The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormon church, has a unique set of holidays and celebrations. Like other Christian faiths, Latter-day Saints celebrate major religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. However, they also celebrate some lesser-known holidays that commemorate important events and figures in their faith tradition.
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This article will provide an overview of the major and minor holidays that Mormons celebrate throughout the year. It will outline the origins and customs associated with these special days on the Mormon calendar. Understanding what holidays Mormons celebrate can provide insight into what they believe, commemorate, and value as a faith community.
Major Christian Holidays
The Latter-day Saint faith is centered around Jesus Christ, so Mormons celebrate the major Christian religious holidays:
Christmas
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Mormons celebrate Christmas on December 25th like most other Christian denominations. Common customs include:
- Attending church services focused on the nativity story
- Spending time with family
- Exchanging gifts
- Displaying Christmas trees, lights, and nativity scenes
- Doing service for others in need
While the holiday has become quite commercialized in Western culture, Mormons strive to keep the worship of Jesus’ birth central to their observances.
Easter
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his death by crucifixion. It is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance. Important Easter traditions for Mormons include:
- Palm Sunday church services with palm leaves to commemorate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem
- Good Friday services remembering Christ’s suffering and death
- Easter religious services focused on Jesus’ resurrection
- Easter egg hunts and meals as family celebrations
Much like Christmas, Mormons work to maintain the central religious focus on Jesus amid secular Easter rituals.
Uniquely Mormon Holidays
In addition to the major Christian holidays, Latter-day Saints celebrate other special days commemorating important events, figures, and theology in the history of their faith:
Pioneer Day
Pioneer Day is celebrated on July 24th. This holiday honors the Mormon pioneers who traveled west to settle the Salt Lake Valley starting in 1847. Customs include:
- City parades and fireworks
- Rodeos, concerts, fairs, and other local events
- Reenactments commemorating the pioneers’ journey
- Wearing pioneer-style clothing
- Eating food like the pioneers had, such as cornbread and beans
For Mormons, Pioneer Day symbolizes the faith, perseverance, and sacrifice exhibited by their ancestors who migrated west.
Joseph Smith’s Birthday
Mormons celebrate the birth of their first prophet and church founder Joseph Smith on December 23rd. Typical commemorations include:
- Church services discussing Smith’s important role in the faith’s origins
- Reflection on Smith’s revelations, teachings, and martyrdom
- Singing hymns that Smith penned
- Family history activities tracing ancestry back to early Mormon converts
This holiday allows Latter-day Saints to show appreciation for Smith’s instrumental contributions in restoring the church.
Fast Sunday
The first Sunday of every month is designated as Fast Sunday in the Mormon church. On these days, Latter-day Saints fast for two consecutive meals (24 hours) and donate the money they would have spent on food to help people in need. Other Fast Sunday traditions include:
- Attending church without formal sermons, allowing time for personal testimonies
- Praying and studying scripture focused on helping others
- Reflecting on faith through the sacrifice of fasting
For Mormons, fasting represents self-discipline, sacrifice, and gratitude for God’s abundance in their lives.
Celebrations with Mormon Influences
While not exclusively Mormon holidays, Latter-day Saints also enthusiastically participate in a few national American holidays that relate to Mormon history and values:
American Independence Day
The 4th of July holiday commemorates America’s independence as a nation. Mormons feel great patriotism on this day due to important connections between Mormon and American history, such as:
- Prominent early Mormon leader Brigham Young helping pioneer the American West
- Early Mormon persecution by American mobs and legal authorities
- Escape to the remote Utah territory allowing religious freedom to practice their beliefs
These shared formative experiences have ingrained a strong sense of American nationalism alongside Mormon identity.
Thanksgiving
Mormons also enthusiastically celebrate the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving with its emphasis on faith, family, and gratitude. Unique Mormon Thanksgiving customs include:
- Church services with scripture study and hymns of praise
- Reflection on blessings specific to the restoration of the Latter Day Saint gospel
- Outreach service projects to help community members in need
- Large family meals incorporating traditional Mormon pioneer dishes
For Latter-day Saints, Thanksgiving provides another opportunity to count their unique spiritual blessings as Mormons.
While Mormons celebrate major Christian holidays commemorating Jesus Christ, they have also developed distinctive celebrations remembering important people and events that shaped their faith tradition. These lesser-known Mormon holidays like Pioneer Day and Joseph Smith’s birthday provide insight into the history, values, and beliefs that define their community. Understanding what holidays Mormons celebrate paints a more complete picture of a faith that blends mainstream Christianity with uniquely restored truths.
