Conference tecrus::mormonism

Laura -

  There's a pretty complete discussion of the Sabbath day in note 147.

  Mormons celebrate most Christian holidays (Christmas, Easter) but not the 
  extended observances such as Lent.  The only unique LDS holiday I can think of 
  is Pioneer Day which is July 24 and it commemorates the arrival of the pioneer
  Saints into the Salt Lake Valley.  That's a pretty big day in the West, not so
  much in the rest of the US or world.  April 6 is a pretty special day for 
  Mormons for a couple of reasons.  Many consider it the true birthdate of Jesus
  Christ and it is the date of the official chartering of the Church in 1830.

  Hope this is helpful.


  Steve

	Most major secular religious holidays like Christmas and Easter 
	are observed by Mormons as well as the rest of the country, but, 
	hopefully, I would like to think we do so in a more Christ-like 
	manner than is generally seen during these holidays.  We are 
	encouraged through church publications to remember what exactly 
	we are celebrating, and how to endeavor to live with a more 
	Christ-like manner.

	There are no official church holidays as such, but observances 
	or commemorations of such things as Pioneer Day and priesthood
	restoration.  There is also much ado about our young people when 
	they enter mutual.  But holidays outside the normal run, there
	are none at all.

	We observer the Sabbath on Sunday, and it begins at midnight.
	There are many things which we should or should not do on this
	day, and some can be seen in note 147 as has been previously
	pointed out.  Even though we are encouraged to keep this day
	Holy, the conflicts of life with jobs and services on Sunday
	are accepted.  There is a good discussion of the Sabbath in
	President Kimball's book ("Faith Precedes the Miracle" or
	"Miracle of Forgiveness", I can't remember which right now.).
	There are also many, many conference talks in the "Ensign"
	that discuss this topic.

	Hope this helps.

	Charles

>	Most major secular religious holidays like Christmas and Easter 
>	are observed by Mormons as well as the rest of the country

I've been trying to think of other religious holidays that Mormons observe,
but I can't think of any; Christmas and Easter seem to be it.  Can anyone
list others?

Many Mormons consider July 24 as a Church holiday, but it is actually only
a state holiday.  It is common for LDS outside of the Utah area to give
special significance to that day, but they do so as individuals and families,
and I think that in many (most?) cases they are people who have ties into
Utah.

/Allen

    FWIW, I think that Mormons tend to observe religious holidays pretty
    much as they are traditionally honored across the world.  For example, 
    while I was in Denmark, we celebrated Christmas across three (or four) 
    days along with everyone else.  But, in the US it's basically only 
    celebrated on Christmas day and maybe Christmas Eve.  
    
    I sense from the base note that a "true" religious observance of a
    holiday would include things like what the Catholics do during
    Christmas Day or Lent, what Islamic folks do during their holy days, what
    Jewish folks do during their fasts, feasts and such.  These are holidays 
    that are specifically linked to religious practice and observance.
    
    So, I suppose that honoring of the Sabbath is probably the only "true"
    religious holiday that LDS members observe.  The Sabbath is Sunday and is 
    generally observed from midnight to midnight.  The first Sabbath of every 
    month is typically observed as a time to fast and give thanks for two 
    consecutive meals, giving the money that represents those meals to the 
    Church for assistance of the poor.
    
    Steve

    July 24 is not only celebrated in Utah.
    Nebraska (Scottsbluff/Gering) have a celebration that rivals
    July 4th.  This do to the fact that the Mormon Trail passes
    right through these two towns.  There is not a heavy concentration
    of LDS in this area, but the celebration is done by the entire
    cities.
    
    Lee

    Thanks.  This is quite clear.  I read note 147 on the Sabbath, which
    was also clear.
    
    L