Students study God, embrace Mormonism

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Students study God, embrace Mormonism

Followers teach art of the ministry

CLAIRE MILLER

Posted: 2/23/07

In a small, white brick room lined with several dozen folding chairs, students gather to worship God and learn from one another.

As a student quietly plays a hymn on the piano, the attendees greet each other and pick their seats. Most members know each other well and whisper before the service begins.

It's a usual day at the Institute of Religion, located at 1450 Lumpkin St., where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gather each Sunday.

These worshippers, also known as Mormons, believe Christ appeared to their prophet Joseph Smith Jr. and inspired Smith to write what is known today as the "Book of Mormon."

The service begins with students sharing old, green hymn books scattered throughout the room. After song, prayer and announcements, the congregation welcomes a new member into the community.

At the Feb. 11 service, students welcomed senior Josh Zaffos from Marietta into their community and prayed for his spiritual growth.

Church elders, missionaries and his friends formed a tight circle around him and placed their right hands on his head. They prayed to God to bless Josh as a new member and guide him through his spiritual journey.

This process is known as the gift of the Holy Ghost, according to the official Web site for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

After another hymn, the Mormons prepare for sacrament.

Amy Stander, a freshman from Winterville, said the bread and water are known as the sacrament, which is the central focus of the service.

"When we take the bread and the water, it's a renewal of our baptismal promises," she said.

The last part of the student-run service is dedicated to discussion. One or two students lead their fellow members by discussing their own spiritual experiences.

Stander said when the service ends, students usually split into two different Sunday School classes - one focused on topics like baptism and repentance and one focused on the Scriptures.

Members of the church use four texts - the Bible, the "Book of Mormon," the "Pearl of Great Price" and "Doctrines and Covenants." The "Book of Mormon" relates stories about people in the Americas and their dealings with God, according to the introduction to the text.

The "Pearl of Great Price" and "Doctrines and Covenants" relate stories and testimonies from modern-day prophets, Stander said.

"The books we use describe the modern revelations we've received from the prophets," Stander said. "God revealed His will to them, and they reveal it to us."

After about an hour of Sunday School, the students attend gender-exclusive meetings to learn about their specific roles in the church.

"Since we have a lay ministry, every male that is worthy receives the priesthood after turning 12 years of age," Bradley said. "The priesthood meeting is designed as a class to teach the young men their duties relative to living Christ-like lives."

While the men focus on the priesthood specifically, the ladies look at lessons found in "Teachings of Presidents of the Church" by Spencer W. Kimball, or a specific topic chosen in advance.

"Relief Society isn't very different from the other meetings, except it is more gender-specific," she said. "Women teach and learn from other women."

The girls talk openly about how they can minister to others. Several girls act as visiting teachers who go to sisters' homes and share their insight, including the best ways to share the Gospel with other girls.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meets every Sunday at 10 a.m.. To find out more information about the Institute of Religion, visit http://www.lds.org/institutes.
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© Copyright 2007 The Red and Black

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