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:

1. Ritual provides an anchor for faith. It is constant and dependable and adds a secure and predictable aspect to worship.
2. 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.
3. Rituals, because of their constancy over time, become traditions loaded with holding power for future generations. Often, tradition is stronger than belief.
4. 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).

From this basic instruction, we can gather that Mormon meetings are conducted according to revelation to general church and local church leadership. Sacrament meetings and ward, stake, and general conferences are organized according to patterns revealed to the prophet and are consistent church-wide. Content is mostly under the direction of local leadership, although classroom teaching manuals are the same church-wide. However, in sacrament meeting there is a ritual that is always the same. Sacrament prayers must be perfectly recited. (You can read them by clicking here.)

Milestone Rituals of the Mormon Church

The first milestone ritual in the Mormon Church is the blessing of babies. Giving a baby "a name and a blessing," is a rite that occurs whenever the parents feel the time is right during a baby's infancy. Most parents decide to do this when the baby is a few weeks old. This blessing is pronounced by a man who holds the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, often the baby's father. Extended family gathers to witness the blessing, which may take place in a chapel during sacrament meeting (usually just prior to the normal pattern of the meeting) or in the home. If the blessing is held in a private home, the bishop of the family's ward attends. The event is recorded in the records of the Church, and the family receives a certificate. The Elder who gives the blessing invokes the name of Christ and the power of the Priesthood.