Heckya

So if I was baptised when I was 8 (baptised lds), but didn't understand it, then it doesn't count? I want to be clear....I'm still confused. I was baptised because my mother wanted me to be, but I don't recall learning much about baptism or what it meant. I'm sure I learned some things, but the day of baptism I was just scared and confused. I don't recall ever really understanding much about Christ or the church until high school and I'm really still just learning the basics.

If you are baptised as a child, but have no understanding of the baptism or of Christ does it count?

I chose between 22-35. I can't say that is totally correct because my testimony is just beginning, but it will continue to over in the years to come. I was baptized when I was 8 because my grandparents wanted me to be and because my mom would have felt wierd if I wasn't. That's pretty much a direct quote. When I was baptized, I don't think I really new who Jesus was. In fact, I was crying because I was terrified. I actually wonder if my baptism actually counts because I didn't understand it. My confirmation was directly after my baptism. The only thing I remember about it was that I was frantic because my mom forgot to pack me dry underwear. Afterwards my whole family went out for dinner to celebrate. All through my school years I went to church on and off. Once I was a teen I mainly went to activities and the church camps in the summer. When I did go to church, it seemed every time I went more than three times they would give me a job like VP or Secretary in sunday school so I'd have to keep attending. It never worked. I always quit going. There were a few people in my ward that were really pushy. Why on earth they worked with kids I didn't understand. They took a lot of fun out of the programs. In 9th grade I took seminary....I was rather bitter about it. I only took it because my mom made me. I guarantee my 9th grade seminary teacher remembers me. He probably still prays for me. In high school I attended seminary on and off. My big turn off from it was when I was asked to pray and I said no. The teacher had a fit. I didn't go back. My junior year in high school, I never attended church, but I started to develop a testimony. I don't really know how it came to be, but I remember a friend of mine who was quite churchy struggling with some issues and I threw the BofM at her and said this is what she needs. I think I scared/surprised her. It wasn't something she expected from me. It was at that point that I learned that I have a testimony when someone else needs it, but I've never developed it for myself. A year after high school my boyfriend ( that's the best thing I could call him, but it isn't quite right) left on a mission. We had never talked about religion. I think he knew it was something I needed to figure out for myself and it was something I desperately wanted him to guide/help me with. It meant standing up to my parents and I didn't dare. The crap I got from my brother being married in the temple was more than I could handle. Anyhow, while he was on his mission I went crazy....did everything you shouldn't. Right before he got back, I decided I should straighten up and tried going to church. When he got back, he was a complete different person. He was full of himself and such a jerk. I remember thinking that if this is what the church is I don't want anything to do with it. And any testimony I had was destroyed. Shortly after I moved out of state. Within a year, I met my husband and we were married two years later. I was hesitant on marrying him because he wasn't a member of the church. We came to the agreement that if I ever decided I wanted to go to church I could. We also decided that if the kids were raised in a church it would be mormon...unless I decided something else. He was raised with no religion so he was flexible. When my first baby was born, it was a moving experience for me. Not because of what I expereinced, but what my mom experienced. She was convinced that my grandfather (who bapitised me)was at his birth....I think I was too busy to notice. Shortly after my son was born, we had the missionaries over for the first discussion. I was terrified. My husband wasn't interested and we didn't have them back. I didn't want to push the issue. Once we moved again, the church didn't really come looking for me nor I it. A few additional things happened to push me back to the church. The first being my brother committing suicide (that rocked my world). The second being, I felt a constant abscense of something/I used to be very intuitive and it had gone away. And third being rather silly. I watched God's Army. I had rented it through netflix. I know it's fiction, but I cried the entire time. Well, sobbed it more appropriate. I was so scared at the emotions that came over me that I sent to movie back in the mail before and never told my husband we got it. I knew he would think the movie was dumb. After seeing God's Army I order new scriptures and read them. I actually got on my knees to pray....I think this was the first time I had ever prayer on my knees. I don't know how far I was into the BofM-maybe 2nd Nephi, but it hit my like a ton of bricks. In fact, it hit me so hard that is scared me. I pulled back because of my fear that I was learning the truth and that I might have to deal with the fact that my husband might never be interested. Plus the stress of it all was making me have contractions...I was pregnant with our third. Now, two years later, we have relocated to Utah. In a couple of months we will be moving to a very small town in eastern Utah. As a couple we have decided that the only way we will meet people is if we attend church. My husband asked me to get him a BofM ( almost feel off my chair at his request)..mostly I think because he wants to learn a little bit about mormonism so he understands what people are talking about and not to be baptised. It seems like things are falling in place slowly. I'm starting to read the scriptures again and this website is very helpful in taming my fears about attending church again. So my testimony is just beginning....again. There is something in my heart that tells me the church is true. I hope this time I have the strength to stand up to my fears, which include my parents who are disgruntled about the mormon church...although I've never understood why. As well as a slew of other fears. In my life, I know that I have wanted someone (most likely a man...probably father issues!) to take my hand, show me the way and make it easy. In the last two years, I have learned that it is up to me to make the choice and do the work. Although, I very much pray that someday my husband and I will both have testimonies that we can share with one another and be able to lean on each other for support when we need it. Holy Cow!!! Not only did you get my small testimony...you got my personal mormon experience. This is almost embarrassing to post, but I figure I must need to do it or it wouldn't have been written.

