DD has a very good friend who has invited her to go to Church with her. DD would like to go and see what their religion is about, and broaden her "knowledge" of different religions.

I have done some reasearch into the religion, but, wanted to know if anyone out there has first hand knowledge or life experiences they could share.

PLEASE, let's not turn this into a religion bashing thread, this is very important to me. If you like, please PM me in private or email me at allinaugust@gmail.com

Thank you.

P.S. What is the typical time frame between starting to go to the Mormon church and getting baptised there/becoming a member??

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TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

AIA-
I'll share my limited knowledge on the LDS. They do believe in the Bible first off! They also use the Book of Mormon(which is a very interesting read, and is NOT contridictory to the Bible-it's more of a supplement) and the Doctrine and Covenants(which to my understanding is "prophecies" or enlightenment given to the current Prophet of the Church). I believe, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, that in order to be baptized into the LDS church a person has to take and participate in a membership class. That class provides history of the church and the tenets that the church believes in. If memory serve correct that class can last anywhere from 8 weeks to who knows when.

Like all religions--I've known complete and utter off the wall Mormons, and I've known really great people who just happen to be Mormons! One of DS's friends is Mormon--I was shocked when I found out that his parents not only allowed him to read Harry Potter, but encouraged it--whereas the goofy neighbor down the block who was/is a member of a "Charismatic" church truly believed that Harry Potter was the devil!(she was a complete and utter whack job--wouldn't let her kids watch cartoons--at all! Would go on these 8 day cleansing fasts, was extremely biased in regards to her children--Boys 1 and 3 were treated pretty well, but boy 2 was always in trouble. I had those boys at my house and they were all fine children. She was just nuts, IMHO).
By and large the Mormon Church advocates strong families, strong community outreach and work, and strong Christian beliefes (please don't anyone go there--Mormons are just as much Christian as a Baptist or Lutheran or whatever).

I forget how old your DD is....if she's over say 10-11 y/o and you know/trust the family of her friend, I would not have any problem allowing her to go and visit the church. If she begins to go regularly, then you will probably want to really investigate and research all aspects of the LDS faith.
I'm old, my memory is shoddy, and it's been a long time since I really investigated the LDS religion

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"In life it is so hard to know which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn....."

Here is a googled explanation. How Mormonism Differs from Traditional Christianity -- Beliefnet.com

My brother is LDS and I have several good friends that are LDS. I'm more Calvary Chapel mentality. While my friends and I disagree on theology, we don't let it stand in the way of our friendship. We just agree to disagree. If I were you, I would google the different beliefs of LDS (Mormon) versus other religions and make your decision.

__________________
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near."

with a family who is LDS. First off.. when I went it was for 3 hours, so she needs to be prepared for that. There was an hour of regular "church" type time.. no different than any other church ceremony than I have been to. They do have a communion, but I just passed it. The rest was all just listening. No one ever tried to "convert" me, or make me do anything I didn't want to do.

After that there was Sunday school (I can't imagine it was different than any other.. we mainly listened to stories and talked.. but I never went to any other SS so I can't tell you.)

Then everyone split up. This was 20+ years ago, but the girls went to a class to learn things that would help them be productive women at home and in society, and the boys went to a class to prepare for their mission.

She should just dress nicely and be prepared to sit and listen. I don't think she (or you) should have anything to be nervous about. That's great that she wants to go.

I believe baptism is at the age of 13. The family is also not allowed to do anything else on Sundays but go to church and have family time. There are no playdates/eating out/or such allowed, so I think she should expect to come right home afterward. There is always prayer at a meal, so make sure she knows not to start eating if she is with them until they are ready. They fold their arms in front of their chest. I'm sure they would not expect her to do anything she doesn't do ordinarily.

Anyway, this is what I experienced, but as I said, it was when I was younger. One other thing to add I guess.. all the members addressed each other as "Sister Smith" "Brother Smith" instead of Mr./Mrs. the kids used these phrases as well to the adults, and my friend's mom was not really comfortable with me calling her "Mrs." (I wouldn't use sister since I am not LDS) but preferred I use her first name. Of course I would recommend your DD use "Mrs" unless asked not to.

