M_T_E

Receiving a Baptism in Alaska doesn't sound very fun at all. I had a cousin get Baptized when I was younger, we drove about two hours to watch and be supportive. It was a sunny but cool Spring day, and well.. he got dunked in a freezing cold river. They asked if I wanted to and I gave them a big old "NOPE!". At that age the idea of a man dunking me in water that I didnt know and well, freezing cold water wasn't very appealing either haha.

Beliefwise, I have always felt as though there was a higher power, a creator. However I have not been an actively religious individual for about 10+ years. Aside from joining in grace once in a blue moon when my sister is present for a family dinner, I haven't even joined in prayer in that period of time as well. I was raised in a Christian Baptist setting, with the church services every Sunday and often the youth groups every Tuesday or Thursday. A prime example of the views of my church was their disagreements with "Science", although I am sure many of you understand the views I was brought up with as a kid. They attempted to assure me that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were all one entity, however I have always believed that they were indeed separate. I was bored and took several 'belief tests' to see what religion my beliefs fell under, and every time I always fell under the LDS Church with my strongest. After alot of reading up on the Church, and many questions later I have found that I agree with alot of the beliefs this Church has. At times in my life I have attempted to reject the idea of God, these were during my rebellious days. I claimed to be Atheist as well for a period of time, although I knew deep in my heart, and felt that there was a greater power. I have never been Baptized, but i did 'receive God' and my spiritual birthday is in summer 2000. When I was at the Portland Temple for the first time nearly a week ago, I felt an odd sense of calm and serenity, the Temple has a close proximity to I5 (Interstate Highway) yet despite the noise from the traffic you barely even notice when you enter the grounds. I have been told by several that the feeling was the Holy Spirit, and in a way I believe that to be true because that sense of serenity when I left the grounds stayed behind. So basically, raised a Christian, believe in a higher power but have not been active with any faith in an extended period of time. I have been spiritual though during my absence.

So, I am aware that in order to become LDS you have to be basically Baptised. Baptisms that you have recieved in other religions are not recognized with the church. I am pretty sure that you are not baptized within a temple, being as you have to be Temple worthy just to enter. Where to the baptisms take place?

Very impressive temple!

Happy New Years all!

Another question about Temples, so I am aware there are different room within then that serve different purposes. I saw there was a Baptismal and Sealing room within the Portland Temple in the article presented here. But I also saw rooms such as the Celestial Room, can someone tell me more about the others and their purposes?

Sounds like quite the celebration! We have the Sausage Festival in Fall and Clark County Fair in Summer time. Not many celebrations out here.

It's a holiday I have never heard mentioned until now. We celebrated when Washington was declared part of the union in high school, but that's about it for state related holidays.

And even when I was active in my religion, I was a firm believer of science as well. As a kid I always questioned things more than most my age. I guess you can say one of the reasons why I have avoided religion is partially my faith based system was always against science. My church basically said dinosaurs didn't even exist.. Despite hard facts that are in museums.

I recently found a friend again that I knew who was raised in a LDS family, but fell away in high school. After she graduated she got more involved and married and sealed in the Temple. Learn something new everyday it seems! From what I understand, you all celebrate the usual holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Ect. Are there any other holidays that are celebrated that are exclusive to the Religion? And thanks. :) I like keeping one thread going rather than filling up a page with a million threads with different questions. You all have been very informative and helpful, more so than just browsing the web ever could be.

Thank you MsMagnolia and Pam, you both cleared the air on that little misunderstanding of mine. Ive learned quite a bit in the past several days so far, but seems I still have quite a bit to learn. Its always interesting when you begin to research something such as a religion and there is a seemingly limitless amount of things you can learn.

Russian so far has been enjoyable, although tough. I have always been able to somewhat 'impersonate' the accent somewhat, but when it comes to rolling R's that gets a bit tough. I am hoping by years end for 2013 I will have become atleast somewhat fluent to a degree.

