Has anyone here been baptized in the Mormon faith? If so, can you tell me how you like it?

Question

I have heard so many things about the Mormon faith. I know that some of it isn't true, but if some of it is true, I don't want to have any part of it. Like, I'm a single mom, and I'm of the understanding that if I join the church, I will be expected to marry a Mormon man very soon. Is that true? Any information you can give me will be helpful.

Some of the things that I know are not true is that people have told me that Mormons believe in polygamy. I've also heard that Mormons believe that "dark-skinned people" are showing that they are products of sin, etc. These are just things that I've heard. I do not believe either of those things to be true. I do know that tithing is a big part of being in the church and that if you're a "true believer" that God will provide for you if you give your full tithe. I guess I just want to know that I'm doing the right thing for me and my children.

Answer 1

One is NOT, repeat, NOT required to marry anyone, if you don't want to, or can't find anyone who would make you a good spouse. I know people who have wished they had remained single rather than marry the person they did. I know that the leaders of the church would rather see a person remain single than to be in an unhappy marriage.

As far as tithing, yes, we believe that if you are a cheerful giver, you will be blessed, and you will not go hungry. Even if it means the bishop will have the RS pres. help you fill out a food order, from the Bishop's Storehouse. They usually ask you to do something in return, like help clean the building once or twice, or work in the storehouse if it's convenient (working in the storehouse is really neat! I do it every week). and the food they give you from the Bishop's Storehouse is TOP QUALITY! I've had some of it, and it's the best the church can find, or they make it themselves, to the highest standards. And it's not just food, it's diapers, cleaners, cook book, toiletries, etc.

BUT BUT BUT

DO NOT join the church for ANY reason, except that you believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, just like the Bible, and that we have prophets and apostles today, starting with Joseph Smith. If you can't accept the Book of Mormon as the word of God, like the Bible, and you can't accept that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, then you should not join the LDS church, no matter what.

Answer 2

Yes, you'll hear things about us that are obviously not true, and it appears that you're smart enough to sort those out. Other things may not be so obvious and I'm glad you've got the wits to ask the Mormons if they actually believe those things. (Many people just rely on what they've heard from unreliable sources). No, there is no requirement to marry a Mormon. I knew a very faithful sister who was married to a Non-Mormon for at least 50 years, and he was even a heavy smoker at that! Interestingly, he asked the bishop if he could get baptized when he was facing lung cancer. In an ideal situation, all members of a family would be of the same faith. It helps to preserve unity within the family. I think that most religions would teach this.

Answer 3

I want to just give my two cents - the religion is either true or it isn't...you say you "know" some things aren't true but maybe some things are...so what is truth? Truth is 100% correct, not maybe this is right and that is not. Truth is truth. That is how the gospel is, it is either true or it is false. I do not believe any person could be a faithful member, of any church or religion for that matter, if they were saying to themselves "well I believe this but not that"...
Anywho, as others have already stated, the church will never make you do anything, especially marry someone. If the church forced you to do things, that would be taking away your agency and against our Father's plan - so don't worry about that. I think the "expectation" is that most mormons marry mormons for various reasons - #1 in my book would be: because I love my husband and want to be with him throughout eternity...and through temple marriage it is possible! Through the power of the Priesthood, which all worthy male members can hold, couples can be sealed together for time and all eternity, never to be separated "til death do you part" or any of that - as long as covenants are kept...covenants made in the temple.
Pray to your Heavenly Father, ask Him if the gospel is true, go to Him with your questions...He is the only one who can be 100% completely honest and correct all the time. He will help you if you are truly seeking answers.

Answer 4

If you feel being baptized is the right decision then go ahead with it, and dont let anyone try to talk you out of it. Obviously you can stop going later on if you change your mind, but I doubt that will happen. I've been a member all my life, but my husband just got baptized 3 weeks ago. he said it was the best decision he has ever made. He immediately felt a calm and peaceful feeling. He said after he was confirmed the next day at church that he was even more at peace. His brother is very upset up that he converted and he was really worried about it at first, but he has continued praying about it and is working it out with his brother. This person in your life will see positive changes in you and I doubt will leave you, but if it does happen know that God has a plan for you. Keep praying about it. Good luck!

