Should I, or Shouldn't I?

[JodyTJ]

As some of you know, my parents (my biological mother and step father) are adamantly against me becoming a Mormon. They have their reasons, and I respect those reasons, but it is ultimately my decision. I am 19 after all. Anyway, my father, who doesn't live with me (he cheated and left my mom when I was three) is quite religious. And like me, he is Catholic, though he hasn't been to church in over a decade (probably since I was 3). He has read the Bible fully, but only once. He has gone through a lot through his life, and he really wants to get out of this slump he is in. His girlfriend moved to Newfoundland, and he went there for about five months, but cam back to Ontario, but they still love each other. And it it very likely that she is coming back to Ontario (with her son, my semi-step brother). You may be wondering why I am writing all of this nonsense. Well, I have a little plan. I truly believe this Church is the restored and true Church. My father is in a crisis, and loves his girlfriend (who I don't like... ). And I think this Church can help them, spiritually and in their relationship. I think the concept of family in the Church could really help them become closer and become closer to God. His step son suffers from anxiety and hasn't been to school for four years (he should be graduated, but he only has his grade eight..) And since during sacrament meetings, people do a talk, that could really help him get out of his shell. And, his mother suffers from severe back pain, and having so much support at church could really lift her spirits. They also don't have a lot of money, and the Church's welfare system could assist them.

I am not a member yet, but I will be baptized in November or December. I really believe this is the true Church. My dad needs a Church that inspires him and gets him back to his true self, and this Church can help him.

Do you think after I convert I should try to get my dad, his girlfriend and his step son to convert as well?

[Suzie]

Do you think after I convert I should try to get my dad, his girlfriend and his step son to convert as well?

Why wait until you are baptized? :) If they are interested, you can make arrangements with the missionaries and see how things turn out.

[Lakumi]

be careful with anyone with anxiety and throwing them into social situations. I knew Mormons were social, friendly folk, but I didn't expect to be greeted and talked to so much. Though I enjoyed myself, it was very draining. Where I bought some chocolate milk and took a nap, some socially inverted people react more... extreme?

[Roseslipper]

If you know the church is true great, you can share your feelings with them as well, but dont wait for them to join for you to join...it be nice if u all joined together but that might not happen...so dont wait on them...they might come with you or later on...all we can do is share what we have, love them and be a good example....The gospel is true, the people in the church are nice but they are not perfect. We all have our own stuff, issues to learn to deal with and over come.

[JodyTJ]

be careful with anyone with anxiety and throwing them into social situations. I knew Mormons were social, friendly folk, but I didn't expect to be greeted and talked to so much. Though I enjoyed myself, it was very draining. Where I bought some chocolate milk and took a nap, some socially inverted people react more... extreme?

I'm not the most social person (I enjoy peoples company, though), so I am quite fine with interacting with new people, such as Mormons. But yeah, I don't want to push my step brother into joining, but I do think it would be worth while.

And my reasoning for not having them join when I join is because I want to tell them first hand how great the church is. Instead of just saying it is great without actually being in it (I do think it's great regardless, but they like proof).

[Lakumi]

I enjoy peoples' company here and there but it drains me.

I was shocked at how genuinely nice the people at the meetinghouse were. For the first time in my life, I walked into a room and felt no one hated me, or was whispering about me. I just felt happy.

Its the first time I felt any happiness in a Church, or involving religion in general.

I hope they have the same positive experience I did

[Quin]

I'm going to be a voice of caution, here.

I worry that in trying to "fix" your father & his life via the gospel that you're setting yourself (and others) up for drama, codependence, & heartbreak.

When we're in love we want the whole world to be in love... It's a totally natural / righteous desire of the heart to want others to have the same joy & grounding we've found. But it can also be destructive & harmful, to try and force situations because we "know" what's "best" for them. Because we superimpose our wants over their needs.

I would counsel, personally, letting this evolve more organically. Share your joy without pinning all your hopes for family/stability/etc. in them falling as. In love with the gospel as you have.

Kinda like the difference between praying for hearts/minds to be ready to hear, rather than praying for the end result. KWIM?

[JodyTJ]

I'm going to be a voice of caution, here.

I worry that in trying to "fix" your father & his life via the gospel that you're setting yourself (and others) up for drama, codependence, & heartbreak.

When we're in love we want the whole world to be in love... It's a totally natural / righteous desire of the heart to want others to have the same joy & grounding we've found. But it can also be destructive & harmful, to try and force situations because we "know" what's "best" for them. Because we superimpose our wants over their needs.

I would counsel, personally, letting this evolve more organically. Share your joy without pinning all your hopes for family/stability/etc. in them falling as. In love with the gospel as you have.

Kinda like the difference between praying for hearts/minds to be ready to hear, rather than praying for the end result. KWIM?

I don't necessarily want to fix my father, I want him to find happiness. And this Church has provided, literally, millions with happiness. I don't intend on telling him to join the church right away, I want to take a more slow approach. I myself will be getting baptized in November/December (yay!!) and don't plan on him being baptized the same month. I was thinking about 2-5 months after me.

But, I do agree with you. I am going to take a more logical approach, and pray about it extensively.

[Leah]

I don't necessarily want to fix my father, I want him to find happiness. And this Church has provided, literally, millions with happiness. I don't intend on telling him to join the church right away, I want to take a more slow approach. I myself will be getting baptized in November/December (yay!!) and don't plan on him being baptized the same month. I was thinking about 2-5 months after me.

But, I do agree with you. I am going to take a more logical approach, and pray about it extensively.

You can't really "plan" or decide on when your father will join the church. He may not even want to join.

By all means, share your testimony and joy with him. Be an example for him by living the gospel. Pray. But he has free agency. Whether he joins the church or not is between him and Heavenly Father.

[Leah]

Why are you waiting until the end of the year to be baptized?

[JodyTJ]

Why are you waiting until the end of the year to be baptized?

That's a good question. I'm waiting for the following reasons:

1) Doing lessons with the missionaries during the summer is very difficult (don't have a full licence). And my parents are against me joining.

2) I want to take it slow. I don't thinking studying for two weeks is good enough, even if I'm pumped up on excitement.

3) Like #2, I want to learn as much as I can. I don't want to get into the church and know absolutely nothing.

4) I want to get to know the missionaries and the Bishop more, that way when I join I feel less overwhelmed.

But who knows, I could get baptized in October. And another thing. When school starts up this September, I will have a better chance at doing the lessons. From 11:00am to 2:30pm I have what we call a "spare" (where you have no classes), and during that time I could have the missionaries pick me up and do the lessons at the meetinghouse (which is only a 15 min drive). Obviously I will do it on their time, not mine, since I have all the time I need.