By Michael Hollingshead
Scriptures, testimonies and root beer are the staples of the traditional American bachelor party. That is the traditional Latter-day Saint bachelor party.
'I went to a bachelor party for my roommate last year, and it turned into a testimony meeting,' said Abraham Korb, 25, a senior from Provo, majoring in technical education. 'I wouldn''t even call it a bachelor party.'
Bachelor parties are a common part of the American culture, but how do LDS bachelor parties fit it? What do members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do when their best friend is getting married?
Cases of beer, x-rated flicks and strippers have no place in this interesting breed of get-togethers. Church standards that prohibit the use of such materials are a factor in dictating what is appropriate for a night with the guys.
'Basically all Mormon bachelor parties consist of is a bunch of guys hanging out - usually bowling - because the fianc?e of the guy is at some bridal shower,' said Derek Nelson, 23, a junior from Santa Clara, Calif. majoring in mechanical engineering. 'They just happen by default.'
For other students, bachelor parties are great as long as they don''t get too out of hand. Chris Rowe, 23, a junior from Salt Lake City, majoring in business, said he considers bachelor parties a pretty good idea, usually.
'I think they''re fun when they''re done right,' Rowe said. 'If the couple is getting married in the temple, the groom is not going to want to do something inappropriate.'
According to a few male BYU students, doing a bachelor party right can mean anything from shooting clay pigeons to playing video games.
'We just played X-Box at my friend''s cabin for like eight hours,' said one BYU graduate who preferred his name be kept anonymous. 'It''s really no different than having a guys night out.'
For other students, the idea of a bachelor party just doesn''t have the same appeal within the LDS culture.
Jon Brodegard, 24, a junior from Columbus, Ohio, majoring in economics, said he hasn''t been to a bachelor party yet.
'I was invited once, but I had a date on the same night,' Brodegard said. 'I went on the date instead, but I figured my friend would understand - and he did.'
Interestingly, members of the church may not be so different than others outside their faith when it comes to bachelor parties these days. An internet Web site owned by Bridal Magazine did a study showing that beer kegs, strippers jumping out of cakes, and other traditional activities are giving way to things like paintball, golfing and other sporting activities.
Regardless of what goes on, the bachelor party continues to be a staple of American culture. LDS parties may not fit the traditional mold, but students like Rowe feelthey are an important part of life.
'Should we have bachelor parties?' Rowe said. 'Of course we should - as long as we have appropriate activities and make it night.'