Faith Interview

[_ljtepp]

I am looking for some insight into the following questions for a class in ethics. Can anyone help me? Answers to ANY of these questions would be very helpful. I grew up in Idaho, so I have a basic understanding of the Mormon faith. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

Lisa

a. What are some of the traditions, practices, special religious times of the year that you personally observe?

b. How were you enculturated into your beliefs; that is, what was religious education like…at home/in the center of worship/at summer camps/where else???

c. How was a sense of "separate religious community" established/maintained? What insures that a Mormon feels "like" a Mormon?

d. What obligations do you feel because of your faith?

e. What obligations are taught that you do not not believe in? Why?

f. How can you trace your ethics to your religious background/experiences?

g. How have your experiences as a Mormon "shaped" or impacted you?

h. Which values/morals do you tie to your explicit religious training?

[_moksha]

a. What are some of the traditions, practices, special religious times of the year that you personally observe?

We LDS celebrate all secular holidays (I suspect many Church leaders take a dim view of Labor Day) as well as Christmas and Easter.

We have two religious celebratory days of our own:

1. Daze of '47 (July 24) - Celebrating our pioneer heritage.

2. Smithmas (December 23) - Celebrating the birth of Joseph Smith.

[_ljtepp]

Thank you so much for helping me out! Any other responses you can give would be greatly appreciated as well!!!

[_dblagent007]

Who is your target audience? Most of the people that post on this board are disaffected Mormons that don't view the Church very favorably. If you are looking for typical Mormon believers then you should post your question on the forums at LDS.net. If you are looking for Mormons that engage critical arguments, but still remain believers, you should post your question on the forum at mormonapologetics.org. If you are looking for exmormons, you should post your question on the forums at postmormon.org.

[_ljtepp]

Thanks for the information! My target audience is my professor and classmates in an online class - Intro to Ethics. I don't think it would matter if you view the Church unfavorably, so if you feel like answering any or all of the questions, I would still welcome your answers. I don't think it will matter if I have one or many correspondents, in fact, I think the more the better! Thanks again for your post!

[_sleepyhead]

Hello

>>>2. Smithmas (December 23) - Celebrating the birth of Joseph Smith.<<<

I was only active for about a year and this was close to 40 years ago. I don't recall anything special going on for Dec. 23. What do they do on smithmas?

[_SoHo]

Hello

>>>2. Smithmas (December 23) - Celebrating the birth of Joseph Smith.<<<

I was only active for about a year and this was close to 40 years ago. I don't recall anything special going on for Dec. 23. What do they do on smithmas?

The men all go out of town and the women dress scantily awaiting the prophet.

[_moksha]

Hello

>>>2. Smithmas (December 23) - Celebrating the birth of Joseph Smith.<<<

I was only active for about a year and this was close to 40 years ago. I don't recall anything special going on for Dec. 23. What do they do on smithmas?

Mostly have talks about Joseph Smith, in Sacrament Meeting, that end in members proclaiming that they believe Joseph Smith to be a true prophet of God and in singing praises to him.