Freedom Posted March 26, 2016 Posted March 26, 2016 There is no doctrinal reason to celebrate good Friday, Easter, Christmas or any other so called christian celebrations. It is a good tradition, but not something God ever requested or required. Most wards have a special Christmas service around December 25th, but it is specifically frowned upon in the handbook of instruction. The only special service we are permitted to have is the primary service in the early fall. I suspect that the reason it is not recognized by the church is to avoid the introduction of false sacraments. We have a difficult time as it is following the principles and ordinances we already have in place, adding additional man made celebrations will just muddy the water. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted March 26, 2016 Posted March 26, 2016 5 minutes ago, Freedom said: There is no doctrinal reason to celebrate good Friday, Easter, Christmas or any other so called christian celebrations. It is a good tradition, but not something God ever requested or required. Most wards have a special Christmas service around December 25th, but it is specifically frowned upon in the handbook of instruction. The only special service we are permitted to have is the primary service in the early fall. I suspect that the reason it is not recognized by the church is to avoid the introduction of false sacraments. We have a difficult time as it is following the principles and ordinances we already have in place, adding additional man made celebrations will just muddy the water. Can you provide a quote on a Christmas service being frowned upon? Optional, perhaps, but if it is discouraged, that's news to me.
halconero Posted March 26, 2016 Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said: There are a number of both esoteric and exoteric sacraments in Mormonism, the weekly Sacrament of the Lord's Supper being the most prominent and celebratory (of the slain Passover Lamb in the person of Christ Jesus). However, just last Sunday we in Utah celebrated the dedication of another temple (Provo City Center Temple), and those of us present participated in the Hosanna Shout, as important as the Trisagion in what you call Cathodox liturgy, and as a key component in a temple dedication service. Inside such temples we continue to celebrate other esoteric rituals of cosmic import (Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Washing, Anointing, Endowment, and Sealing). I should clarify. There is only one regularly scheduled communal celebration. I would argue that the others, while still celebrations, are not in the same category either because they are not communal, or not regularly scheduled in the same way the holy supper, or the Mosaic holy days were. Edited March 26, 2016 by halconero
halconero Posted March 26, 2016 Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) 4 hours ago, thesometimesaint said: Good Friday is about the arrest, torture, and death of God. Easter is about his Resurrection. Yes. I know that. His arrest, torture, and death were ultimately good, part of the plan, and His triumph over sin. I am more than happy to provide a multitude of scriptures experience feelings of triump, celebration, joy, and gladness over that Friday and the events which occurred therein. All good things. Edited March 26, 2016 by halconero 1
UtahTexan Posted March 26, 2016 Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) My gosh...on Good Friday, our Savior, our older brother, took upon Himself ALL YOUR sins so YOU will not have to to. He took ALL MY sins. Then, he was scourged most horribly. He had thorns driven onto the skin on His head. Then, He carried a heavy, wooden cross a fair distance...falling several times into the dust and dirt. He was in incredible pain as He finally reached the Place of His Crucifixion. Then, He had heavy nails driven in to His Hands and His Feet. Then He hung there....trying to hold Himself up to relieve the pain of the nails. All to overcome Death........for YOU.....and for ME. And we need to discuss if we should or should not spend this day in some sort of respect and honor and even worship for HIS sacrifice for YOU and for ME? We find it better to make jokes about it, or justify why we don't? Wow. Just wow. Edited March 27, 2016 by CountryBoy
Robert F. Smith Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 34 minutes ago, CountryBoy said: My gosh...on Good Friday, our Savior, our older brother, took upon Himself ALL YOUR sins so YOU will not have to to. He took ALL MY sins. Then, he was scourged most horribly. He had thorns driven onto the skin on His head. Then, He carried a heavy, wooden cross a fair distance...falling several times into the dust and dirt. He was in incredible pain as He finally reached the Place of His Crucifixion. Then, He had heavy nails driven in to His Hands and His Feet. Then He hung there....trying to hold Himself up to relive the pain of the nails. All to overcome Death........for YOU.....and for ME. And we need to discuss if we should or should not spend this day in some sort of respect and honor and even worship for HIS sacrifice for YOU and for ME? We find it better to make jokes about it, or justify why we don't? Wow. Just wow. How about an Easter sunrise service?
