Had a 'Testimony' to be here.

[limichelle]

Hi,

I'm 34 and have for a couple years now been interested in becoming Mormon. It's just I never had a strong gut instinct about it.

 

I have been lost in my beliefs for sometime I ended a decade long relationship two years ago and in that relationship I turned my back on God. My ex and I both have serious mental health issues. I figured God had punished us both so why worship him? Ignorant and false thinking at the time.  I basically didn't deem myself worthy enough in the Lords eyes. The lord loves us all and he doesn't make trash, he chose us all to be on earth for a purpose. 

 

Towards the the end of that relationship I joined a church but didn't feel my place in the Congregational church. I was raised Congregational Christian. My brothers were also best friends with Mormon brothers. My mom has friends who are Mormon. So my parents know all about the Faith.  So as I kept exploring different churches, from Presbyterian and Lutheran I still didn't feel right.

 

Well I have done a lot of transgressions regarding not being chaise. I also still live at home and on Disability.  I also have had a Hysterectomy due to nessecary medical issues at 31 and have no Children. I felt that the Mormon Church wouldn't accept me. That a Mormon guy would not accept me.

So I gave up on the idea and started to date an Agnostic guy. Well it was when I was looking at this beautiful cross I saved money to purchase because I always wanted a really nice cross, something to last a lifetime. As I was looking at it, I realized I wasn't being true to my inner core.

So I ended the dating with the guy. Told my parents last night I am strongly considering becoming Mormon. They were taken aback a bit but equally not as surprised knowing I had discussed this on and off before.

Last night I had I'm not sure if it was a Testimony to join this Faith or just a dream, but it was a powerful message from the Lord that this is where I belong. To wash away my sins by being baptized and come into this Faith to reach and be close to Jesus Christ.

 

I woke up awakened and anew feeling this gut instinct now leading me into this path very strongly.

 

This  is where God wants me to be!

 

I have questions about how to get started.

 

Do I go to the church or call them up?

Tell them my testimony to join the faith?

 

Does it matter if I can't bring unborn souls into this world?

i know there is a lot to this and I'm ready to make all the right steps.

thank you,

 

Lisa

 

 

[Sunday21]

Very pleased that you are here! Welcome!

Here is a good place to start https://www.mormon.org/

On this site, you can

ask questions

find a meeting house

order a Book of Mormon and a Bible (Always a good idea!. Who doesn't need both of these!)

Suggestion: you can read a few chapters of the Book of Mormon, while discussing it with the missionaries on this site. Pray and ask Heavenly Father if the book is true. Perhaps visit a meeting house next Sunday? I imagine that this site can arrange to notify the missionaries in your ward that you are coming. It is nice to have someone there that you know!

Oh by the way, there is no passing of the collection plate. You will not be asked to donate money.

Hugs! Let us know how how you are doing!

Edited February 27, 2017 by Sunday21

[my two cents]

40 minutes ago, limichelle said:

Does it matter if I can't bring unborn souls into this world?

No.

Welcome to the forum.  Glad to have you here and happy that you're on this path.

[limichelle]

Thank you both for your answers and your help. ?

 

Lisa

[zil]

19 minutes ago, Sunday21 said:

You will not be asked to donate money.

This might be misleading.  Baptized members are expected to tithe and pay at least a fast offering.

Welcome, @limichelle, glad you're here!

[bytebear]

Go to church.  Get in contact with missionaries.  Their job is to go over the basics of the faith, what is expected of you, and what is required for baptism. That's their job.  To prepare you for baptism.  Then you become a member of the church, and your ward (congregation), where you will continue to learn and grow in the gospel.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, limichelle said:

Do I go to the church or call them up?

Tell them my testimony to join the faith?

Does it matter if I can't bring unborn souls into this world?

You can just show up or call them.  Either way is fine.  Visitors are always welcome -- as long as you're polite. 

If you find the local meetinghouse, the missionaries or the ward mission leader should be able to tell you which ward is your assigned ward based on where you live. But you can visit with any ward you choose at the beginning.

Tell them your story.  Tell them your testimony.  Tell them anything you want.  It's a conversation.  They'll want to get to know you.  So, consider it a social visit with a religious subtext.

Each of us finds Christ in our own due time.  While the membership does put a premium on family life, singles, and couples with no kids are always welcome, and we're equal in the eyes of the Lord.  All the Lord cares about is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

[Jane_Doe]

Hi @limichelle and welcome to the forums!  More importantly, welcome to checking out the Church!

 

Resource to help get a hold of LDS people--

--If you ever just want to chat with an LDS missionary, 24/7, there's this online: https://www.mormon.org/chat

--If you would like to visit your local congregation and/or get a hold of anyone local, type your address in here: https://www.lds.org/maps/meetinghouses

-- If you just want to read up on LDS beliefs on your own: https://www.mormon.org

-- Feel free to stop by any Sunday for a visit.  The sign says "Visitors Welcome" and we mean it!  If you're nervous on what to except, here's nifty cartoon: 

 

 

 

Your OP expressed concerns about past transgressions: as the Bible says " 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."   We all have past mistakes and horrible sins.  Come, let us join together in celebrate in the marvelous gift of repentance with Christ and the miraculous cleaning His offers.  

But not your hysterectomy-- cause that's not even a sin in the first place ;).   God commanded us to take care of our bodies, and that's what you've done.  There's no sin in obeying God's commandments.   Some people simply cannot have children, whether due to medical procedures, infertility, lack of finding the right person, or any other number of reasons.  There is no sin in that.   

Likewise your emotional issues and disabilities-- they are in no way sinful, but part of God's plan for us (even if they feel like big burden).  He gives us the tools to overcome some, and the comfort in enduring the rest.  In fact, here's an article that just came out in our global teaching magazine about anxiety Disorders (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/03/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders?lang=eng).

 

Edited February 27, 2017 by Jane_Doe

[Guest MormonGator]

Op-same thing happened to me. I had a feeling to read the BoM and about a weekend later, I walked into my local church. 

[limichelle]

Thank you all for your awesome advice and support!!

 

You have given me a lot of information and really helped my personal concerns.

 

 

 

Lisa