I know exactly what you are saying, maybe this will help.

Our church is a worldwide church. We have a President (Thomas S. Monson) who presides over all members worldwide. The lessons that are taught on Sundays are from manuals that are printed in every language, so no matter which church you go to in the world , whether Maricopa or China, you will probably be getting the same lesson or will be within a few weeks of it. Our youth organization, children's organization, women's organization and men's organization will have the same lesson manual, and yearly theme. For example the theme this year for the youth is "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in goodworks." (which is quoted from the Book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon) That theme will be the same for every 12-18 year old world wide. Our hymn books have the same music, etc. There is more, but that is it in a nutshell.

The only thing that will be different is our sacrament meeting (our main worship meeting).  Each week there is a talk given by different people from the congregation.  Every area obviously has different needs and personalities, so the talks are very individual to each congregation.

Good question! Hope that helps.

I just want to add a little to what Luv the copa concering our main mtg, or sacrament mtg.

We do not have a paid clergy.  Our mtgs are presided over by the bishop (usually) of the congregation.  Most would consider the bishop to be similar to a pastor or a priest.  However, it isn't often the bishop does the speaking.  Usually a member of the congregation is contacted by the bishop or one of his counselors and is asked to speak on a certain topic.  As mentioned, a bishop is more aware of what the individual congregration needs than any other church leader (the stake president, the prophet, etc. . .)  There are times when the bishop is asked by the Stake (who may be asked by higher-ups) to have a talk on a certain subject.  But that is rare.  Once a month, each congregation is spoken to by a member of the stake high council - their talks are still assigned by the bishop.  Having a member of the stake high council speak is one of the ways the congregation stays in touch with the stake pres.

A 'stake' is determined by how many members are in an area, similar to a 'ward'.  A ward is smaller and a stake is bigger.  Maricopa Stake was recently formed.  We meet together as a stake 2x a year and can have stake activities as often as the stake desires.  Twice a year we also have a world wide broadcast called General Conference.  It is THIS weekend.  Anyone can watch from the comfort of their own home provided they have SAT or Cable.  There will be 2 2 hr blocks on Sat and 2 2hr blocks on Sun.  This is a special mtg where our prophet and general authorities speak to the world.  Although, many people believe it is just for members, it actually is meant to be for everyone who wants to hear.

I don't think anyone holds the fact that we all have the same lesson as any given time to mean or believe we are better than any other religion.  It doesn't make us more 'right'.  But many of us like that if we go on vacation we can still not miss a certain lesson. . . 

It is true that both our bishops and stake presidents are not paid and have full-time jobs during the week.  They spend many nights during the week helping to facilitate church activities, as well as meeting with memebers in need.  The president of the Church does not have a full-time job.  This is because his duties as President of the Church are a full-time job.  He does receive a stipend from the Church to cover his living expenses.  He often travels extensively across the World and holds meetings all over the United States.

I don't think that our Bishops are quick to point out any flaws in another religion.  While our classes for women, men, children, and youth do cover a set "curriculum,"  there is always room to teach about whay may be of most importance to a particular audience.

BIG LOVE, baby.

Sometimes I post, just to annoy or get a rise out of people, but this is an actual question. 

Do you, as Mormons, believe that polygamy is bad or do you just 'go along with it as bad' because its against the law?

As I understand it, polygamy was the norm, but the church disavowed it, becasue it is illegal.

So, what came 1st?  The law against or the church coming out against it?

You don't like Da Vinci?  More of a Renoir fan?

Do you, as Mormons, believe that polygamy is bad or do you just 'go along with it as bad' because its against the law?

As I understand it, polygamy was the norm. . .

I can't answer all your questions, but I can attempt stuff that isn't related to history

Normal?
Plural marriage was normal in the sense that it was accepted as a commandment of God for certain people.  But the % of members actually practicing plural marriage was fairly low  or lower than perceived. . . (OK, I don't have numbers off the top of my head, and I don't want to go look them up.) 

Legal?
Plural marriage is no longer practiced because revelation deemed it no longer necessary, and we were then commanded to follow the laws of the land.  I BELIEVE it was illegal at the start (in Illinois) but don't quote me on that  HOWEVER, if God had said differently - you can bet the practice would be different. 

BAD?
You are likely to get different answers from different members on this topic.  Is it BAD - well, at this time, YES.  We do not practice it, and we have been commanded to not practice it in our earthly existence.  People within the church who do practice it are generally excommunicated.  I have not known of a case that ended differently.

Has there been a time and a place for it - YES.  It was practiced in Abrahamic times as well.    We believe it will be practiced by some in the afterlife.  I have not met a single person male of female that says they "can't wait!"  Most say they don't understand it, that the idea is foreign. 

I have known of some women (do not know them personally, other than online) who have asked their husbands to NOT get sealed to a second wife if they die.  At the moment, following the death of a spouse a man can be sealed to his second wife.  In some cases, pending a lot of paperwork, time, effort, and letters from the ex-wife, a man can be sealed to his 2nd wife following divorce W/O a sealing cancellation for the 1st sealing. . . keep in mind a sealing canNOT happen w/o a legal marriage, however it is not cancelled with divorce or death.  We believe the sealing is what links us when we die - so it is very important - and relevant to this conversation.

I have received some, quite frankly, unexpected, personal revelation on the subject.  I was not looking for an answer, but I feel I received one.  When I was reading my scriptures one day and read concerning some BOM people taking wives - I realized it would have been fitting, or normal for them to take more than one.  As I was thinking about this, I started to think about all the difficulties that would come with this situation.  REALLY have you EVER heard people excited to live plural marriage?  With it comes jealousy, etc.  It would be so hard!  As a woman I would wonder what my husband does with his other wife, why he spends so much time with her, etc - as a man, I imagine the thought of keeping the bickering women happy would be exhausting, not to mention the thought of how to support such a large household. . .

Well, my thoughts were running through the difficulties and I suddenly realized, these difficulties ALL stemmed from selfishness.  The thought came, that a man can love more than one wife in the same way a mother can love more than one child.  (this was my personal revelation, which means it had to be related to how I could understand) 

It made sense.  Does it mean I am suddenly ready to live plural marriage.  NO!  I am far from selfLESS enough to share my husband, and he swears to me I am difficult enough for him, that he doesn't want to share any more of his time with another wife!  Does it make it easier to understand?  A bit.  

So is it BAD - Yes and no!  It is simply not the right time.  It really has nothing to do with what's legal and what isn't.  If God wanted it practiced it would be - by which ever religion God is speaking to   But it wasn't bad for those who followed God's commandment - even when it was the most difficult thing for them to do.  AND when it is time that it is practiced again, it will not be bad then either - OF course, by then, those practicing will have their selfish desires, and feelings of jealousy wiped away - I think I prefer it THAT way, and I am really glad I'm not practicing it now!

God didn't reveal to Joseph Smith that having more than one wife was ok and then less than a hundred years later reavel to another person that polygamy should stop.  

How about the command in the New Testament

Tit 1:6  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

This should be another wake up call for the Mormons they are following a horny disillusional false prophet.