As part of its continuing mission to explore new media worlds and combat misperceptions of Mormonism, the Newsroom posted "What You Will Find When You Step Inside a Mormon Chapel." It's obvious that what a first-time visitor sees is something quite different from what an active churchgoing Mormon sees. One visitor's reaction:
There were no crosses, no murals, no statues or icons of any kind as far as I could see. I had never been in a Christian church that didn't have that sort of thing. I found the simplicity very appealing.
No crosses -- that's the first rule for winning the "spot the Mormon chapel game" on your next car trek across North America. Other giveaways: big parking lots. Very green grass. Architecture emphasizing right angles.
Another visitor notes, "I was used to a very formal, highly structured worship service in the church of my childhood. I was intrigued by how smoothly and efficiently things were handled, without extensive ritual or ceremony." The article reminds readers that visitors are always welcome at Mormon chapels. The notion that only Mormons are allowed in LDS chapels seems fairly widespread.
When I was younger it seemed that most chapels had brown signs out front with gold lettering showing meeting times and a clear "Visitors Welcome" message.
Now that I think about it, none of the 3 buildings in my current (suburban CA) stake, 2 of which were built or refurbished in the last 15 years, have the Visitors Welcome signs, opting instead for gold lettering of the name of the church on the side of the building itself. Am I wrong, or have the Visitors Welcome and meeting time signs disappeared?
Posted by: DCL | Aug 20, 2008 at 05:36 PM
In our neighborhood we just dedicated a new chapel two weeks ago. It is as generic as you could possibly hope for. While there is a steeple, and the walls are hung with religious art prints, it most resembles a school environment. Most of the rooms are obviously designed with teaching in mind.
Posted by: Jim Cobabe | Aug 20, 2008 at 05:42 PM
The biggest problem with welcoming visitors to Mormon worship services is that it is darn-near impossible for an outsider to figure when the meetings start.
I went out of state for a law school competition about 4 years back. I wanted to attend sacrament meeting while at the competition. But calling in the phonebook produced absolutely zero information for when the meetings were being held. I got some addresses for the buildings, but that was it. Nothing else.
By contrast, if I call the other denominations in my area, I get a real live person on the other end who will give me the information I want.
If the Church really wants to welcome visitors, it might start by hiring a receptionist or two. Or by posting meeting times on the front doors.
Posted by: Seth R. | Aug 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM