T
oday I visited the Winchester Ward of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) on Byrd Springs. The Mormon church is unique not only in their beliefs, but also in their total lay leadership (no professional clergy); the two year foreign mission trips of their young people; and their hierarchical structure. Everything is top-down (instead of bottom-up as in the ELCA). Even the web site is out of Salt Lake City!
The congregations are called “wards” (or branches). Huntsville now has 15 wards. A ward is not allowed grow more than an average of 250 weekly attendance. Members are assigned to their wards (usually by geographical locale). The various wards meet in the same buildings at different times of the day.
When I arrived at the Byrd Springs building (called “chapel”), the main entrance was unclear. I ended up trying to get in a locked door. Once I found the right door, I was personally welcomed by many, including the bishop.
The building seats around 250 and probably 180 were in attendance. There were all kinds of people present–black, Hispanic, young and middle-aged (not many old). There was no bulletin. The prelude consisted of traditional hymns played by a non-professional (probably not paid) musician.
Announcements were made and a hymn was sung. There was a prayer and then some ward business followed by another hymn by Isaac Watts, then the Sacrament of Communion distributed by those in the priesthood. Worthy male members, after reaching age 12, may be ordained to the priesthood. Women do not hold positions within the priesthood but serve in an array of other leadership roles. Both men and women may serve as missionaries, and the church maintains a large missionary program which proselytizes and conducts humanitarian services. Faithful members adhere to laws regarding sexual purity, health, fasting, and Sabbath observance, and contribute 10 percent of their income to the church as a tithe.
Two speakers each spoke about 20 minutes on the Church Welfare System which is celebrating its 75th. anniversary this year. Communion was served and a total of four hymns sung. There were brief quotes from the Bible and the Book of Mormon (all in King James English).
No offering was taken.
Today’s service had the feel of a business meeting. I did not find it spiritual in the least. The one message said it well: “Do your part…. Tithe…. The Lord will bless you….” It is clear that making the Sunday service “seeker friendly” is not the source of the dynamic LDS growth worldwide. 
lutheranworship 
There is no Gospel only Law in the Mormon religion. What comfort is there is that when we all know that we cannot perfectly keep the Law and that is what is required of us.