Can Mormons dance? In the minds of people unfamiliar with Mormonism (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS,) Mormonism often gets grouped in with other religions that prohibit dancing. But the LDS church actually encourages dancing in many forms, as long as it meets standards of wholesome behavior outlined by the church.
Mormon Attitudes About Dancing
The LDS Bible Dictionary notes that dancing in the Old Testament was often "a natural sign of rejoicing, and as such frequently formed part of religious ceremonies" like those outlined in Exodus 15: 20 or Psalms 149: 3.
Though they don't dance in their worship services, Mormons today can dance socially anytime they want. Mormons are counseled, however, to make sure that the atmosphere and type of dancing is in line with LDS standards.
Mormon Dancing Guidelines
A church pamphlet called For the Strength of Youth outlines church standards for behavior and includes a section on music and dancing. For the Strength of Youth teaches Mormon youth not to have full body contact with their dance partner or use moves that suggest sexual behavior.
Mormons should also attend dances where "dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, and music contribute to a wholesome atmosphere." To this end, the church puts on a number of LDS youth dances per year for kids 14-18 years old to enjoy themselves, have fun, and meet other Mormon teens.
LDS Dancing in History and Contemporary Mormon Culture
Dancing was part of Mormon culture since its formation in the 19th century, even when some of the stricter Protestant sects forbade it. When the LDS church founded the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, candlelit balls at the local Masonic Hall were one of the highlights of Mormon society. Mormon dance lessons were also offered at the Nauvoo School of Dance.
As Mormons crossed the plains to Utah in the late 1840s, journal accounts often described how the group would draw their wagons in a circle and dance around the campfire for entertainment after the sun went down.
Today, many formal opportunities for dancing are offered at the church-owned Brigham Young University. These include dance workshops in styles from ballet to ballroom to clogging, performing and traveling dance groups, and undergraduate and graduate degrees from the BYU Department of Dance.
Current church leaders prescribe guidelines to govern appropriate dancing,but in general the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always endorsed dancing as a wholesome recreational activity.
Interested readers can also visit What Do Mormons Believe? or LDS Beliefs Unique to Christianity to learn more about Mormons and how they live.
Sources:
"Dancing," LDS Bible Dictionary
Ronald W. Walker and D. Michael Quinn, "“Virtuous, Lovely, or of Good Report”: How the Church Has Fostered the Arts", Ensign, July 1977
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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