Hi,
I was curious and searched a discussion about LDS or Mormon here but the only two I found were from people who had kinda bad experiences so I thought I better right something about Mormon.
I live with a Mormon Host Family and I they are awesome! And one thing that you might want to know about them they don’t just call themself Mormon they are Mormon, meaning they are really religious.
Okay, I guess the best thing to start with is the fact that their Religion is really choice based. Everyone can decide for themself what they want to do but they have to bear the consequences.
They don’t drink coffee, tea (herbal tea is ok) and alcohol. Mormon dress modesty, meaning they wear cloths that cover their shoulders, don’t show their stomach and no really short pants or skirts. Covering those parts over their bodies is a sign of self-respect for them and not sign of covering themself from the world. And another thing they are going swimming but most Mormon wear a swimmingsuit instead of a bikini.
Oh, and some rumors that I’ve hear: they do not have more than one wife, they do not have horns and they do not teacht their little children spells!
I go to church with them every Sunday for 3 hours. The first our is sacrament meeting. Different church members speak (everyone will at least speak once every year) and they pass out the sacrament. In the second our they are split in groups of ages and study the Bible and the Book of Mormon (later more about that book). In the third hour the age groups are again splitted in gender and those groups learn about things that they need in their life. For example how to develope talents, how to comunicate when there’s a problem between you and someone else,…
Okay, now to the book of Mormon. The Prophet Joseph Smith received that book around 1829 and translated it into english. It was writen by ancient americans that came with god’s help over sea to America. It tells about their life and their teachings. And it also contained a full record of Moses from the Bible. Some parts were missing which are in their. They whole book doesn’t opposite the Bible it just kinda continues the bible.
Another thing you might have heard or even seen one of their missionaries. They were black suits, ties and a black name tag. When a boy gets 19 he can go on mission, it is his decision whether he wants to or not. If he wants to he hands in his papers and he get called to a mission somewhere around the world. Before they go out on the mission fielf they go to a MTC which is a preperation camp. Than he gets out on the mission field. A missionaries is never alone they always have their companions with them and they speak with people about their religion they tell them about their believes and if people want they can get baptized but they also can decide that they don’t believe it. Missionaries serve for 2 years, they don’t get to talk to their family and they only can write them once a week - all those rules are made so that they can concentrate on their purpose and don’t have their thoughts somewhere else. They want to give everyone the chance to live the right life in their eyes so that they can live with god after they died.
The more I learn, the more I am amazed by their religion and how much faith they have in god.
If you get a host family that’s mormon try to be respectful, don’t drink coffee in their house, dress modesty when you are with them and don’t use the name of God in vain. It is a lot about repect. Ask them questions and try to find out more about their believes. I can promise you that it will help you a lot to grow because you can learn so much from them if you just ask and listen.
I love my host family and I am so happy that I can be with them. I love that fact that we have scripture study every night for 15 minutes, it helps me so much to understand them better in their actions and words.
And we are going on a exchange year to experience something new. So try to find out more about them and respect them because it will be an awesome experience.
I don’t garantie that every Mormon host family is a good host family but their are so many bad exchange students out their that don’t even try to adjust. I have seen so many and I still see them, it is sad! Try to be a good exchange student and to your best to get to know your host family, no matter what religion they have and if it just doesn’t work out than change but not because you don’t like their ruls or because don’t like their religion. Those are the worst reasons ever!
I wish you all a good year, try hard because it won’t be easy! And if you have any questions I would be happy if I could help you.
Julia