Answer 5

No.
The Ensign Magazine states that 1/3 of all adult members are single. We have special programs designed to include every member in the activities and service opportunities of the Church.
As far as being a member, I was baptized when I was 8 and wouldn't have it any other way. Did I fully appreciate what baptism was all about at that time? No, but I learned as I grew and soon came to know that I had indeed done the right thing by being baptized into the Church. Even more important than being cleanse of your sins at that point in time, is the subsequent gift of the Holy Ghost to help you, guide you and comfort you throughout the rest of your life. When we follow Christ and live according to Heavenly Father's plan, the Holy Ghost will reveal things to us as we need to know them. We understand the scriptures better and have the confidence to move forward in life where others stumble. You can be as single for as long as you desire to be single. It is true that marriage and family are an essential ingredient in your eternal progression but you don't have to be in any hurry to get there. If you live a worthy life, God will bestow all the blessings upon you that are available to you. That includes helping you find a worthy mate when the time is right to do so.
You don't need to feel pressured into anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Answer 6

I am LDS, and a single mom of 3. No-one has asked me to marry again soon - and they won't. The LDS church and it's members find great joy in the family, and they like everyone to enjoy that support and closeness as well. Family is a big thing in the church.

The LDS church does recommend same religion marriages for a couple of reasons - it makes things a little easier if you agree on the issues of religion to stay married and raise kids. This is not to say it cannot be done by a mixed religion marriage. -and the LDS temple attendance is something most members strive to attain and be worthy of, so a same religion marriage would have more success there as well.

I've never been force, coerced, or even asked to change the way I am. My ward and stake accept and love and support me just the way I am. I think it would be hard to find a better support group than my ward. That's just my experience.

Answer 7

I grew up in the LDS faith. I was baptized when I was 8, served a 2-year mission when I was 20, and married in the temple when I was 25.

The church teaches that it is preffered to marry within the faith for a variety of reasons. There are so many trials in marriage that having similiar religious views is one less thing to worry about. Also, both husband and wife have to be LDS to be sealed in the temple to be married for time and eternity (the work can be done after the non-LDS spouse dies, though)

Members are free to marry whoever they like. The church doesn't control it. Some other members may try to play matchmaker, but the church organization doesn't.

Answer 8

I was baptized when 8 years old. My family was not very active in the church, nor was I when young. I have not always gotten along whith other members, as with any group of people. I am now about 46, I am a high priest, I have one wife (a wonderful one at that) we had 4 girls born to us and adopted 8 other children. I attend church most every week at least once. I can say with out any doubt that the church is restored as claimed. I have used the priesthood to heal, cast out devils and do many other works. I can not say we always get along with every one, or have no troubles. I did go on a mission, but not until I was 21 years old. I did not want to when I was 19, could not have been forced to until I matured some. I can't say all of my children have choosen to follow in the faith, some have not. I attended a temple this week, and strive to keep the commandments. I constantly find need to repent, as I do sin to often. I was married in the Temple back in 1984. the only way to be sealed in the temple is with another worthy member of the church. This is where your question of marrying another Mormon comes in. If you want the full blessings of membership you will need to be married to another member. This is a choice, not required. You can be a member in good standing being married to a non mormon.
But as far as that goes, my wife currently can't go into the temple with me. So this is no guarantee of the future. If you choose to receive the Missionaries (one of my sons is currently serving a mission in Russia, the country we adopted him from) they will help you understand if your wanting to make the commitments necessary to join with God's church, and receive the blessings of membership. Go to www.lds.org if you would like missionaries or to learn more about it.
E-mail me at [e-mail] if you would like to.

P.S. A link is now in the source list where you can click on ask a question and have a on line chat with missionary's durring the day or evening.

Answer 9

First of all, I suggest instead of putting this on yahoo answers where anybody with any opinion (no matter how outrageous) can express it, you ask someone in the faith that you trust. Obviously someone belonging to this faith has given you interest. Usually members of a faith understand what they believe better than nonmembers.
I am a member of the LDS church. We are NOT a cult. No we are not racist. Marriage is an important part of our religion, however you won't be forced to get married if you join our church. I suggest you talk to the bishop of your area. Just ask any member and they can refer you to a bishop. Express your questions/concerns to him. I'm sure he will accomadate you and fix all "kinks". If this fails email me. [e-mail] do your HW and good luck with your search for truth.

Answer 10

I was born and raised in the mormon church. We do not believe in pologamy.... or that "dark skinned people" are made from sin... there is a long story about that... We don't condemn them though... You should probably ask some missionaries come to your home and teach you about our church. Pry a lot about it, be open minded... and God will tell you what is true.