Converts: Who did you invite to your baptism?

[vestig8or]

Hi,

I'm wondering how you LDS converts out there handled your baptisms. If you were the only member of your family to ever convert to anything, let alone Mormonism, did you invite family members to attend? Or did you keep it a private ceremony? Or are "gentiles" even allowed to attend?

Although my husband knows I'm investigating the church and is very supportive, I find myself a bit apprehensive about how my birth family will react given all the prejudice and misinformation out there. Any advice for how to broach the subject? What worked for you? What would you do differently if you could do it over again?

Thanks!

[bmy-]

I informed my parents about my decision but did not invite them to my ceremony. It was a mistake. I just did not want any needless drama.

[ryanh]

I suppose every situation is unique. However, the witnessing of ordinances can be very powerful in bearing testimony to anyone of the truth. If there is no animosity or family difficulties, I would suggest inviting them all to celebrate with you. That is what I did, and it helped.

[mesmith]

I'm the only Mormon in my family and when I was baptized I invited my father and a non-Mormon friend (they both came).

[vestig8or]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your sharing your experiences with me. It really helps.

[dps12345]

Hi

I was born in to the Church and was baptized when I was 8 and most of my family is LDS. Consequently I may not understand most of the stresses that come along with having friends or family in attendance, when they may not have the same believes. However I have served a mission and from my experience I feel that having anyone (who is not hostel) in attendance is great. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to feel a very special spirit, and often with that experience come questions. This leads to a great opportunity to teach.

So in answer to your question, anyone is invited, anyone you want to come.

[Guest mirancs8]

I'm getting baptized in a couple of weeks and it's unfortunately that my family will not be celebrating this very special day which will only happen once in my life. My family is not LDS nor do they have any interest or understanding of the LDS faith. With that said they are respectful toward those who are they just have no interesting in being LDS.

I will be having a few very dear and close friends with me as well as friends I have made in this ward and the last ward I was in before we moved. I couldn't be happier with those who will be attending and feel blessed that they want to share this special day with me.

I would invite those who will add to your joy. If you have family members that are going to make comments or make you unhappy that day I personally wouldn't have them there. You'll need as much support as possible not opposition.

[Guest]

When I got baptized over 8 years ago I invited all my family and friends - none of the non-members attended. Not even my closest brother. They were not happy and thought it is temporary insanity. We held it at the baptismal tub in the ward building.

Late last year, my son got baptized (he turned 8). I invited all our family and friends and a lot of them attended. We held it at a beach house a few steps from the surf and had the actual baptism in the ocean. My brother's family was there, my agnostic friend's family was there, several Catholics, non-denominationals and even a gay couple were in attendance. It was awesome - a great missionary experience. Especially since my father-in-law, my sister-in-law, the bishop, and the Primary President all gave very uplifting talks about the importance of the Atonement, Faith, Repentance, Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost and gave a general idea of why we believe such things. My gay friend's boyfriend even said he was surprised to have a warm feel through the whole thing as everybody welcomed him - even the bishop (which he thought was almost the same as having the prophet shake his hand). He knows what Mormons think of his being gay...

Anyway, looking back at my own baptism, I am very blessed to have that much support after 8 years. Yes, they still think I'm insane, but at least, they know this is not some temporary thing anymore. :)

[vestig8or]

This is so very helpful. Thank you all for sharing your experience and advice.

[Flossyship]

I told my family, but only my mum and dad came. My best friend was born into the Church and actually got married in August, so she and her husband came, as did both sides of the family. I invited my work colleagues, and two turned up. I decided though that it didn't really matter who was there, as I was there and I was doing it for myself, for me to lead a better life. It would have been nice to have my family there, but as I was doing this for myself, I could accept that they didn't want to come.