The short answer - Yes. The leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expressed no official opinion about the Halloween holiday. Individual church members are left to decide for themselves whether or not to observe Halloween, and how to celebrate it if they choose to do so. Halloween has no religious significance for Mormons. But although there is no official LDS counsel on Halloween, church members are encouraged to let the Holy Ghost be their guide in all things. In general, Mormons are counseled to seek after anything that is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy," while avoiding anything that isn't. (13th Article of Faith)
Most Mormons celebrate Halloween in some way. They regard Halloween as a fun time filled with opportunities for creativity, parties, and crafts. We generally avoid the potentially dark elements of the Halloween holiday, to include gory or scary decorations, Halloween pranks, or devil costumes. As a matter of fact, the only real differences between a Mormon Halloween party and a more secular version might be the absence of alcohol and more modest costumes instead of revealing or suggestive ones.
Rachel Bruner suggests some pertinent articles regarding Halloween and related activities from the Church's magazines:
- "I Have a Question", Ensign, Oct 1996
- "Olden-days Halloween", Friend, Oct. 1993
- "FYI: For Your Info", New Era, Oct. 1991
- "Samantha's Witch Cookies", Friend, Oct. 1988
- "Halloween" (Poem), Friend, Oct. 1986
- "Tricky Treats," New Era, Oct. 1982
- "FYI: For Your Info", New Era, Oct. 1978
- "Pin the Grin on the Pumpkin: A Tradition of Service" New Era, Oct. 1979
Other recent posts by Mormons regarding Halloween have been published by Mormon Woman, Simple Utah Mormon Politics, Times And Seasons, and By Common Consent.
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