Casserole showers-what a great idea. In California, I was a member of a moms group that got together once a month. Everyone brought the ingredients to make dinner for everybody there. We made all of the meals, then took them home to freeze. We got some great recipes that way. I'd come home with 7-8 meals for my family....most of which were good, but every once in a while there was something that wasn't the best. I also watched a lot of the baby story with my boys. They really enjoyed it. I liked it because it wasn't graphic and it only told happy birth stories. Cute story about your son and his baby brother!!

Good luck figuring that one out. I'm female and I don't get it.

I'll have to tell my husband that sex will keep us healthier. He'll be glad to hear it! As for staying healthy, currently I'm crossing my fingers since all three of my kids have had the flu in the last three days. Do you know how much laundry that creates? My 1 year old and 2 1/2 year old are too little to know the importance of throwing up in the toilet so we now have the official puke bowl. It's disgusting and might be the worst thing about motherhood...at least so far. Sorry, I had to vent a bit. My hubby is out of town so I got to endure the flu alone. As for my hubby staying healthy, he has used Zicam twice this year and it has worked. He used it the first day he felt he was coming down with something and then never got sick. I bought some today just to have at home.

I just don't get how they think this type of behavior does anybody any good? What I really don't get is when groups like this video tape themselves in hopes for confrontation. It's just best to take the high road by not engaging them.

Do JW cater primarily to hispanics? This might be a stupid question, but when I lived in California, JW missionaries came to my door almost weekly. They were only looking to talk to people that spoke spanish although they spoke perfect english. Sometimes they would ask me who spoke spanish on my street and other times they would just say they were sorry they bothered me. I want to assume that they were working for a JW church (specific location) that only had spanish speaking church sessions however I never asked. I will say that because of the discrimination that it's now a religion that is not on the top of my "to investigate" list. Well, that and I really like holidays.

I agree with having your little guy help out wherever he can. I have three kids. A five year old, 2 1/2 year old and 13 month old. To help my oldest get used to a new baby we bought a doll a couple of months prior to help him prepare. We used the doll again when I was pregnant with our third baby. It helped a lot, especially when is comes to being gentle. Before the baby was born, I had my hubby take the kids and I had a cooking day where I made a variety of meals to freeze so meals where easy. There are also these great businesses where you can have them make your meals or you can make them and take them home to freeze. They do all the clean up! The one I went to was Super Suppers, but there are a variety of chains out there. I could stock my freezer for a month or two at a time whether I made them myself or went to Super Suppers. And of course we had our older children get the babies a gift that they picked out or made as well as the baby brought our other two a gift when she was born. My middle son was 18 months when my youngest was born. He did quite well with her until she started to crawl. Once that happened, he got jealous. Since then I've made sure that he gets a little extra one on one time with me or dad every day. Oh, and when jealousy did kick in it was usually when I was feeding the baby. Kids do naughty things then!!! I just turned those times into storytime. Sometimes I'd get them a snack too. Lastly, support is key. If you don't have family or friends close or if you aren't in closely with your ward, join a moms club if they have one in your area. And remember no labor is the same. My first was 14 hours, second was 4 and third was 30 minutes.

