Mormon Thoughts on Lent

I've been noticing a lot of Facebook posts lately about people deciding what to give up for Lent. I am not Catholic and have never celebrated lent myself, and I think it is time that maybe I give it a try. But I am going to try it under my terms.

Lent is all about preparing yourself to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is meant to physically and spiritually draw yourself closer to your savior and God.  In my opinion, it is about humbling yourself while becoming a better person all at the same time. As Christians we are all trying to emulate our Savior Jesus Christ as perfectly as we can. And of course, none of us do so perfectly. But that certainly does not mean that we should not try. We all have our vices--whether it be alcohol, swearing, or maybe even watching too much television.

So my challenge to all you Lenters out there--find something meaningful to give up. Choose something that will be a true sacrifice or struggle, and something that if you achieve will help you come out the other side as a stronger and more perfect human being.

Not to offend, but does giving up soda or chocolate for 40 days really help you feel closer to God? Does it really require humble prayer to deny yourself that sugary soda for a little over a month?

Here are a few ideas I came up with for sacrifices that could really mean something:

• Gossiping
• Swearing
• Alcohol 
• Smoking
• Inappropriate media (movies, television, etc.)
• Going to clubs
• Sex outside of marriage
• Social media or technology addictions (you know who you are)
• Bullying (for all you mean kids out there)
• Cheating (on tests, at work, etc.)
• Lying
• Stealing
• Living beyond your means (i.e. getting yourself in debt)
• Unhealthy or destructive relationships 

Many of these habits are things people should either break or do less of anyways--not to mention people truly enjoy these things and it would require REAL sacrifice to give them up. It would require effort and prayer, and if you can really do it for 40 days you would become a better person. You would see how much better your life would become without abusing alcohol or without a cigarette addiction. Can you imagine how much happier a work environment or a high school would be if everyone gave up gossip for Lent? You can take one step closer to become the perfect individual that Christ wants and knows you to be. 

In addition to giving things up, isn't it also perfectly feasible to add good things to your daily habits during lent like:

• Prayer
• Scripture study
• Exercise
• Quiet meditation
• Journal writing
• Healthy eating
• Volunteering
• Complementing others
• Calling an old friend or family member
• Attending all your Church meetings (whatever religion that may be) 
• Spending more quality time with you family (parents, siblings, children, spouse, etc.)
• Serving others
• Eat healthier, cook at home more
• Meaningful conversations
• Reading
• Uplifting music
• Donating to a charitable cause

I do believe that the sentiment of sacrificing something is the key ingredient of Lent. After all, itSimply adding good things is not enough. However, I also believe sacrificing something trivial is not enough either. In the long term what good have I really done myself if I give up my makeup, warm water, or shoes for a month? 

Yes, I will gain a greater appreciation for the thing I have given up, but will I have become a more kind, loving, patient, perfect individual? Will I know better how to turn to my Savior for help in times when I am really struggling with a problem or a decision? Will I better understand the sacrifice Jesus made by taking upon himself all our sins? 

Probably not.

Here is a Momron document all about Christ and our faith in Him. I highly recommend reading it.