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Becoming a Member Articles
When Mormon missionaries begin to teach a person interested in hearing their message, the missionaries will encourage the person to pray. For many “investigators” of the LDS Church, prayer is a brand new venture, and at first, they may be very uncomfortable about making the attempt.
That was the case for me. I had never prayed. My father was a rocket scientist and did not believe in God. My mother claimed to be Christian, but I never saw her pray, never saw her pick up a Bible, never saw her go to any church. My first prayer was simply to find out if anyone was “up there.” Was there a God, as the missionaries claimed? And if He did, indeed, exist, was He personally interested enough in me to answer my awkward prayer? I knelt, and didn’t quite know how to begin. The missionaries had given me some coaching – begin by addressing deity in a respectful way, and use respectful language throughout. Give thanks. Then ask for answers to questions and help with challenges. ... Read the rest of this article »
One’s testimony of the Church and the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a static thing. It can grow or fail, depending on how one nurtures it. The following is a reflection on the nature of testimony, written by Aaron. At the time Aaron wrote this, he was a student at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies:
A remarkable feat of engineering is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. The bridge was part of an initiative to alleviate ferry traffic and make the flow of people and materials easier to get around the San Francisco area. It was first opened in 1937, and at the time was the largest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 2.7 kilometers.. It was painted a beautiful vermillion orange to enhance its visibility in the fog as well as protect it from the high salt content in the air. Festivals commemorating the opening lasted for 7 days with speeches from city leaders, music, dancing, and parades.
For the next 30 years this architectural achievement,... Read the rest of this article »
Becoming active in the Mormon Church
One of the purposes of this site is to help you become acclimatized to your new life as a Mormon. After you are baptized and become of member of the Church, it is important that you continue to take an active part in the Church’s services and activities.
New members of the Church face a number of challenges. This can be a difficult transition for many, since it may mean changing old habits (such as smoking) as well as learning new beliefs, traditions and customs unique to Mormonism. Activity in the Mormon Church brings us great blessings. Attending church meetings and activities enables us to socialize with those who hold our same values. This can be especially important for young people and children. Your example will help your children live gospel principles. By bringing them to church, you can help them make friends with other children of high standards.
Many people find going to a Mormon church with the missionaries for... Read the rest of this article »
What Can I Expect When I Go to Church With the Mormons?
Going someplace new for the first time can be a scary experience, especially when you don’t know what to expect. The purpose of this page is to help you know what to expect when you go to Sunday worship services with the Mormon missionaries. You may have a lot of questions about what Mormons do at their worship services or what is expected of you. The following will give you a tour of a typical Sunday service at a Mormon Church. To get directions to the Mormon chapel nearest you, see the chapel locator on the LDS Church’s website. This will also give the time that the local congregation meets.
Preparing for Church
Because church is a special time set apart from the rest of the week to worship God and learn more about His Gospel, Mormons believe that it is important to dress appropriately for church services. This is typically referred to as Sunday dress and includes a suit or slacks and dress shirt for men and a dress,... Read the rest of this article »
Your Baptism
What baptism means:
Once you have accepted the missionaries’ invitation to be baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can begin to prepare yourself spiritually for your baptismal service. Mormons practice baptism by immersion for the remission (or removal) of sins. Baptism is a symbol of your covenant, or promise, with Jesus that you will take His name upon you and keep His commandments in return for which, He will forgive you of your sins and bring you back to live in Heaven with Him.A Book of Mormon prophet named Alma taught us about what baptism means.
Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God... Read the rest of this article »
How Do I Prepare for Mormon Baptism?
The fourth Article of Faith says:
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This teaches us the basic steps we must follow in making Jesus Christ’s sacrifice active in our life. Mormons believe that baptism represents the gate to Eternal Life and these four steps represent the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faith
First, search your heart in personal study and prayer so that you will be sure you have faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is more than believing Jesus exists, it means believing Him when He says that you will be forgiven of your sins and saved in His Kingdom. Another Book of Mormon prophet, also named Alma, taught us how to develop faith (see Alma 32:18-43, pgs 289-291). We begin by being humble and teachable. If we are arrogant,... Read the rest of this article »
Changing Hearts and Habits
Repentance is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to mankind. Through the repentance process, hearts can be made whole, relationships can be healed, and you can find peace for your heart and soul. True repentance brings peace, joy, and the knowledge that you are approved of God. Sometimes, repentance is easy, but sometimes it can be a great struggle. What matters is the sincerity of your heart and your willingness to put right what went wrong and to change.
We repent as we grow in faith. The more we learn about God, the more we will want to improve our lives. The Apostle Paul said:
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what... Read the rest of this article »
Mormon Temples and Temple Work
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Mormon Church is its temples. Mormon Temples are sacred buildings, set apart from the world. They are not ordinary church buildings like chapels. Mormons have both churches and temples. In temples, Mormons perform sacred ordinances that strengthen us in this life and prepare us for the life to come. Also in temples, families can be sealed together for all eternity and faithful Mormons can perform ordinances like baptism for those who died without the opportunity. The Holy Endowment One of the most sacred and defining moments in the life of a member of the Mormon Church comes when he or she receives his or her endowment. An endowment is a gift; in this case it is a gift of knowledge and spiritual power from God. Jesus referred to an endowment of power when he commanded his disciples to “tarry [...] in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). ... Read the rest of this article »
Activity in the Mormon Church
Activity in the Mormon Church means attending worship services on Sunday and partaking of the sacrament, attending Sunday School and other activities in your local congregation, and accepting responsibility by getting a calling, and fellowshipping with the other members of your local congregation.
The following is advice on staying active in the Mormon Church. President Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet, seer, and revelator to the Church, has said that three things are necessary to help a new convert feel welcome and comfortable in the Mormon Church. They are a responsibility, a friend, and nourishment by the good word of God.
A Responsibility
One of the most unique features of the Mormon Church is its lay ministry. When you join, you should receive a calling or job in the Church. If you do not receive one right away, talk to the missionaries or the bishop. Taking on a calling in the Mormon Church can be scary, but it is an important way we can serve... Read the rest of this article »
Your First Calling In the Mormon Church
In the Book of Mormon we read:
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Jesus Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus (Moroni 6:4-6).
All newly baptized members of the Mormon Church need to be remembered, nourished by the good word of God, and aided in staying on the right path. Part of the way that the Mormon Church helps these people is through its lay clergy. In the... Read the rest of this article »
