Question: Someone in your guestbook brought up the subject of Hallowe'en and that she lived in Salem where the witch trials were held. She added "On Hallwe'en, this place is gonna rock!" I wonder what she may have meant. Are the evil spirits going to rejoice, or be knocked for a six (a cricket term similar to what Satan got when Jesus turned up in Hell on Good Friday!)?
Since I was taught the REAL meaning of All Hallows' Eve, I have been very disturbed at the practices which take place on that day. It seems to be accepted as a holiday (Holy-day) in America when it is historically quite the opposite. Also, it is fast being promoted here in Australia, I suspect purely for commercial reasons - but I don't ignore the fact that it could be the result of Satan's work.
The whole "trick or treat" practice was originally intended to appease the evil spirits which congregated on the Earth the evening prior to All Hallows Day (usually more commonly called All Saints' Day). If they "knocked on your door", you must give them a "treat" or they would curse your family and possessions (the "trick").
I'm a Christian, but not a crackpot, and have a real concern for our children who are being convinced that "trick or treating" is an innocent game where it's permissible to accept sweets from strangers. Even some of our Christian (?) schools are getting the little children to look upon Hallowe'en as a fun time, of, I can't believe it, "celebration".
Donny, my question is, what do YOU think about this spiritual practice? I know in America, it is all around you, but I know, that as a Christian, you will put your faith above any common practice of your neighbours. What is official LDS doctrine on the Hallowe'en issue?
Response: Thanks for updating me on things I had once known and had totally forgotten concerning the origin of Halloween. Regarding your question as to what I believe about this "spiritual practice," you’ll be happy to know that I do not believe this is a "spiritual" practice at all. The LDS Church takes no other position on Halloween except that if there should be parties for little children, and they are to dress up, they are asked not to wear masks at those parties, so as to be sure none of those children are frightened by the "Halloween party." To make anything more of Halloween, than to call it an evening where children go from house to house accompanied by their parents to show their neighbors their little costumes, and to receive a treat, would be too much.
Any celebration of the actual events as you have dated them historically is inappropriate for true Christians.
We believe that we can have a good time at all holiday occasions, but we must be aware that evil can lurk anywhere we want it to, if we invite it. Even Christmas itself can come across as a pagan ritualistic celebration if we make it so.
The point of all of the above is, if we keep Christ as the center of our life, all of our activities will remain Christ-centered.
