Related Information to Should The Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween

Should The Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween - Page 8

Name: Unfanatical

Comments: Holy cats! as a Mormon myself I'm ashamed of you people who would take away a fun holiday just to avoid the quote " very appearance of evil". Are you going to become like the puritans and burn witches at the stake just because they looked at you side ways and you then crashed your car then shout it's of the Devil. Ruin all the fun, no more singing, dancing just stayed stiff necked Religiosity. Lighten up take morals seriously but not fun holidays where people aren't trying to be evil but just trying to have fun.

Halloween Sponsor Church Mormon Should

I think this is an excellent question and topic. The same question can be asked concerning any other national celebration or official holiday in any nation where the Church is established.

To answer the question, one only need compare the activity or celebration, whatever it may be, to the purposes of the Church in general, and more specifically to the purposes of the activities of the Church.

At its most basic level, the Church's purpose (and consequently that of its activities) is to bring individuals and families to Jesus Christ. In fact, the Church's two main roles in the world are to 1) support the family (and the gospel teaching that occurs there) and 2) provide the ordiances necessary for salvation.

I'm not sure what most Halloween activites are like, but the ones I've been to in the past do not pass the test. Not only do they almost always go against current church policies regarding building use and the wearing of masks, they completely fail to provide any opportunity for the strengthening of testimony, the performance of service, or any other truly worthwhile goal which Church activities are expected to provide. The primary purpose of Church activities is NOT to provide social gratification.

Do I have personally have anything against the celebration of Halloween? Yes, but only for my own family. Do I allow my children to go trick-or-treating? Yes, but we're phasing it out in favor of more productive activities with each passing year. Do we attend Church-sponsored Halloween parties as a family? Most of the time, no. And that is because 1) they do not align with the principles of the gospel which we teach our children, 2) they do not provide an environment where our non-member friends (who we'd love to invite to ward activities) can feel the Spirit, and 3) they often end up being a frightening experience for our younger children (didn't the Savior say something once about suffering the little children? or was it scaring the little children?).

Bottom line? If you want to celebrate Halloween you are free to do so. But Church activities are expected by the Lord to adhere to His standards, not the world's.

Should The Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween Studies Doctrine Mormon

The Church in our area did not sponsor a Halloween activity this year, or last. Not because of any inherent evil but because in recent years the tri-ward Halloween activities have regressed into free for all chaos with parents not watching their children and the building getting trashed. So the past two years there has been a trunk or treat in the parking lot. The building is locked with no access. This has been working out just fine. Halloween may have a dark history but the holiday and festivities surrounding it are harmless fun. The GA's allowed their children to celebrate.
Turning it into a "Harvest Festival" as many schools and churchs have done in recent times brings it loser to pagan roots than dressing up like dracula ever did.

Page 8 Halloween Sponsor Church Mormon Should

Well isn't that the truth of it all? The fact the bishop had to lock you out and leave you to having an activity out of the trunk of your car a direct statement on the matter? Just imagine if he did the same for a fireside, or Christmas party you would be offended. Now you are more than willing to settle for the trunk activity, why even bother to have it on the parking lot? Better to go some place you can use the restroom and grab a burger and some fries after. Sometimes the answers to these things are made so direct but we oppose them anyway.

Halloween Sponsor Church Mormon Should

I don't recall saying anything about my own participation in the festivities. The Bishop has not "locked me out" of anywhere. I don't participate in the trunk or treat, My kids are grown and I have better things to do - like take my grandkids trick or treating. I was just relating what the response has been in our stake. The Bishops of all three participating wards are in attendance and actively partake at the festivities, they just don't open the building. I have never heard any Church authority, local or general, condemn Halloween activity. They only naysaying I ever hear comes from members who would choose the path for all or pass judgment on those who aren't as holy as they.

Should The Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween

It's interesting you mentioned this. What difference does it make to you?

Should Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween - Page 8

Absolutely none whatsoever. I only mentioned it because it does seem to matter to some people and those are usually the ones who like to pass condescending judgment on those who do not kowtow to how they interpret things should be done.

Should Mormon Church Sponsor Halloween Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 8

It's interesting you mentioned this. What difference does it make to you?

Why is it interesting? People often will look to the General Authorities for examples. It doesn't mean it is right, what they do all the time but it is generally understood that they are examples. I think her point was just the fact that they allow their children to participate vs. speak out against it.


McKay said:

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When reading your replies it seems like it is some kind of punishment or something. I happen to know that a ton of people are grateful for the trunk or treat option. It is safe and there is many people that bring candy for the kids and it is a chance to gather as a ward. NOWHERE is it warm in Alaska to go trick or treating but that doesn't stop too many I know. IF you choose to look at it as being "locked out" then I guess it could leave a negative taste in your mouth--but most of the kids look forward to it every-year. We even did it when we weren't locked out of the church.

I think the "chaos" that comes with little kids, costumes and candy is a little different than a fireside or Christmas program. But then again, we go outside to see Santa's reindeer at some of our ward parties. There are just times that activities are better outside. It isn't a statement, otherwise the Bishops and their families wouldn't be there and I don't think he looks at it as locking himself out.

In my opinion of course.