Bountiful Tabernacle

About Bountiful Tabernacle

📖 About this Christian tradition

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints understands itself as the restoration of the early church founded by Jesus Christ. Its origin lies in 1830, when Joseph Smith organized the community in Fayette, New York, after a process of spiritual searching and the translation of the Book of Mormon. Since then it has spread to more than 190 countries and is one of the fastest-growing Christian traditions in Latin America.

Members of the Church confess Jesus Christ as Savior and accept as scripture both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Its ecclesiastical structure is hierarchical: at the head stands a living prophet—the President of the Church—accompanied by two counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, together with the Seventies who assist in worldwide administration. At the local level, congregations are called wards or branches and are led by a bishop or branch president, both lay members who serve without pay.

The communal life of Latter-day Saints centers on the family, considered eternal through temple ordinances, and on mutual service. Each congregation has auxiliaries such as the Relief Society for women, the Young Men and Young Women programs for teenagers, and Primary for children. The practice of tithing, observance of the Word of Wisdom, and the emphasis on family history and genealogy are characteristic features that shape the community's identity around the world.

🕯️ Feast days, calendar and devotions

The Latter-day Saint calendar is not organized around liturgical seasons but around Sunday, the day on which the sacrament meeting is held with the blessing and distribution of bread and water in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Alongside this central meeting, members gather for Sunday School classes and the auxiliaries corresponding to each age group, alternating themes according to the Come, Follow Me study plan.

The major Christian celebrations—Christmas and Easter—hold a prominent place, with special devotionals broadcast from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. Twice a year, in April and October, General Conference is held, during which the prophet and the apostles address the membership in many languages. Daily devotion is nourished by personal and family scripture study, prayer, family home evening and regular attendance at the temple, where members with a recommend take part in ordinances such as marriage sealing, the endowment and proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors.

⛪ How to prepare for a visit

The Sunday sacrament meeting is open to any visitor and usually lasts one hour. Schedules vary among congregations, so it is best to confirm them in the directory or by calling the nearest ward in advance. Customary dress is formal but modest—a suit or shirt and tie for men, a dress or skirt for many women—though visitors are warmly received regardless of attire. Membership is not required to attend or to take part in the classes that follow the meeting.

During the sacrament, the bread and water are passed among those present, and each person freely decides whether to partake. Visitors may simply let the tray pass without any awkwardness. It is important to distinguish between meetinghouses, which are local buildings open to the public for weekly worship, and temples, reserved for members holding a current recommend to participate in sacred ordinances. If you wish to see the inside of a temple, the Church holds open houses prior to the dedication of each new building.

❓ Frequently asked questions

✍️ Curated by Benjamín Restrepo · Last updated: 2025-02-18
Information verified by the EncuentraIglesias editorial team