another baptism question

[autismmum]

I am 3 months into reading up and researching about LDS and I know I want to be baptised when I am ready.:)

I am wondering who actually baptises you?

From what I have read it seems that it has to be one of the missionaries at your Ward?

I havent met with any yet as am just doing my own reading and work at the moment....I have Aspergers and can find talking with people quite a challenge so have been putting it off to be truthful.

My husband is not converting, he is Catholic but respects what I am doing.

However he has started tutting a bit at the idea of some young guy spending time teaching me and then even worse in his eyes baptising me....don`t know what he thinks is going to happen:confused:.........well for one he thought we wouldnt be wearing many clothes!...I have reassured him about this;) but he is still going on saying why isn`t it a proper priest etc ....grrr

Are there many female missionaries? This might make him feel a bit easier about it, but I have a feeling they cant baptise is that right?

Also do I have to have these lessons before I can be baptised or can you do your own work and then just have the Bishop interview?

so many questions at the moment I am so greatful to have somewhere to come to ask them:)

[friedmann]

Hey there! :)

In order for someone to baptize, he has to be male, 16 years or older, a member in good standing and a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. That sounds complicated, but the last two are the actual regulations (the other ones are included in those).

Most of the time, one of the male Missionaries baptizes the convert. When there is no male Missionary (because there are Sisters or no Missionaries assigned at all), a member of the congregation baptizes you.

If you have a male member friend in your ward who is a Priesthood holder (virtually every male member in this age group holds at least the Aaronic Priesthood, so...), feel free to ask him. You can also ask your Bishop by the way, because he won't be conducting the baptismal service - Your ward Mission leader will. This would also help your husband solve his little "Priest problem".

In my case, I asked a man I became pretty good friends with prior to my baptism. Today, he's both my home and sunday school teacher and we both cooperate with the Missionaries in teaching new investigators to this day. In fact, others could have done it too, but I prayed and I strongly felt he should baptize me. He was very excited he got to, and no matter who you choose, basically everyone you ask will feel the same excitement for you to be baptized. You can't do anything wrong. :) Remember, the act of baptism isn't that big after all; It just opens all doors to you.

By the way, both of you will wear all-body white overalls for the baptism. No reason to be concerned there :)

[MarginOfError]

It would probably be better to have an image with adults, but the idea is the same. The jumpsuits for children and adults only differ in size. Perhaps that will help your husband visualize what's happening. In case he's wondering, the jumpsuits are made of fairly thick fabric and are usually double layered from the knees to the shoulders to prevent the see-through effect.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/beliefs-practices?lang=eng&start=11&end=20#baptism-271833

I guess on a technicality, no the missionaries don't have to teach you the lessons before you are baptized. However, it will be one of the missionaries that conducts your baptismal interview, and he likely won't do that until you've had the lessons. I've known people that have attended church for years before joining, but still had to take the lessons before being baptized. It's a formality by which we make sure that people joining the Church know what they're committing themselves to.

However, it is not required that one of the missionaries baptize you. You may be baptized by any worth priesthood holder as described by friedmann and with the approval of the bishop. Feel free to ask whomever you would like to baptize you; it is unlikely they will say no.

[autismmum]

I don't know anyone in the church at all ...the only LDS people I have spoken with have been on here. The thought of having lessons scares me a bit....I am not good at the whole social thing! Aspergers is a pain at times

[friedmann]

I understand you, believe it or not. I'm a diagnosed Aspie myself...the reason why it seems not to affect me that much (but believe me, it does!) is that I make up for it with tremendous curiousity, and I've managed to direct that curiousity towards meeting new people. I have HUGE difficulties talking to people I know well (not even so much to strangers) and I see things a lot different than others. And then, there's that inner "wall" that keeps me from socializing within larger groups...I've been where you are right now.

I can ensure you that the Missionaries will get this worked out. The Spirit performs miracles in these meetings. You'll be as outgoing and receptive as you could ever be. It will be a fun, but structured conversation. It won't be that hard to follow, regardless of how concerned you are right now.

As far as the other members go, they will make the first step towards you, and you will have no difficulties relating to them. It can be a bit overwhelming at first but just try to make little steps. If you feel uncomfortable, quit, but try first. :)

[MarginOfError]

I don't know where you live, but if there's a member of the board that you're particularly fond of and lives nearby, you could also ask him to perform the baptism.

I understand it's tough with the Aspergers. When you finally do get around to visiting a ward, you can talk to the bishop or the relief society president about your AS. If you don't feel socially prepared to be taught by the missionaries, let them know. There's nothing wrong with waiting until you're socially comfortable.

At the same time, don't wait forever. Find the balance of comfort and stretching yourself that's right for you.

[autismmum]

I am in Sheffield in UK ...maybe I need to see if there are any others from near there on here

[Guest]

Okay autismmum... there is one important question you have to answer before you can be baptized...

Are you a Sheffield United or Manchester United fan???

:D :D

[MarginOfError]

Okay autismmum... there is one important question you have to answer before you can be baptized...

Are you a Sheffield United or Manchester United fan???

:D :D

Be careful how you answer that! Remember the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Choose poorly and you could end up like that!

[autismmum]

Lol actually the teams here are Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday;). If I was to support any team it would be Newcastle United as that is where I spent most of my life till I moved to go to Uni

[Guest]

Lol actually the teams here are Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday;). If I was to support any team it would be Newcastle United as that is where I spent most of my life till I moved to go to Uni

Ohhh... let's not even get into that heated fanmania between United and Wednesday. That, for sure, is the work of the devil to foster contention. LOL!!!

But, Newcastle United... man, that just got you voted off the island.

[applepansy]

I am in Sheffield in UK ...maybe I need to see if there are any others from near there on here

Have you found the ward you will be attending? You can use the Meetinghouse Locator.

You might find talking to the Bishop over the phone easier? Maybe he will know of other members who are close to you.