Have you ever wondered what life as a Mormon is like? In some ways it is similar to how traditional Christians experience their faith life. In other ways it is vastly different. In the next few episodes, we will explore the core experiences of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. 

The Church Is Central to Life 

• Mormons call it simply “The Church” - as if it is the only one
• Shorthand for the entire history, doctrine, practice, and organization of the LDS Church
• Mormons don’t just “go to church” - for active members, it is their life
• Immensely dedicated to the Church
• Significant investment of time, money, energy, and loyalty
• The reason → faithful Mormons believe that their church is the only true church on earth
• The very church Jesus founded
• The only vehicle through which salvation can be achieved
• Without its teachings, ordinances, and authority, no one can get to the highest level of heaven. 

How the LDS Church Is Organized

• The LDS Church has almost 7 million members in the US
• Local unit of organization = the “ward” 
• 300 people or so living near each other
• Almost 13,000 wards in US
• 5 to 12 wards make up a larger region called “stake”
• The Church is led from Salt Lake City by a large staff of administrators
• At the top of the hierarchy are the “General Authorities”. 
• LDS believe → their Church is led by living prophets who speak and act for God
• The supreme leader = President of the Church, known also as “The Prophet.” 
• Assisted by two counselors; these 3 make up the First Presidency. 
• Policy is set by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with 1st Presidency
• These 12 - like the President - hold their positions for life. 
• These men are held in high esteem by church members
• Active Mormons decorate homes with portraits of the President
• People reverently share personal encounters they have had with apostles and prophets.
• General Authorities include other groups that implement church policy regionally
• Under them, LDS Church is governed by network of managers & career bureaucrats
• Ultimately, the LDS Church is administered by the power of the priesthood
• Mormons consider this to be the authority to act in God’s name

How Members Experience the LDS Church

• Day in, day out → a Mormon’s life & relationships center around the local ward they attend
• But much of LDS life is experienced in relation to the Church as a whole. 
• Church holds General Conference every spring and fall. 
• Local ward meetings are canceled on those weekends
• Members encouraged to watch Conference
• Eagerly anticipate what new changes the Prophet will introduce
• Many LDS young adults will attend a church-owned college (BYU, etc)
• The Church Education System runs classes for high school and college students
• Typically at buildings adjacent to schools. 
• High school students attend “Seminary”
• College students go to the “LDS Institute of Religion” 
• LDS Welfare Services provides material help for people during times of need. 
• Many members will interact with Welfare Services either as a volunteer or as a recipient

The Local Congregation

• Typical ward = 300-400 members (not all active) 
• Unlike traditional churches, every LDS ward has set boundaries
• Members have no choice but to attend the ward in which they live
• LDS ward is similar in many ways to any local church
• Weekly meetings / programs for various age groups
• Classes for children
• Groups for young men / young women
• Adult groups for men / women
• Provides a close-knit community
• Wards are uniform throughout the US
• Standard schedule / ward meetings all the same everywhere
• People dress similarly 
• Buildings (“chapels”) are very much alike
• Each ward is led a bishop and 2 counselors
• All leaders are laymen
• Bishop is primary administrator and spiritual overseer of the congregation
• No professional training / no pay
• Extensive volunteer organization
• People serve in a “calling” assigned to them by the bishop
• Ward meets every Sunday → 2 hour block
• Sacrament meeting = equivalent of traditional worship service
• Ward business, hymns, talks, and “the sacrament” (LDS communion)
• People dress in Sunday best - dresses / ties
• Mood = reverence
• 2nd hour rotates: 1 week Sunday School / 1 week men’s & women’s auxiliaries
• First Sunday of month = Fast Sunday
• Members fast and give money saved to help the poor
• Instead of talks → member testimonies
• Come to pulpit to express an emotion-laden affirmation of deeply held truths
• In places with high proportion of LDS → the ward is one’s neighborhood
• Source of primary relationships / interconnection much like in a small town
• Can be pretty insular
• Where Mormons travel farther to attend → ward is like LDS cultural center
• An island of Mormonism in a non-Mormon community