I don't believe non LDS are allowed to go to baptisms, and they are not allowed to witness weddings, which are a very very small affair with immediate family (but there is a reception afterward).

Let us know how it turns out. HTH

My good friend who is LDS invited me to her 8 yr old DD's baptism this Sunday and I am Baptist.

Baptisms are usually done at 8. Anyone can go as they are usually hel in the meeting house. Weddings are in the temple and only those who have what is called a Temple Recommend can attend. You get one by having an interview with the bishop of the ward (local church group). He will ask if you have been morally chaste, not associated with anti Mormons etc and give you a recommend to get into the temple to watch a wedding or to do baptisms for the dead and other ordinances of the religion.

Mormonism is full of nice people who want you to join their religion as their founder Joseph Smith was told that all other religions were an abomination to Him. That is why they send out young men two by two to convert people all over the world. There is lots of information on the internet about Mormonism. There are crazies in the religion as well but there are in every religion as we can see right here on MC.

OP, it will be interesting to go to a baptism at the church. You might be considered "a golden contact" and find the missionaries at your door for the seven discussions to join the church.

The women wear dresses mostly covering their shoulders so they are very modest as the Prophet has said a lot about what is modest today and what is not. Women's shoulders are not to be shown and women should be "garment ready" in all their clothing choices. Piercings are to be kept to two per person, I believe and none for the men. The men have to wear white shirts and a tie to pass the sacrament in church. There is a lot of emphasis in Mormonism on outward appearance to conform. I have many mormon friends and have studied the religion for years. I believe they are trying their best to be Christians as they can.

As for the time frame.....if they start the discussions with your daughter, they cannot baptize her without your permission. The seven or so discussions are held over a couple of weeks and then she will be asked to read parts of the book of Mormon and pray for a "burning in her bosom" to know if it is true. If she feels anything....a tingle in her hair, a warm feeling anything, that will be translated into the Holy Spirit confirming to her that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is a true prophet and Tommy Monson is a living prophet and that revelation is continuing today from God.

It is a very complicated religion and none of the real meat of the religion will not be told to her until after her baptism. Google
Book of Abraham
Salamander Letter
Mark Hoffman
Mark of Cain and Mormonism, Black people and the priesthood
How many wives did Joseph Smith actually have and when did he have them and what did his wife say?
just to name a few and get some of the meat of the religion not talked about until after you are already in.

Sorry this is so long, but if you have any more questions, pm me.

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Praying for my Marine Son who is deployed somewhere in the sandbox until July, 2008! He's HOME!!!!! God Bless the USA!!!!!

I roomed with an LDS girl at a predominantly LDS community college in southeastern AZ.

I can say that on the surface, they are very morally upright folks with excellent family values and an incredibly strong sense of community. They tithe 10% to their church... They firmly believe in their doctrine. However... this is only the surface.

I'd go with her.

Now I'm seriously concerned. With the research I have done, and what I am reading here, I am very concerned. I have seen the "two by two" boys/men around town, and wondered what they were.

Cuthie, I sent you a PM.....USNAMOM, you got one too. Thanks....

Anyone else with info./opinions???

Thanks for keeping this a neutral discussion. This is an issue very important to me.

__________________
America is not at war. Our military is at war. America is at the mall, or watching movie stars on TV.
Author unknown to me, sorry.

TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

Thank you. Do you know why they don't disclose the "meat" of the religion until after baptism??? I have my own ideas....... I PM'd you.

__________________
America is not at war. Our military is at war. America is at the mall, or watching movie stars on TV.
Author unknown to me, sorry.

TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

Check this out... Famous Mormons in the Media

AA, I am at work so I can't log in to see my pms....send it to me at this username as well.

They say "milk before meat" when they talk about their religion and what they tell prospective investigators. People don't know about the ban on the Black people not being able to hold the priesthood until 1978 and why until after they join. They do not tell how many wives Joseph Smith and BY had and when they had those wives until after they join because they know that people would question the religion and perhaps not join, KWIM?

