Is it part of the LDS religion to remove your hat during prayer? Or is that just part of western culture as a sign of respect? Are LDS required to remove their hats when they pray? Or can they pray with hats on?
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3It's a cultural thing to show respect.– MattCommented Mar 20, 2017 at 14:30
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2here's a book reference (not official LDS doctrine) but I don't think any LDS will disagree: books.google.com/…– deppermCommented Mar 20, 2017 at 14:33
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Actually @Matt. Paul mentions this subject in his letter to the corinths. Take a read of 1 Cor. 11:4. This is where people get the idea of not hats. It's all up to personal hermeneutics though :)– user30967Commented Mar 22, 2017 at 4:12
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2 Answers
Just to be sure, I have checked with every resource I am aware of, and there have been no formal declarations even associating the removal of a hat with prayer in LDS doctrine or theology.
From my personal experience, I do not believe this practice is limited to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a youth in the Scouting organization in the US South, it was common for the MC or the one saying the prayer to preface prayers with saying, "A Scout is Reverent." At that cue, everyone would remove their cap and bow their head.
In the same vein, I know of no teaching regarding arms folded (a typical LDS custom), "prayer hands," or simply clasped hands within the Latter-day Saint faith. The intent of any method is simply to focus on the divine through prayer.
Latter-day Saints may pray with or without hats on, the greater concern is that whatever those praying do, they do it in reverence.
To quote Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
Prayers of the saints are expected to conform to a prescribed standard of divine excellence; they should fit into the approved pattern of proper prayer. They are to be addressed to the Father; should always be made in the name of Jesus Christ; must be reverential and worshipful in nature, which requirement includes use of the language of prayer (the pronouns thee and thine, for instance, never you and your); and above all they must be offered in sincerity of heart, with real intent and purpose, and must come from the lips of those who have broken hearts and contrite spirits; and finally, they should be closed with the word Amen. As a token of reverence and respect, when occasion permits, they should be made from a kneeling position.
(As an aside, the word "hat" is not to be found anywhere within Mormon Doctrine and only twice in Gospel Doctrine: Sermons and Writing of President Joseph F. Smith.)
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1To be clear, Mormon Doctrine is not, and has never been, official Mormon doctrine. Commented May 25, 2017 at 23:02
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2@rob, That is very true, but if someone was going to be opinionated on the subject, he is one I would have expected to say something about it.– TavrockCommented May 25, 2017 at 23:13
I thought it was a part of the religion of every Bible-believing Christian.
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. (1 Corinthians 11:4)
