Hey. I would really like to get baptized into the Mormon Church, but my Dad won’t allow me to. He’s come up with all of this bizarre Information that I’m fairly sure is false, and what’s the worst is that he got all of his info from anti-Mormon websites. He is clearly only looking for the bad stuff, and I think all of this stuff I’m hearing about women being mistreated is just a bunch of twisted truths! So tell me. What can I do to convince him that men and women are equal? Is that even true? I honestly don’t know what to believe anymore…
3 Responses to “Hey. I would really like to get baptized into the Mormon…”
Felipe Prado
2012-06-18 02:21:36
Women are valued members of the Mormon community
Hi friend. I'm happy you're interested in joining the LDS church. Being a member of this church has been a great blessing in my life. Like all people, I have gone through many challenges. My faith in Jesus Christ has been a great strengthening force in my life that has helped me during difficult times.
As you recognize, anti-Mormon websites are not trustworthy sources of information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons certainly do believe that men and women are equal in God's eyes. All of God's children, regardless of their gender, are of infinite worth to our Heavenly Father. Any man who mistreats another commits a great sin. Abuse of women, or anyone else for that matter, is not tolerated in our church.
Women are very valued members of the Mormon community. They serve in leadership positions within our church. They preach sermons, give counsel, and offer prayers for our congregations. In our temples, they even perform some of our most sacred religious ceremonies.
Gordon B. Hinckley, who until his recent death was the president of our church, once gave a very interesting talk about women. I like to think of him as the "feminist prophet" of our church. Perhaps your dad would benefit from reading his very important message.
If you're dad does decide you're too young to be baptized, it's important to remember that God only expects us to do the possible; He doesn't expect us to do the impossible. In your case, if you can't attend church meetings, I suggest that you do all you can do to develop your own spirituality. Here are some webpages that might be helpful:
Every once in a while, lovingly ask your dad again for his authorization. If you can't convince him, perhaps you will have to wait until you're 18 years old, when you'll be an adult and can make your own decisions. I know that God will bless you if you follow Him as best you can. Sometimes the things we have to wait for are the sweetest things in our lives. One day, when you can finally visit the Church, it will be an amazing experience.
Jab
2012-06-18 01:48:23
Hey Kamryn,
I think it is great that you are thinking of joining the church. It has been the greatest blessing in my life. I'm sure that your father is only concerned with your welfare and does not want you to make a bad decision. I think you are right that the information that he has received is probably distorted and full of half-truths, as most anti-mormon information is. I have been a member of the church my whole life and have always been taught to respect women as daughters of Heavenly Father. I would like for you to take a look at this link and the articles here and judge for yourself how Mormons view women and their place in the church and in the plan of salvation. Another great link is found at FAIRLDS.org. Some quotes that I find interesting that pretty much sum up what I have always been taught were given by the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley."No man who engages in such evil and unbecoming behavior is worthy of the priesthood of God. No man who so conducts himself is worthy of the privileges of the house of the Lord. I regret that there are some men undeserving of the love of their wives and children. There are children who fear their fathers, and wives who fear their husbands. If there be any such men within the hearing of my voice, as a servant of the Lord I rebuke you and call you to repentance."
Richard
2012-06-18 01:04:19
How rare a possession
Our God knows what He is doing and through prayer and patience with your Dad he may come around. In the mean time be patient and learn all you can about the LDS faith. For some reason today after I first answered your question my life has been revolving around the movie, "How rare a possesion" that you can watch on youtube (it is 5 parts)
Watch that and know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's kingdom restored again upon the earth, through His prophet Joseph Smith. All the anti-mormon literature and bashing cannot change this truth.
Good luck in being patient, remember you can ask for help See Book of Mormon Ether 12:27, Bible KJV Matthew 11:28-30, James 1:5
As you recognize, anti-Mormon websites are not trustworthy sources of information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons certainly do believe that men and women are equal in God's eyes. All of God's children, regardless of their gender, are of infinite worth to our Heavenly Father. Any man who mistreats another commits a great sin. Abuse of women, or anyone else for that matter, is not tolerated in our church.
Women are very valued members of the Mormon community. They serve in leadership positions within our church. They preach sermons, give counsel, and offer prayers for our congregations. In our temples, they even perform some of our most sacred religious ceremonies.
Gordon B. Hinckley, who until his recent death was the president of our church, once gave a very interesting talk about women. I like to think of him as the "feminist prophet" of our church. Perhaps your dad would benefit from reading his very important message.
If you're dad does decide you're too young to be baptized, it's important to remember that God only expects us to do the possible; He doesn't expect us to do the impossible. In your case, if you can't attend church meetings, I suggest that you do all you can do to develop your own spirituality. Here are some webpages that might be helpful:
Every once in a while, lovingly ask your dad again for his authorization. If you can't convince him, perhaps you will have to wait until you're 18 years old, when you'll be an adult and can make your own decisions. I know that God will bless you if you follow Him as best you can. Sometimes the things we have to wait for are the sweetest things in our lives. One day, when you can finally visit the Church, it will be an amazing experience.
I think it is great that you are thinking of joining the church. It has been the greatest blessing in my life. I'm sure that your father is only concerned with your welfare and does not want you to make a bad decision. I think you are right that the information that he has received is probably distorted and full of half-truths, as most anti-mormon information is. I have been a member of the church my whole life and have always been taught to respect women as daughters of Heavenly Father. I would like for you to take a look at this link and the articles here and judge for yourself how Mormons view women and their place in the church and in the plan of salvation. Another great link is found at FAIRLDS.org. Some quotes that I find interesting that pretty much sum up what I have always been taught were given by the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley."No man who engages in such evil and unbecoming behavior is worthy of the priesthood of God. No man who so conducts himself is worthy of the privileges of the house of the Lord. I regret that there are some men undeserving of the love of their wives and children. There are children who fear their fathers, and wives who fear their husbands. If there be any such men within the hearing of my voice, as a servant of the Lord I rebuke you and call you to repentance."
Watch that and know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's kingdom restored again upon the earth, through His prophet Joseph Smith. All the anti-mormon literature and bashing cannot change this truth.
Good luck in being patient, remember you can ask for help See Book of Mormon Ether 12:27, Bible KJV Matthew 11:28-30, James 1:5