I have been investigating the church for a couple of years now. How will I know I’m ready to be baptized?
conversion
Anonymous from Mooresboro,
(This question was posted by someone who decided to join the Church, perhaps thanks in part to answers posted on AllAboutMormons.com. Click here to see other questions posted by Mormon converts.)
5 Responses to “I have been investigating the church for a couple of years n…”
Samuel Prado
2011-08-15 05:42:53
Hi friend. I'm happy you're considering joining the LDS Church. The timing of the decision to join varies quite a bit from person to person. I know some people, faithful members to this day, who joined after a few weeks. Others, like Brigham Young, take two or three years of investigation before joining.
The timing is really a balance between two factors. On one hand, you obviously don't want to join the church if you're not familiar with our basic beliefs. That does take some time. On the other hand, some people mistakenly think they need to have a firm, unshakable testimony of every principle of doctrine before joining. Even us long-time members are still learning and growing in the gospel; no one ever knows everything.
On the other hand, it's also true that human beings are naturally reluctant to make big changes in their lives. Joining a new religion is definitely a big change. However, in my experience this reluctance is often counter productive. We should be eager to make changes that will improve our lives. I can't see into your future, but I can say for certain that being a member of this church has been a huge blessing in my life and in the lives of literally millions of other people. Joining the LDS Church is not a decision you will likely regret. Best of luck!
Richard
2011-08-08 16:29:14
When you choose to be. If you're past the age of accountability (age 8) and you even if you can only have a desire to believe, then let that desire work in you, until you can choose to have the courage to take the step.
Baptism and becoming a member isn't a hard thing at all. After Baptism you'll receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, and when you live worthy to have His guidance He will guide you, and it'll be up to you again to choose to follow His prompting or not.
Go talk with the missionaries and accept their challenge to BE baptized and then they will teach you all you'll need in order to understand the covenant you are making with God, and seek to move forward.
Sometimes you need to move on faith. Take a few steps into the darkness/unknown, and you'll find that the light YOU have (and God IS) will move with you, and that light will grow to fill the darkness, and you will see your way. (see Psalms 119:105)
Art Sherwood
2011-08-08 21:22:33
And it came to pass that he said unto them: 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 at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal lifeĀ
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
(Mosiah)
If these verses describe you then there is nothing holding you back from being baptized.
Pamela Dean Bonta
2011-08-09 13:15:12
I, too, investigated the church for several years before I made that decision to be baptized. I had so many questions. I had to know that the church was true. One day, it suddenly dawned on me that I was already a member of the Church in my heart - albeit one who had just not gone through the formal act of being baptized. I knew that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I knew the Book of Mormon is scripture. I knew that there is a living prophet. I knew that I believed in the importance of temples. I was already obeying most of the commandments, such as the Word of Wisdom. The Holy Spirit had affected great change in my life; now it was time for me to take that one final step toward beginning to be the person that Heavenly Father wants me to be. I knew that when I had a testimony of these things I have listed that there was no turning back. I knew that this was the right thing to do. Some people I knew were against it, but my response to them was simple: I was joining a church where we are taught to love each other, not drink or smoke or do drugs or have premarital sex, to eat well and take care of our bodies, read scriptures, pray, and do nice things for others. I would suggest that if you feel these things are good, and that you also believe in Joseph, the Book of Mormon, living prophets and temples, then you should pray about it with your whole heart. Perhaps you should ask not if you should be baptized, but if there is any reason why you should not. The Spirit will guide you.
Andy Simons
2011-08-09 14:13:55
The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics.
Dear friend,
Thank you for contacting us!
By listening to the whispers of the spirit, you'll know when you are ready. Pray with real intent and faith in God that he may make you feel secure and ready for this very important step in your life. Sometimes you can also feel this feeling by someone you trust. In the book of Acts in the Bible when Peter was teaching the people, they said "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word" Through Peter's courage to teach the importance of the baptism and the authority he had to so, the people were touched and could feel "ready" to be baptized. As Peter of old, in these latter days, we have those who have been prepared to teach with the same courage and authority. The missionaries can help you getting more confident about the baptism. Please contact them and tell them how do you feel about it. They will certainly provide spiritual help so that you can have your question answered.
The timing is really a balance between two factors. On one hand, you obviously don't want to join the church if you're not familiar with our basic beliefs. That does take some time. On the other hand, some people mistakenly think they need to have a firm, unshakable testimony of every principle of doctrine before joining. Even us long-time members are still learning and growing in the gospel; no one ever knows everything.
On the other hand, it's also true that human beings are naturally reluctant to make big changes in their lives. Joining a new religion is definitely a big change. However, in my experience this reluctance is often counter productive. We should be eager to make changes that will improve our lives. I can't see into your future, but I can say for certain that being a member of this church has been a huge blessing in my life and in the lives of literally millions of other people. Joining the LDS Church is not a decision you will likely regret. Best of luck!
Baptism and becoming a member isn't a hard thing at all. After Baptism you'll receive the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, and when you live worthy to have His guidance He will guide you, and it'll be up to you again to choose to follow His prompting or not.
Go talk with the missionaries and accept their challenge to BE baptized and then they will teach you all you'll need in order to understand the covenant you are making with God, and seek to move forward.
Sometimes you need to move on faith. Take a few steps into the darkness/unknown, and you'll find that the light YOU have (and God IS) will move with you, and that light will grow to fill the darkness, and you will see your way. (see Psalms 119:105)
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 at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal lifeĀ
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
(Mosiah)
If these verses describe you then there is nothing holding you back from being baptized.
Thank you for contacting us!
By listening to the whispers of the spirit, you'll know when you are ready. Pray with real intent and faith in God that he may make you feel secure and ready for this very important step in your life. Sometimes you can also feel this feeling by someone you trust. In the book of Acts in the Bible when Peter was teaching the people, they said "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word" Through Peter's courage to teach the importance of the baptism and the authority he had to so, the people were touched and could feel "ready" to be baptized. As Peter of old, in these latter days, we have those who have been prepared to teach with the same courage and authority. The missionaries can help you getting more confident about the baptism. Please contact them and tell them how do you feel about it. They will certainly provide spiritual help so that you can have your question answered.
To find a meetinghouse near your house, visit: ldschurch.org or mormons.org
We hope this answer addresses your question. Feel free to contact us again at any time!