After Baptism

[M_T_E]

So many investigators have heard of the process leading to baptism, myself included. Some of us have also been witness to a few. My question is what happens after baptism?

I was once told that the next Sunday when you attend sunday service is when a sustainment vote is cast after you are introduced to the ward and then confirmation is performed?

Are you given a calling and ordained to Aaronic Priesthood shortly after as well?

I have done a lot of learning but came to realize this is something I know little about, especially as I have not been able to attend a Sunday service.

Thanks!

[marshac]

My wife and I were confirmed the following week. I received the Aaronic priesthood about a month later, and the Melchizedek about a year later after some interviews with my Bishop and Stake President.

[bytebear]

You're going to have to carry your own water, as it were. Your activity will depend more on your actions than the missionaries. They will move on, and your ward family will be your new support. Some new members struggle with that transition. Hopefully you have or will have made friends in your ward. And really just getting involved. If you can't attend Sunday service at your ward, I would see if there is another ward that fits your time schedule that you can visit. Better to attend a different ward than not at all.

[marshac]

You're going to have to carry your own water, as it were. Your activity will depend more on your actions than the missionaries. They will move on, and your ward family will be your new support. Some new members struggle with that transition.

This was our experience as well- the missionaries moved on pretty quickly and we were left to our own devices. After a few months my wife and I were called to the activities committee, and I was called to lead a lesson during EQ once a month. I was usually pretty busy with the EQ each weekend helping people move, working on eagle scout projects, doing yard work for our more elderly members, etc. Despite our involvement, it was a pretty rocky transition- the logistics of navigating a new church were a little daunting at first, but eventually we figured out where things were, and who to talk to for what. The real difficulty though was the social aspect- at the time we didn't have any kids, and being converts, we didn't have any ancestor or mission stories to tell- these sound like trivial superficial things, but lacking these really was a barrier to entry into the larger ward culture, or even into any social circles- everyone seemed content with the friends and relationships they had and although everyone was always very nice, we were always on the periphery. After about two years of this, we finally stopped going- not really because of any beef with the doctrine or history, but simply because we were tired of going to a strangers house for 3 hours every week. Our LDS neighbors moved a few blocks over shortly after we joined the church- their primary reason they moved was to change wards (which they confided in us- everyone else was told it was because they needed more space), and they're very happy with their decision. We're now talking about becoming their neighbors again, so we hope to resume activity at that point. Hopefully this doesn't sound like sour grapes or anything- It's not intended to- it's just our experience joining the church. I'm hoping that once we move our new ward will be as awesome as our neighbors make it sound- I also hope to reach out and befriend any new converts that come around and make sure their transition goes a bit better than ours did- maybe have a monthly potluck or something at our house. Who knows. I'm looking forward to it though.

[M_T_E]

I did request Nov 3 off from work so that I can attend my first Sunday service, since I am attempting to move up into management so I can take time off from being a Process Server it is usually difficult to request time off. I stated 'personal reasons' in my request, he is pretty easy going so I expect to get the day off.

I attended a service when I was ten with my best friend growing up who is LDS, it was different than my normal Baptist services and made me feel uneasy so I never did go back.

And as for after baptism, I was curious. I figured the missionaries would move on as they have work to do.

On a side note there has been a big increase in local missionaries. The numbers actually have raised to the point that the Kennewick Mission was split in two to form the Vancouver Mission as well.

[pam]

I'm kind of confused as to how the Kennewick mission was split to form the Vancouver Mission. Aren't they on opposite sides of the state?

[Vort]

I'm kind of confused as to how the Kennewick mission was split to form the Vancouver Mission. Aren't they on opposite sides of the state?

Just guessing, but I suspect the Kennewick mission went significantly further west than you might expect, possibly to the Cascades, and that the Vancouver mission now includes some of that southern WA territory east of the mountains. Again, just a guess.

[NightSG]

So many investigators have heard of the process leading to baptism, myself included. Some of us have also been witness to a few. My question is what happens after baptism?

Cookies and cake!

Oh, you mean after that...

Depends on the ward leadership, I guess. Lots of folks can tell you what should happen, but as we all know too well, there's a big gap between "should" and "does."

Safe bet; volunteer to go out with the missionaries as soon as you can. They love the company, and the best way to really learn anything is to help teach it.

[Seanette]

My confirmation was included in my baptism service (in 1994, procedure may well have changed since then. Besides, I was going to be out of town for several weeks).

I've had mixed experiences with different wards as I moved. The first stake I was involved in, my husband had grown up in. Rather cliquish, but somewhat friendly.

Next stake/ward was in another city. Smaller, quite warm and welcoming.

Next move took us into a horribly cliquish stake. We attended several different wards, and all of them had an attitude that anyone who was not lifelong LDS and a lifelong resident of that stake was just an intruder to be shunned. We wound up inactive due to a combination of DH's, shall we say, lack of enthusiasm and my inability to cope with feeling so totally unwelcome. I also would absolutely NOT have brought anyone I actually liked to church in that stake. The way members were treated, I wouldn't have wanted an investigator to see and be scared away from the Gospel by.

Most recent move was within the same city, but a different stake. I LOVE these people! Incredibly friendly and caring bunch who treat new faces at church as another child of God to know and love. I'm sure this stake is a lot closer to how the Savior would have His church.