Common Questions about Church
Do I have to participate?
Visitors are welcome to participate, but they are not required to. When the bread and water of the sacrament (similar to Communion) are distributed to the congregation, if you don’t feel comfortable participating, simply pass the tray to the next person. Other than that, feel free to sit back and just enjoy the service.
Can I participate if I’m not a member?
Yes! You are invited to join us for weekly activities, social outings, service projects, and church services. We’d love to get to know you and will appreciate your involvement in the community.
What should I wear?
You’re more than welcome to come as you are. If you’re worried you’ll stand out, we try to wear nicer clothes than what we wear the rest of the week to reflect our reverence for God. The most common attire you’ll see at church is a dress shirt and tie for men and a skirt or dress for women.
How long are Church services?
Our congregations around the world follow a similar two-hour format for Sunday services. There are two meetings, and each meeting is one hour.
During what we call “sacrament meeting,” all members of the congregation meet together. This meeting consists of songs, prayers, and sermons (or “talks”) given by different members of the congregation every week. But the most important part of the meeting is when we take the sacrament (which is similar to communion) to remember the Savior.
In addition to sacrament meeting, people are invited to stay for a second hour of learning in a smaller setting with classes for men, women, youth, and children.
What is a ward or branch?
Wards and branches are groups of Church members who live within a specific geographic area. In a ward, you can make friends, feel a sense of belonging, and build a support network with others in your community. Depending on where you live, there may be different types of wards and branches available.
General wards
Anyone is welcome to attend a general congregation. In a general congregation, people of all ages serve together in the Church community. Families, single adults, children, widow, and young married couples worship together in the same meeting.
Language wards
In some areas, you may notice there are wards or branches listed with a language next to it. These are congregations that hold meetings in a language other than that of the most common language of the area you are searching in.
Young Single Adult Wards
Young single adult wards are for individuals who are single ages 18-35. These congregations are often found near college campuses and hold activities throughout the week in addition to Sunday worship services.
Single Adult Wards
Single adult congregations are for individuals who are single ages 36-45. These congregations help people worship and serve together who are in similar situations with similar interest.