A meetinghouse is the local building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where Sunday worship happens. It says “Visitors Welcome” on the sign, and it means it.
Before you go
Sunday is about two hours. The first hour is sacrament meeting. The second is classes, split by age, with separate classes for children and teens.
Come as you are. Members usually dress up: many men in a shirt and tie, many women in a dress or skirt. Shoes stay on.
What happens
Sacrament meeting opens with a hymn and a prayer. Then comes the sacrament: bread and water, blessed and passed through the room on trays. After that, a few members give short talks. A closing hymn and prayer end the hour.
Nobody passes an offering plate. You won’t be asked for money.
The tray
The sacrament is meant for baptized members. When the tray reaches you, you can simply pass it to the next person. The Church’s own welcome page says you won’t be expected to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, and its Newsroom says no one will object if a visitor takes it. Either way, no one is keeping score.
Temples are different
A temple is not where Sunday worship happens. After a temple is dedicated, entry is reserved for members in good standing.
But before most new or renovated temples are dedicated, they hold a free public open house, with a short video and a guided walk-through. Visitors of all ages are invited. If one comes to your area, it’s a rare chance to see inside.
What to say
Thank your friend. Members often greet visitors at the door, so you’ll get plenty of handshakes. Return them.
Worried?
“Will they try to sign me up?” “I’m just here with my friend” works here too. Missionaries are young, far from home and, as another guide on this site notes, probably hungry. A plate of cookies says more than an argument.
Try it on
Do you know the name of the Latter-day Saint family on your street, or just which car is theirs?