Some Latter-day Saints embrace Lent traditions

As Christians around the world observe Lent in preparation for Easter, some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are adopting the millennium-old practice as part of their own worship.

Lent is a 40-day Christian season of fasting, prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. It is observed by many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists and Presbyterians. Some Latter-day Saints have also started to observe the sacred season to connect more closely to Jesus Christ.

Lent is a reflection of Jesus Christs 40 days in the wilderness before his ministry. The tradition originated in early Christianity, dating back to the first centuries after Christs death and resurrection.

The season begins after Fat Tuesday, also called Mardi Gras or Carnival, a day associated with feasting before the fasting begins. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, when Christians receive ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of mortality and the need for God. Lent ends during Holy Week, which celebrates the final events of Christs life.

Lent has not historically been a major feature of Latter-day Saint culture. However, Latter-day Saints have been turning more attention to Easter, which has led some members to explore additional ways to worship.

Sarah Caesar, a Latter-day Saint and a Brigham Young University student, spoke about what attracted her to Lent.

We wouldnt have anything without the Atonement of Jesus Christ or his Resurrection. If were Christians, then we should focus on him and his experiences, Caesar said.

Michael Maiorano, a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the son of an Anglican priest, shared his experience with observing the Lenten season after growing up in a theologically rich household.

Maiorano said he believes spiritual practices shape identity.

Were all formed by a story, Maiorano said. Were formed by Gods story revealed through prophets and through Jesus Christ, who lived, was crucified and rose again.

For him, practices like Lent help make that story personal.

If Christ became incarnate 2,000 years ago but I dont make an effort to make Christ present in my life every day, what difference does it make? Maiorano said. Through rituals like the sacrament, temple worship, Lent or Christmas, we can make Christs story real in our lives.

Maiorano also connected Lent to Christs time in the wilderness.

Christ (went) into the wilderness for 40 days before his ministry, Maiorano said. If I want to be Christlike, I need to pour myself out for others spend time in humility, prayer and fasting. Lent gives us 40 days to do that before Easter.

While Latter-day Saints often emphasize resurrection and exaltation, Maiorano said preparation is just as important.

Christ didnt reach the Resurrection without the wilderness, Gethsemane and Golgotha, Maiorano said.

Lent is important to Maiorano, he said, because it allows him to be formed by Christs story.

Lent helps us practice resurrection to humble ourselves daily before God, Maiorano said. Lent isnt just about giving something up; its about being formed by Christs story.

Several Latter-day Saints pointed to a growing emphasis on Easter coming from Church leaders in recent years, including a message from Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in an April 2023 General Conference talk.

In that address, Stevenson encouraged members to treat Easter as a season of worship and preparation, not just as a holiday.

I observe a growing effort among Latter-day Saints toward a more Christ-centered Easter, Stevenson said.

Stevenson urged Church members to find additional ways to celebrate Easter.

We might also adopt appropriate Christ-centered Easter traditions found in the cultures and practices of countries worldwide, Stevenson said.

Amelia Watson, a member of the Church, said this idea resonated with her.

(Lent) helps us start earlier and focus on Christs Atonement and Resurrection, which I believe are the most important parts of our faith, Watson said. Its important to treasure that more than just one Sunday a year.

For many Latter-day Saints, observing Lent looks simple and personal.

One group of roommates decided to give up social media and replace that time with spiritual activities.

We decided that we would do no social media, Caesar said. Instead of spending an hour on Instagram, I want to spend time doing something to prepare for Easter. The point is adding something meaningful, not just removing something.

For other members, Lent is tied to personal struggles and spiritual goals.

Ive been struggling with some things and looking for ways to involve Christ more in my life and rely more on his Atonement, Watson said.

Watson said the practice helps her be more intentional in choosing God.

I love the idea of choosing God when you feel temptation, Watson said. Making an intentional choice to choose him when things are hard thats been meaningful to me.

She said the decision to participate in Lent connected her to God.

Choosing to do Lent this year has honestly felt like an answer to prayers Ive been praying for a long time, Watson said.

Like Caesar, Watson said she was struck by how Lent emphasizes adding more Christ in life, not just sacrificing and fasting.

Lent isnt just about giving something up its about replacing it, Watson said, letting the sacrifice motivate you to turn to God more.

Many members first encountered Lent through friends from other Christian denominations.

One recalled attending Mass with a Catholic friend before Ash Wednesday and hearing a sermon about sacrifice and repentance.

I remember thinking it was really cool and being impressed by how they talked about sacrifice and how it draws you closer to God, especially during a season focused on Christs sacrifices for us, Watson said.

Watson said learning about Lent from other Christians deepened her faith.

Sometimes the answer comes through practices from other faith traditions, Watson said. Theres value in learning from others. God uses people from different backgrounds to influence us for good and answer prayers.

Others pointed to Latter-day Saint teachings that encourage learning from other Christians.

Joseph Smith taught that we should gather truth from all sources. President Gordon B. Hinckley once said the principle of the Church is to bring all the truth we have and add to it, Maiorano said. If Lent or other practices point us to Christ, we shouldnt reject them.

As Easter approaches, Latter-day Saints are working to deepen their focus on Jesus Christ. For some, that means small, personal sacrifices paired with prayer and reflection.

If you engage with Christs story, the worst case is you dont get much from it. The best case is you make Christs story real in your life, Maiorano said.

For a growing number of members, observing Lent is one more way to prepare for Easter and to make Christs story a central part of their own.