Don’t let the nicknames of the “Mormon Church” or “Mormons” or “Mormonism” confuse you. For all that we use those terms here (because we know these nicknames are used often…and we know the name of the church seems long!), we also believe that name is extremely significant. Sacred, even. As M. Russell Ballard recently taught in the October 2011 General Conference of the church, we believe that

The Lord Jesus Christ knew how important it was to clearly name His Church in these latter days. In the 115th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, He Himself named the Church: “For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (verse 4).

Elder Ballard’s talk explains how each part of this name is significant, and because of that, rather than being a long name, it’s actually a “descriptive overview of what the Church is…wonderfully brief, candid, and straightforward. How could any description be more direct and clear and yet expressed in such few words?”

“The” — We believe this Church is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. 

“Church of Jesus Christ” – we believe Jesus Christ is the head of this church

“of Latter-day” expands on our belief regarding the restoration — that the church of Jesus Christ existed anciently, but then there was a falling away, necessitating the bringing back, or restoration, of truths, authority, ordinances necessary as part of the Savior’s church

“Saints” — saints in ancient times were simply members of Jesus’ church, disciples of Jesus, people trying to follow Him and testify of Him

Jesus Christ really is the center of all we do. We pray in His name, perform ordinances by His authority, remember Him and His atoning sacrifice in our ordinances, preach of Him, testify of Him. The Book of Mormon is another testament or witness of Him. It helps us understand all the more why the Savior is so essential in our lives and in God’s plan.

So in all of this “Mormon Moment” media attention, please remember what we really are about by remembering the Church’s full name. We are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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~by Jenny**

The ways that Mormons celebrate the holidays are varied. Because we are part of a worldwide church, and tend to include long-standing family and cultural traditions in our celebrations, this discussion is about those traditions as well as Mormon traditions. I have enlisted the help of several women for this post to help exemplify the differences in Mormon celebrations.

There are certain aspects of our faith that require us to tweak traditions on occasion, such as eliminating alcohol from our festivities. We are also encouraged to keep the main focus of our celebrations on the Savior.

A Catholic neighbor once asked me, “I know that you believe in Jesus and celebrate Christmas, but why don’t you have church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?” That was a year that Christmas fell on a weekday, so we didn’t have an organized church service on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve (which we do when the holiday is on a Sunday). There have been times that I have longed to bundle up my family to attend a candle-lit service in a church with ornate stained-glass windows at midnight on Christmas Eve. It is a beautiful tradition. But at the same time I don’t feel that the Mormon Church is not revering Christ or celebrating his life by not participating in this specific tradition.

Kathryn shares this about her Mormon congregation’s Christmas celebrations:

My ward has a Christmas program on the Sunday before Christmas. The ward choir sings magnificent Christmas music [much like other churches’ Christmas Day/Eve service]. A narrator reads scriptures regarding the birth and mission of Christ to introduce each musical number.

Earlier this month, our congregation had a Christmas party on a Saturday night. We all were assigned to bring part of the dinner. I brought a yummy raspberry jello salad. After dinner, the teenagers sang a Christmas song and two of the teens also sang a lovely duet about Mary and the Christ Child. The highlight of the evening was the nativity program presented by the children ages 3-11. There is nothing quite as adorable as little kids dressed up as sheep and angels. A narrator read the Christmas story while the children sang. Occasionally, the entire congregation was asked to sing ‘We Three Kings’ or ‘Silent Night’. Having the ward Christmas party helps remind us of the true meaning of the Christmas season—it truly is a celebration of the glorious birth of our Savior.

On Christmas Eve each family has their own intimate traditions. Many love to read the Christmas story from Luke, while acting out the nativity scene with homemade costumes. Our church does not have paid clergy, so church leaders have the gift of spending Christmas Eve with their families instead of officiating at a church service.

My congregational celebrations are similar, but not identical to, the events that Kathryn experiences. Our Christmas church service is also on the Sunday proceeding Christmas but we have no choir (because we are a small group, with many new to the church not experienced at singing). So our meeting is made up of talks given by members of the congregation, as well as congregational hymns, and a few individuals with musical abilities share Christ-focused musical numbers. Often this takes place in Spanish and English languages, with translators helping us all understand what is being said.

Our Christmas party is also multi-cultural. (Our party is not the same every year, but these are some of the things we’ve done in the past.) We have a potluck dinner where there is Latin food from all over the world, with tropical fruits as a special treat, as well as a few traditional American foods. The children are also a focus at our evening, usually they sing a song or act out the Nativity and then are presented with gifts. Many children in our area come from low-income homes so this is our chance to add to their Christmas. Then the dancing begins! Our Latin members love to dance, but the dancing always starts just as my family is wearing out! So we dance a little but leave it to everyone else to dance into the night to celebrate the joyful event of the Savior’s birth.

Many Latin church members have great parties on Christmas Day, as they feel that this is the best way they can share their love of the Savior, by welcoming many friends and family into their homes.

