I’m 16 years old and up until recently I didn’t practice any religion. However, I’ve decided I’d like to be LDS. I’m planning on visiting the church soon. However, I’m not sure how to proceed. Also, I’d like your advice about how to become integrated into the church, especially because this is an important personal decision that my parents support, even though they are members of another Christian church. Thanks for your help. (Question originally asked in Spanish.)
One Response to “I’m 16 years old and up until recently I didn’t practice any…”
Mateo Duarte
2010-11-15 12:42:46
Hi friend. I'm happy that your parents are supporting you! Here are the steps I would follow if I were you:
The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.
First, I would request a visit from the mormon missionaries by visiting this website. The missionaries are volunteers who visit people like you who are interested in learning more about the Church. They could also go to Church with you to show you how we worship. Your parents are also of course welcome to come too if they like!
Unfortunately, sometimes the missionaries take too long to respond to the Internet requests. There's no need to wait for them. You can also visit an LDS chapel any Sunday to see how we worship for yourself. You can learn the address and meeting time of the chapel nearest your house by visiting this website. Our Sunday meetings usually start at 9:00 in the morning.
When you visit on Sunday, try to arrive a few minutes early. Tell the people you meet at church that you're visiting for the first time, but that you want to be well integrated into the congregation. Ask them to introduce you to the bishop, the congregation's local leader (like a preist in the Catholic church, or a pastor in a Protestant church).
When you meet the bishop, tell him you learned about the Church on the Internet and that you'd like to be integrated into the congregation. He'll be very happy to learn that you're interested! If you like, you can give him this letter I wrote to try to help. Ask him if he would introduce you to the missionaries and the Young Men's President after the meetings. Perhaps he could suggest a friendly family that could sit next to you during the meetings to make you comfortable.
I'm sure there will be many people at the chapel who will be happy to help you get comfortable and integrated into the congregation! It's a very important and exciting time in your life, a time you'll probably remember and cherish forever. I'm excited that you're starting so important a spiritual journey!
The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.
First, I would request a visit from the mormon missionaries by visiting this website. The missionaries are volunteers who visit people like you who are interested in learning more about the Church. They could also go to Church with you to show you how we worship. Your parents are also of course welcome to come too if they like!- Unfortunately, sometimes the missionaries take too long to respond to the Internet requests. There's no need to wait for them. You can also visit an LDS chapel any Sunday to see how we worship for yourself. You can learn the address and meeting time of the chapel nearest your house by visiting this website. Our Sunday meetings usually start at 9:00 in the morning.
- When you visit on Sunday, try to arrive a few minutes early. Tell the people you meet at church that you're visiting for the first time, but that you want to be well integrated into the congregation. Ask them to introduce you to the bishop, the congregation's local leader (like a preist in the Catholic church, or a pastor in a Protestant church).
- When you meet the bishop, tell him you learned about the Church on the Internet and that you'd like to be integrated into the congregation. He'll be very happy to learn that you're interested! If you like, you can give him this letter I wrote to try to help. Ask him if he would introduce you to the missionaries and the Young Men's President after the meetings. Perhaps he could suggest a friendly family that could sit next to you during the meetings to make you comfortable.
I'm sure there will be many people at the chapel who will be happy to help you get comfortable and integrated into the congregation! It's a very important and exciting time in your life, a time you'll probably remember and cherish forever. I'm excited that you're starting so important a spiritual journey!