The Uplifted Hand

"All in favor, please make it manifest by the uplifted hand......Any opposed by the same sign......." 


During the first part of Sacrament Meeting, the member of the bishopric (See Mormon Terminology, Pt. 1) conducting the meeting will conduct the ward business. Items of ward business include welcoming new members to the ward (congregation), releasing individuals from callings and extending new callings, and approving changes in ward boundaries. All of these items require the ward's unanimous vote. When the member of the bishopric proposes one of these changes, he says something like, "We would like to release Sister Anderson from her calling as Ward Pianist with a vote of thanks. All in favor, please make it manifest by the uplifted hand." This is where all the members of the ward will raise their right arms to a perpendicular position with the elbow bent and palms facing forward. This scene might look kind of funny, but Mormon practices often make use of symbolism, just as the Law of Moses did. Mormons not only use the uplifted hand to show support for people and changes in the ward, but also when baptizing (as pictured) and performing other sacred rituals. Mormons might use the "uplifted hand" every Sunday, but it's still a pretty sacred gesture.

Why do Mormons dress up for church?

If you have ever been to a church service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you probably noticed that the men wear suits and ties, typically with white shirts, and that the women wear dresses or skirts with nice tops. The children are also dressed up. You will hardly see men wearing colored shirts or anyone in jeans. Why do Mormons dress up like that on Sundays?

Mormons believe in outward symbols. In the Old Testament in the Holy Bible, we read that God had Israel follow the Law of Moses, which included many symbolic rituals and sacrifices that served to remind Israel of the Messiah who was to come save them. We believe that God still wants his children to learn from outward symbols. Therefore, on Sundays we dress up to help us remember that Sunday is a special day, a day to rest from our labors and to do God's work. We especially make sure that we dress up for church services to remind ourselves and our children that church attendance is extremely important and should not be observed casually.

The "Sunday best" dress code mentioned above isn't exactly a rule. The Church of Jesus Christ is a world-wide church, and you will find some variation in the definition of "Sunday best." But above all, remember that the way you dress is a personal matter and should be decided between you and God.

You may have also noticed that Mormon women typically don't wear dress pants to church. There is no theological objection to it, but Mormon culture doesn't exactly encourage it. My *guess* is that Mormons want to preserve the gender distinctions. Mormons believe that a person's gender is an important and eternal trait, meaning that we were either male or female before we were born and will be ever after. Considering that society doesn't exactly share our beliefs, we want to keep ourselves somewhat aloof from society's influence. Like I said, Mormons believe in symbolism. When the only ones who wear skirts and dresses are women and the only ones who wear suits and dress pants are men, a visual symbol of the distinction between the sexes is created.

It could also be that historically the women of the church have been wary of associating themselves too much with women who don't know and follow God's plan for us (the women "of the world"). When the women's rights movement made it socially acceptable for women to wear pants, but also did some more extreme things like burning bras, it might have been hard for everyone to sort out what changes were wonderful, good, and maybe not so good.

Ultimately, it's a good idea to wear something to church that is nicer than you would normally wear the rest of the week. That way you and your children can more easily remember to worship God and to honor his holy Sabbath Day.

The "Seminary Answers"

Education is an important principle to Mormons. That's why church is 3 hours long, and the Church publishes all kinds of books and materials to help teachers teach and students learn. There are also many classes that the Church provides (such as Sunday S\chool, financial seminars, leadership training, etc.), and seminary is one of them. Seminary is a four-year class for high school students. Each year the class focuses on either the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament and the Pearl of Great Price, the New Testament, or the Doctrine and Covenants and church history. The class is typically held five days a week during the regular school year, which can get pretty tedious for a busy, stressed-out teen. (I would know. I lived it.)

The terms "Seminary answers" and "Sunday School answers" have come to mean the answers to a question that pretty much everyone in the room knows but will not say because it's so obvious. For example, a Sunday School teacher might ask, "How can we come closer to God? Any thoughts?" The Seminary answers are: 1) Pray. 2) Read your scriptures. 3) Go to church. 4) Repent. 5) Develop your faith in Jesus Christ (by doing what he says and such).

