It is constant and dependable and adds a secure and predictable aspect to worship.
- Certain parts of worship have been dictated by the Lord and need to be practiced exactly in order to guarantee the integrity of doctrine and behavior. Ordinances and covenants are examples.
- Rituals, because of their constancy over time, become traditions loaded with holding power for future generations. Often, tradition is stronger than belief.
- Some rituals also become milestones in the life or progess of members of a church. In Judaism, bar mitzvah is an example; in Catholicism, communion would be an example.
Joseph Smith received many instructions from the Lord while establishing the Church. As far as meetings were concerned, he received the following instruction from his translation of the Book of Mormon:
- And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus (Moroni 6:5,6).
- And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not (3 Nephi 18:22).
- And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord (4 Nephi 1:12).
In direct instruction from Christ, Joseph Smith received the following:
- The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God....And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty....The several elders composing this church of Christ are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferences shall direct or appoint; And said conferences are to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time (Doctrine and Covenants, section 20:45, 55, 61).
