Ch. 3 Restoration, Church of Christ, Christian Scientist, LDS , Jehovah's Witness

Restoration Funeral Rite

1. The earliest protestant groups and the restoration groups developed in America during theate 1800s

2. These groups developed on the foundations laid by the “great awakenings' that took place between 1730 and 1900

The great awakenings

1. Reflected periods of religious revival in American religious history

2. Each of these great awakenings were characterized by a sharp increase of interest in religious as well as a profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected

3. Increase in evangelical church membership and the formation of new religious movements and denominations

The first Great Awakening

1. 1730-1740

2. A movement within mainly protestant non liturgical groups

3. Focused on the concepts of devotion and a personal relationship with God.

4. Affected established Christian communities in Europe and American colonies

The second great Awakening

1. 1790-1840

2. This was an American movement with a theological desire to set up Christ's kingdom on earth

3. The evangelical and social aspects were successful in generating a new waves of individuals who wanted to break away from established dominations to regain the primitive foundations of Christianity

4. The church of Jesus christ of Latter day Saints

Third Great Awakening

1850-1900

1. Added the experiential element to Christian practice by focusing on the external work of the holy spirit in the life of adherents

2. Also added the need for personal and collective Bible studies

3. The church of Christ Scientist and Jehovah’s witness

Church of Christ, Scientist

1. Rooted in Protestant Christianity

2. Stresses spiritual healing

3. Based on teaching that god is wholly good and all powerful

4. Founded in Boston, 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy

5. The text of principles Is entitled “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”

Who wrote : Science and Health with key to the scriptures? When? (Christian scientist)

Mary Baker Eddy in 1875

The real and unreal Beliefs (church of christ)

1. Everything eternal, spits and wholly spiritual is called reality. Health is good and real

2. Whatever is unlike god (injustice, sin, sickness, or grief) is called unreal.

3. Disease is an affliction of the unjust and unreal

Who officiates the service ( christian scientist )

The reader or Practitioner may be the officiant of any service including funeral service. However, any member of the Mother Church may also serve as the officiant

What is the order of Service in a Church of Christ, Scientist funeral?

1. Prayer

2. Music

3. Scripture readings

4. Eulogy

5. Closing prayer

Beliefs (Chruch of Christ)

1. Healing is brought about through spiritual understanding

2. Members do not normally seek medical help such as hospitals and physicians

3. Death is viewed as another phase of man’s immortal existence

4. No clergy or ministers

5. Most deaths occur outside of a medical facility and a coroner or ME is usually involved

6. Reader or Practitioner may be the officiant of any service

Preparation (Chruch of Christ)

1. Embalming and public viewing are decisions of the family and deceased

2. Family preference determines clothing for burial along with casketing of remains

3. There are no official options since there is no clergy

Funeral Rites (Christian Scientist)

1. May be held anywhere except the Christian science church

2. Funeral home. Home and grave sites are most common places for services

3. Individual preferences govern the method of disposition. All are permissible

The Mormon history

1823, Angel Moroni directed Prophet Jospeh Smith to a buried book written on golden plates containing the religious history of an ancient people

1830, Smith published what he said was a translation of these plates as the book of Mormon

When did Smith found the Latter day saints?

April 6th, 1839

June 27th 1844

Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mobile in Carthage Illinois. Brigham Young assumed leadership.

How many adherents does mormonism have?

15 million

Where is the headquarters of mormonism?

Salt Lake City, Utah (29 thousand wards)

Order of Service for a Mormon funeral

Prelude, Invocation, Eulogy/Obituary, Musical selection, Speaker, Benediction, Postlude

Clergy (Mormon)

1. There are no full time clergy in the churches

2. A boy is ordained in the office of priesthood at the age of 12

3. Bishops are called from the priesthood to serve for an unspecified time without compensation to their service

4. They hold full time employment in areas outside in the church

Classification (Mormon)

Restoration, Non-Liturgical

Jehovahs witness text

New World Translation of the Holy Scripture

Clergy Notification (Mormon)

1. Not required

2. Exception can apply

3. Bishop should be notified prior to confirmation of the funeral service

4. There are no specific restrictions or requirements with regard to removal or transfers

Removal of Remains (Mormon)

No specific requirements or restrictions

No specific casket requirements

Decided by family

Depends on whether or not the deceased has completed the temple ordinance or been endowed

Clothing for Endowed male

1. Temple garments, socks, shirt, trousers, tie, moccasins

2. Robe is worn over the right shoulder extending diagonally across the chest in a straight line to the ankle front and back

3. Green apron and white sash are placed over the Robert the waist

4. White cap placed on the deceased's head before the casket is closed.

Bishop

Leader of the ward; functions like a pastor in all aspects of the ward and meeting house

Ward

Geographical community of believers may have familial, linguistic or cultural characteristics

Temple ordinance

Religious instruction, known as the endowment, given only in the temple to those worthy members of the faith.

Temple garments

Special undergarments worn by members who have received the endowment in the temple, function as a personal reminder of their reminder of their devotion

Temple clothing

Clothing worn by the endowed members of the church at the temple and for burial

Prelude

Music played prior to the service

Postlude

Music played after the dismissal of the service

Pre-Service Considerations (mormon)

1. Bishop of the ward should be contacted to determine the order of worship of the service.

2. Visitation and viewing of the deceased is usually held the evening before funeral service

The Funeral Service (Mormon)

1. May be held at the ward chapel, funeral home or other location but not in the temple

2. The use of cross, crucifix and other similar items are not permitted

3. Flowers in many communities are encouraged

Order of service (mormon)

1. Prelude

2. Invocation

3. Eulogy/obituary

4. Musical selection

5. Speaker

6. Benediction

7. Postlude

Committal (Mormon)

1. Earth burial is the customary method of disposition. Often called “dedication”

2. Other methods are also permitted depending upon the family preference as well as regional customs

Jehovahs Witness

1. Do not consider themselves protestant or catholic

2. Hold to a literal interpretation of scripture

3. Use the New World Translation Bible which is divided into two sections

The Hebrew scriptures and the Christian Greek scriptures

The Jehovah's Witness adherents do not:

1. Salute the flag of any country

2. Accept blood transfusions

   Based on the literal interpretation of scripture regarding divine worship and obedience

The Jehovah Witness worship facility is known as ;

1. Kingdom Hall

Who leads kingdom hall?

Elders. They lead the congregation in study and worship

There is no centralized head where specific rules are set for the congregation

Funeral customs (Jehovahs witness)

1. Elders are not required to be notified prior to removal of the remains

2. Embalming is permitted

3. There are no requirements got clothing or casket choice

4. Cremation is accepted

Funeral service (Jehovahs witness)

1. The service may take place at the funeral home or the kingdom hall

2. The ceremony is religiously centered in both readings and music

3. Secular songs or reading will be prohibited by the congregation

4. Follows tradition of non-liturgical protestant groups

5. Simple service, no religious paraphernalia

6. Lasts 30-40 mins

Committal service (Jehovahs)

Lead by elder and consists of Bible readings and simple commendation and farewell.