M_T_E

This just clicked with me, I believe I read somewhere that missionaries are highly encouraged to have investigators attend atleast two Sunday services prior to baptism. I requested the first two Sundays off from work for February so I can attend and have an opportunity to learn and get more immersed. I guess her date must be based around that, since I am hesitant to be involved with the local missies.

YouTube has a Mormon channel which has been useful. I have seen Mormons of all types, I don't quite thing there is just one image. Up until recently my main belief was they all were like the missionaries you see on bikes, dressed nice and what not. Have you ever spoken with online missionaries? They have been very helpful with me and it was easier to me personally to speak with online ones because I can just get out my phone and message when questions arise. And well, life's been busy so finding time to meet local ones is difficult anyways. Ive always thought taking the first step is one of the hardest.

I enjoyed reading that article, any other similar ones you could forward to me here?

Shhh, don't get me in trouble here. I'm the new guy remember?

Welcome! I am I guess what you'd call an Investigator as well, but I went into this not seeking to convert but simply to learn. The past month has been quite the journey that started off with me visiting the Portland, OR Temple, speaking with missionaries in the visitors center and receiving a copy of the Book of Mormon as I left. I have an online missionary and this forum to answer questions, which I've had many. There is a wealth of information here. You should feel right at home here. :)

I will go ahead and read those tonight. I've read quite a bit in to 1 Nephi so far. Good book. I kind of figured since I declined the first time and she realizes that I am a stubborn individual that setting a date would be a way to further get me interested. Or well.. Encourage me further. Although I did decline her first time, I have no problem encouraging others to go forward. Actually am trying to convince a friend to meet with missionaries currently.

Her goal is nearly a month out. She said pray on her words and discuss it tomorrow. She first brought up baptism in a literal sense that I should do so on the 18th. I told her initially although I was in this to simply learn, she knows I believe and feel the holy spirit and that the BoM is true and that this is the one true church. Though she seems surprised by the amount of knowledge I have gained in the almost month I have spent learning. Probably why she is more eager to get me to be baptized or atleast handed to local missionaries. How old we're you when you were baptized dahlia?

Is there anything special about this day? My online missionary is attempting to convince me to be baptized on this day. Or well be ready to be baptized on said date. She seems determined to get me into that font.

I voted against the legalization up here in Washington, but everything thought they could avoid getting in trouble. They were wrong. Regardless I am personally against drugs, and I doubt the WoW would be modified at all in regards to drugs. And well it still violates federal law.

I feel as though Vort will swoop in and answer this one.

I did tanx and Chess on FlyorDie Words for friends is fun too. Like scrabble with Facebook friends.

From what I have learned and read my personal conclusion in mind and heart is that nothing is indeed better than the LDS faith. But yes, I am young learning. And there is much more to learn.

I believe the baptismal fonts should be warm too. Coming from a Baptist upbringing they tried to get me wet... In a cold river during early spring. I said no (I was younger) very fast lol.

"and most non-LDS would urge me not to" I am not LDS, yet I would encourage you to continue moving forward towards being baptized.

I am mobile so I can't write much, iPhones are not forum friendly.* Anyways, I have done things controversial for my parents in the past. Nearly all of us have at some point in our lives.* You are doing what feels right to you, in heart and mind. You feel the Holy Spirit, you have accepted that this is Gods true church.* In time they will come to accept this, Mormons have anyways had ridicule. Just about every religion has been persecuted and shunned at some point in its history.* The big thing with the church is that there are many misconceptions and much confusion to those who have not invested the time to study, learn and eventually see past the shroud of fog placed over their eyes by the words of those who fail to understand the Latter-day Saints.* After your baptism and you have grown within the church, if your parents are religious at all perhaps educate them slowly over time to help them build an acceptance for the church and where you stand. But do not hesitate to invite them to your baptism, your life is a journey. They were there when you were born and began your journey in life, and it would be only customary for them to be present when your spiritual one begins as well.* Regardless of your decision. They will love you anyways. They are merely concerned for they lack an understanding of the church.* Pray for guidance, just as I have in the past through tough times and you will always pull through.* My mother is a Baptist but she actually encouraged me to convert because she likes the lifestyle she sees from Mormons. I am merely taking the time to learn about the church and I have grown quite interested in learning more.* And remember, if you take time to read 1 Nephi 1 over you will eventually see the underlying lesson I did.* Go forth and be courageous, represent God and all of his glory regardless of whatever ridicule and persecution you receive from others. And as you continue to read through the First Book of Nephi you will see more lessons and stories of courage, faith and dedication.* Good luck my friend, regular updates would be most welcome. And if you seek more advice well there is obviously plenty to be had on here.