UtahTexan Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 16 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said: How about an Easter sunrise service? Yes...that celebrates the Resurrection.....a time of joy .....different day, different occasion, different sentiment
Scott Lloyd Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) 3 hours ago, CountryBoy said: Yes...that celebrates the Resurrection.....a time of joy .....different day, different occasion, different sentiment Your sentiment is what it is, I suppose, but my celebration of Easter takes in the entire scenario of the last week of the Savior's life. If you feel the need to compartmentalize your observance over two separate holidays, you are entitled to do so. Not everyone does, though. Edited March 27, 2016 by Scott Lloyd
UtahTexan Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 Just now, Scott Lloyd said: Your sentiment is what it is, I suppose, but my celebration of Easter takes in the entire scenario of the last week of the Savior's life. If you feel the need to compartmentalizations your observance over two separate holidays, you are entitled to do so. Not everyone does, though. I understand....party and joke about the pain Christ, your older brother, suffered for YOU...... Makes me wonder if he would do it again, seeing how HIS Church responds
Robert F. Smith Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, halconero said: I should clarify. There is only one regularly scheduled communal celebration. I would argue that the others, while still celebrations, are not in the same category either because they are not communal, or not regularly scheduled in the same way the holy supper, or the Mosaic holy days were. Actually, there is one other Mormon communal celebration (which came about the same way as the Exodus pilgrimage festival), but it tends to be restricted to Utah, and has no place in the temple -- Pioneer Day (Days of '47) on July 24, each year. I recall managing to get it celebrated at a medium security Federal Prison in California, since they would allow one such celebration per year. It included a wonderful dinner and outside guests, etc. After all, the Jewish prisoners got Passover each year, and the Catholics got Christmas. Along with Thanksgiving (Harvest Home), Christmas, and Easter, such a celebration had its origin in a powerful religious context (D&C 136), and even took place in a Jewish Jubilee Year, and was punctuated by the miracle of seagulls & crickets. In Gentile hands, the Israelite pilgrimage festivals have become pagan, but nice celebrations having little to do with their authentic origins. Edited March 27, 2016 by Robert F. Smith 1
Calm Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 7 hours ago, thesometimesaint said: Good Friday is about the arrest, torture, and death of God. Easter is about his Resurrection. And what awonderful gift he gave to us on Good Friday, being willing to not only do that which brought him glory but suffer extreme insult, indignity and pain as well. I know a number of people who are willing to make great sacrifices for others and are very kind but they draw the line at being humiliated or risking a bad reputation. Christ was willing to give everything he had of value, including his good name, for us. That is the best reason for celebration in all eternity, past and future. 3
UtahTexan Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 1 minute ago, Calm said: And what awonderful gift he gave to us on Good Friday, being willing to not only do that which brought him glory but suffer extreme insult, indignity and pain as well. I know a number of people who are willing to make great sacrifices for others and are very kind but they draw the line at being humiliated or risking a bad reputation. Christ was willing to give everything he had of value, including his good name, for us. That is the best reason for celebration in all eternity, past and future. I agree. I do not celebrate Good Friday...I honor it. I honor what my Brother and Savior went thru. I celebrate Easter
Calm Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 That is a good distinction, since many associate celebration with partying when what is really meant is honouring or memorializing.
Calm Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 Perhaps a more informative---and therefore helpful rather than critical---way of asking the OP question is 'how can LDS better consecrate our lives during Easter week, in part to help us remember the eternal significance of the acts of the Saviour memorialized in these holy days, especially Good Friday and Easter; and in doing so, more fully consecrate our lives the rest of the year, the rest of our lives as well?' 1
UtahTexan Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 4 minutes ago, Calm said: Perhaps a more informative---and therefore helpful rather than critical---way of asking the OP question is 'how can LDS better consecrate our lives during Easter week, in part to help us remember the eternal significance of the acts of the Saviour memorialized in these holy days, especially Good Friday and Easter; and in doing so, more fully consecrate our lives the rest of the year, the rest of our lives as well?' I agree. We are so blessed.....it seems to spend ONE day out of 365 (or 366) honoring what Christ did is not too much to ask...or expect....or do
thesometimesaint Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, CountryBoy said: I agree. We are so blessed.....it seems to spend ONE day out of 365 (or 366) honoring what Christ did is not too much to ask...or expect....or do How you live your life the other 364/5 days of the year is more indicative of your honoring his sacrifice. 1 hour ago, Calm said: And what awonderful gift he gave to us on Good Friday, being willing to not only do that which brought him glory but suffer extreme insult, indignity and pain as well. I know a number of people who are willing to make great sacrifices for others and are very kind but they draw the line at being humiliated or risking a bad reputation. Christ was willing to give everything he had of value, including his good name, for us. That is the best reason for celebration in all eternity, past and future. Dying is the easy part everyone does it eventually. It is the honoring and worshiping the Resurrected Jesus that is the hard part in this life. Edited March 27, 2016 by thesometimesaint 1