Heidi shared that when her parents were in England, serving as missionaries, the LDS church did have church services on Christmas Eve. She thought this might be a way for the church to honor England’s long-standing cultural tradition of a Christmas Eve service. Something that her parents appreciated about the Christmas season in England is a feeling that Christmas is more of a cultural event, with plays, concerts, dinners, etc., rather than a commercial event.

Michelle reminded me that the Mormon church has a worldwide Christmas celebration early in the month of December. It is called the Christmas Devotional. It takes place in Utah, the location of the headquarters of our church, and is broadcast via satellite and internet throughout the world. It is full of music and words from our leaders about Christ and the best parts of the Christmas season, such as charity and hope. The benefit to the broadcast is that it is recorded and we can watch and re-watch the Devotional throughout the Christmas season. It is a wonderful way to start the month focused on Christmas because it is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas.

We also have church magazines – the Ensign, Liahona, New Era, and Friend, geared towards various age groups – whose December edition is dedicated to Christmas. Recently the church started a website that is all about celebrating Christmas with an emphasis on Christ. The grounds of several of our temples are decorated with holiday lights and large crèches to visually celebrate Christ’s birth. As part of our regular assignments to visit each other in our homes (called visiting and home teaching), many people visit other church members and neighbors to share holiday cheer through caroling and/or giving a plate of homemade goodies.

I think most Mormons try to keep the focus on Christ, but it can be difficult when children are so excited to see what presents they will receive. Most families I know do keep the tradition of Santa’s visit, but it is only one aspect to a month-long celebration, most of which we try to keep focused on Christ.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year in which we can more fully share our love of the Savior with the world. I appreciate the warm feelings I get of family, community, peace, and love. There is always something that strengthens my faith in Christ. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to think about our relationship with Christ and prepare ourselves for the start of a new year.

Watch for a post about LDS New Years celebrations in two weeks.

Tell us about your Christmas celebrations, especially if we’ve missed something that is important in your culture!

**Please note: The answers in “Ask a Mormon Woman” reflect the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of individuals. Although here at Mormon Women: Who We Are, we strive to have our content consistent with the Church’s doctrine and teachings, we do not speak officially for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For official information about or from the Church, please visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.

The post Ask a Mormon Woman: How Do Mormons Celebrate Christmas? appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Juli is a returned missionary who served a full-time mission in the Arequipa, Peru mission in 1982-84. She is 48 years old with two beautiful teenage daughters. Juli says this about her stage of life, “Actually, I wish I could go back to my mission days, they seemed far less stressful and carefree, but I wouldn’t trade having my kids and husband!” Juli loves crafts, and wishes she had more time to do them. Juli also love home decorating, fitness and nutrition, and spending time with her family.

When asked how she prepared for her mission Juli responded. “I did a lot of soul searching and wondering, ‘Am I cut out for this?’ After much prayer and scripture study, I thought, ‘Yes I am!’ I felt a calm reassurance. When I got my mission call, I thought I had to be this perfect person who knew all of the scriptures and be super spiritual. I thought, ‘How am I going to measure up and be able to be a good example and teach these people when I am unsure myself?’ But, when I got to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT, I felt so much at home even though I was thousands of miles away. I felt such a strong bond to the people preparing to serve with me. I had a hunger and need to get out in the mission field. I am that type of person that once I set my mind on something, I go for it whole heartedly and give 100%. That is how I felt about my mission.

“When I got to Peru, I knew I was supposed to be there at that EXACT moment. My mission call came during the Christmas season. My mom was disappointed. She asked if I couldn’t postpone it until after the New Year. I said, ‘Absolutely not!’ I had an undeniable feeling that I should get all of my affairs in order and go on my mission at my appointed time. Actually, if I could have, I would have liked to have gone sooner.”

When Juli was asked what made her decide to serve a mission she said, “I had attended a singles retreat [the Church has a program for young single adults, providing spiritual gatherings, fun activities, opportunities for service, etc.] where a lot of young adults where there as well as several men and women who had previously served missions. I could feel their energy and their love for their missions, and that made me feel like there was something missing in my own life. Many of my friends were either getting married or going on missions. I had completed nursing school and was working at a nearby hospital, but felt like I wanted something more in my life at that time. I went into my Bishop’s office and inquired about the possibility of going on a mission. He jumped up and said, “When can we start filling out the papers?” That’s all it took, and with the support of my Bishop, my congregation and my family I went forward.”

When asked if there was a time where she knew God answered her prayer while on her mission Juli responded, “I would have to look in my missionary journal, but there was a time where my comp and I usually took a certain route home, and this time, we had decided to take an alternate route, on the road we met a man who was selling pots and pans (of all things.) We said we didn’t need any, but that ‘We are representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, would you be interested in hearing our message?’ He said ‘Yes.’ and during that conversation we made an appointment for our 1st discussion with him.”