They don't talk about polygamy during the missionary discussions, nor do they talk about baptism for the dead, nor do they talk about the different levels of heaven or how a man can marry as many women as he wants to in the temple but a woman can only marry once. They don't tell investigators about the different levels of heaven and who gets to go to which level and they won't tell you who can become a God of their own world then either. These are the things that are referred to the meat of the "gospel" and would scare someone off the religion, KWIM?

The discussions are about love, our heavenly Father and how Joseph, a young illiterate man was visited by an angel, Moroni who told him where to find the golden plates and he translated them through the Holy Spirit and that families can be together forever if you are sealed in the temple.

They don't tell you that to be sealed in the temple, to do all the things you are supposed to do in the temple to ensure your return to Heavenly Father, have the ability to become a God and have your many wives and spirit babies of your own world you will need to have a temple recommend which means you have to tithe 10% of your income.

There are lots of questions to ask before joining the church....the investigator will be asked if they feel a burning in their bosom....or any feeling after reading the BOM, they will interpret it as a sign from God that the church is true. The fallacy of this is I feel good when I see an A T T commercial, does that mean that A T T is true?

I am not saying that Mormon are not good people...my two best friends are Mormon. I love them. I just know a lot about the church. It isn't for me.

Thank you. I have read many of these things on line, some are new to me as well. What if a person is married to a "non" Mormon??? Hmmmmm........

Why the secrecy about the religion??? I just don't understand that. How would they know if you are titheing?? I have read that they keep tabs on who gives what, and there is no anonymous collection plate.

What if you are baptised a Mormon, then finds out the "meat" of it, and decides it is not for them???

__________________
America is not at war. Our military is at war. America is at the mall, or watching movie stars on TV.
Author unknown to me, sorry.

TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

AIA- could you forward me your PMs. I am very interested in your questions and their answers. Thanx.

__________________
Calling a illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

Well, first, they don't call it secret, they call if sacred. The temple is so sacred you don't talk about it. Your "garments" are sacred and you don't show "gentiles" them or let them show.

Once a year, you go to the bishop and he asks you if you pay an honest tithe. There is controversy whether that is 10% of your net or gross income, but if you answer anything but yes, you don't get a recommend therefore dont go to the temple and only through temple marraige will you get to the highest level of heaven to become a God....."As man is, God once was, as God is, Man may become."

If you want to leave mormonism, you have to write a letter to your bishop who can send it on to Salt Lake and after thirty days or so, they let you know that you have been taken off the roles of the church which they also state makes you not be able to tithe any more or recieve the blessings of tithing. (??).

I have taken the discussions a few times and read the book of Mormon numerous times as well as attended the services lots of times over my 50 years.

I don't think I would let my child go to services alone. I would be worried that they would be "love bombed" in and want to be baptized before you know it and without her knowing what is what.

If someone joins the church and knows all the things out there about it but still believes, then I say "Great". But a child cannot know the details and will join because of friends etc.

You might ask how come so many people supposedly join, and then don't leave when they find out the truth....once you are baptized, you are then given a job in church, a volunteer job which you are supposedly "called" by God to do. You are kept busy so you don't ask questions or you are told "We don't have an answer to that question, put it on a "shelf" in your mind. " In other words, do not think about it. Next thing you know, you have a couple of kids, you are too busy to really ask questions and everything you read or are told that doesn't follow the church's party line is "anti" and is of Satan. My friend is told that "Satan is working very hard to lead the very elect away from the true church in these latter days"

I believe, and I could be wrong, but to be a member in good standing of the the LDS church, you must provide a yearly statement of income and what you contributed to the church. Also, again I could be wrong, but they have collection envelopes that you use--they are anonymous in that every person and/or family is assigned a number, and when you put your envelope in the collection know one but the treasurer/bookkeeper knows your number. But they do record who gives what. Also, it has almost like a deposit slip so that you can indicate you want $5 to the building fund, $25 for tithing, etc.

The LDS do not necessarily recognize any marriage that has taken place outside of the temple--be it to Mormons or a Mormon and a Catholic. Also, there's the whole married for eternity thing....

