What to Expect at a Mormon Church Service

Sacrament Meeting Etiquette for Visitors to LDS Chapels

Feb 24, 2009

Were you invited to an LDS sacrament meeting and want to know what's in store? Or just curious about what Mormons do on Sunday? Learn about Mormon worship services here.

In some ways, Mormon church services are much like any other denomination's services. But Mormon sacrament meetings are also quite unique in many respects. Learning what to expect ahead of time at an LDS church service can put visitors at ease.

Sunday Best Dress

Though many churches tell parishioners to “come as they are,” Mormons still believe in wearing their Sunday best to church. Women and girls wear modest dresses or skirts, and men and boys generally wear a white shirt and tie. That being said, however, visitors are welcome no matter how they are dressed.

Format of a Typical Mormon Sacrament Meeting

An LDS church service is called a sacrament meeting. Sacrament meeting lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. A typical meeting will include:

The only exception to this pattern is the first Sunday of the month, known as “Fast Sunday” or “Fast and Testimony Sunday.” Instead of assigned speakers, members of the congregation take turns standing at the pulpit and bearing their testimonies (but only if they want to).

Hymns and Prayers

Mormon services include hymns and prayers. Hymns are sung from a hymnbook while seated, accompanied by an organ or piano. Prayers are assigned in advance to members of the congregation. During a prayer, it is appropriate to remain seated, bow your head, and close your eyes. The congregation repeats the prayer’s final “Amen” out loud.

Ward or Branch Business

A Mormon congregation is called either a ward or a branch, depending on its size. On any given Sunday, there may not be any ward business to conduct. Examples of ward business are:

Church work is done by unpaid members who are “called” or given a “calling” to serve in a certain capacity. When a new person is called to a position, ward members are asked to sustain them by raising their hands. When a person is relieved of that duty, they are “released” and ward members are asked to thank them by a show of hands. Visitors do not need to participate. Baby blessings are prayers said over an infant by a member of the priesthood. Newly baptized members are confirmed by a priesthood member laying his hands on their heads, giving them the gift of the Holy Ghost, and pronouncing a short blessing.

Blessing and Passing of the Sacrament

The sacrament (sometimes called 'communion' or 'eucharist' in other denominations) is given every Sunday to members of the church. Mormons use bread and water rather than bread and wine. Prayers are said over the bread and water, and parishioners remain seated as each are passed around on a small tray. There is no music at this time; this is a time for silent reflection and prayer. Since Mormons view taking the sacrament as a renewal of their baptismal covenants, only those who have been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should eat and drink.

Speakers

Members of the ward have been called a week or two in advance and asked to prepare a talk on a given topic. Speakers make up the longest portion of sacrament meeting. At the conclusion of each talk, the congregation will repeat "Amen" out loud. There are usually two or three speakers during a sacrament meeting. They are usually broken up by an intermediate hymn sung by the congregation or the performance of a special musical number. The congregation does not clap at the conclusion of a special musical number.

The format for LDS church meetings is the same all over the world. (Keep in mind that since babies and young children attend sacrament meeting with their parents, it can get a little noisy sometimes.) After the closing hymn and prayer, visitors are welcome to stay and attend Sunday School classes with the rest of the ward.

For locations and times of LDS church services, check out the church's meetinghouse locator.

The copyright of the article What to Expect at a Mormon Church Service in Mormonism is owned by Jenny Evans. Permission to republish What to Expect at a Mormon Church Service in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.