Juli has since enjoyed keeping in contact with the people she met while serving in Peru through her mission’s website.

If you have served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and would like to share some of your experiences with our readers, please email us at mormonwoman (at) gmail (dot) com. Or, if you would like to share your conversion story, please email us at the same address.

For more Missionary Mondays articles, see here.

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My kids have a favorite Strawberry Shortcake book. We picked it up at the Deseret Industries [the Church’s thrift store — more info here]. It’s called Strawberry Shortcake and Sad Mr. Sun. The Strawberry kids write a heart-shaped note to the sun because he’s grumpy and hasn’t been shining in their valley for a while.

It says:

For days, and days,

We’ve missed your warm rays.

We thank you, dear Sun,

For all that you’ve done.

It’s been a trial –

Come back, and we’ll smile!

There was a while there recently when we had a lot of cloudy weather, and I didn’t really realize how much I had missed the sun when it came out. I’m a pretty content person in whatever circumstances I find myself in, but those couple of days with sunshine were amazing. I felt brighter, more ambitious, more perky. The kids played outside with reckless abandon. We walked to preschool. There was a spring in our step that was directly related to that dear sun shining in the sky. (Not having to worry about coats, hats, boots, gloves, etc. helped, too!)

It makes me think about my relationship with the Son. I think it’s very similar. I’m pretty content and upbeat by nature, but when I really focus on Christ and bask in the warmth of His Spirit, there’s a new level of happiness that I can enjoy. The great thing about Christ’s light, too, is that it’s available year round, regardless of the season.

So, if I could write a note on a heart-shaped leaf and send it to the sun on the string of a balloon, I would. Instead, I’ll refocus and show my thanks to Heavenly Father for His Son, and for this season of the year and this season of my life.

The post First Person: Thank You, Sun appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

My missionary companion and I were talking to someone when we heard a voice calling to us. Shocked, we turned to see Roberto running toward us. We hadn’t seen him for several weeks; we had given him a Book of Mormon and tried to teach him more about the Church, but at first, it didn’t seem like he was very interested, and we didn’t want to push him if he wasn’t ready to hear more.

But on this day, he was bursting with excitement. He explained that he had been on the bus, had seen us on the street, and felt an impulse to get off the bus to talk to us.

What had changed?

He had read The Book of Mormon. Nephi [a Book of Mormon prophet] had become his hero. Reading that book opened his heart, and changed his life. Over the course of the next few weeks and months, he continued to learn more. Two and a half weeks before I left the country, he was baptized. He gave up his dream of being in the military in his country, and served a mission himself.

Nephi has become one of my heroes as well. During a particularly difficult time last year, I read The Book of Mormon with a very specific purpose in mind. I needed guidance and answers about the challenges I was facing. I was amazed to find insights on nearly every page. With a fine pencil, I made notes about the things I learned. I still benefit from those notes, and feel a great sense of wonder that words written so long ago could have such deep significance for me.

And how many times that has happened! So often, I go to scriptures I have read repeatedly throughout my life, and yet, I see and feel something new. The scriptures are a marvel to me.

Nephi says,

[F]east upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

One way this has been true in my life is not simply because of what the words on the page say, but also because of how feasting on — earnestly studying, pondering, and praying about — the word of God helps bring the Lord’s Spirit into my life. The more I make time for and open my heart to the word of God, the more I feel His love and personal guidance. The more I understand how to face the challenges of life. The more I understand the Savior and His atonement, and what I need to do to draw closer to Him and to Heavenly Father.

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, said this:

What a glorious blessing! For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Several years ago, I wanted to learn more about the temple. One night, I spent over an hour studying in the Bible Dictionary and in the Old Testament. And I had a significant a-ha experience that helped me understand more about the ancient roots of temple worship. God answered the desires of my heart through the power of the scriptures. Over the course of the next several weeks, I studied more and came to love the temple more through the power of the scriptures and the words of living prophets.

Today, I lay on my bed listening to talks from men whom we sustain to be living prophets and apostles. They speak to us twice a year in our General Conferences. As is often the case, I was listening to their counsel with specific questions and needs in mind. And I received specific guidance, anchors for the challenges I am currently facing. I simply can’t make it alone. I need God and His word to help me!

The examples of legion, from my life and from the lives of hundreds of people I know. I cannot adequately express the gratitude I have for the word of God. I know the scriptures are true. I know God speaks through prophets in our day as well. The words of prophets, both ancient and modern, are my lifeline. The power in their teachings is real. As I seek to follow their teachings, I find peace and perspective.

Once again, I share from Elder Hales:

If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures….
As with voices from the dust, the prophets of the Lord cry out to us on earth today: take hold of the scriptures! Cling to them, walk by them, live by them, rejoice in them, feast on them. Don’t nibble. They are “the power of God unto salvation” that lead us back to our Savior Jesus Christ.

And this, so that we may someday return to live with our Father in Heaven again.

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