Tacenda Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Sometimes I get really upset at how my own mother died, and how she suffered for so many years with Alzheimer's. I know she suffered, and I get a little upset that others suffer too. But I know the Saviour suffered extensively, and arose after death on this earth, which singles Him out. And left a wonderful example to live by, much like my awesome Mother, who was indeed an Angel on earth. Having these feelings sometimes hinders my worship of the Lord like I should, because I get so angry about her lot in life. But life is unfair and I guess it's all a test. Edited March 27, 2016 by Tacenda
thesometimesaint Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 9 minutes ago, Tacenda said: Sometimes I get really upset at how my own mother died, and how she suffered for so many years with Alzheimer's. I know she suffered, and I get a little upset that others suffer too. But I know the Saviour suffered extensively, and arose after death on this earth, which singles Him out. And left a wonderful example to live by, much like my awesome Mother, who was indeed an Angel on earth. Having these feelings sometimes hinders my worship of the Lord like I should, because I get so angry about her lot in life. But life is unfair and I guess it's all a test. Dear Tacenda: If I came across as cavalier to your mothers' suffering I apologize. Such was never my intent. We all have trials and hardships in our short sojourn in this life. and none escape unscathed. What a blessing it is to know that Christ will wipe away every tear, and we will come forth in a glorious resurrection.
Scott Lloyd Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 3 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said: Your sentiment is what it is, I suppose, but my celebration of Easter takes in the entire scenario of the last week of the Savior's life. If you feel the need to compartmentalize your observance over two separate holidays, you are entitled to do so. Not everyone does, though. 3 hours ago, CountryBoy said: I understand....party and joke about the pain Christ, your older brother, suffered for YOU...... Makes me wonder if he would do it again, seeing how HIS Church responds Did you really mean this in response to my post? Because it certainly doesn't appear to pertain to anything I said. I did not "party and joke about the pain" Christ suffered. Never. And appreciation and gratitude for His suffering is not dependent upon whether or not one chooses to celebrate Good Friday. 1
Calm Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 47 minutes ago, thesometimesaint said: How you live your life the other 364/5 days of the year is more indicative of your honoring his sacrifice. Dying is the easy part everyone does it eventually. When you have finished your turn when it eventually comes to you, if you then come back and tell me that is the easy part, I will be more likely to take your comment seriously.
thesometimesaint Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 3 minutes ago, Calm said: When you have finished your turn when it eventually comes to you, if you then come back and tell me that is the easy part, I will be more likely to take your comment seriously. For the past 5 years I've had a death sentence hanging over my head. I've beaten the odds so far, but don't expect I will for much longer. I have no fear of death. It is the getting dead that is the worrying part.
Tacenda Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 28 minutes ago, thesometimesaint said: Dear Tacenda: If I came across as cavalier to your mothers' suffering I apologize. Such was never my intent. We all have trials and hardships in our short sojourn in this life. and none escape unscathed. What a blessing it is to know that Christ will wipe away every tear, and we will come forth in a glorious resurrection. I don't recall your having done that. You're a great poster here, I side with a lot of your posts. I hope you're right about the Saviour. Ever since my faith crisis, and yes it's that, and I'm still in it, I hope to take into account your words.
Freedom Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 8 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said: Can you provide a quote on a Christmas service being frowned upon? Optional, perhaps, but if it is discouraged, that's news to me. I cannot quote from the church policy manual, but the only special program that is allowed is the primary presentation. Otherwise, the standard format is to be followed. We are not supposed to have numerous musical numbers and readings or the host of other variations I have seen over the years.
The Nehor Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 On 3/26/2016 at 3:54 AM, Stargazer said: My wife gets the day off, as it is a "bank holiday" in Britain. From my time there I suspect there is a bank holiday almost every week. What I am saying is that we need to emulate them more.
UtahTexan Posted March 27, 2016 Posted March 27, 2016 16 hours ago, thesometimesaint said: How you live your life the other 364/5 days of the year is more indicative of your honoring his sacrifice. Dying is the easy part everyone does it eventually. It is the honoring and worshiping the Resurrected Jesus that is the hard part in this life. You are mixing apples and oranges. How I live daily has nothing to so with the topic or point. Our older suffered and died for us. That sacrifice should be honored on the day set aside to honor it.
Recommended Posts