Memorial Day is a sacred day. It is a day set apart from the others. What is Memorial Day? It is a day to honor and remember those men and women who have died in the Armed Forces. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) have a great desire to remember and honor ancestors—it is one of our fundamental beliefs. And so Memorial Day is indeed a day which members of The Church of Jesus Christ (nicknamed “Mormons”) respect, honor, and celebrate.
What do Mormons Do to Remember and Honor Ancestors?
Individually- Our leaders teach us to not only find out the names and dates of our ancestors, but to find out their stories. Which is why Memorial Day is such a wonderful day because we can remember our ancestors (and their stories) who served in the Armed Forces. For instance I have ancestors on both my paternal and maternal sides who have served and died in the Armed Forces. I will forever be grateful for their efforts in fighting for good and noble causes.
Collectively- Mormons have over 4,689 family search centers all around the world! All of which are funded by tithing from members of The Church of Jesus Christ. Needless to say, we believe in remembering and honoring our ancestors!
We also have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which stands as a beacon of what Mormons believe. Each Sunday they have “Music and the Spoken Word” a production, which is the oldest continuous nationwide network broadcast in America. And each Sunday before Memorial Day, the Choir dedicates a show to honor and respect those who died and served in the Armed Forces (see below for the Tab-Choir singing “Bring Him Home” with Alfie Boe).
Why Do Mormons Remember and Honor Ancestors?
The very first (chronologically) revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith which he was to include in the Doctrine and Covenants (a book of scripture containing modern revelation), is found in Doctrine and Covenants 2:1-3:
Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.
If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.
Essentially these scripture verses tell us that remembering our ancestors, and connecting our families both past and present, are absolutely key in Heavenly Father’s plan. As we remember our ancestors, we remember who we are, why we are here, and what we stand for. This is also why Mormons believe temple work is so important. The first time individuals go to the temple, they perform ordinances for themselves. Any time after that, they go as proxies (standing for somebody else who is deceased). As we perform sacred ordinances that are required to enter into the Kingdom of God (like baptism), we are being connected with our ancestors in a most heavenly way.
Grateful for those who have served in the Armed Forces
I am most grateful for those who were willing to give everything, even their lives, to defend that which is good. I am humbled to think that there were (and are) courageous men and women who have obtained the attribute of selflessness (as Christ so masterfully taught during His earthly ministry) by serving in the military.
It is my hope that this Memorial Day, and each year after, we may more reverently respect and honor those who have given their lives in the pursuit of happiness for their friends, family, and those whom they never even met.
Modern Day Apostles and Prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have served in the Armed Forces:
Thomas S. Monson (President and Prophet of the Mormon church)
Henry B. Eyring (First Counselor in the First Presidency)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Second Counselor in the First Presidency)
Boyd K. Packer (President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)
L. Tom Perry (apostle)
Russell M. Nelson (apostle)
Dallin H. Oaks (apostle)
M. Russell Ballard (apostle)
Robert D. Hales (apostle)
D. Todd Christofferson (apostle)
Ashley Bell is a 22-year old wife, mother, BYU graduate, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ashley loves to run, cook, garden, read, and most of all spend time with family and friends.