I think this is a great answer and here is why. I am married to a wonderful man who is not a member of the church. We have a great marriage, great kids, etc but there is something missing. I miss my faith. It's an ache that's deep in the soul, one that I don't recommend experiencing. It's a great sadness, one that I can't share with my husband. I've never been very active, but I know when dating/choosing a mate, I was careless and didn't listen to my heart 100%. Now I am here, trying to figure out how to reintroduce myself to the church, bring it into my kids lives and possibly into my husbands. However, my biggest concern is destroying my marriage/family because of religion. It's terrifying. I think it is critical that people date people of their same faith no matter what their faith (at least if they are active in their faith, but even then, like me, it can backfire later.) In fact, I think most bishops/priests/etc of any faith would say the same thing. Dating may take some patience with your new faith, but I'm sure that if you follow you faith, that God will have great things in store. Hope this helps.

I haven't been to church since a bunch of my friends left on missions and even then I'd only go to Sacrament. I've never been to RS before? What can I expect? If anyone knows what to expect in a priesthood meeting, I'd like that info too. My husband hasn't been to church since he was a kid and it wasn't mormon. He is very hesitant since he has agreed to go, but doesn't know much about the church. He is very self conscious that people will make him feel stupid (his childhood experience). Currently he isn't interested in missionaries. The 19-21 year old kid teaching him religion bothers him...his words, not mine, but I understand it since I've had a few rough missionary experiences. Anyhow, any tips are appreciated. Thanks

I don't cry when I go through my kids things. In fact, I can't wait to get rid of the stuff. My youngest (and last) just turned a year and I can't wait to get rid of the crib. The rocking chair and changing table are already gone. I clean out their toys about 4 times a year. However, I do get emotional when I see how big my kids have gotten and how fast the time has gone. I like to watch them in their sleep-that is what makes me tear up.

I think the visit is a mix of both social/lesson. My mom has had visiting teachers for years although she has never been an active member. Same with my step mom. I think it is what you make of it. They always have a short lesson with them, but my mom and step mom never wanted it, so it was always just a social visit.

Thanks to all for the replies. We probably won't find the answer unless we ask him a few more questions, but since it's in the workplace I doubt my hubby is up for it. Thanks again.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I look forward to reading these.

I'm not particularly religious, but there have been many times that I have stopped on BYU TV when scrolling the list of what's on tv. BYU TV was always on my favorite list because I enjoyed President Hinckley's sermons from past conferences that the station would replay. He was truly an inspiration. Heckya!

My husband has an coworker that says he is an Old Mormon? He means a member of a church that has split from the LDS faith. He is not FLDS (well, he isn't married and has no kids), but for the life of my I don't know what he means. He is very strict on no caffeine as well as other dietary restrictions. Especially sugar. He constantly tells people that they don't know what they are doing to themselves when he sees people eating any type of treat or junk. Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone knows what he means by Old Mormon? Other than FLDS are there other groups that split from the LDS church in the past? This gentleman hasn't gone into anymore detail...plus he is just a little bit off so my husband doesn't want to ask him too many questions about it. I wasn't sure where to post this question so I thought I'd start here. Thanks- Heckya!

I am looking into coming back to the church and for the little my husband has said he might be interested in slowly investigating it. I don't know much about the church. I was baptized out of parent guilt and have never been an active member. Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a couple of books on basic mormon history. I would like to learn the history and my husband really enjoys history so it might be a good introduction for him....well, both of us. Thanks- Heckya!

Well, lets see. I stumpled upon this sight quite by accident and have been lurking for a while. I was baptized years and years ago, but I have never been an active member of the church. Now that I have kids, including a preschooler that is asking all sorts of questions about God, I think it might be time to reconsider how my family practices religion. My husband is a non mormon and while he is somewhat hesitant, he is supportive of what I want....as least on the surface. Well, I think that is about it.....for now. Heckya!

I never went to EFY when I was a teen, but I highly recommend it. Many of my friends went-some of them that were headed away from the church-every person I know that went came home with an inspirational testimony.