Those four answers are the answers to SO MANY QUESTIONS that teachers will ask, probably because they are pretty much the answers to life. Because these answers are so universal, and because the concepts in the answers are taught day after day, after day, after day, after day.....in seminary, and week after week in Sunday School, they are called the "Seminary answers" or the "Sunday School answers."

Or at least that how I would explain it.

Why don't Mormons smoke or drink?

The prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from God known as the Word of Wisdom. It was basically some guidelines for keeping our bodies healthy. What happens when your lifestyle involves smoking and eating junk food all day? You not only put yourself at higher risk for lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious medical issues, but you also won't function at your best from day to day. You're more likely to be crabby and ill-disposed to pray or make other good choices. And how about that hangover? I'm pretty sure it's hard to look and feel your best during a hangover.

The Word of Wisdom is just what it implies: a revelation containing some sensible guidelines for our health. 

It teaches that we should exercise, eat healthy foods, and go to bed and wake up early. It also warns us that we shouldn't use or consume harmful substances, specifically coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol. (We can still use alcohol and tobacco for cuts and bruises or other skin injuries though.)

God promises us that if we live by the Word of Wisdom, we will find "treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures" and that we will "run and not be weary, walk and not faint." 

Interpretation issues:

Caffeine

There is nothing about caffeine in the Word of Wisdom. People may consume it if they wish to. Some people have supposed that the reason why coffee and tea are discouraged is because of caffeine, but that's just a matter of opinion. Yes, caffeine can be an addictive substance and therefore probably isn't very good for you. It would probably be wiser not to give yourself the chance to get addicted to it. But it would also be good to never try chocolate for that reason. I guess you just have to choose your battles.

Meat

The Word of Wisdom says to "eat meat sparingly." Most Mormons nowadays eat meat all the time, maybe because the revelation was received at a time when refrigeration was really poor and people got sick all the time from eating meat, but who knows. Some Mormons have taken a vegetarian or vegan interpretation of the revelation. When it comes down to it, the way you interpret and apply it to your life should be between you and the Lord. You should decide for yourself what you think it means and then ask God if your interpretation is correct. 

Mormons tend to have big families because...

Who is Thomas S. Monson?

Mormons believe that Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today. He is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One fundamental Mormon belief is that God still talks to us today through living prophets. These are the last days that the Bible talks about, and God wants to give us all the help he can to live through them joyfully and to get ready for when he comes again. A modern-day prophet can give us counsel on specific modern topics, such as how to use technology wisely, that might be more difficult to glean from the scriptures. That's why God has given us modern-day prophets.

Joseph Smith was the first modern prophet, and Thomas S. Monson makes the 16th. You can read President Monson's biography and some of his talks at his official website, http://www.thomassmonson.org/.
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Obedience Brings Blessings - Thomas S. Monson - April 2013 General Conference

This is one of the talks President Monson gave at the last General Conference of the Church.

Mormon Terminology, Pt. 3: Acronyms

Mormons use these acronyms a lot! Here's what they mean. (Definitions coming soon.)
* Commonly spoken. In some cases, the acronym is always used in place of the full term.

BoM or BOM  (the Book of Mormon)
BYC* ( Bishop's Youth Council or Committee)
BYU* (Brigham Young University)
BYU-Hawaii*
BYU-I*  (Brigham Young University - Idaho)

CES* (Church Educational System)

D&C* (Doctrine and Covenants)

EFY* (Especially for Youth)

EQP (Elder's Quorum President)

FHE* (Family Home Evening)
LDS* (Latter-day Saint)

PPI (Personal Priesthood Interview)

RS (Relief Society)

YSA (Young Single Adult)

YM (Young Men)

YW (Young Women)

See also Mormon Terminology, Pt. 1 and Mormon Terminology, Pt. 2.