Next time I am up in that area I will need to venture over to view it. Beyond Portland and Seattle, are there any down south that are not to far of a drive? Beyond Oregon/Washington borders.

I have see several different names float around online, but figured would rather hear it from a direct source. I was under the impression that "Sister" was a title reserved for a Missionary? Just like "Elder", or is that title something that goes beyond that?

What are new converts often referred as?

I believe a majority of the Temples that were under construction were internationally? I had seen a list about two days ago, but it was a brief glimpse while on wifi at work

Sad to say the only local one is the Portland Temple right across the river, only other area within my drive range I could imagine being a potential is Seattle. If it already doesn't have a Temple that is.

Wow, the beauty of the architecture and design of the inside has me almost at a loss of words. Thank you for sharing this with me Pam.

I could imagine it being so. I drove through Utah recently, however I was on a fast track home. So sadly I had to bypass Salt Lake and go straight through Ogden after coming through Wyoming passes. That was the first time I have decided I had wanted to see what a Temple looked like, sad to say the bypass conflicted and made visiting impossible. I know Sign Language. I'm not fluent anymore but I can carry a conversation when need be. Eventually when I become fluent in Russian I will likely seek out another language, hopefully..

I can imagine every possible location internationally presents its own unique challenges, German is not an easy language to learn. I am learning Russian right now, Rosetta Stone works wonders. Holy Ghost? The Portland Temple just amazed me in general with its beauty and serenity despite a major freeway nearby. But those cars and trucks flying by and break neck speeds fall upon deaf ears after you enter the grounds. Didn't have the opportunity to view inside of the temple. I am curious about what it is like on the inside though.

Honestly, the answers I have received here have been the most genuine I have ever "heard"/seen. I was not given a choice in my path as a child, but I have no regrets. I accidentally ended up at the Portland temple recently, spoke with missionaries in the visitor center and there was nothing awkward at all about that time there. Interesting to say that while on Temple Grounds there was a strange calming peace about me. Got sent on my way with the Book of Mormon and over the past several days I have done a great deal of online research and skimmed through Nephi. In a way I can agree with alot of the views of the Church. I know about the Golden Plates, Thomas S. Monson, Words of Wisdom, ect. From what I see before me is a not just one of the quickest growing religions in the world but also one that has good values and is closer knit than what I grew up with. It's sad to see how misunderstood the LDS Church is to those who don't take the time to research, learn and ask about it. Alot of the common misunderstandings that I was led to originally believe have essentially been cleared up at this point. How many of you have served missions? What was that experience like?

One of the issues I have often had with religion is often the fact that the very mention of science is almost shunned. One of the many reasons I have no desire to return to my former church. Talk of science was almost completely forbidden.

Inviting Jesus into ones heart reminds me of an alternative we had to Baptism while I was an active Christian. I was however never Baptised. I think I recall my "spiritual birthday" being in July of 2000. So far I have seen several good stories! Hopefully more come along.

Religion has often been something of interest to me in terms of a field to study in my free time. The vast differences in peoples beliefs has always kept my curiosity. I was wondering, and this question to any individual on here who feels up to answering. Why are you a Mormon? Were you born into a family that was Mormon or a convert? I am just curious to hear everyone's stories.

Hello everyone, I am a 23 year old in Vancouver, WA. Just here to learn more about the LDS Church. Was raised heavily in a Christian Baptist background as a child but as I grew older my time for Church declined. I have not been actively attending Church for many years now, not really seeking to convert but rather gain knowledge about Mormonism and the LDS Church instead. I am open to all opinions and points of view and always looking to learn new things. I recently ended up at the Portland Temple and learned a bit, got sent on my way with a Book of Mormon as well. Ive skimmed through Nephi, and in due time I will likely end up reading the entire book in more detail. Anyone, including Missionaries can feel free to contact me and share their knowledge. Ill be hanging around asking questions and reading from time to time. Thanks! -Mike