I just did a Google search for “Do Mormons Believe in Easter” and I was shocked to find many misinformed bloggers answer “no.”
Not only is that wrong, it shows a complete and total misunderstanding of the fundamentals of what Mormons believe.
All Mormons celebrate Easter. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) and I have celebrated Easter my entire life. I have never met a Mormon who doesn’t celebrate Easter.
Why Do Mormons Celebrate Easter?
Mormons are Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. We believe that He died for our sins on the cross and He resurrected three days later on Easter.
In fact, Christ’s resurrection is–without a question–the most important event to ever occur as far as Mormon belief is concerned.
Despite the wicked teaching of some others, Mormons believe firmly in Jesus Christ. He is the center of our religion. Without him, religion would be for not.
After all, the church’s full name is The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. We bold it and write it in all caps in our logo just to remove all doubt.
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the event that overcame all evil–not that evil does not exist today–but that Christ’s victory over death and sin gives ALL people the power to repent, to live after death and go to heaven, etc.
Easter, to a Mormon, is not a date that is ever missed. Easter, to Mormons, is always celebrated. It is a day of prayer, faith, and celebration.
How Do Mormons Celebrate Easter?
Probably the same way you do. There really isn’t any difference between how we celebrate Easter and how other Christians do.
Easter Sunday is something that all Mormons look forward to all year.
Like most families, we do big Easter egg hunts and hide Easter baskets. We have Easter parties and Easter family dinners and special Easter church services.
At church, we do the traditional things like how the girls always get a new Easter dress for church and families taking pictures all dressed up, the church service is always focused on celebrating Easter with a special choir and sermons focused on the resurrection.
The church also often puts on large scale productions at Easter time such as general conference sessions focused on the resurrection, or the Easter Pageants that are put on at some temples and which are open to the public (as are all LDS meetings at church buildings around the world).
We all have our own family traditions of things we do on Easter as well. As a kid, somehow over the years we ended up having a squirt gun fight in addition to the more religious celebrations 🙂
Why Do Some People Think Mormons Don’t Celebrate Easter Then?
I have never understood it, frankly. I think it’s partially just some people not understanding, and part of it comes from those who actively lie and try to convince others that we aren’t Christians.
Personally, I don’t find anything Christ-like in those who actively work to convince people they AREN’T Christian. Seems like all those who believe in Christ should be working to convince others to be Christian, not working to convince people that they aren’t Christian.
Still, I hear people from other religions all the time informing me that I’m not Christian.
If I weren’t Christian, then why does my entire life revolve around my belief in Christ?
If Easter is so important, why is general conference held over Easter? Why can’t it be moved when they coincide?
Good question! We often have general conference on easter weekend and use that time to CELEBRATE the most holy holiday. This general conference, we heard many wonderful talks about Christ’s resurrection on easter that, for me, helped me to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.