There are some rituals and ceremonies that are "secret" for lack of a better word. I don't understand that aspect of it.
Having been born and raised in the RLDS (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) now called the Community of Christ Church--I'm pretty well versed in the INITIAL history of Joseph Smith. Our differences with the LDS began when Joseph died, and Brigham Young took his followers to Utah.(Brigham did practice polygamy--our belief is that Joseph Smith MIGHT have.) After that Joseph Smith's son took up his father's teachings and "Reorganized" the church(absolutely no Polygamy has been or ever will be sanctioned or practiced by our church). Our basic tenets are vastly different from the LDS. All of churches and our one "Tempel"(in Independence, MO) is always open to the public, we have no secrets, our tithing is not mandatory, we allow WOMEN in the priesthood, and to the best of my knowledge we do not care what color your skin is when it comes to priesthood. We have two colleges: Park College in Missouri and Graceland College in Lamoni, IA. Basically, we are way more "laid back" and open than the LDS--but still share history and some tenets. Yes, our Book of Mormon and Doctrine in Covenants is different than the LDS as well.
Sorry, didn't mean to go off on a tangent! For years, our church has always been confused w/ Mormons, and I wanted to nip that in the bud!

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"In life it is so hard to know which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn....."

I don't know much, but have heard a lot. A friend of mine had to sit in the back of the church for services because she was a "bad Morman" (her words). I can't remember why she was "bad".

Also, we moved to a new town when DS was in third grade. A boy in his class called him every day. At age 8, the boy told DS about his wonderful church and tried to convince DS to go to church with him. He invited him to services, missonary speakers, dinners, you name it. After a while, the boy gave up on DS and quit calling.

I wondered about this. What do they consider 'associating' with non-Mormons. Can they be friends and visit socially with non-Mormons?

Would someone elaborate, please?

__________________
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near."

You can be disfellowshiped or excommunicated from the church for infractions such as adultery, looking at pornography, masterbation (sp)etc.. It means that you can still go to church are expected to continue to pay tithing but you can't pray out loud in church or serve in any leadership capacity while you are waiting to be reinstated. The letter my friend got for going to her bishop and confessing having sex with her ex husband stated that she would not get the blessings of tithing. She had to continue to wear her garments for her protection but she couldn't go to the temple, but she could keep paying that money!

When we were first married our neighors would invite us to services to Relief Society ( a womens organization), all baptisms, all kinds of activities that were fun. We had meals broght into our home, cookies on our doorstep, cards in the mail, gifts for our kidsand this went on for months. One day, I got a call saying that the entire ward (local church) is fasting and praying for me and my husband to reach the "right" decision and know that Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God and be ready to be baptized. Talk about pressure!!!! We, didn't get any burning answer like they wanted and we were summarily dropped from that social circle. They went on to the next new couple down the street. Coincidence?

They can associate with non mormons but not those opposed to the church. The unspoken rule is that it is best to associate with those people who are prospective converts or who already are members because then you don't have to worry about hearing anti mormon stuff or you already have things in common. Plus, a non member might lead you down the slippery slope to becoming an apostate, which would include having a cup of coffee, seeing an R rated movie or wearing sleeveless dresses and tops.

What does that mean?

__________________
Calling a illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

Garments are what people who have been through the temple wear under their clothes at all times to remind them of their covenents to God and to protect them from evil. There are "stories" of people who have been in car accidents and been burned all over their bodies with the exception of where their garments are.
Some mormons I know who don't take their garments off ever, not even when having sex. Or at least that is what they said. Here is an article about them that is respectful of their beliefs because there are articles on the internet that are not respectful and even though I don't believe in them, I know that they do.

What are LDS Garments or Mormon Underwear?

My friends never are without their garments....would not be out without having them on....they do not use underwear and she thinks underwear is uncomfortable and wierd. She wears her bra over her garment top and bought maternity garments. She is training her little granddaughters to only wear clothing that will allow them to wear garments later....she only buys them shirts with sleeves and long shorts.

I'd be glad to give you my PMS....hehehhhehe, couldn't resist.

__________________
America is not at war. Our military is at war. America is at the mall, or watching movie stars on TV.
Author unknown to me, sorry.

TLJ Women United in Spirit!!!

I don't understand...what exactly are the garments? Are they like undershirts? Long underwear? Is it another outfit? What do they look like?
I don't mean the question as disrespect, I'm just trying to visualize what the garments look like.

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