There are several wards in my area, three different stakes run through just local building as well. We have quite a few here in Vancouver from what I understand. My typical Sunday is a 5:30AM-2:30PM, not very exciting. Eventually I will attend a service to learn, my main thing is I wanted to view an actual baptism but in handing my phone number to someone to give to the Bishop, I can imagine I'll be handed off to local missionaries first. And well, I can assume the Bishop is a very busy man as well. Keep us posted on how things progress!

Sounds like things are progressing well for you, are you going to meet with your missionaries again soon? I see a baptism in the future.

I am guilty of this, but only in circumstances where I have been wronged by the person who I targeted. Getting even isn't always the answer, but when you steal expensive equipment from me and lie when confronted.. Well.. I get agitated.

Ten years is a long time! But then again I am almost 24 so my concept is different. When it comes to Temple access, I had a friend that I know was married and sealed but she didn't obey the law of chastity. Are there special exceptions granted?

Indeed I have felt the spirit, while in prayer, reading scripture and on temple grounds as well. I noticed the feeling of peace from the moment I first set foot upon temple grounds, I really couldnt explain it until the online missionary brought it up. She has been eager to get me involved with local missionaries, I have gotten comments on how much she is surprised I have learned during our time talking and apparently I have taught her as well based off of the lessons I drew while reading from 1 Nephi. The past almost month has been a crash course on the church. I never thought I would find one religion I honestly agreed with. Are you and your husband sealed?

My online missionary has highly encouraged that a view a baptism, I think she believes that it will ease my mind on the dunking in water. I know that baptism is supposed to be a peaceful and positive event, but the idea of having someone else immerse you in water has never been very enticing to me though. I ended up stopping by a local ward not in my area, was a random spur of the moment thing while I drove by. Spoke with an older man, he took down my information. I said that I would like to get in contact with a Bishop, however I have a feeling he will leave me to the missionaries anyways.

My first name is Michael, and I will name my son Michael, after my father when I choose to have more kids after I get my degree and a house... A daughter and step daughter are a handful right now, on a minimum wage budget.

Nothing.

Over the past month, well.. Almost a full month now... I have taken a great deal of time to learn about the beliefs of the LDS.* Coming from a heavily Baptist upbringing I have already been familiar with God, the Bible, his Commandments and a great deal more. What I started off as a simple desire to learn more about another religion has grown into a fondness so to speak of the LDS.* Despite my Baptist history I still questioned many of the things they taught, even at a young age. A prime example was the trinitarian views of the church and the unwillingness to accept that science plays an important role as well. Often mention of science would cause you to be viewed as a crazy person in a way * While I indeed did "invite" God into my heart to be saved, I never was baptized. The opportunity presented itself and I quickly declined, in my heart I just felt as though something was not right. The beliefs that were instilled upon me as a child just did not feel, complete? Hard to explain.* Over this past month I have come to realize that I share the nearly all of the same views as the Latter-day Saints. I have had several sources, such as this forum which has been a wealth of information for my mind. Others include several online missionaries through the website, and also Facebook as well. One of my friends is a returned Missionary and another helps teach at BYU. Both are however hard to reach these days sadly.* Several inquiries for Baptism or to be atleast handed off to local missionaries have been respectfully declined. I cannot quite say I went into this looking to convert, but i will admit that reading the Book of Mormon and being on Temple Grounds brings about a peaceful feeling, a wholeness as if I was spiritually complete and not lacking in any way.* I find myself drawn back to Temple Grounds just to continue to experience this peace and serenity that I do not have elsewhere. And I will say that since receiving this book I have felt more compelled to do right rather than wrong, even simple little things. To provide more and do more for others, despite the sacrifices I already make.* I guess you can say I have been spiritually enlightened by my journey so far. I have received quite a bit of urging from my online missionary to attend a local ward during Sunday service, to see where I stand. And the two Sisters that I met at the Portland Temple have encouraged such as well.* I have decided to take this learning experience a step farther and attend, I usually work mornings on Sundays however the first two Sundays in February I have requested off from work to further my experience.* Cannot quite say if I am ready to seek out local missionaries or not. I'd have to say that my current sources provide plenty of information for me.* And surprisingly I was convinced to begin praying once again after nearly a decade of not. * That is where I stand now. I have some time to myself tonight so I will have more time to read the BoM.

Glad to hear it went well! I work early on Sundays otherwise I would give attending a church service a try at a local meetinghouse. Vancouver has quite a few on its maps. Have you scheduled a time to meet again?